Kelly’s Korner Tavern

The inspiration

Before the rename, locals knew the spot as the Shelter, a beer joint that had served the area for about two decades¹ . When the new owners took over, they reworked the menu toward classic bar fare done with real care² .

Who's behind it

Jim Rafferty runs the place and bought it in 2007 with three partners, including Andy Strouse, who owned a nearby Lamppost Pizza^2,3 . Rafferty came to bar ownership with no experience, having previously cleaned pools, and has pushed a scratch kitchen that he says puts typical frozen bar food to shame⁴ .

What to order

• Tribute Tacos: the tavern's premium street-style tacos, a menu signature alongside the sandwich .⁵

What people are saying

Diners and writers keep returning to the same theme: this is a genuine neighborhood sports bar with regulars, a strong craft beer lineup and food well above standard pub grub^5,3,6 . The Los Angeles Times has praised the execution of the bar food, singling out house-made salsa verde and the saucy, crunchy wings³ .

Why you should try it

Kelly's offers 37 taps spanning everyday favorites and current craft releases, with 28 TVs for game watching^5,6 . If you're staying nearby, it's the kind of welcoming local spot where the food is made from scratch and the community shows up^3,4 .