Second Salt Factory outpost has room to breathe

Salt Factory, a self-proclaimed gastropub that first opened in Roswell in 2008, has expanded beyond Canton Street with a second spot in historic Alpharetta. While the menus at both Salt Factory locations are identical, the space, clientele and energy all diverge.

Perhaps because I like a little breathing space, as well as hassle-free parking options, I much prefer this new Alpharetta outpost.

Both are built around the beer selection, which has the variety you’d expect of a gastropub and a nice representation of local craft beers.

The accompanying fare ranges from sumptuous Thai beef lettuce wraps to a cardboard pizza that qualifies as bare-bones pub grub. You’ll find the best bites are the lighter ones that you might not typically associate with traditional bar food, such as five-peppercorn-crusted Ahi tuna.