Let’s talk about burgers. I was first introduced to my favorite burger—the Bleu Bacon Burger at Whiskers Bar & Grill in Ocean Pines—when I was working at a nearby office in 2003. Once a week, the boss would treat us staff members to lunch, and we always ordered burgers from Whiskers. Blackened and topped with bacon and bleu cheese, the Bleu Bacon Burger is one of a kind. Soaring leagues above fast food joints and overpriced burger franchises, Whiskers Bar & Grill serves up the best burgers around.
    Take advantage of half-priced burgers on Monday nights, when each of the restaurant’s tall wooden booths is full of happy customers. The Reuben Burger—prepared with kraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing—is a crowd pleaser. The Texas Burger is comprised of BBQ sauce, fried mushrooms, onions, and provolone cheese. Another must-try burger is the Carpet Bagger—topped with crab imperial and cheese. Chili Burger, Tex Mex Burger, Pizza Burger, and Turkey Burger are just a few more of many lip-smacking good options at Whiskers Bar & Grill.
    In addition to burgers, Whiskers prepares homemade dishes on a daily basis. When I visited the restaurant on Wednesday evening with my good friend, Kelly Quinn (Mann Properties) and her adorable three-year-old son, Brody, the daily dinner entrée specials were Meatloaf and Fried Liver & Onions, served with dinner roll, vegetable of the day, and mashed potatoes and gravy. “Everyone raves about Whiskers’ Fried Chicken Platter,” said Kelly, who is a frequent customer at the Ocean Pines location. Served BBQ, Cajun, Fried, or Grilled, the Chicken Platter is your choice of one or two boneless breasts. Kelly decided to find out for herself what all the hype is about, and she wasn’t at all disappointed with her heaping plate of Fried Chicken. All dinner entrées are served with a choice of two vegetables and house or Caesar salad. For her sides, Kelly selected green beans, which was also the vegetable of the day, and homemade potato salad.
    Adorable and hungry, three-year-old Brody ordered himself a foot-long, all beef hotdog. Chili Dog, Kraut Dog, Cheddar Dog, and Chili Cheddar Dog are all options on the menu, and the Whiskers Dog is an irresistible mess of chili, cheese, kraut, and onions. “It’s pretty big,” said Brody when our server, Becca, first presented his foot-long hotdog. Then, when he took his first bite, he exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, Mom. It’s huge!”
    For my dinner, I ordered one of the soups of the day, Crab & Corn Bisque, and a daily dinner special, BBQ Beef Brisket & Cheddar Wrap with French fries and Cole slaw. The other soup of the day was Zucchini, Broccoli, & White Bean Minestrone, and the salad of the day was Cajun Flounder Caesar. Satisfying my insatiable craving for BBQ Beef Brisket, my wrap was the size of a football. All of our portions were remarkably monstrous, and we enjoyed each and every bite.
    Specializing in seafood dinners, Whisker’s serves Grilled Tuna Steak, Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Fried Shrimp Platter, Fried Oyster Platter, and Fried Flounder Platter. The Broiled Seafood Platter consists of shrimp, bay scallops, crab cake, and fish of the day. Also, try the “Ship and Shore,” which is a delectable combination of NY Strip with fried shrimp or crab cake.
    Whisker’s Bar & Grill is quite popular for its overstuffed sandwiches. BLT, Ham, Turkey, Roast Beef, Crab Cake, Corned Beef, Grilled Tuna Steak, Crab Cake, Meatball, Fried Oyster, Tuna Salad, Cheesesteak, and Chicken Cheesesteak are just a few of many temptations. Hot Open Faced Sandwiches include Reuben and Turkey or Roast Beef with Gravy. Plus, a plethora of chicken sandwich selections include Chicken Cordon Blue, Grilled Chicken Caesar, Buffalo Chicken, Italian Chicken, Tex Mex Chicken, and many more. I recommend the Monterey Chicken Sandwich—bacon, pepperjack cheese, and ranch dressing.
    Homemade soups are served year-round at Whisker’s, including chili, and French Onion Soup, which is one of Kelly’s favorites. Awesome appetizers are Cajun Pork Fingers, Jalapeño Poppers, Crabby Stuffed Pretzel, Fish & Chips, Loaded Fries, Nachos, Mozzarella Sticks, Onion Rings, Steamed Shrimp, Bacon Cheddar Skins, and Crab Dip. The Wings and the Chicken Fingers are prepared to your liking—BBQ, buffalo, land crab, or garlic style. Kelly, Brody, and I shared a loaded plate of Sweet Potato Fries with horseradish sauce.
    For dessert, we had a choice between peanut butter pie, warm apple dumpling with vanilla ice cream, or hot fudge brownie. We let Brody be the boss, and he happily chose the brownie. Served warm with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream, the dessert was more than enough for three people. And, Brody graciously offered me the last bite. What a cutie!
    Happy hour at Whiskers starts early and ends late, packing the bar with local faces from 2 to 7 p.m. every day. Then, from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m., Whiskers offers a late night Industry Happy Hour for locals who work in the restaurant service industry. On Friday nights, Donnie Berkey hosts karaoke night, and you’ll be surprised by who you see singing on the mic. Kelly herself has been known to belt out some Scorpions and Eminem hits. This Saturday night, May 21, check out live music by Landers & Heinz.
    Whiskers now offers keno, simulcast horse racing, free wireless Internet connection, and an expanded game room with darts, arcade games, and a pool table. Also, take-out beer and spirits are for sale. Always a good time, Whiskers Bar & Grill is located at the Pines Plaza Shopping Center on Cathell Road in Ocean Pines. For more information, dial 410-208-3922.