Tucked against the southern bank of the Arizona Canal, kissing the venerable Arcadia neighborhood, sits a gem of a place, OHSO Eatery + nanoBrewery. Much like its ancestor establishments of that area (remember how fun the Monastery was), OHSO has its own character and characters. Billed as a dog-friendly, bicycle-friendly, beer-friendly oasis, one quickly learns that friendly is the operative word. I believe the initials stand for Outrageous Homebrewer’s Social Outpost. I have never left without making a new four-legged or human friend.
Parking is terrible, but do not let this deter you. It’s a small lot because of the canal, so just take advantage of the free valet parking. Better yet, ride your bike there; many people do. You can dine inside or on their fabulous back patio with a clear view of Camelback Mountain. Antique bikes decorate this industrial chic microbrewery, and all of the beer making equipment is exposed for you to see and enjoy. Stacks of grain sometimes line the walkways, and OHSO is unapologetic about the fact that beer is being crafted before your eyes.
The beers brewed onsite rotate frequently, changing with the seasons and for fun. There is always a solid lineup of microbrews on tap, as well as a full bar and extensive wine offering. The menu is an eclectic sampling of bar munchies, appetizers, full meals and desserts. There’s always a happy hour special on drinks and food. Over the course of several visits, here is what I tried.
OHSO RB2 Beer, $6 Pitcher
Notes of root beer and licorice
This was my first taste of OHSO, and it was a delicious one. This creamy, satisfying dark beer was exactly what the menu said; I could taste hints of root beer and licorice. The alcohol content on their homemade stuff tends to run a little high; this is a good thing, I’m just bringing it to your attention. If you see this on the menu and are a fan of the darks, this is a must.
OHSO Hefeweizen, $6 Pitcher
Banana and clove
This was a very drinkable Hefeweizen, beautiful in color, with the trademark murkiness of a good wheat beer. I’ve discovered the menu descriptions of the beers are quite accurate. You can taste the hints of banana and clove, and this pitcher went down quickly.
The Brisket, $12
House-smoked beef brisket with homemade OHSO tangy Q sauce, green chile sauce topped with delicious crunchy onion straws on a sweet bun, served with fries
Who doesn’t love a BBQ brisket sandwich? This one arrives piled high on tempting artisan bread. The shredded beef is tender, smoky and sweet. There’s a slight bit of heat from the green chile sauce, but overall it’s the sweet smoke that dominates. The fries are fresh and crispy, and there’s a nice pickle on the side. It’s a little messy to eat, but every bite is just as good as the first.
Skirt Steak + Fries, $14
Charbroiled skirt steak, onions, peppers with a tomatillo sauce, poblano aioli, and pico de gallo all together tossed with fries
This menu described this dish prepared with a sprinkle of cojita cheese (a tangy Mexican white cheese), which I asked to be held to avoid mixing milk with meat, and this scrumptious dish was delivered to my order. Like a giant steak salad with garlicky, crisp fries instead of lettuce, this steaming stack of comfort was just the right combination of flavors and textures. A perfect complement to a cold beer. With all that wonderful meat to choose from, I had to return to try their creamy dip and pie served with ice cream. I rounded out this meal with fish tacos.
OHSO Green Chile Dip, $9
Creamy blend of white beans, garlic, cream cheese and more served with warm flatbread and veggie chips
A beautifully presented appetizer arrives with a bowl of dip, chips and lightly toasted pita-like flatbread. The first bite makes you go “Yum,” and it’s obvious early that this appetizer is going to completely disappear. Poking through the dip to investigate what the “and more” means in the menu description, I find small chunks of pineapple. This dip has just the right amount of heat and lots of flavor. Another good thing, the ratio of flatbread to dip is perfect – you don’t have to ask for more. A pet peeve of mine is running out of chips or bread before the dip is gone. I’m not a veggie chip guy, but these were colorful and crisp.
Mahi Mahi Tacos, $12
Served street style with honey jalapeno slaw, fresh guacamole, roasted tomato salsa, hand-pressed flour tortillas and lime
All of the fixings to build your own fish taco are beautifully arranged on a very full plate. The fish is crisp but most likely frozen, not fresh. The guacamole looked a little dark, probably because it was premade and beginning to darken, as guacamole does quickly. The tortillas were nice and warm. Overall, this dish was tasty – far from the fish tacos served on the beaches of Mexico, but pretty good for the banks of an urban canal.
Carmel Apple Pie, $7
Served with vanilla ice cream, made in Arcadia by Pie Snob
The menu description included the line “It’s amazing,” and it’s true. From the first bite I knew none would be left over. It’s gooey, warm and sweet, and despite the gooey texture, the crust was flaky and the apples had a little crunch. The cold ice cream is a classic addition. No matter how full you are, use that extra “dessert stomach” we are all born with and order this slice of heaven.
OHSO is an oasis of beer, food and friendship. It’s a destination point for bicyclists, pets and thirsty people. While they linger over beer, delicious food comes and goes. Ultimately, everyone has to head home, but you leave knowing that you will be back. Yes, you will be back!
SMILE Biscotti $$ (available only by mail order) smilebiscotti.com
These crunchy morsels derive their name from a Latin word meaning “twice baked.” That’s why they are so crisp, so brown and stand up to a dunking in coffee or milk, as I like to do. SMILE Biscotti are amazingly delicious, but what makes them so special isn’t how they are made, it is by whom they are made. The baker, Matt Resnik, is a young man with autism who has started a business under the guidance of his loving parents. SMILE was created as a solution for Matt’s long-term living needs. For lovers of biscotti this is an ideal situation. Picture being only a few steps away from an almondy sweetness whenever you want, as the distance to these treats is the number of steps you have to take from your front door to your mailbox. They come in a variety of flavors including Ceylon Vanilla, Double Chip (chocolate) and Citrus Almond. I always order the variety pack because I can’t name a favorite. All are excellent. Doing a mitzvah never tasted so good. I highly recommend SMILE Biscotti. You will love them, and knowing that the proceeds support Matt only makes them better.
Contact A.Noshman at a.noshman@azjewishlife.com
