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Local business owners have made the mistake of giving me their private cell numbers before. Chris Keil of 1022 South is not the first. As soon as I caught wind of 1022 South's epic breakthrough into high-class journalism with The New York Times Magazine's food blog , I gave Keil a jingle to congratulate him.

STEPH DEROSA: I bet your phone has been blowing up today with phone calls.

CHRIS KEIL: Yeah, I kinda knew it was coming. I got a bunch of calls this morning and was a little foggy when I first glanced over the column, but I like it.

DEROSA: It's a great article. The writer did a good job encompassing what 1022 South is about. But I can't help but be a little jealous. He HAD to have missed something, right? So, what would you like to add to that New York Times piece?

KEIL: Actually, what I'd like to throw out there is that there is such a sense of community out there when it comes to 1022 South. Just during our last big freeze it was 25 degrees in the bar and I had loyal customers all bundled up, drinking gin and tonics and playing cribbage.  It really means a lot to me that we're allowed to do this.

DEROSA: Now that you're a celebrity, does this mean you are going to move to LA and start wearing sunglasses all the time?

KEIL: Ha-ha! No, I won't - but people have approached me about moving up to Seattle and doing something like 1022 South up there. Although it would be easier for a place like this to do well up in Seattle, I wouldn't be anywhere else but Tacoma. I come from a working-class family, this is where I'm from, so this is where I'm happy.

DEROSA: Awww, Chris, you are so sweet - you are going to make me tear up.

KEIL: Well, that being said, if I were to receive any New York job offers, that might be something I would entertain.

DEROSA: Before New York steals you, can I get your autograph?

KEIL: Ha-ha!

DEROSA: No, really, can I?

KEIL: No.

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1022 South

1022 South J St., Tacoma
253.627.8588

LINK: 1022 South also told us how to drink better