CLOSED – Public School 404, Midtown, Atlanta

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Atlanta Eats

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September 14, 2018

PS 404 puts the “PUB” in public school

Describing themselves as a chef driven gastropub, the menu at Public School 404 features burgers, pizzas and large plates. In keeping with school decor, their are lockers inside the restaurant, and napkins are designed to resemble notebook paper. The scholastic theme continues with encyclopedias, globes, microscopes and textbooks placed throughout the restaurant. I also spied a massive Jenga game inside as well.

cocktail bar midtown ps 404 — Blackberry Mojito is the bomb at PS 404 in Midtown Atlanta

I was excited to try the their cocktail called the Guavalajara cocktail made with guava, basil, which are flavors I love. I mean, I’d knock you over to get to anything guava (dessert, ribs, drinks) you name it – I’m obsessed with anything made with this delicious fruit. But ultimately it was a bit more sugary than I would have liked. I didn’t give up on PS 404’s bar options quickly, though. Instead I decided to try their Blackberry Mojito and it was refreshing, but definitely had a kick – just the balance I was looking for. Tip: Visit PS 404 during “Recess” (aka Happy Hour) Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m for specially priced items.

ps 404 atlanta restaurant review — Ahi Tuna Poke and Watermelon, Tomato, Feta salad at PS 404

If you can only get one appetizer at PS 404, make it the Tuna Poke. Served with pickled cucumbers, cilantro, green onions, passion fruit and taro chips, it is a generous portion and will be devoured in no time. We also enjoyed the watermelon, feta salad, which may have been as seasonal item as I don’t see it on the menu any longer. But I did read that some menu items are seasonal.

ps 404 menu atlanta chicken waffles — Chicken and waffles at PS 404 are presented on cornbread-style waffles

Usually, I’d be a burger fiend and go for one of those, but I spied the Fried Chicken & Waffles with bacon red eye gravy, maple syrup and couldn’t resist trying it. The waffles taste like cornbread rather than traditional waffles and I wasn’t hating that. I barely made a dent in the dish, instead packing most of it up to eat at home. My husband’s bangers and mash (see pictures at top) were good (the potatoes extremely tasty), but I wish the sausage would have been pork, not chicken. This was a tad dry and a little burnt.

west midtown atl brunch spot roamilicious — Thyme cocktail at PS 404

The good news is that Fried Chicken & Waffles are on the all the menus, lunch, dinner and brunch. So we had on a return visit for brunch. I ordered a brunch pizza which ultimately I found too salty, but the side of chorizo that I ordered to go with my brunch at Public School 404 more than made up for it.

I eschewed perennial brunch cocktails like mimosas and a bloody mary for one of their specialty cocktails: A vodka based cocktail with cranberry, apple cider and thyme. It is especially good for those looking for an alternative brunch cocktail, as this was light enough to sip on all through brunch. Public School 404 also has a fantastic locally sourced beer list as well.

game bar atlanta — PS 404 has scholastic decor but also is a game bar too!

If you have room, order the Nutella Ice Cream Cookie at Public School 404. It is served with pecan bacon brittle and is decadent, rich, creamy and everything a dessert be!

public school midtown brunch atl — Get this Nutella ice cream cookie sandwich at Public School 404

Since this is located at the bottom of the Brady building, there is parking in the deck at the bottom. We balked at that idea and lucky for us, we were able to snag street parking rather easily on both of our visits to Public School 404.