Last Friday night I couldn’t wait to finish my workweek, slip into my favorite pair of jeans, and meet my best friend at the Steer Inn Tavern for cold drinks, hot food, pool shootin’, and live rock-n-roll music. Touted as “an entertaining neighborhood bar that’s a little bit country and a whole lot of rock-n-roll,” the Steer Inn Tavern is located in Ocean Pines on Racetrack Road, just minutes from the Ocean Downs Casino.
    Owned by husband-and-wife team Skip and Tracy McGarry, the Steer Inn Tavern boasts the three best billiards tables in town, along with keno, shuffle bowl, arcade games, flat screen televisions, simulcast horse racing, and a touch tunes jukebox. Pool leagues and shuffle bowl leagues are now forming, and 8 Ball tournaments are ongoing. To sign up, contact Skip at 410-208-1900.
    Live bands rock the stage and spacious dance floor every Friday and Saturday night, and the Steer Inn is locally renowned for bringing rare rockabilly and surf rock bands to our area. This weekend, the Steer Inn Tavern offers reserved bike parking in front and in back of the bar and restaurant. Whiskey Train takes the stage on Friday night, September 16, to rock the bikers, and Sean K. Preston and the Loaded Pistols bring blues, rock, and Americana music to the Steer Inn on Saturday night.
    A true neighborhood watering hole, the Steer Inn Tavern presents food and drink specials for all the hardworking locals. During NFL games, enjoy discounted Orange Crushes and Coors Light drafts, plus Chicken Wings, Jalapeño Poppers, Mozzarella Stix, Jumbo Jersey Dogs, and Deep Fried Green Beans. Also, you can enjoy a NY Strip Steak Dinner for only $9.99. The Steer Inn is football friendly for all teams and fans, with a strong Ravens following. On Sundays, happy hour kicks off extra early, extended from 1:00 until 7:00.
    Happy Hour at the Steer Inn is normally from 4:00 until 7:00 every day. A Late Night Fare menu is offered, featuring Onion Rings, Fish & Chips, Fries, Shrimp, and much more. On Tuesdays, celebrate Tijuana Tuesdays from 3:00 until 10:00, with awesome discounts on Margaritas, Coronas, Bacardi Sangria, and more. Food specials are all under $6, including Taco, Burrito, Quesadilla, Nacho, and Taco Salad dinners. From 5:00 until 9:00 on Wednesdays, Local’s Night presents $3.99 half-pound burgers, plus beer discounts.
    Thursday nights present special drink discounts, and Saturday nights are Bacardi Parties from 9:00 until close. Also on Saturday nights, local ladies are invited to indulge in a long list of $4 Bacardi drinks.
    When my best buddy, Ceil Sheetz, and I met at the Steer Inn Tavern on Friday night, the uniquely-named band “Drink, Drank, Drunk” was setting up to rock the house. As usual, Skip and Tracy were both on the scene to welcome us to their establishment, and Roy was our attentive server. We started our meal with an order of Deep Fried Green Beans and Garlic Parmesan Wings. Neither one of us had ever tried Fried Green Beans, and we were impressed that the appetizer is so much tastier than regular fries. Served with Ranch and Chipotle for dipping, the Fried Green Beans are a must-try munchie. We were equally impressed with the Wings. Made with real Parmesan cheese, not powder, and doused in creamy Parmesan sauce, the appetizer is finger-licking good.
    For our main course, I ordered a Corned Beef Reuben sandwich, and Ceil ordered the NY Strip Steak Dinner. Served on grilled Rye bread, my Reuben sandwich is a hearty concoction of sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing—just the way I like it. Ceil’s steak dinner is served with fries or baked potato and garden or Caesar salad. We shared everything, and completely cleaned our plates.
    Other tempting sandwiches and wraps on the menu at the Steer Inn are Grilled Chicken, BBQ Chicken, Chicken Caesar, Buffalo Chicken, and Club Sandwich. The Grilled Bourbon BBQ is topped with crispy bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, and tomato. For a zesty sandwich, try the Ragin’ Cajun—blackened Cajun spiced, melted cheddar jack, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and Ancho Chipotle sauce.
    If you have an exceptionally hearty appetite, try Skip’s Almost Famous Cuban Sandwich, which weighs over a pound and is overstuffed with ham, turkey breast, Swiss cheese, sliced pickle, and spiced bistro sauce. This yummy concoction is served warm on grilled ciabatta. Cheesesteak, Italian Cold Cut, Chicken Parmesan, and Grilled Ahi Tuna top off the sandwich and wraps menu.
    Of course, burgers and hot dogs are in abundance at the Steer Inn. Pizza Burger, Bacon & Cheese, Swiss & Mushroom, and Black & Bleu are classic burgers on the menu. For something different, order The Head of the Herd—loaded with lettuce, tomato, fried onions, jalapeños, mushrooms, cheese, and bacon. The Steer Inn also serves a quarter-pound Jersey Shore Jumbo Dog and the Hot Diggity Dog, which is loaded with sauerkraut, onions, and jalapeños.
    Other munchies on the menu at the Steer Inn Tavern include Crab Dip, Coconut Shrimp, and Ahi Tuna. Quesadillas are popular and available in unique combinations, such as Cheese Steak with shredded beef, peppers, onions, and provolone cheese; and Pepperoni Pizza stuffed with pepperoni, peppers, onions, provolone, Italian seasoning, and marinara sauce. For a crowd-pleasing appetizer, share a basket of Chicken Tenders, Fried Clams, Fish & Chips, Bacon Cheese Fries, or Shrimp. I highly recommend the Chicken Wings, which are prepared Mild, Hot, Triple XXX, Hickory BBQ, Garlic Parmesan, Sesame Ginger, Steer Sauce, Bourbon Street, or Southern Gold BBQ. Soups and Salads are also available, including Maryland Crab Soup and Tex-Mex Salad.
    On Saturday, October 8, the Steer Inn Tavern will host its Fall 2011 Rods & Rockers Vintage Car Show from 1:00 until 6:00. The show is open to all 1975 and older hot rods, classics, antiques, rat rods, bikes, deadbeaters, trucks, and specialties. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded, and registration will be onsite the day of the event. Food, drinks, and live music will be provided inside and outside. Vendors are needed. If you are true to the era and kulture, and would like to be a vendor, please contact Skip at 410-208-1900. After the festival, Full Blown Cherry will play the best of the best rockabilly inside the Steer Inn. For more information about this event and the Steer Inn Tavern, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steer-Inn-Tavern/126528301880.