I had been wanting to try Strip's for a while, and I'm really glad I finally did because this ended up being a genuinely great spot.
The chicken was the star right away. It was juicy, tender, and very clearly fresh. We tried the Crispy Chicken Strips, and that pretzel breading they have was so crisp and satisfying. I appreciated that the bartender warned me the regular breading on the fried chicken bites had a mild spice. I can't do spice at all, so that kind of heads-up really matters.
The fries were really good too. They were seasoned enough to add flavor without taking over the meal, which I think is especially important with fried chicken. I only wish they had come out a little hotter because paired with how fresh the chicken was, that would have made the plate pretty much perfect. Still..they were absolutely worth eating.
The fried chicken bites were also fresh and tasty. We did think they could have used a little more breading, but it did not take away from the overall dish.
Sauces- My partner tried the mango habanero sauce and said it smelled spicier than it actually tastes! Which was helpful intel from my spice tester that I'm passing from me to you! For me, the honey mustard was a standout. I'm not sure if they make it in house, but it was one of those sauces that immediately makes you think, okay yes, this is one of the good honey mustard places!! You don't do that?
The smashed potatoes and gravy deserve their own paragraph because they were fantastic. This is the kind of side that makes a place more memorable. I love when a restaurant has a few items or sauces that feel a little different from the usual copy and paste menus. The smashed potatoes were great on their own, but that skillet-style gravy really made them level up.
The vibe was another plus. It was a Saturday night and it wasn't overly crowded. This is the kind of casual dive bar you can just hang out and actually talk. There's a little game room with pool, darts, and a giant Connect Four setup! That was super fun! I won at Connect Four so obviously that made it more fun, but it was great and a nice little add beyond just being another place to grab fried food and a drink.
For a divey spot, everything also felt decently clean and well kept. The bathrooms were clean, and the bar area looked pretty and maintained.They've got a jukebox you can control from your phone, which is such a fun touch. Yes, it costs money like a normal jukebox, but being able to do it from your phone is pretty nice.
My one real issue was service based, after I accidentally spilled my drink it never got cleaned up, so I ended up sitting with my feet in soda through the rest of the meal. I only saw two people working though, so it felt more like understaffing than indifference.
We were too full for dessert, but we had to try the crème brûlée cheesecake so we took it home. It was decadent, and a little different! The cherry marshmallow sauce on top was not your standard finish, and I really liked that. That was kind of my overall takeaway from Strip's. It doesn't feel like a copy-and-paste bar food spot. A couple things could have been better, but the food was strong enough that I'd definitely come back. read more