Where to meet a friend for lunch (or any meal) in Waynesville? How ’bout a spot that’s as much restaurant as it is brewery, sporting a killer deck out back? That would be Boojum Brewing Company Taproom (https://www.boojumbrewing.com/). And if you’re looking for entertainment, don’t miss The Gem, the downstairs bar the folks at Boojum describe as “an affable downtown bar featuring 16 beers on tap, a full bar, TVs, a pool table & a limited but appetizing menu! Over age 21 only.” The Gem also hosts lots of live music. You can see what’s happening at The Gem on their Facebook Page.
Before getting talking about the brews and bites, I thought I’d look in to the “Boojum” name and what it might mean. Looks like I need to bone up on NC lore! You can read more about the Boojum on the beer menu.
“One might say the Boojum is similar to the Abominable Snowman of the Himalayans or the Wampas Cat in the swamps of Eastern North Carolina. But Boojum is a unique creature of his own and Haywood County is his home.” ~ visitncsmokies.com
Boojum’s main floor is semi-divided: bar to one side, dining room to the other. I was headed to the dining room, but took a minute to watch the bar lighting cycle through multiple colors. Fun, but would it drive me crazy sitting at the bar? Not sure. I’ll have to give it a try some time.
On first taste, I knew there was something special going on here. Every single dish we ordered was surprisingly good. Not just good for a brewery, but good for a restaurant.
Love tomatoes? You must try the Tomato Bisque Soup (Cup $4, Bowl $6) made with roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, Boojum beer, and garlic fried croutons. Robust in texture, but not too thick, each bite is full of rich tomato flavor.
Salmon on a bed of seasoned chopped kale, drizzled with balsamic (don’t remember the price) was absolutely fantastic! My friend ordered this and gave me a taste. You can bet I’ll get it (if available) the next time I’m at Boojum. The salmon was cooked to perfection with a deliciously seasoned sear. Not a kale fan? Try it anyway. You may just be surprised at the burst of flavor and friendly texture with each bite.
Wait. What about the beer? This is a brewery after all. Just for fun, I tried a half pint of one of their “specialty” brews, a strawberry small batch release. It was light, fresh, and tasty with just enough hint of strawberry to make it interesting. When you go, ask to hear about their current small batch brews.
Take a good look at The Cataloochee ($12) burger below. This mess ‘o deliciousness comes with fries (not pictured). Substitutions are available at an additional cost.
Take a Brioche Bun, put some apple-fennel slaw on it, add a cooked-to-order burger, top that with house-made farmer’s cheese (scrumptious) and tomato jam (also scrumptious). After announcing I’d be taking half home with me, I ate the entire thing! Comfort food that should satisfy the hungriest of appetites, along with a Boojum brew of course.
Here’s a shot of the back deck and service bar. This was early on a quiet day, so it wasn’t set up yet.
The Gem downstairs bar and live music venue:
Epicurean Notes:
- Boojum’s easy to find, right on Waynesville’s Main Street.
- Service was good. Table and surrounds were clean.
- As always, check days and hours of operation before going (I usually call).
- Remember that online menus are not always up to date, but can be used as a reference for types of dishes and pricing.
Boojum Brewing Company Taproom
50 N Main St
Waynesville, NC 28786
Phone: (828) 246-0350
