Grilling Greatness

“It was the best cheeseburger I ever had.” So said one of my daughter’s best little guy pals of his meal at BrewBurger’s Pub and Grill, located in Venice, Florida, off Jacaranda Boulevard near Interstate 75. With a ringing endorsement like that, we just had to check the place out, and based on my multiple visits to the restaurant, I’d say the praise was warranted.

Occupying a former Waffle House, BrewBurger’s gave the space an update but maintains the basic layout of the breakfast joint, including the open kitchen and counter seating. On our first visit, we snagged a spot at the latter, where my daughter felt like a very big kid and could watch all the burger flipping and assembling.

Burgers range from the basic to options like the Black & Bleu Burger ($8.50) and the Smokey Burger with barbecue sauce and pepper jack cheese ($8.50). They’re juicy, just the right size, and cooked perfectly.

My daughter has never strayed from the kids’ cheeseburger ($5.95) on the Little People’s Menu. (“I want to get what the restaurant is called,” she told me the last time we ate lunch there.) She attacks the all-American classic with gusto, leaving red streaks of ketchup behind on her smiling face. Other choices for children are a hot dog, grilled cheese, chicken fingers, and fish tails.

With cups of crayons for the kids and cold draft beers for the adults to go along with the friendly service and satisfying burgers, it’s no wonder the place has won local “Best New Restaurant” honors and draws both a regular clientele and guests from three nearby hotels. So the next time you need a burger fix, head to BrewBurger’s. You won’t be disappointed.