The more things change, the more they stay the same, I guess. It's still at Monte Carlo if you need more proof of that.

If you weren't paying attention you probably wouldn't notice a lot different about the place, primarily because there isn't. It's a comfortable two-story space with a decidedly brew-pub atmosphere (exposed brick, pipes, and wood) with a big bar, lots of tables on two levels, plenty of TVs showing everything from sports to music videos, a stage and dance floor, and a small outdoor dining patio.

The bar has more than 200 beers on tap including their own house brews, plenty of things you've heard of (Bud, Coors, Michelob) and lots that you probably haven't (Rouge, Matilda, Spaten). It's a little overwhelming to people like me who are perfectly content with a Miller Lite and consider a Corona a special occasion beverage, but their bartenders are well versed in their offerings and can help direct you to the right choice depending on your taste.

What has changed is the menu. Not drastically - it's still classic American pub-grub type fare - but there's enough new stuff and interesting twists to make it noteworthy.

Starters include onion rings with a variety of dipping sauces, Buffalo wings, and nachos but they also throw in Louisiana crab cakes, shrimp egg rolls, and a mango-chicken quesadilla just to spice things up. There's also a soup of the day or entree sized salads if you're feeling like something slightly lighter.

I have to highly recommend the flatbread pizzas. We had a chef's special of the day that was loaded with pretty much every meat you could think of (pepperoni, ham, sausage, etc.) on a perfect flatbread that was right in the middle between chewy and crispy. Other toppings available include prosciutto, braised short ribs, BBQ chicken, meatballs, chicken and asparagus, and more. Get one to share with your table - it's a terrific way to start things off.

Burgers take up the next page and a half of the menu. You can choose from one of their standards such as the organic mushroom and swiss, bacon and blue cheese, steak and garlic (called the Vampire Slayer of course), and one designed for hangovers that is topped with a fried egg.

Their speciality burgers feature beef, chicken, meatball, fish, or steak sliders plus big boy versions of the same and a portobello mushroom burger for the non-meat eaters, Kobe beef, salmon, and even a cream cheese and lox version.

If none of those are floating your burger boat, you can even create your own. You can choose your meat (ground beef, salmon, portabello, chicke, or Kobe), bun, sauces (from ketchup to garlic aioli), nearly a dozen different cheeses, and toppings such as tomato, onion, mushrooms, egg, and more.

I chose the latter option and loaded my Kobe burger with so much stuff that it was almost impossible to eat... but it was delicious so I suffered through it. The beef itself was perfectly cooked and juicy and all of the stuff I added on to it was bursting with freshness.

If you're looking for something more than just a burger, they also have a few entrees including pata bolognese, fish and chips, fried chicken, fish tacos, and more.

S'mores, cookies and ice cream, bread pudding, and ice cream sundaes round out the dessert portion of the program.

Prices are on the lower end of the moderate range with appetizers $9-13, salads $11-13, $12-17, and entrees mostly under $20. You could easily do a burger, fries, and a soft drink for under $20 total but figure with appetizer, beer, dessert, tax, and tip that you're probably going to be pushing $30.

Service was fantastic throughout the meal although it was very slow when we were there so there wasn't much competition for the staff's attention.

I liked this place when it was The Monte Carlo Pub and Brewery and I still like it now that it's just "The Pub." Like I said... the more things change, the more they stay the same.