At bottom:  · BOGEY MACAWS AMERICAN GRILLE
Jan 17, 2008 — As I sat down in the cushy booth under the sky-blue painted ceiling, I knew my dining experience would be one to talk about.

Bogey Macaws American Grille is an oasis hidden inside the Springwood Golf Club in York Township. It's off the main York County roads I usually travel, which makes it all the more enticing. The thing is, the tropical atmosphere was not what I was expecting when I chose to visit the restaurant for its cheap happy hour specials.

I ventured there on a Monday night with a fellow cheap eater. A Philly cheesesteak and french fries is $2.25 from 6 to 9 p.m. I expected a dark and smoky bar.

The building's grand wooden doors, high ceilings and circular bar gave it a feel of sophistication. The carpeted dining area was filled with lush green plants and trees along with little hut-like alcoves filled with tables.

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The ceiling has exposed air vents and dangling lights and fans. The back of the restaurant is a giant wall of windows with a view of the golf course.

Although I was set on the $2.25 Philly cheesesteak, I perused the menu. Chef Jackie Pestka divided the menu into "Close to Home" and "In the Islands" sections. She filled the local section with favorites such as The Ultimate BLT ($7) and the Chesapeake Crab Cake Sandwich ($11). The tropical portion of the menu boasts delights such as Guadeloupe Turkey Baguette ($8) and Miami Cuban ($8.50)

The happy hour menu is so inexpensive that it seems wrong to have such an vibrant and inviting dining area and pleasurable service. Even the bathroom is high class with heavy wooden doors.

I ended up ordering the cheesesteak along with a garden salad for $2. My fellow cheap eater chose the swordfish tacos ($8).

As we waited, we watched the large flat screen TVs on both sides of the room. Although there were other couples eating in the booths and snacking at the bar, it felt like we were the only two people there; a special feeling in today's busy world.

My salad came in a cool square black bowl. The apple cider vinaigrette dressing was light and flavorful.

The main meals were piled high on plates. The french fries were hand cut. The plain cheesesteak roll was lightly toasted and filled with a generous portion of beef and cheese. I was full when I left.

My total was $4.51, which is think is totally unreal for the wonderful time I had.

If you have room the dessert menu - Passionfruit Cheesecake Pyramid ($8) or Pecan-Praline-Persimmon Toffee Crunch ($8) to name a few doozies - is to die for. Chef Pestka said Wednesday's 10-cent wing night is wild. On a recent night, they sold 1,300 wings.

And once warmer weather hits, the patio will be open.

I would go back in a heartbeat. In fact, I am already picking out my girlfriends to take back for $4 flavored margaritas on Tuesday nights.

As if it weren't already affordable enough, you can print a $5 coupon off a $20 purchase on the restaurant's Myspace page, http://www.myspace.com/bogeymacaws.

Cheap Eats is a biweekly column on local restaurants' meals under $10. Suggestions are welcome. Reach Nicki Lefever at 771-2101 or nlefever@ydr.com.

BOGEY MACAWS AMERICAN GRILLE

LOCATION: 601 Chestnut Hill Road in York Township

CUISINE: Local/Caribbean

NICKI'S PICK: Monday night happy hour special - Philly cheesesteak and french fries ($2.25) - and a garden salad $2

PARKING: Ample available in lot

HOURS: Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday (kitchen closes at 9 p.m.), and noon to midnight Friday and Saturday (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.)

PRICE RANGE: Most meals are less than $20; lunch is less than $10

ALCOHOL: Full bar

SMOKING: Nonsmoking dining room; smoking on patio

ACCEPTS: Cash and major credit card

KID'S MENU: Fish fingers, mini burger, cheesy nachos or chicken and noodles ($4 to $5)

TAKEOUT: Available

DETAILS: Call 747-9663, ext. 4, or visit http://www.myspace.com/bogeymacaws or http://www.hhgr.com/bogeymacs

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