Gump on the Go: Pub Pokes Pollo with Pike

Sure the LITG mob dissed the Brew-Pub a month ago with a less than glowing rating. But they didn't clear it with the Shadow Pup. As a guardian of what is right and fair, I speak in their defense. For years I have eaten and ordered take-out from the Brew Pub and I must say that they have consistently made the best Chicken Piccata I have ever eaten. It's not cheap at $8.50 but it is served with linguine pasta topped with a white wine caper cream sauce and plenty of Parmesan cheese and has just a touch of garlic. I have tried the same dish at dozens of restaurants and never found one close to as good as the Brew Pub Piccata. By the way, the word "piccata" in Italian means to poke with a stick (pike). So literal translation would be "Poked Pollo".

The Good Stuff

Today, however, I ponied up another quarter and ordered a take-out version of their Pasta and Olive Oil with added grilled chicken strips. ($8.75) It was very good. Not Piccata great but very good. Dr. Lector says it goes great with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

On most days, however, I just get the club sandwich with fries. The take away styro must weigh a pound and a half when I receive it. Good basic fare. If you have time to go there and want lunch fast, just sit at the bar and watch them clean the vats and ask the brewmaster about the dangers of breathing the carbon dioxide that accumulates in the bottom of the vats. If you order something off the lunch menu and don't get too picky ("I want you to remove all the little green seeds [capers]" or "Could I get gumbo with no crab meat, please?") they will bring your lunch before you have time to Twitter.

For those newbies unfamiliar with the Gump, The Brew Pub is a microbrewery located on 12 West Jefferson Street (the back windows of the place look over hallowed Riverwalk Stadium--home of the Biscuits) which serves lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. M-F.

Did I say they make their own beer?

The Piccata and Pasta w/Olive Oil gets 4 of 5 capers.

The Shadow knows!