My family and I love this place, whether for take out or at their table. If you are a burger lover, like my dad, this place is top notch with several options! The brisket is so tender and flavorful and can be had in many options. Sandwich? Yes. Platter with mashed potatoes, etc.? Yes. Quesadilla? Yes! (Although they could add a little more cheese.) The battered fish is HUGE. The quality is fresh and the portions may leave you with something to eat the next day. There are still menu items we need to try but we keep ordering our favorites. We've enjoyed the atmosphere while dining (lunch and dinner), but this place can be crowded in the evenings and can get loud, but the good energy of people having fun is infectious. The staff have even made special accommodations for a family member with a disability when we've gone to dine in. Therefore, the staff is as nice as can be, the service has been excellent, and the bussers are right on the job to clear any unneeded glasses or plates at just the right time. I am so glad the new owners did so much to bring the Olney Ale House back to a place worth coming to. You can tell the hard work they put in to every aspect of their business. Olney needed this, IMHO. read more

Olney Ale House - Pubs Near Me - Olney, Maryland

food was nothing special overpriced service was okay but did not get our order correct read more

Appetizers: Hummus with fresh baked bread and bowl of mussels in a creamy broth of white wine and garlic & ginger. The mussels were a good portion. In the bowl were also some chopped sweet peppers. I am surprised that I was not given a spoon so I can slurp up the broth. I ordered the Dr. Bird burger for my entree. The beef was tasty and perfectly done to the temp that I like. The fries were typical and totally fine. Service was a little lacking in some areas. I had to ask for a spoon for the bowl of mussels. We had to ask for more water. Since we noticed that the servers came around to other tables (mostly to clear empty plates), we thought it was okay to ask a nearby server (who was not our original server) for more water. She didn't seem happy about it because she let out a sigh and didn't say a word. She did come back with a carafe of water and left it on the table. And while she was there, we asked for more ketchup because the bottle on our table was empty. She came back with a full bottle but again, did not say a word even after we thanked her both for the water and for the ketchup. Noise level: Loud. Must speak with raised voices in outside patio when all the tables are occupied with diners. There is a TV screen but that was muted. 80's music (which I love) was playing. Parking: Somewhat adequate. We got the last spot so not sure where we would have parked if it was full. read more

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How refreshing is the renovation, the menu, the service and how quickly the place filled up! The beers came cold and quickly from our excellent wait staff. The menu runs the gamut from soup and salads to extensive mains, with everything between. We chose one daily special: a shrimp salad on brioche with shoestring fries. Along with that we tried an outstanding rib-eye steak and cheese. Both came quickly and more than met expectations. Don't wait too long, though. All tables were filled by 6:00pm on a Wednesday summer night. This place will go into the regular rotation for a good time. read more

Lunch with wifey on a Thursday cost a bit over $50 with tip. Food: We each had a bowl of chili and shared a bowl of steamed mixed vegetables. Water and a cup of hot green tea were our beverages. Chili was very meaty - very good. It was served with an embedded dollop of sour cream which adds richness yet cools the dish temperature. I scooped mine onto wifey's bowl. Fresh bread and butter that accompanies the chili is chewy and sufficient for dipping or scraping the bowl clean if desired. Steamed vegetables included a good diversity of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and more - a generous portioned, lightly seasoned, and served hot. Overall, we were very pleased with the food and took some of each dish home for a second meal sufficient for one. Note: It is not necessary to drink, ale, beer, nor any alcohol to have a good experience here, despite what newbies might think. Service: by Deniz and others was perfect. Timely, professional, helpful and accommodating. He presented us with some extra paper napkins within minutes of our request. Food was delivered to our table quickly and neatly. Water glasses filled regularly and used dishes bussed on time. We appreciated complimentary take away containers and a souvenir bag to carry it all away neatly. Thanks! Facility: It's obvious that a good deal of work was done to upgrade the facility. New furnishings, clean well stocked restrooms, interesting decor and generally a busy casual comfortable lunch vibe. Outside there was ample parking even when the restaurant was full - a pleasant surprise. Accessible parking spots were conveniently near the entrance with no stairs to negotiate. We wish there was direct car access to Dr. Bird Drive, but not a problem. Having been a patron of the OAH since about 1987, the update is appreciated. We wish the OAH a successful future. read more

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This is the first time being back since it was renovated and rebuilt! The restaurant itself is a small bar area and a decently sized dining area. We were greeted and sat down relatively fast and welcomed by the server. The service was great. The waiter was friendly and attentive, and was able to answer the questions that we had about the food. I got the Philly cheesesteak and it was pretty good! Good amount of cheese and stacked with meat. The bread had a light crisp and chewy which is what I like. I would say that the sandwich is about maybe like a "8 inch sub" and the fries were crispy and was a great addition to the sandwich. A little pricey for what it was, but I'm glad that the meat quantity made up for the price a bit. 4.5/5 Overall, great to have them back and would be nice for a lunch menu prices, but I must come back for their half off burgers! read more

Olney Ale House - Philly Ale House Steak & Cheese - Pubs Near Me - Olney, Maryland

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Just renovated and already kicking butt and taking names! We got there by 5pm on a Friday and it was already packed to the gills! Basic American food with the super cool dishes here and there, especially in the appetizers. We had the hot honey Halloumi cheese and also the candy pork, which is pork belly at its finest! Generous portions, great staff, its own parking lot abd right across the street from the Olney Theater! read more

Olney Ale House - Part of menu - Pubs Near Me - Olney, Maryland

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Tried out this place for the first time & it was jammed packed on Sunday. We got the last parking spot around noon. The hostess was super friendly & welcoming. Servers were cordial and attentive. Food: Pig Candy was not char enough and super fatty. Fish & chips was excellent so as the sweet potato fries but a bit on the pricey side ($30). Pulled BBQ brisket sandwich was bland and lacking smoke, a little underwhelming. The best thing we had was the side of freshly baked bread which was amazingly delicious. The most disappointed part of the entire lunch was the Americano coffee. It was so weak and lack of aroma, it's like drinking a cup of overly diluted tea. Heads up, there's no free refill, when the server asked if I wanted more coffee, I was hoping for a better cup the 2nd time around. Unfortunately, it was as bad as the first cup & I was charged 10 bucks for two really lousy cups of coffee :( All & all, I would still recommend this place because of the friendly staff, the nicely renovated setting and the verities of menu selections. read more

Olney Ale House - Pubs Near Me - Olney, Maryland

I have been there several times since the new owner has reopened the Ale House. I've ordered different items from the menu each time (with the exception of the cream of crab soup which I get a cup of each time) and have not been disappointed yet. The servers are wonderful and attentive and the food is delicious. I highly recommend it. read more

First time back...give them points for decor / patio redo but the food is only so so and not worth the prices. Holumi cheese and onion soup apps...both served luke warm..though.fig jam with Holumi was a nice touch. Wife had a burger that was nothing special...i tried the brown sugar pork chops..."two" is a joke...basically one SMALL 1/2" chop that they cut in half to make "two" 1/4 inch chops...at $31, a rip-off. So thin...no surprise it was dry. The Luchenkugel Summer Shandy beer was the best part of the meal. Go for the beer/ale selection...skip the food read more

Enjoyed our lunch. Food was great as was the service. My favorite was the app - fried Brussel Sprouts. My stew was lovely and the bread that came with it was a nice touch. Also had a tasty side Caesar salad. Great atmosphere and yes I will mention the restrooms - very clean and very modern. The entire experience was wonderful and I will be back. read more

Olney Ale House - Stew and a Caesar side salad - Pubs Near Me - Olney, Maryland

What a Thrilling Thursday! Sitting at the bar is the best. The beer selection is extensive, the food EXCEPTIONAL, (buffalo chicken dip & fries OMG), pineapple shrimp, philly cheesesteak, and the fish&chips should be named THE COD,MY GOD!!! Rachel at the bar, top notch and Mara very attentive, the food runner was pleasant and looked as if he was enjoying his day! OAL owes is nothing! read more

I was pleasantly surprised by our visit due to the low ratings. The restaurant was busy on a night before going to the theater across the street, but we were able to get a table for four quickly. Our server was friendly and very efficient. There weren't many vegan or vegetarian options but some and I would order the veggie burger again. The fudge brownie sundae was delicious! read more

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Food was delish. Service was most excellent. The location was perfect for a meal after a show at the Olney Theatre. It made for a perfect afternoon. read more

Pros: Nice Menu Super friendly staff Priced very nicely Cons: Honestly, can't find any that would stop us from going back. So happy to see The Ale House open back up. In the door was a nice warm vibe, nicely lit, decorated and clean. We were seated pretty quick with enthusiasm by the staff. The menu choices are great, packed with all your favorites and a few surprises. Our server was Grace who was absolutely adorable and friendly and so attentive. Ill definitely request her next time. We started off with The Pig Candy which is thier version of Burnt Ends. Ill be honest, we've eatten alot of burnt ends around the country and these need a little help. They needed to be chared more and they lacked flavor but they were tender, not melt in your mouth tender but tender. We also ordered The Olney Burger which was what I wanted, a cheese burger with fries. It was a beautiful masterpiece, juicy and flavorful and the shoestring fries were crunchy and spot on. Lastly we ordered The Four Cheese Pizza which was very good, nice crunch on the crust however the Feta Cheese was a tad over powering. Bottom Line; Great to have The Ale House back and is a must visit, can't wait to go back. read more

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The Ale House just reopened after being closed for six years. This was my first visit since they reopened and I went with a group for happy hour. We were a large group so we took a table in the back dining room. Comments from the group included: 1. They need to put prices for everything on the drinks menu. 2. They need to add vegetarian/vegan options. The old Ale House did this well. 3. The tortilla chips are too thick. 4. Servers were really nice. 5. Dr. Bird's Elixir was way too sweet. 6. Out of non-alcoholic beer (two days in a row. 7. Not enough chips for the triple dip appetizer. 8. Rustic roll on steak sandwich is good. 9. Fries were good. 10. Introduce happy hour!! read more

We had dinner here a few nights ago. It has just reopened after 6 years. The new place is beautiful and well done. We sat in the bar and ate and enjoyed it. Of course it is loud like a bar. The food was excellent and we loved the drinks (an old fashion and an espresso martini). We had a Caesar salad, cream of crab soup, and a steak and cheese sub. All very good. The bar service was OK, but we found ourselves waiting for help (odd since we were sitting right there). We will definitely be back to try many other dishes. I'm sure the service issues will work themselves out after they run for awhile. read more

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Thank you Grace for a wonderful experience. It was so much fun to see the The Olney Ale House reopening. The drinks were great and food delicious. We can't wait to come back and check out the other items on the menu. read more

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Just reopened under new owners! Super cute inside, friendly staff, a bit pricey, and this is just their limited menu. Great draft beer selection, interesting menu items- some from previous restaurant and some are new, outdoor seating, and safe parking (no more gravel at your own risk). Layout is similar of former but everything is new and modern. Give it a try. I was thankful the coder on tap was not Angry Orchard. Drink selection was solid. Food was mixed. Dip trio was great, pig candy was ok - they need to dress the small sad salad garnish with something, bread pudding was okay. Get the ice cream in the side bc it melts quickly! read more

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We went here around 5:30 on a Wednesday before a play. People were waiting for tables when we left. The food was very good, as is the service. However, it was quite loud. Conversation with my companion was difficult read more

Not far from its re-opening after a kitchen fire (see The Arts Club - what is it with these kitchen fires?!), seems there was no home signature baked bread, no homemade soup - used to be a mainstay there. I expect they don't make the big bucks on these items. (Heard later there was bread but didn't see it on the menu, mainly I was watching out for teetering old folk and flying waiters.) Fireplace was there with a pitiful gas/elect light. I get it - who wants to tend a fire? But they did back in the day. Rip out the oven-looking thing, make a real fire then throw in a cheater log. I'll notify the fire chief. The only space left for us was this horrid little table stuck in the middle of the skinny serving area (although it needed to matchbook leg adjustment). We felt like we were in The Improv and wondered why we didn't get slammed by rushed staff. A woman sporting riding pants walked past, which is always a treat and tells us she rides horses or wants us to think she rides horses. Mason our waiter, was efficient and polite to us old birds, but more so for the company than us - he made me feel rushed, like he didn't want to be stuck in the middle of the floor as we were. "WOULD YOU LIKE A DRINK?we haven't made up our minds yesOKAY WELL I'LL COME BACK WHEN YOU'VE MADE UP YOUR MIND... https://vimeo.com/109834909?fl=pl&fe=cm Now there is apparently no pedestrian means of coming over from the Olney Inn (wonder why they never built a bridge) except to get in your car after the show and try and find a safe way to enter the parking lot. read more

Olney Ale House - 2022 - Pubs Near Me - Olney, Maryland

Love this place. A bit cramped inside and you'll definitely bump into another human. But the food is amazing and the staff is super friendly. Multiple people checked on us routinely read more

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Great food. Helpful friendly staff. Super vibe. We went in a dreary rainy evening and going inside raised our spirits immediately. The laughter and the warmth of the place made it seem like our neighborhood spot even though it was our first visit. Definitely plan on going back. read more

I love going to Olney Ale House. It's one of those spots I can always count on whether I'm just grabbing a quick bite or hanging out for a while. The vibe is super laid-back but still fun, especially if you sit near the bar. It gets busy, but that's kind of part of the charm. The food never disappoints. I'm obsessed with their crab cakes, seriously so good and their burgers are always cooked exactly how I ask. The portions are big too, so I usually end up with leftovers. They've got a solid beer list, and I like that there's always something new to try. read more

Heard they reopened within the past year after being closed for 6 years so decided to check it out. The ambiance was fairly nice and it was busy. Food was kind of disappointing. Good, but nothing memorable at all. Probably a 6/10 on the food. Service was also not that great. Good at first, but got worse throughout the visit. The server never cleared our table so all of our food and dirty plates were left on the table even as we ate our dessert. read more

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Just had the best bread pudding in the history of bread pudding. If for no other reason go here and get the bread pudding. Service was fantastic too. read more

First time trying the Olney Ale House the food was delicious. Our server was super sweet. We got the honey old bay wings it's not on the menu but they'll make them for you if you just ask and the wings were so delicious definitely a must have. We tried the trio of dips which was super flavorful and we honestly liked all the dips. We also got the blue point oysters and they were a little small but they did not disappoint. We also got the pig candy which was sooo good! Definitely give it a try read more

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I'm saying "Yes" to do you recommend this restaurant, but that just means I'm willing to try it again. There were 5 of us for lunch, we got there early, 11:30, and were amazed how full it got by 12:30. I got only the Cream of Crab soup, and it was delicious. Not quite hot when I got it, but quickly reheated and then really good...a little spicy and very creamy...complete with crabmeat and a few shells. Two others got the Steak and Cheese, with shoestring fries, and really enjoyed them. Two others got quesadillas, and enjoyed them, the staff is really nice, the decor is nice and prettier than the original Ale House. The BIG disappointment was the bread. The old Ale House had great crusty bread...it was the reason to go there. They had hearty soups that went well with the bread. This bread was more like naan...and not the best Naan I've had...Naan that needed some more salt in the recipe. Their Soup of the Day was chicken...although hot, its not the hearty soup I went looking for. Also, they were out of Cod...so one of my friends had wanted fish and chips, and another wanted the fish sandwich...neither was available. Fridays are traditionally fish days to some...and its bad form not to have fish available on a Friday. One more thing...if i'm not mistaken, there are no vegetarian entrees or sandwiches on the menu. I looked at the menu before I went and knew that a vegetarian friend would order the spinach and portobello quesadilla appetizer...because its the only vegetarian on the menu! (Not counting French fries) We mentioned the bread as we were leaving, and the woman who seemed to be either a manager or owner said that they'd gotten the original bread recipe and were going to try it out. What are they waiting for?? And although that bread as great, any crusty bread would be good with soup! By the way, the bread is considered a "side" and costs $3 or $4 for an order...not a problem, but not on the paper menu, so you should be aware. I'll go back...but not until I've called to see if they've started making REAL bread! read more

Food and service were amazing. Great beer and food selection. The three dip appetizer was delicious. Prices are reasonable too. First time but won't be the last! read more

Im obsessed with this place! I've been about 5x in the past two months and food is perfect every time. My favorite dish is the Pineapple Express shrimp but the olney ale burger is good, chicken wings were delicious, the trio dips was amazing! read more

Overpriced. Forgot drink order. Felt like we were being rushed. Don't trust anyone when a happy hour menu isn't provided. Very disappointed after waiting years for them to reopen. Sorry they kept the original name. read more

I dined for a late lunch last week, on a Thursday. This was most likely my 4-5 visit since it reopened. I was hesitant to write a review such as this without writing to the restaurant directly first. The following is what I sent via their main email address on their website. Below this is posted the response that I received 5 days later. After I read it a few times I realized that the response was Ai generated. What a sloppy and insincere way to respond to valid concerns on a newly reopened landmark restaurant. I will also say that I not only run my own business but had worked in the restaurant industry on quite a few levels, before, during and post college. The restaurant is beautiful, warm, inviting, the food needs to level up. The Email: "I had lunch today with my father we sat outside. This is probably my 4 or 5th visit since you opened. We both got pricey sandwiches - crab cakes and soft shell crab special. The food was really not great. The soft shell crab was heavy battered and deep fried . Terrible... a bad presentation and why would it be prepared that way- a soft shell crab? Terrible. I had a Huge crab cake - was really good until I got about half way through and it wasn't cooked and mildly burnt on the outside. Both of these plates were 29.00. $90.00 total bill ( two iced teas and tip as well). Our service was ok- couldn't wait for him to ask me how everything was--- he never did. Nor did the hostess that I think might be an owner? I spoke with a friend yesterday who told me that her lunch was very lackluster last week. Have you changed cooks / chefs since you first opened? You can do much much better Ale House." RESPONSE: Dear Mary, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I'm very sorry to hear that your recent lunch visit did not meet your expectations. We strive to provide every guest with a memorable dining experience, and it is disappointing to learn that both the food and service fell short for you. We take comments like yours seriously and will review your concerns with our culinary and service teams. Our goal is always to serve high-quality food and attentive hospitality, and I regret that we missed the mark during your visit. While many guests enjoy these menu items, we understand that every dining experience is personal, and we respect your perspective. We truly appreciate your support and repeat visits since our reopening, which makes your feedback especially important to us. We are continuously working to improve, and comments from guests like you help us do that. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention. We hope you'll consider giving us another opportunity in the future to provide the experience you've come to expect from us. Warm regards, Olney Ale House Team. read more

I have gone 3-4 times and have always had excellent service. The food is solid and will dine there again.

I had a great meal here about a month after they opened. Going back tonight for the second try. Looking forward to further exploring menu. Great French fries great burger so far. read more

I really enjoyed being back at the Ale House after so many years--it brought back great memories, and the food was good overall. However, I have to say I was pretty surprised by the price of my salad. I ordered a plain garden salad with about 4 oz. of chicken, and it appeared to be a simple bagged salad. The total came to $26 before tip, which felt extremely high for such a basic dish. I'm wondering if I might be missing something about the ingredients or preparation that would justify that price, because it seemed out of line for what was served. I'd appreciate any clarification. Aside from that, it was nice to return after so many years. read more

Food was good and it wasn't overcrowded before a performance at the nearby theater. Food was very good tho service - while friendly - was a bit slow. read more

We had been interested in checking out the new Olney Ale House. Luckily, we got there around 2, so in between the lunch crowd and the happy hour crowd, so the noise level was tenable. Our service with Mason was good. Our food was nothing special. My husband had the steak and cheese, which he said was fine. I had a cheeseburger, which was greasy and did not agree with me. In all honesty, the burgers at Sunshine Market are a lot better, and ironically not as greasy. If I were to go back, I'd order a salad, or something else, but I'm not in a real hurry to go back any time soon. read more

Great lunch at Olney Ale House! The space is super cute and they did a great job renovating. We sat at a high tub for table and the bartender was super friendly and made great recommendations. My husband had the Soquel burger, which was cooked perfectly and delicious and I had the Reuben with a side of brussels sprouts. One of my favorite brussels sprouts I've had in a long time! It's a tad bit on the pricey side, but then again, so is every restaurant nowadays. We didn't drink this time around, but they have a really great and extensive beer list. Will definitely be going back!! read more

Food was good. Service was good. HVAC comfort good. Noise level is bad. They need to address the acoustics. I hope they address it. It's a very nice restaurant. read more

employees are nice and friendly but they can't make up for some serious shortcomings. wine. happy hour price is $2 off a $15 glass. not very happy. and lunch the other day during the so called happy hour they overcharged for three items. and I really think it was done on purpose. they have been opened long enough now that the kinks should be worked out. And the dolmas are served with no lemon or tzatziki. I won't go back. Over priced. read more