I heard great things about Pouring Glory, and I was not disappointed.
The bar and grill opened last December and is located near Rosedale and Main Street in an industrial historical building, and is only about a five-minute drive from the Wesleyan campus.
Don’t let the location and exterior fool you. It may seem like a hole in the wall, but this growler filling station serves craft beer, craft food and craft sodas in a small pub-like atmosphere. The exposed brick interior, cement floor, open kitchen, L-shaped bar, table seating, and growlers displayed around the establishment create an inviting and eclectic vibe for its patrons.
The parking is located in the back, enclosed in a wrought iron fence, where they also have an open grill and patio for good weather. The location seems odd, but owners Kevin Ehrenfried and Scott Glover, who have been in the restaurant business more than 25 years, know the future plans for the booming area, according to the Pouring Glory website and the bartender that served me.
Pouring Glory provides a selection of 53 beers on tap, two-thirds of which are from Texas-based brewers such as Fort Worth’s Rahr & Sons. Their choice of location is not only based the area’s future growth, but also on being near several local breweries, including the Collective Brewing Project.
The staff is both welcoming and enthusiastic, as evidenced by the regulars’ boastful interactions with them and each other. One patron loudly discussed “the best breakfast I ever had,” which included a story about how he ordered a jumbo pretzel at 11 a.m. and “Kevin offered me something better,” a beer-battered pretzel specially prepared for him with queso and bacon for a hearty morning treat.
I visited Pouring Glory on an early Saturday evening and sat at the bar, where I was promptly greeted by the bartender. He provided food and beer menus, read the daily specials to me the minute I sat down and gave me a water without me having to ask, which is not always the case. The menu includes shared meal options along with a variety of sandwiches and crafted specialties, all under $16.
While I waited for my food to arrive I ordered a Rahr Blonde Jager ($7 for 16 ounces), which was served promptly and gave me time to enjoy the atmosphere. I ordered the Thai wings ($10.99), which were just as you’d expect: fried chicken wings tossed in a sweet pepper Thai sauce, toasted sesame seeds and green onions.
The cook hand-delivered them around 10 minutes later, and the bartender promptly gave me extra napkins with the order. I had difficult time deciding what to order, as I rarely eat meat, but the 20 or so wings were a tangy delight. They were a bit messy, as can be expected, but the bartender replenished my napkin supply at exactly the right time.
The wings satisfied my hunger, but I was pleasantly surprised when the bartender served me a small complimentary ice cream with melted caramel and graham crumbles. I gladly cleansed my palate with the sweet delicacy.
Aside from the menu including meat on almost every plate, I was pleasantly surprised with the intricate plating choices at reasonable prices. I decided to finish up with an American Pale ale from their menu called Dry Hopped Wheat. It was a craft from Braindead, a brewer out of Dallas, and had a light citrus flavor that went well with my meal.
The Pouring Glory Growler Fill Station and Grill is a “hipster” establishment with a pleasant atmosphere and employees who enjoy their job. College students and old regulars alike can enjoy the pub-like experience with the added bonus of craft beer and food.
Pouring Glory Growler Fill Station and Grill is located on 1001 Bryan Ave. near the intersection of Rosedale and Main. Hours of operation are 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information call 682-707-5441 or go to pouringglory.com.