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| - I stopped in to check out the newly redone Ohio Tavern tonight for their taco special. Although I'd never been there before the redo, it definitely doesn't read as any kind of 'new'. Dark and divey, loud but good music via the jukebox, the back bar wood seemingly coated in the grunge of its many years of service without having been touched. The bartenders are great, enthusiastic and accomodating.
The tap list is adequate, and the bottled beer selection is better. I found parking and a seat at the bar easily, even though the place was about 3/4 full on an early Friday evening. A chalkboard displays the special taco of the day, and a paper menu describes the others. I went for the three taco special for $10, a lamb barbacoa, a shredded chicken, and a carnitas. All three had good flavor but were uniformly lacking in moisture. Really dried out. I asked for and received a bit more sauce on the side, which helped a little. Don't come expecting El Grito level tacos, nor Tex Tubbs. They are merely serviceable, but the bar has been set much higher locally of late. Nowhere to go but up in the food department.
All in all, it's a gritty yet comfortable place to stop in, the service is fast and friendly, prices are low, and I'll go back. Maybe if only to catch a glimpse of the rumored ghost.
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