Come On, Get Happy
Voodoo, hoodoo – Ritual Tavern spooky good
By Dr. Ink
Surely you know by now that 30th Street in North Park has been repeatedly recognized for its bars and restaurants committed to craft (a cooler way to say “microbrewed”) beer. In fact, the October edition of “Men’s Journal” called the stretch from Adams Avenue to Beech Street “the nation’s best beer boulevard.” Maybe that’s why San Diego is able to sustain its own Beer Week – which ends Sunday – full of tastings, paired menus and contests.
For the uninitiated, however, the whole scene can be a bit, well, intimidating. Walk into Toronado or Hamilton’s, for example, and you’ll find yourself needing a drink just to stave off the anxiety of choosing from taps you’ve never seen (where’s the Miller Lite?) and bottles that look and cost similar to wine.
And then there’s Ritual Tavern. Occupying the site at 30th and Polk that was formerly home to Mailo’s – a Greek/Mexican diner that always felt as though the floor might drop out at any second – Ritual was completely rebuilt as a bar and restaurant two years ago. As with the other craft beer houses on the No. 2 bus line, Ritual is a place you either know and love – or you avoid. Dr. Ink is now part of the former group, but we have heard from plenty of folks who think the Goth-inspired exterior (and, no doubt, the adult bookstore across the street) somehow means the activities inside Ritual Tavern have more to do with voodoo than victuals.
That’s why Dr. Ink is here, once again, to set you straight on where to get bent – and maybe have a bite to eat while you’re doing it. Despite some people’s perceptions, the décor at Ritual Tavern is actually meant to be “old-world” style, according to owners Mike Flores and Staci Wilkins, who acquired much of the quirky furnishings from eBay. Inside is a bar that seats eight plus a cozy dining room with a British pub feel that belies whatever spooky vibe seems to emanate outside.
Ritual offers Happy Hour Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. But the best deal is on Sundays, when Happy Hour pricing begins as the restaurant opens at 3:30 and ends at the 9:30 closing. Included are craft beers from the eight taps for $3.50 each plus $1 off most glasses of wine.
Looking for a Sunday supper and some tasty beer, I took my brave-soul friend to Ritual, hoping for a seat at the bar. With only eight chairs, securing bar service can be dicey, but we were lucky to spot two seats. Bartender Nick immediately brought us drink and food menus. The beers rotate regularly at Ritual, with a few that seem to linger longer. I spied the AleSmith Lil’ Devil and ordered a pint of that, while my companion sought a Lightning Pilsner. Although not as comprehensive as Toronado and Hamilton’s, Ritual does carry an impressive selection of bottled beer from around the world. A few times during the evening I heard Nick explaining a few lesser-knowns to people looking for a new brew. (If you’ve never heard beer snobs talk, get ready for a lot of “Belgian,” “farmhouse” and “trippel.”)
Wine at the Ritual is limited – usually around 10 types by bottle or glass – but creative. The Wrangler Red Blend ($6.50 during Happy Hour) I had with my meal was bold enough to make cab fans happy but softer than a chewy syrah.
Speaking of dinner, I can say after a few more visits that I highly recommend the food – which you can’t say for every bar. One night I had the new Jidori chicken entrée in a cream sauce, while another I tried the gumbo with enough bread to sop up all the juice. My friend raved about the burger, served with house-made ketchup. The green salad we shared at the first meal included fresh stone fruit. But perhaps the standout starter is the ale-battered onion rings – they’re huge and yummy, and come with house-made remoulade sauce.
Complaints? Sure, I have a few. First, I would like to see some food specials to go along with the Happy Hour drinks. Why not take a few bucks off the onion rings, for example? Second, I wish they had designed the bar to be larger. We sat in the dining room at one visit and while the service was fine it just didn’t have the ambience that the lively bar does. Third, whoever makes their outdoor signs needs to stand back and realize no one can read that Gothic typeface, which probably contributes to the “what is that place” uncertainty some passers-by have with Ritual Tavern.
On second thought, leave the outside the way it is – maybe I’ll have a better chance at getting a seat at the bar.
Ritual Tavern
www.ritualtavern.com
4095 30th St.
San Diego, 92104
(619) 283-1720
Happy Hour: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 3:30-9:30 p.m. Sun.
Ratings:
Drinks: 5
Part of craft beer alley, but not as overwhelming as some of its neighbors.
Food: 5
Any place that makes their own ketchup and mustard must care about their food.
Value: 4
Craft beer at $3.50 a pop is good but where’s the discounted food?
Service: 5
Next time I go in I’m playing Stump Nick the Bartender by asking for something akin to Genesee.
Duration: 5
The all-evening Sunday option is a nice way to cap the weekend.
Note about the ratings: Each category is based on 1-5 glasses, with 5 being best. Drinks and food are rated as to quantity and quality, while duration is based on the number of days and hours Happy Hour is offered. Value and service are self-explanatory.
Want to make me happy? E-mail Dr. Ink about your favorite Happy Hour and I’ll drop by with my stethoscope: [email protected].
