Neighborhood Eats: The Wrecking Bar Brewpub

by Steve Trask

I usually try to stick with reviews for establishments within the East Atlanta/Grant Park area, but this brewpub/restaurant is close enough (south side of Little 5) and interesting enough that I felt it was worth writing up.

. It was first known as the Victor Kriegshaber house from 1900 to 1924. Kriegshaber was a leader in the cultural and economic development of Atlanta during the first third of the last century. From 1929 to 1940, it became the Centenary Methodist Protestant Church. From 1940-1964 it was known as the Jack Rand Dance Studio. The Rands lived in the back bedroom and the dance lessons were given in the large open area that the church created.

But many of you know the building as the former Wrecking Bar Architectural Antiques store operating from 1970 to 2005. According to their website, "on June 19, 2011, Bob and Kristine Sandage began a new legacy, as the basement of the charismatic Victor H. Kriegshaber House was christened as the Wrecking Bar Brewpub! Vowing to boldly go where no other brewpub has gone before, the Sandages warmly open their doors, inviting the neighborhood to enjoy this artisanal gathering spot for the community that took the support of a community to build."

As of this writing, the large space upstairs is going to be rented out for events. Downstairs in the basement is where you find the brewpub. I like the cozy feel of this space — stone walls, wooden tables and chairs, stone floors — you just feel like you're in a cross between a French wine cellar or a ski lodge, as some Yelp reviewers aptly described the atmosphere.  It wasn't too loud and the lighting was just right.

Every day there are about six to eight brewed beer specials. I sampled the Madame Von Schtupp Hefeweizen and another beer. Both were good and adequate representations of their specific type of beer. I'm not a huge beer aficionado, but the selection seem varied and interesting. The styles brewed will run the gamut from light to dark and hoppy to malty. Check out their website for a more detailed listing of specific beers brewed here.

I liked the menu. The price point was low and reasonable enough to be very affordable for the area. Yet the food quality was high, including locally grown organic vegetables and herbs. We started with a fresh, organic, locally grown heirloom tomato salad which included fresh mozzarella, basil, & extra virgin olive oil. Three different types of tomatoes; all equally delicious and fresh.

David ordered the pastrami sandwich (cole slaw, grain mustard & Muënster cheese on grilled pumpernickel) and fries. Now these were real fries — home-made, crispy, skin-on, crunchy and perfect. (I've mastered french fries at home and these were better than mine). I heard no complaints from David about his sandwich, which looked amazing. Mark ordered a burger with a side of grits. The burger is made from ground beef and brisket and rivaled any of the many really good burgers you can find in town these days. I ordered the braised beef short ribs (Brasstown Beef braised in dubbel with stone ground Poblano grits). Just amazingly delicious! The beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender and seasoned perfectly. The sweet and rich flavored au jus was a perfect compliment to the cheesy grits. I loved this meal!

Wowed by the food, we split two desserts: Jemmy Stout Sundae (vanilla ice cream topped with Stout syrup, bar nuts, whipped cream and brandied cherries) and the Wrecking Bar (a home made version of a Kit-Kat bar). The bar was a small portion and just average, in my opinion. The Sundae was satisfying but you have to get past the taste of beer over ice cream. Desserts here are not their real forte, but not bad.

Our server was über friendly and extremely knowledgeable. He really seemed to be proud of where he worked, which is a good sign. I recommend giving this brewpub a try. I know we are overloaded with beer/burger joints in the city, but this one stood out to me as unique and high quality — and not too expensive!

If you go:

Wrecking Bar Brewpub

292 Moreland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Atlanta, GA 30307

404.221.2600

Days/Hours of Operation: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Mon-Thur, 2 p.m. to midnight Fri, Noon to midnight Sat, Noon to 11pm Sun.

http://www.wreckingbarbrewpub.com/