Mar 31, 2022 update: Looks like the Bottlecap Alley Icehouse concept has taken off some. They have 5 DFW area locations, though mostly on the fringes, excepting their flagship Grapevine shop. The Keller store has closed however.
Latest visit: Feb 2014 (Keller - closed)
First visit: Feb 2012 (Keller - closed)
Here's the second in our series of Keller-goes-bar-and-burgers.
Bottlecap Alley originally started in Grapevine, in a former Sonic
location (a rare indoor locale, not one of their familiar drive-ins). I
like to stock up on microbrews at the World Market store in Grapevine,
which is in the same shopping center, so I've passed it many times. But
I never did stop by for lunch or dinner. Apparently they've been
successful, as they've now opened up a second location in downtown
Keller.
The way it works at Bottlecap is once you enter, you are instructed to fill out some paperwork. Remember that term "paperwork"? Who does that anymore right? Everything is online. I bought some Forever stamps a few years ago, and I still have almost all of them. I'm sure the post office will be long out of business before I finish them. That's going to cost me $5.24! Those dirty dogs... Where was I? Ah yes, the worksheet. It's the Mooyah/Which Wich system where you check off what you want from the meats, cheeses, toppings, extras, sides, etc... (though no infusions). It's a highly efficient system though somewhat daunting and labor intensive. Then you pick up a beverage from the cooler, and head to the counter with your order sheet. Out comes the flashing ashtray. When your order is ready, the ashtray buzzes wildly, and you go back to the same counter and walk away with your meal. Work for you? Works for me.
I went with a quarter pounder with cheese, and a cup of "Earl's really meaty chili" (not for the timid they allege). The burger was served wrapped in tin foil, which kept it steamy hot. YEA - this is one doggone good burger. One of the best new burgers I've had in a long time. They crisp the edges of the meat, and the flavor is delicious. The bun, like at Yourway, was still a bit too doughy and the only flaw I found. Otherwise, this is a real winner. The chili, too, is excellent. It reminds me a lot - and I mean a LOT - of the chili served over at Tolbert's. Meaty, and heavy on the chili powder. Comes topped with jalapeno slices - though they were rather tame on my visit.
Bottlecap Alley features a bar area, but unfortunately all the taps are your standard corporate macros. Better is the ice cooler, where they feature a number of bottled beers, including a nice selection of Ft. Worth's own microbrewery Rahr & Sons. So I selected a Buffalo Butt, whose tag line is "Everything it's cracked up to be". LOL. It's a nice Amber that I've had plenty of times before. Ratebeer says it's the same as their Texas Red, but I have my doubts about that.
Bottlecap Alley is a fairly large place that goes to the "back room", pool table and all. They also have an outside seating area. Flat screens are everywhere, as is expected anymore.
An excellent addition to the Keller downtown landscape. Definitely give it a try!
Tomorrow, we venture to one more Keller beer bar!
The way it works at Bottlecap is once you enter, you are instructed to fill out some paperwork. Remember that term "paperwork"? Who does that anymore right? Everything is online. I bought some Forever stamps a few years ago, and I still have almost all of them. I'm sure the post office will be long out of business before I finish them. That's going to cost me $5.24! Those dirty dogs... Where was I? Ah yes, the worksheet. It's the Mooyah/Which Wich system where you check off what you want from the meats, cheeses, toppings, extras, sides, etc... (though no infusions). It's a highly efficient system though somewhat daunting and labor intensive. Then you pick up a beverage from the cooler, and head to the counter with your order sheet. Out comes the flashing ashtray. When your order is ready, the ashtray buzzes wildly, and you go back to the same counter and walk away with your meal. Work for you? Works for me.
I went with a quarter pounder with cheese, and a cup of "Earl's really meaty chili" (not for the timid they allege). The burger was served wrapped in tin foil, which kept it steamy hot. YEA - this is one doggone good burger. One of the best new burgers I've had in a long time. They crisp the edges of the meat, and the flavor is delicious. The bun, like at Yourway, was still a bit too doughy and the only flaw I found. Otherwise, this is a real winner. The chili, too, is excellent. It reminds me a lot - and I mean a LOT - of the chili served over at Tolbert's. Meaty, and heavy on the chili powder. Comes topped with jalapeno slices - though they were rather tame on my visit.
Bottlecap Alley features a bar area, but unfortunately all the taps are your standard corporate macros. Better is the ice cooler, where they feature a number of bottled beers, including a nice selection of Ft. Worth's own microbrewery Rahr & Sons. So I selected a Buffalo Butt, whose tag line is "Everything it's cracked up to be". LOL. It's a nice Amber that I've had plenty of times before. Ratebeer says it's the same as their Texas Red, but I have my doubts about that.
Bottlecap Alley is a fairly large place that goes to the "back room", pool table and all. They also have an outside seating area. Flat screens are everywhere, as is expected anymore.
An excellent addition to the Keller downtown landscape. Definitely give it a try!
Tomorrow, we venture to one more Keller beer bar!
2/2/12 (new entry); 2/3/14
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3 comments:
Glad you like Bottlecap Alley. I know we sure do! They only surpass Keller Tavern due to those damn tasty burgers (and fresh cut fries!) With it's ambiance, if the Tavern had a better/bigger menu, it'd win out.
If you're next stop along Main in Keller is Bronson's, I sure hope you have a better experience than we did.
Love the blog! Keep up the great work.
Haha - yes, today's post (with any luck at all) will be Keller Tavern. I agree on all accounts about the comparison (I went earlier in the week).
Haven't been to Bronson's yet. It is indeed the 4th place to go, but it appears they're not open for lunch? It may be awhile before I can get there. Doesn't sound like it was very good eh? I can't believe that place is run by the same family as Prego's (one of my absolute favorite Italian restaurants in Dallas - second only to Pietro's), and yet they don't have Italian food!
Thanks for the kind words!
Bronson's has great food. The wait staff has also been great both times we've eaten there.
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