Restaurant Review: Ringgold's Wrath Burgers and Brew raises the bar for pub fare

Few things go together as perfectly as burgers and cold beer. With that in mind, Susie and I set out for Ringgold to check out Wrath Burgers and Brew, which has been gaining attention from local burger and craft beer aficionados for a couple years. Located in a rather industrial-looking strip mall, the place doesn't make much of an impression from the outside. Inside, though, about a dozen rotating taps beckon with craft brews from across the Southeast, and the spacious eatery exudes a cool, relaxed vibe. It was slow when we arrived around 4:30 p.m. on a Saturday, with a few diners seated upfront and others shooting pool in the back.

The Space

Mythology permeates all aspects of Wrath's identity from the medieval script lettering of the menu to various foods named for mythological gods and creatures. Fittingly, it's a darkly lit, cavernous room anchored by a rustic wooden bar. A series of booths line the front wall, with tables dotting the open dining area.

There are three pool tables and also a good-size stage for live bands, karaoke and acoustic acts to play on weekend evenings. Pop and rock music is piped through the house stereo at other times (Huey Lewis and the News was on heavy rotation this visit).

The Menu

Wrath puts its distinct spin on most favorites you would find on a typical bar menu.

Wrath Burgers and Brew's Beer Cheese Bowl appetizer with tots. / Staff photo by Chris Zelk

Appetizers include Bacon Wrapped Shrimp ($8.99), wings in a variety of flavors including the spicy Woman Scorned (six for $7.99), and fried pickles called Spartan Spears and Shields ($5.99).

There are seven specialty burgers ($12.99) including Prometheus (made with fried jalapenos, five-pepper sauce and swiss), El Chupacabra (made with chorizo, grilled jalapenos, guacamole and provolone), and The Southwest (made with fried jalapenos, barbecue sauce and cheddar). You can also build your own Burger of the Gods, which start at $9.99 with 10 extra toppings from which to choose.

Health-conscious items are not what I generally look for or expect in a place like this, but Wrath offers a handful of salads and vegetarian dishes.

The Food

We ordered Georgia-brewed pints of Scofflaw Basement IPA ($7) and SweetWater Blue wheat ale ($5.25) before starting things out with the Beer Cheese Bowl appetizer ($6.99). Jalapenos give this bacon-and-beer-based cheese dip a potent bite, but it's tasty enough that if you like spicy food you'll forge on, undeterred.

It's served with a choice of tots, toast or fries. Tots seemed the obvious choice and the generous portion we received was fried to crispy perfection. Two people of average appetite could easily split this appetizer over a beer or two and forego ordering anything else at one sitting.

Wrath Burgers and Brew's Steak Fajita Wrap with fries. / Staff photo by Chris Zelk

So we stopped midway through sampling the appetizer to try the Steak Fajita Wrap ($10.99) and The Minotaur burger ($12.99).

The wrap's tender steak and requisite onions, peppers, lettuce and cheese was set off by a chipotle ranch that packed plenty of heat and was served with seasoned fries. Despite the chipotle's bite, this wrap was a solid choice.

A beer to take the edge off is mandatory, though.

I was pleased to find The Minotaur one of the best burgers I've ever tried. It was cooked exactly as requested and topped with bacon, cheddar, caramelized onions, A1 sauce, lettuce, tomato and pickles. And since the tots were so good with the Beer Cheese Bowl earlier, I got them on the side, too, instead of fries.

The Service

Our server, Josh, was attentive and made sure everything arrived at the correct temperature and without much of a wait.

The Verdict

Wrath gets it right. This is an ideal spot to unwind that Dionysus himself would likely approve of.

Contact Chris Zelk at czelk@timesfreepress.com.