Sometimes finding something to do in Ashland seems impossible. But, two Collegian reporters, Connor Dunwoodie and Callan Pugh, determined to find fun in their senior year, are visiting local spots in Ashland and reviewing them, so you know exactly what to expect if you choose to visit. This week, they didn’t check the times and went to Club 42 which was closed so then they decided to head on over to Kelly’s Deli & Restaurant.

Callan

I have been hearing things about Kelly’s since freshman year but I never checked it out. I have mostly heard about their breakfast, but their dinner menu was pretty impressive too. It’s so close to campus so it’s an easy walk. They had a sign showing they are open until 8 p.m. I don’t think college students were the key demographic but we were welcomed right away and I overheard the waitress greeting newcomers by name so it seemed like a really friendly, neighborhood place. There was an interesting mix of food on the menu which was all really well price and even their alcohol was well priced, if a casual drink with dinner is your thing. I will definitely be going back a few more times before graduation. 

Connor

Kelly’s Deli & Restaurant  is just a short walk away from Ashland University, and let me tell you, that walk is worth it. When you arrive at Kelly’s you’ll see that it is attached to a vacuum cleaner and sewing machine store but do not let that deter you from heading on inside. Kelly’s is a medium sized diner that takes you on a little trip down memory lane, if you have memories from the 1930’s and 40’s. The walls are filled with posters from everything from Charlie Chaplin to the Wizard of OZ. The small town diner feel also adds a sense of nostalgia to the place. 

Service: 4.25/5

Callan

The service was great. We were helped right away though we at first were a little confused about seating ourselves. We were given time to look at the menu and we weren’t rushed to leave. Our waters were kept full and our wait was pretty short. 

Connor

When you walk there is a sign that has the daily specials and that you can seat yourself. Once we were seated we were promptly waited on by our very nice server. She got us drinks right away and let us have some time to order. Our server was quick to answer any questions we had and gave off a very “homey” feel. Kelly’s is the kind of place where you can become friends with your server and get called by your first name when you walk in.

Cleanliness: 3.5 /5

Callan

It was clean in there but maybe it was because of the more dated decor that it had a permanent feel of being a little dirty. But, it was very well kept and organized with a lot of extra character.

Connor

I personally thought Kelly’s was very clean when it came to the tables and floors. The decorations and pictures were hung up all over and it added an “organized chaos” feel to the room. Although there were things all over the counters and walls, nothing felt out of place or dirty. The layout of Kelly’s is rather simple, tables neatly lined up in the middle and booths located around the walls. 

Affordability: 4.5/5

Callan

Okay, so maybe I am an old man for this, but I love steak dinners and most places you go that doesn’t come cheap. At Kelly’s it does. I was in a burger mood when we went which honestly is almost always the mood I am in, but I want to go back to try a few of their other dishes. They had a liver dish and you know I will probably steer clear of that, but everything was so affordable it was worth it. My dad always tells me that old people know where to find the best meals for the best prices and let me just make it clear that everyone else in there was at least twice our age, so I think it is safe to say we found a pretty great place to go. I got a cheeseburger with fries and a water and my bill was just a little over $5. My bank account was crying tears of joy, and so was I, metaphorically.

Connor

Kelly’s is incredibly affordable. I have been there for both breakfast and dinner and I have never spent over $10 and to this date I still have never left hungry from Kelly’s. Burger’s are between 3-5 dollars and it is only an additional $1.25 to get fries or the soup of the day added on to your order. I did not see anything on their menu that exceeded around $13, and that is saying a lot due to the fact that they have everything from fish dinners to steaks. 

Atmosphere: 4.25 /5

Callan

I don’t quite know how to explain Kelly’s atmosphere. It was pleasant and warm and welcoming. It felt like an old diner but yet it had an older vibe than even a 50’s diner. It just felt like a really old place that has been serving locals as if they were family for years. It is definitely a place that visiting grandparents would enjoy going but it is also a place that, if you give it a chance, could become a place you and your friends visit as often as possible. 

Connor

The atmosphere of Kelly’s is pretty unique and very different. As I mentioned before, the walls are covered with nostalgic posters and other various decorations. While in Kelly’s you feel like you are at a family owned diner and it has a very calm feel to it. With it nearing christmas, the place was also decorated festively. Everyone that was at Kelly’s while we were there were rather elderly, but seemed to be very happy and enjoying their time. Overall, the place felt like I mentioned earlier “homey” in the way people act and the way it’s set up.

Ratings are the average of Callan and Connor’s Individual Reviews