On my first visit, before I even get a menu, the bartender comes over, sticks out his hand and introduces himself. He asks my name, runs through the menu and makes some suggestions.

Although he’s busy with other customers, he frequently checks on me during the meal, always addressing me by name.

On my next visit, there’s a different bartender. Once again, though, the first thing he does is introduce himself and ask my name. Once again, service is friendly and personal.

In neither instance does the behavior strike me as a restaurant policy or gimmick. Judging by the interactions I witness between customers and staff, CK Tavern & Grill is just one of those “Cheers”-type places where everyone feels at home.

The Ahwatukee Foothills restaurant, which replaced Bar Nun in January 2005, is part sports bar — jerseys hang on the walls, and there are lots of TVs to watch games — and part neighborhood tavern — with pool tables, comfortable booths and two dozen beers on tap.

There’s even live music Thursdays through Sundays from well-known local performers such as Shirley’s Temple, Chuck E. Baby and Shelby James.

If all this isn’t enough, there’s some pretty good food, too.

The menu has all the sports bar staples — burgers, sandwiches and wings — but dinner entrees include spicy meatloaf, honey hot-roasted chicken, center-cut sirloin steak and Kansas City-style barbecue pork ribs.

Raspberry chipotle boneless wings ($4.50 for six, $6.99 a dozen) are a must-have appetizer. Lightly breaded and cooked to a crisp, they’re covered in a gooey, delicious glaze that’s sweet and spicy.

Carne adovada, pork braised in a dark red chili sauce, is another CK specialty and available in several forms, ranging from an appetizer pizza ($7.99) to a dinner platter
($9.99).

On one of my visits, the daily special is a huge burro filled with the savory meat and accompanied by rice and black beans ($7.95).

The Cheezy Phil ($7.99) is CK’s twist on the Philly cheesesteak. The onion roll is loaded with sliced beef and topped with provolone cheese, grilled onions, pickled pepperoncinis and mushrooms.

The Bleu Burger ($8.99) is a half-pound patty topped with bacon and just enough blue cheese crumbles to provide a strong flavor but not an overpowering one.

Like the sandwiches, burgers come with a choice of beer-battered fries, seasoned buffalo chips, tater tots, potato salad, jalapeño coleslaw or cottage cheese.

My favorite side? The buffalo chips. They wouldn’t have been my first choice, but they were highly recommended by the bartender.

Turns out, he knows me pretty well.

CK Tavern & Grill
Where: 4142 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix
Open: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
Prices: Appetizers $3.99-$10.99, soups/salads $2.95-$8.99, burgers/sandwiches $6.99-$8.99, dinner entrees $9.99-$14.99, desserts $1.99-$4.95
Info: (480) 706-5564 or ckgrill.com