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Categories: American (New), Pubs [Edit]
Neighborhood: Little Five PointsMon-Thu. 12:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 a.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 a.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
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I'll add my voice here.
We just got back - it was great.
What a weird weird space - it was like a combination of the bar in the first Indiana Jones movie (where the babe is tossing down shots with the oafy guy) with an I Spy book (parents out there, you know what I'm talking about).
Should I back up and give context? Yeah, I agree.
So, I'm in the Pacific Northwest all week - separated from my better Half and kiddies.
SHE picks me up at the airport and decide to debrief at this place based on a cool review from Yelp (of course) as well as some intowner magazine thing.
We get there and are a little visually overwhelmed; bu tthen are led to our seat.
I think I saw this term recently - asses to ankles (or something like that) - it's tight.
But it was good!
We started with a GF beer for Her (of course) and I told the server to bring me "something" - these were accompanied by the popcorn with vinegar and salt and the Belgian fries (historical note: did you know that the language spoken in Belgium is belch?).
Really good - and both went perfectly with the beer.
Next, She had the pumpkin soup (it's GF) and I had the pot roast.
I have a huge appetite, but I brought the remnants home with me of the pot roast. It was great.
Our server was Joe who totally took care of us and took the challenge of "Please bring me a beer" and "Please bring me food" without batting an eyelash.
We'll be back.
The End.
Juan M., Grade 4
I LOVE the Porter. Love it. The atmosphere is cool and cozy and hip, with roughly-hewn wood benches, clipboards with the menu offerings, drinks served in mason jars, and super cute waitstaff. (I may have had too much to drink and left my number along with the tip. Whoops.)
Their beer selection is amazing, really extensive, and really impressive. The bloody mary's are also great, with two different kinds of infused vodkas and a pickled okra garnish.
Brunch, served only on weekends until four, is really great, with both savory and sweet offerings and a really wonderful approach to modified classics. The soy sausage is outstanding, as is the veggie burger and well-seasoned fries.
I haven't been to the Porter at night, but lingering over a long brunch was a lot of fun.
L5P has changed a lot since my punk rock days in the late 90's. I'll never forget when my mom ventured downtown to buy my studded belt at the since-closed S&M shop Throb. It's not quite so fringey anymore, but what's great about little 5 is that it's still pretty unpretentious. You don't feel like everyone's too punk rock or hip. It's a pretty good mix of folks. And Porter was no exception.
I met up here with my wife, my brother and his wife, my sister visiting from New York, and her friend who recently moved here from NYC and knows not a soul. Being the only one who "claims" to know this city there was a lot riding on my choice, real or imagined. And I was glad to finally visit the place with all hype I've been hearing. I'm a definite beer snob and there are far too few places for those of my kind.
One thing i'll say off the bat - this place is much bigger than it seems. If you poke your head in and think "too busy", make sure you head toward the back since the restaurant is shaped like and L, with the majority of the seating in the back.
I recently read a review for the Porter (creative something or other) that suggested (or downright protested) that the salt and vinegar pop-corn here simply must be a crude joke. If that is the case then it's my favorite joke, and i want to hear it twice. We ordered the popcorn as an app (two, seriously) as well as the stuffed jalapenos. I think you know how i feel about the popcorn already, and the jalapenos were pretty dope, too. My sister has already attempted to replicate the pop corn in NYC to no avail. Malt vinegar, you are not the secret ingredient.
Our service was polite and relatively attentive. We were being social on a weekday so i didn't need someone offering me another beer every time my glass was nearly empty. Entrees included salads, shrimp and grits (mine, yum), pot roast (also yum) and hamburgers with the most scrumptious garlic fries. Nearly as intense as the popcorn. And nearly as good. It's safe to say that the quality of the food far exceeded everyone's expectations given the quirky, no-frills atmosphere and half broken tables.
Bottom line - I was really impressed with Porter. I think if you read back through older reviews it seems like they've fixed a lot of the earlier shortcomings. Anyway, everyone left still believing that I'm their go-to for unique dining experiences (as if this one was really that much of a secret), so i can't complain. Worth a trip, for sure.
I've been to the Porter a few times - most recently about a week ago. I'm not a beer drinker, but who the hell cares, as it's a bar and they serve wine, so I'm good. Well, some of the staff seems to care. Some of the bartenders have been very sweet, but the "too cool for school" why would you come in here if you drink wine comments from a few of them - are rather off putting. Someone should explain to the bartenders that if the person ordering wine at a beer bar isn't uptight and is just happy to be having a drink with friends, they shouldn't care either.
Ok location in the center of little 5, just ok ambience, food good, beer very good, service not great but ok, but that woman who runs the place!!! Won't be back.
Have to give it 3 stars based on multiple experiences. Some have been 5 stars others 1 star. Why you ask?
Two area that remain inconsistent are:
-service
-food
Beers is always good and that's what you come here. Some of the staff act like it's a chore that you are there....and well....thats no fun for anyone.
A good spot in the area but there is a place in Decatur that you may want to try.
I finally made it here for brunch and boy was I surprised. Everything we had was excellent. When you first look at the menu, you don't think your meal will be enough and that the price is high, but you get enough for two for the price of one. The eggs kicked ass and they gave me about 10 I think. The coffee is great and I will be back.
When you consider the competition for food in Little Five, the Porter didn't have to try hard to be… Read more »
As befits their name, there is a great beer selection (the best I've seen in Atlanta). Dozens of beers on tap and over a hundred more in the bottle. The food is very good, though a little pricey.
The only reason I'm not giving it a fifth star is the lack of a non-smoking section.
Quoted us a 25 minute wait. After 90 they said it, "would probably be another 25" but they weren't sure. I know you can't make people get up, but if I've waited nearly 4 times the quoted time either you're bad at your job or you're lying to me. Neither is acceptable.
The owner promptly responded to this review with an apology, so I'll give them another try soon and edit this review appropriately.
Edit: As I said, the owner responded immediately to my 1 star review and invited me back for dinner. I then received a mailed handwritten note (she'd asked for my address in our first exchange) again apologizing for my bad experience and inviting me back for dinner. I took her up on it.
Tuesday night I went back for the Terrapin / Left Hand Collaboration beer tasting dinner. The food was wonderful! Lamb tortellini, olive oil poached grouper, pumpkin creme brulee, all very good. The beer pairings were spot on and delicious. Molly, the aforementioned owner, saw my name on the reservation list and came to the table to personally welcome us back and apologize yet again for my bad experience the first time.
I told Molly something my dad has said for years. Sometimes when a business recovers well from a mistake it makes a far better impression that if they'd never messed up. Ok, so the greeters the last time were totally off their game, and it pretty much screwed up my evening. However, Molly went above and beyond to make it up to me personally!
The food here is very good, the beer list is second only to the Brick Store here in Atlanta (and that's a HIGH standard), and Molly is delightful. Well Molly, you won me over. With just a little responsiveness to a bad situation I've converted from a very unhappy customer to an intended regular. I was there Tuesday, and I'm going back tomorrow. I'm sold. The Porter is great!
I came here the first night they were open and was blown away at how great this place was. I've been back atleast twice a month since and have slowly made my way through the beer list. I LOVE the porter and if you've never been i would recommend getting the six small beer tastes. they usually come in dark beers, seasonal and belguims.
Beware that the service is slow and it's usually backed to the front door here. I've never eaten a full meal here but the appetizers are really good- the salt and vinegar popcorn and the fries are awesome. don't get the cheese plate though- it's a little pricey for the small amount that you get.
In honor of The Porter's 1st birthday today, I thought I should update my review. I've been countless times (avg close to once every 4-6 weeks) since my review and these are the things I've picked up on since then.
In my previous review I compared The Porter to the Brick Store. While it's certainly a fair comparison, I'll leave that review mostly alone and just focus on The Porter.
Here are the reasons you need to go to The Porter:
1) You love good food. The food here is simply outstanding. I've never had a bad meal and I've tried nearly everything on the menu. The Porter really does take pub food to another level. Highlights include the Burger, Arugula side salad, Goat Cheese Fritters, Popcorn, Hush puppies, shrimp and grits, OK so basically the whole menu.
Remember when I said I'd leave my previous review mostly alone? Here is the one thing I'd change. The Porter has WAY better food than Brick Store. While the menu is generally on the small side, they have added a weekly specials menu. What food they do serve, they really knock it out of the park.
2) You love good beer. The selection is wide and varied at competitive prices. They have a vast selection of Belgium beers (my fav) and US microbrews. They have maybe 20 or so beers on tap and 75 - 100 in bottles. I can't think of anyone who would have a hard time finding a beer they liked here.
3) You want to support people who are passionate about what they do. It's clear from the many times I've been to The Porter that Nick and Molly are passionate about their restaurant. The entire place just works really well and that comes from the owners.
Perhaps the only "downsides"? Parking can be a bit tough on the weekends. If you aren't used to urban settings and some of the characters that hang around, you might be a bit surprised if you're coming on the weekends. I've never had a bad experience with anyone, just realize that someone is likely to ask for money/food.
Bottom line: When I'm hungry and want some good beer, this is my happy place.
If you are a beer geek, like me, you will instantly want to compare The Porter to the Brick Store… Read more »
Superb, all around.
Beer menu: the best in Georgia.
[ Everything about the Porter makes a statement: STICK IT TO THE MAN ! ]
No T.V.s = higher quality socializing.
-PERFECT for a first date... or second..
Staff:
4-star
Awesome.
The servers don't have sugar-coated attitudes and vibes; they may seem bitter occasionally, and sometimes, seemingly contrived smiles, but compassionately imagine yourself in their position: high stress, high pressure. Often, with so many customers, they're rushed, and the experience of Porter reminds you to be as real as the Porter. I like that in a business.
The food menu:
4.3 star
impressive; home recipes that have been slightly modified with the owners' touch.
Though beware the expense.
[ Recommended first plate: fish & chips ]
(the Belgian fries are the best ever.)
the decor is impressive -- a timetrip into the 17th century.
Looking forward to meet Captain Hook there one night.
The lighting suggests ingenuitive style, un-pretentious, original taste : mason jars turned to light fixtures.
Many interesting people go there.
Beware the succubuses, witches and cougars who prowl there.
If you dislike the Porter, you can walk the plank.
It is their small imperfections that contribute to the Porter's overall unforgettable character -- I rate them with a 5 star.
I remember when this place first opened and I was kind of excited about coming here. I walked in with a small group of people and was shocked by the poor attempt at decor. It reminded me of the inside of a storage shed out on the farm and not in a quaint, charming kind of way. Exposed beams, chipboard and stacks of vintage suitcases. I get what they were trying to achieve, but they did not get it right and the decor was a miss.
At the time, I only stayed for one drink, because not only did the decor turn me off, but the narrowness of the place combined with the crowd was quite claustrophobic. I just could not get out of there fast enough.
Fast forward, say seven months and I keep reading decent reviews about the place. Granted some of the reviewers would not know good taste if it smacked them in the face, but there were a number of reviews from Yelpers that I actually respected.
With this in mind and after a fruitless shopping errand with a friend, I made a point of stopping in for dinner. We chose to sit at the bar and were served by two cute bartenders. I do not mean cute in a "I was attracted to them" kind of way, but more of a cute in a "pat the head of a street urchin", kind of way. I'm pretty sure that would not be taken as an insult, because I think every hipster/scenester strives to look that way. At least that is what I think they are trying to achieve.
Anyhow, the bartenders were wonderfully attentive and one was even overly attentive about finding a gluten free beer for me. In the end he recommended a huge bottle of GF hard cider. Looking back, I wish I had just gone with a vodka tonic. That one cider had me feeling fuzzy and I really only agreed to it, because the cute bartender had made such an effort.
Throughout our meal, the service was pretty good. One bartender did not even miss a beat when I requested the Salt and Vinegar Popcorn after our ticket had already been turned into the kitchen.
The Salt and Vinegar Popcorn was very vinegary, but we did enjoy it. Although, I would recommend that you eat in small quantities, as my tummy was really turning towards the end of the night. Probably the combo of a huge cider and the Salt and Vinegar Popcorn.
For dinner, I ordered a cheeseburger and fries. The burger was far from the trendy gourmet burger that you would find at other bars, but it was pretty tasty with all the trimmings, as well as bacon and their homemade pickles. Combined with the herb fries, it was a very satisfying meal.
Overall, the meal and service were good. I still do not care for the decor, but I must say that next to Vortex, it is probably the best food you can get in the L5P. I am sure I will be back.
If you don't frequent Little 5 and are apprehensive, you don't need to worry. No matter what your scene is, you'll notice people just like you at Porter. You should be paying attention to your food and drink anyway. They command your attention here with their complex flavors.
Beer, beer, beer. Bottles, samplers, and cocktails made with beer. If you're not here for beer, there's lemon gingerade in a big old mason jar with or without alcohol. And there's cocktails served by the pint or quart.
And to soak up all the alcohol, there's food.
The starters are all delicious, cheap, and plentiful. Do what I do and order a few to share. It stretches the beer money. If you're not a nibbler, get a main course of comfort food, such as the grown up version of shrimp and grits with truffle oil. Smart, efficient staff and a comfortable environment round out the experience.
This is a must-try, must-return, must-frequent.
I really loved this place. Our waitress and the beer flights were definitely the highlight.
The food was awesome and we got two different flights of beer (belgian white and a hefeweizen group) - it was so delicious! I loved their beer selection. We sat in the back which was really interesting and designed differently - they used the space really well. We were tucked into a booth in the corner and it was perfect.
And as I mentioned the server we had was totally friendly and really helpful in getting us to try the best of what they had to offer!
I decided to try Porter's again and give it a 5th try. The waitstaff was nice and helpful. The bartender was a little slow at pouring the beer. I sat there twice waiting for my beer for about 5 minutes. The garlic fries come in a much smaller portion than before. They used to come out on a pizza pan and now they're in a small paper thing.
Porter's is average to me and everyone I was with. The one thing that they definitely have going is location. I'm sure my friends will be back since they are walking distance. I will probably venture to the Brick Store pub. The service and food are just too up and down.
At first this was a great place. Good service. Great beer. The BrickStore it is not. The last two… Read more »
I kept thinking this place was super small, after all you can only see the bar and handful of outside tables which are always crowded. Surprise! There is an entire back dining room that has a great old world feel. It reminds me of an underground wine bar I visited in Croatia.
The atmosphere is perfect for a long night of drinking with friends. The music was a strange mix (there must be a jukebox in here somewhere) but wasn't blasted too loud.
We didn't have any food, but both the food and beer menu were intelligent and thorough. The prices are really reasonable for the quality of products offered and I was pleasantly surprised by our tab.
This seems like a great neighborhood hang out!
I can say with all fairness that this place falls in the "when in doubt" and "perfect for every occasion" categories. I'm not kidding with ya! I've been here on first dates because it's great for conversation; I've been here with large groups and the staff is always accommodating (doesn't hurt that Molly, the owner, is a high school friend); and it's always got SOMETHING going on whether it's a beer pairing dinner or introducing a new brew. LOVE it.
Moving back to Atlanta after living in New York for a couple of years, I got a taste of rare beers and stellar beer bars. I will say this place beats them all (yes, even the ones on 9th Ave)! It's cozy, yet large. It's friendly, yet the staff still beats their asses to help customers get what they want/need fast. And it has the best and most diverse beer list around. I know Taco Mac and the Brickstore tout their never-ending lists as well, but the Porter does it for me.
I've had their dinners before and walked away more than satisfied. Their burger AND organic black bean burger are great (although I've seen unhappy diners push their black bean burger aside)--the seasoned fries on the side are fab. The mac and cheese app could serve as a meal if you get a few beers along side it. Seeing as their chef/cooks know how to prepare good food, I would say they offer more than just glorified barfood.
This weekend I had their amazing brunch for the first time--YUM! I had the scrambler and I was in a trance after the first bite. Their cheese grits are melt-in-your mouth yummy. Just know that they don't serve bloodys or any drinks until 12:30.
I can't say enough about how much I adore this joint. A true beer lover will fall in love never want to leave, but even those that don't know the ABC's of brew can have just as good of a time here. Now go have one on me!
Since this is located in my neck of the woods, thought I'd give it a try and have been there twice now. I've tried the burger which is the best I've had in ATL and the Fish and Chips. The fish was quite light.. just wished they give me more than 1 fillet. The fries are so good... strong garlic flavor but also makes it qutie delicious. The long list of beers were also impressive and prices are more than reasonable. I'll be Yelping about Brick Store Pub as well so to compare, the prices for the beer were commendable to other establishements but much cheaper than Brick Store.
The ambience is what you see is what you get. I personally would rather dine in the bar area by the front then the back.
And for dessert, I tried the Apple Beignet with pecan sauce which was incredibly delicious. The apple was firm and sweet and the beignet was wonderfully crispy and pecan sauce (if I could put it on everything, I probably would) was a great compliment.
My overall rating for the range of food/liqour/service/etc. are the the following:
Factor Weighting Stars
Alcohol 10% 4 Stars
Service 10% 5 Stars
Ambience 10% 4 Stars
Food 50% 5 Stars
Dessert 10% 5 Stars
Value for $ 10% 4 Stars
Overall 100% 5 Stars
A functional -- but uncomfortable -- imitation of a British pub in the heart of L5P.
GOOD selection of premium products ($$).
POOR service and general environment.
As a former Anglophile, I wanted to like this place. I really did. I first tried it after reading Cliff Bostock's article last year. To be fair, I've had a couple of okay nights here. Some good brews, chats, and some sour popcorn. Heck, I've been back at least seven times. However, over the past year, I've seen this place really get an ego.
Yes, they have a very good beer selection. Okay! It IS one of the largest in this part of Atlanta. (Yes, they have St. Bernardus on tap, but so does Everybody's Pizza.)
Does that mean that this hallway of a pub/restaurant (its layout consists of an awkward shotgun design) is really THAT cool? I suppose everything is relative.
They have a few nice wooden booths if you can manage to snag one of those. Other than that, you're stuck choosing between the numerous wobbly tables (great idea for a place whose revenue comes largely from intoxicating beverage sales). You can sit either right by the bathrooms, squeeze up in the front, be relegated to the back room (which has all the ambiance of a dark basement/storage facility), or sit at the bar, where everyone (including the staff) will act as though you're in the way. In fact, the design of the place only allows a few feet preventing your back from literally being up against the wall.
The staff, except ONE guy I can think of, increasingly seem to treat customers as if they are a bother. It was much better when it first opened, but every time I visit, the quality of service seems to have further eroded.
Last night, one staffer was flat-out CONFRONTATIONAL at first contact -- my friend asked a server waiting to pick up some drinks from the bar "what's that drink?", pointing to a tall glass. Bear in mind, this is the first contact we'd had with them.
She was arranging the tray and didn't acknowledge him, but the fellow standing on the other side of HER quickly said "it's not for YOU" then looked at her, hoping she'd share in his chuckling. It was another server.
I wasn't sure I'd heard correctly so I asked "what?" He aggressively yelled "WHAT?!" back at me, attempting to mock me, tried to stare me down, then walked off, presumably to talk more crap about paying customers. He acted as if he were another patron looking for a brawl rather than an employee of the establishment. In the past, others have just humorlessly asked us to move over, taken an order or roll their tired eyes at us.
We're paying good money for THIS?! Not any more.
IF you're a trendy jackass who likes cramped spaces, loud, misguided music, high-fat foods, being abused by staff members, and Ball jars everywhere, you'll probably LOVE The Porter! Nice try.
UPDATE: To her credit, the owner did contact me to apologize after reading this.
Okey Dokey...
Tough love kids, tough love... I REALLY would like to give a 4-5 star rating for you all, but just can't do it.
I've been probably 6 times and the service has been seriously bad 5 out of the 6 times. While I love and admire a stinky hipster kid as much as the next girl... not when I'm trying to eat. Maybe it would make up for it if said stinky kid was an efficient worker but this has not been the case and hunger and thirst do not make for a forgiving customer.
On another note, the food is wonderful (I'd especially recommend the brunch.. DELICIOUS, and more food than you should really every eat) and the beer selection is just as sophisticated as Brickstore and others, but I don't think quite as pricey.
Oh! and another positive note, the last time I went the service was better... pleasant, helpful, and not snotty at all when I pointed at the beer I wanted to try rather trying to pronounce it...
Love the atmosphere! A lil dark and dirty, just like me!
Judging by the narrow store front and miniscule outside seating , the Porter Beer Bar looks deceptively small ...but step inside the rabbit hole and it goes deep! A long bar awaits inside followed by a tucked away dining room complete with rustic booths and beer tap coat hangers.
The beer menu is gi-normous...it is literally is about 12 pages of different styles of beers, ales, and ciders. I tried the wheat beer sampler and also their Four Pepper Bloody Mary. The wheat beers were all tasty and the FPBM would be ever so excellent on a Sunday or really anyday. Good stuff.
The food selection was also excellent. We tried the fried goat cheese fritters...absolutely dee-lish...except when we found a random hair in the food...but it was comp'ed, so that was fine by me. Next was the fish tacos and the heirloom tomato BLT! Both fresh and tasty. The fries were a bit salty but definately bursting with herb flavor.
The first impression of the Porter was definately good and next time I'm in L5P, I definately want to go back and try out some more of the menu, both beer and food!
Okay... I have a question: Where are all the snobby hipsters?
As a Portlander, I'm accustomed to good beer. The problem with the top-notch beer halls in my fair city is that your Trippels, Dunkels and rare Bocks are served with a healthy dose of attitude. In fact, I'm so used to it that I expect the bitter taste of humiliation with my fancy brewski.
Imagine my surprise when I ordered a rare IPA and got a friendly reception from the bartender. Wha?!? Where's the bitchy?
This place has it all... a great vibe, beautiful patrons, awesome location, AND good service. Now that I'm back in Portland, it's back to the snooty grind. At least next time I get attitude here, I'll be able to fall back on my experience at The Porter.
Maybe I'm not so stupid after all?
Okay... that's probably going a little too far.
if you like beer...youll love this place
if you like food...eat before you get here
i got the shrimp blt and when the server said it was served cold like shrimp salad, i had no idea it was pretty much raw shrimp
this was the funkiest (meaning crappy) blt ive ever had
still hungry, i tried the brownie sundae, hoping for some salvation
i took two bites and sent it back...horrible...complete lack of taste
the good news is their beer selection and knowledge is vast
but go there after eating, or at least not looking for a meal
I love the Porter, I love the food, the beer, the people. It can get a little crowded later in the evenings, but it's worth getting close to your neighbors for this experience. So far I've had the Hush Puppies, The Burger (probably now the best in Atlanta), the herb fries, the shrimp and grits, and the goat cheese fritters. The only thing I wouldn't have again were the goat cheese fritters, but they were still good to try. And The Porter is one of the few places in town you can get a cask ale and it's always something good. Hooray for The Porter, I hope you guys stick around for a long long time!
Yet another great beer bar in Atlanta. Always on the lookout for a good beer bar, friends have been urging me to visit this place since it opened up a year ago. Located in the bohemian village of Atlanta called Little Five Points, or L5P as the hip say, I must say that these guys have built a nice bar. It reminds me of a small English/European style pub, although they did serve some really good apps. In fact, I've had one of the best cheese plates I've ever had here - most of them are locally sourced too.
The beer menu had everything I look for, some good belgians, some of my local favorites (Terripan & Sweetwater), and a smattering of IPAs from across the country. It had a good mix of blue-chips and random offshoots.
I'd recommend you stop by this place, sample a pint with the local flavor. Cheers,
I can't believe it's taken me so long to visit The Porter. I guess since I'm not much of a beer drinker, it never had the draw for me that a wine place does. It's too bad...because the bartenders here (I've only sat at the bar) are super nice, knowledgeable and can pinpoint a beer that anyone would like. Ty, who has been there on each of my visits, was so friendly and took the challenge of finding a beer for a wine drinker to heart and chose something delicious.
When it comes to the food, everything has exceeded my expectations. We've ordered off the specials menu most of the time. The duck rillettes with a layer of strawberry jam on top were delicious - great texture with the hit of sweetness. A pasta special of eggplant agnolotti in a brothy sauce with summer veggies was light and the pasta was skillfully done. The burger is a great standard version but the FRIES are INCREDIBLE. As a fan of brunch and bloody marys, my next goal is to make it there on Sunday - bloody marys are served by the pint or the quart!
I describe this place to people as "Brick Store without the douchebaggery." The beer selection rivals, if not exceeds, Brick Store's... but the staff actually knows about beer and aren't hipsters with bad attitudes and sour expressions. It can get crowded-- and with good reason-- but the only time I've had to wait very long for a table is when I had a party of 10 people. Service can be a little slow if you sit in the back area, but the servers are never anything but accommodating.
The food... where to begin...? You could literally close your eyes and point blindly at the menu and still get something amazing. My personal favorite brunch option is the Shrimp & Grits, although I wish they'd remove the shrimp tails before serving it. A minor gripe when compared to the creamy deliciousness of the grits. For dinner I tend to order the Arugula Salad, especially when I'm not in the mood for something heavy in my stomach, like the Fish & Chips-- while it is yummy, it will definitely weigh you down. I also recommend trying the Salt & Vinegar Popcorn, even if you don't like salt & vinegar potato chips; the taste is completely different. When I was in Hawaii last year, I had some spent grain bread at the Kona brewery, so I was super excited to see the same thing on the menu at Porter, using local grains from our very own Sweetwater.
I can't decide whether I love or hate the fact that specialty mixed drinks are all served in GIANT mason jars... For brunch one morning, I ordered this rosemary-grapefruit-vodka concoction, and couldn't finish it! Woe is me.
I've been to The Porter a couple times now, usually before wandering over the The Variety Playhouse. Each time the staff has been great. Very knowledgeable about beer and willing to take on challenges in beer selection (especially trying to find beers for non-beer drinkers... without resorting to lindeman's framboise).
The beer selection is top notch and they always appear to be getting something new in... and still having it available. Too many other great beer bars are constantly advertising things they don't have.
Food here has been consistently good. I'm a big fan of the bacon-y hushpuppies, but last time they were a bit over fried. The kitchen could do a bit better in getting food out faster and I've had had to wait far too long to get a new beer a couple times now. So service does need some work.
The fixed menu can be a bit limiting if you're looking to go beyond sandwiches and fish&chips, but there usually is something interesting on their ever changing list of daily specials. Their blt is so good right now.
The big draw with this place will always be the beer, but the food has been consistently good... and they have some really good fries.
I'd been here a few times for beers, but ate here for the first time yesterday. I have to first say that we really received great service here. The waiter gave great beer recommendations based on our personal beer preferences and showed up at our table at exactly the right times to get our additional beer orders and food.
As far as the food goes we first ordered the Belgian fries which were really good. For dinner I had one of the specials and I forgot what it was called but it was corn and pasta with red peppers in some type of broth. It was really good but a rather small portion. One of my friends had the shrimp and grits and said the grits were the best he ever had. Another friend got a different special, the pulled pork sandwich and another friend got the sausage and kraut. Everyone really enjoyed their beer and meal. Nothing on the menu was over $13, and most dinner items were in the $9-$10 range.
What I really like about this place of course is their wide variety of beer that is available. And as an added bonus, they come in a wide of price from $3.50 all the way up to $30.
There is a small area to sit outside and watch the goings on in L5P as well.
Right now I'd have to say this is my favorite place to go for beer and food. I only wish I was within walking distance......
Very cool place. The only thing I had to eat were the fries, but they are the BEST in town.
I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little drunk.
And I fucking love this place.
'nuff said.
There were 25+ beers on tap
There were at least 50 different bottles of beer
Water came in gigantic mason jars
The food that came by looked awesome and smelled incredible. If i hadn't gorged myself on fried chicken i would have devoured those garlic fries
The atmosphere was very chill and everyone seemed to be having a great time
if that doesn't spell at 5 star review then i dont know what does.
The Porter hasn't altogether wowed me yet, but they've got a pretty great selection. Props to them for bringing great beer to L5P. I haven't sampled too much of the food, but I've had some delicious cheeses from their cheese, and I'm hooked on their salt-and-vinegar popcorn. And I don't even LIKE popcorn, people.
Ambiance can be a bit weird due to the really long, narrow space... it's not really a bar for mingling. Service has also been disjointed, although I've been in mostly at odd hours. Also, the last time I was in here, the air conditioning was blasting like crazy, and I couldn't order another beer because I was way too cold to think. Still, I'm a fan.
4.5 stars
Kinda tough for me to give out 5 stars just after having had a flight of beer here, but The Porter could very well reach that point if I get another chance to return. The atmosphere is humble and all about the food and beer. I had no food interaction, but the menu sounded great and everything I smelled and saw almost made me forget that I had gorged on fried food just an hour prior to our arrival. I'd love to return on an empty stomach!
The beer list is a beauty. Tons of drafts and bottles, flights, belgians, german beers, weekly changes in menu, and fantastic prices. And all served in masonry jars! This place really is awesome and one of the top 3 beer bars I've ever been to. I could see myself coming and spending quite a bit of time here with some beer loving friends.
So, a very solid 4.5 stars with an option of a 5th pending for food. And even though I'm 600 miles away, I definitely see myself returning!
My first visit was love. The atmosphere = awesome. The place has a very rustic/nautical feel to it. It was a Thursday around 9 that we arrived-- didn't have to wait for a table. It wasn't very crowded, which I appreciated. They also don't have TVs (that I noticed, anyway), a big plus from me.
They've got an extensive beer menu and the food's delicious. We were drooling over the brunch menu, but settled with an order of scrumptious Belgian Fries for starters. Goat cheese seems to be pretty popular at this place, with good reason. I had an eggplant dish with goat cheese stuffed pasta and a friend ordered goat cheese fritters-- both delicious. I couldn't stop eating even though I was full... Our server was great and happily recommended delicious beer-- my favorite being the Wittekerke Belgian White.
Wonderful. Missing out on this place would be a mistake.
I really enjoy this place and I'm not a beer drinker!
The brunch is really, really good. You MUST try the cheese grits. Best grits I've had in Atlanta (besides my mom's). Seriously, so creamy and smooth--ridiculous! The bacon is really good and the sweet smokey flavor is a nice complement to the chive biscuits, which were surprisingly good. Do you really expect to get a good biscuit from a bar?
I've been here for dinner too and I'm kind of a picky eater and think the menu is a little limited--brunch is definitely my fav time to go.
If the staff/owners wanted to fit into the L5Ps scene... They really nailed it on the head. The word "dirtbags" comes to mind. The servers were filthy, smelly and lazy. One or two stains on their "company shirts" is fine but is it too much to ask for you to wash it after you used it as a cum rag for the last two weeks? Monica Lewinsky has more class.
The service here is appalling time and time again. Asking for water is like asking for it in the desert... I'll take the Chinese water torture pweez. Taking your order is like talking to special ed kids... Just because they get it down on paper doesn't mean they'll get it to the kitchen. I'm wondering since weekday lunch is half off, does it mean you get half the service as well? It sure seemed like it... And the place was empty.
Mac n Cheez - It was velvety and smooth... The shells held a lot of the cheeziness which was a good thing.
Brandade - This dish wasn't even prepared the proper way... Brandade is a purée of salt cod, olive oil, and milk. Just call it mashed taters with salt cod droppings instead of some fancy Fwench word that most people in L5P never even heard of. This needed more salt, let alone cod...
Reuben - The bwead didn't even looked or tasted like rye. Corned beef you say? I say cornhole bags. This thing was so soggy and greasy, I coulda gweased my axle shaft with it.
Organic Arugula Salad - Did they pick these greens from around the trees in the square where the "locals" piss on? Pickled beets, chevre and almonds... Sure, whatever you say it is.
Fish n Chips - Looked great, tasted like dirty vadge. Over salted fwies and undercooked fish... If I wanted bad sushi, I woulda gone down da stweet to Sweet Lime. But the crust was nice and crispy though.
Kraut n Beer Brats - Have no idea how it tasted... Never got it for the 2nd time I ordered this thing. I'm sure the servers enjoyed it though... Pigs.
Hush Puppies - I just don't get these things... Keep your balls where they belong, either in a sack or your gf's mouth.
I do like this place and their concept works in L5P, imagine what would happen if they decided to go with the French theme... It fits into the hood but a staff shower or two per week wouldn't hurt either. I prefer the "chef" cooking my grub not to be a shoe-in for "Pig Pen" the musical. Like Bill Clinton sez to Hilary after sex... Close but no cigar.
I'm going to say it again: I did not have edible relations with that Porter.
Squirt.
I like The Porter. It's not perfect, but I like it.
My first visit was totally unplanned, in fact I didn't even know about the place. A friend of mine works at one of the convenience stores in L5P, and when I drop by he introduces me to people he knows who stop in to buy smokes. One of these was a bartender from The Porter. My brother the über-beer-snob was with me, so a little later we walked over and took a seat at the bar.
I liked the place from the git-go. Good atmosphere, not impossibly crowded, and the bartender we met earlier welcomed us warmly.
Then there's the beer. I love beer, and I love tasty micro-foreign-yummy-exotica beer a lot. Now since comparisons to The Brick Store seem inevitable here, I must state for the record that I don't much like Belgian beers. I just don't get the sour-thing, and it seems like a terrible thing to do to otherwise tasty beer.
The Porter does not disappoint in its selection of beers, and I'd say that there's something for everyone...well, unless you have a thing for American-style piss-water lagers, in which case you might be out of luck.
In every visit I've tried beers I hadn't had before, and they were very good. I also never had less than great service, and found the bar-staff to be good friendly types. I find that important. I also find my fellow customers to be pretty decent types and I've enjoyed conversing with some of them too.
The food really smelled and looked great, although I have yet to order any. I do agree with another reviewer that the portions sometimes seem ridiculous for the price, but that's not much of a factor for me since I live minutes away and eat at home anyway.
I also have to give some credit for creativity. Folks, I don't like grapefruit- but the rosemary-honeyed grapefruit juice (it's way back in the menu after you pass all the alcohol) was truly delicious. Anyone who can turn grapefruit into something I'll like is a creative GOD. Often they're out of this stuff, but if they have any, it makes a great curtain-call after such an amazing cast of beers. Have a quick glass before you close your tab.
Bottom line: If you love good beer, drop in at The Porter.
I'm gonna give a brief update to this place. I'm not gonna hate on it like I did before. That was childish and unfair. Now that I'm 30 I'm gonna be responsible and shit. When I feel like it anyway.
One thing I noticed when I walked in... they got rid of the stupid door handle that tried to imitate the brick store. good call.
Anyway... after I sat down.. I noticed that they were doing a bit of work inside. good deal. unfortunately they were also applying varnish indoors while I was trying to order lunch. not so good deal. fortunately they stopped when they realized I moved because of the smell.
So... there's the whole 1/2 off lunch for this month, which is why I came back here. I had been meaning to come back and check it out, but this gave me a bit more motivation. So... I had me some mac n cheese, and also the kraut and beer brats.
The mac and cheese was ok. Not very hot, but tasted ok if you like the cheesy gooey thing. So, can't say I really recommend it. However, I thought the kraut and brats was actually pretty tasty. and this after I had eaten a pint of custard about 2 hours earlier. so I wasn't really hungry. but I genuinely liked the taste of this plate. I would have to get a second opinion, but it's something I could order again.
So, to revise things a bit, I'm gonna give this place four stars. But remember kids, my scale is basically a 3-5 star.
as a side note... honestly, I really have a hard time classifying and rating the food at places like porter, brick store, bookhouse. I mean they try to do some good things, and they generally succeed, but they are not destination dining in my mind. so, that's kind of my deal with this place. The food isn't bad, but nothing too crazy.
So.. kind of as a general summary on my experience this time and my previous thoughts... I want to say that even though Porter isn't high on my list, I do appreciate what they're trying to do with the space, especially here in L5P. They probably have some of the better offerings in this area, and I'm probably gonna sample a few more things, especially this month with the 1/2 off deal, to get a better impression of the place.
fuck me.. I am getting so old. I'm just like rambling and trying to be nice. I do mean most of what I said, but damn. just damn. and I'm too lazy to bother revising this. ugh.
bottom line, I think I wrote this place off before... but I will say that I do think it's worth checking out. just don't sit in the back with the suitcases. and don't order a waffle. I forgot how much that sucked. let's just say 4 stars for the kraut and brat.
OMG Bizarro World yo! Sheit where do I begin. I just felt really uncomfortable here for whatever… Read more »
Atlanta, GA
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Little Five Points
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Inman Park
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Little Five Points
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Candler Park
Category: Grocery
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