By Sara Steffan and Jack Fitzpatrick
Photos by Jack Fitzpatrick
Grade: B+
Prost!
Angels Trumpet Ale House uses this German greeting, literally translated to “may it benefit you” or “cheers,” as its tagline, likely after hearing craft beer fans shouting it after walking through the door. With 31 rotating beers on tap, a true enthusiast has some work to do tasting all the options — a duty Angels Trumpet makes easier by offering a more affordable flight of beers for those interested in sampling.
Ordering a pumpkin ale to start, one could not only taste a delicious pumpkin flavor, but also whipped cream. The hearty flavors with a hint of sweetness make it the perfect autumn option, and certainly a step up from any typical, bottled Oktoberfest variety. The only shame is that this beer will soon be replaced by another on the menu. My second beer of the night was a “CoCoNut” porter, which didn’t meet the standard of the pumpkin ale, although it was preferable to some of the blander options at a lot of bars. The chocolate and coconut flavors were perfect for a dark, rich porter.
The food menu doesn’t have as many options as its beer counterpart. The “nutter” sandwich takes the classic PB&J and adds an ale house spin — peanut butter on sourdough bread with raspberry chipotle preserve. I decided to go wild and crazy and add marshmallow fluff and bacon; certainly a decision I did not regret. However, the sandwich became a little liquidy with the heat from the bacon melting the fluff, peanut butter and jam, making it difficult to eat. The flavors redeemed it though, and I was definitely satisfied overall.
The “casper” pizza flatbread, with goat cheese, salami, leeks, rosemary and garlic, is not very similar to traditional pizza, but is still savory and delicious. Though, it did lack the heartiness of some of Angels Trumpet other options. The first thing I thought of when biting into it was “dry” — considering the “pizza” description, I was expecting something different. The item lacks sauce, but the crumbly cheese and thin salami added a very tasty, slightly greasy element that made the inner slices of the pizza less dry. I had it for dinner, but this dish could work as an appetizer for two or even a meal for them.
The “smokin’ legs” dish of smoked chicken legs is tasty, but not overwhelmingly so. The skin is perfectly crispy and the meat is juicy without being undercooked. It could be the best chicken a college student has during the year. Despite its delicious taste, I kept thinking it would be even better with an accompanying sweet or spicy sauce. It’s very good chicken, but not particularly creative. Still, it’s hard to go wrong with good chicken, and I would recommend it without hesitation. It’s served on a pile of vegetables and french fries — a slightly unorthodox combination, but one that sticks with the mealy theme of the traditional chicken legs. The fries were a little soggy, but as a side, it matched well with the chicken. Overall, this dish won’t surprise you, which means you won’t be blown away. But you certainly won’t be let down.
If you’re looking for something more adventurous, go with the bison BLT in a blanket, especially since it comes in a pita-like bread wrap rather than a typical bun. It’s similar to a hot dog from food truck Short Leash. The combination of a bison — yes, bison — hot dog with bacon makes for a satisfying meal. It has the heaviness of mom’s meatloaf and the creativity of a crazy sushi platter. The downside is that, despite the creativity and the quality ingredients, the flavors just aren’t as good as the normal old chicken legs. If you want to try a dish you can tell your friends about, try this unusual hot dog. But if you just want some great food to go with an even better beer, stick with the chicken.
For dessert, do not pass up the Pop Tarts. They are a homemade pastry delicacy. When I saw this option on the menu, I thought it was interesting Angels Trumpet makes its own Pop Tarts, but that it didn’t make sense to buy a cheap breakfast food for dessert at a restaurant. I was wrong. The Pop Tarts are warm and gooey and topped with little clusters of colorful sugar. I tried the ginger pumpkin variety and was impressed. This $4 dessert would cost $10 at a more pretentious restaurant.
Although not primarily a food joint, Angels Trumpet has a lot to offer for lunch and dinner. Its beer is clearly the focus, but any customer who goes without ordering at least a little food is missing out. And the ale house’s rotating beer selection is a good reason to return and try out new dishes. If you’ve already had a milk stout with the “nutter”, why not come back for an IPA and the “smokin’ legs”? And for downtowners who have yet to visit it even for the first time, you might as well try it once, even if it’s just for the chance to say, “Prost!”
Contact the critics at ssteffan@asu.edu and john.l.fitzpatrick@asu.edu
