bruburger
Bru Burger Bar's "Bourbon Burger"
Bru Burger Bar opened rather recently in November in Beaumont Circle, and truth be told, I didn’t know much about the new restaurant other than it was the sister location for the original Bru Burger Bar which opened in Indianapolis two years ago. But judging, by the name, I figured the restaurant might put an emphasis on beers (brews) and hamburgers.
Turns out, they put a lot of emphasis on a number of things, including the restaurant’s appearance and atmosphere. The interior is decorated with an interesting color motif of grays and light blues on brick walls, and is open and roomy (but not cavernous). A large, half-circle bar welcomes guests when they first walk in and is flanked on the left and right by two dining areas, one of which is furnished with a very long hightop table for family (or even European) style seating.
Now, I appreciate a burger just as much as the next person, and that’s doubly true for beers, but the idea of an establishment dedicated to these two things seemed kind of uninspired. After a quick glance at the menu, however, I knew my initial impressions were way off the mark.
Bru offers a dozen specialty chef burgers, ranging in price from $9 to $12, each topped with complimentary ingredients that play into a culinary theme, like the “blazing saddles,” which comes adorned with habanero cheese, roasted jalapenos and chipotle remoulade, or the “Kentucky bourbon burger,” which is dressed with bacon, peppercorn-bourbon glaze and horseradish havarti. The menu also features half a dozen classic burgers, and a few other sandwiches.
But it was the appetizers and sharable dishes that immediately caught my and my guest’s attention. Priced between $6 and $11, options included some standards, like pretzels with beer cheese, chicken wings, nachos chili cheese fries (each given its own creative treatment), and some tantilizing curiosities, like the peppadew peppers and goat cheese and the roasted jalapeno mac and cheese (with andouille sausage and shrimp).
Instead of both getting a burger, we decided we would split one and pile on the appetizers. We opted for the Bru Burger (it must be good if they put their name on it, we figured), the peppadew peppers, the mac and cheese, and the Bru board (a cheese and charcuterie plate). We also ordered a large Sriracha caesar salad (which was large enough for four people). The whole assortment was excellent, and it was obvious that each plate was given a lot of attention, and that as many items as possible were made in house (even the ketchup).
Our bill, prior to tipping, came to $83.21, but if you read the above inventory of the food brought to our table (as well as a number of delicious craft and international beers), it’s easy to see that a very affordable, and quality, lunch or dinner can be had at Bru Burger Bar.
Bru Burger Bar
3010 Lakecrest Cir.
(859) 305-0082
www.bruburgerbar.com/lexington
11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Mon. - Thurs.
11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Fri. - Sat.
11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sun.