The Loop
All of Augusta's gossip and cholesterol, in one convenient location
By Matthew Rudy
You aren't visiting Augusta in April for the food (or in any other month, to be honest), but you can find a thriving dinner scene -- and a decent steak -- on Washington Road.
TBonz Steakhouse is Augusta National's unofficial 19th hole -- especially for caddies, media and the more relaxed players in the field. The Augusta outpost of this regional chain is located just down the road from the Masters gates, a block from I-20. It's a notch above Outback Steakhouse, and it has the same reservation policy -- there isn't one.
Dinnertime waits can be up to two hours if you want a table, but go early and find a spot at the bar. You might see Darius Rucker -- a golf fanatic who came came straight to Augusta after singing the National Anthem at the UConn-Kentucky game Monday night -- and you'll certainly hear the latest tour gossip and tall tales. It's unquestionably the easiest way to get close to the Masters action all week.
The menu is straightforward laundry list of steaks, burgers, chicken and ribs, but a visit isn't complete without an order of TBonz' signature Tommy fries - a coronary-inducing combination of french fries, cheese, ranch dressing and bacon bits. They're enough to void the warranty on your slim-fit J.Lindeberg pants all by themselves.