Olney Ale House

I've been to Olney Ale House quite a few times in the past since I live only about 10 minutes away.  I agree with other reviewers who've already stated that the food here has sadly gone way down over the past 5-10 years.  It used to be that Olney Ale House was quite popular with vegetarians.  They had several interesting sandwiches including my favorite, a vegan version of a club sandwich.  All of that is pretty much gone now for years when they overhauled, much for the worse, their menu.  Just about the only thing left is a veggie burger which isn't terribly inspired.  

Once I brought my sister and her two kids here.  Someone's order had very large, clumsily cut vegetables....they should have been much smaller and more carefully cut.  Just not good presentation of food at all.  And OAH used to have some really good and interesting desserts like a caramel breading pudding.  Also long gone.

The decor also seems tired and run down.  Again, it's just sad to see a once-nice place go so far downhill.

If you like fancy beer -- you'll like the beer here.  Otherwise, the food is just so-so, I had the catfish and chips - very little fish, mostly breading and the fish that was there was very watery.  Warm and cozy but dark and crowded feel.  No need to come back.

I will not be back.  It wasn't horrible, but certainly no reason to go back.  It has the makings of a cool bar and grill, but old and dirty.  There was food splattered all over the large framed painting behind us on the wall.  Just seems like one of those places that Robert Irvine would need to come in to clean up.  

As for the food, it was bland and not very exciting.  I had a burger, that was just ok, my wife had a steak salad and the steak was not done how she asked.  I see that people seemed to like their salad dressing online, but I would stay away.  It was gritty and nasty looking, with the oil sitting on top in a manner that made me think the oil may have been afraid to touch whatever was under it!  It actually looked just plain wrong!  We did taste it; not great.

Oh! and the most  interesting thing that is telling of a restaurant's style.... on the regular menu was a fried oyster appetizer for $10.95, but on the specials insert was the same oyster appetizer as a special for $11.00.  I asked if they were the same and the waitress said yes and chuckled to herself....the best part is when she came back and said that she will not be able to charge the regular $10.95 fee and would have to charge me the more expensive "special" fee and added it is just the way the place is.  I didn't complain and we ate the special and paid the extra $.05...  

On a positive note, they did have hard cider on tap, which I love!

There are so many great places to eat around here, so there is no need to subject myself or my family to a place.