Nate Bargatze is a comedian known for his laid-back delivery and observational humor. Although he began his career as a magician, he eventually transitioned into stand-up comedy. His style is often described as dry and self-deprecating. Bargatze's comedy often focuses on everyday situations and experiences, from marriage and parenting to technology and travel. He has a unique ability to find humor in the mundane and present it in a way that resonates with audiences. One of Bargatze's most well-known bits is his "full time magic" joke.
Other multigenerational customers have streamed into Magic Wok over the past few weeks, and one can bet that the inside of the restaurant will be jammed on the closing date of June 30.
Those of us who have lived in town a while, though, know and appreciate restaurants that are true treasures, the ones that many people grew up with, visited for birthdays, anniversaries and baptisms. Then a slew of customers began coming in, to savor their favorite dishes as much as they were savoring memories made at Magic Wok, which first opened at 50 S.
One of Bargatze's most well-known bits is his "full time magic" joke. In this routine, he explains that he used to be a magician but gave it up to pursue a career in comedy. He humorously reflects on the absurdity of being a full-time magician, joking that it's not a very practical or lucrative profession.
Petrak: Magic Wok closing ends an era for La Grange
I was walking out of Magic Wok in La Grange this week when a man on the street stopped me. He pointed at the sign in the window.
"They're really closing?" he asked, looking what I would describe as crestfallen.
Advertisement"Yes, they're really closing on June 30, so you better get inside!" I told him.
As I walked away, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him standing there, re-reading the sign that that the owners of Magic Wok are retiring and shuttering their restaurant after 40 years.
AdvertisementThose 40 years have really meant something to people, because within minutes after the first posting about the closing appeared on social media, it was shared several times. Then a slew of customers began coming in, to savor their favorite dishes as much as they were savoring memories made at Magic Wok, which first opened at 50 S. La Grange Road in 1977 before moving to Harris about 1990, in a building with a signature pink facade.
Downtown La Grange has changed a lot in 40 years. It's now a veritable restaurant row, with cool rooftop dining spaces, hip cocktails and dishes written up in magazines and features on TV shows. When Magic Wok first opened, this was a dry town, so you couldn't yet order what have come to be almost-famous Mai Tai drinks.
Those of us who have lived in town a while, though, know and appreciate restaurants that are true treasures, the ones that many people grew up with, visited for birthdays, anniversaries and baptisms. The ones that we probably and wrongly assumed would always be there.
La Grange resident Raymond Lee, who owns Magic Wok with his wife, Grace, and her brother, Tommy Ng, says that sense of shock and wistfulness at the loss of the restaurant has spurred many people to come back in for a final taste of their favorite food or perhaps to order a dish they always wanted, but never got around to trying.
"We've had a customer who's been with us for five – five! – generations and they were just in this week," says Ray, who did double duty for decades by working in business while owning the restaurant, as Grace, with Tommy, ran the day-to-day operation. Some of the restaurants' chefs have been with them almost from the start.
Other multigenerational customers have streamed into Magic Wok over the past few weeks, and one can bet that the inside of the restaurant will be jammed on the closing date of June 30.
"People have been stopping in and say goodbye. It's overwhelming, the support we've gotten from friends and customers," says Grace, noting that they have received small tokens of appreciation, too, like a poster board a customer made for them out of candy bars, heralding the fact that "You have always been our Lifesaver in a Crunch," among other sweet sentiments.
The Lees plan on spending their retirement enjoying time with their grandchildren and children, who grew up in the business with Magic Wok being like a second home to them.
AdvertisementFor the next several days, though, the owners will be busy serving, sharing and smiling with the customers who have helped make Magic Wok an institution in town. It really was its own kind of magic, and it will be missed.
Throughout the routine, Bargatze's deadpan delivery and clever wordplay create a hilarious contrast between the grandeur of being a magician and the reality of everyday life. His ability to find humor in his own career transition resonates with audiences and highlights his talent for storytelling. What sets Bargatze apart from many other comedians is his ability to keep things clean and accessible. He rarely resorts to crude or offensive humor, instead relying on his wit and clever observations to elicit laughs. This makes his comedy suitable for a wide range of audiences and has contributed to his growing popularity. Bargatze's success as a comedian is evident in his numerous Netflix specials, including "The Tennessee Kid" and "The Greatest Average American". He has also appeared on comedy TV shows such as "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "Conan". In conclusion, Nate Bargatze's decision to leave his career as a magician and pursue comedy full-time has paid off. His unique style and relatable humor have earned him a dedicated fanbase and widespread critical acclaim. Whether delivering jokes about his former life as a magician or sharing humorous insights into everyday situations, Bargatze's comedic prowess shines through in every performance..
Reviews for "Nate Bargatze's Guide to Becoming a Full-Time Magician Without Spending Money"
1. John - 2/5 - I didn't find "Nate Nargatze Full Time Magic Free" funny at all. The jokes were predictable and fell flat, and I didn't connect with Nargatze's style of storytelling. The whole set felt like a mediocre stand-up routine that lacked depth and originality. Overall, it was a disappointing experience for me.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - Despite all the hype around "Nate Nargatze Full Time Magic Free," I found the special to be underwhelming. Nargatze's humor felt forced, and his punchlines didn't land. The lack of energy and the repetitive jokes made it hard for me to stay engaged throughout the show. I had heard great things about Nargatze, but this special didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Mike - 3/5 - While "Nate Nargatze Full Time Magic Free" had its moments, overall, it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. Nargatze's delivery was relaxed to the point of being too laid-back, which resulted in a lack of excitement. Some jokes hit, but the majority were forgettable. I appreciate Nargatze's attempt to bring a different style of comedy, but it fell short for me personally.
4. Lisa - 2.5/5 - I had high hopes for "Nate Nargatze Full Time Magic Free," but it didn't live up to the hype. Nargatze's humor was too safe and lacked any real edge. The jokes felt too familiar, and I've heard similar punchlines from other comedians. The special lacked originality and left me craving more substance. Overall, it was an average comedy special that didn't stand out from the crowd.
5. David - 2/5 - I didn't find "Nate Nargatze Full Time Magic Free" all that funny. The jokes were too light and didn't have the comedic impact I was expecting. Nargatze's delivery felt monotonous, which made it difficult to stay engaged. The lack of variation in his humor made the special feel repetitive and uninspiring. Overall, it didn't leave a memorable impression on me as a comedy fan.