Specials, specials, and more specials! Any day of the week that you walk into Smitty McGee’s Raw Bar & Restaurant at the Bayville Shopping Center on Route 54 in Delaware, you’ll find deep discounts on food and drinks. Just minutes from Ocean City, the fun-filled sports bar offers happy hour specials Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (that’s right—8 happy hours), and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Boasting the NFL Sunday Ticket, ESPN Gameplan, Big Ten Network, and ESPN U on 50 big screen, high definition, plasma televisions, Smitty McGee’s also presents NFL drinks specials anytime a game is broadcasting, and all day and night on Sunday.
    I went to Smitty McGee’s during Monday night football’s Broncos vs. Patriots game this week with a group of my favorite locals—Cara, Carrie, Kenny, and John—and the guys dove into the football specials, ordering $1.75 Miller & Coors bottles, $1.75 rail drinks, 50-cent oysters, and 10 wings for $5.99. Other NFL specials include 50-cent clams, 1/2 lb. steamed shrimp for $6.99, and $1.50 Miller & Coors drafts.
    Monday night is also Mexican Monday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. We ordered hard and soft beef tacos for $1.99 each, and Coronas for $3.95. Coors and Margaritas are discounted, too, along with Taco Salad, Queso Dip, Mexican Pizza, Nachos, Quesadillas, Fajitas, Burritos, and Chimichangas. On Tuesday nights, Smitty McGee’s brings Team Trivia and “Yuengling Wing Thing” from 7 p.m. ‘til close, featuring Yuengling draft, bottle, and pitcher discounts and 10 wings for $5.99. “Smitty McGee’s has the best wings around,” says John. On Wednesday, Burger Night & Coors Night offers locals a variety of burgers for under $5 and draft, bottle, and pitcher discounts on Coors. Thursday nights are Miller & Shrimp Night, starting at 7 p.m., with 1/2 lb steamed shrimp for $6.99.
    While we perused the menu, we placed an order for Artichoke & Spinach Dip. A creamy delight, the appetizer is served hot in an edible bread bowl and topped with melted Monterey Jack and Cheddar Cheeses. Rock Fingers and Grouper Fingers are two tempting appetizers on the extensive starter menu, which also includes Raw Bar offerings—like Steamed Garlic Mussels and Baked Oysters Imperial—and Soup and Chili. As John said, Smitty’s has the “Best Wings on the Beach,” ranging from mild to inferno and served in 10-, 20-, or 50-piece batches. When you try the wings, order a batch with sweet Bourbon seasoning or with sweet and spicy Key West flavor.
    Staffed with smiling and familiar faces, the managers, bartenders, and servers at Smitty McGee’s are attentive and laid back. Our server, Jason, recommends the Burgers, the huge 8 oz. Grouper Sandwich, and the Tenderloin Sandwich—filet mignon topped with onions, melted provolone cheese, and horseradish sauce. All of the overstuffed sandwiches are mouthwatering. Carrie chose the French Dip with Au Jus for her main meal, and Cara opted for the Shrimp Salad Bacon & Cheddar sandwich served open faced on Rye Bread. A total of 22 tasty concoctions comprise the Sandwich menu, like Dirty Chicken, Rock Fish, Mahi Mahi, Curry Chicken Salad, and Chili Cheese Dog. Fully embracing football season and dipping temperatures, I ordered the Chili Bake—a heaping serving of comfort food served in a Bread Bowl with melted cheese and diced onions.
    For entrées, Jason recommends the Stuffed Grouper—flaky grouper filet stuffed with crab imperial and baked. Other entrees are scallops, crabcakes, and prime rib. “I also want to make sure you check out our Salads menu,” says Jason. “The portions are huge with an almost endless selection of toppers.” He isn’t exaggerating. The Greek, Spinach, Garden, Caesar, Confetti, South West, and Tropical Salad each can be topped with an assortment of Grouper, Yellow Fin Tuna Steak, Mahi Mahi, Rock Fish, Chicken Breast, Tenderloin, Scallops, Shrimp, Calamari, and more.
    My friends and I had a blast dining at Smitty McGee’s and watching the football game. Unobstructed views of television screens are everywhere you look. “My taste buds are so pleased,” said Carrie as she devoured her tender French Dip sandwich. Topped with melted cheese, Cara’s Shrimp Salad sandwich was overstuffed with fresh, jumbo shrimp. And, before Kenny and John ate all of the 24 oysters on the table, Carrie tried her first oyster. “It was sweet and went right down,” she reports. Kenny agrees, “The oysters are sweet with no smell.” In fact, we did not leave a single crumb on our table. We even ate the bread bowls that came with the Artichoke & Spinach Dip and Chili Bake—which warmed me from the inside out.
    The festive atmosphere at Smitty McGee’s is frighteningly fun right now, with the entire bar & restaurant donning Halloween decorations. The Halloween Party & Costume Contest begins at 9 p.m. on Friday, October 31, and includes over $500 in cash and prizes. Saturday nights are always a party at Smitty McGee’s with live bands and entertainment starting at 8 p.m. This Saturday night, enjoy the locally renowned talents of Chris Button & Walt Farozic. Other can’t-miss parties on the wintertime itinerary are Smitty McGee’s Homecoming Party with DJ Batman on Wednesday, November 26, and Thanksgiving Dinner from noon ‘til 8 p.m. on November 27. And one of the biggest events of the year takes place at Smitty McGee’s Customer Appreciation Party on Saturday, December 27. Randy Lee Ashcraft & the Salt Water Cowboys perform at 4 p.m., happy hour prices are all day and all night, and Chris Button starts at 8 p.m. Visit www.smittymcgees.com or call (302) 436-4716 for details. Stop into Smitty McGee’s for burgers, wings, football, and awesome specials.