Restaurant review: 2nd Street Bistro isn't a typical bistro or a sports bar. It's much more

Courtesy of Lucie Regensdorf
·4 min read

FORT PIERCE — How should I describe 2nd Street Bistro? It’s not a “bistro” in the traditional sense as it is not a small cozy establishment with a limited menu. On the other hand, many of the menu items, such as baked brie, steak medallions and chicken piccata would not be out of place on a bistro menu.

It is not a typical sports bar in that it serves scratch kitchen bistro-style comfort food in addition to wings, wraps, paninis and burgers. On the other hand, it is a sports bar in that it has a fully-stocked bar, 50 beers on tap, and wall-to-wall flat-screen televisions displaying, well...sporting events.

2nd Street Bistro is an open-air restaurant with walls covered with old signs, photos, antiques and retired beer taps. The bistro has a raw bar with every concoction of raw and cooked shellfish. Appetizers include tuna nachos, gator bites, fried green tomatoes, smoked fish dip or fried cheese.

The 2nd Street Bistro is a sports bar extraordinaire with at least 100,000 flat-screen televisions.
The 2nd Street Bistro is a sports bar extraordinaire with at least 100,000 flat-screen televisions.

Looking for a restaurant? Search dining reviews from Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin counties

Nettles Island restaurant: Restaurant Review: Sauder's Landing offers relaxing waterfront atmosphere, great seafood

Entrees feature meatloaf, country-fried pork, shrimp alfredo, salmon and fish of the day. Pizzas, salads, soups, tacos, fried platters, burgers, paninis and sandwiches are also on the menu. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are labeled. If you cannot find something you want to eat on their menu, then you are simply not hungry.

The Stuffed Potato Tots at 2nd Street Bistro were deep-fried shredded potatoes stuffed with bacon and cheddar served with a beer-bacon-truffle ketchup.
The Stuffed Potato Tots at 2nd Street Bistro were deep-fried shredded potatoes stuffed with bacon and cheddar served with a beer-bacon-truffle ketchup.

We started with the Bistro Sampler ($16.99) and the Stuffed Potato Tots ($11.99). The Sampler was fried potstickers, which were delicious dipped in the spicy ponzu sauce; chicken tenders, which were complemented by the honey mustard sauce; and shrimp dipped in a tangy cocktail sauce.

The deep-fried shredded potatoes stuffed with bacon and cheddar had a nice texture, like a hush puppy but were mildly flavored in comparison. Two out of four of us were not truffle fans but I thought the beer-bacon-truffle-ketchup was brilliant.

We pored over the menu — there were so many choices. One of my dining companions chose the Roasted Turkey Sandwich ($14.99). Fresh multigrain bread was stuffed with sliced, moist, roasted turkey and creamy brie. The bread was smeared with a tangy and creamy cranberry-mayo sauce. She chose a side of crispy golden onion rings ($2-additional) because, well, I always do.

Jambalaya at 2nd Street Bistro had lots of perfectly cooked jumbo shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage were coated in just-hot-enough Cajun spices over rice with a hunk of sweet cornbread on the side.
Jambalaya at 2nd Street Bistro had lots of perfectly cooked jumbo shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage were coated in just-hot-enough Cajun spices over rice with a hunk of sweet cornbread on the side.

Jambalaya ($21.99) was another’s choice. Lots of perfectly-cooked jumbo shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage were coated in just-hot-enough Cajun spices over rice with a hunk of sweet cornbread on the side. Although the flavors were good, the dish was a little dry and could have used a more brothy sauce.

The hubs ordered a Cuban Sandwich ($14.99) which was a toasted-and-pressed sandwich of thinly-sliced pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and yellow mustard. The flavors all melded well. His side of coleslaw, however, was watery and not creamy or flavorful.

My dinner was Chicken Marsala ($18.99) because what else do you order at a bistro/sports bar that serves everything? My dinner was two ginormous chicken breasts which were moist and flavorful, pan-fried in a comforting, rich deep-brown, Marsala wine sauce with slices of fresh, sauteed mushrooms and served on top of pasta.

The Chicken Marsala at 2nd Street Bistro were two ginormous moist and flavorful chicken breasts, pan-fried in a comforting rich deep brown Marsala wine sauce and slices of fresh sauteed mushrooms over pasta.
The Chicken Marsala at 2nd Street Bistro were two ginormous moist and flavorful chicken breasts, pan-fried in a comforting rich deep brown Marsala wine sauce and slices of fresh sauteed mushrooms over pasta.

How should I describe 2nd Street Bistro? Delightful. Welcoming. Comfortable. Delicious. The atmosphere is friendly. The staff is attentive. The bistro invites you to come on in, have a seat, order a cold drink and enjoy the menu choices, the sports on televisions and the eclectic décor.

The outdoors deck is pet-friendly with a menu for “Spot.” You can order Ham Barker Helper ($8). Scooby Stew ($8), or Chicken Doggy Gumbo ($8).

Again, if you — or "Spot" — cannot find something to eat here, you are simply not hungry.

2nd Street Bistro

Cuisine: American Fare

Address: 122 North 2nd Street, Fort Pierce, 34950

Phone: 772-293-9191

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-midnight Fridays; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturdays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays

Alcohol: Full bar

Online: 2ndstreetbistro.com/www.facebook.com/2ndstreetbistrofortpierce

Lucie Regensdorf dines anonymously at the expense of TCPalm for #WhatToDoIn772. Contact her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Want to watch the Super Bowl in a sports bar? Try 2nd Street Bistro

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next