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We've had lunch here several times and haven't been disappointed yet. Their chili and reuben sandwiches are our favorites and they have a great selection of beer.
Service can be a little spotty, but it's not to bad once you get your food. Besides, it adds to the laid back atmosphere of the joint! I don't really consider it a "hole-in-the-wall" b/c it's a pretty large establishment than most dive bars (and cleaner too).
This is a really good hole-in-the-wall spot. Heavily tattooed waiter, but a fantastic local (Northern Lights) IPA on cask. Had excellent weather and we ate on the patio at 9:30pm on a Monday in August. The patio was nearly full when we arrived, and still about half-full when we left. The food was varied and good, and the service was laid-back but attentive.
The neighborhood is mixed; mostly residential, with a few restaurants and a coffee store on the adjacent corner.
We stopped in today for lunch with the family, sat down immediately out on the patio and had a prompt male server. They also have plenty of indoor seating too.
We were excited to see that they had Blackthorn Cider on tap! It ran $17 for a pitcher.
Between us we ordered the pork tacos, bean burger with corn pasta salad, and a black bean quesadilla. Everything was very good. My husband was impressed with the vegetarian burger, he happens to be an avid meat eater! My tacos were very delicious especially with the mango salsa they add to it. Portions were appropriate as was price. I saw someone order the turkey sandwhich and it looked killer! I would order that if in town again.
Our server was friendly and prompt. Our bill was about $45 for a family of four and a pitcher of cider.
I live in Brownes Addition but I rarely go to The Elk, I havent been back since July. The reason? The staff! They are horrible and slow and rude! One time we were sitting at the bar and we were trying to pay but we couldnt get the not busy bartender attention, we stood up in our coats with our cash in our hands. We almost left because it took him another 15 minutes to come over and help us.
The reason why I gave it 2 stars is the food. I love the lamb sandwhich.
So now I go to the 27 where its owned by the same people, serves the same great food and has AN AWESOME AND ATTENTIVE STAFF!
I love the elk!
i live in portland and come to spokane a few times a year to visit my friend macie who lives in brownes addition. in love the neighborhood and going to the elk is a tradition!
we always get a side car and some good food! sometimes there's even live music =]
i look forward to it every time.
We were on our way back to our B&B for the night and felt that we just needed one more snack. We tried to go to the pizza place next door, lucky for us they were rude and out of pizza (?!?!). So we stopped by Elk Public House for a drink and a bite.
Our food was good and I loved the atmosphere. It felt like the type of place you wished was in your neighborhood. I loved that they had a ton of different beers on tap but also had a plethora of wines too.
Next time I am am in Spokane I will definitely stop by again for a pint.
This restaurant/pub receives a lot of positive energy on Yelp, most of it deserved. I'll try and bring some new info to The Elk in convenient bullet-format:
- The food is quite good, especially for the price. Except for the "swimming angel", which is incredibly bland to me (I am biased though, I like MEGA spicy Thai-style dishes)
Some of my favorite dishes:
- Black Bean Burger: I originally had this when I was doing a vegetarian experiment (let's not talk about it) and I STILL eat it, it's that flavorful and good!
- Lamb Sandwich: kind of gyro-ish, all deliciousness
- Southwest Chicken Sandwich: when they say "pan fried" they may as well say "deep fried", that's not necessarily a bad thing. Just know that this delicious bastard is not exactly "healthy", don't you dare think you're "being good" by "getting the chicken sandwich"
- As others have said, the patio is great, and frequently gets packed to the brim.
The Beer:
- As far as I know, The Elk is the ONLY place in Spokane where you can get cask ale. These are beers served at cool temps (mainly ice-cold bud light drinkers would call them "warm") with naturally carbonation (again said bros would call them "flat") in the same manner that real ale is served in the UK. Definitely something to be aware of and try!
- Selection is pretty good all-around. Taps rotated frequently enough that you can always find something new.
- Most all handles are from NW microbreweries, including Spokane's own: Northern Lights
So why 4 stars?
-I'm not huge on the crowd that hangs out here at nights. It can be very sportsbar-esque/fratastic/snooty Gonzaga types. Your mileage may vary on this though, I don't want to sound like a stereotyping asshole (even though I am :) I usually just go here for late lunches/early dinners and spend my nights quaffing elsewhere.
- The beer is kind of pricey (this is, perhaps, how they give you the honestly-priced food) for Spokane. Most beer is at least $5/pint.
- THERE ARE NO SPECIALS/HAPPY HOURS/ETC HERE EVER! I'm not sure why this is, really. Perhaps they can afford to be stingy on this?
Also: the corn pasta lives up to all the hype it gets. There is a recipe on their website if you want to make this loveliness at home.
Recently had lunch here with an old client, and I would definitely like to try some other items. I had grilled port soft tacos, which had really good, well seasoned pork with a sort of fruit relish and some cabbage cole slaw. Kind of unique ingredient mix, but pretty good. My complaint was that it wasn't terribly warm - maybe as a result of the toppings, maybe just delayed coming out? Not sure. A point off for flour tortillas, which will be illegal when I rule the world.
The other item I had my eye on was a grilled lamb sandwich with tsatziki and garlic mayo. Sounded awesome, but a coworker got it and said that it was a good idea, just not executed to the best of its potential.
They also have a nice looking patio, and it's in a nice, almost residential neighborhood. All in all, a cool place.
Amid the old & cool houses of Spokane's Browne's Addition neighborhood is the Elk Public House. This is an awesome place to get some above average pub food, decent draft brews, and some nice Spokane ambiance.
Our server took order as he was holding a young girl (not HIS daughter, but he looked like a natural). This place had a mixed crowd, and my meal mates and I had a nice time gettin our grub on before hitting a concert in Spokane.
The Elk Public House is a restaurant with style and magnetic powers for return visits.
Hell yeah. Top notch all the way. Stopped in after hearing about it, and it did not disappoint. Great beers on tap, super cool staff (my waitress ruled), really good gumbo. Were I a local I would be a regular. Mostly good music too, at reasonable levels. Totally my vibe.
I have been a fan of the Elk for many, many years. The atmosphere and service are great, the food and beer are even better. Many reviews have said that the patio is excellent, and it's true. On a warm summer day, you can bring your dog to the Elk and enjoy your meal on the patio. It's good times.
Let's talk about the food. I cannot get enough of the barbecue chicken quesadillas or the portabello ravioli with sun-dried tomato alfredo and chopped walnuts. The portion looks small at first, but it's not at all. The flavors of the portabello mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and walnuts each pop in your mouth with every bite. It really is a great meal if you're looking for a vegetarian option. My next favorite is the turkey sandwich. Sounds simple? Try again - the pesto on the perfectly crispy bread is perfectly salty without being overbearing. It comes with a side, and you should definitely choose the corn pasta. It's not overloaded with mayonnaise or salt, has great texture and is quite filling.
Unless something has changed, they only offered the chocolate lava cake for dessert the last time I was in. If you have a sweet tooth, this treat does not fail to delight. It's not overly rich or too heavy. The moist cake is filled with a warm chocolate sauce and topped with a scoop of lightly flavored vanilla ice cream. Good stuff.
The beer options are nearly endless. The Elk is one of the only places in Spokane where you can get Stella Artois on tap. I am a big fan of Stella (if you haven't tried it and like lighter beers, give it a go.) They also have cider or wine options for those who aren't beer fans.
The service is great, and the ambience is friendly and welcoming. The Elk gets very busy on weekends, so grab a beer and wait for a table. If you're in town for Elkfest, don't miss it. Plenty of local bands come to celebrate all that is ELK and the street closes off to welcome the crowds.
CORN PASTA! Great Rueben too!
Aww the elk, after moving to Seattle about a year ago and coming back to Spokane to visit family and friends on occasion I can truly say the elk is my favorite Spokane bar. I have to make a stop there at least once on every trip home. Great food/beer/people/area! The weekly specials are by far my favorite, the soups and pasta dishes of the week are always changing and with few exceptions have always been a hit. I highly recommend it.
Think of an independent small scale TGIF and you have the Elk. They get kudos simply for being an independent restaurant in my book.
They are trendy, good food, kid friendly, outside seating. The black bean quesadilla is good along with a multitude of other entrees. Give it a try and you probably won't be disappointed.
3 stars: my chicken burrita was tasteless, but my friend's pork tacos were great. Service was fantastic.
The Apple Cup burger. I'll never be the same.
Much of my wife's family lives in Spokane and we make the trek over from Seattle a couple of times a year. Every time we are there we go to The Elk AT LEAST once. When we were there for Thanksgiving '08 we went twice. I've never been disappointed with anything I've ordered there. In fact, on the first of 2 visits over T-Day I had what might have been the best burger I've ever had in a restaurant (the best burger was one I made from a ribeye I ground up but that's another story). That burger is the basis for this review.
The Apple Cup burger was a limited time special, commemorating that incredible 2008 showdown between 2 stellar college football teams. Well, that might be a stretch but I assure you the burger was not.
Meat: locally raised, grass fed, no antibiotics, no hormones, ground in house.
Cheese: Local milk, locally made, white, organic
Red onions: Washington grown, thinly sliced
Apples: Washington grown, grilled
Dressing: Roasted red pepper aioli
Sounded good enough so I ordered it. The food landed on the table and when the waiter asked "Need anything else" I automatically responded, "Ketchup and Mustard please". I grabbed the ketchup jar, opened the cap and started to pull apart the bun to load it up...but something stopped me. I pondered, "Someone put some thought into this burger, I should give it a shot as is".
Bite.
Heaven.
the burger needed nothing. I repeat, nothing. It was so good, I may very well be ruined forever...but I'll trudge on eating inferior burgers. The meat was beefy, moist and fantastic. The apples were so unexpectedly good and the red pepper aioli was a nice compliment that just underscored the overall burger.
On our 2nd visit of the trip, the special was gone. I plodded through a really good meal but thought of that burger the whole time and can't remember what I had. Ruined...
Oh yeah, tons of tasty brews. Cozy atmosphere. Good service. Full bar.
That burger...
sigh.
Hmmm. I wanted to love this place. I wanted to start off my review with, "Yet another glowing recommendation of the Elk Public House." But I just can't.
I love the space. It's a dim pub with simple decorations, simple tables and one hell of a great beer list. Note that it's not extensive, but it has several selections from Seattle-area breweries. I'd gladly come back here for beer over and over again.
Maybe I came in on an off night, but my lamb sandwich was just so-so. There wasn't a whole lot of meat on the sandwich, and what was there, was pretty crispy and I would definitely call it over-done. Maybe they were running out of lamb that night and had to go with the leftover shavings or something. I don't know. But it was just okay.
The roasted corn pasta salad was good, but not great. It was a nice change from fries, but nothing to write home about. I'd put more corn in it, personally.
Overall, I want to love the place, I just love the vibe, so I'll give it another shot and report back at a later date.
I am always nostalgic when I come here now because I lived down the street in high school, when the Elk still had their long counter with old fashioned fountain drinks etc...
Now it's a throw back to sports bar days and although still has good food, is lacking in expedient servers and the quirky character it was known for.
Its a good place for Spokanites to hang out and I hear they have a good selection of beer, but I have to say I am fairly non-plussed about the whole set-up.
Two stars for the shadow of formica table tops and old pharmacy wares. One star for the sweet memory of being stood up for a date here in 2002- never accept a date from your 35 year old hairdresser, for a myriad of reasons, least of which includes the 14 year age difference.
Great food, value, and ambience. If they can ever get decent service this place would get 5 stars for its genre. I love going there and 2/3 of the time have to wait forever just to get noticed and waited on. If you're with a group, that's not a big deal. Alone, it sucks.
Food at the Elk is sometimes exquisite; and the location is great.
Fondly I remember the summer time special. It was a delicious butterflied trout dish. It was covered with a lemon butter sauce. It was superb and the best trout I have ever eaten.
The second dish I recall was a butter sauced ravioli. Once again, it was the special of the week. It was fresh, buttery, and savory.
I really feel that the weekly specials use the best selection of ingredients. It is not a clearing house for old ingredients. Food goes onto the list of weekly specials in order to live, not to die.
There are a few things which bother me about the Elk. First, they don't have any desert. Second, they don't have any fries. The corn pasta salad is a fine substitute.
In addition, the standard menu is a bit static. I have had the grilled lamb sandwich far too many times. However, it is delicious.
The service is not patronizing. Sometimes, I think this can come off as rude.
Nothing beats the patio on a hot day. The John Daly (house iced tea infused vodka and lemonade) is epically refreshing. The food is great, especially the Grilled Lamb sandwich, and they have spectacular rotating specials. Also, it's in one of Spokane's coolest historic neighborhoods. Definitely check it out!
One of my favorite places to eat and drink. Most items are good especially the pork tacos and SantaFe chicken sandwich. Be sure to try the corn pasta as a side too.
I know this place gets a lot of great reviews on food, but I think the food is sort of average and nothing really special.
I do, however love it here for the drinks, hard cider, good beer selection, and of course, the atmosphere. It is a great place to just meet with friends and hang out.
This is my favorite bar here in Spokane so far.
This place was just awesome as a local bar/restaurant in Brownes addition. The beer wasn't necessarily the cheapest in town, but the selection was great. The wait staff were all laid back college aged kids, what place doesn't have that demography for their waiters. I can't help but calling this place chill. It just seems to have that vibe. Especally during the summer when they have the patio opened up, though during the winter I would definitely call the place cozy and warm like being wrapped in a blanket sitting in front of a fireplace. Oh and the corn pasta is pretty rad.
Howdy Veggies & Carnies!
this is a laid-back pub with fantastic grub. We went there twice this past weekend. We ordered the 'Bean Burger and Corn Pasta Salad, it was delectable and meat-free. The have many micro beers on tap as well.
It was nice weather so we sat outside on the deck. It's in Brown's edition and it's a cozy view of the old homes in the neighborhood.
From I-90: Take the Maple Exit. Turn left on Second and drive until you see Rosauer's Grocery Store. Continue 3 blocks and turn right.
We'll definately be back for more!
We love the Elk! It's such a great place to go. It's great all year round but especially fun in the summer with the patio.
My favorite dishes are the BBQ Chicken Quesadilla, the Spinich salad with wontons and the gumbo. The gumbo is incredibly spicy so make sure you have enough water! The ravioli is also delicious. I don't think I've ever gotten a bad meal here.
It can get quite crowded, especially in the summer, so don't be too surprised if you have a little wait. The staff are very helpful but it seems to be light on staffing. I know we've had to flag down our servers more than a few times because they were so busy with their many other tables.
But I'd highly recommend this place to anyone. It's great!
I think there are some confused reviews here. The Elk is an awesome bar with great food and character. Let me put it this way: When your girlfriend's parents come to town and are looking for a delicious bite to eat and outdoor seating, the Elk should be at the top of the list. It has character just like the 74th Street Pub in Seattle, and a great selection on tap. It is hands down one of the best pubs in Spokane.
Daddy, why are we in Spokane?
Well, son, it's...it's complicated.
Daddy, how come no one here knows what a disjunctive syllogism is?
Well, son, it's because...well damn it son...it's because this is Spokane! It's fun here, son. There's desert, and there's water, and there's trees, and alcohol. There's also this place called "The Elk Public House".
Wow. You're cool, dad.
Well thanks, son. You are too.
I think I'll order me some Shrimp Mango Wraps. No I think I'll have the Southwestern Pork and Bean Soup. And you, son?
Cool. I want the marinated pork soft tacos and a grilled lamb sandwich.
Son, I think my opinions about Spokane are changing.
Why, dad?
Because, like all animals with racks, the Elk is fun, son. And there's lots of fun folk on Friday night.
Most reviews seem to leave this place standing as a dive bar. The fact is, The Elk Public House has their stuff together. The food is not your typical pub fare and they have many daily food specials to conquer any appetite. They also have a ton of great micros on tap that will even make most Portland beer geeks happy. The Elk Public House is a must stop for anyone in town or on their way out (it's on the way to the airport). Check it out!
Great choice for a late dinner or some drinks in Brown's Addition.
Great beer selection and mixed drinks. While not on the menu anymore, I recommend the cilantro lemondrop. You don't really taste the cilantro, more just smell it as you take a sip. So good!
They don't have many vegetarian selections, but the homemade black bean burger was delicious and came with a yummy side of pasta salad instead of your typical fries.
The atmosphere inside isn't that great, but the outside patio area is really nice.
We found the Elk with the help of reviews of other Yelps and recommend it highly. Very busy on a Friday evening but we found a booth. Beer/cocktail selection was excellent, as was the service. While packed, she always found time to check in on us. Must haves are the sweet spinach salad and the corn pasta! We will defiantly be back next time we're even remotely near Spokane.
The Elk hasn't been the same since the menu makeover of 05(ish). I was in love with the creamy curry salad. Then they did away with it, despite demands from many loyal customers, never to return again. The corn pasta salad was a distant second favorite, but at least their cuisine is unique and they are a local independent business (to my knowledge). I like the black bean burger w/ the corn salad, but since they did away with the creamy curry salad the place has not been the same.
love love love the corn pasta salad. The recipe is on their website, however I'd rather have them make it for me. This is casual pub with good food is great to just hang at. I always end up staying longer than planned (2 hour lunch break). The Elk in the heart of browne's addition, which has been shaping up for years now to be a cool little neighborhood. Once a year, during Artfest in nearby cda park, they host Elkfest, which is a jam session with some pretty cool bands. For food, I recommend the thai swimming angel, fish tacos or the moon burger and don't forget that corn pasta salad to go with your entree. The Elk has Mac & Jack's African Amber on tap which is the perfect pairing for almost anything on the menu. Sister establishments are Moon Time in Cda, The Porch in Hayden and newly opened 2-75 on the South Hill. The menus vary slightly, but the vibe is the same.
Great food. Amazing beer selection. Fun atmosphere. Reasonably priced. I love this place!
A quaint eclectic restaurant located in the heart of Browne's Addition, this place has a very comfortable feel. With delicious food (among my favorites: lamb sandwich, pork tacos with mango, chicken ceasar soft taco - everything on the menu is amazing), phenomenal roasted corn pasta salad, and a wide range of microbrews on tap - the Elk holds a special place in my heart. Went to school at Gonzaga and spent numerous evenings at the Elk as one of my absolute favorite places to eat and hang out in Spokane. Grab some outdoor seating if the weather is nice, this place is perfect for a date or just spending time with friends.
What can I say about the Elk? Where else can you get over 15 different beers on tap, grab a lamb stew, have some seafood, get a great cocktail from an experienced waitstaff, and still come out with $20 burning a hole in pocket probably to lost later at The Blue Spark or The Baby Bar? No where in Spokane I can tell you that much. Great eats that go beyond the standard. The prices aren't bad for what they offer. Great "Everybody Knows Your Name" type of place to hang out. I have been going there for at least nine years and continue to visit every time I am back in town. Cheers!
I likes me some Elk's pub! They have Elkfest, they are in the center of Brown's Addiction...they have burgers, and it used to be a drugstore! Thats why theres the neon "Drug" sign... I didn't know why at first...they have brr there. Lots of brr. and lots of girly drinks. Its a "cool" place to go. Its always packed. I rike it. I rike it a rot. Not bad price-wise either. The food is very...sticking-to-your-ribs-ish. You'll leave full.
This place is awesome. The food is really good, not the usual greasy bar food selections (i.e. hearty sandwiches, salads etc.). They have a nice list of local beers. Nothing to complain about. You won't be wowed by the atmosphere but as long as it's clean who cares. There are worst ways to spend an evening out (especially in beautiful Spokane).
The Elk is great, especially when the patio seating is open. There's this hip, bohemian vibe from the Browne's Addition residents, the staff is awesome and the food and beer selections are great as well. Definitely a Spokane "must experience."
I really don't know anyone who doesn't like this place. It is low key, has a good selection of beer and drinks, and is phenomenal for sitting outside. The black bean burger is always really good and I love the corn pasta salad that comes with the sandwiches. It definitely has a kick. Def a great summer afternoon place to sit back and enjoy in the sun in Browne's addition.
Spokane, WA
Category: Wine Bars
Spokane, WA
Category: Italian
Spokane, WA
Category: Pubs
Spokane, WA
Category: Bars
Spokane, WA
Category: Lounges
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