The truck stops here

Looking for great beer? Head to Rusty Truck Brewing

By Linda Turner Griepentrog

For The TODAY

Is there a truck? Yes. Is it rusty? Yes, very, and it no longer runs. But the iconic Old Blue does grace the parking lot of Rusty Truck Brewing Company along Highway 101 and catches the attention of people as they drive by.

The truck theme continues once you enter the restaurant, as the walls are filled with old license plates and pictures of vintage cars. Some of the food items reflect the trucking theme as well, like the small and large “blocks” of prime rib, referring to the engine. Pair those references with a coastal theme, like the teriyaki sandwich named the Big Wave, and you have the restaurant’s vibe.

Alex Trevino, operations manager, prides himself on serving “simple and fresh” food with wide appeal. At this single (truck) stop, you can get hand-tossed pizza baked in the onsite brick oven, a variety of flat breads that include a local favorite topped with Alfredo sauce and smoked salmon, half-pound hamburgers with varying accoutrements and steak. Seafood options include three types of fish and chips. Depending on the day of the week, there are tasty specials — most notable is the Friday and Saturday night prime rib. On Wednesdays, it's steak and shrimp, featuring a baseball-cut sirloin and shrimp prepared various ways depending on the week. In the summer, there’s a Thursday offering of barbecue baby back ribs.

With the variety of food offered, Trevino noted that the staff likes to change up the menu two or three times a year “just to keep things fresh.” He promotes the changes on social media so that regular customers and visitors know what’s new. With the variety of food offerings, he thinks of this foodie destination as ideal for families, as well as adult groups.

“Customers tell me that they like the vibe of the Rusty Truck because it’s friendly and laid back,” he said.

In the summer, you can dine indoors or outdoors, and pets are welcome on the patios.

If you’re a sports aficionado, you can watch games on TVs throughout the restaurant and there are special game-night events throughout the year. For a bit of nostalgia, the restaurant also features a collection of vintage pinball machines.

“These are a big attraction to dads who remember them from their youth,” Trevino said. “Now they have to ‘educate’ their kids on what they are and how to play them.”

The business doesn’t stop with the restaurant — there’s more to the mix. Behind the restaurant is the brewery, run by brewmaster Brian Whitehead. The facility was added to the restaurant about 12 years ago and is now a 20-barrel brewery. In addition to the beers on tap in the restaurant and the “Pint of the day,” the company also sells beers to bars and restaurants throughout Oregon. Trevino described Whitehead as one who “does considerable research and follows a meticulous process for beer-making.” There are several standard favorites, but the savvy brewer also experiments with other mixes. With particular appeal to some who may not like the taste of standard beer options are the light and fruity flavors like Strawberry Summer, Pineapple Express and a new beer being introduced in February called Sunset Orange Imperial IPA.

There’s a tasting room that’s open from 3 to 10 pm Monday through Thursdays. In summer, there’s an outdoor patio tasting room as well. The facility is also available for rent for private parties or get-togethers and you’ll find t-shirts, hats, glasses and growlers to promote the brewery. Only those over 21 years old are allowed in the tasting room.

Whitehead has a simple goal of “brewing great beer in a great place.”

But wait, there’s more — an entertainment venue, both indoors and outdoors. On weekends you can listen to notable West Coast bands on the indoor stage, and in the summer, there are live concerts on the outside stage behind the restaurant. Especially noteworthy is the huge July 4 Holiday Weekend Festival.

The restaurant’s hidden gem? A peanut butter and cheddar bacon hamburger — stick-to-your-mouth goodness on a bun that Trevino promises “is a really great tasting combo!”

Rusty Truck Brewing Company, located at 4649 SW Hwy. 101 in Lincoln City, is open Wednesday from 3 to 9 pm and Thursday through Sunday from noon to 9 pm. Hours vary for special events. For more information, go to rustytruckbrewing.com or call 541-994-7729.