Where do the locals in uptown Ocean City and Fenwick Island go for happy hour? The answer is High Stakes Bar & Grill on Route 54. Not only is the restaurant packed with families, who happily devour Philly’s Finest cheesesteaks, but also two elongated bars are full to the brim with happy hour patrons from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. every day. That’s a lot of happy hours!
    Just in time for the second season, High Stakes now serves breakfast daily from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. Waffles, eggs, and bagel sandwiches are just a few great ways to start your day.
    Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 29, when High Stakes Bar & Grill will award trophies and gift cards to the best, scariest, and funniest costumes. The Halloween Party kicks off at 9:00 p.m. with DJ Rupe. This is sure to be a local throwdown.
    I recently enjoyed a delicious dinner at High Stakes Bar & Grill with my lovely mother, Nancy. We entered the large restaurant and discovered a bustling happy hour crowd. Both bars were packed. We sat at a large table near the stage, and the bartender immediately greeted us and took our drink order. It’s impressive when service is quick while the barroom is full. We noticed bartenders on both sides of the restaurant slinging drink specials while simultaneously providing prompt table service and making each customer smile. High Stakes is bursting with large tabletops, so large groups and families find plenty of seating. An array of flat-screen televisions broadcast sporting news and events.
    High Stakes offers substantial food and drink specials each and every day, along with nightly entertainment. On Monday, watch Monday Night Football and enjoy $4 mini steaks or hoagies. Tuesdays are $2 “Tunesday” with $5.50 meatball subs, $2 beer, and free jukebox. On Wednesday, play in free poker tournaments at 7 p.m., and try the tasty Buffalo Chicken Wrap for only $6. Thursday presents Baltimore Bob at 5 p.m. and local entertainment at 9 p.m., along with $5 mini pizzas. Each Friday, Bobby Burns performs at 4 p.m. and DJ Z-Man takes over at 9 p.m., plus Crab Dip is discounted. Saturday offers Bobby Burns at 4 p.m., DJ Rupe at 9 p.m., and soup & salad specials all night. On Sunday, High Stakes presents NFL games all day long and free poker tournaments at 7 p.m., with discounted pulled pork.
    The menu at High Stakes is a long list of the best wings, soups, salads, cheesesteaks, hoagies, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and pub food. You may order a regular or mini-sized “Philly’s Finest” cheesesteak in a variety of flavors, including Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, and Philly Style—with cheese whiz, fried onions, and green peppers. Wings are available in orders of 10 or 20, and prepared to your liking—naked, mild, medium, hot, BBQ, or honey BBQ.
    For our appetizers, Mom and I ordered Hush Puppies and Mushroom Caps. Served with a variety of dips, both starter plates are finger licking good. Other appetizers include Cheese Fries, Gravy Fries, Fried Pickle Spears, Shrimp Jammers, Broccoli Bites, Mac & Cheese Wedges, Steak Nachos, Crab Pretzel, and more. You can also try the Deuces Wild Sampler, which is an irresistible combination of Jalapeño Poppers, Shrimp Jammers, Mushroom Caps, Broccoli Bites, and Mozzarella Sticks.
    For our main course, Nancy ordered homemade Shrimp Salad on a potato roll with lettuce and tomato. I selected my all-time favorite sandwich—the Reuben. Given the choice between sauerkraut and Cole slaw, I chose sauerkraut to complement my corned beef, Swiss cheese, and thousand-island sandwich on buttery toasted rye bread. Both of our sandwiches were served with chips and a deli-fresh pickle. And we were most impressed by how quickly our food was served, in spite of the big crowd.
    Other delicious specialty sandwiches at High Stakes include Pulled Pork BBQ and Chicken Cordon Bleu—grilled chicken, peppered ham, Swiss cheese, and honey mustard on a Kaiser roll. The Cheeseburger sub is hand packed, and the Fish Filet Sandwich is served on a Kaiser roll with tarter sauce. BBQ Chicken Sandwich is served with bacon and provolone cheese, and Hot Roast Beef is smothered with gravy and provolone cheese. I recommend a delicious summertime treat—homemade Chicken Salad.
    If you like jumbo hot dogs, try the Chili Cheese Dog or the Texas Tommy—a jumbo hot dog with bacon and American cheese. Grilled Cheese, Peanut Butter & Jelly, and Club Sandwich are sure to please the kids, and the BLT is served with mayo on white toast. Meatball, Hot Sausage, Chicken Parmesan, and Crab Cake top off the sandwich selections. You may also build your own sandwich, selecting from a variety of cheeses, veggies, toppings, breads, and meats—including ham, bologna, turkey, roast beef, corned beef, liverwurst, and tuna salad.
    Hearty appetites will love the Hoagies menu at High Stakes. Prepared with lettuce, tomato, onion, salt, pepper, oregano, and oil, Hoagie flavors include Italian, Turkey, Roast Beef, American, Tuna, and Veggie. Hot & sweet peppers, pickles, and mayo can be added to any hoagie, which are available in two sizes—regular and mini.
    High Stakes serves up Cheeseburgers, Bacon BBQ Burgers, Pizza Burgers, and Veggie Burgers on Kaiser rolls. Seven-inch mini pizzas are available too. Excellent for sharing, the Sliders are served on potato rolls and include Chicken, Burger, and Crab Cake sliders. Or, try “The High Steak” sliders. If you like wraps, you’ll love the Chicken Caesar Wrap. Club Wrap, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, and Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap are additional delectable options. You may top off your meal with a homemade ice cream delight for dessert.
    Located at Lighthouse Cove and Route 54, High Stakes Bar & Grill is easy to find just off of Coastal Highway in Fenwick Island. A carryout store is adjacent to the bar. High Stakes apparel is also for sale. On Thursday, October 27, checkout live entertainment by Kaleb Brown, a locally renowned reggae and hip-hop artist. For more information, call 302-537-6971 or visit http://www.facebook.com/HighStakesBar.