Growlers USA proves satisfying choice

Why: Growlers USA is a franchise that began in Eugene, Ore., that believes in supporting the craft beer movement in America. The establishment provides 100 taps with an emphasis on local microbrews. It also offers draught wines, ciders and nonalcoholic beverages with a select food menu to satisfy — all taken in a social, neighborhood-style environment.

What I tried: My dining companion and I started with the short rib queso. I settled on the beer cheese soup, and my dining companion had the seared mahi-mahi with coleslaw, which I also sampled. To drink, I tried the Grand Mimosa cider, and my dining companion had the sangria cider, both of which were deliciously refreshing.

The short rib queso was a smooth and spreadable, slightly spicy beer cheese sauce topped with shredded short rib meat that was tender and moist. On top was a dollop of pico de gallo. It was served with toasted crostini slices made from rolls. The combination was scrumptious and could easily serve as a meal if paired with a salad.

I found the beer cheese soup to have a very thick consistency for soup. The flavor reminded me of Velveeta but with a hint of brew. The soup was topped with thick, chopped pieces of bacon, two crunchy tater tots and some green onion.

The mahi-mahi was lightly breaded and nicely seared. Two fillets rested atop some of the pan-fried bread crumbs that had come loose from the fillets during cooking. Green chimichurri also accompanied the fish. It had a little kick to it, which added interest to the dish’s overall flavor. A small portion of Growler’s coleslaw rested on top of the fillets and complemented the flavor of the meat. Of the sides available, having the extra coleslaw was a good choice, in our opinion.

Menu highlights beyond what I tried: The loaded sidewinders from the starters sounded good. Those are beer-battered fries loaded with peppered white cheddar cheese sauce, bacon, avocado and green onions. Short rib sliders are served with garlic aioli and crispy onions, and the beer brat sliders are served with pilsner sauerkraut and dark, beer ale mustard. Salads include ahi, chicken Cobb, and Caesar. The turkey melt sandwich is piled with sliced turkey, provolone cheese, thick-cut bacon, avocado, aioli, red onion and pickle on toasted sourdough bread. Chicken and waffles are on the menu, as well. The tap menu is extensive but easy to navigate, as it is organized by type — dark, light, hoppy, sour, etc.

Atmosphere: The strip mall location provides a square space with a simple layout. Seating is toward the front with the tap wall and bar separating the kitchen from the public space. The open ceiling exposes air ducts and attractive dark metal restoration-style drop lights provide lighting, in addition to large windows which allow natural light in. Several large-screen TVs provide entertainment.

Other observations: The staff is friendly and well-versed on the brews on tap. The food menu offers a fresh, unique variety of choices. The atmosphere is comfortable, though there are no sound-absorbing features to speak of, so it is quite noisy during a full house. This makes it difficult to converse at an unstrained volume.

Cost: Starters range from $7 to $17. Salads are $8 to $14. Soup is $5 and $7. Sides cost $2 to $4. Burgers are $12 to $16. Sandwiches cost $12 to $15. Entrees start at $10 and top out at $18. Brews are available from a 4-ounce draft to a 64-ounce growler and range from about $1.50 to $49.