Southside 17 a good gamble
Southside 17 has raised the stakes in the Publix shopping center on U.S. Highway 17, taking over the location formerly occupied by the short-lived Luci's Mexican Restaurant.
The sports bar and grill incorporates a Vegas-style theme, setting up the establishment with a horseshoe bar as well as iconic photographs of Marilyn Monroe and the Rat Pack. You can even eat your meal seated at a casino gaming table from the Hard Rock.
Additionally, the burger menu ($9.95) consists of aptly titled choices including the Jackpot, smoked pimiento cheese and coleslaw; Smoking Sammy, applewood-smoked bacon, homemade barbecue sauce, provolone cheese and onion rings; and Ol' Blue Eyes with jalapenos, bacon and blue cheese crumbles.
Top honor belongs to the Bellagio burger ($13.95), a crowning choice made from Kobe beef and topped with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, melted smoked Gouda cheese and portabella Newcastle mayonnaise.
In one of its smartest gambles, Southside 17 uses fresh, local shrimp in its po' boys and tacos, the crustaceans courtesy of Capt. Mikell Glen from Rockville.
Other choices include a pulled pork sandwich with cheddar cheese ($8.95), crab cake sandwich ($9.95) and a buttery, tangy Reuben ($8.95) with Thousand Island dressing.
As starters go, choices are typical: mozzarella sticks, fried mushrooms, spinach artichoke dip and chili nachos. The wings (6 for $4.95, 12 for $8.95), while small, are crisp, neither too dry nor too wet, and well-flavored. Varieties include hot garlic, honey mustard, Old Bay, lemon and teriyaki.
Plus, Southside 17 even deals to the "low rollers," offering up a kids' menu ($4-$5) of hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese and more.
