Lancaster Brewing Company

 

Located at 3092 North Plum Street in downtown Lancaster (with additional locations on Lincoln Highway and in Harrisburg), Lancaster Brewing Company offers pub fare and beers brewed in house. It is open 4-8 Tuesday-Thursday, 12-9 Saturday, 12-8 Sunday, and closed Monday-Tuesday. There are daily food and drink specials, and online ordering and a private dining area are available.

 

In business for nearly thirty years, Lancaster Brewing Company has the brewpub concept down pat. The atmosphere is casual (albeit potentially fairly loud), and the dining area offers a view of the brewery tanks. Speaking of the beer, there are quite a few varieties to choose from – everything from nitro stouts to peanut butter ales — and LBC offers flights for those who want to try it all. The food selections are equally impressive. While you can find the requisite wings/burger/pizza here, LBC also defies expectations by offering up white chili or a chicken, leek, and lager pie.

 

My wife and I split an order of teriyaki fried cauliflower, a braided soft pretzel, and a burger meister and found the food to be very good. The cauliflower featured thick breading and a sweet teriyaki glaze. I could have eaten an entrée’s worth of it and have been satisfied. The pretzel was warm and pulled apart easily. Rather than being accompanied by separate cheese and mustard dips, its partner was a blend of beer cheese and mustard, strongly flavored but tasty if you don’t mind mustard. The burger featured fresh ground bratwurst, something that will leave you wondering where it was all your life. The accompanying fries were natural-cut, salty, and crisp.

 

While our server was friendly and helpful at the beginning of the meal, she vanished toward the end, and we were in for a wait to get our checks. LBC isn’t cheap for what it offers - $13 for the cauliflower, $16 for the burger – but the portions are at least sizeable.

 

If you want good beer, good food, and a dash of the unexpected, Lancaster Brewing Company is a very appealing option as long as you have the patience for high volume and a bit of a wait.

Waco Review Roundup

My brother-in-law’s wedding took me to the Lonestar State for the first time and gave me a slew of things to review, so here goes. Hours and locations can be found by following the businesses' links.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

A large airport with seemingly endless runways, DFW has a few bright spots but overall did not make for a particularly pleasant experience. The airport seems to be in good shape and looked neither dated nor depressing. The terminal-connecting Skylink train ran reliably every two minutes. Each terminal that we visited had a variety of shopping and dining options.

Like other large airports, foot traffic can be intense at times, and that much was to be expected. Less expected was our outgoing flight changing gates and terminals multiple times in quick succession or sniffing dogs handled by police in tactical gear, both of which made for a stressful layover.

 

Waco Regional Airport

The antithesis of DFW, ACT is a tiny regional airport that manages maybe three commercial flights per day. It offers no amenities – expected given its size – but the few folks working here are friendly. That said, TSA certainly took its time opening the security line for our outgoing flight, which made clearing security longer and less efficient than it could have been.

 

Springhill Suites Waco Woodway

Located a short distance away from Waco proper, this Springhill Suites location made for a comfortable home base during our trip. The front desk staff, housekeeping staff, and Jim the bartender were all pleasant and courteous. The room was spacious and the bed comfortable, and everything worked as intended. Aside from a brief spell of what sounded like hammering, the building was mercifully quiet. The nightly rate wasn’t unreasonable, either. The bathroom lacked a ceiling fan, but otherwise, there was little fault to be found here, and I’m glad that we went with Springhill.

 

Union Grove

Coming from a city where “food hall” is synonymous with “overpriced,” I found UnionGrove to be a breath of fresh air. That isn’t to say that the offerings here were dirt cheap but rather that I didn’t feel like the food hall setting was a license to jack up prices.

Union Grove boasts a respectable variety of vendors for its size, and the offerings range from Cajun to Asian to pizza and wings and more. I opted for the ironically named Health Camp, the Woodway outpost of a longstanding Waco burger-and-shake joint. While the shake selections looked tempting, I limited myself to a Health Burger (cheeseburger), tots, and a drink.

At the risk of courting pitchforks, the burger was a bit underwhelming. It was a fast food style single patty, very thin, and though tasty enough when dressed (lettuce, tomato, mustard, ketchup), not really worth $7. I realize that for locals, nostalgia is a powerful lure (Greensboro’s Beef-Burger had similar adherents), but if you didn’t grow up with Health Camp’s burgers, I’d have to believe that you could do better. To their credit, the tots were perfectly crisp and priced right.

One final note: Union Grove has plenty of seating, but it can also get rather loud. There’s an adjoining arcade, so expect kids running around. If the acoustics don’t bother you, however, then the warehouse atmosphere can be fun.

 

Common Grounds Woodway

The Woodway branch of this Waco coffee vendor is everything you’d want in a local coffee shop. There’s a drive-thru for patrons on the go, but there’s also plenty of room inside. With Slow Rise housed in the same building, you needn’t look far to find food to go with your drink.

Common Grounds’ menu is surprisingly deep and varied. You can get a classic drip coffee or espresso drink here, take on a fun flavor from one of the house specialties, or go with a multi-shot selection from the Sleep is Overrated section if you need an extra pick-me-up.  Common Grounds’ calling card is a housemade “Secret Sauce” syrup (spoiler alert: you can buy it by the bottle and ingredients are listed if you’re curious) and the Cowboy Coffee concoctions that feature it. If that isn’t enough, there’s also a rotating seasonal menu. Fortunately, the staff here are patient while you make up your mind, and they’ll promptly prep whatever you order.

I ended up getting an iced Caramel Coffee Crunch: a latte with caramel and Secret Sauce. It was rather sweet (owing to the aforementioned sauce), but on a hot day when I was somewhat frazzled, it was exactly what I needed. Were I a local, I could see making Common Grounds a regular stop. It offers too many options to pass up.

 

R & S Barbecue

Named for its owners Richard and Shannon, this tiny hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint is the real deal. It offers sandwiches, meats (chicken, brisket, ribs, sausage, chopped beef, ham, or turkey) by the pound or in combination plates, and desserts. From slaw and mac n cheese to peach cobbler and banana pudding, the accompaniments are BBQ classics though you can also get nachos and tacos here too.

I stopped by for a brisket sandwich. At $14 with chips included, it wasn’t cheap, but it was absolutely worth it. For starters, the sandwich was sizeable, a two-hander if there ever was one. It was also very tasty. The moist, smoky brisket was among the best I’ve ever had, and it paired well with pickles and onions. Though the meat delivered plenty of flavor, the housemade sauce added a welcome tang.

 

R & S may not be as big, as storied, or as well-known as some of Waco’s other BBQ establishments, but if you’re coming for the food above all, you can’t go wrong here.

 

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Home to a dig site featuring a slew of Columbian mammoth fossils, the Waco Mammoth National Monument is good for a quick diversion. $6 gets you a guided tour of the dig site. It isn’t particularly large, but it’s a welcome reprieve from the sun on a hot day, and the work undertaken to unearth and preserve the fossils is impressive. Guides are friendly and knowledgeable.

 

Fabled Bookshop & Café

This quaint downtown Waco bookshop offers a strong selection of books, bites, and beverages. It’s easy to lose track of time here taking in all they have to offer. While books are the primary focus, Fabled also features games, puzzles, stationery, and more. Shelves are clearly labeled, and staff seem upbeat.

 

Union Hall

The OG older brother to Woodway’s Union Grove, Union Hall is a bigger operation in downtown Waco. It boasts an impressive selection of vendors, including those specializing in Cajun, Cambodian, Thai, sushi, pho, Mexican, burgers, wings, pizza, juices, teas, and edible cookie dough, among others. As befits its size, Union Hall draws plenty of foot traffic though there is enough seating to go around.

My wife and I split a barbacoa pupusa plate from Pupusa Paradise and a tamale bowl from Wacool Tacos & Tamales. We then followed that up with iced matchas from Zuke’s Tea Bar and chocolate chip cookie dough from Cookie Dough Bliss. The pupusas were thin, crisp, and quite tasty, and the accompanying slaw was wonderfully tangy. The tamale bowl went heavy on the cheese and sauce, but the actual tamales themselves did not disappoint. The teas were refreshing though one was ordered with boba, which they forgot to include.

 

Nothing at Union Hall was terribly expensive ($7 for the pupusa plate and under $5 for a 24 ounce matcha), and the variety makes it hard to pass up. It may not offer the best of anything, but if you want to try several different cuisines in one spot, look no further.

 

Pivovar

A combination Czech brewery/restaurant/hotel/beer spa, Pivovar offers a one-of-a-kind experience. We paid the restaurant side of the operation a dinner visit and had an all-around terrific meal.

The ambiance here is attractive, blending wood and green leather with a view of the brewery. Our server for the evening (Ian?) was also tending bar, and he handled both roles capably without breaking a sweat. A manager later came around to check on us, which speaks to a dedication to customer satisfaction.

Pivovar’s drinks menu features pilsners and lagers brewed in-house while the food offerings have a Germanic bent. You can still eat lighter here (salads and sandwiches), but anyone looking to indulge in sausage, schnitzel, or steak will be pleased with what’s available.

My wife and I split a pretzel starter and then opted for the sausage platter and the classic pocket schnitzel, respectively. The pretzel was large, soft, and well-salted, and it came with a trio of dips. Of them, the beer mustard was commendably robust, but the honey mustard and beer cheese were more enjoyable. The sausage platter included what appeared to be a bratwurst and two other sausages alongside corn ribs and sauerkraut. All of the sausages were tasty and offered a firm bite while the corn tasted fresh from the grill. While the schnitzel would have benefitted from a vegetable pairing, everything on the plate was excellent, from the garlicky mashed potatoes to the schnitzel’s crisp batter, juicy pork, and cheesy filling. Dessert options included a crème brulee cheesecake that I couldn’t pass up, and I’m glad that I had enough room for it. The graham cracker crust had spice notes that reminded me of carrot cake, and the thin layer of sugar topping was very satisfying. My wife also spoke highly of the dark lager.

 

Pivovar isn’t cheap, and some of the menu offerings seem like reaches (i.e. $18 for a meatless salad). However, our entrees ($21 and $19) were reasonable for the quality of the food.

That Pivovar offers a kind of cuisine I don’t usually find made it attractive, but the combination of ambiance, service, and well-executed food made it memorable. Do yourself a favor and Czech it out.

SouthEnd Brewing

Located at 117B West Lewis Street in Downtown Greensboro, SouthEnd Brewing offers more than a dozen craft beers on tap and a menu featuring pub fare. It is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 2-12 on Friday, 12-12 on Sunday, and 10:30-9 on Sunday. Dog-friendly outdoor seating is available, live music is held regularly, and a brunch is offered on Sundays.

 

Though it would have benefited from the location regardless, SouthEnd definitely does not coast on that or fun beer names (such as the Wendover River blonde ale or the HaHop with Nelson hops) alone. For fans of the building’s previous tenant, the master brewer here is a Gibbs Hundred veteran. There is also plenty of space, some eye-catching murals, and food that is several notches above standard brewery fare.

 

My wife and I tried SouthEnd for Sunday brunch and found it bustling but far from full. It’s counter service here, and you’ll want to watch where you line up so that you don’t block anyone’s path. A preponderance of tantalizing options (poke nachos, chicken and waffles, and various specialty fries among them) made decisions difficult, but we ultimately went with a brunch bowl, a maple porter brisket sandwich, and Bavarian pretzels to share. My wife also opted for a Three Raccoons in a Trench Coat vanilla porter and found it to her liking.

 

Food took a bit to arrive, but it was well worth the wait. The brunch bowl offers a choice of egg styles, meats, and potatoes or grits, and my wife opted for potatoes (fried nice and crispy) and pork with a delectable gravy. The pretzels were very salty (as, perhaps, they should be), and we paired them with very good beer cheese. Both of these items came in rather filling quantities. However, “rather filling” does not even begin to describe the brisket sandwich. Unless you fast beforehand, this is a two-person job. Thick slices of brisket join bacon, onion straws, tomato, egg, and pepper jack along with maple porter honey mustard on a bun that can barely contain it all. It’s a glorious meat-tastic mess of a sandwich, one that will require several napkins and considerable resolve and stomach capacity to get through while leaving you thoroughly enjoying every bite even if you can barely move afterwards.

 

Given the quantities, prices here definitely aren’t anything to complain about. Pretzels with beer cheese were $8, the brunch bowl was a mere $10, and the overstuffed brisket sandwich was $14. Add to that friendly staff and bartenders, and SouthEnd sets itself apart from the other downtown breweries and bars.

 

Wrightsville Beach Brewery

 

Located at 6201 Oleander Drive in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach Brewery serves local seafood and brewpub fare. Outdoor seating is available, including a beer garden area. There is occasional live music, and food specials rotate regularly.

Capacious, comfortable, and convenient, Wrightsville Beach Brewery made for an ideal back-from-the-beach lunch destination. There was plenty of seating inside and out (we opted for the latter), and service was friendly and attentive. The biggest draw here, however, is the menu as both food and drink selections are strong. The former packs everything from burgers to seafood to some rather creative pizzas (a short rib, a crab cake, and a po boy were among the offerings) while the latter offers up a nice assortment of house taps and a few cocktails.

My wife and I opted for an order of fish tacos (tuna was the catch du jour) and a shrimp po boy with a cup of seafood stew. What the fish tacos lacked in structural integrity, they made up for in fresh flavor with the rasta sauce delivering a bit of peppery kick. The seafood stew brought a welcome bit of heat as well. Tasty as it was though, it was less a seafood stew and more a kicked-up tomato vegetable soup with a bit of added seafood. The po boy, on the other hand, was immensely satisfying from first bite to last. Here, they didn’t skimp on the shrimp, which were breaded nicely, and the crisp baguette (improbably) held everything in place. Among the drinks, my wife gave high praise to a newly-arrived Smoked Honey Scotch Ale while the Orange Krush Kolsch tastes like the offspring of an orange creamsicle and a dry seltzer. The house ginger soda packs a (welcome) punch.

With a reasonable price point for local fish (each lunch entrée was $13), amicable service, and boldly flavored food, Wrightsville Beach Brewery impressed across the board. If I’m ever back here, I will be curious to see how the pizzas (or the shrimp and grits, for that matter) measure up.

Lexington Avenue Brewery

            Located at 39 N. Lexington Avenue in Downtown Asheville, Lexington Avenue Brewery specializes in beers and locally sourced pub food. Food and drink discounts are offered on certain days, and the establishment also offers both patio seating and a private event space. A late-night menu is available after 11 from Thursday to Saturday.

            With a few notable exceptions (thank you, Foothills), the gastropub experience often carries with it an implied bargain: endure waiting, crowding, beleaguered service, and noise, and in exchange, enjoy our cool atmosphere, craft brews, and slickly reconfigured versions of food you’ve had before. Fortunately, LAB dispenses with much of this trade-off, granting the positives (food and atmosphere) while leaving the negatives at the door.

            Inside, LAB is spacious with plenty of seating at tables or the curved bar. We arrived around 1 p.m. on a Saturday and experienced no wait. The dark, industrial (bricks n ducts) atmosphere isn’t trendsetting, but it is plenty comfortable and a good fit for the concept.

            Where LAB really shines is in the breadth and depth of the menu. Your standard nachos/burgers/wings mingle with poutine, bacon in a glass (a candied bacon + peanut butter app), tandoori chicken, and steaks. There is a good balance between healthy and decadent, and both vegan and gluten-free options are available. For the drinkers among you, the beer selection is commendable as well. LAB brews its own stuff, but you can also expect to find other local offerings.

            For our first visit, my wife and I went with a fried green tomato sandwich and a LAB burger, respectively, and fries as our sides. Everything was satisfying albeit with some room for improvement. The burger used a half pound of quality meat and was flavorful if a bit dry. The fried green tomato sandwich tasted good as well although the thin tomato and the addition of bacon gave it a bit of an identity crisis. The hot, hand-cut fries were both plentiful and excellent.

            The prices charged were not unreasonable – both sandwiches fell in the $10 to $12 range – and service was much quicker and more attentive than expected.

            Given its concept and location, it is easy to view LAB with a cynical eye, but this place shows that you can do “cool brewpub” without turning it into an overpriced madhouse.

Bull City Ciderworks

Located at 599 South Railroad Street in Lexington, Bull City Ciderworks is the production facility for Bull City Cider. Sixteen taps (including guest brews) are available as are light snacks and growlers for purchase. Dogs and children are welcome, and live entertainment is occasionally offered. The facility is open from Thursday through Saturday.

Having long been fans of Bull City’s ciders, my wife and I eagerly snagged a Groupon for a pair of pints and a tour. It almost ended before it even began. Housed in a warehouse district, Bull City Ciderworks is not easy to locate. After finally finding the entrance, we stepped down into a large, dark, high-ceilinged bar. This is not the kind of place you’d want to spend much time in on particularly hot or particularly cold days.

These annoyances aside, the overall experience did not disappoint. The Ciderworks offers both familiar favorites (the crisp, clear Off Main and the slightly sour Cherry Tart) as well as Bull City varieties not found elsewhere (a pineapple cider made its debut on the day of our visit). Four-variety flights are available, and a wise idea for the undecided. I ended up with a pint that combined Cherry Tart and Steep South (black tea and honey), and it was a great blend of sour and sweet.

Our Groupon also included a tour of the production facility. The tour was informative, and though it was usually given by one of the owners, the employee leading it that day proved to be knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

If you don’t mind the location and the no-frills industrial interior, Bull City Ciderworks offers a good opportunity to try some interesting ciders. It may not be the apple of anyone's eye, but at its core, it's a fine spot to grab a cool drink.

7.75/10