Hit the South Beach Sports Grill After Jazz FestPhoto/text by Renee Burrell
Award winning pacific flavored ribs are one part of the whole package that makes South Beach Sports Grill a great social and dining venue. (Pictured l-r) James Dumel, Mark Frankum, Celina Clouse, Kory Oyler, Michael Frankum Since opening in June '06, Fran Bartlett and Mark Frankum have created quite a buzz with their upscale concept of a sports bar, South Beach Sports Grill located on Clearwater Beach. You'll find as many people sipping wine as you will beer in this bright and family friendly establishment. Wines are paired with crab cakes, salmon dishes, steak au poivre, and other entrees conducive to the South Beach Diet on the extensive menu, which also offers special fare for kids12 and under. Though the sports packages and the seventeen 42" plasma wide screen TVs are a main attraction, lately the spotlight's been on the food. South Beach Sports Grill won "Appetizer of the Year" at the Taste of Clearwater recently for Mark's ProBowl Ribs. Said Frankum, "All night long at the Taste people kept telling us how great they are." The secret is not just in the sauce. "The ribs themselves have a Pacific Isle flavor and are marinated for 18-24 hours in a recipe a friend from Guam gave me." South Beach Sports Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. All items on the menu are available for takeout. But as Frankum said, "When people who haven't been here before come in to pick up their take out orders, they look around and pick up on the hospitality. They either decide to stay and eat right then, or say they will the next time. We have ladies of all ages come in unescorted because they feel comfortable, like the food, and our servers." The South Beach Sports Grill mission statement is given to every customer via a survey card which reads: "…to provide our customers with a pleasurable experience with outstanding hospitality and service and the best quality of food while viewing entertainment, or one of the many televised sporting events." Unlike most busy beach restaurants, Bartlett and Frankum invite their customer's feedback. Everyone is given a survey card with their bill. "They're our report cards and help us make sure we're meeting our objectives," said Frankum, who reads each card. Going through a stack with him, all of the comments praised the establishment for its fun, food, friendly service and cleanliness, or a combination thereof. Someone claimed that if Bartlett and Frankum open a South Beach Sports Grill in Ireland, "I'll be your first customer." There was one comment that was a bit negative, however. Apparently a satisfied party wasn't too confident that they'd get a table the next time they visited. "Remember us when they are lined up to the parking lot," they pleaded. Visit www.southbeachsportsgrill.com to keep up with food and entertainment specials, or phone (727) 446-8809 for information. The South Beach Sports Grill is located in the North West corner of the Bazaar Plaza at 731 Bayway Boulevard, Clearwater Beach.
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