Thursday night in New York City and you want to know where all the cool kids are? Head downtown to Houston Street, and chances are you’ll hear them before you see them.
Houston Hall is, by Manhattan standards, a ginormous beer hall decked out like a cafeteria from the 1920’s: long communal tables, rustic decor, dim lighting…this vintage vibe is only offset by the huge screens/TVs playing the season’s it sport, and the top 40’s music playing soundtrack to the game. The Choice A of spots to go to hang with old friends, meet new ones, all while having conversation be completely optional, which, let’s be honest, is kinnndddaa nice after a long week in the office.
Now, I realize most people go to beer gardens for, well, the beer. And considering they brew at Greenpoint Beer Works, that’s all fine and good. But you would be doing yourself a great disservice if you go and didn’t order the food…lots of it.
The portions are generous, the picks go splendidly with the beer garden theme, and, get this, it’s a vegetarian’s dream. Who would have thought?! All the dishes featured below are veggie friendly and crazy good. If I lived in the hood I’d be ordering takeout from this place all the time, it’s that kinda good.
I know what you’re thinking: so many options, right?! Life decisions can be hard, my friends. If you need a little guidance, I’d go with the fried pickles, fried macaroni and cheese balls, and pretzel with warm cheese. Ya know, cause 2/3′s of the options with the word “fried” in it isn’t bad. Plus, they’re insanely good…between my dinner date and I proudly finished every last morsel of those three dishes.
Without any further adieu, let the food porn begin…
WHERE: Houston Hall 222 West Houston Street New York, New York
Jessica Tiare Bowen lives in the juicy Big Apple with her adorable pink-nosed chihuahua, Gillman. He’s the inspiration for her first published children’s book, “Park Avenue Pound Puppy.” The book is the combined result of her two greatest passions: pooches and penning stories.
Her passions include art, urban hikes through Manhattan, drinking coffee with 3 creams and 6 sugars, making extremely detailed itineraries and traveling to far away places, singing along to Broadway shows, Netflix movie nights, discovering incredible treasures at Goodwill and thrift stores, and listening to stories from little people under 7 and big people over 70.
She started her career as New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching elementary school and theater arts at a special education school in the South Bronx for 6 years. She is now a Special Education School Improvement Specialist working in public schools throughout New York City. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the online New York City travel magazine, Used York City. The magazine focuses on finding the best of New York…as used by New Yorkers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an ASPCA Ambassador.
