March 23, 2023

A steady stream of customers flowed into The Dive’s second location for its first lunch hour Thursday.

The restaurant that has replaced The Pickle Barrel in Park Ridge Galleria dumped its original plan to start with lunch only like the sandwich shop and is open for dinner too.

The Dive’s first location, which opened a year ago, is in The Gaslight Lounge on West 12th Street, but the new spot at 26th and Western is meant to be family-friendly. But that doesn’t mean no alcohol. The Dive also will serve as a craft beer bar, said Allen Wright, who owns the business with Jeff Von Holtum.

The opening menu for The Dive includes a mix of lighter and heavier sandwiches, from chicken salad to an Italian beef. There’s a salmon BLT, a French dip, Philly and a few others.

Diners can chose from four burgers, sliders and chislic.

Two salads, a house and Caesar, include salmon or chicken as add-ons. Fryers have been ordered, so this location for The Dive also will offer hand-cut fries, possibly in a month or so, Wright said.

The craft beer menu features offerings from local and regional breweries, with almost a dozen on tap.

Customers can sit at tables or at the bar, which Wright built himself, or at a few counter seats along the front window that looks out into Park Ridge’s covered hallway. That area also serves as an indoor patio, with seating at tables.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the kitchen closing an hour earlier.

As Pickle Barrel closes, restaurant with craft beer bar will replace it