About
After just one visit to the Local Tap House & Kitchen in the laid-back beach town of Oceanside, California, you’ll be returning time and time again with it quickly becoming your new favorite hangout.
This incredible gastropub, referred to as LTH by the locals, has been added to my ever-growing list of must-eat-at-places in Oceanside.
If their 30 (local) craft beers on tap don’t have you putting your name on a barstool then surely their creative twist on comfort food will be calling for your return with favorites like the 60/40, the Dirtier Bird, Thai Fry Calamari & Shishito Peppers, and the WTF Slow Cooked Short Rib Fries. LTH truly has the secret sauce…and I do believe it is drizzled over the Thai Calamari!
Not to mention their lunch offerings or their weekend brunch that highlights the Elvis Pancakes and bottomless mimosas.
After settling in at the bar and going over their impressive list of 30+ craft beers, I stuck with my favorite, Firestone Walker’s 805 smooth blonde ale. LTH does have a small, but varied, red and white wine menu, as well as a great craft cocktail menu with delicious concoctions such as the Endless Summer, the Pura Vida, and the Cherried Woody.
And while sitting at the bar I struck up a nice conversation with a gal visiting for a week from Santa Cruz, California. She told me that she had tried other places and loved them, but kept coming back to LTH…my feeling exactly! This is just one of those places.
This welcoming gastropub not only offers incredible food fare and drinks, but they are also a great place for you to catch a game on one of their big-screen TVs.
Whether you’re flying solo as I was, on a date night, or hanging with the family—kids and all, they’ve got you covered. Oh, and if your 4-legged BFF wants a day or night out while you get in some tasty treats? Ruff-ruff! LTH has a dog-friendly outdoor patio.
In addition to the ambiance, “savory comfort food with a twist” and the perfect gathering spot, it’s no wonder LTH remains on top of Oceanside’s eateries.
In their own words, “LTH was built with community in mind. They continue to adapt, evolve and expand in the thriving Oceanside culinary scene with seasonal menu changes, rotating beer taps, and creative cocktails”
It is one of my favorite places to dine and will soon be yours as well!
Vibe
LTH is one such establishment I loved instantly and gives off that very friendly authentic Oceanside vibe from the moment you walk in the door.
Their rustic open indoor spaces are welcoming as is their friendly and attentive staff. On almost every other night in SoCal, the outdoor patio space is bustling with heaters turned on to warm you up as the sun dips into the Pacific Ocean.
Great for families with kids, couples, and solo travelers!
Local Tap House: Menu & Drinks
This is just one of those rare places that absolutely does everything right!
First if you’re a beer lover, LTH is definitely your Heaven-on-Earth. With their ever-revolving craft beer offerings like Big Sky Brewing Co. Moose Drool, Bivouac’s Blackberry Jam Cider, Harland Beer Co. Hazy IPA, Societe’s THC’s Tropical & Juicy Double IPA, The Butcher Stout, and Ducky Foot’s Drink This or the Bees Die Honey Ale, you are sure to find one that delights.
And if you’re a novice beer drinker, the 805 on tap is a wonderfully smooth middle-of-the-road craft beer.
Looking for something straight out of the refrigerator? Don’t worry they also serve up bottled and canned beer like Coors Light and Pacifico just to name a few.
As for food…looking over the dinner menu and being super hungry, I actually wanted to try everything—especially the WTF Slow Cooked Short Rib Fries (slowly roasted short rib, smoked gouda gravy, shaved Parmesan, and a sunny side egg) and the Street Corn Chicken Empanada (poblano peppers, corn, queso blanco, guac, pico, serrano cream, salsa verde, and cilantro).
But my stomach is only so big, so I opted for the 60/40 and the Thai Fry Calamari & Shishito Peppers…OMG…yes!
I will say that the Dirtier Bird sounded amazing (crispy fried chicken thigh, house pimento cheese, bacon, bread & butter pickles, buttermilk slaw, and honey hot sauce all on a sweet Hawaiian roll), but I was in the mood for some beef.
Admittedly, I wasn’t quite sure what I would be getting into when I ordered the Thai Fry Calamari & Shishito Peppers. It was the first to arrive and was a magical mixture of coconut panko fried calamari, crispy shishito peppers, serrano aioli, ponzu, Thai basil, cilantro, and shaved veggies and was d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!
This dish is one of those that you will absolutely crave and will think about long after you have left LTH.
After that flavor explosion, my 60/40 Fritta Burger arrived (chorizo & beef patty, charred queso blanco, guacamole, sunny side up egg, pico, frittatas, and chipotle mayo on a squishy bun). It was delicious, but unfortunately didn't get the big OMG it deserved because it came after The Thai Fry Calamari & Shishito Peppers.
Sorry 60/40, you were delicious and unique, but the Thai Calamari was love at first bite.
On Saturday and Sunday Elvis is in the house! Breakfast/brunch is served from 9 AM to 2 PM and it does get busy so stake your spot early or be prepared to wait a minute for a table.
Compliment your bottomless mimosa’s with the Short Rib Hash (beer-braised short rib, smoked gouda gravy, wild mushrooms, roasted peppers, her potatoes, crispy onion strings, and two sunny side up eggs with a side of fruit), Huevos Rancheros (eggs, avocado, pico de gallo, roasted jalapeño crema, refried beans, agave glazed bacon, tomatillo salsa, micro cilantro, and crispy corn tortillas).
Or go for the gold and indulge with an order of Elvis Pancakes (peanut butter, bananas, chocolate chips, berries, local honey, and agave glazed bacon)…OMG! There are so many great eats and Elvis Pancakes make a great “side dish” for the entire table to share.
I found the food outstanding with a unique take on flavors using locally sourced fresh ingredients. This place is definitely a must-try!
Local Tips
- If you ask your waitperson or bartender what they recommend when trying to narrow down the menu, I have found that they almost always give you an honest answer…and in Oceanside, they are always spot on!
- Service is fast and efficient, but it is a very popular eatery so be prepared to wait during busy times and on the weekends during brunch hours.
- This is a first come first serve establishment.
- Small on-site parking lot, but plenty of on-street nearby parking.
- The portions are large so be sure to come hungry and be prepared to take home some leftovers! I would say share as well, but pretty sure you are not going to want to share…just sayin’