Out of all of our city's many districts, Deep Deuce is one of my favorite areas to dine, thanks primarily to Chef Andrew Black and his soulful Black Walnut.
So, last week, riding high on expectations, my wife and I decided to try the oldest spot in the area – Deep Deuce Bar and Grill, 307 NE 2nd St.
We went last Sunday around noon for lunch. Even though we were sweating buckets, we decided to sit on the large outdoor patio. Fortunately, our server arrived at the table and quickly poured us water, which I promptly downed along with my wife’s!
As we waited patiently in the baking sun for my wife’s brother, his wife, and their adorable threenager—so adorable! – to arrive, we perused the venue's menu, filled with all the usual casual dining fixins'. When the rest of our party arrived, we said our "hellos" and gave our hugs, and immediately requested more water.
“Keep them coming!” I said.
When then placed our food and drink orders.
While I stuck with H2O, my wife and sister-in-law ordered “the Swirl” – an alcoholic drink that looked like a Dole Whip. I would have snapped a pic, but I was too focused on entertaining a three-year-old to care.
Feeling much cooler and ready to eat, our appetizer arrived – the Pepper Jack Cheese Sticks ($11.00).
Exactly like the name implies, they are five hand-breaded pepper jack cheese sticks, served with their house-made red gravy.
While my wife loved them, I felt they were simply “fine.” Though they were massively stringy the way a cheese stick should be, it was run-of-the-mill bar eats but, yes, of course, I swallowed them down with a little of the red gravy.
Not too long after, our entrées arrived at the table.
My wife unwound with the Pittsburgh Steak Sandwich ($16.00). It was comprised of thinly shaved rib-eye steak, with sauteed onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, house aioli, and Swiss cheese.
Paired with sweet potato fries, my wife loved the sandwich, and I have to say, it was a pretty good slice of meat. Better than a Philly cheesesteak, it was quality steak and Swiss cheese, but the house aioli, slathered all across the top, was heavenly.
For my choice, I went with an apparent Deep Duece specialty – the Summer Mac N Cheese ($19.00).
A social media foodie's interpretation of the summer cookout, it had a base layer of macaroni and cheese topped with pulled pork, hot link bites, smoked cheddar cheese, a splash of BBQ sauce, and, why not, crushed potato chips. The only thing it was missing was a red and white checkered tablecloth.
You would think that all those ingredients would amount to a heavenly meal, but that's what you get for thinking.
The mac and cheese was bland, lacking any depth of flavor or a cheesy kick. The pulled pork and the hot links definitely tasted like pulled pork and the hot links, but they weren't anything special. The potato chips provided a fried crunch, which was welcomed, but that's about it.
Overall, it was a disappointing entrée, but at least I had plenty of water to wash it all down!
At the end of our meal, as we sat on the patio, bellies full and skin baking in the summer sun, I contemplated my Deep Duece Grille experience. In my mind, it was an okay place to go. The type of spot I wouldn't go out of my way to visit, but if I lived in the area and couldn't afford Chef Black, a place I'd be okay to frequent if I found a favorite menu item.
At least that's what I thought.
After the check was paid, I noticed — perhaps under the influence of their Swirls — that my wife and sister-in-law were already planning another Deep Deuce lunch date, so it looks like I’ll be back sooner than I thought. With any luck, next time my entrée will be as satisfying as the water, and the company.
Cómpralo ya!
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Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
