ok, the place is deafening. there were 20 or 30 20-somethings, packed around a huge table assembly on the first floor, obviously well lubricated and quite vocal.
the second floor was mostly empty with several two and four-tops. it was loud (so leave your cell phone in the car as you will not be talking on it). you probably should be enjoying the food anyway.
ordered the potato leek soup, patty melt, and beer fries.
the potato leek soup was wonderful. do yourself a favor and order the bowl. you will hate yourself for having only ordered a cup. the broth is relatively thin, clear, and flavorful with chunks of potato and a bunch of chopped leeks.
the patty melt was good. two cheeses, 8oz burger patty, and grilled onions on marbled rye. not terribly greasy as so often happens with patty melts. i ordered mine well done as usual for hamburger - but apparently they will cook to order. i'm kind of careful when ground meats are involved.
beer fries were good as well. kind of crispy outside, soft on the inside. not flacid in the least. they had a very light coating of what i presume is beer batter on the outside. very nicely done. they didn't seem to appear on the menu but my server, seth, offered them up anyway as an alternative to the thicker cut pub fries.
seth was pretty amazing. he got the order right, was both attentive and helpful, and i suspect reads lips. yes, it is that loud, even after the herd of 20-somethings departed, but the food is worth it.