Karl Strauss Brewery & Restaurant
Visit the Karl Strauss Brewery & Restaurant, San Diego's original microbrewery.
" A must have, if you want to skip the usual brewery fare of burgers and steaks- Black Garlic Fondue. BLACK GARLIC. It is barely describable. ... We could have just eaten that. "
Price Range: 
Summary
Karl Strauss Brewery & Restaurant in Little Italy is where San Diego’s microbrewery movement began. It was just a brewpub back in 1989; while it’s added Brewery & Restaurant to its name since then, it serves the beers that made this local company famous.
Named after Master Brewer Karl Strauss, the Brewery, quite naturally, focuses heavily on beer and beer-related cuisine. Most of the items on their menu use beer in the recipe, such as the India Pale Ale Steak Sauce or the BBQ Ribs, which are cooked in Red Trolley Ale. Naturally, the beer-infused recipes make beer pairings easy.
Stop by on Thursdays for Cask Nights. Unique, small-batch beers are served via beer engine for $3.50 a glass, until the cask runs out. Get there early.
Amenities
- Outdoor seating
- Specialty Beers on Tap
- Fresh Food
- Take-Out Available
- Banquet Facilities
- Donations/charity
- Private Parties
- Private Room
- Wheelchair Access
Karl Strauss Brewery & Restaurant
Karl Strauss Brewery & Restaurant
Neighborhood:
Little Italy
Location:
1157 Columbia St
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone:
619.234.2739
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Thurs 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12am, Sun 11am-10pm
Restaurant Website:
www.karlstrauss.com
Additional Info:
Weekday Happy Hour from 4-6:30pm
*Some images shown above are not actual photos from the restaurant, but category representations. Visit the restaurant's web site for actual photos.
Karl Strauss Brewery & Restaurant Information
Restaurant Quick Facts
- The Little Italy spot was the first Karl Strauss location. It opened in 1989. Since then, Karl Strauss has expanded through Southern California.
- Excellent, beer-based, American cuisine. Steaks are served with an IPA steak sauce and many other dishes are prepared with their signature beers.
- Three words: Red Trolley Ale.
- Karl Strauss rotates its beers frequently, with seasonal and special offerings complementing their staple brews.
- Visit for a cask night. The beer engine used for service differs from a standard American tap and can change the flavor and consistency of your favorite Strauss beer. Plus, it's only $3.50 for unique and small-batch creations.
User Review Average
Overall Menu Location Ambience Service
100% recommend this to a friend.
Rating History
Sort Reviews By: Date | Ratings | Positive Reviews First | Negative Reviews First
dr.schwartz
Jan 16, 2010
at 4:28 pm
Points:
0
Member since: January 2010
xxx.xxx.230.114
Would recommend to a friend
Date of Stay: January 2010
Went with: business associates
Went for: brunch
Type of visit: business
Karl Strauss Brewery & Restaurant San Diego
Had a very informal business lunch and we decided to meet at Karl Strauss' in Little Italy. They have a nice varied menu with everything from your typical pub food of burgers to macaroni and cheese to fancy salads and fish specials. This was the first time for me at this location though I have been to Karl Strauss' in other cities. I can honestly say that they brew some of the best tasting darkest beers around! They always have some kind of seasonal beers as well. Parking at this location was easy. Much, much better than the one located downtown.
Was this review helpful?
0 user(s) thought this was helpful