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Ashland Hill
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Ashland Hill
7.7
This casual gastropub serves contemporary American fare with outdoor seating and a dog-friendly patio that welcomes four-legged guests with their own menu. The beer garden atmosphere supports weekend brunch and late-night dining, with menu highlights spanning ground turkey burgers to banana cream pie desserts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ground Turkey Burger, Banana Cream Pie, Parmesan Fries
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Genuinely dog-friendly with separate canine menu and welcoming atmosphere
Who should go: Dog owners, brunch crowds, outdoor dining seekers
When to visit: Weekend brunch or late-night Thursday-Saturday
What to order: Turkey burger with goat cheese, draft rosé, banana cream pie
Insider tip: Part of the On the Verge restaurant group known for birthday treats
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Ashland Ave and nearby blocks - free but competitive during brunch. Small lot behind building with ~10 spaces first-come basis
Dress code: Casual neighborhood spot - jeans and t-shirt standard, athleisure common for brunch crowd
Noise level: Moderate outdoor, lively indoor - beer garden vibe means ambient chatter but conversation-friendly at most tables
Weekend wait: 15-25 min for outdoor tables Friday-Saturday nights, indoor seats usually available
Weekday lunch: Walk-in friendly - rarely a wait except sunny days when patio fills up
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - veggie burger, salads, and appetizers like brussels sprouts and hummus
Vegan options: Limited - can modify salads and sides, but menu leans meat-forward
Gluten-free options: Yes - turkey burger available on GF bun, several naturally GF options, staff aware of cross-contamination
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual second or third dates. The beer garden atmosphere is friendly but lacks romantic intimacy - go if you want relaxed vibes and easy conversation over craft drinks
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially weekdays and early evenings. Weekends before 6pm or after 9pm are safest bets. Bar seating always first-come and has full menu access
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for casual families - high chairs available, kids menu basics covered. Outdoor patio with dogs can be distracting for toddlers. Best for ages 5+ who can handle gastropub setting
How late is the kitchen open? Thursday-Saturday until 12:30am - rare late-night option in Ocean Park. Full menu available, not just bar snacks
Can I bring my dog? Absolutely - this is THE dog spot. Outdoor patio only, separate dog menu with treats and pupcakes. Water bowls provided, just keep dogs leashed
Best For
Better for: Dog-friendly dining (actual canine menu vs token water bowl), late-night full meals in Ocean Park, casual outdoor hangs without reservation stress, birthday celebrations with On the Verge perks
Skip if: You want romantic ambiance, need extensive vegan options, prefer quiet refined dining, or seeking destination-worthy food (this is solid neighborhood spot, not culinary adventure)
Ashland Hill
8.1
Beer garden and gin bar featuring 16 rotating craft taps and creative small plates on a spacious heated back patio with TVs for games. The dog-friendly establishment offers a dedicated pup menu alongside market-fresh seasonal plates, drawing locals for happy hour deals and weekend brunch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ashland Hill Burger, Shishito Mac and Cheese, Chicken Shawarma Wrap
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Craft beer garden with dedicated dog menu and heated patio
Who should go: Beer enthusiasts, sports fans, and pet owners seeking casual hangs
When to visit: Social hour 3-6pm weekdays or weekend brunch with pups
What to order: Burger, mac and cheese with shishito, local IPA flight
Insider tip: Arrive before 7:30pm on weekends to snag patio seating
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Ashland Ave and nearby blocks - easier before 5pm, metered until 8pm weekdays. Small lot behind building often fills by 6pm weekends.
Dress code: Casual beer garden attire - jeans, shorts, t-shirts all welcome. This is a come-as-you-are spot with dogs and sports on TV.
Noise level: Moderate to lively - front bar area gets louder during games, back patio offers better conversation space especially weekday afternoons.
Weekend wait: 15-30 min for patio tables 6-9pm, bar seating usually available. Reservations not typically needed but call ahead for groups 6+.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait - walk right in most days. Social hour (3-6pm) starts filling up around 4:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - 4-5 solid options including veggie burger, grain bowls, and rotating seasonal plates. Mac and cheese is standout.
Vegan options: Limited but doable - 2-3 items can be modified, ask about dairy substitutions. Beer selection offers many vegan options.
Gluten-free options: Partial - some salads and plates work, but kitchen shares fryers. Best to ask about cross-contamination if highly sensitive. GF beer available.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a second or third date spot. The casual beer garden vibe is great for relaxed conversation, but the sports TVs and dog traffic can be distracting. Go weekday afternoon for quieter atmosphere, skip Friday/Saturday prime time.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes - they don't take reservations for parties under 6. Arrive before 6pm weekends for best patio selection, or hit social hour 3-6pm weekdays when it's less crowded. Bar seating almost always available.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for casual family hangs - outdoor patio space, relaxed vibe, and menu items kids like (burgers, mac and cheese). Better for ages 5+ who can handle some chaos. Avoid prime sports viewing times if you want calmer energy.
What's the scene like? Neighborhood locals mixing with dog owners and craft beer fans. 30s-40s crowd weekdays, younger 20s-30s weekend nights. Sports games draw rowdier groups. Always dog-friendly and unpretentious.
Can I bring my dog? Absolutely - this is one of the best dog patios in Ocean Park. Water bowls provided, dedicated pup menu available, and tons of other dogs around. Patio only, not inside.
Best For
Better for: Casual beer-focused hangs with dogs, watching sports with craft brews, and relaxed weekday happy hours. The patio space and rotating tap list beat most nearby sports bars, and the food quality exceeds typical brewery fare.
Skip if: You want a quiet romantic dinner, need extensive vegan options, or prefer cocktails over beer. For upscale dining or wine-focused meals, head elsewhere - this is intentionally casual and beer-centric.