Beach Bar Beat: Frank at Louie’s Backyard

Frank Oyervidez makes cocktails at Louie’s Backyard’s dive bar. Photo by Gaige Davila.

By Gaige Davila
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com

The Beach Bar Beat is back, in celebration of the old and new at the Port Isabel-South Padre Press and the new South Padre Parade. 

For this month’s Beat, I’ve returned to a bar that was formative in my teen upbringing, interviewing Frank Oyervidez, who I befriended several years ago when I was a (very) subpar server at Louie’s Backyard.

 

It’s been five years since I worked at Louie’s Backyard, so I asked Frank, “what’s up?”

Name: Frank Oyervidez

How long have you worked at Louie’s?: I’ve been here for six years total, but I waited (tables) that first year. Waited that first year and bartended for the rest. This was my first serving job, first bartending job. 

What’s the most popular drink here?: The Charlie’s Cherry, still. Every night people come up, and they’re like, “give us, uh, what’s that drink? That big cup?” Some people call it the Whammy, some people call it the Cherry, some people call it the “fish bowl.” In reality, it’s all the same thing.

Cocktails made by Frank Oyervidez at Louie’s Backyard. Photo by Gaige Davila.

What’s your specialty drink?: Bloody Mary: Zing Zang bloody mary mix, and a mix of Absolut Peppar, Absolut Lime, and Absolut Texas. 

What do you recommend for people who don’t want the Cherry?: I have a little list: Blue Hawaiians, Bahama Mamas, Sex on the Beach. Here on the Island, it’s rum-based stuff. 

What are you doing when you’re not bartending?: I live on the Island. It’s so easy to have friends that own businesses and stuff, so we’ll hit up Bar Louie, or go parasailing, or go to the beach. Even if it’s not our day off, before work or after work. My daughter will come and spend a few nights or a weekend, and she enjoys doing any of that. Every time she’s here, it’s beach, Beach Park, any of that outdoor stuff. 

If you could make a drink for anybody, dead or alive, who would they be?: The Red Hot Chili Peppers. I don’t know what they drink, but I would love to spend a few minutes with them. 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2020/07/01/beach-bar-beat-frank-at-louies-backyard/

1 comment

    • Rafael Rivera Aguirrre on April 12, 2021 at 4:50 pm
    • Reply

    How is it prepared the Charlie’s Cherry

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