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Hungry sports fans know where to Shak up By Jennifer Barrs
SPORTS SHAK
WHAT: Sports restaurant and bar with a huge menu and family-friendly atmosphereWHERE: 3814 W. Neptune Dr., Tampa
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to around midnight (``or until the last game is over'') Friday and Saturday
CREDIT CARDS: All major
CALL: (813) 258-4200
R E V I E W
TAMPA - Maybe it's the kooky cachet of the old Conseulo's restaurant that lingers here.But since the Sports Shak Grille & Bar renovated that space on Neptune Drive more than three years ago, the place has attracted enthusiastic fans who often jostle for position on the coveted red leather couch. That's the one directly in front of the big-screen television, of course, and during sporting events, it's the hottest spot in the house.
It's also one of 28 screens in this south Tampa restaurant, which prides itself on being as much a spiffy, casual eatery as a cozy, casual sports bar. Or as Barry Stutler, one of the owners, explains, ``We wanted to have a littler nicer, more varied menu than the typical sports bar ... and be creative with the family-friendly, woman-friendly atmosphere.''
Indeed, during a recent weekday lunch hour, the diners are evenly divided between men and women, and Stutler is making the rounds talking football statistics and season predictions with regulars.
The recently revamped menu includes more than 70 items. Sure, there are chicken wings. The traditional variety can be ordered mild, medium, hot or thermal, and there are barbecue and sweet and sour wings, too. They start at $5.60 for a dozen and go to $37.95 for a 100-piece special that includes a pitcher of soda or domestic beer. Happy hour wings are 30 cents each.
There are six new appetizers on the Sports Shak menu, including a basket of stuffed mushrooms at $4.95, deviled crabs at $5.50 and Buffalo shrimp for $5.95. You can also order an appetizer version of the popular pork tenderloin for $6.95. This is cooked according to Stutler's dry rub recipe and is served with a special mango red pepper sauce. With the dinner portion, you get a salad and potato for $8.95 (8 ounces) or $12.95 (16 ounces).
Another unusual sports bar offering: A chicken pasta Alfredo dish ($7.95) that mixes mushrooms, baby onions and peas with chicken and pasta. Or try the Sport Shak Special, a charbroiled Delmonico steak on a sourdough loaf for $7.25. Delicious.
Burgers start at $3.95 and the huge sandwich selection ranges from Reubens to tuna melts. You can order half sandwiches, too, and the brownie sundae ($3.50) is sure to be a big hit with the kids.
Sports Shak
