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��� �We�re a little bit country, and a whole lot of rock & roll,� explained the proud Steer Inn Tavern�s owner, Skip, when he and his wife, Tracey, greeted my friend, Carrie, and I at the long, curved bar. This statement perfectly describes the establishment on Racetrack Road in Ocean Pines, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of Ocean City. �Country� applies to the serene location of the tavern, with its acres of greenery, gardens, tree line, and wide-open space in the �backyard.� It even has a gazebo, swing, and fire pit!
��� �Rock & roll� applies to the impressive lineup of local bands and musicians that fill the bill at this entertaining neighborhood bar. Locally renowned acts such as Tranzfusion, the Lauren Glick Band, Randy Lee Ashcraft & the Saltwater Cowboys, Pompous Pie, Lower Case Blues, Crowded Outhouse, and Zion Reggae Band, just to name a few, are on tap to liveln up the stage this summer. But, the best-kept secret at the Steer Inn Tavern is their incredible menu, filled with steak, seafood, and a delicious array of entrees.
��� Plus, it�s affordable. You�ll be hard--pressed to find anything on the menu that costs more than $15.
��� �We�re about food quality, not quantity,� says Skip. A native of New Jersey, he is proud to serve only Thumann�s meat and cheese items, which are brought in fresh from the New Jersey-based producer. A scrumptious example of the Thumann�s quality is Skip�s Almost Famous Cuban Sandwich - warm, pressed ciabatta overstuffed with ham, pork roll, Swiss cheese, sliced pickle, and spiced mustard. It�s one of several Steer Inn signature items on the menu, like its burger topped with lump crab cake and the Seafood Jambalaya, which is chicken, sausage, shrimp, scallops, rice, and
tomatoes in a zesty broth for only $5.99. The lovely bartender, Jennifer, sites the crab dip (prepared with a touch of horseradish) and the Loaded Seafood Fries as two of the most popular orders at the tavern.
��� Another tempting and unique creation on the menu is the Mediterranean Roasted Turkey Wrap, featuring warm, roasted, Greek-seasoned turkey breast with Ranch cucumber sauce and feta cheese.
��� �There are tons of dishes on this menu,� commented Carrie when we skimmed the selections. For starters, we ordered the Lump Crab Dip and Loaded Seafood Fries. As promised, they were delicious to the last bite, and smothered in mouth-watering cheddar cheese. Other classic appetizers that caught our eye were Ahi Tuna, Onion Rings, Steamed Shrimp, and Wings, plus a Homemade Soup and Salads menu. But, of course, we wanted to save room for our entrees.
��� Carrie couldn�t resist trying a Steer Inn signature item, so she ordered the Shepherd�s Pie - lamb and beef in a seasoned stock with veggies and mashed potatoes, topped with cheddar for only $8.99. I opted for the Chicken Parmesan, served with spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread. Other delicious entrees are Roast Beef, Roasted Turkey Breast, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Lasagna, NY Strip Steak, Lump Crab Cake, Ahi Tuna, and Seafood au gratin. A variety of cold and hot sandwiches are on the menu, too, including Chicken or Tuna Salad, BBQ Pork, Cheesesteak, Reuben, and more. Another example of New Jersey influenced ingredients is the Taylor Pork Roll hot sandwich that is grilled with American cheese on a Kaiser roll for $5.99. But the grand Thumann�s product is the Jersey Shore Jumbo Hot Dog, which is ... well ... huge. It�s served on a sub roll with sauerkraut, onions, or relish.
��� With such a wide spectrum of food choices, it�s no wonder that the Steer Inn Tavern is a neighborhood hotspot, both for Ocean Pines residents and Ocean City locals and visitors looking for a reprieve from the buffet lines and crowds at the beach. The Tavern is open seven days a week, year-round, and is serving up munchies from 11:30 a.m. until midnight. Of course, the live music and entertainment go on until 2 a.m. Daily lunch specials start at $3.99, and Happy Hour is every day from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., featuring drink discounts and $3.99 food specials. Mondays boast half-price burgers, when customers feast on the half-pound cheeseburgers, pizza burgers, Swiss & mushroom burgers, crab cake burger, and The Head of the Herd - a Steer burger topped with lettuce, tomato, fried onions, jalape�os, mushroom, cheese and bacon.
��� Tuesdays are �Two Buck Tuesdays,� when guests enjoy $2 rails, drafts, domestics, wines, sliders, tenders, and jumbo dogs, plus an open jukebox. Drink and food specials, and giveaways, are also available on Wednesdays, when Ocean City�s legendary DJ Batman parties during happy hour, followed by Randy Lee Ashcraft�s musical talents at 8 p.m.
��� Indeed, the Steer Inn Tavern is a fun entertainment experience. Three pristine pool tables, darts, shufflebowl, Keno, digital trivia and Texas Hold Em, Silver Strike, Golden Tee, flat screen televisions, and satellite broadcasting with complete sports packages bring customers through the door and keep them at the tavern for hours. A nonsmoking establishment since Skip and Tracey opened the neighborhood pub in June 2007, it invites smokers to keep the party going on a heated and covered deck. And perhaps the most unique characteristic of the charming Steer Inn Tavern is its �cutest chicks in town.� Four hens and a rooster reside in a coop in the �backyard,� and they frolicand mingle with customers on the back deck during daylight.
��� Live music on the calendar for Memorial Day Weekend is Tranzfusion on Friday, May 23, The Lauren Glick Band on Saturday, May 24, and Randy Lee Ashcraft & the Saltwater Cowboys on Sunday, May 25. The following weekend brings Bone Daddy�s and Pompous Pie to the stage. For a complete lineup of upcoming bands, call the Steer Inn at (410) 208-1900 or visit their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/thesteerinn.
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