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Hopleaf Bar
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Hopleaf Bar
8.6
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Comfort Food Classics
A beer-first Andersonville institution that quietly overdelivers on the burger lane—think a properly charred patty, gooey cheese, and frites that people treat as mandatory. Come hungry and order like a regular: burger + frites, then let the beer list do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Slagel burger, Frites, Mussels
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A top-tier beer bar where the burger-and-frites combo is a legit destination order.
Who should go: Beer lovers who still care about food
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early evening
What to order: Slagel burger, frites, mussels
Insider tip: Order the burger with frites—don’t overbuild the table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Clark St; can be tight after 6pm and on weekends, allow extra time or plan to walk a few blocks.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans and sneakers are fine, but it skews polished-casual rather than dive-bar.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—conversation is easy at lunch, louder during peak evening beer hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak hours without a reservation, especially Fri–Sat evenings.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short 5–10 minute pause.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—solid vegetarian mains and apps beyond salads.
Vegan options: Limited—some plant-based options and sides, but not a vegan-focused menu.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free-friendly dishes available; beer list is not GF-focused.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if beer is part of the plan—the setting is warm and confident without being stiff, though it’s better earlier in the evening if you want easier conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes at lunch and early evening; weekends after 6pm are tougher, so be ready to wait or grab bar seats.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-oriented—fine for older kids during lunch, but evenings skew bar-heavy and less family-focused.
Best For
Better for: Beer-driven meals where the food still matters—the burger-and-frites combo plus a deep draft list outclasses most neighborhood pubs.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate dinner or a burger-only spot without the pub energy.
Hopleaf Bar
8.4
A Belgian-leaning beer hall where the fries are treated like a real menu item: crisp, properly salted, and built to carry sauces without collapsing. Order them as frites with aioli or go all-in on poutine, then let the rest of the meal orbit around that fry base.
Must-Try Dishes:
Belgian frites with garlic aioli, Poutine, Mussels and frites
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Belgian-style frites and poutine anchored by serious kitchen execution.
Who should go: Beer lovers who want fries worth ordering twice
When to visit: Early weekday dinner for easier seating
What to order: Frites with aioli, poutine, mussels and frites
Insider tip: Order the fries first—then decide if you still need poutine.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Clark Street; can be difficult after 6pm on weekends. Allow extra time or consider rideshare.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; jeans are common, no need to dress up but polished casual fits the room.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours; conversation is easy early, tougher late-night or weekend rush.
Weekend wait: 45–90 minutes without a reservation, especially Friday and Saturday evenings.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—Hopleaf does not typically serve lunch.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—frites, salads, and several vegetarian mains make it easy to order a full meal.
Vegan options: Limited—plain frites and a few vegetable-based dishes work, but sauces and specials often include dairy.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some menu items qualify, but fries are cooked in shared fryers and cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re comfortable with a lively bar-restaurant energy. Fries and beer make for an easy, shareable icebreaker, but peak noise can work against intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but timing matters—arrive early on weekdays or be ready to wait on weekends. Bar seating opens up faster than tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens than small kids. The menu works, but the bar-forward vibe and noise level make it less ideal for younger children.
Best For
Better for: High-quality fries treated as a centerpiece, paired with one of the strongest beer programs in the neighborhood.
Skip if: You want a quiet, low-energy dinner or need extensive vegan or gluten-free options.
Hopleaf Bar
8.7
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
A high-functioning Andersonville lunch move when you want a real meal without dragging the afternoon: mussels, frites, and a deep beer list handled with veteran efficiency. The room stays lively but service is dialed in, making it easy to keep a meeting on pace while still eating something you’d come back for.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mussels and frites, Hopleaf burger, CB&J sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A beer-driven kitchen that delivers fast, reliable bistro-level lunch plates.
Who should go: Client lunches and coworkers who care about food.
When to visit: Weekday lunch before 1pm for easiest tables.
What to order: Mussels and frites, burger, CB&J sandwich
Insider tip: Ask your server for a beer pairing to match your lunch order.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Clark St and nearby side streets; no valet. Can take a few laps during peak dinner hours but manageable at lunch.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans and sweaters are common at lunch; no need to suit up, but it reads polished.
Noise level: Moderate. Lively room, but conversation-friendly for business lunches.
Weekend wait: 45–75 min without a reservation, especially Friday and Saturday evenings.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait before 1pm; brief waits possible closer to 12:30.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several solid options including salads, sandwiches, and rotating specials.
Vegan options: Limited – possible with careful ordering or modifications, but not the kitchen’s focus.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free-friendly dishes available, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a low-pressure lunch or casual early date than a romantic evening—great food and energy, less intimacy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes for weekday lunch and early afternoons; dinner without a reservation usually means a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially. No kids menu and a bar-forward vibe—better for adults and older teens than young kids.
Best For
Better for: Reliable, efficient lunches with real food and serious beer options—stronger pacing and consistency than most Andersonville lunch spots.
Skip if: You need a quiet, formal meeting room or a vegan- or kid-focused restaurant.
Hours
Monday12pm - 11pm
Tuesday12pm - 11pm
Wednesday12pm - 11pm
Thursday12pm - 11pm
Friday12pm - 12am
Saturday12pm - 12am
Sunday12pm - 11pm