DINING OUT: Just for the fun of it

DINING OUT: BEAN POST

Beer-lovers definitely descend on Bean Post Pub for the brew – 21 different beers on tap and 50 bottled varieties at any one time – but now they eagerly joined by wings fans and, in fact, fans of pub food as a whole, as the watering hole could potentially lay claim to being one of the best-kept culinary secrets in Bay Ridge.

Most of the eats served up at Bean Post are finger food – freshly prepared, full of flavor, and downright fun to eat, thanks to the easygoing and spirited renditions of classic bar food served up under the direction of owner Anthony LoPorto, who admits to having a blast, dreaming up the menu items, often with a little help from customers or friends.

Many of the wings variations, for example, “started with my softball team here. We’d go across the street to the store and buy ingredients,” explained LoPorto. “It all came from us sitting together on a Sunday afternoon and laughing. It’s like having an Erector Set as a kid.”

Thus, specialties like the crispy, salty and delectable Stripped Wings in four flavors, all wrapped with bacon ($9 for eight, up to $53 for 50) were born. But, they are just the beginning. We tried several varieties, from your basic Buffalo Wings ($7.50 for eight, up to $38.50 for 50) to the Spirited Wings ($( for eight, up to $44.50 for 50), available spiked with seven different liquors.

Every wing we tasted had us hungering for more. The medium-hot Buffalo wings were tart and spicy, served alongside a cup of Bleu Cheese dressing that was piquant without being overbearing. We were particularly taken with the Dry Rub wings, also medium-hot, in which brown sugar adds both sweetness and an unusually pleasant texture to the finished dish.

The Bean Post Bayou wings get their flavor from Southern Comfort, and they are spicy and buttery smooth, a sticky morsel of culinary heaven. It’s Wild Turkey in the Honey Bourbon BBQ Wings, adding a sweet kick that’s absolutely irresistible.

Speaking of spice, if you like it hot, you’ll love Bean Post’s Shrimp Kickers ($11.50), bacon-wrapped crustaceans spiked with horseradish for a whole different kind of kick.

If you crave variety in your finger food, the Bean Post Sampler ($19.75) is a good bet. With Buffalo Wings, Chicken Fingers, Mozzarella Sticks, Jalapeno Poppers, Zucchini Sticks, Breaded Mushrooms, Onion Rings and Waffle Fries, all freshly made, crispy and addictive, it’s fried food nirvana, to be sure.

If sandwiches are your thing, you will want to dig into Bean Post’s Coasters ($8-$9 for three, with fries). The pub’s version of sliders, served on soft, oval rolls, the trio is a satisfying meal, or can be shared among diners as an appetizer. Choices vary from pulled pork to flank steak to French dip, and more.

The burgers are also succulent. We tried the Bean Post Burger ($11.50) smothered in grilled peppers, onions and mushrooms, under a blanket of melted mozzarella, and the 4 A.M. Burger ($9.50), woken up with waffle fries, mozzarella cheese and gravy, and finished up with another sandwich, Pete’s Tid Bits ($11.50, with steak) – open-faced slabs of garlic bread taken to new heights with strips of steak, melted mozzarella and slices of jalapeno pepper.

If there’s one lesson to be had at the Bean Post, it’s this – food is fun.

Bean Post Pub
7525 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209
718-619-5908
Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 a.m.
Sunday, noon-4 a.m.
Kitchen open: Monday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight; Friday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-midnight
BeanPostPub.com
Free delivery with minimum $15 order