Metro Detroit: Grosse Pointe Park’s Atwater on the Park
In 1996-97 Mark Rieth, a lover of beer, founded a little brewery in the Rivertown District of Detroit. Fast forward 26 years later and they have grown into a multi-million dollar craft beer powerhouse. They were purchased in 2020 by the Tenth and Black Beer Company, the craft beer division of The Molson Coors Corporation. Mark promised to keep operations as normal but needed the revenue and experience Tenth and Black Beer brought to the table. It helped expand their brand nationwide selling their signature Dirty Blonde and Vanilla Java Porter, 2 of their signature beers.
While their Rivertown location is the original location, they currently have other locations in Grand Rapids, Detroit Metro Airport and Grosse Pointe Park. Which takes us to this week’s Fun Food Friday location . . . Atwater in The Park.
Detroit location: 237 Jos Campau
Detroit Metro Airport location
Grand Rapids location: 201 Michigan St. NW
In the summer of 2014 Atwater opened their Grosse Point Park location in the former Grace United Church, which was built in 1936. It is located at the corner of Lakepoint and Kercheval. You enter through their Bier Garten, which I think is one of the standout features of the place. It is very cool and spacious and a great place to enjoy a cold beer on a sunny day with friends. The inside still has the look and feel of an old church, minus the pews, with the pulpit being the backdrop to the bar. It still features the original stained glass windows, which makes for the perfect setting.
It is spacious, with seating for over 100 on the inside, plus a private party room, called the Munich Room, which can be reserved for private parties that seats an additional 40 people. There have been many people that have booked their Bier Garten for private parties, even wedding receptions. It seats up to 125 and is a beautiful setting.
On to the food . . . We have been to the Detroit and Grosse Point Park locations but not the Grand Rapids location. The menus are similar, but not the same. The Park location seems to be more limited than the Detroit location.
We had their Bavarian Soft Pretzel Bites and the Spicy Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich. The pretzel bites were the perfect fit with a cold Dirty Blonde. It was served with beer cheese and Dirty Blonde Mustard. There is not a better combination than a cold beer and fresh warm pretzel with beer cheese. YUM!!!
The chicken sandwich was also very good. It was lightly breaded and fried, with bacon, pepper jack cheese, mango habanero sauce with lettuce and tomato served on a pretzel bun with house made chips. Yes, it’s a carb lovers delight!
They also offer other items that look and sound very good like their beer cheese nachos. Homemade tortilla chips topped with beer cheese, Pico de Gallo, and pickled jalapenos. They also serve a variety of salads, burgers, pizza, sandwiches, wraps and brats including a Beyond Vegan Brat.
Atwater in The Park is located at the corner of Lakeport and Kercheval and is open everyday form 11AM to 10 PM and offer Happy Hour from 3-6PM Mon-Thurs offer $1 off all beers, spirits and cocktails.
Until next week . . . live well, eat well and enjoy life!
-Keith & Teresa Becker