Old Bay Wings At The Second Chance Saloon

As the sun dropped Friday night, we enjoyed our first outdoor meal of 2011 -- and finally had a taste of the Second Chance Saloon's Old Bay wings.

To me, wings are the ideal pub food -- the fruit of deep frying that I don't want to do at home, but without the stuffed feeling that comes when you realize that the platter of nachos really was larger than your stomach.

Second Chance Saloon's wings made us happy because they were substantial and delicious.  Good meat on the bone.  You get eight pieces in an order.  We split one order of Old Bay and one of Buffalo and left quite happy with the first night warm enough to eat on a patio.

The Old Bay wings make my list because they're interesting.  Anyone can dump a breaded chicken piece in a fryer.  Second Chance turns out a light crisp texture, then the salty, spicy flavor of Old Bay.  This isn't the overpowering Old Bay that you can get caked on a hardshell.  This is crisp without being greasy, and you taste Old Bay and meat.

I never know which of the local pubs actually serves good food.  Bad nachos and burgers make me so sad (and distended) that I tend to stay close to favorites like Victoria Gastro Pub.  Second Chance had gotten a plug last year from the chef at Oceanaire Seafood Room, and one of the owners said he favored the Old Bay wings.

Second Chance has a nice menu of pub food -- somehow I got a vibe that they're trying to turn out good stuff.  It has a small patio out back and a few tables in front that overlook the parking lot, and they definitely had a beer list worthy to accompany the wings.  Anything else people suggest from the menu? Anywhere else you'd go for wings?

Thanks to Macsmom for tweeting about Second Chance's patio on Friday night.  That was the inspiration that got us there.


To me, the gold standard for local wings is Kloby's Smokehouse where you get "double" wings with each piece having both the tiny drumstick and the "two bone" upper piece.  For more opinions, check out the comments on a February 2011 post where many people chimed in on their favorites.


Second Chance Saloon
5888 Robert Oliver Place
Columbia, MD  21045
443-545-5844

NEAR:  Second Chance is in the Oakland Mills village center.  This is between Broken Land Parkway and Rte 175 just east of Rte 29.  It's the same village center that hosts Bangkok Garden and the Sunday farmers market.  There is a Food Lion in the shopping area.

Second Chance Saloon Gets A Big Recommendation

Second Chance Saloon in Columbia gets a recommendation from the chef at Oceanaire Seafood Room, Harbor East joint near the classy top of the food chain.

Chef Benjamin Erjavec told Laura Vozzella of Dining at Large last week that he goes to the Second Chance Saloon in Oakland Mills Village Center after work or on his days off.  He apparently lives nearby.  One of the owners says he favors the Old Bay wings.

Anyone else know where professional chefs eat around Howard County?

Second Chance Saloon in Columbia

The Second Chance Saloon has been open for several months now, but I haven't made my way there yet. If you're curious for a review, check out BillZ's report on Live in Howard County or the wonderful comment below from "Mister John."

Mister John commented on a prior post about Second Chance's opening. It's just one guy's opinion, but then this whole blog is just one guy's opinion. Mister John knows the joint so I thought that I'd re-post his report where it would be easier to find. (Thanks to everyone for comments, which I really do enjoy.)

feedback for Second Chance...

Bear in mind this is coming from a Last Chance veteran; one whom haunted the ol pub on a weekly basis for nearly ten years straight. First-name basis with the staff. One of two guys to nail every beer at the final beer tasting. The other guy was my pal sitting across from me every week too. That kinda patron... and yeah, I'm missing the "You must be this smart" measuring line painted on the old front door... ;)

There were a few items on the menu that really 'made' Last Chance. The extensive beer selection was one and it may grow to it's former all-Maryland glory if the new proprietors choose. The chicken wings and the burgers were two others and I am delighted to say they're back.

Nice meaty wings come well cooked without any fluffy breading or rubbery underdone skin like some places. Buffalo style are nice and warm on the edges of your lips while the Stupid Hot wings reminded me a great deal of Gator Hammock; a Florida hotsauce those in the know may have tried. Twists on the old favs include teriyaki and Old Bay.And then your burger arrives, and I dare say it's one of the best I've had... in the state. Plainly fresh and a little less done than you may have ordered (you can't uncook it!) the fresh lettuce and tomato are the perfect compliments. You can option up yours with bleu cheese or mushrooms, Chilli, bacon, etc, but for a simple hot sandwich, Second Chance's kitchen starts with an excellent foundation. And the usual fries on the side are crisp without the need for a lot of salt to cover up grease that's just not there.

One thing that is missing though is my old standby; Shephard's Pie. I miss it dearly and have occasionally tried to make one at home. While I won't hold my breath, I'd really be pleased to see a good 'Pie find its way back to my table at Second Chance. I'll be the goofy guy with the other goofs enjoying wings and a burger on Tuesday nights.Last Chance is dead! Long live Second Chance!

(Update: For Jessie X's post about Second Chance, check out her blog here.)

From the Web site and other chatter, I think that Second Chance has a pretty standard American/bar menu and some interesting beer options. If you're looking for a place for a beer in Howard County, consider Frisco Grille & Bar or the bar at Victoria Gastropub.

Second Chance Saloon
5888 Robert Oliver Place
Columbia, MD 21045
www.2ndChanceSaloon.com
443-545-5844

NEAR: Second Chance is in the Oakland Mills village center. It's just east of Rte 29 between Broken Land Parkway and Rte 175. From Broken Land, you go north on Stevens Forest Road. From Rte 175, you go south on Thunder Hill Road.

Second Chance and Diamondback Open

The Second Chance Saloon in Columbia and the Diamondback Tavern in Ellicott City have both opened. These are the former homes of the Last Chance Saloon and the Tiber River Tavern, respectively.

Check out Tales of Two Cities, Live in Howard County and the Baltimore Beer Guy I, Baltimore Beer Guy II for updates on the openings.

Link: Hedgehog Report on Second Chance Saloon

I may get elbowed off this blog soon. I had a little "food in HoCo" niche, but everyone seems to be crowding that market.

The politically-minded Hedgehog Report has Dave digging up news that people are remodeling the former Last Chance Saloon / Fire Rock Grille in Columbia. They apparently hope to re-open as "Second Chance Saloon. " Excellent news.

That followed Tale of Two Cities posting this morning about a new wine bar in an old firehouse. If everyone jumps into food, I'm going to need Jesse X advice to re-brand myself! (Wink! Wink!)