TJ’s Restaurant & Drinkery has just celebrated their eighth anniversary. Beer Advocate has listed TJ’s as one of the “Top 25 Places to Have a Pint,” which is high praise for this watering hole set in a non-descript shopping center along Business 30, only a black away from the Paoli train station. We stopped in to chat with Jeff Miller, who owns the restaurant with his wife Terry – hence the name TJ’s.
Jeff explained that they were one of the first bars to feature an extensive list of craft brews. “We’re craft beer-centric. Like a wine bar but with beer.”
Eight years ago, the craft beer trend was just starting. “When we first opened, people came from far away to experience our craft beers. The idea of cooking with beer was special too, and we cook most of our dishes with beer.” Jeff pointed out that now there are several craft beer pubs along the R-5 Septa line. “You have Station Taproom in Downingtown and the Flying Pig in Malvern, Tired Hands is opening in Ardmore. It’s really kind of interesting.”
“It’s changed immensely over that time,” Jeff said. “The number of choices we have.” TJ’s has 26 taps which all feature craft beers. They have some beers in quarter kegs but also move through many sixtels to rotate the selection more frequently. Over the bar, a neon sign flickers with TJ’s mission version of a whimsical version of a mission statement. The sign reads, “No Crap on Tap.”
“When we started, we didn’t know craft beer well, but we learned and educated our customers at the same time.” He notes they carry Budweiser in bottles, but if someone orders a Bud the bartender is likely to suggest a craft beer that might convert them. “We always have a bridge beer so if someone comes in and asks for a standard beer, we can suggest this other beer. When someone switches to craft beer they don’t go back.”
So what are some of the most popular craft beers these days? “Bells’ Two Hearted Ale and Great Lakes are popular. Customers love them. The hot beer now is the sour beers, American Wild Ales that are spontaneously fermented.”
Regarding food, Jeff describes the fare as “comfort food with a twist. Our most popular dish is our mac-n-cheese. Each dish is made from scratch when you order it, so it’s fresh.” Customers can order from several versions of the mac-n-cheese: Three cheese, Bacon and Tomato, Jalapeno and Green Onion, Chipotle Crispy Chicken, Wild Mushroom, or Cajun Andouille.
“Our burgers are also very popular. We marinade our meat in a Belgian Blonde, it gives it a unique flavor.”
When I asked Jeff what’s his favorite personal beer, he smiled and said, “Right now, I’m into the style known as Bier de Garde. There’s one French beer called La Choulette Sans Culottes that’s really good, and sans culottes means ‘without pants.’”
“I’m very picky about the beers we serve here. I want the customers to have trust in what we place on tap.”
TJ’s Restaurant & Drinkery is located at 35 Paoli Plaza in Paoli. They open daily at 11:30 am. You can check out their beer list at their website. They are reachable by phone at 610-725-0100.
