(SpoCOOL) A Spokane Blog

Continuing our "when in Pullman" tripping series, one spot you really can't go wrong with is Cougar Country Drive-In. My Pullman knowledge might be rudimentary at best, and this is probably be a spot I'd skip past had I not had an experienced guide with me. It looks a bit... worn down... on the outside. You know. In best Zip's fashion.

The burgers, thankfully, are nothing like Zip's. Here you get nice sesame seed buns and meat that tastes like it actually might be of a decent enough quality. Tomatoes and lettuce and cheese tops it, and all in all it's a simple and good burger. Add some fries-sauce and you actually have what would be a stereotypical Norwegian fast food burger. True fact.

If you're vegetarian there are also a couple of options for you, including a vegan BOCA burger.

Also, the turtle cyclone makes a pretty sweet dessert.

Cougar Country is a pretty laidback drive-in, and it's not something I'd travel miles and miles to eat at. Like, I wouldn't drive to Pullman exclusively for their burgers. When in Pullman, though, Cougar Country serves up some truly great burgers. I kinda wish we had this spot in Spokane.

I like Stone's ales. They keep the same quality as Deschutes, sometimes even exceeding the Oregon brewery, yet are a whole lot cheaper. Pick up a Stone reserve and it will run you half the price.

Oaked Arrogant Bastard is not a special reserve, but it's definitely special. In the way that it's good. It is, not surprisingly, similar to the regular Arrogant Bastard, but aged with oak chips. This gives it a bit deeper of a flavor.

It pours to a nice head that is slightly tanned, with a deep slightly amber color. The nose is pretty sweet, possibly with hints of brandy and citrus.

The flavor is kind of heavenly. This is an incredibly drinkable beer: The oak leaves hints of smokiness to the flavor, with a nice citric taste to it. It's hoppy, but not in a crazy manner, and incredibly refreshing. A nice bitterness lingers for a bit.

It's too high on alcohol to be a session beer -- 7.2% ABV -- but grab a couple for sipping on the porch, and you'll have a good summer.

Main Market is regrouping in the face of dwindling sales, says the Spokesman-Review:

John Grollmus, chairman of the co-op board, said he and his board colleagues realized sales were falling well below projections after the initial excitement.

Well, yes, this isn't too surprising to those of us who go there regularly. I mean, it's nice to have the place to ourselves and all, but an empty store is, if my high-school business teacher taught me correctly, a long walk off a short pier. Year of Plenty suggests the Rocket Market owners should run the co-op, something which certainly can be discussed any which way, but, really, there's no denying Main Market has been poorly managed up until now, from the board down. I realize that's an unpopular opinion among some, but there you go.

Almost six months after its soft opening, Main Market still feels like it's only halfway open. There are plenty of empty shelves, and a large chunk of the staff... Well, I'm sure they're lovely people, but your local IGA employee is more professional. This is not good.

I earlier mentioned we go to Main Market regularly, but that regularity is waning. Rocket Market and Huckleberry's both carry a better variety of products, even at better prices and a staff of higher standards.

I really do want to like the co-op. Heck, I do like it, but I can't help but feel the required changes that need to be made are coming in way too slowly. Knock on wood, and let's hope this lingering teething process will end soon.

Make that score a bit lower if you're going for the food. Go for the beer selection, though, and Waddell's is pretty glorious.

I'm not too into strip mall eateries, but hat off to Waddell's for actually giving the feeling of being in a real sport bar with focus on ales. Basically this is what kicking boy Post St Ale House should be. More than 20 handles, often rotated, all pouring quality ales.

I tried Ninkasi's Believer -- one of two Ninkasis available on tap at the time -- and good it was during a World Cup game. And this is a good place to watch the World Cup. Waddell's feels like a mix of a British pub and American bar, and both come together well. Sit at the bar, a booth, or regular table, and you should always have one of their many widescreens in view. All while drinking good beer.

The food isn't quite as awesome. My spicy chicken sandwich wasn't particularly spicy and the pasta salad was drenched in its dressing. Not cool. I wouldn't go here for the food alone, though I'm sure the appetizers would go well with the ales.

Waddell's, then, is a great place for a beer. Go there for that.