What's The Buzz?

The fourth incarnation of BuzzBrews, a local Dallas institution, opened up this week right in our neighborhood--in fact, just a block down at the end of the street.  I've been to a couple of the other BuzzBrews before, and appreciated their hippy dippy vibe, zealous coffee program, and healthier approach to diner fare.  They are open 24 hours and have a breakfasty inclination around the clock, though they do feature sandwiches and some entrees. It also has a full bar, which is kind of contrary to its egg white omelet DNA, but whatever. It's the kind of hipster dive that develops a cult following comprised of unpublished poets, Duck Dynasty enthusiasts, and at three in the morning, stumbling club kids hanging by glamorous drag queens with runs in their nylons.

Our neighbor had told us it had opened last week while we were out of town so we strolled over last Saturday for lunch to check it out.  Turns out neighbor was wrong, but the very earnest Manager (appropriately named Ernest) invited us to look around at all the changes they'd made. (This cat has already had several lives--it's been two different Irish pubs and and a southern comfort food establishment since we've lived in the hood.)  They kept a lot of the beautiful old millwork that looks like it came straight out of a western saloon (speaking of cats, Hellloo Miss Kitty!) but they rearranged it into different configurations.  There's an open stainless kitchen and a lot of white tile and vivid, pretty artwork and very sturdy tables (presumably so the overnight drinking crowd won't overturn them.)  We thanked Ernest for his hospitality, said we were neighbors, and vowed to come back.

Tipperary Inn/Mecca/BuzzBrews

So we walk in last night around 7:30 and were greeted by a millennial version of a flower child from the 60's.  She gave us a vague smile and a languid invitation to follow her as she led us to the back of the big room.  We noticed the place was jam-packed with families with hordes of small screaming children. This was surprising given the numerous references to "getting your buzz on," the full bar, and the overall "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" ambience of the place.

Our waiter's name was Paul and he looked like he could play someone's dad on TV, like a Ward Cleaver minus the necktie and sage advice for the Beav.  He had glasses on a string around his neck, baggy shorts and white socks with tennis shoes.  He was kind.  I said I thought we had been given the breakfast menu by mistake and we were looking for dinner.  He said "let me check" and then came back and said "dinner is from 3 to 7." Apparently we are hideous at poker, because the flat out confused looks on our faces prompted him to go ask someone else, and when he returned, he said "we will be serving dinner soon but right now we just have the 24 hour menu.   Well all righty then.

We ordered a vodka seven with lemon and a martini straight up with a twist.  Paul wrote every word down on a notepad with the stub of a number two pencil.  Moments later a friendly bearded fellow brought over a vodka seven no fruit and a martini with olives.  He happily replaced them after we gently pointed out both orders were wrong.

Th-th-th-that's all, folks!

The menu is written in code but there is a deciphering page to help you navigate it.  "Marbles" are garlic soaked roasted potato pieces, and "Hangover Cure" is chicken soup that will make you sweat.  D had the Porked Pig--a spinach and pulled pork quesadilla with mushrooms and cheese in a wheat tortilla served with "marbles" and pico.  Although it was listed as an appetizer, it was served on a dinner plate and was plenty of food.  I sort of whispered my order because it seem rather undignified for a man of my age to say "I'll have the Hippie Miss Piggie Crepes, please." They were good with 10 spice-rubbed pork butt stuffed with egg whites, onions, jalapeños, tomato, cilantro, and cheddar cheese in corn tortillas. They were topped with fresh avocado slices and served alongside BuzzBrews Killer Black Beans, which I think they should have called BBKBB, but they didn't ask.  As I was eating a waitress who looked a lot like Marilyn Monroe in black stretch pants sauntered by and started talking to the expediter, who had a large colorful tattoo on his neck. Another server was wearing a Pam Grier style sparkly baseball cap.

About the time we were finished Ernest came 'round and asked how we were doing, and we reminded him we'd met him the weekend before.  Either he remembered us or he did a believable job of pretending he did.  He filled us in on upcoming expanded services (like a real dinner menu) and seemed genuinely excited about the new location.  I mentioned we had been surprised by all the families and he was like, I know, right? with a conspiratorial wink. Then Paul brought us our receipt and gave us both BuzzBrews logoed ball point pens which we shall treasure for years to come.

BuzzBrews is a somewhat confusing if refreshing change from Dallas' flashy, trendy dining scene. I think we'll give it a couple of weeks to work the kinks out, and maybe go back there one night with our dear friends Linda Richman and Princessa Quesadilla.