Leon’s is my favorite place ever to grab a beer and a snack. I love the unique food, wonderful staff, sunny patio and natural light indoors, and all that gorgeous cement and steel!
I completely agree. Can’t beat BSP in the winter time, and the patio at Leon’s is fantastic in the warmer months. I just wish they’d switch up their tap list from time to time.
Y’all know the same people own both and win either way.
Personally I prefer Leon’s, but deeply respect those who prefer the Brick. Especially with Decatur’s no-smoking ordinance, the second floor at the Brick is a great place to be. (Don’t sit near the front door unless you like inhaling smoke.)
Sorry, but I’ve been to The Square Pub three times and eaten there twice and their tired “Southwest fusion” standard pub grub in no way approaches the ambitious food at Leon’s. And claiming it beats BSP on beer selection is like Rush Limbaugh calling Michelle Obama fat: ridiculous on its face.
I prefer Leon’s — wider and better selection of beverages and food. I also got kinda turned off by way too many experiences with rude staff at BSP — and I’m usually really forgiving and accommodating since it can be a tough business to be in…
Brick Store obviously has the better beer selection, but Leon’s is superior in just about every other way. Better food, better outdoor seating, better atmosphere, less crowded, and a bocce court.
It depends. If you want an interesting cocktail and a good sit down meal, Leon’s. If you want to hang out and drink beer (and have some really good bar food in the process), BSP.
I agree – this is a really difficult comparison without knowing the purposes for which one is making the choice. I suppose that’s what makes this a worthwhile post and an interesting question for people to get into. Everybody has different reasons for preferring one over the other, but for the most part, these reasons are not mutually exclusive.
I actually have never liked the Brickstore. I used to go in years ago because a friend was a bartender, but I never got the big deal. Now Leon’s I love!
Depends on whether I’m out to eat or to just drink; the food is SO much better at Leon’s, but if I’m just going out for a beer, Brick Store is where it’s at.
I’m with Nelliebell. I have never really cared for BSP. I have tried too many times to count to find the good service and good food my friends rave about. Service is usually nonchalant and sometimes downright rude. Twice in the last year they have completely messed up our order and not even bothered to apologize, even when pointed out to them. I know it has a soft spot in most Decaturites heart as one of the first places to reinvigorate the square, but I’m not wasting any more money there. The beer selection is unmatchable, but it doesn’t make up for the faults. Leon’s always has impeccable service, the food is top notch, and the beer selection is good and sometimes great. Plus, the patio scene is awesome.
My two cents worth. The Pub has by far, hands down the best veggie burger on this side of the country! I travel and order them when I see them on a menu and nobody comes close. The Counter in LA runs a close second. I think there is only 1 meatless option at Leon’s, so there’s that, the Pub has quite a few.
Love ‘em both, but I have to agree that in the 8 years that I’ve been going to the Brickstore the service has always been subpar. Way too short and rude to customers unless your friends with them. They don’t look you in the eye, kind of always over the shoulder and that bugs me.
Leon’s!
Love ‘em both but I’m often frustrated by the wait time at Brick Store and feel the service is a little more attentive at Leon’s.
I’m also a fan of lots of natural light and patio seating, both of which Leon has more of.
Katy
Savvy in the City (www.savvyinthecity.com)
BSP. It’s all about the beer selection.
Yes. Leon’s has an updated design and has great mixed drinks, but BSP still wins out on the beer selection.
BSP in a first round TKO.
Brick. It’s practically perfect in every way. But if you are buying I’m happy with either.
Leon’s is my favorite place ever to grab a beer and a snack. I love the unique food, wonderful staff, sunny patio and natural light indoors, and all that gorgeous cement and steel!
BSP. No question. Warmer, friendlier, easy going.
BSP on every count, except for patio coolness.
Brick Store: unbeatable ambiance (brick and dark wood accents) + Belgian beer bar. And best door handle.
Furthermore, Leon’s doesn’t show up on google streetview ergo, it does not exist.
That’s like trying to decide which child you like more.
I’m with KG. More memories of the older child, the BSP, so I might have more photos in my album… but I’m down with either any day!
Agree! thanks for saying it so well.
BSP without a doubt. Trappist monks believe they can visit the upstairs bar if they lead a good an righteous life.
bsp, no doubt.
BSP in the winter and Leon’s in the warmer months…
And the diplomacy award goes to Nicole!
I completely agree. Can’t beat BSP in the winter time, and the patio at Leon’s is fantastic in the warmer months. I just wish they’d switch up their tap list from time to time.
I like Leon’s. I love Brick Store.
BSP for the beer and single malts.
Leon’s for the wine, food, and cocktails.
The two are so close to each other you can just switch from one to another. Now if I could only get them to hold my table….
Y’all know the same people own both and win either way.
Personally I prefer Leon’s, but deeply respect those who prefer the Brick. Especially with Decatur’s no-smoking ordinance, the second floor at the Brick is a great place to be. (Don’t sit near the front door unless you like inhaling smoke.)
Yep. That was the point.
Nobody goes there anymore. They’re too crowded.
False dichotomy!
Nice.
I hope this is just an observation, because a false dichotomy is precisely the point of such a post.
Nice. As in, good one Josh ;o)
Leon’s b/c it doesn’t stink like old beer and vomit like BSP. But food and beer is great at both!
The Square Pub. Hands down, beats ‘em both on beer selection, and excellent food.
You apparently haven’t seen the reserve beer menu (yes, there is such a thing) at BSP – they have twice as many beers as it first appears! Plus bsp is the #6 beer bar in the world, square did not make the list. http://www.decaturmetro.com/2010/01/30/brick-store-pub-6-beer-bar-in-the-world-2010/
Sorry, but I’ve been to The Square Pub three times and eaten there twice and their tired “Southwest fusion” standard pub grub in no way approaches the ambitious food at Leon’s. And claiming it beats BSP on beer selection is like Rush Limbaugh calling Michelle Obama fat: ridiculous on its face.
Brick and I rarely even drink beer.
I prefer Leon’s — wider and better selection of beverages and food. I also got kinda turned off by way too many experiences with rude staff at BSP — and I’m usually really forgiving and accommodating since it can be a tough business to be in…
Leon’s in the Spring/Summer, BSP in the Fall/Winter.
What KG said…but if I have to choose: Leon’s for food, BSP for beer.
I don’t drink and I usually have kids with me when I go out to eat. Both places are great, though the kids just beg for the diner now.
Brick Store obviously has the better beer selection, but Leon’s is superior in just about every other way. Better food, better outdoor seating, better atmosphere, less crowded, and a bocce court.
Leon’s. Frittes with dipping sauce beats beer any day. Plus they have underwater bocce.
Underwater bocce…..that is funny!
clearly the answer is neither. the diner wins!
haha
It depends. If you want an interesting cocktail and a good sit down meal, Leon’s. If you want to hang out and drink beer (and have some really good bar food in the process), BSP.
I agree – this is a really difficult comparison without knowing the purposes for which one is making the choice. I suppose that’s what makes this a worthwhile post and an interesting question for people to get into. Everybody has different reasons for preferring one over the other, but for the most part, these reasons are not mutually exclusive.
I actually have never liked the Brickstore. I used to go in years ago because a friend was a bartender, but I never got the big deal. Now Leon’s I love!
Depends on whether I’m out to eat or to just drink; the food is SO much better at Leon’s, but if I’m just going out for a beer, Brick Store is where it’s at.
Brick Store. How is this even a question?
I’m with Nelliebell. I have never really cared for BSP. I have tried too many times to count to find the good service and good food my friends rave about. Service is usually nonchalant and sometimes downright rude. Twice in the last year they have completely messed up our order and not even bothered to apologize, even when pointed out to them. I know it has a soft spot in most Decaturites heart as one of the first places to reinvigorate the square, but I’m not wasting any more money there. The beer selection is unmatchable, but it doesn’t make up for the faults. Leon’s always has impeccable service, the food is top notch, and the beer selection is good and sometimes great. Plus, the patio scene is awesome.
They’re both owned by the same folks, so they’re not supposed to be in competition
I love Leon’s, but not the Brick Store. “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” – Yogi Berra.
Go ahead and call me crazy, I actually prefer the food at the Brick.
My two cents worth. The Pub has by far, hands down the best veggie burger on this side of the country! I travel and order them when I see them on a menu and nobody comes close. The Counter in LA runs a close second. I think there is only 1 meatless option at Leon’s, so there’s that, the Pub has quite a few.
Leon’s. I’m all about the food.
The Brick for home base, Leon’s for socializing.
Love ‘em both, but I have to agree that in the 8 years that I’ve been going to the Brickstore the service has always been subpar. Way too short and rude to customers unless your friends with them. They don’t look you in the eye, kind of always over the shoulder and that bugs me.