Kel’s Tavern — Restaurant in Ashland

I want to start by saying this isn’t coming from a place of bias. I went into KEL’s Tavern on Winchester Avenue really wanting to give it a fair shot. I’ve heard a lot of talk about the place, and I genuinely hoped it would be a solid new option downtown. But after eating there, I left disappointed—and not just a little.

We started with the fried mozzarella. It was fine. Just a flat cheese stick, really—nothing memorable, but not bad either. Pretty plain, and honestly, it ended up being the best part of the meal.

For dinner, we shared one ribeye steak dinner and an order of fish and chips, just to get a feel for more than one thing on the menu.

The ribeye was cooked okay, but it had zero seasoning or flavor. If it was marinated at all, you couldn’t tell. The fat wasn’t rendered, and it came out on a plate that looked like it was thrown together without a second thought—smudges, splatter, no care for presentation. And considering it’s a $32 steak, that really didn’t sit right.

We also paid extra for premium sides—mac & cheese and broccoli casserole. Unfortunately, neither one lived up to the “premium” label. The mac & cheese was watery and bland, with barely any flavor. The broccoli casserole had a decent taste, but the broccoli itself was undercooked in spots—some pieces were borderline raw. Definitely not worth the upcharge.

Then came the fish and chips. The fries were okay—looked and tasted like frozen fries you’d get anywhere. But the fish was just… bad. Dense, stiff, and clearly frozen. I could hold one end of the filet straight out and it wouldn’t bend at all—not flaky, not tender, not fresh. The hush puppies were also overcooked, dry, and heavy. No flavor. It just felt like a frozen meal all the way around.

The total came out to just under $100 after tip, and it just didn’t feel like money well spent.

As for drinks, I understand they just got their alcohol license, so I’ll give some grace there. But the beer list was about as basic as it gets—mostly domestics, and a couple options from Country Boy. Nothing that stood out, nothing craft-forward. If you’re someone who enjoys exploring different beer styles—stouts, hazy IPAs, porters—there’s really not much here for you yet.

I will say that our server was great. No issues there.

Now, let’s talk about the space.

That location was originally designed by Ackenpucky, a well-known design firm that’s done some absolutely beautiful restaurant spaces in this region. And if you’ve lived in Ashland, you probably know what it used to look like.

From what I can tell, not much has changed. The tables are the same. The layout is the same. The overall vibe is still very familiar, but it feels like a watered-down version of what it once was. A few wall hangings and some paint don’t really qualify as a full transformation.

What rubbed me the wrong way was seeing the owner post that she “poured her heart and soul” into designing the space. And look, I respect the hustle of opening a business—but if you’re not from here and don’t know the history of that spot, it might be easy to assume this was all original. Those of us who are local know better. It just didn’t feel genuine.

So, here’s the bottom line: the food was bland, the atmosphere felt recycled, the drinks were uninspired, and the price didn’t match the experience. I want local businesses to succeed. I really do. But if you’re going to charge high-end prices, you’ve got to deliver something more than average. Right now, KEL’s just...

Tried out the new Kel’s Tavern tonight for dinner. This is the place that's in the spot where The Mill used to be. I didn't go to the Mill very often, but I could swear Kel's is using the same tables and chairs, which is cool. Neither good nor bad, just something I noticed.

I don't like talking negatively about local businesses, but there were some things I liked and things I didn't like.

What I liked: They had the good cherries for the old fashioned. Ya know the dark kind, not the cheap ones you get in a Shirley Temple.

I also like the dipping sauce for the chips. It looked like chipotle ranch but tasted like roasted red pepper ranch. Whatever it was tasted good.

Additionally, the burger had a good flavor. Something sweet. I'm not sure what it was. I do, however, prefer burgers medium to medium rare (pink in the center) but I realize the health department wants them all cooked medium well. It tasted good. I just would have liked it better a little pinker.

The Big Bang Shrimp was okay. Neither good nor bad. I liked that it was butterfly shrimp instead of popcorn shrimp. Too often at other places, the popcorn shrimp is cooked too long and comes out tasting like marbles. The butterfly shrimp didn't have that problem.

The only disappointment was the crème brûlée. I admit, I'm a snob, so take this opinion for what it's worth, but this tasted like instant vanilla pudding that someone threw some white sugar on top of and took a kitchen torch to. I still ate it, though. The...

The staff was so kind and genuinely concerned that our experience was excellent. When we arrived the host led us to a table for two in the center of the restaurant. We had a great view of the entire facility. The atmosphere was pleasant and welcoming. The tables and furniture were very comfortable. Facility is fresh, clean and very well kept. Service was prompt. Food was absolutely fantastic. We started with an appetizer that was delicious. It took a minute for the appetizer to reach our table but not what I would call a long time. The entrée presentation was exceptional. A tad bit costly. The two of us had more than enough food We left feeling full, not just from the meal, but from the experience of being truly cared for. That’s what made it unforgettable.. After 15% tip our lunch was $50 (for 2). Maybe not too costly now days. Overall a very pleasant experience. We will certainly make a return visit. This place...