Having spent a significant amount of time with friends on the weeknights in my early 20s in this establishment, I thought it would be fitting to visit my hometown and make this my next review.
What do people want when visiting a bar/lounge? They want affordable drinks, tasty food, a seat at the bar, space, and enjoyable conversation with good people. How many times have you gone into a bar and not been able to find a seat or even find a spot to set up shop? When entering a bar, it is pivotal that you establish your home base and from there, you can venture out to socialize. Let us now explore how Kendrew’s fulfills these key elements and why it is such a unique and interesting place.
Donald “Old Man” Kendrew founded this establishment quite some time ago. A retired truck driver and farmer, he was hard-working, tough, and straight to the point which portrays the same attitude of the bar itself. Upon arriving, the first thing you notice is the sheer size of this establishment. The bar has nearly 50 barstools and is horseshoe in shape. It is a drinker’s bar, meaning you can have multiple conversations and feel part of the community. There are several pool tables, games, a stage for live music, and a dance floor. If you cannot find a seat at the bar, there are also plenty of tables. They also have a spacious non-smoking area.
Kendrew’s is famous for their Mason-Jar Pints which they use to serve draft beer. On almost any day of the week, they have beer specials for $1.50 a draft. What is remarkable in my opinion, is in the past 15 to 20 years, the beer specials have only risen from $1.00 a draft to $1.50. This is hard to find in today’s day and age. They also have a variety of mixed drinks and liquors as well.
Kendrew’s is also known for their kitchen that rarely ever closes. It is open until the bar closes 1–2am every night. Their wings are regionally famous with Wing Specials on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are extremely crispy, have a variety of sauces, and are just plain good. They are not stingy on the sauce; you will have enough to dip them in your favorite sauce. Bottom line, Kendrew’s knows how to make a good Chicken Wing and they have been doing it for a long time. Their menu is extensive, anything from your favorite appetizer to Fish, Steak, Gyros, etc. Having a kitchen that never closes, and serves quality food is a huge benefit.
Kendrew’s Lounge Final Take:
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Taste and Flavor
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Portion Size
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Affordability
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Ambiance
Summary
As always, my final take… The Beaver County area is known for its rich Steel-Mill tradition. Its residents have carried on this tradition with their great work ethic. Most people in this area do not want overly priced drinks or expensive food with diminishing value. What they do want is fair prices on food and drink for their hard-earned money. Kendrew’s has been a staple in the community for a long time. It is consistent and has not seen much change over the years, which is how they want it. It is no surprise this place is always busy. As their slogan says, “see you at Kendrew’s”…