Gallagher’s Pub Quiz Champs

PHOTO by JEFFREY R. GOULD

When area middle and high schools broke for summer earlier this year, the competition at Gallagher’s weekly Tuesday-night pub quiz became a bit stiffer, as an influx of teachers took over tables, paying $5 per person (minimum of two players, maximum of six) to compete for the grand prize: the kitty, which can on a good night break $400.

Among them were Jen McAfee and Regina Ortiz, teachers at San Pedro’s Dodson Middle School; South Gate High School teacher Brian McTaggart; and Hawthorne High School teacher Chris Cannon, who, with friend Kristen Ford, began competing regularly in the pub quiz as the team Woodcock-Johnsons, named after the standardized aptitude tests administered to students.

For those not familiar with these increasingly popular pub trivia competitions (which at Gallagher’s are broken up by quizmaster Kevin Prendergast into five rounds of 10 questions, the first round always on current events), you must understand that the nights can prove mighty addicting—especially if you finish toward the top, as the Woodcock-Johnsons did for a number of weeks before finally finishing in first place in early September. (They also took home the trophy the week before this photo was taken.)

And sometimes, it’s hard to say when trivia ends and the rest of your life begins. “We were in Vegas, and we were sitting there, and I’m looking on my iPhone—’Hey guys, so-and-so, this happened, that happened,’ just trying to sit there and tell each other different stuff,” says McAfee.

“I’d like to say we’ve calmed down since then,” adds Ortiz, “but I don’t think we really have that much.”

When they’re not boning up on their current-events knowledge, here’s where you can find the Woodcock-Johnsons:

36/36 “[36/36] just keeps going up and up in my book,” says Ortiz. “We went there for my bachelorette party. It was our last place of the night. We probably shouldn’t have gone there—we probably should have called it quits before then. It’s fun!” 3636 E. Broadway, Long Beach 90803. 562.438.5365.

AULD DUBLINER “I think we’re more downtown people than Second St. or Belmont Shore [people],” says Ortiz. “We don’t eat here, but we drink here!” chimes in McTaggart. 71 S. Pine Ave. Long Beach 90802. 562.437.8300; aulddubliner.com.

BEACH CITY GRILL McAfee’s favorite spot for a veggie burger, she and Cannon head there during the art walk on First Thursdays. “It’s all homemade and has carrots and barley and lentils—a lot of fresh ingredients,” says McAfee. “It’s not a frozen, pre-made thing.” 376 W. Sixth St., San Pedro 90731. 310.833.6345.

CANADIAN PIZZA “It’s the one place we go back to again and again,” Ortiz says. “Which is next to a bar that we haven’t been to,” adds McTaggart. He’ll take the Philly cheesesteak or the chicken club: “[Regina’s] a pepperoni-pizza girl, and I explore the rest of the menu.” 1241 E. Fourth St., Long Beach 90802. 562.980.7605; canadianpizzagrill.com.

CHRISTY’S “Their meat sauce reminds me of my grandma’s sauce,” says Ford. “And that’s coming from an ex-vegetarian!” adds Ortiz. “It has like three different kinds of meat in it,” continues Ford. “Not just one—three,” Ortiz interjects. Ford’s replay? “When I fall, I fall.” 3937 E. Broadway, Long Beach 90803. 562.433.7133; christysristorante.com.

THE COFFEE CUP CAFE “I usually don’t get up in time to eat a real breakfast, but I like the Coffee Cup,” says Ford. “The green salsa is kick-ass!” 3734 E. Fourth St., Long Beach 90814. 562.433.3292.

FROSTED CUPCAKERY “Any special event requires Frosted. Anyone’s birthday, Frosted appears,” says McAfee. “I’ve tried all the flavors, but I really just like the plain vanilla cupcake with the chocolate frosting.” 4817 E. Second St., Long Beach 90803. 562.987.1080; frostedcupcakery.com.

GALLAGHER’S Of course! “I’m vegetarian, so usually it’s like a grilled cheese or a quesadilla or some kind of salad wrap,” says McAfee, “but my really favorite thing to order is Smithwick’s!” 2751 E. Broadway, Long Beach 90803. 562.856-8000; gallagherslongbeach.com.

LONG BEACH PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE PATH “I go to Gold’s (345 Pine Ave., Long Beach 90802. 562.436.4653), and I have a personal trainer,” says Ortiz. “During the summer we’ll run down Pine to the beach and then over to the pier and then back up. It’s a good little lap.”

QUEEN MARY OBSERVATION DECK “What’s not to like?” asks Cannon. “Ambiance, the historical value, being able to look at Long Beach.” “Also, the people-watching there is very interesting!” adds McAfee. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach 90802. 562.435.3511; queenmary.com.

Tags: 36/36, auld dubliner, best of, canadian pizza, christy's, frosted cupcakery, gallagher's, Long Beach, nightlife, pub quiz, Queen Mary, woodcock-johnsons