By Greg B. So, since I lived in Hampden a few years ago, the restaurant scene really has changed. From the old Cafe Hon and a new Rofo, now there are bars and restaurants all over 36th street. Interestingly, they all try to cater to the hipster crowd, and while that is cool and all, I’ve learned that hipsters apparently don’t understand the concept of speed or efficiency.

The restaurant has an interesting atmosphere, and when it is not too busy is it easy to get a table. However, we had a half hour wait (more about 45 minutes or so), so we decided to go back by the bar, grab a drink and chat. Big mistake. Normally, if I walk into a bar and get an elbow on the bar or some body part, and can stand there, looking polite and yet attentive, for the bartender(s) to recognize that I wish to give them my hard earned cash for a cold beverage, a bartender will quickly find you and get you what you need. Or at least recognize that you exist. Here, at Golden West Cafe, there are three picture behind the bar, of what I can only guess are waitstaff/bartenders. And they are all flipping off the camera person, and thus, by being mounted on the wall: you. That also just about covers all of their service policy. So, after waiting about five times as long as I would ever wait for a drink, I finally got my big break, and got two Old Rasputins and one Wolavers Indian Pale Ale.

Old Rasputin is a beer I’ve reviewed before, as a more chocolately and bitter, dark roasted stout. I forgot, but apparently I covered the wolaver’s IPA as well, in an earlier post! I think Gabi had the same impression this time that I had the last time. It’s ok, an ok bitter, but nothing special. We just ordered another round of drinks when our table was called. I asked for two Wolaver’s oatmeal stouts (and got one oatmeal stout and one brown ale… so close), these I have not reviewed yet. The oatmeal stout was OK, a little bit watery but had that good, ‘mealy’ kind of texture that you can sometimes get in an oatmeal stout. Got a bit too sweet as it warmed up though. The Brown ale was similar. It has that malty, stereotypical brown ale flavor which was nice at first, but it was too sweet as a beer, at least for me.

For food, we ordered a bunch of appetizers. The fresh cut garlic fries were great, and loaded with garlic. This went great with some additional mayo that we asked for at the table. The chili cheese tater tots were great as well, but kind of like a Denny’s Breakfast bowl, in a way that all the food is in a pile. A delicious pile. Looking at the menu, I don’t see the other option, but this could be because I don’t know what to call it. They were fried small tortilla chips, with two dipping sauces, one guacamole, and the other some kind of sweeter chutney. Both were very nice.

For a meal, I ordered a chili cheeseburger. Now, I did ask for it medium rare, but it came pretty darn rare. Gabi, on the other hand, ordered the apple brie burger cooked medium, and got hers pretty well done. Also, the burger didnt have as much flavor as one would have hoped, however, the tater tots served with my burger came with this awesome spicy mayo style sauce that was both delicious and spicy. It seems the all around consensus by those who got burritos were that they were delicious, and even the one, lone salad eater of the bunch enjoyed her salad (once the dressing for it arrived). My burger was mildly spicy, and was an alright burger, though I think Jessica has ruined my burger preferences, since she still makes the best one I’ve ever eaten. Mike ordered the rib sandwich, which, in his words is like a ‘riblet = mcrib + more love”.

Incidentally, Wednesday nights were $7 bottle of wine night, featuring 2 reds and 2 whites. I don’t recall exactly what we got, even though I thought to write it down, just I didn’t, but the wines were not terrible, not amazing, but would go ok with some of the foods, even the merlot which really, wasn’t that bad of a wine afterall.

Overall, going out for Donna’s birthday (opps, ‘holiday’ night) was a great time. I think Gabi put it best when she said ‘the company was great, the wait sucked, and the food was ok”. I wouldn’t go back here for drinks if I was thirsty, but I might consider going back for breakfast one day, as they had an interesting menu. And, I’d probably call the same troupe of friends out as well, since they were the best part of the evening.