Grey's Tavern

Located at 343 South Elm Street in Downtown Greensboro, Grey’s Tavern offers burgers, sandwiches, and other casual fare. There is a full bar, and Grey’s is home to weekly trivia and karaoke and occasional live music.

With so many downtown dining options and a more prominent pub (Natty Greene’s) right next door, Grey’s is easy to overlook. But if ever you should want a break from the bustle (and the inflated prices) of downtown dining, this low-key spot is worth considering if you aren’t in a hurry.

Grey’s is nothing fancy, but the décor – worn wood, old brick, and lots of TVs – suits its ambition. This is a classic bar/pub/tavern, no more and no less. Accordingly, the menu is somewhat limited, but what they do offer here, they prepare competently if unspectacularly. I opted for a fried chicken sandwich my first time out. Though the breading was very crisp, the meat thankfully remained moist. The sauce (orange ginger?) proved to be a touch too sweet, but there were plenty of other sauce options available. The coleslaw here is finely chopped and none too vinegary. Only the fries were a real standout: thick, hand-cut, nicely browned, and well-salted.

Servers seemed amicable enough, but the kitchen was decidedly slow-footed. Our group of five may have been the only patrons at one point, but you wouldn’t have known it from the time it took for our food to arrive. On the other hand, Grey’s pricing is favorable for a downtown location. Sandwiches and sides can be yours for south of $10.

With a convenient location, reasonable pricing, and good-enough food, Grey’s is a decent option for a casual bite to eat. There is room for improvement on several fronts, but Grey’s does spare you some of the headaches (crowding, expense, pretension, etc.) that occasionally mar downtown dining.

7.5/10