Quick Review THE ABBEY BURGER BISTRO - Baltimore, Md.

ABBEY BURGER BISTRO

Arrived at the bistro for the first time on a Sunday early afternoon and was pleasantly surprised at what we found. A cool two story bar/restaurant down a very small alley/road off of East Cross Street. If your familiar with the area...it is at the end of the alley next to Ryleighs Oyster Pub on E. Cross St. Getting off the subject...Inside we found the first of 2 levels in an old redbricked walled townhome. Nice faux hardwood floors, a classic fairly long wooded bar, high bar tables along with regular tables(didn't get upstairs), some LCD's and Reggae playing on the sound system(a little out of place). Exposed brick throughout. Bathrooms are small, but clean(odd thing is the sinks are shared in the small hallway).

The menu was small but still with plenty of options: salads, apps, small kids menu, specialty spiked shakes, and of course burgers. The burger menu had many house specialties: "Peanut Butter Burger", "Lamb burger", "Ostrich Burger", "Gunpowder Bison Burger", "Shroomburger", "Fried Green Tomato Burger" for the vegitarians and a "Baltimore Burger" with crab-dip topping it...plus a "Build Your Own Burger" checklist with 7 different meats, and more than 50 toppings. The Hand-made potato chips are awesome(worth the trip alone). They will cook your meat to any temp., and when you say "Rare" you get "Rare"! I had the Ostrich Burger, and totally enjoyed it. Juicy, cooked to temp, and the toppings were a good combo(blue cheese, onion ring, LTM, on soft butter roll. Wife reluctantly had the Peanut Butter Burger(rare) and it was also very good, bacon, PB and Beef...can't go wrong with that.

Now to the beer...They have a 14 rotating taps with anything from Guiness, Ommegang(Ny), Pyramid(Ca), Evolution(DE), Southern Tier(Ny) Duvel, Lagunitas(Ca) to Dogfish Head(De). The Bar guy said they switch them out regularly so there could be new brews on tap every time you go. They say they have over 300 bottles from all over the world. I didn't see 300 in the menu...about 50, but there was some unique and differents ones on there...Brewers Art - Resurrection, Westmalle Tripel, Skull Splitter, Blithering Idiot, and more.

I had the Sierre Nevada 30th Anniversary Special Ale - "Fritz and Ken's Ale"(Review below), Then had fresh tapped "Red Sky At Night" from Heavy Seas. Knew it and love it.

Overall I liked the place and will be heading down there regularly. Friendly atmosphere, comfortable surroundings, Great burgers, Great beer. What else could a Man want?


Score: 8.5/10