JUST ANOTHER FRIDAY'S

Will the Friday's food chain, which is prepared to take over the location of the former California Pizza Kitchen actually make any money? And does this question matter at all--to anyone?

The space along Eliot Street, near the corner of JFK Street and opposite The Charles Hotel has never had much luck in the past, and Dartboard doesn't see much reason that Friday's will fare any better than its predecessors have--unless, maybe, the number of alcoholic drinks served greatly exceeds the number of hamburgers cooked or potato skins fried.

Harvard Square seems to have its bases pretty much covered when it comes to greasy food and beer, between Mr. Bartley's, Shay's and The Crimson Sports Grille. What niche is Friday's going to fill here and is it a dispensable one?

Dartboard has seen several Friday's in New Jersey and New York and has even eaten in one of them. The prevailing atmosphere is one of camaraderie (heaving boozing), enjoyment (ordering more food than you could possibly eat) and finally reflection (wishing you had never set foot in the establishment).

Harvard students will probably avoid the new establishment the same way they steer clear of Pizzeria Uno's (unless those who are underaged simply have a horrible fake I.D.) and for the same reasons: It's commercial, antiseptic and boring. So despite its corporate strength, Friday's will probably fade away and disappear into the realm of mediocrity whence it came.

The Tasty was an establishment to get worked up about because it stood for something: grease with charm, reinforced by more than 80 years of tradition. The entrance of Friday's into our lives can only leave us wondering who the hell cares.