Fiserv Forum is currently gearing up for yet another Milwaukee Bucks postseason run and so is The MECCA, 1134 Vel R. Phillips Ave.  In fact, the flashy sports bar and grill revealed some new summer dishes today, just in time for the start of the NBA playoffs proper this weekend.

While the Bucks shift from the regular season to the postseason, The MECCA's kitchen – under the eye of Fiserv Forum and Deer District senior executive chef Kenneth Hardiman – is also changing with the seasons, revealing several new items that speak to the new warmer climes outside. One of the newly introduced dishes, for instance, is a summer salad topped with berries, toasted almonds, mandarin oranges and balsamic vinaigrette, while the menu's handhelds section now has a fresh, beach-approved crab cake club sandwich.

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Of course, considering its place as one of the largest sports bars in the Milwaukee area (certainly at least the home of the largest screen for sports-watching) in the shadow of the city's key sports venue, the stars of the culinary show at The MECCA are the bar snacks and mains, perfect for munching while Giannis and the Bucks hopefully make a meal out of the Eastern Conference these playoffs. 

For sharable snacks, in addition to the menu's established lineup of curds, wings and other bar eats, The Mecca introduced two new dips: a housemade caramelized onion dip with pub chips as well as a buffalo chicken dip served with El Rey tortilla chips. And for more crunchy chip-based action, the sports bar also revamped its nachos, featuring El Rey chips topped with three types of cheese, pickled jalapenos, pico de gallo, avocado and a choice of either chicken, ground beef or pulled pork.

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The new share-worthy menu additions also include a new variation on MECCA's pretzel bread, made by Milwaukee Pretzel Company. What was once a very tasty and traditional warm pretzel loaf, topped with salt and served with a cheese dip, now comes amped with an everything bagel flavor topping (including poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic and onion) and whole-grain mustard for dipping. And for those who want something a little healthier in their bar snacking ways, there are now zucchini fries as well, thin deep-fried battered zucchini strips served with a garlic aioli. (Hey, it's a vegetable!)

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Meanwhile, meat lovers can enjoy a BLT, bahn mi, burge or patty melt and chicken tenders, as well as an Italian sausage with the classic fixings of roasted onions and peppers. 

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In addition to the new additions, The MECCA will also serve weekly specials – with some upcoming items, Hardiman notes, potentially correlating with the regional favorites of the Bucks' playoff opponents. For a look at the full food and drink menu, as well as to reserve tables, visit The MECCA's website. 

The MECCA isn't the only place in Deer District gearing itself for increased crowds cheering on the start of the Bucks' hopefully long playoff run, which starts on Saturday at 1 p.m. against the Miami Heat. In addition to having the playoff games on the large screens both inside the MECCA and in The Beer Garden – found in the alleyway between Old World Third Street and Fiserv Forum – a large screen will be set up in the plaza outside the arena to broadcast the games and gather Bucks fans together to cheer on the team.

The MECCA is currently open Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 10 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., Fridaysand Saturday from 11 a.m. to close, and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

For additional sports bar options for the Bucks' return trip to the postseason, click here.