Sean had been at a birthday party for a friend and overheard folks talking about a dive pizza place with a large craft beer selection. After I started my new job a few weeks ago, Sean pointed out that the place was near my office and we should to check it out. So one Friday after work he came to see my new office and then we drove to Empire State Pizza and Growlers.The spot was in a nondescript plaza with mismatched signage and a walk-up counter for take-out right inside the front door – we were so excited for the divey-vibes. It reminded me of all the awesome Italian-American, family-run restaurants of my childhood in Northeast Ohio.

We walked through a dining room and gawked at the wall with the craft beer list – about 54 in total. Just beyond that wall we spotted a tiny bar with a few high-top tables packed in. We made our way back there to get a seat.

The menu covered bar-food style appetizers, salads and plenty of Italian-American fare. I had a pizza (this was the small!) with jalapenos, onions, mushrooms and green peppers, and Sean had a stromboli. Yum.

Sean’s friend Jason had spotted his check-in on Swarm and decided to swing by since he was in the area. Always so good to see him and April.

They don’t call him @SeanEatsAtlaNta for nothin’! 😉

This was a good, solid place for a casual dinner, affordable food, great beer and a chill atmosphere. If that’s your thing, give this place a try.

Sean’s opinion of the beer selection is as follows:

• If you’re awareness is hightened, you may cringe. 
  • The kid behind us ordered a “hand made” Root Beer. He then compared it to Barq’s. 
  • Someone ordered something from Ten Barrel brewing. Ten Barrel is not craft beer. (link)
• If you know what to look for – there are gems here. I had a Scofflaw POG; something relatively rare, local, and delicious. My second beer was a Basement IPA, also from Scofflaw.
• Lots to choose from, but take your time and ask for samples.