When you're watching the game (make that games) at the new Duffy's Sports Grill in Plantation, you can count on the essentials: TV (there are 75), cheap drinks (happy hour lasts for hours) and killer wings, along with better-than-average bar grub.

While other restaurants and bars are packing up, Duffy's has been expanding a 24-year-old Florida chain that stretches from Melbourne to its 20th site at The Fountains shopping center (its other Broward link is in Deerfield Beach).

Now owners Paul Emmett and Carlos Morrison can claim another victory: On Wednesday, Duffy's was named the official sports grill of the Miami Dolphins, which means you can expect lots of hoopla come football season.

Whatever your sport, Duffy's is an upgrade of the quintessential sports bar. Sure it gets rowdy on prime sport nights, but overall it's fun and comfortable even for families toting kids and grandparents.

Staff is young but on the ball -- well-trained, efficient and earnest. Decor is cheerful and certainly sporty: kelly green walls are plastered with framed jerseys, photos and memorabilia.

Duffy's menu covers familiar turf, starting with wings, which are juicy, meaty and flavorful. There's a choice of six sauces, including honey garlic, Asian sesame, hot and downright atomic. Wings Three Ways get a classy presentation on a tier of white plates.

You can graze all night on dishes like the toasted margherita flatbread, light, crisp and laden with slow-roasted tomatoes, silky mozzarella and fresh basil.

Tex-Mex chicken egg rolls are a big hit: Crunchy, fried won tons are stuffed with roasted corn and red peppers, well-seasoned chicken and Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses with a hint of cilantro. Dip them into salsa, guacamole or sour cream.

A standard done well: a rich but not gloppy spinach and artichoke dip with melted cheese, served with multicolored tortilla chips.

For more substantial fare, try steaks, seafood, pasta or a pair of center-cut, boneless pork chops, nicely burnished on the grill -- a straightforward and satisfying rendition.

Most entrees are served with a choice of two sides from an extensive list that includes corn on the cob, grilled veggies, black beans and rice, french fries and baked potato (after 5 p.m.). Pay 99 cents extra for onion rings or sweet potato fries.

I had some trepidation about ordering shrimp scampi at a sports bar, but it was a pleasant surprise. Topped off with a touch of cream, it's not a typical scampi, but it's still a tasty dish, especially at $12.99, with lots of mid-size shrimp perfectly sautéed in garlic butter, tossed with angel hair pasta and served with a fat slice of toast.

We'd skip the bland yellowfin tuna burger next time in favor of a delicious half-pound Angus burger, cooked to order (cheeseburgers get two slices of cheese). They also do a black bean veggie burger and grilled turkey burger.

Simple is good, like their grilled dolphin sandwich, enhanced with a bit of tarragon, salt and pepper.

Desserts are meant for two but can easily feed four. These are over-the-top choices like fried cheesecake, but we advise diving into a warm brownie sundae with huge scoops of ice cream and whipped cream. There's also a apple crisp a la mode with a streusel topping -- homey but too cool by the time it reached our table.

The grill offers a kids' menu with healthful options like veggies and fresh fruit alongside the usual chicken tenders and mac and cheese -- one more reason Duffy's stands out in its field.

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