The Greene Turtle wants to be more than a bar.
The restaurant opened in Towson in August, adding to locations in Ocean City, Fells Point and Laurel. The prime spot on York Road frequently becomes busy after 10 p.m., when it becomes a 21 and up establishment.
But it’s worth visiting while the sun is still up, as well.
The franchise has a reputation as a sports bar, but the restaurant is aiming to tweak that. It has re-branded itself as a “sports grill,” and started to emphasize its menu of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and entrees.
The menu features an array of appetizer options. The Chesapeake pretzel has a delicious crab topping, but it’s not worth the $10 price tag.
The chicken quesadilla wasn’t sprinkled with much cheese, but it was stuffed full of meat and tomatoes. The list of starters even includes pizzas.
The Greene Turtle’s origins as an Ocean City landmark are evident in the menu, which includes shrimp jammers, crab toast (a half baguette topped with lump crab meat), Maryland crab soup, grilled tuna and crab cakes.
A wide variety of entrees are available, from $6 burgers and wraps to slightly more expensive chicken sandwiches and platters. The 12-oz. Terrapin steak is excellent, thanks to its zesty marinated flavor. The cheesesteak hits all the right notes. The BBQ pit sandwich isn’t as notable, though.
Greene Turtle recently introduced a clever “Mix & Match” meal option. For $15 or $20, patrons can choose two of a half-dozen options, plus a “free” appetizer.
It’s a good deal, but most patrons probably aren’t hungry enough to take advantage of it.
The restaurant tosses in generous portions of sides. The fries are a safe choice, but sometimes they’re almost too fresh-from-the-fryer. Sandwiches come alongside a pile of chips.
The drink specials (and the two-for-one burgers and pizzas) draw in many patrons.
The offers change frequently, so pick up a calendar when you walk in.
The restaurant’s atmosphere is animated and boisterous, thanks in part to the ubiquitous television monitors.
Last Monday, dinner patrons conversations were interrupted by cheers of “E-A-G-L-E-S.” Football jerseys are popular attire for the bar-goers. But diners don’t have to be die-hard sports fanatics to appreciate the Greene Turtle’s diverse, delicious menu.
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