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When I learned that The Point Pub & Grill planned to open a new location in Medford serving pizza along with the burgers and sandwiches popular at its Central Point location, I made a note to check it out. My husband and I stopped by the new place, a former Radio Shack at 1345 Center Drive, Medford, the day after it opened on March 25. The crew there had eased into business with a soft opening, and everything appeared to be off to a good start. Even though we were having a rather late lunch and the day's Elite Eight games hadn't started yet, a steady stream of customers came and went, keeping every table and most seats at the bar occupied. The erstwhile electronics store at the end of a strip mall has been transformed into a welcoming sports bar and grill with big windows, high ceilings, exposed duct work, brick veneer and rich colors that echo the historic building that houses the Central Point location. Historic photos of Medford join multiple televisions showing plenty of sports on the establishment's walls. Two big-screen TVs conveniently show what's on tap at the bar, offering details about the brewery, style of beer and when the keg was tapped. The Point's pizza menu includes simple classics seen at every pizza parlor, along with some quirkier offerings. There's a Philly cheesesteak-inspired pizza featuring shredded beef, peppers, onions and cheese and chipotle sauces, and one for wing lovers with buffalo chicken and blue cheese. The chicken, bacon, mac-and-cheese pizza sounded a little over the top to me. Barbecue chicken and Mediterranean options have become common, but a caramelized apple, bacon and blue cheese pizza on the Point's menu is an original that sounds intriguing. Prices start at $9.50 for a small, 7-inch pepperoni pizza and top out at $27 for a large, 16-inch pizza loaded with specialty toppings. We ordered a large combination pizza that, for $25, included the right balance of meat — pepperoni, salami and Canadian bacon — and fresh, colorful red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, crispy slivers of onion and black olives. Because it was a late lunch, and perfect pizza takes time, we ordered a $3.50 basket of blue cheese fries to nibble on until the pizza arrived. The barest hint of batter gave the fries extra crunch but didn't obscure the potato flavor. A sprinkle of Rogue Creamery's Blue Heaven powdered cheese blend added the subtle, savory tang of the Central Point creamery's signature blue cheeses. We devoured the delicious fries, but just as I gobbled the last one, our pizza emerged from the kitchen. The golden brown crust was tender but held up nicely under a mellow sauce and a thin layer of melted cheese. The meaty toppings gave each slice a smoky, salty richness that wasn't greasy. Back in the newsroom the next week, the sports department was exclaiming over the addition of a sports bar at the south end of Medford. I expect The Point will draw fans of sports, classic pub fare and friendly service, becoming a local gathering place, just like the Central Point location. The Medford location is open from 11 a.m. until at least 9 p.m., but stays open until 10 p.m. if it's busy. Call 541-816-4395.