MidMoDiningGuide.com staffers were put to the challenge by our Facebook fans to try out Broadway Brewery and report back with our observations.
The Brewery is located in downtown Columbia between 8th and 9th Streets at 816 East Broadway. Look for them just down the stairs – it’s worth the steps we promise!
A casual and eclectic atmosphere makes for a comfortable lunch spot, or a great place to spend an hour or so after work with one of their house-made brews. Seating is comfortable and original artwork gives you something interesting to ponder and a fun conversation topic.
Not just for brews; Broadway Brewery is all about “Cultivation and Fermentation,” meaning they not only brew their own stock right there in the same location, but also “celebrate local farmers and local food with a rotating seasonal menu that highlights the fruits of the area’s finest farms.” That means you get delectable and different selections to enjoy (like turnip soup) that are always fresh and seasonal.
We arrived at Broadway Brewery around 12:30 and had no trouble being seated right away. Our server was friendly and obviously knew her stuff. Plus, none of our drinks ever went completely empty before they were refilled. We ask lots of questions and always got an informative answer. Some of our favorite menu features are the burger bar, original pizza specials and tasting tray featuring a sampler of each of the home-brewed beers in their repertoire.
Each of us ordered something different to taste, enjoy and experience for our readers. Here’s a summary of each of the menu items we tried, in each staffer’s own words:
Burger Bar: Lamb Burger with Goat Cheese
Different, but one of the best burgers I’ve had in a while. Was a little painful for me to give up some bites so my co-workers could sample a taste. Lamb is tasty and full of flavor, a bit like a turkey burger in consistency and so, so good! The goat cheese is something I would not normally order, but I followed the advice of our server and she didn’t steer me wrong. For stepping out of your comfort zone but remaining with a “safe” food like a burger, this is the perfect food adventure.
Roast Beef Sandwich with Roasted Veggies
5 Star sandwich. Menu description doesn't describe how fantastic this sandwich was. The French bread was toasted perfectly and wasn't your typical open a bag hoagie bun. The beef had a great peppery flavor with green peppers and onions topped with melted mozzarella. The side of roasted veggies was cooked perfectly: not to hard, not to soft. One of the best meals I've had in Columbia. Would certainly recommend to anyone!
Pizza Special: Lamb Sausage, Artichokes, Black Olives, Feta & Olive Oil
The pizza of the day was a fabulous blend of fresh ingredients: featuring lamb sausage, feta cheese, katamala olives and artichokes. This Greek style dish was melty, flavorful and big enough to share!
Beer Tasting Sampler
I'm not a big beer drinker, so sampling some of the darker beers on an empty stomach wasn't particularly pleasant. The Porter had a funky smell to it, despite not tasting all that bad. I did, however, really enjoy the American Pale Ale brew. It was a little bitter but had a nice sweet scent and was perfect for sipping. It was also one of their lighter beer options, which is perfect for the occasional drinker. If the beer had been ice cold, it couldn't have gotten any better.
Pulled Pork Sandwich and Side Salad with Balsamic Dressing
I ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side house salad and balsamic dressing. The sandwich is served standard on a chibatta bun and comes with BBQ dipping sauce on the side. The dish as a whole smelled delicious, and the combination of the tangy sauce with the slightly salty meat made my taste buds sing. I personally am a big carb fan, so I also enjoyed the fullness of the chibatta bread.
The salad was a little lacking--the lettuce wasn't very noticable, it was mainly cucumber and veggie-based. The balsamic was very sweet and surprising, but the salad was too drenched for my tastes. I suggest ordering dressing on the side if you are picky about your ratio like me.
Soup of the Day: Turnip
When most people hear turnip soup they are unsure what to expect. This was no soup to turn up your nose at! It was savory, rustic and sooo tasty! Topped with crunch croutons... this soup is the perfect addition to a salad, sandwich or just as a starter.
Smoked Turkey Club and Side Salad with Ranch Dressing
The club was just the right ratio of turkey, muenster cheese, and other goodies (bacon, spinach, roasted pepper and a fantastic sauce). Warm and melty all the way through and held together by perfectly toasted bread, each bite was a perfect blend of flavors. Hands down the best turkey club I've experienced. The side salad was a nice mix of greens. Cucumbers, red onions and a great ranch dressing rounded out the salad and made for a great pre-curser to the club.
Burger Bar: Kobe Beef Burger
I was in the mood for a big ol' burger! I thought I would find your typical burger selections, instead they have a Burger Bar! You build your own burger from a non-traditional selection of meats and made in house toppings. The options included: beef, vegetarian, and lamb patties as well as natural & organic cheeses, house pickles, fried egg, hummus, and pesto to name a few. Since I was trying a new restaurant and getting a burger, I thought I would be adventurous on the toppings. I put a fried egg, lettuce, and house pickles. It was an interesting idea with the egg but I'm not sure I would get it again. However, the house pickles were fabulous and you could really taste the tang in the kobe beef. (Order it medium rare to get the full flavor) I would highly suggest the menu at Broadway Brewery; their food is of the same caliber as their fantastic house brews.
Still want to know more? Broadway Brewery has a website at www.broadwaybrewery.com, and a Facebook page.
