I remember coming to Oddfellows just after it opened; once for dinner, then once for drinks and snacks. I've never been for breakfast but I've heard good things. The initial visits were both fine but didn't really make me want to come back desperately soon, especially with all of the other great options nearby. Last night we went to Oddfellows for a birthday party and had a pretty good experience, so I thought - time for a Yelp.
It was great to have a reservation, which I'm not sure they take for smaller groups - there were about a dozen of us and we had a nice long table in the back between the coolers full of beer and staff station in the middle of the restaurant. When we arrived at 8pm, the rest of the place was packed and there were several people crammed in the tiny area next to the door waiting to be seated. We breezed past them to our long, spacious table and ordered some fries and drinks while we waited for the rest of the party.
The drinks (I had a Blanche) were great, the fries were just OK. They were hot and there were a decent amount of them - they were served in a cup with a paper cone that seemed to help keep them warm until they were gone. They were, however, weirdly flavorless, with no salt, served with ketchup and plain aioli sprinkled with a few chives. I was hoping for the interesting flavor of Presse's mayo or at least a well-salted potato, but I was starving so I plowed through them with the help of my friends.
Sweets and I shared the chicken, which I don't normally order since it's pretty easy to cook at home but was the one thing we could both agree on. When it arrived, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that not only was it enough for both of us, but it was well-cooked with extremely delicious salty-crispy skin, served on a bed of pea vines with a couple of small potatoes hidden underneath. I had to ask for some mustard for the chicken since there was no sauce present, but overall it was a satisfying meal which left just enough room for Cupcake Royale ice cream on the slow walk back home.
We had a few more drinks, and I was able to try the meatballs with polenta (also delicious) and heard good things about other dishes from those animals less willing to share bites. Overall, the menu had a decent selection with fair prices for the plates that were brought out. The wine list seemed good (I had a delicious cava) and there were a few cocktails on the menu that seemed fine but not super innovative.
Even though I had a great experience here, I still don't know if I'd battle the crowds to come back on a date. It's good but with myriad other delicious options in the surrounding blocks and a likely ever-changing menu, I'm not sure I'd crave it - but if a friend suggested this as a place to meet for a drink before dinner or even a late-night meal, I'd say yes. read more