Most Miami University students think of one place when they want wings. That's about to change.
Ross' recently opened Eli's Sports Bar & Grill is better than Oxford's Buffalo Wild Wings for several reasons. Here's why.
Located at 3825 Kraus Lane (off Route 128 by Gold Star Chili and Wendy's), Eli's is halfway to Colerain, a 20-minute drive at most. Worth the distance, the family owned and operated restaurant offers a more personal sports bar dining experience with competitive menu options chains like BW3's can't compete with.
After enjoying success with their first store location in Mason, the three Westerbeck brothers/owners decided Ross would be a great spot for their second store. Hoping to lure Miami students off campus, the triad has close ties with Miami University. Two are graduates (Steve and Dave graduated in 1990 and 1992, respectively). As for the youngest brother, Mike, the restaurant was renamed for his 4-year-old son, Eli, after Dave and Mike joined their brother Steve Westerbeck's business venture in 2007.
"We're definitely compared to corporate chains like Bdub's, but at Eli's, everybody's not just a number," Dave Westerbeck said. "Here it's a little more personable. You can pop in here any day for lunch, and you'll see at least one of the owners walking around. At an Applebee's or Bdub's, you'll probably never see an owner."
For students sick of Oxford's lackluster wings and beer options, Eli's is a chance to get off campus and get a taste of a bona fide sports bar.
"When I was at Miami we liked to get away once in a while, and our only options were in Cincinnati," Dave Westerbeck said.
While a personal dining experience is refreshing, what's really impressive about Eli's is the food.
"We're definitely known for our wings," Dave Westerbeck said. "Our chicken ranch wrap is a big seller, and our walleye sandwich is also a big hit, especially during lent."
According to Miami senior Kiran Kripakaran, at Eli's, size matters.
"Eli's wings were a good size," he said. "They were bigger than what you normally get at Bdub's, and their homemade sauces added a lot more flavor too. The Cajun waffle fries were also well done, and they gave me a huge side of ranch compared to Bdub's."
With an impressive menu, kitchen manager Randy Glascock not only makes all their wing sauces from scratch, he even creates some of Eli's dressings and sauces.
On top of a personal dining experience plus great tasting food, Eli's is no slacker in the entertainment department either.
"We're founding dart leagues, we have DJs, trivia night, cornhole tournaments, a live comedian and at some point we even plan on having live bands," Dave Westerbeck said.
Compared to the small town's pre-established eateries, Eli's blows them away.
"In Ross, you can only eat at Gold Star and Wendy's so much," Dave Westerbeck said. "(Before Eli's) there was nowhere you could sit down, have a beer and watch the game."
Looking forward to warmer months, Eli's outdoor porch features three flat screen TVs and three ski resort-quality space heaters, a great place to relax and watch the game outside or enjoy a smoke.
In all, the Westerbecks' new Ross store has six 10-foot screens and 18 42-inch flat screen TVs.
"All the TVs are hi-definition," Dave Westerbeck said. "If you're a sports fan, it looks like a freakin' HHGregg in here."
Eli's is open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., seven days a week. The dinner menu is available until 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
