Brickskeller memories: An '80s Sietsema review

The Brick was a model of inconsistency. (Craig Herndon/The Washington Post)

This is the fourth and final installment of our retrospective look at the Brickskeller. You can also read parts one, two, and three.

The Dave and Diane Alexander era of the Brickskeller officially came to a close on Saturday, and not a moment too soon for some, who think the saloon has needed a change for a long time.

For, like, 23 years, to judge by this 1987 review by Tom Sietsema (in PDF form). If someone read Tom's review to you, without mentioning the date, you'd be hard-pressed to think it was penned more than two decades ago. Consider Tom's summation paragraph on the Brick:

"If the food is third rate, the setting is pure pub, an underground warren of low-ceilinged dining rooms, festively decorated with -- what else? -- beer cans and beer bottles. Several jukeboxes near the bar add to the scene. In all, it is everything you'd expect a tavern to look like. And perhaps the food tastes worse than you'd expect. Beyond beer, it's eat at your own risk."

Incidentally, there was no word in the review about whether Tom had to go with his second or third or fourth choice from the beer menu. Maybe that frustration developed later.