Mark’s Score 8.4
The Delmarva is famous for its craft brewers. Sometimes it feels like there is a craft brewer on every street corner. You cannot throw a rock here without hitting a mug of cold beer. In some ways it is a perfect marriage of place and beverage. We have long hot summers here in Delmarva, I am not a big beer drinker, but who doesn’t appreciate a nice cold beer on a hot summer’s day?
I discovered this particular brewery soon after we moved here. I don’t know who chose their location, but it is in a nearly perfect location. You cannot miss it, it is right on the main highway (Rte 50) from Metro DC to Ocean City, just a few miles (kilometers) east of Salisbury. Tall Tales has been in operation at this location since 2011, which makes it an old-timer in the Delmarva craft brewing industry.
The great thing about Tall Tales is that both their beers and food are excellent. Their tagline is “Respect the craft.” In my opinion, they live up to their promise. Whoever their brewer is he is both innovative and whimsical. I like sour beers, especially on a hot summer day, for my money, this is one of the best sour beer brewers on the peninsula. On one occasion they were serving a “Unicorn” sour. What is a Unicorn sour? It is a sour beer made with Skittles added, yes the candy. OK, maybe it wasn’t my favorite sour, but how could you not try it?
However, much attention they give their beer, it does not come at the price of their food. Often craft brewers serve all too ordinary bar food…burgers, fries, and pizza. Tall tales has an interesting and varied menu. Yes, they serve pizza, but it is woodfired in specially designed Italian ovens, pizza made the way it should be made
They are particularly proud of their pizza and they think it their best menu item. Though I have been eating here for many years, I have never eaten their pizza. Why? Because I think they have the best tacos in Greater Salisbury. It has become a running joke with me and the bartender. Every time I visit, he tries to tempt me to order a pizza. Every time I visit, I order the tacos, and I always promise to order the pizza the “next time.” The next time comes, the bartender tries to convince me to order the pizza, and I end up ordering the tacos. What can I say, they are just too good not to order.
Food and beer are important, but so isn’t atmosphere. Skip the front bar and head out to the back bar and patio. They have a nice patio hard up against the brew house and surrounded by loblolly pines. The pizza oven is located behind the back bar. So, you can watch them make their famous pizza, while eating a taco. OK, maybe I convinced myself to order the pizza…next time.
Leave a Reply