Cranked up! The crowd called out for more... and more was what they got!
Anderson Bar And Grill 8060 Beechmont Ave 474-2212
How many Eastsiders have been hoping ABG would bring back the rockin’ bands they had last year? Well ABG knows that to have a righteous rockin’ pub is great but having a rockin’ pub with the greatest fish sandwich you’ve ever had is even better. ABG wants everything to be top notch, not just the bands.
The menu is loaded with scores of handmade menu items including all the soups, chili, tuna /chicken salad, spinach/artichoke appetizer, crazy-ass cheese sticks (pictured) and even the tartar sauce for the famous fish sandwich (pictured). The fish was so good one EV staffer who tried it (hours later after being reheated even) thought it was so good they want one on every ABG visit from now on. Oh by the way... she doesn’t really like fish. I’ve seen her eat it on occasion when someone insists this fish is the best. It usually ends up with her making terrible faces as she spits it out. She even spits out fish I think is pretty decent! Even if you don’t really like the fish you’ve had so far I say you simply have to try it.
The newly promoted general manager Chris Ornell has been steering the good ship ABG through the rough waters for many a year now. In the past he executed the GM’s orders, now he is the GM and he’s calling the shots. So you can bet your going to see the type of service you’ve always wanted.
Chris cut straight to the bone in his ship wide overhaul of ABG. First off the kitchen. The food is the heart and soul of a restaurant (some places seem to forget that) and Chris wanted to see a full on staff actually making the food from scratch. Starting with a burger that’s hand formed (never frozen) Angus beef topped with literally hundreds of topping combinations. If that’s too overwhelming just choose one of the 8 Signature Burgers from the menu. Soon the recipe books were getting worn and the menu started filling up with more and more handmade food. Foot long pieces of fresh fish get hand breaded and flash fried for every sandwich. In place of cheap frozen fries, whole potatoes get sliced razor thin, fried crisp and seasoned to accompany the sandwiches. If that’s not what you had in mind.. fine. Choose from any side you want. Regardless of what you choose your going to see the quality.
Along side the signature 8 burgers there are also 10 more sandwiches to salivate over; Mom’s Meatloaf, The Big Kahuna (the giant grouper sandwich), Pulled Pork, New York Reuben, Tuna Melt, French dip, Giant Roast Beef, Turkey Club Croissant and of course the always awesome homemade Tuna/Chicken Salad Sandwiches.
Factor in the 7 salads (Frisco, Taco, Spinach, Ceasar, Buffalo Chicken and Tuna/Chicken Boat) Firehouse Chili, French Onion Soup and the Scratch Made Soup of the Day and you can take anyone to lunch at ABG and come out smelling like a rose.
Obviously the games rule the pubs right now and ABG has a long list of appetizers that are just the ticket. With 15 items on the list you may be unsure what to get. Here are a few favorites of mine.
The New York Giant, a huge soft pretzel that reminds me of Kings Island, it’s more like a meal. The Signature Cheese sticks, I bet they weigh 4 or 5 oz.’s a piece. They are actually big fat cheese egg rolls. You are definitely going to need a to-go box if you put down even a half order of these monsters prior to your meal. They are a fulfilling meal for one or two all by themselves and as far as I know they are the only ones in town. The Wings, 12 for $6.95 are a good price and these wings are bigger than most. They’re fried crisp and spun in your choice of 10 sauces. I like the Hot Garlic myself. These big wings just stomp BW3’s cute “wittle” baby wings. The Spinach/Artichoke dip, made fresh with great ingredients, this isn’t some frozen Cisco crap. The Ball Park Nachos, (chicken, beef or chili) these things are a heaping pile of Nacho goodness. If you ever get stuck hanging out with a group of friends who never chip in this is your appetizer. You can feed the whole table for under $9. My personal favorite, the Riblet Basket.
The first time I got this it was almost midnight on a Wednesday with Sonny Moorman. It was dark in the bar area but I could smell them coming my way. What I got was not a Riblets Basket, it was a half slab of ribs. I’m not complaining by any means but it was a shock. They slather up pork ribs, BBQ them then pile on Microbrew Fries on the side and expect you to call that a Riblet Basket. Right, it’s basically a 1/2 slab rib dinner with fries instead of two sides. It’s a steal.
I love the before mentioned late night menu. ABG keeps the kitchen open late and now they have a new late night menu with even better prices than before. Watch the band, dance, drink and still be able to order food during it all. You have to like that.
Speaking of bands Chris booked some crowd favorites for October and plans for November, December and January will include more local favorites and even a few surprises. ABG is firmly focused on giving the crowd the in your face rock-n-roll shows that made them a hit in the past. They were just warming up, now it’s going to be even better. Your going to see all the best bands on ABG’s stage from now on. I for one am damn glad.
All that talent doesn’t come cheap and we want the talent so do everyone a favor and start thinking of ABG when your hungry for lunch or dinner. They’ll take care of you, feed you good food and in turn you’ll be supporting the local music scene by making it possible for ABG to book the best in live entertainment the Eastside has to offer. Besides, what kind of person chooses fast food over good food? Idiots I guess. However, even an idiot wouldn’t eat fast food for lunch on Tuesdays when they could get any of ABG’s 8 Signature Burgers and get one free. Tuesdays = Buy One Get One... Got it, good now go support ABG. They deserve it.
