Perched above the rest

SANDUSKY — For roughly half a century, the DeMore name has been associated with good perch.The wholesome restaurant has changed locations over the years, currently residing on West Perkins Avenue in Sandusky. Owner Tracey DeMore said she can't imagine being anywhere else."This building is beautiful. If you closed your eyes and looked around, you would think it was on the lakeside," DeMore said. "It's really a hidden gem, and from the outside, you wouldn't expect us to have all we to offer on the inside."What is it that DeMore's has to offer? Until recently, many would assume just fish, owing to its previous name, "DeMore's Fish Den." But since its 2014 remodel, the restaurant expanded its horizon to become the more inclusive DeMore's Bar and Grill.In addition to legendary perch, which received honors for the fourth year at the 2017 Best of Funcoast Awards, DeMore's Offshore Bar and Grill's hand-cut fries, signature burgers and mouthwatering wings have all earned reputations that which precedes them. "Most everything in the building is made from scratch," DeMore said. "We don't like to use frozen products because we like to do things the old-fashioned way, because it just taste better."Another tradition the DeMore's pride themselves in is the "mom and pop" feel of their establishment. Despite the fact they boast modern features, such as an eight-tap Self-Serve Beer Wall operated by digital wristbands, the quaint business puts precedence on family and quality service over everything."We have a lot of pride in our service because we have a lot of family who work for us," DeMore said. "You can expect a very friendly, relaxed and fun atmosphere."DeMore's Offshore Bar and Grill is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday. In May, however, summer hours will go into effect giving customers an additional hour in the evening to eat, drink and be merry.For those who have never patronized the bar and grill and are still on the fence, DeMore encourages a quick search online to read all the positive reviews left by satisfied customers on Yelp, Foursquare and even Facebook."Being a bar and grill now, we have a lot more to offer than fish," DeMore said. "I think we're going to be here a while and we will always offer some of the best food around."Tracey DeMore, co-owner of DeMore's Offshore Bar and Grill. accepts her award for Best Perch at the 2017 Best of Funcoast Awards.