STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHERYL BOUTIN
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Attention all sports fanatics seeking sanctuary and some good eats while watching the game: Beef ‘O’Brady’s has taken up residence at 540 W. Central Avenue in Lake Wales, on the corner of US 27 and West Central Ave. With nineteen tv’s inside the restaurant and nine tv’s in the screened dining area outside, that constantly feature every sport and team from Nascar to Snowboarding to the Seminoles you can multi-task and catch up on all your favorites. Beef ‘O’Brady’s is also approved by soccer moms and little leaguers of all ages as the place to go to after the game.

The first Beef ‘O’Brady’s was started in Brandon, Florida, in 1985 as a small sandwich shop and sky-rocketed to fame when Jim Mellody decided to invest in satellite tv’s, display his sports memorabilia, and add a sports theme to his restaurant. Since then hundreds of franchises have popped up, especially in the south. “Beef’s”, as it is affectionately nick-named, touts itself as a family sports pub because it values family and community as well as business. Although it is a franchise, the restaurant still strives to maintain its small neighborhood sandwich shop atmosphere. The waitresses memorize orders for their regulars, but are willing to do anything they can to accommodate large parties also.

For example, a gathering of 70 football coaches from Webber and other colleges met here recently. Coaches always get a discount and preferential treatment at Beef’s. A gathering of car show enthusiasts frequent Beef’s on the first Saturday of every month and RJ the DJ provides free entertainment to them. On Tuesday night, kids eat free at Beef’s with a paid adult meal and as a bonus get their faces painted, too. Happy hour is M-F from 4 to 7pm and you can get ninety-nine cent drafts which you’ll need if you decide to take part in the Nuclear Challenge. Beef ‘O’Brady’s claims that their nuclear chicken wings are so hot that anyone who can eat 20 of them in 20 minutes or less achieves the famed status of being pictured on their bulletin board and earns a commemorative t-shirt that states “I survived the nuclear challenge!” If you like to play it safe, they have other flavored chicken wings, too.

The food at Beef ‘O’Brady’s is great fare for a casual luncheon with your buddies, especially because lunch items are always only $4.99. “Beef’s” features deli-style sandwiches like the Chicken Philly which is a unique twist on a Philly Cheese Steak. They also make wraps including a cheese burger wrap which is a cheese burger tucked into a soft taco. Their burgers are all a halfpound of USDA steak burger and cooked to order. The coleslaw mixed with pineapple is an unexpectedly tasty side dish.

If it’s not on the menu then that is no problem because they are more than willing to cater to your every wish at Beef’s. Just tell them what it is you want and they will try to make it especially for you. As a matter of fact, that is how Beef’s menu evolved. They really listen to what their customers want and if it’s popular it will be on the menu sooner or later. Here’s an insider secret though...there’s a lot of things that aren’t on the menu too. If you crave something you’ve never tried before, ask what else they have that may not be on the menu. That’s how I tried the broccoli bites, golden batter fried veggies that love to be dipped in Beef’s honey mustard sauce.

Every meal is served with Beef’s traditional Irish blessing for happiness that states “May the road rise to meet you...May God hold you in the palm of his hand.” After some good eats with friends or family, you’ll have to agree with Beef’s motto that “Every neighborhood should have a Beef ‘O’Brady’s.”

Beef ‘O’Brady’s is open daily M-TH from 11a.m.-10p.m., Fri & Sat. 11a.m.-11p.m., and Sun. 12p. m.-10p.m. The owners of the Lake Wales Beef ‘O’Brady’s are Greg Gay and Shiela and Darrel Hurst. The telephone number to the restaurant is 863-679-1975.