Profile: Pirate Ship is Sparks' not-so-hidden treasure

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Ahoy, ye landlubbers! The Pirate Ship in Sparks offers every fun-seeking buccaneer more than just ye olde fish and chips. From stern to bow, this ship-shaped restaurant carries the pirate theme right through to the menu. Friendly, costume-clad salty sea dogs and wenches serve island-influenced food and cocktails from a grass-covered tiki bar while reggae music and pirate songs play. From the first “Ahoy” to the final gold doubloon laid out with the check, a trip to the Pirate Ship can feel like finding buried treasure. OK. The well of pirate-speak has run dry.

The food

The Pirate Ship offers a wide range of menu items. I had the fish and chips boat, for about $9. It’s offered with a choice of onion rings, salad or  jammin’ seasoned fries, a blend of regular and sweet-potato fries, and a side of slaw or macaroni salad. The black olives and strong onion in the macaroni made it unusual, but good. I received two large pieces of fish fried in soy oil, but I substituted the o-rings. The batter was a little bland, but the use of purple onions added nice color. The fish was good, but a tiny bit greasy and not as flaky as I expected.

The smell coming from the kitchen made me wish I had considered a burger – variations made from mahi-mahi, turkey, beef or the vegetarian version are available. Prices range from $7 to $8 and burgers are served with a choice of fries, salad or onion rings. Create-your-own pasta plates are served with garlic bread, ranging from $7-$10.

The signature clam chowder was the only soup on the menu, but diners can choose from a variety of salads including the Shiver Me Timbers, covered with a tropical fruits and nuts mix and Caribbean Jerk chicken breast for about $9. The menu also includes fish tacos, shrimp tacos, a beef dog, and sandwiches like the shaved rib eye, Caribbean Jerk chicken, meatball, crabby patty and more.

Deep-fried desserts

Choose from fried bananas and ice cream, deep-fried Snickers, deep-fried Oreos (yum!) or my choice, “Davy Jones’ Locker,” a deep-fried Twinkie served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, toasted coconut and hot fudge. But after the fried fish, fried rings and fried Twinkie, I did feel like I wanted to walk the plank and sink to the bottom.

Beware the temptation to overindulge on fried items. If you are easily seduced by appetizers, like poppers, calamari or crabby patties, by the end of the meal, you may find your stomach has maxed-out its threshold for fried goodness. Appetizers range from about $4 to $10.

The drinks

Where would a sailor be without his grog? Choose from specialty drinks with pirate names like “Dirty Monkey” a monstrous drink for four served with leis and a banana; or “The Pesty Parrot Pina Colada.” Their Mai Tais are strong, and the banana daiquiri is very good, but very sweet.

Draft beers come in three sizes: pints, from $2.50 to $4; small pitchers, about $8.50; and pitchers, $15. Tap beers include Alaskan Amber, Deschutes Black Butte, Buckbean Orange Blossom, Arrogant Bastard, Anchor Steam and Bud. The wine list isn’t huge, but pick from some Chardonnay, a house red, a Cabernet Sauvignon and more. By the glass, cost is about $6 or $20 per bottle.

Take the shiver from your timbers with a warm specialty drink. Check out the Caribbean coffee, Hot Buttered Rum, Hot Toddy, hot chocolate, Chai Tea or Irish coffee for about $7 each.

Activities

More to offer than food and drink, the Pirate Ship hosts a monthly scavenger hunt, $3 Mai Tai Wednesday; Krazy Karaoke 8 p.m. Thursday; live music on weekends; and NFL Monday night. Learn to play chess at the table or get a to-go order for pick-up and find your own adventure outside.

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