Melanie: I might actually start crying while writing this story. That’s how incredibly delicious our food was at the Pump House Grille. I know we haven’t ever given a bad review in our Eats — and this will be the furthest from that — but trust us when we say that Pump House is not just good; it’s unbelievably good. This may actually be our best review yet. 

Zack: I’ve become fond of saying restaurants are “Ashland good.” Not a knock on Ashland, but I’ve often wanted a bit more from my meals out. Not so with Pump House. I don’t think I have ever witnesses a restaurant so gloriously mesh outstanding quality food with the bottomless portions of a buffet. Plus, Pump House Ministries does some really cool stuff for the community and around the world. There is literally no downside to this restaurant.

Chris: Where do I start? I believe we’ve found the winner. Ring the bell, sound the horn, cue the fat lady. I can’t believe that a place I had never heard of two days ago is the best restaurant in Ashland. I’ve lived here for four years, and I’ve failed myself every time I’ve chosen to go out to eat and didn’t choose Pump House. To start, they serve you family style. If you’re unfamiliar, that means that you choose your own entree, and everything else comes as a smorgasbord of bottomless deliciousness to be shared amongst the entire table. Give me a second while I collect my emotions. 

Alexis: The meal was an entire three courses. To start we were served various homemade favorites like broccoli salad, coleslaw, a vegetable mix, and the most delicious orange marmalade butter for the dinner rolls. It was an overwhelming amount of starter dishes, and the main dish hadn’t even arrived yet! 

Melanie: When we pulled up to what looked like an abandoned warehouse, I wasn’t expecting much. BOY WAS I WRONG. As Chris mentioned, we each chose our own entree, but were served sides in the way of family style. I went with fried shrimp, giving Ashland the benefit of the doubt on this one. The sides were a good place to start, but I knew the meal was going to be good when the waitress brought out steaming rolls with orange marmalade butter. It was as delicious as it sounds. The coleslaw and broccoli salad were a perfect preface to my meal, as well. But what really put everything in perspective of this amazing place was when the chef himself brought homemade beignets to the table. These little powder-sugar covered donuts were absolutely delectable and were basically like mini elephant ears. Who says you can’t have dessert first? I was already satisfied, and my meal hadn’t even arrived yet! 

Chris: I did not have enough hands. Everywhere I turned, there was another delicious food item to be consumed. I am a huge fan of the types of cold salads that were brought out first, and between those and the rolls I was completely distracted until my main course arrived. I went with the Roast Sirloin of Beef, which just sounds too proper and delicious then be only $11.95. Oh yeah, DID WE MENTION? ALL OF THIS IS ONLY $11.95. Heaven has a name, and it is Pump House Grille.

Zack: I went with the fried chicken. The entree had not one, not two, not three, but four pieces of chicken. I literally got half a chicken for $11.95. Plus the mac and cheese. Oh the mac and cheese. Homemade, unlimited mac and cheese is always phenomenal. Plus it was accompanied with some scrumptious potatoes and tasty roasted vegetables. Again, unlimited of everything and anything. Since everyone else is yelling, THIS IS JUST SO AWESOME!

Alexis: I’ve never heard so many great one liners from my fellow Collegian staff before. That means this place is truly amazing. We just couldn’t make enough jokes about how truly magical this restaurant was. This was one of the last local restaurants left in Ashland for us to review, and it is definitely a new favorite. I’m sure we all will be raving to our friends about this restaurant. It truly is a hidden gem of Ashland!

Melanie: All we talked about Tuesday night was the food. We literally couldn’t talk about anything else. I have never had any food that can live up to this mac and cheese (sorry grandma). And did we say that dessert is included? Yep, a little scoop of ice cream with your choice of syrup is included in this price after you finish consuming all of this never-ending delicious-ness that is Pump House magic. Basically, we can’t write enough words to do this place justice.