Brick Bar & Broiler

This bar seems to be full of regulars who know each other.  I was happy with my beer and the service was good.  I think it would be more fun if I knew everyone!

The only reason I ever go to this place is because I am invited by a group of guy friends that want to get in bed with the wait staff. Their only real selling point is .75 cent tacos on Tuesday nights, if your stomach can handle the grade D beef, hot sauce and sour cream with your beverage. It has a great corner location with a lot of windows and the atmosphere isn't bad, but the food is terrible and the drinks are below average. It's different every time. Sometimes I get a glass of cran with a drop of vodka, and other times a glass of vodka with a drop of cran. Not sure which one is better. I ordered a chicken wrap there once and it tasted like the wrap was made of cardboard and had been sitting out for a while. The waitresses come up and talk to the men first and provide no real service at all other than shuttling my drink from the bar to my table. They don't smile, they aren't polite, and they don't seem to go the extra mile., or even A mile. For pros, it's a good place to meet with a group because they've got plenty of available bar stools and cheap food and drinks if you're on a budget. The location is nice too, right downtown and walking distance to a lot of other good spots.

My buddy and I were hankering for some grub and a cold one, we were passing through downtown and decided to drop in here, and here are my findings...

AMBIENCE:  It doesn't appear they are going after a theme, and I am fine with that - it looks like what you would expect out of a decent bar, long bartop with room for plenty of folks to belly-up and some semi-private seating arrangements on the floor that are condusive to groups.  Overall clean and standard issue - if you take the time to look around, there is a bit if charm from the old building hidden throughout.

BEER/LIQUOR:  The selection is adequate, there are a few good local micro options that appear to be rotating given the current options are seasonal runs for the breweries offered (ninkasi and Lagunitas).  They offer a full bevy of liquor options, full bar for sure.

FOOD: The options are pretty good here, there are some original sandwich creations, burritos, and burgers - I opted for the bacon cheesburger and garlic fries - thumbs up, there was good flavor and it was prepared with some care.

SERVICE: We sat at the bar and we were served by the owner, she was very nice and attentive.  There was one other woman serving tables and it seemed she was taking good care of them.

ALL-IN-ALL:  If you want a cold beer and a cheeseburger in downtown salem, this is a good option.