To assume Yard House is just another typical American-fare chain restaurant would be a mistake.

With hundreds of beers on tap (100-250, depending on the location), huge TVs viewable from every direction  (perfect for watching the big game), and a unique twist on classic dishes, Yard House is the place to be. Plus, the restaurant is dimly lit, making everyone look just a little bit better.

I knew the eatery had quickly become a hot spot since opening in The Fountains, so while on our way there (at 8 p.m. on a Friday night), my friend and I called ahead to put our names down for a table. What would have been a two-hour wait became just 30 minutes.

Our meal started with two appetizers – Truffle Fries and Chicken Lettuce Wraps. If you’re a French fry connoisseur as I claim to be, then you’ll agree these truffle fries are the best you’ve ever had and will ever have. Sweet, salty, cheesy and herby; literally finger-lickin’ good. The wraps arrived with six huge lettuce leaves, and the stir-fried chicken, smoked tofu, pine nuts, and green onion filling was separate, allowing you to control the assembly. Two of the three dipping sauces were sweet and tangy, while the third was five-alarm spicy!

Next up were our entrées – a New York Steak Sandwich with sweet potato fries for me and a Turkey Burger with a side salad for her. The steak was cooked exactly to my liking, though it’s large cut made it hard to eat. The garlic aioli and layer of roasted Roma tomatoes added complexity to the flavorful sandwich. My friend’s burger, one of the juiciest she’s had, was complemented by a lightly toasted bun.

Our meal ended with the Mini Crème Brûlèe dessert recommended by our server. Vanilla bean custard sat over a layer of chocolate and was topped with caramelized bananas. It disappeared in minutes. And although we were as full as we would be after a Thanksgiving meal, we couldn’t help but discuss the dishes we’ll try on our next trip to Yard House!

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