The Observation Deck

Not to preempt Chef Geoff but I had dinner at the Beer Engine tonight. Really great!

The owners are eager to be a part of the neighborhood (new sign) and Brian (Lakewood Beverage) is cooking. They have three pages of burgers and NO TRANS FATS!

Open for lunch too! Mark, Jason, Brian, thanks for a great dining experience. We'll be back.....really soon.

Mike and I walked over there the other night (it's so nice they are so close) and we were really impressed. Mike said the burger was the best he has had in a long time, I had a bite it was quite flavorful. I loved the deep-fried pickle and the shoe string fries were perfect. The food was wonderful, the atmosphere was great, and I am just thrilled to have them as neighbors. With that in mind I was a bit worried abut having another "bar" so close but I haven't heard anyone disruptive late at night, that is a big plus for me.

Anything healthy on the menu? You know, lighter fare ... salads, soups, low-cal stuff?

(though I'm all for the no trans fats ... I hope more restaurants adopt that as well)

Just got this in my email:

BEER ENGINE brewery - booze - burgers
15315 MADISON AVENUE
LAKEWOOD, OH 44107
216-226-BEER
MAP

THE BUCKEYE BREWING COMPANY - Kind Sudsâ„¢
CLEVELAND, OH

Until we get a page up with an updated beer list,
27 ON DRAFT NOW!

Anchor Steam, CA
Avery Hog Heaven Barleywine, CO
Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale, ME
Bells Double Cream Stout, MI
Buckeye Fuggle Pub Ale, Cleveland
Buckeye Mammoth Stout, Cleveland
Buckeye Yuppie ESB, Cleveland
Delirium Tremens, Belgium
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, DE
Dogfish Head Aprihop, DE
Founders Black Rye, MI
Hobgoblin, ENGLAND
Hoegaarden, BELGIUM
Houblon Chouffe IPA, BELGIUM
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Bier, MI
Kulmbacher Monchshof Schwarzbier, GERMANY
Lagunitas IPA, CA
Maredsous 8, BELGIUM
Mojo Risin IPA, CO
Murphy's Irish Stout, WALES
North Coast Red Seal Ale, CA
Original Sin Hard Cider, NY
Pabst Blue Ribbon, WI
Rogue Chocolate Stout, OR
Southern Tier Jah-va Imperial Coffee Stout, NY
Saison DuPont, BELGIUM
Spaten Lager, GERMANY

ON THE BEER ENGINE NOW!
Coniston Old Man Ale (Cask)

COMING SOON:
De Ranke XX Bitter, Belgium
Harviestoun Old Engine Oil, Scotland

Buckeye '76 IPA, Cleveland
All Centennial hops, 7.5-8.0 percent ABV

Spaten Optimator and Spaten Mai Bock soon.

EVENT: IPA's and other Kind Sudsâ„¢
DATE: Friday, April 20th
LOCATION: Beer Engine
SUBJECT: A celebration of spicy, pungent, grapefruit, piney,
floral, citrus, aromatic HOPS.
Hops are a wonderful thing. It's no wonder so many have fallen
in love with IPA's. The varieties are endless.
IPA list to be announced. Hippie Burger special, etc.

We will be sending timely emails detailing new beer
arrivals, more info on the beer, events, the menu and specials.

Have a great weekend, Garin.

BEER ENGINE brewery - booze - burgers

Do they have any vegetarian friendly items on the menu? My husband is a huge beer snob and will want to try this place out for sure!

Ate there for the first time with Jen tonight. I had the Chipotle Blue burger and Jen had the Fish & Chips (which really should be Fish & Crisps, as they come with chips by default; fries are $.50 extra).

Both were fantastic. Service was good as well.

In the words of Homer, "mmmmmmmmmm beer"

I've been there a few times. It's a good place. Not fancy, just good. I've seen a council person or two there also! They have good food and a great beer selection. B.O.R.I.S the Crusher will knock you off your chair. And also, the Old Style out of Chicago is their cheap beer. But INCREDIBLE. It's what the Bears and Cubs fans drink before the game. It brought me back to the old stadium. I wish we had something that good and cheap I could drink before a browns or OSU game. I And I think it's one of the only places outside of Chicago, at least in our area you can find it.

I really love the beer selection, the patio is great, and the food is good bar food, but the service seems to be pretty erratic. I was there last night, and as best we could tell they only had one server for the entire place. A table of four gentlemen sat down, waited for at least ten minutes, and then left in a huff without ordering. Service was slow, and you could tell that others on the patio were not thrilled with the situation.

I'd say that at least half of the people that I talk to about Beer Engine make mention of the service in a negative way. I hope they get this figured out because with that exception, it is a great new place in Lakewood.

For what its worth...

I've heard that the service was erratic, but when Jen & I were there on Monday the service was spot-on.

Whomever said their burgers were fantastic was definitely right. The Chipotle Blue burger was very tasty, as well as the chips. The homemade ketchup is a nice touch as well.

Amy,

If their on-line menu is up to date it appears they offer some vegetarian options.

http://buckeyebeerengine.com/menu3.html

They do offer vegetarian burgers but I didn't see a price difference between the regular $9 burger. I think they are black bean and I thought we had a vegetarian appetizer. There is always the beer cheese soup or tomato blue cheese soup too!

I was talking with a server on a recent visit and I think their "communal" style of table assignment might be the cause of some of the erratic service. As I understand it, there more of a global responsibility for all the tables, versus the standard assigned stations.

Food is good. Beer menu is informative (especially the PBR explanation)Only one complaint. A big juicy buger (or worse.....a pulled pork sandwich) in a paper lined basket. Sometimes hard to get the sandwich out as the bun slowly absorbs the juices and turns mushy. Plates would be nice.

Jeff