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

08/12/08

Use to be a cool Dive-bar

by DyllanX at Citysearch

I use to love this place. Perfect for football Sunday's or just stopping by for a night cap. But recently the they hired a bunch of new waitresses who are non-attractive and walk around with a Shiit-face! Not only do they have attitude, but they tend to not know the menu or demand a ridiculous cork-fee! So, before I would have rated this place a perfect 5.. now I give it a 1 because of the ugly waitresses they have.

• Pros: BEST Chicken Wings in town
• Cons: The waitresses are new!

01/20/08

BEST BUFFALO WINGS IN LOS ANGELES - and I lived in Buffalo, NY once.

by lizgraphix at Citysearch

SLAM DUNK!!!! I grew up in Webster, NY and went to college in Buffalo, NY (1983-1987) so I've known some great Buffalo Wings. And having moved to Los Angeles in 2005, I've been discouraged with the wings here. I even tried the fabled "Hoagies and Wings" but they were extremely small wings (almost a joke) and dry. Very disappointing. So, today during the Patriots/Chargers game I came online and read some reviews and was shocked to hear that the BEST wings just might be in my neighborhood - Los Feliz at Ye Rustic Inn. But WOW!!!! they really were amazing. My toes were curling. The mild were plenty spicy for me but they also offer medium, hot and heart-attack hot (good luck with that).

They took my order over the phone and they were ready in 15 minutes as promised. When we got there the bar was packed ... but getting the wings was quick and the staff was very friendly. And unlike other places didn't charge us for "a little more blue cheese dressing." I don't care where you live in Los Angeles, this place is worth the drive if you're craving "the real thing!!!"

• Pros: FANTASTIC WINGS, NEIGHBORHOOD FEEL
• Cons: Crowded

01/20/08

Watch your wallet/purse.

by ottofabreze at Citysearch

Ah the Rustic. Be verrrrry careful with your credit card especially if you have a tendency to booze it up. The staff routinely over charges and slips drinks on to your tab. If you can keep it cash you'll have a good time. Otherwise, expect to be over charged by at least twenty bucks, especially in big parties. Seems like it's gotten worse in the last year.

• Pros: Food's not to bad.
• Cons: Can be a clip joint.

06/23/07

Overall Great Bar - but too loud, and too many club tracks on the jukebox

by frymyeyes at Citysearch

There are so many great things about this place- fun, friendly bartenders, great bar food (especially the hot wings!!), good mix of people, dim divey lighting, great bar to sit at and a jukebox. My only problem with this place is the music situation. First there's the decline in the quality of music offered on the jukebox. Where there used to be classic rock, there is now club mixes made by the bartenders. (What happened to the Led Zeppelin?) And while I do love the bartenders, I do(!), this place is not a club- NO MORE BOOTY SHAKING CLUB TRACKS!! And the music is way too loud. The second the owner walks in, the volume gets so high you can't hold a conversation. I've left due to the levels, I've wished I'd brought ear plugs. And lastly, I think if you offer a song on a jukebox and a person pays money to hear it- no one should skip the song. Several times, I've seen this happen. A bartender doesn't like the song and it just stops. Not cool. Don't offer it if you're not going to play it.

All in all- I would be at The Rustic way more often if only it weren't so damn loud. I'd be even happier if they lost the club tracks.

• Pros: fun, comfortable, good food, friendly bartenders, parking
• Cons: too loud, club tracks

06/19/07

Lost my credit card

by zoharmann at Citysearch

Disappointing. The waitress lost my credit card and after many inquiries, they showed me a charge to my card that was signed by someone else and had a large tip added. Pay with cash and monitor your bill carefully, if you go.

• Cons: they lost my credit card

04/05/07

Beware

by geetarman1976 at Citysearch

Downside: That last review is correct about not giving them your credit card, you also have to charge a minimum of $15! Even if you pay with cash, they'll sometimes shave a little off the top just for fun. It happened to a friend of mine I was there with. He gave the girl bartender a $100 bill and only got change for a $20. Of course you can't really dispute it because there is no way to keep track. Then again, opportunists are everywhere not just at the Rustic. LOL. So, yes, just be careful.

Upside: The place can be very fun and out of control!! $2 happy hour beers, inexpensive cocktails, cute drunken bartender babes taking tequila shots with you, happy vibe, totally casual and unpretentious!

Don't drive there and park in the lot because the po-po will be watching, park on the street around the corner and walk! Enjoy...

• Pros: Cheapest drinks in the neighborhood
• Cons: Smelly

01/08/07

Beware...

by marcpear at Citysearch

Don't give them your credit card. Pay with cash. Otherwise they'll run your card up with charges for drinks you never even ordered.