Beef-N-Barrel — Restaurant in City of Olean

This was my 4th visit to this establishment - and I've yet to have a satisfying meal. This visit I had beef stroganoff, with beef barley soup and my wife had a hamburger with fries. The stroganoff was served tepid, and while I don't know how it was prepared, the gravy and beef tasted canned - the beef cubes varied from pink to red inside and were cool to the touch. The soup was actually ok - not fabulous, but ok. The small piece of rye bread served with it was very good and prob the best part of my meal. The hamburger was ordered medium rare: the first had to be sent back, as the inside was raw and cold. The second burger was slightly more cooked, but was definitely too rare ... With a still cool center. The French Fries were very good. Convenience is the main selling point of this restaurant - parking is free and has been easy to access every visit. Prices are high for what you get - small portions, too. Also the coffee was old and expensive - and I've had to ask for a refill each visit - price for coffee and tea is just under double what I typically pay at similar places. The repeat visits have been at the request of my dining companions who have seen positive reviews ... Today's visit was because our other choices were closed due to the upcoming holiday. Amusingly, when paying the bill the staff asked how everything was, to which I replied "don't ask." And her reply, "that's good." We left hungry and poorer for...

The diamond of Olean, NY's fine dining! I've recently seen another best Restaurant guide on-line of Olean and this was further down the list than what it ever should have been! This place is the BEST! You're greeted at the door by either son of the restaurant proprietor and given your choice of seating (booth, half booth or table) for your dining comfort. The menu offers a grand selection of entree meals, grand salad options & desserts plus bar specialty beverages. Outstanding service EVERY single time!! This restaurant has atleast 4 dining areas and ample off street parking behind the restaurant or in the front on N. Union Street. In the summer months, they have bistro dining on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. They are famous for their roast beef on kimmelweck roll but honestly folks, ALL of their entrees knock it out of the park! One of my favorites is liver and onions smothered in provolone cheese with a side of garlic mashed potatoes! French onion soup, Julienne salad with hot bacon dressing, and finish that meal with a hot brownie/ice cream sundae covered with hot fudge sauce! Eat in or order out...you'll eat here EVERY time in Olean. Just don't plan on Sunday dining, however...they deserve a day off too! Look for their signature restaurant gracing N.Union Street!!! Enjoy!! (pictured is a luncheon...

I enjoy beef. Like. A lot. I'm a Pitmaster. The beef at this restaurant is roasted and rendered to lean perfection. In my personal opinion, it does need more flavor, salt and/or garlic (just a tad) to bring flavor to the juices. The potatoes were overly salted and overly garlicked. I couldn't eat past the first bite. Which was unfortunate because they did look good. They were out of baked potatoes and sweet potatoes.

It did take a while to get seated. We stood around the foyer for about 4 minutes looking for someone to greet us, but that did not happen. The guy behind the bar came around and welcomed us after attending to his patrons at the bar top. There were two ladies behind a counter off to the left of the foyer, but it looked like they were selling insurance or something non-restaurant related. Little odd observation.

Atmosphere was very cool. Leather couches in booth, captains chairs at tables. Looks like this was the happening place to be back in the early 2000s. Nostalgic, and clean.

It would be a nice - ideal chop house if they offered more proteins than roasted lean beef. Which -- is a very difficult cut to render properly. They've...