Tania C.
Yelp
This review is one of the toughest I've written, Congregation Ale House was an absolute favorite of mine and one of the few places that started serving micro-brewed beer before craft beer blew up, their food and brews were always excellent. The ambiance was
upscale-casual with great finishes and friendly and fast service. It's not always easy to pull of themed dining but the execution was impeccable. The place was just a comfortable, cool place to hang out and grab beers with friends, a casual date night or even a family dinner. Admittedly, the amount of times I dined here were reduced after moving further away but I would occasionally stop by, yesterday was one of those days. My friend and I first noticed the vinyl banner hanging out front advertising "brunch and brews" my friend and I were pretty surprised but figured they were just adding some new stuff to the menu and given the numerous new restaurants that have popped up in the area in recent years, I figured it was a good way to bring in more business. As soon as we walked in, I was immediately put off. It didn't take long before I had the realization of what happened (or at least what I surmise may have happened). I'll start with saying that while the "bones" are still there, these new owners (I presume) are trying to pull one over on us by using the name and likeness of what I assume is the now defunct Congregation's. I literally uttered the words "Look what they've done, they've massacred my boy". You're immediately greeted with reggaeton blaring over the speakers, I felt like I had walked into a TJ club, we were then greeted by staff who were very friendly but I was already upset/sad/annoyed and feeling bamboozled. We were then handed menus that said Congregation Cocina (or something like that) and this just added another thing to the list of something-is-way-off-about-this-place, it was all Mexican food. What happened to the burgers? the amazing wings? the freshly made fries? This is where I looked to my friend and told her "let's go, I don't want to eat here" but it was too late, she had been pulled in by the $9 mimosa flight and the buy one get one for $1 entrees. My frugal friend saw this as plus while it just cemented my suspicions. It sounds ridiculous and over dramatic but I was honestly angry at this point. Who the H E double hockey stick are these people and why are they trying to LIE to me and make me thing I'm in Congregations???? The food came out and of course it was underwhelming Mexican food, tepid beans, cold rice, mushy chilaquiles, my shattered heart served on a plate. I immediately jumped on Yelp to try to further decipher this puzzle. Was this a takeover? Did this new owner just decide to use up the remains of a failed business? Did Congregations sell out? Is this a $ laundering front a la' Los Pollos Hemanos? I barely touched my food, my friend went to town and remarked that the mimosas were full sized and the price was crazy low, I found nothing on the internet but I am certainly not done with my research. I also will not be returning to this establishment and hope they stop with this false use of a once respected name. As we walked out while i kept bemoaning about my sadness over finding out what happened, I saw that the Congregation sign that used to hang out front, and now replaced by the vinyl banner, was sitting on the ground and appeared to have recently been removed. This is purely speculative but I think they're trying to bait customers and will eventually do away with the name after squeezing the last bits of life out of it. I'm pro small business but not when it feels like a dishonest ploy. Word to the owners, don't do this.