TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | MAR 2019 19
By Alaina Loughridge
I don’t know where this guy has been my entire life, but he is now
my new BFF! Rodney Ankner at Coco’s Sunset Grille, is who I am
speaking of and he is just flat out fun. You can literally tell him anything
(I spilled my guts) and he didn’t bat a single one of his baby blue eyes at
me. I seriously connected with this man on a bipolar level and you will
too. Whether you are from Ohio or Tybee, this guy is just so connectable.
Let me tell you what I learned in our Fireball fueled shot rampage…
Rodney was raised in Lambertville, New Jersey on a horse farm with his
brother, Peter, and did the usual life thing between zero and 18. Rodney
got sucked into the industry early (15 years old), working as a dishwasher
in a fine dining French restaurant (yikes!). Throughout the early years
of his life, Rodney traveled and did literally every restaurant position
you can imagine. His first bartending gig was in Seattle, Washington
of all places, at the Yankee Grill. From there, life just went. After his
daughter, Montana, was born, he knew he wanted to be near family and
went back to the East Coast where he clearly belongs. He worked here
and there, but the entire time he was researching Tybee Island, Georgia.
Rodney loves the ocean and wanted somewhere beachy and cool. Eight
years later, he arrived at his destination. Rodney dabbled in the industry
downtown for a minute, but was soon lured to Marlin Monroe’s by Jenny
Orr, of whom he is eternally grateful for getting him to the beach. Things
changed (hurricanes and life) and Tracy and Kathryne of Coco’s Sunset
Grille beckoned. Rodney says they were family from the instant they
made eye contact and the feelings are mutual.
Of course, I had to ask my new BFF the most important questions
of Life:
Tybee Life: 3 years.
Passion: The Beach!!! Lives for toes in sand and ass in beach chair.
Grows Up: I just want to fish.
Spirit Animal: Owl. They see and know everything. They are very
spiritual animals and Rodney is into Native American culture, being
part native himself. One with the earth.
Rodney’s go-to masterpiece is a White Russian with a Twist. I can’t
tell you what the twist is, but oh my! I was twisted in all the right happy
ways after I sampled one.
Rodney is a must-get-to-know guy. He is so personable and down to
earth, with a scooch of naughty thrown in to keep you giggling. It also
helps that he’s good looking, but ladies he’s taken, so be nice. Get down
to Cocos and get you some Rodney. If you don’t live here, he will make
you want to move here, and if you do live here, you will most certainly
come back for more.