Gastropub Opens
Public School 972 finally taps beer and burgers for Addison crowd
After two years in the making, Public School on Tap has opened its second location in North Texas. Called Public School 972, it opened on March 13 at at 14854 Montfort Ave., in what used to be the Italian restaurant Mi Piaci.
Originating from Southern California, Public School is a contemporary restaurant and bar with a scholastic-inspired theme, executed via items such as the black-and-white composition notebook menus. The first branch opened in Dallas' West Village in late 2014. Each branch has its own area code; Dallas' is called Public School 214. But VP Phil Kastel says that the concept is relevant regardless of city or state.
"Increasing in popularity, Addison presents a great opportunity for Public School to continue educating those on the art of food and beer," he says in a release.
The restaurant opens after two years in the works; it was originally announced in 2015. According to a source who worked on the construction, the restaurant's completion encountered some delays due to building around the scenic pond that sits adjacent to the restaurant. All is good now, however, and the pond serves as a focal point, as it did at Mi Piaci, with large, open windows providing unobscured views.
Signature starters include bacon-cheddar tots, buffalo cauliflower, and fiery calamari. Entrées, salads, and sandwiches include a smoked turkey sandwich; beet salad with arugula; a bison burger; fish and chips; and the vegetarian-roasted poblano with quinoa, black beans, and squash on cilantro lime rice.
Desserts include Nutella cookie sandwich, chocolate chunk cookies, and vanilla ice cream.
The weekend brunch, with $5 carafes of mimosa, beermosa, michelada, or bloody mary with purchase of entrée, is big, and has enticing options such as eggs Benedict pizza; chicken and waffles; and edamame hummus toast with avocado, togarashi, bacon, furikake, and eggs.
There are exciting cocktails and an amazing beer selection that rotates regularly. There's even wine on tap.
Everything has a school theme. The happy hour is called Recess, and runs from 3-7 pm and then starts back up again at 9 pm until close. Mondays are "industry night," with half-off for all hospitality and restaurant employees. Tuesdays, beers are $3 all day.
