Pizza and beer — arguably staples of any college student’s diet. Dock Street Brewing Co. does both of these better than anyone this side of the Schuylkill and for a very reasonable price.
Located in an old firehouse at the corner of 50th and Baltimore Streets, the building has plenty of charm. Beautiful tapestries and local art adorn the impossibly high ceiling and walls, while the bar spans the entire length of the restaurant. Behind it is a glass-encased room filled with vats of beer, brewed on the premises — the perfect backdrop to remind you just how close you are to your delicious drink.
Dock Street normally has five beers on tap, which rotate seasonally ($4.50/pint, $16/pitcher). From the almost omnipresent, reliable favorite “Gold Stock Pale Ale” to the dark, thick, fill-you-up “Man Full of Trouble Porter” there is a libation for everyone’s taste. For a beer with two-fold West Philly origins, try the “Satellite Stout,” an espresso stout brewed with beans from Dock Street’s neighbor, the Satellite Cafe. Each of the drinks is served in a unique glass — it won’t make a difference to the undiscerning palate of those used to Natty Lite and PBR, but beer snobs will appreciate the effort. True connoisseurs can purchase a “growler” mug for $15 and refill it with draft beer every time they visit the brewery.
The menu is made up of fairly standard pub fare — burgers, sandwiches and fried foods. The real star is the pizza — thin-crusted, crispy and delicious. Try the Flammenkuche ($8.50): caramelized onion, applesmoked bacon, gruyere, creme fraiche and fresh thyme. Or one of the many vegetarian options, such as the Brie, topped with sliced pears, toasted walnuts, fresh rosemary and creamy brie cheese. On an otherwise unimaginative menu, these pies stand out as something you really can’t get anywhere else.
Be prepared for long waits, though. Service can be quite slow, and the kitchen can get backed up on busy nights. But don’t sweat it. Have another beer and enjoy an evening with friends, right in your neighborhood.
Dock Street Brewing Co. 701 S. 50th St. (215) 726-2337 Don’t Miss: "Bubbly Wit" brew Skip: Everything but the pizza Bottom Line: The only decent microbrewery west of the Schuylkill
