The Hand That's Dealt, tales from the Watt.

So break me down if it takes all your might  -Seether, Breakdown
In the beginning, the end was near. Breakage on the mind before
closin' the session. 47th Street Break, 8/22/2019.

   A disadvantage of surfing only one night a week...especially a specific night...leaves you to limited conditions. This time of year, when the heat is on and the tropics have been strangely quiet considering we're getting into late August, it's  either flat or breaking on the shore. This past Thursday, we had a third session of shorebreak. Had to play the hand that was dealt. Not too many rides. A slide here, a skid there. Better than last week as I didn't have to deal with a potential full house clubbin' over the head into a full on faceplant. This week's thigh high swell gave a couple short, albeit bumpy rides. The last rip of the evening was the speediest towards the shore, punched my board out from under my feet, and filled every crevice with sand; definitely the most fun. LWatt may have been closing her eyes, but I am sure Target was all over the potential carnage. Not to be as I wrapped the leash,  rinsed off, and we headed in.
   Movin' out, we drove south... to 13th Street and the Boards and the Beach Plaza Hotel, home of  the Ocean 13 Tiki Bar. Back in late June, logistical difficulties forced us to miss out on this saloon located just below level of the Boardwalk, but this time 'round we were not to be denied. The Tiki Bar was definitely the type of dive we search out. Kind of a "surf dive." An abstract carved slab of rough finished wood, urethaned smooth, made up the wide bar top. Two flatscreens, only one of which was on, and some decent piped classic rock provided the entertainment. Our bartender was a bit abrupt with taking our drink order, almost coarse. An afterthought at first, like he was part of the rugged atmosphere of the place, but LWatt was not impressed. Needless to say the appeal, as it correlated with our surroundings, faded quickly.

Letting it pass, we put in our order: an unusual sounding wing flavor, the Blackened Caesar, a Chicken-Chorizo Quesadilla, and Chili-Lime Seared Mahi Tacos. The Tacos were way too small. "Street Style," shouldn't mean starving on the street although they had a fair taste. The quesadilla was the most disappointing, missing out on homemade pico de gallo that never made a showing, and the chicken lacking flavor. The wings...oh man, the wings were tasty. Meaty, with a good sear, and a savory Caesar coating, the only thing that kept these from being an "A" was that there was only six of 'em. Our tab was a little heavier than we expected, the food was slow in coming, and there was the barkeep... more of an annoyance than a gimmick. Let's face it, at the end of the day, rude don't go with any decor. Get a new one, and maybe we'll provide this place a second go-round. Until then, our Journey moves on.

THE RATINGS-

Blackened Caesar Wings: A-

Chili-Lime Seared Mahi Tacos: C

Chorri-Pollo Quesadillas: C-

Beer: B-

Atmosphere: B-

Value: C+

Overall Score = 2.54