The long awaited space on the northwest corner of Pine and N.2nd is now open. On the second floor is Grain Theory. You can get up to it via an outside staircase on the N. 2nd side or an inside one on Pine. I assume there is an elevator but I did not look for it. Apologies.
I had a business lunch there so I cannot speak to the alcoholic beverages but as you would expect by the name, craft beer is highlighted. Prices are on the "on tap" menu inside. There is also a small list of wines with by the glass prices of $7 or $9. They open at 7:30am so coffee is also featured.
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Fish and chips
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The food menu is not extensive but that is to be expected since the focus is on the beer. For lunch, I ordered the fish and chips. One of my colleagues ordered the same and the other ordered the grain bowl with bacon added. I am glad bacon was added because otherwise that was too healthy of a lunch. Lol.
There was no table service when we went for lunch. We ordered our food at the bar and it was brought out to us.
The fish and chips was an entire large Alaskan pollock fish filet beer battered and deep fried. Served with their peri remoulade sauce and another sauce of your choice with thick cut kennebec fries on the side. My second sauce was the spicy goddess which was a mix of ranch, green goddess, and jalapeno. Both sauces had some heat which I liked. No traditional tarter sauce option but if you want mayo there is Duke's mayo available too. The cost of the fish and chips is $14 but the portion size is generous.
I found the fish and chips to be the best I have had in land locked Abilene but my New England born colleague said the fish needed to be cod and the breading was a bit overdone on the outside and underdone on the inside. However, he did agree that is was good compared to Abilene's other fish and chips options. I need to get my British brother-in-law to come to town and give it a try.
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Grain theory bowl
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The grain theory bowl was $8 and an extra $3 with bacon added. It is a combination of ancient grains, roasted sweet potatoes, green onion, pecans, cranberries, and sage served with a maple miso vinaigrette. This is a direct quote, "it feels like I could be eating this at a place by the beach in Santa Monica." Take that as you will but he enjoyed it. This option, sans meat, would be great for vegetarians/vegans.
Other items on the menu includes sausages, a chicken roll, flat ironed Akaushi flat iron steak, salad,and a few appetizers like the Belgian fries--plain with side sauce or loaded with beer cheese, green onions and bacon or biltong (air-dried beef similar to tender jerky) and pretzel bits.
At this time there was one item on the dessert menu, a coffee stout panna cotta.
The food menu is designed to compliment their beer selections. The day we went the steak ($25) was not on the menu for lunch.
Soft drink options are sparkling water, iced tea or some craft sodas ($2.5).
The space if impressive. They have a wrap around outside seating area on two sides and the interior is metal and wood, a sophisticated industrial look. I have no doubt that Grain Theory will be a popular spot in the evenings and on weekends. It fits right in with the revitalization of downtown Abilene and the increasing focus on dining and nightlife options in town.
202 Pine Street, Suite 201, Abilene, Texas, 79601
(325) 513-6628
Hours--
Mon-Wed 7:30am-10pm
Thur 7:30am-11pm
Fri-Sat 7:30am-midnight
Sun Closed
https://www.graintheory.beer/
