Steinbeck’s Ale House

I like that they have something new to try to here almost every time I come. I love the type of fish they use in their fish tacos. One of the best fish tacos I’ve had since they used local fresh cod instead of frozen tilapia. I also enjoyed their hot Vietnamese wings I had one visit. Their bleu cheese fries are to die for. They have a good local beer selection. It’s a small space obviously since it’s a bar. But if you come earlier enough it’s fine for larger parties.

Best Guinness in town! Be sure to try the Chinese Breakfast and the smoked wings. The specials are fun to try, always something different and new. Bartenders are usually up for some witty banter.

The Chef is great here. Andy Gonzales elevates and cogitates over the details. Must haves include the jerked smoked wings. Always changing the menu here. The burger is art, fish and chips great paired with a Guinness.

Steinbeck’s is probably one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve ever had in Decatur. It’s a cozy little bar off the side of downtown Decatur. Small, but we were lucky enough to get a table on a Tuesday night. Unfortunately, it was right by the door, so every time someone opened it, it was FREEZING.
There’s one large TV that got switched to the State of the Union at 9pm sharp #thanksobama. We ordered some beers from the draft menu: a hard cider for myself. It was a blood orange apple cider, so it was pretty sweet — almost like orange juice, but not lacking in alcohol — 6%.
We ordered a few snacks to share and then some entrees to gorge ourselves on. Our server was super friendly and helped us choose our order, although we didn’t appreciate that they were out of Brussels sprouts:
Corn Chowder with Crispy Fried Oysters — I love corn chowder and this really hit the spot on a cold day. The fried oysters should be eaten immediately if you don’t want them soggy.
Truffled Mac and Cheese — not bad, but the truffle oil was super strong, to the point of almost being inedible. Washed it down with some cider and it wasn’t too bad after that.
Chinese Breakfast — I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. But this was probably my favorite dish of the night. The pork belly was brilliant: tender and salty. I wouldn’t have eaten it for breakfast; rather, I would eat it any moment of the day. Order this. You will not be disappointed.
Double Double: a glorified McDonald’s burger and fries. But not hating on McDonald’s, since it is definitely a guilty pleasure for me. The million island dressing on the lettuce was a nice touch and reminded me of a Big Mac. The fries reminded me of tastier McDonald’s fries (is that even possible) and there were a whole bunch provided.
Fish Tacos — seemed healthier with the massive amount of kale piled on top. I only had a quick taste and it was pretty good.
Smoked Salmon BLT — yup, definitely needed that fried egg. Your typical delicious breakfast sandwich, but nothing mind blowing.
I can’t imagine this place if it gets busy, so we just got lucky. I would come back for the Chinese Breakfast everyday if I could. Am I fulfilling the stereotype but ordering it? Maybe, but it’s ok, I’m not ashamed.

Great time. Great wings. Cool small European vibe with great specials. But don’t leave without trying the Chinese breakfast! Talked to one of the owners, Marshall, he is one strange cat but fun to drink with. I’ll be back. Big time!

Steinbeck’s is jam! Nestled in the Oakhurst part of Decatur, it can be a little hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for. On the inside, it’s a small spot, with a few tables & a dozen-​or-​so bar stools.
It’s a laid-​back pub with gourmet flavor… I get the kale salad ever-​time, it’s topped with brisket and a house made blue cheese dressing. I don’t like blue-​cheese. Or kale. Or even smoked brisket, particularly… but this salad just works. You won’t regret it. You know what else you won’t regret? The bacon-​wrapped dates. They’re like $ 8 but I’ll gladly sacrifice 2 lattes in exchange for this divine appetizer.
Finally, they have a great beer selection & a wide range of whiskey’s & bourbons to choose from.
Go to watch the game. Go on a date. Go with your friends. Hell, go alone! The important thing is that you don’t miss this hidden Atlanta gem.

Fair enough for an Irish pub, but a bit overpriced. Shawn is fantastic, or Armando at Saba will take good care of you

Let me get this out-​of-​the-​way: I don’t drink. Not at all. Not a drop of alcohol has passed these lips since Bill Clinton was in the White House. And yet, I like this place.
I would give it five stars just for that grilled jalapeño balsamic thing, but every food item that I have had there has been some of the best, and sometimes most inventive pub food that I have eaten in the area. The fried chicken is very good, too.
There’s not a whole a lot of space inside. There are a few tables outside, and we often use the parking lot in the field in the back as our free range dining area. It’s a small pub, but it somehow has become one of the best group hang out spots around.
Kavarna has the great coffee, hang out space, and live bands covered. U Jernt and Mojo’s have family dining covered. Steinbeck’s takes care of the adult crowd, while still doing a good job of being friendly to the kids and often going out of their way to get them something that they would eat while all the grown-​ups are getting blitzed around them. All combines to make Oakhurst Square the envy of the Atlanta area.
I hear there’s good booze here, too.

Tried the double double today for lunch after seeing so many Unilocal reviews and it did not disappoint. I’ve regularly visited Universal Joint across the street, and while its a good burger too with more of an «artisan» flair (jalapeños, pimento cheese, etc), Steinbeck’s really hit it out of the park with their «animal-​style» double. The burger patties are super fresh, made across the street at Oakhurst Market — so not pre-​frozen and shipped. Piled high with «Million Island» dressing and lettuce, the great light and airy toasted bun seals the deal. It’s a messy burger but a good one. Will be back.

What a great neighborhood spot — the burger is phenomenal — can definitely see why it is on the top 20 list for ATL! 2 4oz. Patties with American cheese — pickles, tomato, onion, and lettuce — their million island sauce completes this creation under what Looks to be a H&F bun… We added an egg which was brought out on a separate plate! Their French fries are perfectly crisped. The beer selection is awesome for such a compact space! The bloodies are very tasty! Our server Logan rocked! On a nice sunny day the outside area would be awesome to just sit an ms throw back a few beverages.

The food is tasty and the servers have always been friendly. My favorite item on the menu is The Pimp Fill’eh. I get it with the hot, hot sauce on the side because like the name indicates, that shit is spicy.
They have a good beer menu as well, but the place is very small and dimly lit inside. I much prefer eating on the outdoor patio.

Listed as having the 8^th best burger in Atlanta. The double burger is good… but I’ve had better from places not on the top 20. The place is small but the staff is extremely friendly, the beer selection is great and each cocktail is made perfectly.
I definitely see myself returning

It is rare, but on occasion I feel a strange confusion on just how to rate a restaurant.
I have a strong liking for Steinbeck’s, but it actually doesn’t have anything to do with the food. Today was my first visit and only visit to this fine establishment. It was the final location for Lindy’s burger tour where earlier in the month a group of burger loving Unilocalers sampled the beefy offerings at two other Atlanta restaurants. Not just any restaurant, but hand picked by Atlanta magazine as part of their Top 20 Best Burgers in the city edition.
THE SCENE
Cozy, comfortable and intimate are the first words to come to mind upon entering the snug enclosed quarters. Our group of 20 proved to be quite a tight fit, but somehow we managed to spread out over two tables and most of the bar. As usual, I get lost in the company at UYE’s and sometimes forget to pay attention to the surroundings and service. However, service went as well as to be expected when a large group overpowers a small staff.
The manager was a charming fellow with a lively personality. He knew we were there for burgers, but tried his best the be subtle as he attempted to steer some in our group away from the burgers and towards one of their specialties, the Chinese Breakfast. Probably this was an attempt to ensure the group would have a full experience, but honestly I think it was born out of a panic that 20 burgers was going to overwhelm the one chef.
THE FOOD
The burger pays tribute to California’s famous In-​N-​Out double-​double burger (animal style). It consists of two beef patties, cheese, bacon and lettuce tossed in what they call «million sauce» and placed on a toasted bun. If you’ve never had the pleasure of eating a burger at an In-​N-​Out, let me make it very clear THIS IS NOT (imo) even remotely close to the iconic deliciousness of the original double-​double. But it is an honorable attempt. I guess I just don’t understand why restaurants attempt to copy the fame of another. (3.5 stars)
Daniel B was generous enough to allow me to sample some of his Chinese Breakfast. It had a very unique flavor but not something I would order again. Can’t really describe it, but the aftertaste was not to my liking and it was in serious need of salt. (2 stars)
FINAL THOUGHTS
I love Steinbeck’s for its intimate atmosphere, its location and its eager service. But after sitting on this review for several weeks before posting, I honestly don’t find myself compelled to return for the food. The double-​double is a good burger, but I can’t see myself driving into the city for this particular burger when there are so many others I would prefer. I would rank this burger the middle of the gourmet burger pack when considering best beef patties in Atlanta. As for the Chinese Breakfast, this is an Irish pub… nuff said.

I don’t know the history of Steinbeck’s, but one of the signs outside says it’s been around since 1902. Wow. This is a small ale house located in Oakhurst, a historic neighborhood in southwest Decatur. The inside has seating for only about 30 folks (9 at the bar), but the dog-​friendly patio outside has space for about 24 more. The patio looks like a great spot for when the weather is nice. There’s one TV inside for sports viewing.
While Steinbeck’s has the look and feel of a traditional Irish pub, the food menu features a variety of cuisines including American Southern (buttermilk fried chicken), Asian (Szechuan eggplant), Mexican (fish tacos), and in-​between (Vietnamese chicken tortas). We came here to try the restaurant’s Double-​Double burger, which was prominently featured on the cover of Atlanta Magazine’s January 2015 issue covering the 20 best burgers in/​around the city. Steinbeck’s burger landed at #8 on the subjective list. Here’s a picture I took of the impressive stack:
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I was told by server Amy the burger consists of two 4-​ounce patties (equaling about half a pound total), shredded lettuce, cheese, tomato, bacon, and housemade «Million Island» dressing. This is Steinbeck’s take on the In-​N-​Out burger right down to the name (Double-​Double) and description («Animal style»). The only exception is Steinbeck’s version has bacon and In-N-Out’s doesn’t. Million Island dressing is Steinbeck’s version of In-N-Out’s spread, which is similar to Thousand Island dressing.
When all is said and done, Steinbeck’s Double-​Double is a pretty darn good burger, regardless of emulation. I’ve had my fair share of In-​N-​Out burgers (
) and, while tasty, I’m not as fervent a fan of them as so many are. Steinbeck’s medium-​cooked patties are lean, meaty, slightly juicy, and wonderfully flavorful. The lettuce is crisp and the sliced tomato ripe. The strips of bacon are thick and chewy. It all makes for one satisfying and filling burger. Funny enough, the burger reminds me most of McDonald’s Big Mac (Hey, I love a good Big Mac every now and then!), like a bigger, gourmet, homemade Big Mac. It must be the Million Island spread.
The burger is $ 9.50. Other menu items range from $ 5 – 8 each for appetizers and snacks and $ 10 – 20 each for entrees. Other items I’ve tried include the Green Finger Chilies, Chinese Breakfast, and Crispy Szechuan Eggplant — all good.
The Green Finger Chilies are a fun, different kind of bar snack. Made with soy and black vinegar, the bite-​sized chilies are definitely Asian in flavor and are mildly spicy (basically non-​spicy to me). Good flavor.
I was surprised to see Crispy Szechuan Eggplant on the menu. Steinbeck’s rendition of the Tasty China/Gu’s Bistro favorite is quite respectful and I believe the only Szechuan eggplant you’re going to find on this side of town. It’s appropriately made with red peppers and chili powder along with fresh cilantro. Crispy and savory. I recommend.
Robin S commented to me the Chinese Breakfast reminded him of Korean bibimbap (mixed rice). I can see why. The Chinese Breakfast is a bowl of white jasmine rice topped with an egg (sunny side up), roasted pork belly pieces, and wilted leeks. This original Steinbeck’s creation has all the makings of comfort food. Mix everything together and enjoy. There are adequate portions of glistening pork belly, plenty of chopped leeks, and a hint of soy in this gratifying bowl of food. My only critique is overall, the dish is a bit too oily.
The staff is friendly and accommodating.
You can park for free in the attached parking lot or on the street.

I don’t know what I expected but this hole in the wall pub completely shocked me! WOW! It is stashed full of incredible edibles. First, let me thank Lindy for choosing Steinbeck’s for the UYE Burger Tour because I would have never known about it otherwise. Second, let me thank our amazing server/​bartender/​hostess with the mostess one man show, Logan. She is half the reason Steinbeck’s is so awesome and the other half, of course, is the food.
So, inside this little pub are about 5 – 6 tables along with 10 main bar seats in addition to 15 or so bar seats that line the wall. They have a few outdoor tables too. Essentially, it is small. Logan let me sample a few drafts before I found the perfect brew… she was knowledgeable and able to help me navigate things I might want to try. In accordance with the Burger Tour, we all placed our orders for the sought after Double, Double – it is a Cali-​style burger with 1000 island dressing. I was so happy I was allowed to order it med-rare…from that moment, I knew it was going to come out with juices flowing. It was even pretty to look at it, stacked with two patties. For this segment of the burger tour, this was my top burger overall. For the record, any restaurant that won’t let me pick my temp will never be #1 in my book because any time you have to make a burger med well or well, it dries it out. The toppings were crisp and not overpowering. Even though the burger is juicy flowing with 1000 island that drips down my fingers, the bun held itself together. As I stared at the menu, I was thinking there was no way I could come here and only try the burger – I wanted to try almost everything. Thankfully, coming with friends mean we could share several apps and sides. I absolutely loved the brussel sprouts with morsels of pine street bacon – just get it. You also have to order the chorizo stuffed bacon wrapped dates – the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. I was surprised at how much I liked the fried szechuan eggplant but definitely a nice crispy treat. The green finger chilies are very Asian… simple but tasty. I have to come back ASAP because I am ready to eat up the whole menu… Chinese breakfast, Vietnamese Chicken Torta, Truffle Mac & Cheese, Shrimp & Grits, Fish Tacos… and more. They even do brunch!
As a side note, even though this is a little pub, the ladies room was nice, clean, and appealing. They have some parking in the back but street parking seems to be easy enough too. They do brunch on Sundays and sometimes have Irish breakfast too! The owner really is Irish and a great storyteller – chilled with him at the bar. They started out at an Oyster Bar – turns out he doesn’t even like oysters – LOL. So, there oysters days are over with. Perfect neighborhood bar.
What a find! Logan, keep the beer cold for me because I am coming back for more!

Steinbeck’s is a gem of a find. Located not even ten minutes from downtown Decatur, this place is the perfect casual, hole-​in-​the-​wall joint where the staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and here are plenty of good food and drinks to go around.
I visited for the last stop of the burger tour UYE and was very impressed by how well the small bar could handle our large group. Logan the bartender was fantastic and made sure we always had a fresh drink at hand. The atmosphere was relaxed and it had both indoor and outdoor seating — perfect for people watching and relaxing in the sunshine.
There were about 15 of us total and we went all in for their «Double Double» burger (their take on In-N-Out’s animal style). The whole bar crew got the burger and one of the managers came out and took a picture since that had never happened before! It was pretty magical. The burger itself was delicious — two perfect medium/​medium-​rare patties with melted cheddar, «million island» sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and served on a potato bun. I was surprised at how easily I could eat it. It wasn’t messy at all like I expected. The burger was super juicy but didn’t have oil/​water/​juice running out of it every time you took a bite which was a big plus.
The group passed around bacon wrapped chorizo-​stuffed dates, roasted brussels, fried eggplant, and other small bites to try and everything was really well done. Who knew I would actually prefer the brussel sprouts to any of the other small options? The fries that were included with the burger were a little larger than shoestring style and held their crispness so they were perfect for dunking and snacking on in between bites of the cheesy goodness that was the Double Double.
Definitely going to be visiting Steinbeck’s again when I want to have a few afternoon beers or read my book outside. It’s worth the trip down!

I really liked this bar. It’s a little small on the inside, but they do have a decent size patio. The bar is stocked with whiskeys, bourbons, and scotches. They have a few clear liquors, but let’s face it…“clear liquors are for rich women on diets” (Ron Swanson — Parks & Rec).
I ordered the Double-​Double Burger. It’s 2 half-​pound patties with lettuce, tomato, bacon, and american cheese. They also throw on a sauce and call it animal style similar to that of In-​N-​Out Burger. Overall I thought the burger was a decent burger. Cooked to a nice medium. It was nothing terribly special, but enjoyable. It comes with a side of fries which are ok.
My girlfriend got the Chinese Breakfast which is roasted Pork Belly, wilted leeks, sunny side up egg, jasmine rice all served together in a bowl. Overall it was pretty tasty. The pork belly was had great flavor and really soft. The rice was a little hard, but not bad. The dish was a little on the greasy side; more greasy than my burger actually.
Service was great. We had a big group, but they did a good job taking care of us.

Ahhh Steinbeck’s brings back memories. The summer my SO and I first dated, it was one of four «author bars» we’d frequent (RIP James Joyce Pub). I always enjoyed Steinbeck’s intimate space, their great craft beer list, and interestingly, their fried chicken. It’s an unassuming little spot that is well worth visitng.
The last time I was here, it was for a burger meet-​up, but the fried chicken will always have my heart.
Now, the burger WAS delicious. It’s called the «Double Double» and anyone familiar with West Coast institution In-​N-​Out knows what to expect here. Two patties, American cheese, «million island» dressing. Mmmmm. The only downside is that there is no Neapolitan milkshake to go with it.
But the fried chicken. For me, one of the best in the city, which is funny considering this is an Irish pub and not a Southern meat & three. But yeah. It’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and all around well-​seasoned. The grits it comes served with are good as well. From what I gather, they treat it like a special but it’s basically a mainstay.
My SO is a big fan of the smoked wings, which I’ll admit are pretty good.
Service is always great. Restrooms are clean. Parking has never been a problem because even though the lot is often full, there is a ton of street parking along Oakview Road south of East Lake. Last but not least, they have a great patio.
This is hands-​down my favorite spot in Oakhurst.

I visited this place with a friend who is on a burger tour so the double/​double featured in Atanta magazine brought us here. I would describe this place as a neighborhood watering hole that has a small kitchen. It is definitely a DIVE. On to the food…
Not a fan of the double/​double. Two small beef patties covered in cheap american cheese. The shape of the two patties made it impossible to eat the burger anyway but with a knife and fork. The bun was soggy and the fries were straight out of a bag. Plus, I ordered my burger well done and they gave it to me medium rare. Again, I never send my food back to the kitchen, so I just picked at the bacon and ate the edges of the burger since I needed a knife and fork to do that anyway.
Service was excellent, but I’ve had better burgers at 5 Guys. I won’t be «doubling back» to get here again…

Leave kids at home. A great location in Oakhurst which every year I return to visit I find it has changed in leaps and bounds. This year I saw a lot of young families with very yuppie strollers the size of a mini cooper. Kids in every bar in the neighborhood, even newborns at 10.30pm on a Friday night and and again on Saturday night???
A eclectic beer selection but low on the American stuff, they actually ran out. I live in Ireland so I actually like trying the different American beers. The food is great and a bit of a strange selection I might add but yummy non the less.
It a small bar but in good weather has a lovely little patio and a nices spot for a bit of brunch and a few drinks on a weekend morning with your friends and yes more very young kids. Im not really into bringing kids to bars it is a bar after all and when you see parents getting annoyed as people are drinking and swearing Im sitting in awe while thinking «why are you taking your kids to a pub»? it by defination is a place where people drink and on the patio smoke and get louder and have less inhibitions and yes swear more and discuss topics not really suitable for children. OK Rant over but in general this is a common thing I see happening in Oakhurst these days. The coolness is really kinda leaving as it did in the city of Decatur years ago.