A Restaurant Review: Majerle's Sports Grill in Phoenix, Arizona

When you're in downtown Phoenix and you're looking for an affordable sports bar where you can watch the game, drink some beer, and perhaps have a burger or sandwich, Majerle's Sports Grill is probably the place for you. Located in the historic Fry Building (dating to 1891, it is the oldest commercial building in Phoenix) less than two blocks from the U.S. Airways Center, home to the Phoenix Suns basketball franchise, it is named for Dan Majerle, who played for the Phoenix Suns in the late 1980s-early 1990s and proved to be one of the Suns' most popular players. Majerle is today a part-time color commentator for the Phoenix Suns.

Despite being located in a historic building in the Copper Square district of downtown Phoenix, Majerle's décor attempts to be modern, yet as simple as possible. It is up to date, yet respectfully restrained. A large island bar is surrounded by tall pub tables, then smaller restaurant tables, and around the walls, there are dining booths. Lots of wood all around, with just a touch of brass around the bar. The walls are exposed brick and are tastefully dotted with sports memorabilia. And no, it's not a shrine to the career of Dan Majerle. It's really a collection of autographed jerseys of friends of Majerle's. Guys like Larry Bird and Brett Hull. There are enough televisions that unless you have really bad eyesight, you can watch the sports action from any seat in the pub.

The service at Majerle's is quite good. The staff is very attentive, but at the same time, they're not pushy.

There are essentially three sections to the menu, the salads, the sandwiches, and the burgers. That said, there is quite a bit of diversity. For example, there are seven salads on the menu, including a Taco Salad (which is much tastier than the name may imply), an Oriental Salad, and even a Fried Chicken Salad. My favorite sandwich is the M.J. Cordon Bleu which is a combination of chicken, ham, swiss cheese and honey dijon and served on a wonderfully toasted bun. But Majerle's is mostly about the burgers, and coming up with a favorite is difficult. But I'll select Mama Majerle's Burger, which includes sautéed mushrooms, and grilled onions smothered with mozzarella cheese and served up with one of those wonderfully toasted buns. Lest us forget the french fries which are quite tasty. They're low on grease, just crispy enough and have a nice spicy zing to them; and they're served up in generous proportions.

Did I mention that most of the menu costs a mere $7.99? And given the pricy Copper Square location, and the fair portions on the plate, Majerle's is a bargain.

Also, something that is easy to miss, all of the burger offers can be made with either turkey burgers or veggie burgers.

The draught beer is served up in two sizes and in many varieties. Bud Light, Coors Light, Sierra Nevada, and of course, Samuel Adams. They also offer Guinness.

Overall, Majerle's is a great place to get a quick quality lunch, meet with friends after work, or sit at the bar and make new friends while watching the game on television.

Majerle's is located at 24 North 2^nd Street in Phoenix, Arizona.