Mid-Michigan Dining

• 160 W. Maple St.
• Mason, MI 48854
• (517) 676-6941
• No Known Website
• No Online Menu

The Courthouse Pub in downtown Mason

There was no way a little snow was going to keep me cooped up in the house all day.  That being said, does anyone in Michigan actually own a snow plow?  Just curious.  The roads looked like they hadn’t been touched.  Yeah, we could have stayed closer to home, but I like branching out into the communities surrounding Lansing and we haven’t been to Mason very much.  There’s not much there that would give us cause to go, but tonight, we had plans to go to a bar in Holt after dinner, so why not drive a few more miles down the road to Mason.

I did a quick Google search for restaurants in Mason and the one that stood out to me was a place called Mason Jar Pub and Grub.  One of the reviews on Google said they served drinks in a Mason jar.  That did it for me.  I jumped in the shower to get cleaned up and we were going out to eat.  Before we left, I realized it was after 8:00, so I called to make sure the kitchen would be open.  When the person on the other end picked up the phone, she answered it “Courthouse Pub.”  Uh….I thought I was calling the Mason Jar, so I found the Mason Chamber of Commerce website.  The Courthouse Pub was a member and the address matched what Google has for the Mason Jar…I’m guessing it just became the Courthouse Pub recently.

Anyway, the fifteen minute trip to Mason took a little longer due to the fact I couldn’t go any faster than 30 MPH without sliding.  When I called, the person who answered said they may not stay open until midnight like they usually do because the weather was affecting their crowd. 

The Courthouse Pub sits about a block off the square on Maple Street in downtown Mason.  We were able to find a parking spot along the street where the GPS told us the pub was.  The signage wasn’t all that great.  The window is painted and there’s an “open” sign flashing, but not lighted sign.  We waded through the snowbanks to get to the front door and once inside, it was kind of hard to imagine that it was  “down night” due to the weather.  There are a number of tables in the front of the space and a horseshoe bar near the middle.  In the back is the kitchen which looks like it was added after the fact.  You can see into the kitchen from anywhere in the bar. 

We took a seat at a table for two near the entrance.  There were only a couple tables left and they were filling up in the short time we were there.  A waitress noticed us right away and came over with menus and took our drink orders.  Since we were going to a bar later, we both got our usual Pepsi/Diet Pepsi and continued to look over the menu.  The menu was really interesting for a pub menu.  No, there weren’t any overly fancy items, but there were some really unique ones.  I can’t tell you if I’ve ever seen a grilled PB & J on a menu anywhere.  J considered it, but ultimately decided it really wasn’t a “dinner” item and passed.

What she did eventually decide on was the Buffalo chicken wrap.  One of these days, J is going to remember not to listen to me.  The waitress asked if she wanted hot or mild.  She asked how hot was hot.  The waitress told her it was Frank’s Red Hot.  I told her it’s not that hot.  If I remember right, I’ve told her that many times in the past and every time, she gets halfway through her sandwich and can’t finish because it’s too hot.  Other than that, she said it was good.  The tortilla was a tomato basil wrap filled with chunks of buffalo chicken, lettuce, and cheese.  What was really interesting was the cheese.  Instead of shredded cheese, they used whole slices.  When she picked the wrap apart to give me the left over chicken, she found the cheese which looked like a piece of ham, but tasted delicious with the hot sauce on it.  The wrap came with seasoned fries and the sandwich was served in a really neat wire basket that had a spot to put a cup of ranch dressing.  Overall, she was happy with the wrap, but would have been happier with a mild buffalo chicken.

I had a hard time deciding on what to get.  Yes, they had a burger, but they also had a number of sandwiches that looked good.  What I settled on was the Pizza Wrap.  It’s pretty much what it sounds like.  Instead of the tomato basil wrap, I went with a plain flour tortilla.  It was filled with cappicola, ham, mozzarella, Parmesan, and pizza sauce.  The wrap was really good, but would have been better toasted or pressed.  My wrap also came with fries which were fresh.  They were really hot when our food was put in front of us.  They were also really crispy.  I didn’t realize it until after I ordered, but I had two pizza meals today and that didn’t bother me at all.  I think I’m going to steal this idea and find a way to make it at home.

The Courthouse Pub was a great find and worth the drive to Mason.  During the week, they are smoke free during lunch (from 11-3).  J mentioned going back then and trying that Grilled PB & J sandwich.  The meal moved along really quickly too.  It took us longer to get to Mason than it did to eat.  I would say we probably weren’t even there fifteen minutes.  Our bill was just under $19 before tip and we were both really happy with our meals.  They didn’t serve drinks in Mason jars which was a little disappointing.  The space is great.  The menu is much better than most pubs and there’s a number of interesting dishes.  The Courthouse Pub is worth a look if you’re in Mason…..or anywhere close.