Unlike Gather Brewing Co. food, this review will be pretty one-note…
As much as Nathan and I relish variety in our dining-out experiences, it’s always nice to have a tried-and-true Favorites list. The places we put on a pedestal for celebratory meals… The restaurants we prioritize when hosting out-of-town family and friends… I’m pleased to report that Gather Brewing Co. has officially made the list.
More than that, though, Gather Brewing Co. ranks HIGH on the list of greatest hits for us. We’ve visited three times just since Mother’s Day this year, and their rotating specials and seasonal offerings frequently have us tempted to swing back by for an impromptu brunch.
I’ve written previously about some of our favorites: for pancakes, it’s always Magnolia Pancake Haus. For a fine-dining date, the Kindling, hands-down. We usually default to Gruene’s Last Call for an unbeatable craft cocktail. And I’ve highlighted some of our favorite burger spots in NBTX as well.
But Gather Brewing Co.? It shines brightly in its own category altogether. Dare I say, of all of the restaurants I’ve tried so far since moving here in 2021, Gather Brewing Co. in Universal City is my personal favorite casual, table-service eatery.
As I said, not much intrigue with this review. It’s immediately clear how I feel about this place. And I feel like any dancing around, waxing eloquent with backstory, would ultimately distract and detract from the overall message. Instead, I’ll jump straight to it and tell you WHY I love Gather Brewing Co. so much.
Here’s a jump-to for a fast food review if you’re a TL;DR kinda person… I won’t judge. Much.
Munch-Munch on Brunch-Brunch
Who doesn’t love an amazing brunch? While that’s not the only draw at Gather, it’s definitely what prompted our first visit here. This restaurant was on my list of places to check out, and given it’s close proximity to Grace Community Church, it was an easy box to check for a Mother’s Day brunch.
Our visit here also happened to be on the heels of a rather disappointing run of eating-out experiences and reviews (like this one from February), and I don’t think we were expecting all that much.
And on that note…
I’d say maybe that’s what colors this review as brightly as it does, going in with low expectations. But this is one of the few reviews I’ve written based on multiple impressions, not just firsts.
Simply ’cause we just can’t stay away…
Now, back to it.
First off, atmosphere, which I’ll get into more in a bit, is top-notch. And not just for the aesthetic. We were quickly struck by the happy, helpful, personable enthusiasm conveyed by the staff. Everyone we interacted with was jovial and friendly and really seemed to enjoy working there.
And as a sweet addition for Mother’s Day, I was given a red rose. Unexpected and much appreciated.
So, I have to say, my jaw about dropped when I saw the Monte Cristo brunch menu offering. Pairing that with a special, delectable, lychee rose mimosa (complete with pearlescent glitter swirling within it), my jaw dropped once again when the order arrived.
I may have danced a little, too.
There are a few menu items that I will absolutely fangirl over at any restaurant. A Monte Cristo happens to be one of those selections. And it’s one that I so rarely see offered.
Yes, it’s rich. It has CAD written all over it. But when I saw (and tasted) the Gather Brewing Co. Monte Cristo, it was worth every point of elevated cholesterol.
Here’s the menu description. “Brioche French Toast Sandwich with a Boar Patty, Fried Egg, Cheddar, Provolone, and a side of Berry Coulis”
But. it. does. not. do. it. justice. Perhaps our pictures will…
That brioche is THICCC AF. This is not an easy sandwich to eat due to its substantial size, but believe me… This Mamasaur was up to the challenge. SMASH. Only thing that could’ve made it better was MORE berry coulis. So insanely delish. Thus began my Gather Brewing Co. love affair.
MORE Gather Brewing Co.
As I said, since our first visit here, we were hooked and have had a hard time staying away. Those BOMB menu offerings, the rotating specials (like a featured waffle-of-the-month), the PERFECT fries…
OMG, those fries. I have a difficult time describing them in words. Not quite a French fry, but not thin enough to be a chip, packed with flavor and lavishly adorned with seasonings. They’ve been our no-competition favorite fries we’ve probably ever had.
The niche specialties that Gather Brewing Co. seems to stand out with are its Korean-fusion dishes and its liege waffle offerings. While I could’ve written a review, EASILY, after our first trip here, I wanted to give due diligence to such a well-rounded menu. Bar-fare, fusion cuisine, AND brunchies? Surely they drop the ball somewhere offering that much variety…
After three cumulative visits here, this is a list of everything we’ve tried:
Gather Monte Cristo*
Breakfast Burger
Bulgogi Burger
Bulgogi Cheesesteak**
Wonton Chips*
Gather Fries**
Loaded Kimchi Fries*
Key Lime Pie Waffle
Crispy Chicken Tenders*
Mimosa Flight**
Kids’ Pepperoni Pizza
Kids’ Gather Burger
*Asterisks denote personal favorites
What stands out to me about the food we’ve had at Gather Brewing Co. is how nothing else around really holds a candle to it. I can’t really compare it to other restaurants, per se, because it feels uniquely different. If anything, I can only really rank the menu items against each other.
For instance, the Key Lime Pie waffle was delicious, and we are huge Key Lime Pie people… But comparing it to other things we’ve tried here, it ranks really low on our list. That being said, still a much better meal than eating out at many other local places we’ve tried.
And even our spice-averse toddler Orson has ventured out of his comfort zone here. It’s a sight to behold, watching him go to town on the generously seasoned wonton chips. Even the simplest menu items, like the chicken tenders, pack an ample amount of flavor due to “pickle-brining”. They absolutely shine, for pickle-lovers or -haters alike.
Hats off, far and away, to the Bulgogi Cheesesteak, though. Nathan and I are in total agreement on this dish. BEST meal. BEST Korean-fusion option we’ve had. SO flavorful. Perfect blend of texture and flavor… Meaty, cheesy, peppery goodness. More, please!
Gather Goodness
At Gather Brewing Co., the goal is togetherness. And so many components of Gather lend themselves to this mission. The environment, complete with long, picnic-style tables indoors; ample bar seating and high tops; covered lounge spaces on the patio with outdoor games.
And its outdoor space is pet-friendly if your pets are friendly!
Gather Brewing Co. hosts fun events like Trivia Tuesdays, Run Clubs, and BBQ cook-offs. Gather is also veteran-owned and operated, and so many of their consistent specials reflect their strong support of armed forces. Like their Friday Beer Light special. From 2-10PM on Fridays, retired, active duty, and disabled veterans get $5 beers.
The value and price point of an exquisite meal at Gather Brewing Co. can’t be beat either. We have consistently been pleasantly shocked by how far a dollar can stretch here. Even when imbibing on the adventurous Mimosa flight.
Last visit we made, we ordered the flight, a large portion of Gather fries, chicken tenders, and the key lime pie waffle. It was enough food for us to happily split 4-ways with our toddlers, walk away satisfied, and feel unscathed financially. In truth, we always leave knowing we would’ve had no problem paying more for a meal THAT good.
Gather Brewing Co. is family-friendly, veteran-supportive, and community-focused. It’s all about people gathering together, eating an awesome meal, enjoying great drinks, and building connection. There’s a convivial warmth here that has to be experienced first-hand, so don’t just take my word for it.
Visit Gather Brewing Co. ASAP. And get that sweet Bulgogi Cheesesteak. You can thank me later.
Order Up: Gather Brewing Co.
Pros:
Gather grub is beyond GOOD. Flavorful variety. Awesome options for picky or adventurous eaters. Korean-fusion options, liege waffles, and more standard fare like burgers and chicken strips. Flawless fries. Craft cocktails, handcrafted brews and sodas.
Perfect price-point for the quality. High value eating-out experience, inexpensive for what you get. Fun events like Tuesday Trivia nights. Great environment with outdoor AND indoor games available. Family-friendly. Pet-friendly patio. Tons of seating. Awesome staff.
Veteran-owned and operated. Supportive of armed forces. Drink specials, especially “Beer Light”, when military men and women can get some inexpensive brews.
Gather Brewing Co. excels in each of its promoted values: Community, Connection, Authenticity, and Excellence. Can you excel in excellence? Gather does.
Cons:
More of a wish than a criticism of Gather even… If Gather Brewing Co. introduced something like shakes, boozy or otherwise, it really would be our go-to, one-stop shop for all things casual dining. Add that to the menu, and Gather would potentially surpass perfection.
Beyond that, I’m at a loss for finding any faults for Gather. Keep doing what you’re doing, y’all. Mamasaur LOVES it.