Beef o Bradys Classic Quarter Poud Burger

Pleasant surprises are always welcome, and that's what awaited recently at Beef 'O' Brady's in South Lakeland.

For no real reason, it had been a while since I last frequented Beef's, which has eight locations in Polk County - making it easy to find one near you.

Although I like wings, I don't eat them often - they never seem to rise to the top of my "order me" list. But Beef's might have just changed all that.

Beef's wings (six for $4.99, with several other ordering options) were cooked perfectly - moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside, with just the perfect amount of spicy hot sauce. I knew when I decided to eat a second one that I was hooked - these are among the best I've tasted in our large county.

In some ways I hate moving on to try something else when I like something so much - I wonder about the letdown factor. But that didn't happen when I loaded my plate with a part of the very large Nachos 'O' Brady ($7.99) appetizer.

Chips, some soggy under the burden of the toppings, were covered with chili and queso, then topped with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, sour cream and salsa. The chili was hot, the other toppings cold, which is the way I like it. If you prefer your cheese melted, you might want to see if they can put the cheese on directly over the warm chili. You can eat this for a meal or share it with friends.

A Beef's signature item, the 'O' Brady Burger ($7.79) is large and tasty, a patty seasoned with herbs and spices and covered with melted provolone cheese. If you're in the mood for a burger, this is the one to get, a mouth-watering hunk of beef much like a Bubba Burger. It didn't really need the lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion that come with it, but they enhanced the flavor, along with a little ketchup. We skipped the mayo.

Not quite hitting the standard set by the first three items mentioned, the sliced sirloin sandwich ($8.99), a new item, lacked much of one ingredient: steak. When you open a sandwich and see more bread than filling, you know you're in trouble. What was there was overcooked, and even sautéed mushroom and provolone couldn't add some juice.

For those watching their waistlines before the holidays, the Big Catch dinner ($9.49) and grilled chicken salad ($7.99) are excellent options, especially if you order the big catch - a mild white fish - grilled instead of fried.

Seasoned with lemon pepper, the fish was tasty and moist, cooked perfectly. I ordered this dish as a dinner, so it was served with broccoli and mashed potatoes. As a sandwich it's $8.29.

The salad was large enough to suit many appetites, with mounds of fresh greens covered with marinated, grilled chicken and sautéed mushrooms, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and a dressing of our choice.

I'm a salad lover, but, honestly, why order a salad when you're watching men play kids' games on several big screens, all of which enhance the Beef's experience.

Sports of all kinds can be found on the TVs that hang over the hardwood tables and booths. It's a family friendly atmosphere, one that does get a bit crazy when touchdowns take over or the checkered flag flies.

On those special occasions, make sure and try the only dessert Beef's offers: the Chocolate Eruption ($4.99). More like three desserts in one, this piece of "cake" contains turtle cheesecake, chocolate cream, caramel, chocolate chips, nuts and loads of chocolate shavings. Buy one and share it four ways.

When last reviewed in 2006 Beef 'O' Brady's received three stars. This year it receives three and 1/2 stars.

BEEF 'O' BRADY'S 102 W. Polk St., Auburndale, 968-0010, 120 E. Van Fleet Drive, Bartow, 534-3111, 45653 U.S. Highway 27, Davenport, 420-3350, 902 Polk City Road, Haines City, 419-4848, 19598 U.S. Highway 27, Lake Wales, 679-1975, 1070 Wedgewood Estates Blvd., Lakeland, 853-9464, 4810 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, 646-7757, 300 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven, 293-9464. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; noon to 10 p.m. Sundays. THE GIST: Family food in a sports-friendly atmosphere. FYI: Kids 12 and under eat free from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays when you purchase an adult entrée (at most locations). MUST TRY: The wings! PRICE RANGE: $5.99 for a classic quarter-pound burger to $9.99 for a half-rack of baby-back ribs. CREDIT CARDS: All. DON't: Wear white — wing sauce can be messy. RESERVATIONS: For large groups only. APPROPRIATE FOR KIDS: Yes. An extensive kids' menu contains 10 offerings for $3.79 or $3.99 each. WEB SITE: www.beefobradys.com

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Source: https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2009/12/10/its-easy-to-get-hooked-on-the-wings-at-beef-o-bradys/26232410007/