Mac and Cheese with Blacken Shrimp

G.W. Sharkey’s Raw Bar and Grill:  Good Solid Pub Grub and Service!

Sharkey’s is another restaurant that has been around for awhile. Originally opened by the owner of Big Bear Brewing Company and was later sold over 16 years ago to the present owner Tony. The most important change with Sharkey’s came when they moved from their original location off of University Drive near Royal Palm to the new location on Royal Palm just east of Coral Springs Drive. I’m glad they moved because the old place just looked dingy, old and dark. Because you can smoke inside, the smell of smoke was intense.

Ambiance

In the new place you can still smoke inside but the smell isn’t as bad. I think it’s because the ceilings are much higher and the place has an open design. As for the ambiance, there is a dining area outside and right when you walk in the door. As you walk to the back there is a big bar on your left and several high top tables to your right. There are pool tables in the back and dart boards near the high tops…A typical American pub set up.

Shrimp Fajitas…look at the portion of condiments!

The Food

I haven’t eaten here in over a decade. If I stopped by it was usually to have a cold beer, watch a football game or to say hello to the manager, Richie, who is a fellow United States Marine.

Back in February 2017, I attended the Taste of Coral Springs. This awesome event features many restaurants/businesses in the Coral Springs area and one of the vendors was G.W. Sharkey’s. They were handing out samples of Hurricane drinks and “Richie’s” Wings. I sampled a bunch of the wings and I really enjoyed them. I decided I had to stop in to write a food review…6 months later I’m getting it done LOL.

Buffalo Chicken quesadilla

I stopped by on two occasions with my son, Hunter. We had the Buffalo Chicken quesadilla, Potato Skins and Shrimp Fajitas. With the second visit (on a recommendation from my buddy Ronald C). my son had the Mac and Cheese and I had Buffalo Shrimp Mac and Cheese.

Potato Skins

The potato skins were nothing out of the ordinary. They were half-cut potatoes which is way better than some places that give you a quarter of a potato slice…My son and I enjoyed them. My son loved his quesadilla and the portion was a nice size for the price. My fajitas had plenty of shrimp and overloaded with condiments. But, our favorite was the Mac and Cheese…Another huge portion filled with melted creamy cheese. I added extra buffalo shrimp for a small fee. There had to be over a dozen of medium shrimp on top! The spiciness of the shrimp added another great layer of flavor without burning your mouth with heat.

L to R..Hunter and Manager Richie

Service

I always sit at the bar and the service has always been excellent. The servers are friendly and attractive. If the manager, Richie, is working he always stops by to say “hello” and check on food/service. Good pub vibe.

Fried Buffalo Shrimp

Verdict

If you don’t smoke you probably won’t like this place unless you sit outside. That’s the truth. If you don’t mind smoke or do smoke this is your neighborhood dream pub come true. Cold drinks, full liquor bar, and stick to your ribs pub food. Is this the best pub food I’ve ever had? My answer would be no. But, they pump out a good product.  Overall with the friendly/efficient service and solid pub food I give this place 3 Beers. The Mac and Cheese plus Richie’s Wings are excellent so I highly recommend them to everyone.

Lastly they show a lot of sporting events that include Pay For View fights. If you are looking to catch a game or fight you should definitely stop by. Remember to tell them Dan I Cook sent you and Stay Hungry!

Four beers = Outstanding
Three beers = Good
Two beers = OK
One beer = Needs work
Zero beers= Sucks (No beer is never a good thing.)

G.W. Sharkey’s Raw Bar & Grill
10365 Royal Palm Boulevard
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Phone: (954) 341-9990