JD’s Sports Bar and Grill, long a staple of the Rockledge beer-and-burgers crowd, has a new outpost in Cocoa Village.
It’s the latest restaurant to take over the beautiful bank space on Harrison Street, and while the numerous TVs and fake brick may not be what the architects had in mind, it definitely will serve a sports-loving crowd.
There are huge TVs over the bar and on the walls, even on the second-floor balcony, along with small ones in booths.
The menu offers a lot of variety for those who are there for more than the beer, from wings to more substantial entrees.
My husband felt an obligation to try the wings and opted for the chewy boneless variety (1/2 pound for $6.59).
There are several choices of sauce; the medium-hot prompted a pucker. We asked for blue cheese dressing on the side but got ranch.
The flavorful spinach and artichoke dip ($6.79) hit the spot, especially as it was served with good, warm, salty corn chips.
I’d heard a lot about JD’s burgers, so I ordered the hamburger ($6.99) with extra toppings of cheese, grilled mushrooms and grilled onions (59 cents each).
It was a big, satisfying burger, so big I couldn’t finish it.
There are lots of sides to choose from, a mix of the standard fried goodies and more healthful items, such as steamed broccoli (though you can add cheese to it).
I got probably the least good-for-you item, the House Potatoes. They’re essentially home fries, sauteed with caramelized onions and served with sour cream on the side, which is gilding the lily. Very tasty, though.
Entrees include prime rib, pot roast, fajita, tilapia, mahi, penne with vodka sauce, chicken parmesan and shrimp scampi.
My husband went for the 14-ounce ribeye ($16.99, plus 59 cents each for the mushrooms and onions he added). He found the steak acceptable, but I was turned off by a taste that was, frankly, unpleasant, as if it had shared the grill with an item that did not complement it.
The desserts are not made in-house, but we enjoyed our apple pie, served with a big pile of yella vanilla ice cream ($5.49).
For the most part, JD’s offers hearty bar fare that will satisfy sports fans who are looking for sustenance during March Madness and beyond.
Contact Kridler at 321-242-3633 or ckridler@floridatoday.com.
From www.floridatoday.com
