Coffee Break: Rybrew
The brew in Rybrew can mean a few things, depending on what youre in the mood for.
Where: 2816 W. Girard Ave., in Brewerytown, 215-763-1984.
The lowdown: The "brew" in Rybrew can mean a few things, depending on what you're in the mood for. The space was a toy store in a former life, but Rybrew has an impressive selection of adult beverages - bottled craft beers and coffee.
Backstory: Ryan Pollock and his fiancee, Stephanie Mertz, both architecture majors, were on an extended "unemployment" road trip when they decided to move to Philly and open a sandwich shop. That was Rybread, in Fairmount. In July, they opened Rybrew. "We walked into this space and we were like, 'Wow, this is amazing,' " Mertz said.
The beans: Rybrew gets its beans from Chestnut Hill Coffee, and Mertz said that it's usually the house blend. Rybrew keeps the coffees pretty simple, too: iced or brewed, regular or decaf, with a variety of Monin flavored syrups.
Ambience: A massive, circular wooden table, remnant of an old toy-store display, greets you when you walk through the door. It overlooks Girard Avenue through a massive window. There's art on the walls, brochures for events and that incredible beer cooler, but Rybrew's most attractive feature is its U-shaped balcony with a wrought-iron railing that runs almost the length of the building. There's seating and a shuffleboard table up there. There's also more private seating in the back.
Beyond beans: Rybrew's menu includes a variety of sandwiches, paninis, salads and a rotating soup schedule always served with a "chunk" of bread. You might need a fork to get through the hefty, pulled pork sandwich. Light fare includes oatmeal and parfaits. Cupcakes are baked daily. For other drinks, there's always those bottled beers, along with hot teas, ice teas, waters and juices. Rybrew also delivers.
Alt diets: There are gluten-free breads and vegetarian options, including the "Hollywood," with hummus, cucumber, red onions and shredded carrots on multigrain bread.
Prices: Coffees range from $1.60 for 12 ounces to $2.50 for 20 ounces. Sandwiches and paninis are $6 to $9; cupcakes, $2.75. If you mix and match a sixpack of beer, you get 10 percent off.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, till 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Social stuff: @RybrewCafe on Twitter; rybrew.com on the web.