Kelly's Olympian
Kelly’s Olympian’s general aesthetic is that of a dive bar where I’m not afraid to touch any given surface. From the polished wood bar where I sitI can see the multitude of tap and bottles in front of me and a variety of motorcycles hang from the ceiling above me. All of this is illuminated by dimmed incandescent bulbs and bright neon signs that advertise auto-care (that is to say—it is not well-lit). As I listen to hard rock playing from the speakers I cannot help but think that this establishment is not very similar to the beloved text-mex fast food chain, Ch***tle.
Let’s start with the basics: Food.
I have only ever gotten tater tots or pizza at Kelly’s Olympian, though I have seen them advertise specialty tacos on the chalkboard above the kitchen window. If memory serves, the food I had was fine bar fare. The pizza was greasy and the tots left me disappointed—not the fault of Kelly’s, I just find tots to be a disappointing food generally. More to the point, however, none of what I’ve eaten here contained the fajita veggies or the free dollop of guac (I order vegetarian). I think it fair to say, since I’ve never really eaten at Kelly’s Olympian, I cannot say whether or not it has the same impact as Ch***tle. Also I think it fair to say that even though you can, I have never gotten drunk in a Ch***tle.
Moving on to Atmosphere…
I have already taken the time to lovingly describe Kelly’s Olympian in the first paragraph, so let’s take a moment to consider what a Ch***tle is like. If you close your eyes, I’ll bet you can see it: it is family friendly, it is well-lit, behind the bar are burrito ingredients and an open kitchen in which employees chop and cook. The color palate of a Ch***tle is that of light browns, warm reds, and brushed steel with decoration that is—generously—Mexican-inspired.
Let me cut to the chase:
How is Kelly’s Olympian similar to a Chipotle? As I take a shot of Old Crow and chase it with a Miller Highlife, I have to say that Kelly’s Olympian bears little resemblance to a Ch***tle. Sure, they are both brick and mortar establishments with large windows up front that both heavily feature the color red. Of course both have bathrooms that I find somewhat suspect every time I enter one. I will even grant that the menu at both features Mexican food, but here I have to draw the line; for while the menu at Kelly’s features tacos, nachos, and quesadillas, it does not list the ever-important, oh-so-crucial burrito.