If you have ever been to a pub in England, Ireland, or Scotland, you know the feeling they emanate – an unpretentious comradery that makes every stranger a friend. The barkeep serves comfort food, and offers an assortment of ales, stouts, ciders, and meads that quench the thirst of the choosiest connoisseur or the heartiest beer-drinking novice. This is The Green Dragon Public House.
Located in the basement of a defunct creamery not too far from the old Murfreesboro railroad station, when you step through the door you will find a place that will make a Hobbit smile. Harry and his friends would be equally welcome, but they will have to skip the butterbeer.
Appealing to a multi-generational crowd, they offer an assortment of nibble, soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizza, all made with their own special twist.
For those wishing for standard British pub fair, The Green Dragon offers a Ploughman’s lunch. Like its namesake, it offers cheese, a choice of meat, chutney, and a pickle served with house-made toast points.
Their top-seller sandwich is their own take on the Ruben. Called the Peppered Turkey Ruben, layered on marbled rye bread is peppered turkey, sauerkraut, Irish white cheddar, and a homemade Cajun remoulade sauce.
Every Monday is tomato-basil soup day. Made fresh by the lady of the house, it is creamy and light; a blend of vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh cream, and basil. The rest of the week they offer two soup choices, as the whim of the chef. Some favorites are Hungarian Wild Mushroom, Butternut Squash, and Marsala.
Besides the fun, Tolkienesque, pub-chic atmosphere, they offer a play corner for the kids stocked with books, toys, games, and a dragon, of course.
Of course, what most adults really come for is the beer. They offer an assortment of old-world styles. Some are from local artisanal brewers, while others are imported. One of the most unique comes from the Czech Republic. It is an unfiltered, unpasteurized Urquell that is flown from Europe to the United States in a refrigerated container and arrives at The Green Dragon chilly.
“It must stay cold because it is not pasteurized,” explains owner Joe Minter. “The heating process of pasteurization kills flavor; the result of keeping it unpasteurized is a richer beer.”
The Green Dragon has also started brewing their own beer. It is an unfiltered Withwindle Brown Ale. They use flakes oats instead of wheat, Victory malt, and Golding & Fuggles hops.
“Every batch is a little different,” notes Minter. “Sometimes it comes out smoky and toasted, other times it comes out with an earthy chocolate–caramel flavor.”
Open for lunch and dinner, the owners keep the young ones in mind, closing at 9:00 p.m. Come early, the place fills up fast.
The Green Dragon Public House
714F West Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Facebook: facebook.com/greendragonpubandbrewery
Cost: $3 to $13
Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:00 am until 9:00 pm
Type of Food: Unique Pub Food
Child-Friendly
