Funk's Pub

In a word: Won't you take me down?

The specs: #00881  
5956 Executive Dr., 53719
Details at Yelp,
Official web site, Facebook, Twitter

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JM ate the Western burger with chili cheese tots a lemonade.
Nichole ate the red pepper soup and the Reuben with a Sprecher's root beer.
The bill was $30, or $15/person, plus tip.
JM and Nichole both gave Funk's Pub an A- (see our grading rubric).

We stopped at Funk's just before their grand opening before Thanksgiving. They were fully operational, it was just that the stage and the floor near it were still under construction. The mood was friendly, casual, and relaxed. The menu was a small list of bar favorites, plus breakfast, with lots of attention to detail and a little humor.

We accidentally got almost the same meal as we did at Namio's yet the comparisons end there. This time the Western sandwich was chicken (don't tell the lamp) instead of beef. It was predictable but good, and the presentation was nice. Here the onions were sauteed (not quite caramelized as advertised), and there was cheddar, tomato and lettuce.

The red pepper soup was pretty delicious. It was thick and rich, with a spike of chili powder flavor, carrots for sweetness, and an astringent red pepper aftertaste. The Reuben was also good - not too buttery, with lots of kraut, a sweet dressing, and slightly dry brisket.

We were glad we took the suggested chili cheese tots. They were topped with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and diced carrots. There was more chili and less cheese than we expected, and we liked the tots' spicy kick.

Fitchburg still doesn't have a lot of places that feel like home.  Funk's moves the needle of comfort a little farther off E.