We’d heard that Iron Rooster, the novel brunch sensation in historic Annapolis—right by the Market House and Ego Alley— knows how to fill the tall order of meeting both morning and evening cravings. We definitely confirmed that rumor during our early weeknight supper (as they call it). First, the setting: downstairs, Iron Rooster retained the pleasing character of its historic building-style and added a light touch of farm rusticity without being cliché. Exposed-brick walls secured the cozy vibe. Upstairs offers a lighter and more open style, a great spot for families. The overall restaurant concepts, along with an adjacent Iron Rooster General Store featuring local products, have done exceedingly well for owner Kyle Algaze. The Annapolis-based franchise has expanded to other locations in Canton, Hunt Valley, and Locust Point.
The hostess and servers at Iron Rooster are cheerful, welcoming, and eager to please. We visited during happy hour, and were seated at an upstairs window table with a view of the lively streets below. You might ask: Wait, this clever establishment known for all-day breakfast, has happy hour? Iron Rooster bills itself with breakfast all day, lunch, supper, and drinks. The restaurant offers not one, but two weekday happy hours: one in the morning from 7–10 a.m. and one in the afternoon from 3–7 p.m.
Since Iron Rooster majors in breakfast, the signature cocktails, drinks, and beer take precedence over the extensive wine list. They offer ten creative specialty cocktails, including the “Big Kid” Adult Rootbeer Float which could stand in for dessert. We found a nice discount on several interesting craft cocktails, beers, and wines with half price “shareables”—Iron Rooster’s menu of decently-portioned appetizers. Although not easy to narrow it down, the two big drink contenders for us were the Cucumber Margarita and the Iron Crush. We loved the muddled cucumber in the margarita with fresh lemon and lime juices, agave syrup, house-made simple syrup, tequila, and Sprite. But ultimately, we chose the Iron Crush for its delicious blood orange cordial, fresh squeezed juice, simple syrup, vodka, and Sprite (although the bartender obliged the request to switch out the Sprite for plain seltzer).
Since they offer abundant Southern-style comfort food, you don’t watch your waistline when chowing down at Iron Rooster. Rooster Bites are similar to buffalo wings, but no bones; just breaded cubes with a lip-smacking, fresh tasting, house-made spicy buffalo sauce, with cilantro and ranch dressing on the side. Like a number of dishes, we’d encourage a lighter touch of salt, but it was all devoured with the exception of the bites we purposely saved to share with family later. We also ordered the Brussel Sprouts Shareables. You’ve seen sprouts with bacon on many menus lately, but not bacon like this. Meaty and flavorful as only a place serious about breakfast would bother with, and nice hint (okay, more than a hint) of tasty sugar—plus, bourbon butter. Those darling sprouts couldn’t wait to pair up with the bacon!
Next, we wrestled with what every Iron Rooster evening diner must: Breakfast? Supper? A little bit of both? Yes, that’s it, a bit of both. A tempting choice was the Cakes on Cakes: crab cake topped cornmeal pancakes paired with fried green tomatoes. How about one of the breakfast bowls including shrimp and grits, crab hash, quinoa, or steak? The classic dinner entrée hit the mark for me—Strip Steak & Shrimp, with large portions of both for a mere $22.95. The nine-ounce New York strip steak was firm with big beef flavor and lots of personality. Plus, five jumbo shrimp, skewered and grilled gently, leaving them moist and flavorful. The popular Brussel sprouts accompanied the surf and turf.
My friend chose the Breakfast Ravioli— a definite winner if you really can’t decide between your morning favorites like bacon, sausage, red peppers, and poached egg and your favorite Italian cheese ravioli with spinach, alfredo sauce, and a buttered parmesan biscuit. It’s all there, layered in one large bowl. Attractive and delicious, especially for the heartiest appetites.
Dessert anyone? Full as we were, we’d already planned ahead of time to sample the RoosTarts, Iron Rooster’s twist on the age-old American treat: Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts. We chose to share the evening’s blueberry option from among several that included mixed berry, cinnamon sugar, and Oreo. Glazed and drizzled with blue glaze, the crumbly tart had a decidedly modern flavor and a nice, thick schmear of blueberry within. You’d never fly out the door to school if your mom gave you these behemoths for breakfast. You’d savor it as we did, with a piping hot cup of coffee.
We waivered for a second before ordering the RoosTart, when we saw the house-made Peanut Butter Cup, the Waffle Churros, and other sweet treats, but we were glad we followed our inner child. And, speaking of kids, there’s also a Kids’ Menu—and all kids meals come with a mini RoosTart.
