Abita Brew Pub

We are locals in Abita Springs and dine out often. The Brew Pub is not a first choice because of several bad experiences with service in the past 15 years, but we decided to give it another try tonight. My husband had to be in Metairie for 9 pm and we arrived at the Pub at 6:30. We waited at least 5 minutes before anyone approached the hostess stand and we had time to look around and notice that it was not crowded with many open tables. We figured we could get in and out quickly. We told the young woman we wanted a table for two and she replied
” Just a moment «As she walked to the back of the restaurant, she stopped to chat with several people along the way and disappeared in the back. We waited at least another 5 minutes when one of the waitresses asked if we had been helped as she noticed we had been standing there for some time. We told her we had been helped and were waiting to be seated, At that time, the young woman returns and says that it would be 15 minutes before we could be seated. We were now there about 15 minutes and would not be seated for another 15 ! I said to the hostess, «Your kidding, right ?» She said «No». We said, «we will just have to go somewhere else «to which she replied flippantly «OK «.
I have conducted many Customer Service training seminars and her response should have been something like, «Let me see what I can do «or «Let me check with a manager to see if they can help » Instead, she let us walk out angry and affirm our belief that while the beer may be good, we have given the Brew Pub one too many tries. We have many visitors to Abita who ask about the Brew Pub, we always tell them that the service is hit or miss, be forewarned.

Love me some Abita so I had to stop in.
It’s a cute place to eat with a very friendly staff and locals.
I enjoyed a yummy ice cold beer and a salad…
If you get a chance to stop in go check it out

Great Beer. That’s about it.
We arrived a little later on a Sunday afternoon, around 3:30pm. They were busy for that time, but it was a beautiful day. Obviously the staff was tired and weary, because we didn’t get a warm welcome and after riding on the trace for an hour, we were really excited to relax. The service from the host, bartender, and server was short and cold. The server complained about his double shift in earshot. The food… Took extremely too long for what we had. We ordered a burger and three poboys, all were room temp, borderline cold and flavorless. Two of us ordered sweet potato fries and then when the food arrived, the expediter said they were out, were we told, no. Still charged for it. The waiter never came to check on us. My personal experience, I ate a bug while eating, it fluttered in my mouth and had a piece of hair stuck to the food, I choked trying to pull them, my friends all looked in horror. I could barely finish the sub par meal after that. I know the bug was not their fault, and assuming the hair was my own, but just a bad experience overall!

Stopped in Saturday around 5:30 and it was busy, which didn’t really surprise me. I’ve been here many times and the service/​food is up and down. This visit however was not good at all. I think the majority was due to our server. The burgers were dry, I asked for a slight change on my burger, instead of hot sauce I wanted BBQ sauce cooked on the burger, I was told they usually cook it like I requested, so no biggie. After waiting longer than usual our food was finally delivered. The BBQ sauce was on the side just above room temperature fries were old, basically I felt as if out food sat there longer than it should have and the waitress felt it was good enough for us. I have no plans on going back anytime soon, I had made plans previously to eat there later this week, but now I plan on going to the Camilla’s.

Great bartender who knows the brews. Food usually includes one of the beers as an ingredient, whether in the sauce or otherwise. Good stuff. A must visit when near New Orleans.

Burgers are great. I like mine medium to medium-​well. Sometimes they’re a little over cooked but are still moist, not dry. This place is a good place to go when you’re tired of fast food and want a real burger. Other food they serve that I’ve eaten hasn’t been spectacular, just pretty ordinary and a little pricey. The atmosphere can be enjoyable if they aren’t busy. I just don’t enjoy lots of noise and close tables. I’ve lived here all my life and this place just really fits in Abita.

We drive up from the south shore at least once a month. Good food, good people. We always at the bar and get great service.

I must shop long distance for my daughter and her husband’s birthdays – I heard mention that my SIL enjoyed Abita brews so I contacted the pub by email since I didn’t see gift cards on their website. Cindi Almack was quick to respond that they did indeed have them for sale. I arranged to have a gift card sent for his birthday; I sent to my daughter in NOLA as she is in law school so she could surprise as part of his birthday gift. After a week, the card hadn’t arrived – I’ve discovered that the post office in NOLA runs much slower than ours in Virginia so I waited a few more days to no avail. I sent a note to Cindi and she quickly responded she would resend (to Mobile, where he lives) — he photographed his received note and card; Cindi Almack was kind enough to add more $$ onto the gift card since his birthday was missed. Having worked in retail and bars for over 30 years, I was impressed that this kind of customer service still exists. I can’t wait to visit in person, meanwhile, I’m guessing my kids will put that card to excellent use. Thank you Abita Brew Pub, and thank you Cindi Almack, well-​done!

The atmosphere and choices of Abita brews are great but the food is just so so. Not bad but not as good as the vibe or the beer. I ordered fried shrimp dinner and the batter was somewhat soggy. It tasted good but I was a little disappointed since it’s such a common and easy dish along the gulf coast. Maybe next time it’ll be better.

I am surprised to see bad reviews about the Brew Pub. We travel to Louisiana a few times a year and we always take the ride over to grab some food and drinks. The beer is always good, they allow you to taste before you order, and the service is always been quick and friendly. Food has always come out quick and been good.

Extremely slow service — brought me the wrong food after 30 minutes of waiting — I may starve to death. Food is mediocre. Server was very apologetic for getting my order wrong. Beer sampler is fun.

The food is extremely mediocre, but I can take it occasionally after a long bike ride from Mandeville to Abita (mostly because I need to sit down for a drink of water or iced tea at this point). I was reminded to review this place by a recent review I wrote in which I was talking about how hard it is to screw up a salad. Well, not for Abita Brew Pub, who always manages to surprise me by drenching any salad I order in mayonnaise. Think pieces of lettuce swimming in mayonnaise soup. Greek salad? Here’s four lbs of mayo. Caesar? Don’t even get me started. It may be my fault for trying to order salads in a place that serves 90% deep fried foods and burgers, but could they invest in a couple bottles of oil and vinegar? It would certainly help, though the ingredients will continue to taste like they came from Wal-​Mart.

Great place. Love the beer. Had the beer sampler and the Ruben sandwich. Also ordered a wing appetizer. Loved the wings… Good sauce and flavor. The service was outstanding as well. We will definitely be back.

Nothing fancy. Just good beer, poboys and burgers tucked away on a long and winding road.

Abita. Three syllables that define craft brewing in Louisiana and for the most part, the entire South. Take your pick. Fruits? Raspberry, strawberry and lemon. Hops? Jockamo and Wrought Iron. Malts? Baltic porter or Imperial stout. Cindy, who is not the regular tender here, is sweet, attentive and extraordinary, in just a few words. I hit the brew pub again a few weeks ago, and the experience was just as great as the first. Both times, I ordered the Shrimp Po Boy, and both times they were excellently made. My friend ordered the Dirty Roast Beef Po Boy which was also amazing! The pub had televisions all around for sports, and our second tender was kind enough to put on a game we requested. This time of year, summer, didn’t seem to bring out a lot of tourists, surprisingly. I got the impression most of the patrons were locals who knew each other in the quaint little town. It’s definitely worth a stop if you’re visiting the brewery, love craft beer, or even if you’re just driving through for some reason.

LOVE LOVE LOVE — the location couldn’t be more picturesque, the beer is delicious and cheap, and the food is solid. This is a great place to stop while biking the Tammany Trace — try one of the Abita seasonal beers!

I must be insane for giving this place ANOTHER try. I have said it before, but this time I mean it. I WILL NOT EVER VISIT THE ABITA BREW PUB AGAIN.
Below is an email exchange regarding my recent visit on May 13, 2015. Enjoy.
To Whom It May Concern:
First of all, I would like to apologize for not paying for the dinner that my wife and I ordered tonight at your restaurant. I really wanted to. More importantly, I, and my wife, really wanted to eat at your restaurant tonight.
We walked through the door just before 7:20 this evening. We were seated within a minute of walking in. We sat at a four top on the far side of the bar, right near your POS terminal. I remember looking at it as a waitress pulled up other orders and seeing that one ticket was submitted at 7:17. Why am I telling you this? So that you know how much time passed from the time that I sat until the time I left.
I started to watch the Mets vs Cubs game on the tv above the bar. It was the top of the 2^nd inning. When we left at 8:02, the game was in the bottom of the 4^th inning.
Anyway, our server, Scott, came to our table immediately after the girl who sat us left. He took our drink order and within a couple of minutes returned with my sweet tea and water for my wife. We weren’t ready to order so Scott gave us about five minutes to look over the menu. When he returned to our table we placed our order. I ordered a shrimp poboy with fries and my wife ordered a burger with just cheddar and mayo, cooked medium.
At 7:49, (yes, I looked at my watch so I am sure of the time) Scott returned to our table for the first time since taking our order. He refilled my tea and asked if we would need any ketchup, mayo or any other condiments. My wife replied with that all she needed was the mayo. He immediately returned with mayo and told us that «Your food should be out in a couple of minutes.» Again, I looked at my watch, 7:50. By this time, I was ready to tell Scott that I would need our food boxed to go since I needed to be in Mandeville for 8:30. I made a mental note that if I didn’t have my food by 8:00 that I was leaving, with or without the food.
While we sat there, my wife and I watched as two men who arrived after us, sat at the bar, ordered their food and began to eat while we sat there still hungry.
During the time we sat there, no one once came to or table to ask if we needed anything or to explain what was taking so long. At first I thought maybe your kitchen was short handed. But this couldn’t have been the problem since food was steady coming out the back and being delivered to other diners.
So at 8:02, my wife and I got up and left without paying for anything and still hungry.
The last time I came to the Brew Pub was almost two years ago and after receiving poor service then, I told myself I would not come back. My wife talked me into going there tonight insrtead of going to Times Grill. The definition of insanity is said to do the same thing over and over again expecting different results. I can assure you that I am not insane and I will not visit your restaurant again.
In addition to posting this to your Facebook page, Unilocal,and other online review sites I will also share my experience with anyone that will listen to me.
Thanks for a truly memorable dining experience tonight. I am sure I will be talking about it for years to come.
Sincerely,
Scott
And here is the reply that I received the next morning:
Dear Mr. Xxxxxxxxx,
First I want to deeply apologize for your experience here last night. What occurred last night is completely inexcusable. I am horrified that you had to wait that long for a burger and a po-​boy. And I am deeply upset that Scott did not take care of you the way that a good server should. I understand if you never want to come back, considering that two years ago you had another bad experience here. I have not spoken to the staff that was here last night, but I assure you that I will get to the bottom of this and there will be repercussions.
I would like to offer you and your wife a free dinner on us. I know you may not want to try again, but if you do, we would love for you to give us one more try. Please bring this email with you if you decide to come back and we will take care of everything.
Once again I can not apologize enough for your horrible experience here last night.
Sincerely Mortified,
Cindi Almack
G.M.
Abita Brew Pub

5 Stars for Beer, 3 Stars for Food = 4 Stars total.
I came in after touring the Brewery, and I was hankering for more beer. The food was very unmemorable, but not terrible. Still, I didn’t come to be blown away by the food. The highlight of the brewpub, no doubt, is the beer. I ordered two flights, and everything tasted awesome (I love my Andygator and SOS!). Being from the Midwest, the only beers I can get are Purple Haze, Turbo Dog, Strawberry, and Pecan, so I LOVED having the opportunity to drink the beers I can’t get back at home. If I were to come back again, I would know not to expect too much of the grub but continue to hold my high standards of the beer!

To be honest, the food wasn’t that great. I had a shrimp po-​boy that was nothing to speak of. The fries were good, so if you’re hungry you can always count on that!
Having said that though, the reason I’d still give 4 stars is because of the beer. I loved the beer flight sampler of their different Abita brews at the moment, my favorite being the stout (I can’t remember exactly what it was called, but I loved it). This is just a cool place to hang out and drink. Absolutely worth checking out for the beer alone.

The Abita Brew Pub is one of my favorite casual restaurants on the Northshore. The service is always friendly and usually pretty fast. I have enjoyed everything I’ve ordered here, especially the beer! I’m not usually a beer drinker but I do love me some Abita beer because its local and because it is quite delicious. My favorite is Strawator which is a lot like the Strawberry Harvest Lager but with twice the alcohol content and being the lush that I am… well, I’m all about that. Did someone say double the alcohol content? I’ll take two, please. It even smells like a bushel of fresh and perfectly ripe Louisiana strawberries. Yum.
I usually order the special when I come here. Once it was fried eggplant in a delicious tomato based sauce with jumbo shrimp topping the dish. It was so good. On my most recent visit I had another special not listed on the menu. Two fried soft shell crabs atop of a creamy garlic butter sauce tossed with angel hair pasta with crawfish. It was very good, bit a bit bland. Thankfully I keep packets of Tabasco in my purse because y’all know I like my food spicy. Once I sprinkled it with the magic that is Tabasco sauce it was perfect.
We also ordered the calamari fritters to share and that was very, very good and the dipping sauce was the perfect thing to compliment it. So much so that we had to order more of the sauce because my dining companion kept eating it all up and growled at me when I tried to sample it myself.
Support our local buisnesses and definitely give the brew pub a visit. I think you’ll really enjoy it.