Review of Rocky's Bar and Grill in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Farther down restaurant row, Rocky's sports bar, celebrating its 10th anniversary, offers hamburgers - mostly three-quarter-pounders. Mine, with green chile and bacon, came medium rare as ordered. The half-dozen slices of bacon were crisp and so plentiful I had to treat some as hors d'oeuvres. Also available: a giant one pounder and a half-pounder - I guess for cholesterol-averse sissies. Burgers are handmade and juicy. Chicken wings, though, tasted as if they had been languishing in the kitchen for a while. We were a minute too late for the appetizer sale. A pound of Buffalo wings, like all the appetizers, is only $2.99 with a drink or dinner weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. My watch said two minutes of, but theirs said one minute after, and they wouldn't budge. They're strict. But the busy server who brought me a 22-ounce draft Alien Ale from Carrizozo, N.M. - instead of the pint I ordered - charged only the pint price. So they're strict but fair.

Signs advertised $2 Tecate Tuesdays. Decor is mostly sports memorabilia and beer displays. Wooden captain's chairs with leather pads are comfortable. A few women eating and drinking at the tables weren't watching any of the four TVs over the bar or the larger ones on the wall; they may have been waiting for their guys to finish at the half-dozen busy pool tables across the room. If my wife ever left me and my dog bit me - or vice versa - I'd turn for solace to Rocky's and a 1-pounder on a Tecate Tuesday.

When I ventured slightly further down Cerillos Road, at the end of the line, past Rocky's, I checked out the Route 66 Sandwich Shop, empty and dark. Inside, I saw a couple of abandoned booths; outside, a "For Lease" sign on the window. I guess the appetizer policy is strict for a reason, if you though you were in a tough business, try the restaurant business.

Here's the breakdown of my lunch at Rocky's Bar & Grill: One Half-pounder with bacon and fries at $ 6.55, chicken wings at $ 5.95, a pint of beer at $4.00 (I was undercharged by the way), and one vodka highball at $ 4.50. Which brings me to a total of $21.00 before tax and tip. Rocky's Bar & Grill is located at 2434 Cerrillos Road, 986-1992. They are opened Daily (except Sunday), 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Take-out and a full bar are available.