Last Saturday, after spending the day running errands and working in the yard, neither my husband nor I felt like cooking dinner. Fast food wasn’t going to cut it, but we didn’t have the energy to get gussied up for a really elegant dinner, either, and none of the usual casual dining spots sounded appealing. Then I recalled that we’d been talking about trying RAM Restaurant & Brewery for several months, since its opening last spring. With the added bonus that there were bound to be multiple TVs in the dining room displaying the college football games and scores, we agreed RAM was the spot.

Turns out there are about 30 RAM establishments in six states (Pacific Northwest and Midwest), with the family-owned business headquartered in the Puget Sound community where the first restaurant (a “deluxe tavern” is how they labeled it) opened in 1971. In 1995 they began brewing their own beer, getting in early on the whole craft brewing scene. Each location offers a rotating selection of seasonal brews made with fresh, local ingredients, in addition to other beers, cocktails, wine and nonalcoholic libations.

The large, modern building boasts clean, crisp lines, with large stainless brewing tanks prominently displayed through two-storey-tall windows adjoining the lobby. The parking lot was full when we arrived, and though we worried we might have a long wait for a table, we found a very large dining space to the left of the entrance balanced by an equally sizable bar area to the right with plenty of seating at tall, long, communal tables set with stools; bar seating; and smaller tables. During warm weather, patrons can also opt to sit out on a roomy patio.

We were quickly greeted and our drink orders taken. While Harry stuck with iced tea, I decided to sample the beers with the “Taster Curl” (50 cents from each goes to support USA Curling, of which RAM is an official sponsor), allowing me to try six 4-ounce pours of their most popular beers for an extremely reasonable $6.99. I like this option when I visit a brew pub, as I’m not a big beer aficionado and like to sample a range of styles and types. While the menu consists of pretty standard pub fare (shareable appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, salads and mains), it boasts a few unique items. A few that caught my eye: Ahi poke nachos with raw marinated ahi tuna with wonton chips, wasabi and sriracha mayos and avocado; and alternative burgers ranging from wild Alaska salmon to ahi tuna and chicken. There are about half-a-dozen gluten-free options and daily deals and specials. (Proving true to its boast of being a “casual, family-oriented restaurant,” RAM lets kids eat for a buck on Sundays.)

I ordered the Cubano sandwich with sweet potato fries, while Harry opted for the Reuben with regular handcut fries. We found the sandwiches just fair: rather pedestrian in flavor on breads that weren’t quite hardy enough (or toasted enough) to stand up to their substantial fillings. The fries, on the other hand, were perfect: not overseasoned and cooked just enough to provide a crisp outer skin and tender inner flesh that let the natural flavors come through. We succumbed to the siren’s song of the Colossal Sizzling Bread Pudding for dessert, served in a hot skillet with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. It was comfort food at it’s best . . . but I really shouldn’t have!

We decided we’ll be back to sample other menu items and perhaps a brew or two. (I favored the Oregon Blonde Ale for its hints of citrus and honey and crisp, refreshing taste.) Online ordering and catering are available, and one can fill growlers here, too.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor