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Address and Contact Information
Address: 1537b Winchester Ave, Ashland, KY 41101
Phone: (606) 393-1326
Website: https://facebook.com/61577001901763/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Related Web Results
Kel’s Tavern | Ashland KY – Facebook
Kel’s Tavern is a locally owned and passionately operated restaurant with local roots. Restaurant · (606) 393-1326. . Follow …
Kel’s Tavern – Visit Boyd County
Kel’s Tavern is a locally owned and passionately operated restaurant with local roots. 1537b Winchester Ave, Ashland, KY 41101.
Menu Drop at KEL’S Tavern We’re serving up something special …
… craving. 1537B Winchester Avenue, Ashland, KY ️Opening July 8th at 11 am — come taste what’s new. Log in · . Kel’s Tavern’s post. Kel’s Tavern.
Reviews
Mike Terry
I had a good meal.
Ordered the 8oz Sirloin with the premium side of grilled asparagus and the premium side of the loaded sweet potato. I seated myself after grabbing a menu at the front and after a few minutes someone did come and ask to take my order. I asked for a recommendation between the Rib meat over potatoes or the Sirloin and she told me the Sirloin. I ordered the above. Another person dropped the food off and as they walked away I noticed one of the sides was wrong. I was given the mashed potatoes instead of the loaded Sweet potato. I called him back and they worked on getting me the right side and asked me to keep the mashed potatoes. The Sirloin tasted good and was cooked as I asked. Lightly seasoned with something but enjoyable. The grilled asparagus was good but nothing unique (should have been crisped a little bit). The sweet potato finally made it just over 7 minutes later and it was good but someone expected. The whipped Mashed potatoes that were left on accident I did a bite of and honestly wasn’t a big fan.
Overall the meal was definitely fair priced and tasted good. No bells and whistles just a good product at a good price. I thought the inside ambience was also neat and interesting but I didn’t really understand the “vibe” they are trying to encompass.
… moreOrdered the 8oz Sirloin with the premium side of grilled asparagus and the premium side of the loaded sweet potato. I seated myself after grabbing a menu at the front and after a few minutes someone did come and ask to take my order. I asked for a recommendation between the Rib meat over potatoes or the Sirloin and she told me the Sirloin. I ordered the above. Another person dropped the food off and as they walked away I noticed one of the sides was wrong. I was given the mashed potatoes instead of the loaded Sweet potato. I called him back and they worked on getting me the right side and asked me to keep the mashed potatoes. The Sirloin tasted good and was cooked as I asked. Lightly seasoned with something but enjoyable. The grilled asparagus was good but nothing unique (should have been crisped a little bit). The sweet potato finally made it just over 7 minutes later and it was good but someone expected. The whipped Mashed potatoes that were left on accident I did a bite of and honestly wasn’t a big fan.
Overall the meal was definitely fair priced and tasted good. No bells and whistles just a good product at a good price. I thought the inside ambience was also neat and interesting but I didn’t really understand the “vibe” they are trying to encompass.
Gary Coovert
First time dining with Kel’s and it was a great experience. Our server, Shawn, was top notch. He checked on us regularly and made sure we had everything we needed.
We started with boneless wings which were good. For entrees I had the Meatloaf Sandwich, which was huge and very flavorful. The fries were nicely seasoned as well. My wife had the salmon, and said it was perfectly cooked and seasoned.
They have a couple of Country Boy beers on tap. Other than that, it’s your standard Bud and Miller beers. The cocktail menu had some great sounding drinks which we’ll have to try the next go round.
… moreWe started with boneless wings which were good. For entrees I had the Meatloaf Sandwich, which was huge and very flavorful. The fries were nicely seasoned as well. My wife had the salmon, and said it was perfectly cooked and seasoned.
They have a couple of Country Boy beers on tap. Other than that, it’s your standard Bud and Miller beers. The cocktail menu had some great sounding drinks which we’ll have to try the next go round.
Landon Howell, eXp Realty
If you’re looking for great food and a welcoming atmosphere in Ashland, KY, Kel’s Tavern is definitely worth checking out. The standout for me was the sweet potato fries. They were incredible—crispy, flavorful, and easily the best sweet potato fries I’ve ever had. I would go back just for those! If you’re in the Tri-state area, Kel’s Tavern is worth a stop.
… moreMalissa Blevins Lowe
Staff is wonderful. Food was great! I’ve seen a lot of comments about the fish but my friends loved it. My food was delicious and the salad that came as my side had to be boxed to go because it was so big. Drink costs were a little high, but that’s my only complaint.
… moreL Gunderson
Wife and I made first visit for lunch 2-13-2026. Pleasantly surprised with generous portions and quality service. I had meat loaf and wife had a hamburger. We also had spinach dip for appetizer. Excellent server but I didn’t catch her name. She made helpful suggestions for my side items and was very attentive. Readers should give this one serious consideration. They have a broad based menu that is reasonably priced. We’ll return soon. Server also told me they’re on DoorDash
… moreRandy Swinford
What a gem. Haleigh, our server was the greatest. All the servers seem to be top notch. The food was awesome. Plenty to share or take some home. Dave, the chef has a killer reaper sauce. So tasty and has a good little kick. Everyone e should try this place atleast once. I know Ill be back.
… moreKyle Cornette
I want to start by saying this isn’t coming from a place of bias. I went into KEL’s Tavern on Winchester Avenue really wanting to give it a fair shot. I’ve heard a lot of talk about the place, and I genuinely hoped it would be a solid new option downtown. But after eating there, I left disappointed—and not just a little.
We started with the fried mozzarella. It was fine. Just a flat cheese stick, really—nothing memorable, but not bad either. Pretty plain, and honestly, it ended up being the best part of the meal.
For dinner, we shared one ribeye steak dinner and an order of fish and chips, just to get a feel for more than one thing on the menu.
The ribeye was cooked okay, but it had zero seasoning or flavor. If it was marinated at all, you couldn’t tell. The fat wasn’t rendered, and it came out on a plate that looked like it was thrown together without a second thought—smudges, splatter, no care for presentation. And considering it’s a $32 steak, that really didn’t sit right.
We also paid extra for premium sides—mac & cheese and broccoli casserole. Unfortunately, neither one lived up to the “premium” label. The mac & cheese was watery and bland, with barely any flavor. The broccoli casserole had a decent taste, but the broccoli itself was undercooked in spots—some pieces were borderline raw. Definitely not worth the upcharge.
Then came the fish and chips. The fries were okay—looked and tasted like frozen fries you’d get anywhere. But the fish was just… bad. Dense, stiff, and clearly frozen. I could hold one end of the filet straight out and it wouldn’t bend at all—not flaky, not tender, not fresh. The hush puppies were also overcooked, dry, and heavy. No flavor. It just felt like a frozen meal all the way around.
The total came out to just under $100 after tip, and it just didn’t feel like money well spent.
As for drinks, I understand they just got their alcohol license, so I’ll give some grace there. But the beer list was about as basic as it gets—mostly domestics, and a couple options from Country Boy. Nothing that stood out, nothing craft-forward. If you’re someone who enjoys exploring different beer styles—stouts, hazy IPAs, porters—there’s really not much here for you yet.
I will say that our server was great. No issues there.
Now, let’s talk about the space.
That location was originally designed by Ackenpucky, a well-known design firm that’s done some absolutely beautiful restaurant spaces in this region. And if you’ve lived in Ashland, you probably know what it used to look like.
From what I can tell, not much has changed. The tables are the same. The layout is the same. The overall vibe is still very familiar, but it feels like a watered-down version of what it once was. A few wall hangings and some paint don’t really qualify as a full transformation.
What rubbed me the wrong way was seeing the owner post that she “poured her heart and soul” into designing the space. And look, I respect the hustle of opening a business—but if you’re not from here and don’t know the history of that spot, it might be easy to assume this was all original. Those of us who are local know better. It just didn’t feel genuine.
So, here’s the bottom line: the food was bland, the atmosphere felt recycled, the drinks were uninspired, and the price didn’t match the experience. I want local businesses to succeed. I really do. But if you’re going to charge high-end prices, you’ve got to deliver something more than average. Right now, KEL’s just isn’t there.
… moreWe started with the fried mozzarella. It was fine. Just a flat cheese stick, really—nothing memorable, but not bad either. Pretty plain, and honestly, it ended up being the best part of the meal.
For dinner, we shared one ribeye steak dinner and an order of fish and chips, just to get a feel for more than one thing on the menu.
The ribeye was cooked okay, but it had zero seasoning or flavor. If it was marinated at all, you couldn’t tell. The fat wasn’t rendered, and it came out on a plate that looked like it was thrown together without a second thought—smudges, splatter, no care for presentation. And considering it’s a $32 steak, that really didn’t sit right.
We also paid extra for premium sides—mac & cheese and broccoli casserole. Unfortunately, neither one lived up to the “premium” label. The mac & cheese was watery and bland, with barely any flavor. The broccoli casserole had a decent taste, but the broccoli itself was undercooked in spots—some pieces were borderline raw. Definitely not worth the upcharge.
Then came the fish and chips. The fries were okay—looked and tasted like frozen fries you’d get anywhere. But the fish was just… bad. Dense, stiff, and clearly frozen. I could hold one end of the filet straight out and it wouldn’t bend at all—not flaky, not tender, not fresh. The hush puppies were also overcooked, dry, and heavy. No flavor. It just felt like a frozen meal all the way around.
The total came out to just under $100 after tip, and it just didn’t feel like money well spent.
As for drinks, I understand they just got their alcohol license, so I’ll give some grace there. But the beer list was about as basic as it gets—mostly domestics, and a couple options from Country Boy. Nothing that stood out, nothing craft-forward. If you’re someone who enjoys exploring different beer styles—stouts, hazy IPAs, porters—there’s really not much here for you yet.
I will say that our server was great. No issues there.
Now, let’s talk about the space.
That location was originally designed by Ackenpucky, a well-known design firm that’s done some absolutely beautiful restaurant spaces in this region. And if you’ve lived in Ashland, you probably know what it used to look like.
From what I can tell, not much has changed. The tables are the same. The layout is the same. The overall vibe is still very familiar, but it feels like a watered-down version of what it once was. A few wall hangings and some paint don’t really qualify as a full transformation.
What rubbed me the wrong way was seeing the owner post that she “poured her heart and soul” into designing the space. And look, I respect the hustle of opening a business—but if you’re not from here and don’t know the history of that spot, it might be easy to assume this was all original. Those of us who are local know better. It just didn’t feel genuine.
So, here’s the bottom line: the food was bland, the atmosphere felt recycled, the drinks were uninspired, and the price didn’t match the experience. I want local businesses to succeed. I really do. But if you’re going to charge high-end prices, you’ve got to deliver something more than average. Right now, KEL’s just isn’t there.
Justin Thomas
From the time I walked in to the time I walked out the experience was exceptional. From
The wait staff to the chef coming out and saying hi to the tables and. Checking on us. The food was amazing best we’ve had in a long time in the downtown Ashland area. So excited to see how far this restaurant goes. Was getting tired of the mediocre food in Ashland and now my family and I have a place to enjoy a nice family meal. I highly recommend this restaurant
… moreThe wait staff to the chef coming out and saying hi to the tables and. Checking on us. The food was amazing best we’ve had in a long time in the downtown Ashland area. So excited to see how far this restaurant goes. Was getting tired of the mediocre food in Ashland and now my family and I have a place to enjoy a nice family meal. I highly recommend this restaurant
Gwen Clayton
Tried out the new Kel’s Tavern tonight for dinner. This is the place that’s in the spot where The Mill used to be. I didn’t go to the Mill very often, but I could swear Kel’s is using the same tables and chairs, which is cool. Neither good nor bad, just something I noticed.
I don’t like talking negatively about local businesses, but there were some things I liked and things I didn’t like.
What I liked: They had the good cherries for the old fashioned. Ya know the dark kind, not the cheap ones you get in a Shirley Temple.
I also like the dipping sauce for the chips. It looked like chipotle ranch but tasted like roasted red pepper ranch. Whatever it was tasted good.
Additionally, the burger had a good flavor. Something sweet. I’m not sure what it was. I do, however, prefer burgers medium to medium rare (pink in the center) but I realize the health department wants them all cooked medium well. It tasted good. I just would have liked it better a little pinker.
The Big Bang Shrimp was okay. Neither good nor bad. I liked that it was butterfly shrimp instead of popcorn shrimp. Too often at other places, the popcorn shrimp is cooked too long and comes out tasting like marbles. The butterfly shrimp didn’t have that problem.
The only disappointment was the crème brûlée. I admit, I’m a snob, so take this opinion for what it’s worth, but this tasted like instant vanilla pudding that someone threw some white sugar on top of and took a kitchen torch to. I still ate it, though. The whole thing.
… moreI don’t like talking negatively about local businesses, but there were some things I liked and things I didn’t like.
What I liked: They had the good cherries for the old fashioned. Ya know the dark kind, not the cheap ones you get in a Shirley Temple.
I also like the dipping sauce for the chips. It looked like chipotle ranch but tasted like roasted red pepper ranch. Whatever it was tasted good.
Additionally, the burger had a good flavor. Something sweet. I’m not sure what it was. I do, however, prefer burgers medium to medium rare (pink in the center) but I realize the health department wants them all cooked medium well. It tasted good. I just would have liked it better a little pinker.
The Big Bang Shrimp was okay. Neither good nor bad. I liked that it was butterfly shrimp instead of popcorn shrimp. Too often at other places, the popcorn shrimp is cooked too long and comes out tasting like marbles. The butterfly shrimp didn’t have that problem.
The only disappointment was the crème brûlée. I admit, I’m a snob, so take this opinion for what it’s worth, but this tasted like instant vanilla pudding that someone threw some white sugar on top of and took a kitchen torch to. I still ate it, though. The whole thing.
Holly Durbin
The space is great and very open. The service is great, everyone is super friendly and helpful. Hit the food.. even if this place was in a back alley I would eat it over and over. We got the shrimp for an appetizer and myself with my husband would have eaten is for an app, an entree and a desert. It was the best tasting shrimp we’ve ever had! He got the fish plate and said it was really tasty and the sauces with it were great. I got the Kel’s burger and everyone about it was great. Bacon wasn’t over done, onions were caramelized so well and the potato bun was fresh. We will be back soon and may more times after that!
… more