Who would have thought you'd find an ex Apache Bell from Tyler Texas running a world famous beer joint in Dallas? Lois McKinzie Adair, owner of Adair's Saloon began her life in Tyler and moved to Dallas in the late 1950's. She met and married R.L. Adair and the rest is history. Adair's, as it is known around Texas, has had a loyal following since it's beginning. The beer joint was opened by S.L. and Ann Adair in February 1963 on Cedar Springs. Their clientele consisted mostly of college students from nearby schools, among them SMU, TCU, NTSU and others. The now famous burgers got started because Ann would make the 1/2 lb. cheeseburgers to satisfy S.L.'s large appetite. The kids decided the burgers looked good and began to request them. Another Adair's trademark, the graffiti on the walls, began as kids would leave their "mark". Lois and R.L. worked for Ann and S.L. from January 1, 1967 until December 31, 1969. In 1977 they bought the business when Ann and S.L. retired. When S.L. decided to sell the building in August of 1982, Lois and R.L. had a farewell party at the Cedar Springs location and reopened Adair's on Commerce Street in January of 1983. At the grand opening party, Lois handed out black markers and the old traditions began anew. Not much has changed since the early days. The attitude around Adair's has always been, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Since R.L.'s death in 1987, Lois has been alone in managing the business. She has adopted a more progressive attitude and has made some changes which have enhanced the Adair's tradition. The classics are still in place on the jukebox, along with some carefully selected additions. Adair's has become home to live music and can boast that musicians such as Jack Ingram, Deryl Dodd and members of The Dixie Chicks have graced their stage. Hit song writer Tony Lane was once an Adair's regular performer. A few artists have come to record LIVE CDs and a couple of groups have had their cover photography done at Adair's. Adair's has been shown in print ads in several magazines and has been the setting for everything from beer commercials to a Don Henley music video. While there have been imitators, not one of them has been able to duplicate the success of the original. Maybe there's something to R.L.'s saying, "Dance with the one who brung ya or no damn dancin'."