Wings, Burgers, and Beers
Cold beer, hot wings, and a burger big enough to need both hands — Kelly's Bar & Grill knows exactly what a Friday night should taste like.
I don't typically drink at my critiques, but after a long work week, even I enjoy a little break. I will say, however, it is very unlikely I will ever drink wine. That just seems like an entire skillset I do not need in my arsenal. Beer, on the other hand, I can get behind, especially on a Friday. Tired, hungry, and still looking for work, I headed to Kelly's Bar & Grill for something a lot simpler: good honest bar food and a few beers to take the edge off.
The place had that easy, no frills bar energy. The kind where you can show up hungry and cranky and leave feeling like a regular. I was very excited to order the BBQ bone in half dozen wings as my appetizer, with a PBR on draft to accompany the meal. I'm a fan of all sauces, but I have a special place in my heart for blue cheese on wings. In no time my first beer was gone, and so were all of the wings, cooked to perfection, with a BBQ sauce that was tangy and sweet. I was a saucy mess by the time my entree arrived, and even more excited for what was coming next.
The Cowboy Burger, a patty loaded with onion rings, roasted peppers, American cheese, a fried egg, BBQ sauce, and crispy bacon, showed up looking like it meant business. Two things stuck out immediately: the shape of the fries, and the size of the burger. I'm a lover of all fries that aren't just straight, and these had almost a potato wedge shape, but somehow ten times better. I'm not kidding, these fries are at the top of my list for best fry shape of all time. The Cowboy itself was a delicious, very filling burger, so darn tasty I felt like saying "yeehaw" at the end of each bite. Another PBR to wash it down, and before I knew it, it was gone just like any troubles I may have brought with me.
By the time I paid my tab, I wasn't just full, I was satisfied in that specific way only a good bar meal can leave you. Kelly's isn't trying to reinvent bar food, and it doesn't need to. It just does the classics right: cold beer, hot wings, and a burger worth getting messy over. If you're closing out a long week and need a place that feels like it's already expecting you, Kelly's Bar & Grill earns its spot on the list.