Sports & Rec: Nachos and Tempura Green Beans
We’re back in NORA to watch Scotland get pummeled 3-0 by Brazil in the World Cup and check out Happy Hour at West Palm Beach’s newest sports bar.
The Spot: Sports & Rec
Location: 1035 N Railroad Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Vibe: Hunter green and baseball glove tanned leather brown sports lounge as opposed to a sports bar. Imagine if Flanny’s got an Ivy League degree. Avoid the stool seating if you’re over 35 - your knees will thank you.
The Bite: Nachos and Tempura Green Beans
Price:
Nachos (small tray): $12
Tempura Green Beans: $8
(Both on Happy Hour Pricing)
Vegetarian Status: Vegetarian
The Flavor Breakdown
Eating nachos while watching grown men play with a ball is a proud American cultural tradition but finding good nachos is surprisingly difficult because unless you’re eating classic Texan style nachos, you’re basically playing the odds with a plate of slop.
In some places, nachos are less a meal and more a sloppy mountain that diners try to scale before eventually giving up because honestly, who the hell wants to eat a soggy mess with no other discernable flavors other than salty.
At Sports & Rec, the nachos are better than average. The chips are crispy, the cheese sauce is rich and savory and the guac and pico are fresh but what really elevates this sports bar classic is the pickles - onions and jalapeños.
Look, pickled pink onions are a GOATed condiment and if you’re not adding them to any spicy, rich meal - you’re living a sad facsimile of an existence.
But the pickled jalapeños?
I am an evangelist when it comes to fresh jalapeños and believe they belong on all savory foods.
Usually, I never eat the pickled variety because honestly, I’ve never had a good one. They’re soft from sitting in brine and that vinegar-spiked spice is just unappealing to my palate.
However, Sports & Rec pickles their jalapeños in house and, I do not say this lightly, they’re just as good as fresh.
Spicy, crunchy and vegetal with a touch of sweetness.
Compliments to the chef because that dude knows how to pickle a pepper.
The tempura green beans are fat, fresh and fried - all good things - and served with a Bang Bang sauce. Great for snacking and sneaking in some greens.
Fried greens still count as greens, guys.
The Beverages: It’s All In The Hips and Prosecco
Price: $12 (It’s All In The Hips) and $7 (Prosecco) - both with Happy Hour pricing
It’s All In The Hips usually costs $19 so I definitely recommend picking it up during Happy Hour. It’s a light, refreshing and well-balanced cocktail featuring a summery blend of reposado tequila, smoked strawberry, peach and ginger.
The prosecco is served in a coupe which immediately makes it taste better and paired perfectly with the salty, crispy shoestring fries we ordered for my son.
One Mouthy Sandwich Girl Rating:
Flavor & Freshness:
🥪 🥪 🥪 🥪 - Nachos
🥪 🥪 🥪 🥪 - Tempura Green Beans
🥪 🥪 🥪 🥪 - Average Rating
Value for Buck:
🥪 🥪 🥪
Go for Happy Hour (Mon-Friday: 4:00-6:00). The prices are decent, especially if you’re just looking to have a beer (Dad Beer, Pacifico or Tropical Bay IPA - $6) or wine (red, white, rose or sparkling - $7)
Vegetarian Variety:
🥪 🥪 🥪
Great for appetizers (caramelized cauliflower tacos, tempura green beans, nachos and a variety of dips - onion dip, guac, spinach-artichoke and queso) but less for entrees - a solitary grain bowl with farro, quinoa, roasted vegetables, arugula, blistered tomatoes, whipped feta with a lemon herb vinaigrette.
The Verdict:
🥪 🥪 🥪
Polished but fun vibe, decent happy hour, excellent pickled jalapeños and a fun place to watch World Cup matches if you don’t want to deal with the rowdy chaos of O’Sheas.
