Thinking Man Tavern

Bar · Decatur

Thinking Man Tavern

Bar · Decatur

3

537 W Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

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Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null
Thinking Man Tavern by null

Highlights

Thinking Man Tavern is your go-to chill spot for classic pub food and craft beers, where games, trivia, and a relaxed vibe reign supreme.  

Featured in Eater
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537 W Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 Get directions

thinkingmantavern.com

$$ · Menu

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537 W Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 Get directions

+1 404 370 1717
thinkingmantavern.com
𝕏
@tmtdecatur

$$ · Menu

Features

dine in
takeout
delivery
payment credit card
Tap to pay
wifi
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 5, 2025

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@eater

"Located on the outskirts of Decatur, Thinking Man Tavern offers classic pub food on its menu, including a variety of wings, burgers, and even bourbon fried chicken. Make sure to order the classic tater tots here as one of the sides. Takeout and delivery available." - Eater Staff

Sub Out French Fries for Tater Tots at These Atlanta Restaurants
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@eater

"The chill neighborhood pub on the outskirts of downtown Decatur offers team trivia and a chance to win cash every Tuesday night, starting at 7:30 p.m." - Beth McKibben

Gather Your Team for Trivia at These Atlanta Restaurants and Bars
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@eater

"Thinking Man Tavern in Decatur is keeping a 15-year tradition alive and hosting its annual Election Night party. Watch all the returns on the big screen. Food and drinks specials will be available all night, including Sam Adams on draft for $4." - Beth McKibben

Where to Watch the Election Results Around Atlanta
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Paul Distasi

Google
Had another nice lunch at Thinking Man. The Tuscan chicken sandwich with a Greek salad, absolutely delicious. I actually dug into it so quickly I forgot to take pictures! 😔 Caroline is an amazing bartender and terrific host, we always enjoy spending time chatting about music and bar rescue. She whipped up this gin, egg white, and rosemary bitters cocktail in the picture. Delightful. She rocks! Highly recommend for lunch as well as brunch on Saturday. I hear it gets nuts at night, but I'll let you figure it out for yourself.

T. Romeaux

Google
Upon walking in I’m not sure if the bartender would have spoken to me had I not to her or if she intended to speak but I immediately took the initiative to inform her of my order that I had placed online. She wasn’t rude or anything but maybe having an off day or a lot on her mind. I decided to eat-in since it was my first time here. There was only one server and she was very pleasant and attentive for the most part. I ordered a burger. After sitting to wait for my food I ordered an iced tea. When my food finally came it didn't have any plasticware and it was missing lettuce and tomato that I had asked for. The burger was absolutely delicious though, so the reviews are spot on for that at least. The house-made pickles were a nice touch. By the time I had finished the burger I realized that the bacon that I had ordered wasn’t on the burger but I guess I didn’t miss it really… perhaps I’ll miss the $2.50 extra that I was charged for it later but I didn’t bother to make a fuss about it; it was a DoorDash Pickup order and I know that DoorDash often doesn’t include some add-ons to the BOH tablet and they should really fix that. The iced tea may have been sitting up for several hours because it tasted a little stale but again nothing to really complain over, I just drank my water and moved on. Would I come back again? Actually, yes. The vibes were chill, the burger was amazing and albeit it wasn’t impeccable service the atmosphere definitely made up for everything. We’re only human after all!

Alex Issokson

Google
Great food, good drinks, and fun trivia! Me and my friends came here on a Tuesday for some trivia and had a blast. We got the chicken nachos and bavarian pretzels to share and both were excellent. If we came back, we would definitely order those again. The trivia was fun, but it was pretty slow since it was just one person reading out the questions and calculating the score. 20 questions for trivia ended up being almost 3 hours... :/ Might try somewhere else for trivia next time, but I'm still happy for the experience.

Bruce K.

Google
Saturday brunch and we're starting our day of drinking across Atlanta. There's a neat vibe here that is half sports bar and half dive bar. On Saturday at 11:30, we weren't the only ones who had started drinking. I ordered off the brunch menu, choosing the brisket hash. My friend chose the gyro with tots and I think she had the better meal. Mine was roasted potatoes and onions with pieces of brisket drizzled with an overly sweet barbecue sauce. I'm sure some folks love this - I found it only okay and wouldn't choose it again. The gyro looked great though the cold tzatziki sauce turned the sliced meat into just warm. Big portion of tots with it though and they were perfect. Fun spot and I would like to return for evening drinks.

Lisa Maydwell

Google
We didn't realize it was karaoke night which made the night better. The staff is friendly and attentive. I appreciate the vegan options. The greens were a tad salty, but everything else was great.

Aye Champ

Google
I've been here three maybe four times now because the food never disappoints. It's never too crowded which I also appreciate. Initially I wasn't going to leave a review but I feel compelled after reading other reviews about the bartenders being unfriendly and the vibes being weird. They're really not very personable and never have been any time I've gone. I feel like a burden even placing an order with them. I understand an off day, especially in food service but this may be something that should be addressed. I'll come back, like I said the food is great but I'll avoid the bar. You didn't have to be my best friend by any means but I hate feeling like I'm ruining someone's day by politely asking for food or drink.

Craig Prater

Google
This is a nice neighborhood bar. Had their burger week burger when I visited, which was phenomenal. Also had the mashed sweet potatoes, and the pretzel appetizer. EVERYTHING was good. Nice attentive staff took care of me. The beer/drink menu is extensive, so there are plenty of options. They also do Tuesday trivia night. The parking lot is small, so you'll probably wind up parking on the street. Would recommend.

Sharevia Lovett

Google
First time visiting!! Nice vibe place. The fun part is that you can play games!! It was at least 20 of us that dine in. They had a very relax patio to go out on if you wanted to. Spent 4 plus hour at this place lol. We going back for our friends night out!! Drink are on point!!

Jade R.

Yelp
Nice little spot for a quick bite and drinks. Great location to meet a group of friends. I ordered the fried pickles and the portion was huge. Staff is also very friendly!

Maggie H.

Yelp
Came on a Friday night and got to witness karaoke. Bar is busy, love the decorations, especially all the flags. It's definitely like an after a 9-5 work shift place to hang out. Love that there is a happy hour and even a later happy hour on Fridays. Food was okay: your typical bar food.

Amanda G.

Yelp
Good clean fun! Go on a Friday night for karaoke, burgers and beers - such a fun time!

Kandus J.

Yelp
This is a sweet little spot to checkout, especially if it's a late night. They have stickers in a lot of places, a great bar selection & fast service, usually. Food is pretty damn good too! They've got potato fries that are very delicious and like little potato sliders. Super tasty! A lot of good vegetarian options too!

Bruce K.

Yelp
Saturday brunch and we're starting our day of drinking across Atlanta. There's a neat vibe here that is half sports bar and half dive bar. On Saturday at 11:30, we weren't the only ones who had started drinking. I ordered off the brunch menu, choosing the brisket hash. My friend chose the gyro with tots and I think she had the better meal. Mine was roasted potatoes and onions with pieces of brisket drizzled with an overly sweet barbecue sauce. I'm sure some folks love this - I found it only okay and wouldn't choose it again. The gyro looked great though the cold tzatziki sauce turned the sliced meat into just warm. Big portion of tots with it though and they were perfect. Fun spot and I would like to return for evening drinks. [Review 20042 overall - 642 in Georgia - 1017 of 2023.]

Nicole W.

Yelp
Came for a quick drink and burger. Sadly I didn't love my burger. It wasn't very flavorful, but I did enjoy my cocktail. They had a good number of cocktail options for a place that's more like a dive bar.

Ahmad W.

Yelp
I went here for the first time today after looking at the menu. I passed here countless times going somewhere else. I got the beer battered cod. The first time ever having fish and chips it comes with tartar and coleslaw for $15.00. Chips so good I ate those before touching the fish. Delicious

Darryl T.

Yelp
Cool little bar... it was pretty slow when I went on a Friday night. Service was pretty good they bartender was very attentive. I would describe it as a quaint neighborhood bar. It was a good vibe. Didn't have food but there is the regular menu then a late night menu. I would absolutely go back here for drinks.

Gia H.

Yelp
It is a nice dive bar. Affordable, and good food. It's not too busy, which is a plus. But sometimes their service is a bit slow. I'd definitely recommend this establishment for college students and locals.

Halle C.

Yelp
This was a cute little late night find. I love the atmosphere of this Tavern as it reminded me of my old neighborhood pub in Baltimore. How nice it is to see people enjoying drinks, darts, and each other's conversation! My friend and I sat down at a table first, and no one acknowledged us. We realized after a couple minutes we had to go to the bar to order food and, of course, drinks. The bartender lady was very busy, but she did a good job taking care of her patrons. Our food is where things took a downturn. I'm completely perplexed as to how the food could be SO WARMLY COLD. It wasn't like it had been sitting there a long time, but maybe more like it had all been poorly microwaved. Although it was around 10pm, we figured there was no reason fried common bar food like tater tots and fried potato rounds should be warm but also cold. The mashed sweet potatoes and broccoli were the worst, two foods that should not be eaten when not hot. The tofu sliders were an intriguing idea, but the bread was way too thick and bigger than the tofu, and the flavors created more CONfusion than fusion. I do appreciate the large variety on the menu, but the execution I tasted failed miserably. If 1 hour before kitchen closing is not enough time to prepare hot food, maybe they should close the kitchen earlier. Apart from the food, the drink side of things was EXCELLENT and very reasonably priced. Several pages of beers, wines, and sustainable spirits. I had so many good and local beers. I could've stayed forever. Highly recommend this place for beer and drinks! Just be careful of the food!

Ross H.

Yelp
This is the kind of place that doesn't give a s**t in a really good way. The essentials, food and drinks, are top-notch but everything is very relaxed. The staff were extremely friendly.

Candace B.

Yelp
I had a pretty ok experience tonight. It's was crowded with only 2 bartenders that did their best and apologized for the delay. However when I went to use the women's bathroom. A man had came in the women's bathroom with his female friends and I was immediately uncomfortable. Me and another woman stated that we were uncomfortable that he was on the women's bathroom. He was verbally aggressive and insulting, stating that he identifies as a woman. Which is fine but the bathroom door said women not all genders. Him and his female friends said that this restaurant was inclusive of all genders however their was no way of me knowing that when their wasn't an "all gender" sign on the door. The man in the women's bathroom, felt offended that I was uncomfortable with him being in the women's bathroom. He immediately began verbally accosting me, and pointing his finger in my face, as I remained calm in my communication. I am accepting of anyone that identifies as whatever, however that does not erase the fact that he is physically a man who is scientifically and legally stronger than a woman. Because he was verbally threatening, I reminded him that he couldn't fight a woman. He then stated that he could get one of his friends to fight me. I continued to communicate with the other women that were accepting of his presence in the women's bathroom on how that's not ok and he finally left the bathroom. This restaurant should know what happen and take the right steps in preparing patrons for an all gender situations.

Jacqueline W.

Yelp
I live local and wanted to try this place. We walked in and the sign said please sit yourself. We opted for the patio. No one came, turns out you need to notify the wait staff to sit outside ... cool. Wait staff notified. She *eventually* comes out with ice water. The same ice water we had to make last for about 2 hours, because it's just too inconvenient to bring more water. Immediately, she like " y'all want to sit outside, it's so hot". Her vibe was totally like hurry up, so I can tend to more important things. While ordering, I felt rushed and overtalked. We did order a lot of food for two people. 1. Wings - Caribbean Jerk Flavor 5/5 2. Avocado and Corn Fritters 4/5 3. Chicken and Waffle Sliders 5/5 4. Pulled Pork Tacos 1/5 5. Cobb Salad 4/5 6. Gyro -NR All the food arrived to the table about 30 minutes late, everything except the gyro. The food and apps were bought out together. I assumed she forget to put in the gyro. Nope, 20 minutes later it arrived cold. I looked at the waitress, like you could've kept this. And we both knew it. So after a LONG wait, we see her again, and we ask for to-go boxes and water. She lets her know that we might not get water, because she's too busy. I was shocked, but okay girl. I ask for a bigger to-go box because it's an entire meal that needs to go. She brings back tiny boxes and lets me know they ran out of big to go boxes. At this point, I'm like can you just take the food off , I don't want it and I definitely don't want it if it has to be disassembled to put in a box. So the waitress let's me know the following: 1. It's already on the table so no she can't take it off 2. She can't bring a bigger box but she can stuff my food in 3 boxes (because it should fit) 3. They're overwhelmed When I asked to speak to someone else above her, she let me know it wasn't anyone else, that she would need to call the owner to have the 11 dollar gyro taken off. I agreed - call the owner and tell him. Eventually, the other waitress ( I presume the manager) came out and squared everything away with no hesitation. Overall, this place missed the mark and the waitress was a mess... it was just a weird experience all together.

Bernadette M.

Yelp
Two single girls walk into the Thinking Man Tavern lookin' for a man that can hold a conversation. The bartender did a good job. We sat at the end of the bar and I had the Six Bridges Sour Continuum sour out of Johns Creek, Georgia while my dear friend had a could gin cocktails. We were about to have dinner at a friend's house so we didn't enjoy any of the snacks on their menu. Review #29 of 100 in 2021

Jacqui P.

Yelp
One of the few places in the area with a chill bar vibe. I had a mule and the ginger was so fresh. Will definitely be back.

Madison K.

Yelp
I guess their menu changes a lot because it didn't match the one I found online. That would be no worries if the current menu made any sense. Just no cohesiveness and not even basic bar food - no fries? No regular chicken strips? A few vegetarian friendly options but no vegetables as a side? Service was fine but our overall meal was pretty disappointing.

Betsy S.

Yelp
This was a really disappointing lunch. The server was friendly enough, but disinterested. I ordered a chicken salad salad. The ingredients were fresh and the portion generous, but overall the salad was uninteresting and the chicken salad mixture was bland. My server didn't bring or offer me water -- drinks were never discussed. After serving the food, she never dropped by to ask if I needed anything or how things were. To get my check, I had to go find her at the bar. I paid my check up there and headed out. There were three tables occupied in the entire restaurant (including mine), so I can't attribute her performance to being swamped. Odd. Between the service and the food, I won't be back.

Karen F.

Yelp
I used to love this place. What happened? The food was gross, to put it politely. The avocado corn fritters were burnt on the outside and doughy on the inside. The nicest thing I can say about the wings is that I've had better from a gas station. So disappointed. Service wasn't any better than the food. Like the wings, I've had better service at a gas station. Money would have been better spent if I used it to light a fire. I'm so sad that the quality has taken a nose dive.

Paco R.

Yelp
Decent low key pub in which to escape the heat. I can't recommend the food though- to be charitable: "it didn't agree w/ me at 3am".

Winta S.

Yelp
Horrible service. I went to pick up my order and it was ready, on a chair by the front door. However, it was missing a drink. I tried to flag down one of the employees, a woman wearing glasses (hair in a bun), we make eye contact and she turns around and runs into a different room. Extremely unprofessional and childish. All she had to do was direct me somewhere else or take 2 seconds to just hand me a drink. Disappointing experience.

Joel B.

Yelp
Good food. Great decor. The place to go if you enjoy pub food but aren't a sports freak.

Amber H.

Yelp
Came in at 10pm on a Thursday right after landing in Atlanta. It was pretty empty, service was attentive. When you walk in it definitely smells like a tavern (you know that smell lol), and we were able to sit anywhere. We ordered a beer (wide variety of selection is nice) and ordered a plate of loaded potato rounds (one of a couple vegetarian options). My mom is allergic to latex gloves, and they do use latex gloves for anyone else who is allergic. The potato rounds ($8) were yummy and satisfied my late night cravings of cheese. I wish they served with more pico!

Deejay K.

Yelp
What an awesome place!! Some friends and I stopped during a bike ride for a few brews and a snack. Really great food!! Awesome beers... some of the best taps in the city! And really wonderful service!! I love this spot!!

Jae V.

Yelp
This is the place for beer lovers. I'm more of a wine person so I didn't try the beer but I like the casual, laid back atmosphere and I love that they have a board games corner so you can choose a game and play at your table. Nice touch! I had the flat iron steak salad and it was yummy, nothing at all to complain about there. Kinda cool they have half bottles of wine too.

Liz B.

Yelp
I usually come here everyother week to get their gumbo with a side of bread. Unfortunately for me i almost always go during trivia night and it gets PACKED. The server told us that today that their machines were down so service would be slower but thats fine. It wasnt that busy and i had time to spare. This time i decided to get the lunch special with two sliders and a side of gumbo. For less than 10 dollars i got SO. MUCH. FOOD. WORTH IT. My friend got the veggie tacos with the beans and rice then had a side of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was to die for. The reason why im giving it 3 stars was because the server this time seemed a little more off standish to us and interacting more with other customers. Ill still come back for the food but I hope the service would be a little better next time.

Robin S.

Yelp
I've been calling Thinking Man Tavern my 'go-to' neighborhood pub, and it is. So why have I given it only four stars? I have no idea. I shall correct that error. In the category of neighborhood craft beer pubs, Thinking Man earns top marks. They specialize in American craft beers on tap, which I prefer, and I have never been unable to find something I like. Last night it was Sierra Nevada Harvest, one of the best IPAs made. But I could have gone with several others as well. Food is always good, too. I have favorites, but often opt for the daily special. Perhaps not a 'gastropub', but pretty good. Potato rounds are killer. And the space, ambiance and staff are just about perfect.

Simon F.

Yelp
Dreadful experience. Arrived at 6pm on a Saturday with the place only a quarter full and ordered food. Took an hour and a half to come. Lots of apologies.. ' the kitchen is backed up'... when the food finally came it was accompanied with plastic cutlery. Classy. The food was poor. Burger ordered medium rare was well done. Fries were cold. save your money. The thinking man will go elsewhere...

Shae G.

Yelp
My husband and I went here last night, because we always wanted to try it. Horrible experience and will never be back. The server acted like she didn't want to be there. We both ordered the vegetarian BBQ sandwich, my husband had rice and beans for the side. I had the jalapeño cheese grits. The sandwich's were cold, along with the beans and rice. The grits were old. We told the server about it only thing she said was really, went to ask the cook but never came back. It's as if they didn't feel like working. Only thing that was hot that we had was our appetizer the cauliflower wings.

Jennifer B.

Yelp
I can't believe it but after 30+ years of living and working in and near Decatur, i finally tried TMT - twice in the past 2 weeks. First time, I had a burger and potato rounds, which are addictive. The burger was pretty good but on my return visit I got the kale Caesar with chicken and Pine St Market bacon. That is my favorite dish now - soft Kale and romaine, vinaigrette dressing, finely shaved cheese tossed in and croutons. The chicken is grilled, not marinated and the bacon is sublime. I am a white wine gal and they only sell my preference by the split, which is the cost of a glass of wine in a more expensive - they capped it and sealed up for me when I Uncharacteristically failed to finish said split. Atmosphere is pun casual. Great diversity of patrons and they show wacky grade D movies on the TV at the bar / who van resist a teen (they looked in their 30s) beach movie featuring a double-headed shark?

Hannah W.

Yelp
My friends and I came here for drinks after catching a movie at the AMCs. On a Friday, this place isn't super packed or rowdy like some other bars. It was a great environment for us to just sit down, chat and hangout. They have a decent amount of selection for drinks and food. I got to try their potato rounds and fried green tomatoes. I really enjoyed the rounds because they weren't as dry and crispy as chips and has seasonings (old bay maybe) that aren't usually on regular fries. The green tomatoes were decent too. I like how this place seems like a classier place to hangout and not super crowded and loud, especially on a night like Friday. The service was great also.

Greg H.

Yelp
We have been going to Thinking Man for years, but that is probably over. We ate lunch there today, even though they have failed their most recent health inspection. While we were there today, they straight up lie to us about their actions related to a current boil water advisory. When we asked our waitress why they were still serving tap water, she said that the owner told her that the county came and inspected their water and it was fine. REALLY? So Dekalb County sent someone, just for this one restaurant, to inspect their water, ON A SUNDAY? Blatant lie. To our faces. So I guess we'll be taking them out of our weekly rotation.

Ben B.

Yelp
I love Thinking Man. What do I love most about it? It's cozy. It's got the perfect "neighborhood pub" feel. It's never so crowded that I have to squeeze into a bar seat and have people yelling drink orders over my shoulder. The music is never so loud that I can't hear the people at my own table. If you're looking for something fancy, go elsewhere. If you're looking for the hippest place, it may not be for you. It's just a comfortable place to sit, have a beer (which there is always a good selection of) and chat with friends. The staff always make us feel welcome and never rush us out when we're playing one of their board games (or even when we've brought on of our own). Thanks guys. You make my Friday nights better.

Darren H.

Yelp
I've been here a bunch of times and don't know why I've never written a review of the place. It's your standard neighborhood pub, there are board games you can play, trivia on Tuesday and they make a pretty good drink. Parking in front can be a little dicey but be aware that there is a free lot if you make a right on Atlanta Ave and park back there. Nice place if you like a quiet spot where you can relax, talk and have some drinks.

Karen C.

Yelp
Walking into Thinking Man, I first notice the variety of stuffed wild animals perched along the walls and the bronze sculpture of the "thinking man" with a Georgia Voter sticker slapped proudly onto his behind - first impressions are everything and Thinking Man did not disappoint. I've only visited Thinking Man on their Tuesday Trivia Nights, but I'm really liking my experiences here so far! Both times I arrived to find their small parking lot out front filled by their faithful trivia crowd. However, there's free street parking alongside the tavern, so I didn't find parking to be an issue at all. We seated ourselves upon seeing the "Please Seat Yourself" sign by the door. Within a couple minutes, waters and menus were plunked down in front of us by friendly servers. Most of the tables were occupied around 7:00 pm, so if you're coming for trivia, get here a little early! Thinking Man offers a wide selection of craft beers on draft that's available in both glasses and pitchers. They also have an impressive array of bottled craft beers, too. I personally like the Bells Two Hearted. It has a nice, underlying sweetness that's laced with hoppy and bitter notes. If you're interested in tasting a draft beer before investing in a whole glass or pitcher, the bartenders are happy to give you a small taste first. On to the grub!! I find that the food's decent, but nothing that will blow you away. Chicken & Waffle Sliders ($8) - These little sliders are adorable! I personally found the portion to be too small, especially since a large sandwich + 1 side costs only $1-2 more. The syrup it comes with tastes amazing. It packs a strong, agave flavor without being overly sweet thanks to the rosemary. Sadly, along with being small, my sliders were rather cold when I got them. The chicken had lost the hot, crispy skin that we look for in fried chicken, and the waffles were soggy. I probably wouldn't get these again. Potato Rounds ($4) - All right Thinking Man fans, don't hate me but...the potato rounds did not do it for me. Not only were they not crunchy enough, they're completely hollow inside! I was searching for some fluffy potato encased in a crisp exterior, only to be disappointed by an empty, soft-ish potato shell. Spicy Fried Pickles ($5) - If you're going to label a food as spicy, it better be spicy. These pickles were not, sadly. All you can taste is salt and vinegar, really. The red powder sprinkled on tasted like paprika rather than the advertised "cayenne." It's quite sad, since some spice would have helped with the sharp acidity of the pickles. Not a big fan of these. I love Thinking Man's beer selection and the friendly service. The atmosphere's great and you can tell everyone's having a really grand time. Don't come here looking for killer bar food, though. They have some interesting sounding items, but they're not really executed to their full potential.

Lisa H.

Yelp
Our quartet decided to give Thinking Man a go recently, as it just happens, during the great "blizzard" of 2016. Other people had braved the elements as well since the parking lot in front of the restaurant was full but there were spots on available on Atlanta Avenue. We were seated at a table, and it was a bit drafty; a few space heaters might've helped out with that conundrum. Not sure if it was less crowded that usual due to the "storm" but at least we didn't have to wait to be seated. A lot of other tables were playing board games, and judging from the whoops we heard a few times, seemed to be having a blast. I was struggling that with notorious problem of deciding what to eat. Lots of typical pub grub: burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups. Eventually I settled on the Tavern Burger with cheddar ($10 + $1 for cheese). The chicken and waffle sliders were a popular item with our group, though I didn't get them since chicken and waffles just seems bizarre to me. Thinking Man goes to town on the side options. I think there were around 10? At any rate, more decisions needed to be made. I asked my server for suggestions and went with one of them, the polenta cakes. Works for me. The burger didn't blow me away. It was okay but after chomping on elite Atlanta burgers, I've been spoiled and my tastebuds now are even pickier. However, it was cooked to my specifications, the veggies were very fresh, and the H&F bun was lightly and pleasantly toasted. The polenta cakes didn't disappoint. While they resembled the triangular fried fish of my school lunch days, they tasted 1000x better: warm, slightly buttery and cheesy, with a crispy exterior. Yum! Hospitable local watering hole. I'd certainly give TMT another shot and try a non-burger on a warmer day.

Nikki K.

Yelp
Vanessa T. and I planned a date night at a location that was oddly closed on the Wednesday night we tried to hit it up. We were both hungry and our brains were scrambling, trying to figure out a place nearby where I can eat. I started scouring my Yelp, trying to think... Wait, THINK. Thinking Man! That's it!! We dashed down Dekalb Ave to find the Thinking Man waiting for us with open arms and parking lot. We sat down in a booth (which can be painful on your booty, ease into them) and ordered edamame to start. Edamame prepared right is always good, and these little guys were done right. I've been wanting to try the TLT and asked if it is vegan. I crossed my fingers and cringed- it sounded so good! Marinated tofu, Texas toast, avocado spread!! The waiter immediatedly said they will leave the butter off the toast, therefore making it vegan, YES!! It was delicious!! And the potato rounds are great, nice and crunchy, and my dousing of vinegar didn't phase them into limpness. Vanessa had a BLT I believe, and she finished hers before me, which is a rarity since I generally inhale food like a ravenous dog. I think the conversation and the ease of being able to hear each other in a bar-like setting helped me to slow it down. After parting with my lovely date and heading home, my husband greeted me at the door with wide eyes, asking me about the TLT. I couldn't lie to him, it was all that and a side of potato rounds. Looks like I'll be back soon so he can get some of that vegany goodness in his belly.

Nancy K.

Yelp
Some transitions in life are easy to point out, your first steps, puberty, graduation, etc. The difficult ones are those that you realize after they've happened. The Thinking Man Tavern hit me as one of those after I was pondering it at my local bar. It's the kind of place that you go after you have accomplished a few things, Moved away from home, attended college and secured your first decent-ish paying job (not inclusive but hit at least one of these landmarks). It had the feel of a college bar but with a definite air of those who have experienced things. The beer/drink list is a little higher class and the crowd was my age. Thankfully, it lacks the whoop and holler hormone crazed crowd that I still know but can appreciate from a distance. With ambiance pinpointed, here's the food. I opted for the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, (ahem, when in Rome or Decatur as it where.) which came with potato rounds. The unassuming peppery fried green tomato was precisely what I needed on my last day here, a food to sum up Georgia. Sweet, sour, peppery and salty, it occurred to me, mimics the days and summer nights in the Atlanta area. It conjures up the possibilities that anything can happen if you just let it. We lounged comfortably in the booths and enjoyed the taxidermy and a little Braves baseball. Thinking Man, thanks for being a grown up but not too grown up, post college, bar.

Veda R.

Yelp
Further exploration of my neighborhood continues to validate my love for Decatur :) Hubs and I landed here one Saturday evening, around 10pm to find it pretty not busy? Which was confusing, because I pretty much love this place. Non-smoky, amazing beer list, cheap eats, and BOARD GAMES. We couldn't put together the Connect 4, so settled on Boggle. We noshed on guac and chips, and potato rounds. Potato rounds needed a healthy dose of pepper, but the house-made guac (and for only $5!) really REALLY hit the spot. Our server was so sweet and took care of us. One star off because the floor seemed pretty dirty in our booth...I dropped some Boggle letters (everywhere) and learned this the hard way..... Date-night rotation!

John S.

Yelp
This is a great place for trivia on Tuesdays. There are a lot of regulars, but nobody ever feels unwelcome. The patio is great for pets and all of the servers are very accommodating. Each time you go, you are likely to see familiar faces, which is nice. I've had their small plates, sandwiches, and burgers which are all decent. Their fried pickles are amongst my favorite and the fried green tomatoes are nice. My wife got the Southwest Salad once, and she said it was tasty. The LBGT and the Cuban are solid, so enjoy.

Jeremy D.

Yelp
Thinking man is like a normal neighborhood bar, if your normal neighborhood bar makes high quality food and is serious about microbrews. Every time I've been in, it's been surprisingly slow. Maybe the 12:30am crowd is more happening, but I don't mind being able to get a table for 6 at almost any time. About the beer: yes, they have it. It's well priced. There's normal stuff and weird stuff. If you like beer you'll enjoy yourself. Nuff said about beer. The real star of the show is the food. What local dive bar makes polenta cakes as a side option?? THESE GUYS. You would be doing a huge disservice to yourself if you don't eat here! I recommend the Cuban sandwich, which is filled with tasty smoky-sweet pork that's slightly crisped at the end of the sandwich, stuffed between some delightful H&F bread. The polenta cakes are crazy good as a side, but so is the pimiento Mac or the kale. Also - they have a selection of board games that you can play as well. Definitely a good place to kill some time.

Chris C.

Yelp
Came here one night. Mmm where to start...?? Well came here one night with a group of friends. I just ordered a tomato soup and some beers. IT was good. The only reason why it lost two start was because they servers were... mmm well not bad but couldn't keep tracks of who ordered what.. during the stay for the drink the server asked us what we ordered so we thought oka she got it. Then when we were ready to leave we asked for our checks. They had to ask us what we ordered agin which is a hassle. Not lying here it probably take them an hour to figured out what we ordered. What doesn't make sense was they gave us the checks and we checked that it was corrects gave them the cards to pay. Waited so long then they told us that they need to start all over... ??? Ugh. I do t think I will be coming back here again.

Harry H.

Yelp
Okay, so this is a beer / pub. Why do I like it more than "okay, it's fine"? Well, they almost always have baseball on the TV - they almost always have a few dark beers up (some places just do all IPAs - I hate those places!) and the food is good (if not great). It's comfortable, not spendy - a good option if you're looking for a drink to watch the game.

Jessica B.

Yelp
This is my little haven with an incredible whiskey selection, great drinks, amazing food, and great options for vegetarians. I am a fan of the dive bar in general, so the darker atmosphere, cluttered look is my thing. There are also board games and darts available, which I have never used but I really like having the option when I am there with friends. I have also come alone and sat at a booth on a quiet night to study or just catch up on emails. The service is pretty good; not overly attentive but have had great servers in the past with terrific suggestions. I know I won't go wrong with asking "what do you think" from my server. Parking can be iffy; if you can get in the lot, super. The side street is iffy as well. So far I have gotten lucky with parking, but on the occasional busy night, it's not the most fun.

Jason D.

Yelp
Really good vibe, a decent beer selection, and quality pub food. The burgers were great and can be started with beef, turkey or a veggie burger. There's several house specialties or you can build your own. I wish we would have had more time there - next time we're in the area I'd like to try some of the starters on the menu.

Jeremy A.

Yelp
This is a great local joint in Decatur. I have alot of friends that love this place and I have been dragged there on multiple occasions. They also host intellectual drinking events such as the presidential debates last year. Any place that pours Dogfish head is #1 in my book since this is my favorite brewery. They also have pretty good food and a Galaga machine. That's what I'm talking about.

Amanda S.

Yelp
I've been here a couple times, I frequent a nearby business and several colleagues use Thinking Man as a meeting place. The first time I ate here, I was unimpressed. My fried green tomato sandwich was tasteless and my joining friend had to have his food wrapped up because after waiting 25 mins for his food to arrive, we needed to leave. I came in here last week between meetings and sat by myself at the bar. Despite being aware their lackadaisical service, silly me thought 35 mins would be enough time to order a sandwich and the location was convenient so I thought "I'll give it another try". The seat next to mine sat unbussed since who knows how long and stayed dirty until I left. There was 1 couple at the bar who's food arrived when I sat down, but the bartender didn't acknowledge my arrival. She dropped their food and walked out from behind the bar and didn't come back for about 7 mins. A little off putting, but thinking I could still stuff my meal into 30 mins, I took a menu when she finally saw me. 10 mins later I finally had my order in. I'm looking at the clock, "ok, 20 mins" I thought to myself "worst case scenario, I'll get it to go". Well no one ever checked on me, acknowledged my wait, or even apologized. The 2 girls working were "so busy" with the whole 8 people in the restaurant... At 6:57 (37 mins after sitting down at the bar) I figured the food would be out any minute, but nervous about being late to my 7pm appt, I told the bartender "I'm sorry, this is taking way too long. You can cancel that order". I felt bad not having a couple dollars to at least tip the girl, but considering she acted as though I wasn't there, I figured she wouldn't even notice. Today I received a message from my colleague informing me the manager had asked him to pass along the message that I was not welcomed back. I was mortified- and while I had no intention to EVER RETURN- the unprofessional manner in which the manager is now talking to my colleagues as though I did something wrong is insane! (He also said "I'd hate for her to start something with you if you walked in". What kind of Neanderthal are we dealing with, that I have to fear harassment if I ever joined my colleagues at this sorry excuse for a pub?? I'm also surprised she knew I was a part of their group since I was not sitting with them, but I suppose on a Monday evening we are their only business. I have told this story to all my colleagues when there is mention of Thinking Man, and they are appalled. I will encourage them to find another nearby restaurant to conduct their business in!

Kat V.

Yelp
We love this place. If we don't know where to go or can't decide, we go here. Great specials, awesome bartenders, and lots of vegetarian options. They carry the Impossible Burger here now!

Christopher Z.

Yelp
Cold draft beer under $4 a pint. They were out of a few items (seemed very busy on Saturday). We'll be back and hope to try the wings and fish & chips (they were out).

Marvin B.

Yelp
Stopped in for a beverage with my fiancée so we just sat at the bar, the bartender was very responsive and attentive to our needs. We have 2 rounds of deinks and an appetizer which we were very good. We will certainly return. Love the decor and atmosphere.