Return to Mr. Brews- Post COVID-19

Living on the southern portion of Bellevue has its perks, one of those being quick access to some of the East Side’s fine restaurants. I’ve already done a review for Mr. Brews’ Taphouse during ‘the normal times’, but we returned this weekend following reopening to see how this comfortable neighborhood beer house adjusted to what may very well become the new normal. A short drive took us to a place we had missed for the duration of our lockdown, and though we had been able to order food from them for most of it, it didn’t replace the feeling of sitting down at one of their tables.

My husband and I had high ambitions of visiting another restaurant, but given that we are financially constrained, it seemed wisest to go somewhere we knew we loved already that would be kind to our pockets. I was trying to put a rough day of depression behind me, and in truest fashion, going out to eat felt like it might be the only cure. Some good beer, some fried food, and I normally found my mood highly improved. This remained true on our arrival to Mr. Brews’ Taphouse that Friday.

The scene upon entering was a scene I imagine will play out across America as more and more states reopen. The tables were nicely spaced out, leaving plenty of room between groups of customers. The patrons at the bar allowed space between each party in what appeared to be instinct only. All waitresses wore masks, and all menus sat at a cleaning station where those waitresses cleaned them before and after they were given to patrons.

It felt safe, and right now, that safety is as important as being able to just sit down and have a glass of beer with a few friends again. We are all feeling the fatigue associated with the lockdown orders. There is comfort at the bar and the hightop table when a cold glass lands with a plate of cheese curds and onion rings. It did wonders for me that evening.

We have ate here before, so I won’t bore you with a repeat of my previous review on location. Know that I had the best onion rings of my life there that night, crunchy and with minimal onion slippage. Know that they offer Impossible burgers now if you’re vegetarian or just looking for a healthier alternative with your ice cold beer. Everything I have ever ate here is good. You can take a look at our original review here at this link.

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If you are still afraid to go into a restaurant, they offer takeout and delivery amid their current protocols to keep their customers and staff safe, but I do suggest you visit if you’re in the Green Bay area. This is a moment in time where supporting local business is more important than ever. Restaurants are hurting bad after the time they were forced to close their dining rooms.

You can help by purchasing gift cards for later visits, or in the case of Mr. Brews’ Taphouse, buying a glass growler for five dollars and filling it for the cost of the beer they list on their menu. My husband and I can’t go every week, but we can certainly stop in for a refill of a growler when we would otherwise be picking up a case of beer from a big box grocery store. It’s a good deal, and it tastes just as good as draft.

The tone around Green Bay’s restaurants continues to be one of acceptance and patience. Patrons and employees alike follow the guidelines in place as if on instinct now, and it is creating a space of comfort inside these dining rooms that we all sorely need right now. Thanks again to Mr. Brews’ Taphouse for a wonderful meal and thoughtful consideration of the times we are all living in. You are a shelter in the storm right now, as all good restaurants are.

The comfort of a warm meal and a cold drink can’t be understated. I will continue to seek them out in Green Bay and almost certainly find what I found here and at the Redwood Inn: patient people protecting and comforting each other.