Burgh'ers Brewing Review-
Okay, so its Sunday at 1 o'clock in the afternoon and I'm hungry for a hamburger, but there are many places that offer hamburgers and profess to provide many things, quirky themes, hard chairs, gallons of corporate swill all around the City of Pittsburgh. What does one do? Check yelp and find a new place to me called Burgh'ers Brewing in Lawrenceville
My cynical expectations were low, but figuring its Sunday 1 o'clock in the afternoon in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, a place were all the cool kids hang out, and figuring all the cool kids would still be in bed sleeping, I could actually get food. I was correct.
So the restaurant has wonderful windows that allow a lot of natural light to come in, its decor is hip 1920s Appalachian blacksmith meets cocaine fueled 1980s designer. The restaurant has a very nice open feel with a raised bar area.
They have managed to name their special burgers after surrounding neighborhoods, but unlike some places, they provide a complete description of exactly what a Forest Hills burger is. I always wonder about some restaurants that offer things like meatballs Rochelle, and you are left discussing how well did the chef know Rochelle, who the hell is Rochelle and is she still alive?
The tables are level, the chairs, though metal, are quite comfortable. A fresh smell of yeast permeates the building. The beer is made not far from the facility, at their brewery north of the city, I could be wrong, it may have been brewed on site.
They have smartly including many other local micro brews in their beer selections.
I'm not a fan of beer, its usually good after doing some kind physical exertion, which isn't my bag either. But, with the right burger, a good beer is divine.
Now Man of LaMuncha doesn't care about atmosphere, or service, the main idea is please let this meal be better than I could make at home. Thats a really high standard.
Our waiter was professional and earnest, knew about the beers and also played to a couple of snappy one liners I dealt out, regardless of the future, that waiter was a hell of an awesome person. Again I'm here for food. But the waiters deft awareness was certainly a big plus and nice touch.
The place was empty when we sat down, but by time we had placed our order it had filled up nicely, and to my amazement an entire family took a table for 8, they had either just left church or simply got lost and figured food, survival. They looked like the Donner party, as did most of the other patrons, all looking like pioneers with long beards and beer bellies to match. The hipster movement is over, but alas it never arrived on the frontier because it never left. From 1770 through 1970 till today Pittsburgh has always been home to blacksmiths and the working people in their desire for real. I remember when Seattle tried to be Pittsburgh, they called it grunge, Pittsburgh called it Teamsters on strike 15 years earlier.
I took the beer sampler of Burgher's own micro beer, the waiter was keen to recommend and present them in the proper order. This place has taken the time to educate the front of the house. The crowd grew and the patrons were loving this place, they were regular local blacksmiths, coming in between their horse shoeing and teeth pullings for some refreshments.
I ordered a simple burgher with lettuce tomato onions and pickles. I stayed away from the more complex neighborhood menu because the bottom line is I need to get to the meat of the matter.
The bun was a grain bun and very fresh, the meat was grass fed and local, as they claimed. Now if you analyze the ingredients you know the difference. This hamburger didn't just fall off the Sisco truck.
I loved this hamburger, it was medium rare, grass fed and really wonderful. I enjoyed the local house beers and thought gee, maybe I should go paint a wall or do something physical, cause I didn't deserve this great a beer.
I really enjoyed the overflow from the blacksmith convention, they seemed like nice people, and they really didn't mind the Donner family and their worn bible either.
If you visit Pittsburgh and you really want to enjoy what the frontier can offer, I highly recommend Burgher's Brewing
You can see their menu here http://burgherspgh.com/burghers-brewing