Kelsey's Neighborhood Bar & Grill

My friend and I went on Sunday Aug 6th and when we arrived we had to wait before a hostess approached us. After a few waitresses passing us and not even acknowledging that we were there one waitress said that she will be back because she needs to get a table clean. I said to my friend if she doesn't come back I'm leaving, because we should be seating right now! The restaurant was it even busy at the time we had gone, I didn't see why we had to wait about 5 minutes before we even got our table. I ordered the brushetta salsa and my friend had the fish and chips. The food was excellent and our waitress was great as well. I gave this a 4 only because of the fact of how everything took place once we got there. I eat at Kelseys in the West part of Ottawa and when I do, I never have run into this problem.

Our server was awesome, so friendly and chatty and giving good recommendations, offered the dressing on the side for the salads without being asked, and what great salads, one of the best restaurants we have been to on this trip to Canada.

If I could, I'd give this place a 3.5. The service is always good, never had a bad server and they've always done what they can to be accommodating and solve problems. The food is usually good and their appetizers are some of my favorite of any sort of bar/pub type place. My biggest problem with the place is that they reeeeeally need to update their decor. Not only does it look tacky, but it's starting to show it's ago with cracks and stains.

If you have been listening to the radio in Ottawa you know Kelseys has a thing called Burger Fest. Don't be fooled by the advertizing they only offer one burger at $9.99 the rest are around $16. I made a comment today on their facebook page but they deleted it. Me and my wife went last evening to try out their burgers I can say it was a very disappointing experience. I ordered a bacon double cheese burger. When it came to the table I had to deconstruct it to find the beef that was charred around the edges for some reason yet the centre was not. The patties could not have been much bigger than 4oz each, very thin dry and over salted. My wife only had a single and she could only taste the bun. It was all show as the burgers came out with a impressive toothpick that pierced the burger. A fancy bunn does not a good burger make. They also have a very poor selection of beers. Heck we are in the craft beer era so a local craft is a must for any self respecting restaurant. There are many much better burgers in Ottawa don't be fooled by flashy advertising.

We have been to this Kelsey's a few times. Their service is friendly and food good. There were out of ribs tonight - but it has been a very busy weekend with Winterlude on, so I won't hold it against them.