Sport Bars Score in Macomb County MI

Buffalo Wild Wings' (44671 Mound Rd. Sterling Heights, MI 48314, 586-997-2999)) claim to fame is: "Wings. Beer. Sports. All the Essentials." This is pretty much the case. There are a few large screen televisions and many small ones and a large assortment of sports. But the screens are almost too large for the room and games often appear hazy if you sit in the wrong spot.

There is a video game room, trivia on line and an inside take-out service making this seem more like a food court setting than a restaurant. Even though the wings are deep-fried (as all true buffalo wings are) they are quite tasty and they have 12 varieties. One caution: if you order "blazin" prepare for hot beyond reason. Instead, opt for the teriyaki or Caribbean jerk. There are specials ("Wing Tuesday" and "Drumstick Wednesday") if you want to economize a bit.

The personnel here are very accommodating and casual; you can stay as long as you like. But I found this place to be literally chilly, even in the summer, and wondered if it was the old "turn the AC up and customers won't stay long" routine.

BWW also has burgers and salads and the usual assortment of "carboholic" appetizers. There is beer and a kids' menu but this place really doesn't seem all that kid-friendly. So in light of that and the temperature and tv screen overkill let us move on to SB #2:

Gator Jake's, 36863 Van Dyke Ave. Sterling Heights (586-983-3700).Once again the set-up is similar, just a little less fru-fru. The menu is moderately priced for the most part with plenty of variety (almost too extensive) and they actually serve a couple of alligator dishes. I passed on that although a good friend from the south once told me that even gator is good if it ‘s on a stick.

Instead, my dining companion and I opted for a couple of Cajun dishes, crawfish etouffee and jumbalaya, both rather mild (thank goodness for Tobasco) but flavorful. The service was only fair, but then it was a weekend. There is of course a full bar, plenty of beer selections, and again, a kids' menu.