Restaurant Review -
Electric Owl
Hunter Reis - 2019
Unfortunately, Happy Hour is illegal in multiple states in the U.S. Nowhere in Massachusetts can you find a 2-for-1 drink special regardless of the time of day. It’s an old law that’s disadvantageous for restaurants and passionate midday drinkers alike. I mean, what’s the motivation for getting a little tipsy at 5PM on a Wednesday if it’s not also cost-effective to do so? Some bars and restaurants thrive during that illusive 3-hour window; and Electric Owl is one of those spots.
Fortunately for us Electric Owl is located in Hollywood where happy hour is not only legal, but encouraged. Their deals on food and drink start every day at 4:20PM - a discreet way to suggest that before chowing down, you’ll want to indulge in something else that’s illegal in multiple states.
The happy hour food menu changes by the season. If you’ve been here before, you know about their hot chicken nuggies. They’re served with a ranch aioli that you’ll want to smother on top of everything you order. The plates are small here, so my suggestion is to get 1 or 2 of everything. With a price tag of just $4.20 for every dish, you can really feel like you’re balling out without breaking the bank.
If you want to get the most bang for your buck, try the tequila tang. Made with the real Tang from your childhood, the refreshing drink is sweet but not sickeningly. It’s also surprisingly strong. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, order the off-the-menu hibiscus wine cooler. It’s a delicious, bubbly mix of vodka, prosecco, peach bitters, and lemon.
Electric Owl also serves brunch and a full dinner, but both pale in comparison to their happy hour. It’s like waiting to rent Captain Marvel from Redbox when they’re doing a free screening in super hi-def 4D at The Arclight. It’s easy to break your budget at dinner with a menu that’s not much more extensive -- and certainly not tastier -- than their happy hour.
At Electric Owl you’ll find yourself surrounded by décor taken right out of an old-timey train station. That’s because the restaurant actually WAS built on top of a train station from the early 1900s. The formal dining room in the inside half of the restaurant draws inspiration from the past, with train car-style seating and large black and white photos of Hollywood long before the days of Elon Musk and the Teslas parked across the street at The Moment Hotel.
The outdoor portion of Electric Owl is much more casual. Though it’s hard to find seating among the cramped patio area. The bar is your best bet, but if you’re hoping to get a seat you should put down the bong and show up a little before that 4:20 start time.