Get Back: Pearl Street Taphouse in Jeffersonville Has Still Got It
Goodness, those Pearl Street Taprhouse stuffed mushrooms are delicious. Photos by Kevin Gibson
Back in the “Before Times,” I hit Pearl Street Taphouse in Jeffersonville several times for selections from the craft beer program and the bar food. But then Covid-19 came along, I stopped going out to eat, and Pearl Street fell off my radar. Boy, I’m glad I finally went back.
I had the chance to talk with owners Kelly Conn and Teri Taylor just before they opened their bar in 2016; they told me the space is a former home that survived the 1937 Flood and had been relocated by Jeffersonville Main Street Inc., then zoned for commercial use. The cozy, 1,600-square-foot space has a fireplace, a porch and patio. When they saw the house, they knew immediately it was the right place to open their business.
More than four years later, the business having survived the pandemic much as the old home survived natural disaster, they’re still serving up tasty bar bites and craft beers to eager customers. I met for happy hour/dinner with family members recently, and while I went in thinking I might order one of Pearl Street’s signature burgers – the burgers are pretty amazing – the five of us, consisting of my cousins Tammy and Tracy, and their husbands Keith and Kevin, and I, collectively decided to split an array of appetizers.
Our friendly and patient server Meagan (we took a while to make up our minds) cued up our orders one by one. We kicked off the meal with the Pearl Cap Mushrooms: big 'shrooms turned on their head and stuffed with a three-cheese blend, spinach, then baked. Presented beautifully (as all the dishes were). They were huge and numbered only three, so we started cutting them in half and sharing. We agreed they were so good that we needed another order, so we requested one post haste.
Next up was the Fire-Roasted Artichoke and Spinach Dip, which was a huge helping of chunky dip served with thinly-sliced sourdough bread (you can also get vegetables). It was another hit – I grabbed two pieces of bread and slathered them with the thick dip, thinking that would be enough. I ended up grabbing two more. Or was it three? Either way, I think it was some of the best artichoke and spinach dip I’ve ever had.
Get on that spicy stout beer cheese.
Savory dry-rubbed chicken bites were next – normally, it’s dry-rubbed wings, but there’s a chicken wings shortage – came with a house-made bourbon-sriracha dip that was spicy, sweet and wonderful; we also got ranch and blue cheese for variety. Chicken is just chicken, but the dry rub adds a savory flavor that makes for a nice meal starter or snack. On my first visit to Pearl Street, Taylor told me the seasoning is her own secret recipe, which she calls Powder Keg seasoning. It’s darn good on the wings, too, when they’re available.
Then came the bacon-wrapped dates. While I love bacon, I’ve never been a dates guy, so I let the fam tear into those while I saved room for the forthcoming giant pretzel. I’m glad I did, because it became another two-fer item, thanks in no small part to the trio of beer cheeses served to us. The spiciest version, which Meagan said was made with stout, was laced with jalapeno pepper slices for a nice surprise, and all three were thick and flavorful. Meanwhile, both pretzels were cooked perfectly to the right amount of crisp, and salted just the right amount.
Another pre-Covid visit had yielded a Parmesan Encrusted Grilled Cheese (it’s still on the menu), made with white cheddar, provolone and habanero havarti cheeses, tomato, bacon and avocado spread. Sure, 10 bucks is a bit high for a grilled cheese, but it was so much more than just a cheese sandwich. I’d get it again.
And for $12, you can’t go wrong with any of the Powder Keg burgers, based on my experience. Check out these options: Beer cheese, bacon, dill pickles & green leaf; Sriracha bourbon glaze, white cheddar & green leaf; White Cheddar, green leaf, tomato, onion & smoky mayo; BBQ, bacon, white cheddar, tomato & green leaf, or Bleu cheese, bacon, honey Sriracha bourbon drizzle and green leaf.
Of course, don’t overlook the house cocktails and the ever-rotating craft beer selection. I stuck with Cigar City Brewing’s Jai Alai IPA during our recent session, but there are 20 taps, so you’ll find something interesting to suit your palate.
Anyway, I’m getting back out and about these days, and plan to get back to more of my old favorites. But I might have to pencil in Pearl Street Taphouse for a return visit sooner rather than later.
Pearl Street is located at 407 Pearl St., just a few steps from the foot of the Big Four Bridge.
Note: The interior photo below is courtesy of Pearl Street Taphouse; exterior photo from Google.
