Sport Bars Score in Macomb County MI
There is a video game room, trivia on line and an inside take-out service making this seem more like a food court setting than a restaurant. Even though the wings are deep-fried (as all true buffalo wings are) they are quite tasty and they have 12 varieties. One caution: if you order “blazin” prepare for hot beyond reason. Instead, opt for the teriyaki or Caribbean jerk. There are specials (“Wing Tuesday” and “Drumstick Wednesday”) if you want to economize a bit.
The personnel here are very accommodating and casual; you can stay as long as you like. But I found this place to be literally chilly, even in the summer, and wondered if it was the old “turn the AC up and customers won’t stay long” routine.
BWW also has burgers and salads and the usual assortment of “carboholic” appetizers. There is beer and a kids’ menu but this place really doesn’t seem all that kid-friendly. So in light of that and the temperature and tv screen overkill let us move on to SB #2:
Gator Jake’s, 36863 Van Dyke Ave. Sterling Heights (586-983-3700).Once again the set-up is similar, just a little less fru-fru. The menu is moderately priced for the most part with plenty of variety (almost too extensive) and they actually serve a couple of alligator dishes. I passed on that although a good friend from the south once told me that even gator is good if it ‘s on a stick.
Instead, my dining companion and I opted for a couple of Cajun dishes, crawfish etouffee and jumbalaya, both rather mild (thank goodness for Tobasco) but flavorful. The service was only fair, but then it was a weekend. There is of course a full bar, plenty of beer selections, and again, a kids’ menu.
The evening that we were there we were watched the Red Wings. Two tables to our right some rather boisterous Nascar fans had claimed a big screen and about to leave were a fairly morose couple in Bengal-bedecked attire. We immediately knew who won that game.
There are also specials every day: Beer Sunday ($2.00) during football season, DJ juke box night, and the ever-popular karaoke. It occurs to me that although sports bars get decent crowds for “big” games and events, there is probably not enough money in that alone. The sheer quantity of them in this area demands a bit of one-upmanship to be in competition.
Finally, there is the Baraboo Brewing Company at 35905 Utica Road at Moravian in Clinton Township (586-792-7393). I have been told that this location went through many different restaurants/bars, all of which failed rather quickly. This eatery seems to have made a permanent impression as it has been here for 10 years and almost always has a crowd. And, although they call it a “restaurant/brewery”, it is basically just another sports bar.
Baraboo actually brews some of its own beer. I am not a big beer fan, but the lager I drank one evening (they will even supply you with a sample first) was certainly better than my standard commercial brew. Because it was Red Wing night, a pint was only $2.00. We even tested a pumpkin beer, definitely designed for the adventurous taste bud.
The customer service is most satisfactory. Although they too have an extensive menu and many of the same characteristics of the other two (i.e. gift cards, beer clubs and take-out) it is definitely a more relaxed atmosphere. If you opt to sit at a booth the view of the wide-screen will not be easy, nor will seeing any of the smaller screens. You can play trivia or keno and they will set you up with the best angle. And they never make you feel as if you have to keep eating or drinking if your visit is prolonged. (Can you say overtime?)
Late one fall evening we chose to sit outside and watch a game. It was a burger (huge!) and beer kind of night. Everyone was cheering on the Lions who, once again, were not having their finest hour. Now that is an example of SB bonding at its finest.
