Ye Rustic Inn

02/19/09

Wings, Wings, Wings and Drinks

by Denton at Citysearch

This is the darkest bar in LA. Seriously, come in from the shining sun and it may as well be midnight in the Rustic.

Inside there are comfy booths. Though on weekend nights it's pretty tough to get into one.

Stella and Bud on tap. Strong cocktails and tasty food make this place a winner. It's great for watching games or saucing up with friends in Los Feliz. They have the best wings in LA.

You don't come here to scope the hottest people in town, but you always have a blast.

The prices keep sneaking up, but many of us keep paying so we can bask in the dark groove of the Rustic.

• Pros:  Pros: Booziness, Wings, Cheese Fries
• Cons: Cons: Getting Pricier

10/17/08

one of the best bars of 2005

by BigZog at Citysearch

Three years ago, my review would have raved about:

- $10 pitchers of budweiser

- hot, fun and competent service staff

- an eclectic mix of regulars

- one of the best jukeboxes on the northeast side

- wings that can't be beat.

Today, in 2008, I can say with confidence that the wings still kick a$$.

Aside from that, the bar has gone downhill. Bill and Susan have managed to alienate almost all of their long-time service staff while jacking prices almost 50%. Further, while the bar was once a great melting-pot of our corner of LA, it's now almost exclusively dominated by faux-hipsters.

Wings aside, the only reason to go here any more are the TVs for games (the football crowds are still usually pretty good). There are worse bars in LA, but the Rustic is far from the paragon of drunken divey fun it once was

10/16/08

I drive from Boyle Heights for the wings.

by dopus1 at Citysearch

This bar is nowhere near my home, yet the flavor and consistency of the wings have me on 'regular' status. Add to this the sports on the TV screen, the clientele (a good mix between creative types, IATSE-types, contractors, and other professionals) and it makes for an interesting hang.

The only thing I would suggest is a deeper wine list, but it really ain't that type of bar. This is more a a beer & whiskey place (the whiskey selection is pretty awesome). The wings taste GREAT with white wine. Get some pinot grigio PLEASE!

For the late-nite crowd, this place turns into an of-the-chain type party into the wee hours. I usually miss that side of the Rustic, but it is fun when I have a place to sleep in Los Feliz.

• Pros: Great bar food, plus a few items that are 'better than bar food'
• Cons: Shallow wine list