Service and Atmosphere
The city of Tremont has made a name for itself lately with its bustling night life and delicious food scene, and it’s no surprise that Tremont Tap House is a much-loved addition to the community. With its exposed brick walls, beer can decorations, and chalkboard beer menus, it’s easy to see that this is a laid back joint that aims to cater to just about anyone looking for a beer and a tasty meal.
Walking into Tremont Tap House on a Friday night, it seemed that the little bar was busting at the seams with people. The hostess informed us that there was an estimated 45 minute wait for a table, so we squeezed passed the crowd and eventually scored seats at the chalkboard topped bar.
While the service was by no means fantastic, I wasn’t necessarily shocked or disappointed by it; we were, after all, sitting at the bar on a busy Friday night. But the bartender was friendly enough, offering up a few beer recommendations and making sure we were happy, and our food order was taken quickly and delivered promptly.
In the winter months, Tremont Tap House is confined to its modest interior, which it has no problem packing full of hungry diners. In the warm months though, the bar extends outside to an excellent patio, perfect for grabbing a beer or a casual meal. It’s also the host of Monday movie nights and Tuesday “yappy” hours, where patrons’ pups can join them outside the bar.
Tremont Tap House also holds a variety of other events, including beer and food pairings, throughout the year.
The Beer
There’s no easier way to put it: Tremont Tap House has A LOT of beer. From the outlandish to the common, there is certainly a beer that will please every palate. From Pilsners to IPAs to Pale Ales to Stouts to strange things you’ve maybe never heard of–the list goes on, and on, and on. The beer prices were consistent with similar bars, generally between $4 and $6 for a good quality craft brew.
Perhaps the best time to visit Tremont Tap House is during happy hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Enjoy $1.50 off house drafts like Southern Tier IPA, Abita Purple Haze, and St. Louis Framboise, and generous discounts on a few of the appetizers and pizzas from their regular menu. If it’s late night and you’re looking for reasonably priced drinks, Tremont Tap House is a good choice for that, too. Weekdays after 10:00 p.m. fish bowl house drafts are just $3.
The Food
Deciding on dinner was no easy task. Many of the menu options sounded unique and appealing, but I eventually decided on the house burger ($10) with a black bean veggie patty substitute. My burger arrived topped with white cheddar and was served on a perfectly toasted bun with fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion. Though the toppings and bun were tastier than those of an average bar burger, the black bean patty itself was a bit lackluster, tasteless for the most part and a bit dry. While it was refreshing to see a house made veggie burger option instead of the usual frozen, pre-made patty, a little more thought and a few dashes of seasoning could have gone a long way in making this a great sandwich. The fries, on the other hand, were perfect–just crispy enough, just salty enough, and just greasy enough to satisfy my potato craving.
The regular house burger ($10) fared far better than it’s veggie counterpart: the beef was juicy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. It, too, was served with a tasty portion of fries.
Tremont Tap House offers up a fairly extensive menu of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and a handful of larger entrees. Menu favorites at this bar include their mac & cheese ($12), chorizo tacos ($10), and the strange, yet enticing mussels and fries ($12).
If brunch is on your radar, you’ll definitely want to check out Tremont Tap House’s on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. when they serve up a variety of breakfast favorites like omelets, eggs benedict, and buttermilk pancakes. If you’re in the mood for something a little different, you’ll appreciate the oysters, crab benedict, and goat cheese salad also on the brunch menu.
Overall
The overall ambiance and expansive beer selection won me over immediately. While my food was slightly disappointing, some of the other menu items ordered were not, so I’ll definitely be giving Tremont Tap House a second chance, if only for their delicious sounding Sunday brunch menu. If you’re looking for a casual place with a good atmosphere, then look no further–you’ll probably love it here.
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