DATE: Friday, October 17, 1997              TAG: 9710150111

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 08   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: COVER STORY 

SOURCE: Jen Mystkowski 

                                            LENGTH:   43 lines

GETTING MORE OUT OF LUNCH

TWO MEN with rolled up sleeves and napkins over their neckties are making their wet burritos disappear while discussing the business of the day.

``Did you hear about that woman's case against the bicycle company?'' one of the men asks. ``John is really confident that she'll win. Who should we give it to?''

Almost every day people do business over a bite to eat at Portside. ``There are three different lunches,'' Portsmouth native Jack Lofton said. He and his wife, Lydia, own Casa Rio, home of the wet burrito. ``First shipyard workers come in at around 11 a.m. Business people come in after that. The last group of people are those who were covering for the first bunch of business people.''

``The vendors here sell quality food for a reasonable price,'' Lofton said. ``We have so many special regulars. Over time customers become friends, and then friends become family.

``I hope Portside's closing is only temporary. It's beautiful this time of year, and it's good therapy for me to be here every day.''

``One hour!'' yelled some regulars counting down to the end of the season Sunday at 9 p.m. Bob Lee tolled the last call bell on the hour as food and drink were heavily discounted in an effort to waste not.

``I've seen every socio-economic class comes up to this counter,'' said Rich Neefe, a vendor at Pop's Kabobs. ``It's sad. I always look forward to coming back to it.''

``Everybody loves it here,'' said Peggy Stone, a leader in the fight to keep Portside open. Citizens' efforts to keep it open include speaking at town meetings, circulating petitions and increasing awareness about tax dollars are spent on Portside. ``I think it'll be all right.''

City Council is expected to make a decision soon on whether Portside will open next year. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JEN MYSTKOWSKI

Portside drew crowds of 2,000 to 3,000 for Thursday night concerts.

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