Tom Rodriguez
227 Monterey St., Salinas
754-1488, www.growerspub.com
“Is Tom behind the bar tonight? He is? I’ll be right there,” is heard with surprising regularity around Oldtown Salinas. And the crowds at Growers Pub have been known to chant his name, too: “Tom! Tom! Tom!” they say as he grabs bottles and pours with dignity, aplomb and that little grin of his. But beyond his expertise with the bottles, he’s an old-school gentleman whose presence as a Salinas bartender goes back decades. He will remember your drink of choice if you visit more than twice.