This is something I have been waiting MONTHS for. I remember trying to go back when COVID first kicked off because my coach actually gave me a burger and fries for a cheat meal. It said they were open online, but I got there and low and behold, CLOSED. I was heartbroken. They had literally JUST decided to close. So needless to say, I’ve been waiting and waiting for this moment because I wanted a good, juicy, thick burger and I knew Crystal Beer Parlor was THE spot. Finally, the moment has come.
Let’s address some things!
I read some things in another blog talking about the current situation of Crystal Beer Parlor and after having gone, I noticed some of those things are inaccurate Or have been updated in the last week. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. You can sit at more than the bar inside. Every other table is closed for social distancing and the restaurant is fairly spacious. Outside, their tent can seat additional patrons and the tables are all pretty far from each other. You must wear a mask entering and exiting, like all other restaurants here. If you wish to go to the bathroom, gift shop, or look around the restaurant, masks are also required. There ARE fans outside. Quite a few actually. Sitting outside is not bad at all. Other than the flies. But that’s hard to prevent in Savannah.
This is an old restaurant that has been serving up quality grub since the early 1900s. Needless to say, if a restaurant has been around that long, it’s probably really good. And that’s very true for Crystal Beer Parlor. It’s not over the top by any means, but I of course did a little something extra, because that’s just who I am. But food doesn’t need to be over the top to be excellent. I’d rate CBP as the best burger in Savannah easily. Do not at me. Or do. We can discuss it. There are other great ones, don’t get me wrong. But this one is the best, in my opinion.
A fun fact about CBP, it was one of the FIRST restaurants to serve alcohol after the repel of prohibition. Not much of a surprise considering it’s in Savannah and the spot is rumored to have been a speakeasy during that time. I expect nothing less from Savannahians. The current bar offers 15 different beers on draft, as well as a large selection of cans, bottles, wine, and cocktail. Not to mention, it’s beautiful.
Onto the food, right? That’s what y’all come here for.
This is the lamb burger. I recommend ordering it medium. That’s typically how you would order lamb (I’m Greek, trust me). You don’t want lamb too pink but if you’re a fully cooked type of person, by all means I guess order it done. It comes with house made Tzatziki sauce (yuuuum) as well as your traditional fixins, lettuce tomato, onion and pickle spears on the side. Add feta cheese for an extra dollar (do it). You can substitute your fries for onion rings for an up charge, which my mom did. She 100 percent recommends them. Even finished them once they got cold because she said “they are that good”. This is a VERY well executed lamb burger. My mom ordered it, I tried it. I would order this next time.
Now for my burger. I ordered a bison burger and added an extra patty (additional cost), extra cheese, and bacon. I’m a firm believer in every cheeseburger needing bacon. I’m not sure when I decided it but once I did I never looked back. I added cheddar cheese but you can choose from cheddar, American, blue cheese crumbles, feta and Swiss. Comes with lettuce, tomato, onions, mayo, and pickle. I was so stoked they had bison. Every time I see it, I order it. It’s leaner than traditional beef but also juicer and I honestly think it tastes better. Leave it to me to make this burger a little over the top. But I ate it and I loved it.
For dessert we ordered the Savannah Mud Pie. This is different than your traditional mud pie. It has a Homemade Oreo Cookie Crust Loaded with Coffee Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce and Crumbled Oreo Cookie. It’s Topped with Fresh Whipped Cream, Chocolate & Caramel Sauces. This was just heavenly. I already love ice cream cakes and the homemade Oreo crust was divine. Would order again. They also offer a peach cobbler (local favorite) and a fried pound cake. Do not skip dessert. Seriously.
Crystal Beer Parlor is a great stop for anyone, local or visiting. A quick not about their menu. Currently, it is limited. Usually they have a very large menu, but since they reopened they have their most popular items on it for the most part. Shrimp and grits is offered as a special as well as different po boys.
The current menu:
C.Petsos Photography 