Monyka Berrocosa-Marbach, The Examiner
2006-11-20 08:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

BALTIMORE -

Our waitress at Shula’s 2, the casual sports bar-themed restaurant next to Shula’s Steakhouse, was pleasant, and water and bread were on the table before we even looked at the menu. Tables around us were full and the business lunch crowd seemed content; this encouraged us, so we ordered with gusto.

My friend started with a Caesar salad appetizer ($5.95), and that appeared fresh and pleasant. I had a Thai beef salad ($14.95). Although crisp and beautiful to look at, the flavor was a bit dull with no Thai kick. The portion, however, was huge.

For entrées, we ordered the signature cheeseburger ($10.95) and barbecue ribs ($27). Both were fine but at their price points, each fell short of our expectations. The meat elements were tasty enough, but the sides were sorely lacking; the fries were cold, the beans and coleslaw with the ribs were slightly unappealing. When our waitress noticed our disinterest, however, she effortlessly substituted fries.

Wines by the glass at this sporty place range from $7 to $9, but our recommendation is to stick with beer or any of the nonalcoholic offerings. The dessert menu had things such as key lime pie ($5.95) and apple cobbler ($6.95), but we opted for the hot fudge brownie sundae ($5.95), which arrived alongside whipped cream, fudge sauce, plain vanilla ice cream and a sickly sweet brownie. Be warned this dessert will cure a chocolate craving.

Overall, Shula’s 2 gives the good old college try.

If you go

Shula’s 2 at the Wyndham Inner Harbor Hotel, 101 W. Fayette St., Baltimore, 410-385-6601

» Hours: Monday through Sunday serving lunch and dinner

» Carryout: Yes, in the bar

» Dress: Casual

» Credit Cards: Yes

» Liquor license: Yes

» Parking: Public parking across the street or metered parking

» Wheelchair accessible: Yes

» Smoking: Yes