Barringer’s Tavern

Classic old school vibe. Of course people say Al Capone hung out here. Who knows? They have cheap ass draft beers and a fantastic burger! So damn good. I plan to be back and throw down some more beers and menu items ASAP.

If you like dirty and smoky this is for you. At one time it had atmosphere but bad housekeeping has taken over. Had a beer and burger nothing spectacular. Going across the street to Big Daddy’s

Edit 10÷16÷13: Major bummage. This place has been closed for a while now, with no plans (it seems) to reopen any time soon. I’ll be the first to come back and reorder a burger and a Pint-​o-​plain!
I went for the burger, I come back for the burger — and Trivia Tuesdays (7:30pm start, see you there). No-​frills bar that manages to retain a historic charm about it, and draws an eclectic mix of folks. The average age is all over the place depending on when you stop by. I like that. Way more personality than «the other guy» across the street, and the perfect place for a gym-​shorts-​acceptable pint of Guinness and cheese-​smothered burger of goodness. Also an easy bike ride from Garfield Park. Try it.

Always loved their killer Friday Steak Specials but was by last week and was told «we are out of Steak» Seemed like they sort of discontinued that but didnt want to say so. Place was almost empty. My beer was only 2.50! Yeah for that!
Went across the street to the other place that I fear has stolen a lot of their biz. It was crowded. food was decent enough but the atmosphere was just too planned and sterile. So I came back for more beer here.
Barringers is one of the oldest bars in town and I hope they get their groove back because its a pretty special place.

I posted this review before and for some reason it disappeared off the site?
I have been going there on and off for lunch for years and have always thought it was an ok place. It’s old and dusty but you expect that from old buildings. I was able to overlook that but I can’t overlook someone bringing in a large dirty dog through the back door, the dining room and into the kitchen and out the other door. I found out the dog is in a pen behind the dining room. It has a lot of pooh and there are cooking pans in the pen with the dog and the pooh. I hope they aren’t ever using those pots to cook in.
The fish special that another reviewer mentioned is ok but nothing really special and I have had it come to me raw or really greasy more than once. The macaroni and cheese that comes with it is runny and bland. Kraft from the box is better. I have gotten spoiled cole slaw more than once from there. Hamburgers are ok but you want to order them well done or you will get them raw in the middle. I went there at night an ordered a steak because I was told they were really good. It came out really bloody when I ordered it medium and when I sent it back I could hear the waitress being yelled at in the kitchen by the cook and it was the cook’s fault for cooking it wrong, not the waitress. Cook was yelling that I don’t know what good steak is. Yes I do and I ordered it the way I wanted it. I will never go in there for steak again after that. It was loud enough that I could hear it, they weren’t even busy on a Friday night when I went there for the steak. They were actually out of tomatoes once when I was there. The breaded tenderloin is good and the only reason I will ever be back if I ever do go back. I’ll get it carry out if I do though because of the dog.

Libby (first reviewer) is right on the money with Barringers. The outside sign may say ‘beer lunch’, but you really want to save room for the food.
Their burger is one of the best in the city. Right up there w my big boy favs Capital Grill, Mortons, McCormicks and 14 West (yes, be surprised, 14 West has an awesome badass burger on its lunch menu!) Mind you, this is not your thin Workingman’s patty. Nor is it a sloppy Five Guys/​Boogie Burger/​96^th St relative. It is one hefty, juicy, flavorful chargrilled (to order), pulsating thing of beauty. Bacon, onions, mushrooms, cheese et al, are all superfluous– I urge you to at least once consider taking it in its glorious naked form to truly appreciate the quality of what it is and really taste the meat. You’ll want to take half home to your momma. but then gluttony rudely takes charge and before you know it your empty plate is staring forlornly back at you.
Good quality bun that perfectly holds the hero. good creamy coleslaw…
The tenderloin and Friday fried fish special w mac n cheese (not chips) are my other two favorite/​standby menu items there– you know, on bad cholesterol day.
Service is super friendly and competent but do call in your order ahead if you are under any kind of a time constraint because their food cant be rushed. Will take at least 15 minutes during slow times– and that only if you are lucky– for the kitchen to get it out to you.
Yeah this place aint ‘hip’… but it’s got a great patina and old guard character all its own that you can only love and respect.

Cool old tavern on south Meridian. Everything on the menu is homemade and wonderful. The fried pickles & fried mushrooms on the appetizer menu are the best. And, the hamburger is made with tender loving care. Me thinks this is the best burger I’ve ever had. Don’t forget to add bacon & cheese & the works. Also, anything on their daily specials is worth ordering.