Karl Strauss Brewing Company — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Decided to stop in while we were in town this weekend. Good selection of beer on tap. Food is about what you'd expect when you visit a brewery or sports bar. The sign said to order at the bar, so we did. Honestly, I don't think that they guy looked at us once - he acknowledged that we were there by walking up but I swear he never looked at us. Were we ready to order the moment we walked up? No, so we asked for a minute to review the menu. I saw something that looked interesting and said it out loud and the guy behind the bar repeated it as he started to enter it, I think I may have accidentally shouted "NO!" followed up by a more calm "I was just pointing it out". Again he acknowledged that I was heard, this time with a nod. We placed our order and he slid out number over to us - this time he did have to look at us to tell us what to do with the number, but that was the only eye contact. (eye contact isn't a make-or-break for me, but for heavens sake that's a great way to connect with your customer and also you'll be able to know when they're actually placing their order vs pointing out something on the menu to their dining companion) I don't remember what beer I ordered, but it was fine. The hubs got a Dt Soda and it was Dt Soda-ey, so also fine. I ordered Mac & Cheese (I believe they call it Mac & Tap Cheese, or something like that). I don't know why it was calling my name, but it was and I wasn't disappointed! The hubs ordered Fish and Chips. When it was delivered, the gal placing it in front of us asked us if we wanted anything. He asked for more vinegar and then she asked if we wanted water and I replied 'yes'. Sadly, she never found her way back. No one ever came to check up on us. Fortunately we were fine with the beverages that we'd ordered at the bar and he made do with his one little packet of vinegar

If I visit this area of LA, would I go again? There are a lot of options in the area so it's not likely. I'm not disappointed that I went because the Mac & Cheese was tasty, just likely that I'd not go again.

Thanks for...

Well. 3 hours after I ordered my happy hour appetizer, my colleague finally got his hamburger. We, a group of 6 work colleagues, sat down just before happy hour ended and ordered our drinks and appetizers. An hour later we finally got our food order in. A half hour after that, one of my colleagues got his food. A half hour later we asked for an update from a waiter (not ours - he had disappeared). The next while became the most I have EVER had to struggle to get food..... And I hunt. We went through no less than 3 people who left to "check on our food", never to be seen again. We battled our way through servers, asking to speak to a (serindipitously absent) manager and being denied, getting food and then finding it was wrong. Begging for more to drink. Then fighting to get our check separated (which our original waiter said would be no problem), and the 3 hour old happy hour discount applied. What a mess. The food was OK (my buffalo wings looked - and rather felt - like calamari.... And not good calamari), but the fact that, in an act of desperation, I stood at my table for a half hour trying to get someone to come over and help us made the ok food seem terrible. We even had to then point the few people that sporadically deigned to speak to us over to the tables around us, all of whom were fighting the same battles. I will never come back. 3 hours at the end of a VERY long day was bad enough. 3 hours of frustration and helplessness was...

5 stars! Absolutely, love this restaurant. The quality of the food, the flavors, the execution, the beer, the atmosphere. LOVE. My favorite beer there is the Mosaic. The description of it on the menu is spot on for that beer and the Columbia, which is also a favorite. The duck battered pretzel balls are an incredible balance of salty, savory, 'herby', and fattening. They are addictive for bread lovers and non-bread lovers, like myself, alike. The carne asada fries serve great as an appetizer and entree. The pickled onion as a touch of sweet vinegar with the mild spice of the dish and cool avocado and steak is just perfect.

The negatives I will say was the portion of the sausages that came with the Sausage entree (I forget the name). It included 1 chicken and 1 pork, I believe, sweet potatoe fries, a sweet mustard sauce, and frisee. I loved the presentation, beautiful. However, two small sausages and a mound of fries was disappointing for the price point. The dish should include at least 1, if not 2, more sausages or offer that as an option.

Last, the ahi poke appetizer I did not enjoy at all, nor did my party. The sauce was overwhelming for the fish in both quantity and flavorings. The amount of added avocado for the cost was too much too. We didn't finish the dish and in fact it...