Twas 13 Days Before, Notes from the Target

Crews' Break - no waves to be seen, 12/12.

But, plenty of surf paraphernalia available...

  Twas thirteen days before Christmas and all around Delmarva, not a Shoreman was stirring except for those who needed Hot Wings.  Time for the Crews' annual Christmas session, the last of the year. This one held at Nick's House of Ribs on 145th street.  Over the years our numbers have diminished.  For the last couple of years it's been two...DWatt and myself. But Christmas celebrations are about friends and good times, so we have persevered just fine.
   Into the Sports Bar we went.  Not overly crowded...in fact we totaled four.  Decked to the hilt with wreaths and garland in every available space, we pull up a couple of stools in front of 3 flatscreens... basketball, college football awards, and Thursday Night Football.  Not bad.  Classic Rock playin'.  Our seasoned barkeep asks us for our drink preferences and immediately has a couple of ice chilled mason jar drafts in front of us.  Not much of a selection, but ice cold- liquid gold I tell ya.  I was thinkin' Santa came by early as these were the coldest beers we've had in 9 months! Maybe this was actually "St. Nick's" place.  Ok, so we were getting a bit giddy with the whole cold brew holiday mason jar thing they had goin.' Obviously the Grinch had some influence as well.  Scanning the menu, only one type of wing...breaded, deep fried, and seasoned.  Came with Hot and BBQ dipping sauces.  We ain't your dipping sauce kind of wing fans here. And honestly, the wings were actually better plain.  The seasoning was admittedly tasty.  And after all, it's Christmas.  No damper happenin' here!

THE RATINGS - 

Seasoned Wings: C+

Wings w/ Sauces: C

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: C

Overall Score = 2.13

  On the way outta town we do a drive by the Winterfest of Lights, an Ocean City tradition for many a year.  As with most of our weekly sessions, the cold air was whuppin' putting wind chills into the single digits.

Target carves thru the WOL entrance.

Did a quick walking tour.  Emphasis on quick.  Wished each other well for the Holidays, and jumped back into our warm vehicles for the trek home. "And I heard them exclaim as they drove out of sight, 'Mele Kalikimaka to all and to all a stoked night!'"

"Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal!"     -Home Alone

No Limits, notes from the Target

Still there.  14th Street break, 12/7

   One of our best qualities is that we do not over think what we, The Crew and this Journey, are all about.  When the weekday afternoon light allows, and the Atlantic warms it's all about what break to surf, what bar to hit.  You would think without the beach involved on a consistent basis we'd lose our line of sight.  But, this week proved such admonitions wrong.  Yes, the plan was Nick's Ribs in North OC.  But The Watt's brother wanted to join us for wings.  Believing Salisbury to be easiest for all, we chose Market Street Inn. After all, it is on the water (the Wicomico River).  A small, local establishment that has been around for quite a while and kept it's roots thru several ownership changes.  Funny, Watt's bro actually drove from OC to meet us. See...it's not just about the beach, it's more of an Eastern Shore thing.  Market Street delivered.
   The place had our football on the tubes, including our own in the booth we slid into.  We even had a one man band as the evening progressed.  The Brother arrived with an associate from work.  We're thinkin', "Two accountants...exciting conversation.  Yeah, ok."  It was. These guys had us rollin.'   Wings all around.  Asian, Hot, Stealth BBQ, and Spitfire.  Our waitress, a WVU grad, manged the beers with minimal guidance, but the wing orders were completely botched.  Did I mention she was a WVU grad?  Much to The Watt's surprise...he ended up with the Spitfires...the hottest of their hot.  Mouth on fire, eyes waterin', lips swellin', coughin'.  We all HAD to try 'em.  Hottest of the year...definitely met all descriptive adjectives in the menu.  The BBQ, Asian, and standard Hot were damn good too!  After putting out the fires with another round of brews, we finished our night enjoying the joking, bustin' chops, even the tax talk.  Ya see, the Journey has no boundaries.  No limits. The expansion continues.

THE RATINGS-

Spitfire Wings: A-

Stealth BBQ Wings: B+

Beer: B

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 3.31

Home Field, notes from the Target

Holidays showin' in the 'Bury, 11/21

    As I stand in the parking lot of Back Street Grill waiting for the Wattman, a cold wind blows through sending chills up my spine.  Why should this be a surprise?  Seems our Thursday surf and wing sessions have been plagued by winds all year.  No beach tonight.  Like a pilot flying on instruments it is no surprise that Watt needs to be guided into a front parking space.  Worse than a Pennsylvania driver in the OC.  As we make our entrance the place seems to be boomin'.  Pulling up to the bar, our 20-somethin' barkeep seems to be maxed out with the eighteen or so patrons (including us) he's covering.  But, he played no favorites as everyone received the same mundane service.  The beer was a bit above average and we both ordered a couple of cold brews.  With the evening's destination close to home in Salisbury, we had time to review the weather, the lack of surf, and the Journey's continuance towards truth, aka expanding our menu selections for review beyond the Wing.  Tonight however, it was still all about the wings.  We ordered the Very Hot Wings as well as the Old Bay.  Service was decent, not a long wait (short than the order).  The wings came steaming and well cooked, but not very big.  The classic Old Bay rarely disappoints, and this was no exception, and the Hot Wings possesed one of the spicier hits of the year.  But neither reached out with a memorable taste.  Our tab, one of the most reasonable of the year, was paid as we waited to thank our bartender.  I suppose customer number nineteen must've shown up, as he never returned.  We left tab and tip to their destiny at the bar.  Holiday's are hittin'.  We got Crew business to tend to!

THE RATINGS-

Very Hot Wings: C+

Old Bay Wings: C+

Beer: B-

Atmosphere: C

Overall Score = 2.31

Charred Stoke, notes from the Target

Quiet time, 11/9

   Leaving for the beach, my neighbor across the street reminds me that Christmas is fast approaching.  Not  verbally mind ya'... more like a visual cue.  The house, driveway, every tree, lined with lights.  Multiple blow-up arrangements.  Lord, this time of year seems to roll in faster and faster, though local communities are putting off the deco a couple of weeks later this year.  Lessen the commercial effect? Maybe.  Economy? Naaaaaaaaaah.
   The Watt is using the weekends for what little surf there is.  But by 5pm the sun has pretty much set, so we ain't got no weekday wave shots.  But, we do have wings.  This week it was Waterman's Seafood Restaurant on Route 50 in West OC.  Just 12 months earlier, char broiled to the ground, this eatery has made quite the recovery considering they missed most of the prime 2013 season with rebuilding/remodeling.  But they are back.  Now open.  Ready to be tested by the Crew.  At this point let me just say, there is something to be said about a new restaurant.  That's how this place presented.  Clean.  Shiny.  Sparklin' (a bit too much so for the Watt). Two bars, one upstairs, one down.  As we pulled up to the "up" bar the bartendress was on it.  We went for the upscale.  The Watt ordered the Fin City seasonal draft which promptly tapped itself out.  But as the keg was changed out, she offered up half a pint of another selection to hold him over.  True bar service.  Wattman got his Capt. Jack Pumpkin Ale, and I got me a "Stelllllllla!" Artois.  Frosted mugs "iced" it for us.  Plus up.  Oysters to complement...not bad.  We needed the wings though.  Ordered what has become our standard:  The Hot, and the BBQ.  We had our choice of games until they arrived.  The Clemson/Georgia Tech game and the Colts/Titans game.  Nice.  At this point we came to the agreement.  Clearer sound system.  Music.  Sports.  They need to be heard.
   New paragraph.  That's right.  These wings were the best we've had all season!  The menu calls out for a pound.  We've figure through our vast knowledge that one pound is equal to approx 8 wings.  We got 10+ each of big, meaty, well cooked wings.  Ok. It's offseason. Our crowd numbered less than 30 throughout the establishment. Regardless. The Watermans Hot were not doused in some buffalo wing topping, but a dry rub with an upfront heat and a nice finishing sauce that had a back heat of it's own.  The BBQ were dressed in just the right amount of sweet and tang; full of flavor. As we left, we checked out the fish market...very reasonable.  If this performance could be pulled off in a busy summer season full of tourists, watch out!  This place will truly leave one's appetite fully stoked.  Oh yeah, we'll be back!

11/14 THE RATINGS-
Waterman's Hot Wings: A
BBQ Wings: A
Beer: B+
Atmosphere: B
Overall Score = 3.56

'Tude Killer, notes from the Target

"It's not the tales of Stephen King that I've read, I need protection from the things in my head."     - Jimmy Buffet

Malibu's 11/4.

   Halloween.  The juncture of the undead.  Vampires, Mummies, and the Holy Ghost as Mr. Buffet would tell ya.  Supernatural timing this year.  The Skeleton Crews' last surf of the year.  We'd tie our sesh in (no play on words...seriously) with Smitty McGee's annual Halloween Bash. Wattman's got his own high goin' as his woman is flyin ' in clear from Chi-Town to join us. With the light fading muy rapido upon each passing week even the last ride on a full moon promised to make this night unique.  A real wrap up the year.  Feed the beast for the winter.  The Stoke is always hungry.  Never hibernates, no matter how cold or dark.  The Target?  Feeds on Duds and M&Ms.  Milk Duds, nuff said.  M&Ms... decimate them one color at a time.  My own ADD  energy.  But, I digress.
   Early PM,  DWatt emails status.   Circumstances have changed. Stronger than any imagined apparition, Life has struck.  Kids plus job equals no Chicago Girl.  Pile on end of the month workload to keep the Watt in OT mode.  I press on to catch the last light of the last sunset of the last session of the year.  Wattman buzzes in.  Gonna miss the surf, will have to meet me at Smitty's.  Troopers we are.  Had some time to kill.  Hit the local outlet stores to join the Trick or Treat festivities.  Damn It Man! Even dressed as the infamous Hard Target could not score me any more candy. Time passes.  By the time DWatt gets free it's become too late to catch the "Bash."  Party's over.  At least I had my M&Ms to get me through.  Save the Reds for last...like to bleed 'em out.  Kinda like the night.

Standard Time.  No more weekdays. 11/7

  This past week, much better.  A much needed improvement over the disaster that was our Halloween. But with Standard Time completely moved in, the weekly surf is but a smile in memory.  Driving down this week, the explosive colors of earlier Fall have become a more muted tint. Kirby's Red Onion Grille on 130th offers the local respite.  We're local.  Been here. You really do get the provincial vibe here that no summer, tourist-trap bar can attain in the off season.  The Barkeep comes up, introduces himself... "hey yo, Paulie,"...and gets to it.  The cold beers drop first.  Not frosted, but cold. An average beer selection, but refreshing.  Nice multiple 42 inch flatscreens.  We got football. We got baseball, We got hockey.  Paulie even asks what we want on in front of us.  Service!  We order up the Old Goat Wings an original garlic-buffalo style and the BBQ.  Meaty, temp hot, and fresh. Well cooked.  Better than we've had in a while. Nothing quells a 'tude killin' Halloween better than good wings.  The tab? Extremely reasonable. No wonder we came back!

THE RATINGS-

Old Goat Wings: B

Red Onion BBQ: B

Beer: C

Atmosphere: B+
Overall Score = 2.81

The End Is Near, notes from the Target

Scrapple sandwiches, Holidays/66th.  10/24

   The first hard frost of the season has occurred, turning fields of blazing yellow soybeans into a wilted brown.  As we do the drive to the beach this week, the same frost has nipped the leaves of the surrounding woodlands providing bursts of color and making the trek down a little more groovy. But, as I hit the Route 90 bridge it stikes me as bizarre the number of seagulls that seem to be committing hara-kiri this time of year.  Dozens of disemboweled gulls litter the bridge and surrounding area as if the ever more expeditious sunset has become too much to bear.  Is this a sign; the end is near?  I find myself on 66th street...alone.  DWatt has not yet arrived. Another sign? But at that very moment Wattman races around the corner. Got it.  The last week of Daylight Savings Time is near.  Only one more session left post today.  Though there is almost no light left and barely knee-high, albeit clean surf, he will not let what few opportunities are left be missed.  Using the waning dusk and then dim moonlight to judge the small incoming sets, (feel the wave, become one with the wave) DWatt is able to scrape together a few rides and enjoy the evening's stoke.

"Of our elaborate plans, the end.  Of everything that stands, the end." 

 -The Doors

   Up the road just a few, turn left and we hit BJ's on the Water, bayside and 75th.  An Ocean City staple that we find to be a bit crowded for this time of year.  Seems it was blue hair night...like a scene from Cocoon.  No matter, we snagged a couple of stools at the bar and our bartender Jared, set us up with a couple of cold Miller Lites.  Beer selection was as primary as you can get...all the usual suspects, but we took note that the glasses were well chilled.  The wings (we ordered Hot and BBQ) came nicely seasoned, but (gasp) the sauces were on the side!  Big, meaty, nice crunch.  But the sauces were on the side!  This presentation lacked punch.  Barely a tap. No good. We still ate 'em.  Drank our beer.  Watched the game. Called it another night...
Still wondering about all those dead birds.

THE RATINGS-

Hot WIngs: C

BBQ WIngs: C-

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: C+

Overall Score = 2.06

Strange Days, notes from the Target

38th Street/Castles, 10/17

"And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I've had enough..."   -Janis Joplin

  Autumn.  Sunny days, cool nights.  Light jacket required.  Again, another breezy evening on the beach. Global warming...bull$hit.  It's been windy and thus cool or cold on just about every point of our right coast this season. Surf tonight?   Knee to thigh, maybe an occasional waist.  Jacking up at about 50 yards offshore, and breaking flat with no residual power.  The Nor'easter last week did some serious revamping to the ocean bottom, primarily the edge leading up to the shoreline.  With limited light, there ain't no time to whimper.  This is where it got bizarro.  For the first time we were zipped.  No discernible rides.  Strange days indeed.  Even in the boogie days, we could get something in the worst of conditions.  We even moved north to where the break seemed to be more consistent.  Nuthin'. Oh-fer. DWatt clearly frustrated.  The full moon rising over the horizon, a lone rider with no ride.  Only two sessions left in our weekday season.
   To recover from this disenchantment we headed back out west to Harborside, home of the original Orange Crush.  Had it, skipped it.  We were here for the wings!  It is a true local dive, with all of the essentials... flatscreens, average tap offerings but chilled glasses,  ample  bar food plus menu, off bar dining, deck and indoor bars, strong local following, even the local band.  Our barkeep wasn't the most attentive but in a bar-fight, our money was on him.  We grabbed a couple of iced drafts and ordered the Spicy Hot and the BBQ.  Both came out to us hot and well cooked, meaty, and very well seasoned.  As we settled into the night's round of football the band sliced into some Janis Joplin,  mandolin included.  Always nice to have a band.  Just not the same with 2 guys doin' Janis.  Time to go.  End the pain.

THE RATINGS-

Spicy Hot Wings: A-

BBQ Wings: B

Beer: B- (Selection)

Atmosphere: B

Overall Score = 3.13

Winds Of Change, notes from the Target

Inside the pressure washer, courtesy The Dispatch.  10/9

   The Wattman loaded in a trip to Chi-Town this past weekend changing out the usual surf day from Thursday to Wednesday.  That meant no Endless Summer Cruisers, and no Salisbury Beer Fest.  Unlike the surfing over the summer however, in this case the timing wasn't too bad.  Fall Nor'easters are not uncommon, and this week we had one blow through the Shore lowering temperatures, downing trees and branches, swirling leaves into mini-tornadoes, churning up the Atlantic, surging flood-tide warnings, tearing up our coastline and making a general F'd up mess of things.
    So as DWatt had no sudden urge to risk breaking his board...or his neck, we stayed local and nixed the thirty mile trek to an otherwise angry ocean with it's louder than usual, however seasonal, howling winds. Headed to one of Wicomico County's newest brewpubs- Tall Tales in Parsonsburg (MD) y'all.  Owned by a landscaping firm so it had all the swank accouterments. Not made for large crowds indoors, but then there weren't too many out this night.  The bar has been open about nine months, but county regs have hog tied them from serving any kind of variety of food, including our beloved wings (which supposedly are coming back soon), as well as forcing them to serve beer in 5 oz. glasses.  Local politicians need to step up to the plate to allow such businesses the opportunities to flourish.
     An outside wood fire brick oven provided us with an excellent pizza. Our beer selections were numbered as 5ounces gives a chance to check the taps without getting sloshed.  Beers were balanced, not bland.  Obviously working to improve their position among local breweries.  As we ate we discussed our balance.  Other than more time in the water, we also analyzed our food rating concept.  After all should we not limit the Journey to destinations based on wings alone?  If we do not limit ourselves to only those places that serve wings, how many more opportunities to find the righteous path will there be?  The discussion floundered, with no real answer found.  The issue is deserving of more review, and perhaps a new door has been opened for the new year. The Journey continues.

PRELIMINARY RATINGS-

Food/Pizza: B+

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 3.25

October Sky, notes from the Target

Mid-town mini-slice, 10/3.

   By definition you can only have Indian Summer after the first frost.  We've been no where near the first frost.  The month of October has started as one of the warmest on record. Daytime highs in the upper 80s to low 90s F. Warm evenings in the upper 60s to low 70s. So the question begs, how does one appreciate such good fortune?  Well I sit back on my porch, sip me a cold glass, and watch the traffic glide by until long after dark.  Classic. As part of the Crew, I hit the beach expecting to meet up with somewhat of a locals crowd taking advantage of the mild Autumn.  But, as I cross the dune line...not another soul for 10 blocks in either direction.  We're at 47th street mind you.  A popular OC break.  Not even a local Annette and Frankie to take advantage of the evening conditions.  The surf; true ankle high combers.  Mid-tide.  DWatt doing what he has done many times this summer, squeezing every drop he could outta every small slice of swell. And on 47th there are two pilings to mark where the jetty used to be...just for excitement.  Still managed to sketch in a couple of short fronts. Even finished with one. That's been tough this year.

"Let them have outer space.  We got rock 'n roll."   -Roy Lee, October Sky

   Drove to Olde Town.  Quite apparent this town has returned to the locals. People walking dogs.  Jogging.  Our destination was the Lazy Lizard Brew Pub.  The old Melvin's Steak House redone with a line of craft beers including a few of their own brews.  The Watt had him a Boardwalk Copper, a lightly hopped amber ale.  Myself, I enjoyed my Trophy Wife, a curvaceous but mellow Blonde...ale just the way I like it.  A fair lookin' menu that is already in need of an update.  No wings showing, but they had 'em, and we got 'em.  The BBQ and the Sweet & Spicy.  Fat, well cooked.  Very tasty, and plenty of 'em (10+ per plate!).  Plenty of blue cheese.  Big 'ol sticks of celery.  Well done spread.  TV's had our NFL on.  Big sixty-four inch flatscreeens.  Bartender with a handlebar 'stash...very attentive, friendly service. Gotta hope they make this place work.  Tough spot though. Parking a bit limited.  Definitely need to work on their PR and get the word out. Seems like a great place to repeat the effort.

Beach brewing Lizard style.

THE RATINGS-

BBQ Wings: B+

Sweet&Spicy Wings: B+

Beer  (Cool it down): B+

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 3.25

Twilight Zone, notes from the Target

Mushburger gone left.  Holidays, 9/27

"Help, I'm steppin' into the twilight zone.  The place is a madhouse, feels like being cloned.
My beacon's been moved under moon and star.  Where am I to go now that I've gone too far."
                                                                                                                                       -Golden Earring

 












   Let's start by my saying, I was late.  How could that be?  Well, I had a phone call.  I do not talk on the phone that much and consequently get few calls.  But, the only time I get a call all week, and it occurs just as I was walking out the door.  All about timing.  Not been with this Crew all year. Being just a little late means burning most of the usable sunset.  Timing. Our conditions midweek have been pretty consistent thru this surf season. Knee to thigh.  Sometimes waist.  Or less. Sometimes textured, most of the time slop, rarely clean.  It's like a Twilight Zone...stuck in replay.  And for another week DWatt spent as much time walking the beach as he did drifting the surf.  Knee high chop.  Sectioned swell close to shore.  Low low tide. Give the man credit.  He will slap the water and pound his head against the sand as many times as it takes to squeeze that little bit of juice needed to make the evening worthwhile.  To drink the Stoke. And the prevailing sunset did much to help perpetuate the mood of motivation.

Sign 'o the times.

   This night we headed to that part of West OC where the "other half" plays.  Teasers Dockside Bar at Sunset Marina.  Great view of the marina and fishing boats.  Course, it's hard to call a 67 foot, multi-million dollar yacht a fishing boat but hey, it's all about perspective.  For example, from our perspective, the reason for this bar's being is the wings.  Hard as it was to get the barkeep's attention (apparently a nurse in training who needs to work on his ADHD),we finally ordered our brews.  Give him credit, always service with a smile.  Got my Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy (not much left on tap), and Wattman his Sam Adams Octoberfest.  Plastic cups seem to be the norm for these outdoor bars. Really takes away from the the cold refreshment of the beer.  We ordered the Traditional Buffalo and BBQ wings.  They came breaded.  Just outta principle, we frown on any breading.  But the sauces saved 'em. Surprisingly good.  Darkness shadowed what was left of the view.  With only a small flatscreen to catch the VA Tech/Ga. Tech game, we called it a night, and once again headed home early to wait for the next incoming set.

Them's green teasers.

THE RATINGS-

Traditional Buffalo: C+ (get rid of the breading)

BBQ Wings: B

Beer: C+ (get rid of the plastic)

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 2.81

Stadium Arcadium, notes from the Target

Empy beach, empty close-out.  Holidays, 9/19

  Autumn.  Nice time of year.  Empty beach.  Open lineups.  But, the surf has been one disappointment after another.  Or so it seems.  Wednesdays, Thursdays; hasn't mattered.  We always seem to miss the waves.  This week, another example of what tries our Souls.  Riptides in the blink of an eye.  Dragging currents. Sloppy.  Closing out.  And, the ever blowing winds, up to 20 mph this week.  Very frustrating.  The Wattman seemed to be ever out of touch with the next ride.  Couple small skids at best.  The rising moon gave way to an empty, watery stadium.  4th down.  Gotta know when to punt.

Foamy foot massage.

"The stadium arcadium, a mirror to the moon."  -Red Hot Chili Peppers

  We headed downtown to the southside Crabcake Factory on 26th, but like tonight's surf, it too was closed.  The Stoke had to be fed.  Peppers Tavern, Ocean City's 5-Star dive on 16th and the Boards.  Been here a couple of years ago.  Not much has changed.  Dark wooden hole in the ground where real people can get decent tex-mex, cheap beer, and and actually talk to the guy next to ya at the bar.
  With cheap beer comes limited selection on draft.  Very limited.  Three. Natty Boh, Guinness, and a Burley Oak.  Ordered up our brews, added the Honey BBQ and Hot Wings. And Whaaaaaaaa?  No Thursday Night Football?  Had the college game on, but no NFL channel to satiate the need.  The Hot were less than and the BBQ were a little more than.  With no big game we had time left to peruse the boards, check the Sunfest crowds and possible additions to the Journey before heading back for the night.

THE RATINGS-

Hot Wings: C-

Honey BBQ Wings: C+

Beer: C-

Atmosphere: C

Overall Score = 1.94

Fall Mojo, notes from the Target

Sectioning surf made rides unpredictable.  Holidays 9/12.

   Ask people what time of year they like best.  It ain't gonna be spring or summer, nor the Christmas season.  Nope.  The Fall.  When Fall comes in it's magic I tell ya.  Warm days, cool nights make doing anything outside more enjoyable.  Ya got the Baseball Pennant Race in the Majors, the drama of Pro Football.  And College Football?  Nothing like the excitement of the college game.  Shootouts, big plays, nice campuses, cheerleaders. Wattman was fortunate enough to be able to take in opening day of Navy Football with his brother and soph Midshipman nephew.  Good times.

Navy bulldozed Delaware 51 - 7.

  In the OC we've got events almost every weekend, and this weekend was no exception.  BikeFest!  I was able to attend several of the FREE events and take in the whole vibe. To be amongst the array of distorted designs with the contorted riders was definitely an eye opening experience. And 5-Oh everywhere... even on their own bikes.

BikeFest lineup.

  Autumn usually comes with warm water and improved surf, but so far this year our "less than" conditions persist.  Like waiting for that raise that never comes.  An empty beach and near empty line-up awaited.  SW winds in excess of 15 knots didn't quite chop up the waves, but they textured the hell outta them.  Sectioning swell and a strong northbound current jammed up the Watt making it difficult to get more than one set ride before he was walking back down the beach for another run.  Finally as the sun disappeared out west, Watt hit a dead spot, waves flushing out due a rip, he called it a session.
  Like the current itself, we cruised to North OC.  The Blue Ox.  Previously cracked, never rated.  Touts itself a steak house, more like a beach dive if you ask us.  Showin' a bit of wear as well.  One barkeep, seemed busy, focused more on the Bike Week in progress than us.  Ordered a round of beer and found unless you asked for a glass (chilled in a frig), you got a cup.  When the ordered wings arrived, to our horror Ranch...no Blue Cheese!  Both the Buffalo and BBQ were average at best.  TVs well placed, but the Jets and Patriots were not providing much of a show.  We finished our meal and called it a night...the ride home in the rain.

THE RATINGS:

Buffalo Wings: C+

BBQ Wings: C+

Beer: C- (Plastic Cups Suck!)

Atmosphere: C

Overall Score = 2.06

Slacker!, notes from The Watt

"I've never seen you before in my life, but you look to me like a slacker!"  Mr. Strickland, Back To The Future II
Slack tide, Holiday's. 9/5

   It's been rare this year, but last Thursday produced serious flat conditions on 66th. Surf was minimal to begin with. Combine that with a near windless evening and slack tide between high and low- you've got no waves. I saw a father son duo attempting some body boardin'. Wasn't happening.  I didn't even get wet.  Makes ya wanna shoot somethin'. Sucked. Really.
 Opening night of the NFL. A reason for salvage.  Ravens vs. Broncos. Ky West on 54th and Coastal Highway  Plenty of flatscreens. One big screen. They play it smart with subtitles.  Still.  The place was empty. I mean Target and I were 2 of 5 patrons at the bar.  Maybe a dozen (including diners) in the whole place.  Ok. We hit a slow time, but seriously.  The menu looked as good as any and reasonable.  The staff was supportive of the business. EMPTY! The place was void.  They had a choice of three kinds of wings. We ordered two.  BBQ and Peppercorn Ranch.  We got Hot Buffalo and Peppercorn Ranch.  We could deal. Both came out big and meaty.  Plenty of celery and carrot slices.  Well cooked.  The Buffalo were not bad.  Little spice.  The Peppercorn Ranch?  Get some wings...pour the dressing over 'em. That's them.  Not impressed.  Beers were plenty cold. Selection, not so much.  Place has potential.  Repeat engagement dependant on if they're still around and how full the lot is... maybe.

THE RATINGS-

Buffalo Wings: C+

Peppercorn Ranch Wings: C-

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: C+

Overal Score = 2.13