Boojum Brewery Taproom

Boojum Brewery Taproom is a casual brewpub on Main Street in downtown Waynesville. It serves its own craft beer alongside food that goes beyond the usual brewery menu, and the ahi tuna nachos are the signature order. It works well for families who want a relaxed meal and for adults after a lively bar. It's also a good pick if you like trivia nights or live music.

Reviewers often single out the beer, especially the IPAs, and many say the food is better than they expected from a brewery. Nearly everyone likes the nachos, and the fries come up again and again, usually with the house ranch or its spicy version. Guests also mention the whistle pigs, the double smash and Boojum burgers, the Cuban, and a turkey bacon avocado sandwich. Service gets warm reviews, and servers such as Russ and Parker are named for friendly, attentive, Southern-style hospitality. A few diners found some dishes less memorable, such as the salad and tacos. One said the room got loud enough to make conversation hard.

Boojum is closed on Tuesdays. Every other day it opens at 11:30 AM. It closes at 9 PM on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and at 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, and the kitchen stops serving at those same times. The Gem Bar stays open until 1 AM on Friday and Saturday nights. Prices are moderate ($$). Downtown parking can be limited, so check the side streets. Before you go, confirm current hours and the menu on the official website.

To avoid the crowd at the Main St. entrance, go in through the Gem Bar door on Wall St. If you want a seat on the back deck, arrive early. Service can be slow on busy weekends, and some diners got side dishes like fries that were cold, so a weekday or early visit is the safer choice.