Tommy Burda loves community, rescue dogs, good beer, and perfectly prepared fried pickles. His passions are replete in Moondog Pub & Grub, the Chamblee offshoot of the wildly popular Moondog Growlers in Dunwoody.
Tommy refers to himself as “the steward” of both establishments, rather than the owner, to emphasize his drive to serve the already stellar sense of camaraderie the growler shop’s founders created. A place for enjoyment, not excess, its low-key and family-friendly atmosphere contributes to both neighborhoods with whole-hearted joy. Groups gather and patrons forge friendships so strong they even vacation together, emphasizing the sense that this is a place where customers belong and feel comfortable on a deep level.
The Chamblee destination is scattered with raw wood tables and bourbon barrel-supported seats, presenting a country casual vibe, making Moondog Pub & Grub the ideal all-American hangout.
The Dunwoody location’s space limitations prevent food service, so this second venue has a full menu. The vision is “leveled up bar food,” and you can discern the hours of tastings in the ideal pickle-to-batter ratios and high-quality burgers.
Precision is key to limiting food waste; they utilize a “scratch kitchen” approach, wherein all food is made fresh, never frozen. Tommy’s go-to order is the Moondog Burger, made with a half-pound of beef, bacon, and beer cheese served on a pretzel bun.
His drink order is always in flux because, while he sticks to his favorite dishes at almost every restaurant, Tommy has developed a reverence for the art of craft beer. His palette is open-minded, and he loves to try different brews on a rotating basis. From his favorite Michigan breweries to locally brewed here in Georgia, their offerings are ever-evolving and always exciting.
True to its name, Moondog Pub & Grub encourages bringing along your pup to the outdoor patio. Tommy is a massive dog lover (at one point in his life, taking care of over twenty rescues on a large piece of land), and his affection for animals carries over here. The restaurant has a partnership with Lifeline Animal Project, wherein adoption events take place on the third Saturday of every month, offering gift cards to anyone who adopts a pet.
Their Chamblee event calendar is filled (and still growing). Every Wednesday evening, you can catch the Mike Veal Band, while the rest of the week offers Open Mic nights, trivia, live music on Fridays, music bingo on Saturdays, and “Bourbon and Bible,” led by a local rabbi and priest who discuss the Old Testament.
One of their newest initiatives is here just in time for football season - they are now Atlanta’s official Green Bay Packers bar, committing themselves to showing every Green Bay Packers game alongside a dedicated DJ and specialty merchandise.
The space, discovered by Tommy while stuck in traffic, is large and adaptable. Housing a private event room that plays host to everything from sorority socials to wedding showers, their offerings are expansive and filled with potential.
Moondog Pub & Grub wouldn’t be what it is today without the contributions of Tommy’s wife, Felicia. Her significant role in day-to-day operations, communications, and handling event inquiries is crucial to their success. Initially hesitant to own a bar, she now takes the daily reins while Tommy runs his construction company, and they work as a power couple while raising their children and four rescue dogs.
By cultivating relationships and relaxation for their guests, Moondog Pub & Grub is quickly becoming a beloved neighborhood establishment. Woven into the fabric of Chamblee’s bustling business scene, they’re just getting started and will continue to contribute to our community while serving excellent food and creative craft beers along the way.
Moondog Pub & Grub encourages bringing your pup to the outdoor patio.