Give beer whiz Greg Engert a blank canvas and he’s likely to come up with something worthy of attention. That’s exactly the case at Owen’s Ordinary, an American bar and restaurant from Neighborhood Restaurant Group, the team behind a smattering of D.C. and Virginia spots including Churchkey, Eat Bar, and Rustico.
First off, don’t let the name mislead your thinking. Owen’s Ordinary, which opened October 17 in North Bethesda’s Pike and Rose (11580 Old Georgetown Rd) development, takes its name from one of the area’s first taverns rather than any lack of creativity. And it is introducing a solid craft beer program to an area of Montgomery County without a ton of options.
Engert, NRG’s beer director, says he’s proud to be able to fill a void in the county and offer the community a wide selection of affordable and high-quality beers. The 50 rotating drafts and more than 200 bottles at Owen’s Ordinary feature beer from all over, with many priced in the $6-$8 range for full pours and $2 to $4 for tastings. The bar also focuses heavily on Maryland brewers, with around 75 selections from the state.
“Around 30 percent of the opening beers have yet to be served in the county,” Engert says, noting that it’s part of his undying obsession to “procure beers you just can’t get anywhere else.”
Being so close to the brewers, both personally and in location, means that Owen’s is getting a stellar product. “I’m getting the freshest stuff they have. The best stuff they have,” Engert says.
That quality is maintained by Owen’s high-tech draft system, which keeps each beer at its optimal temperature and even takes glassware into account.
The food menu centers on comforting tavern favorites with something for all tastes and budgets, from snacks to full plates. Some standouts include the steak sandwich with Cabot cheddar and sweet onion, lettuce, pickle, and special sauce ($15) and the crispy mushroom flatbread with kale and cheese fondue ($16). Owen’s also serves charcuterie from Red Apron Butcher, a selection of fondues, and a mix of salads, burgers, and entrees like coffee-rubbed brisket ($21.5) and bucatini with a mushroom bolognese ($19).
Owen’s Ordinary features a bar area, dining room, and beer garden. It’s also a late-night destination for the neighborhood, staying open until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with plans to launch lunch and brunch menus in the near future. The restaurant is about a half-mile walk from the White Flint metro station and there’s also plenty of cheap garage parking nearby.
Owen’s Ordinary is located at 11820 Trade Street in North Bethesda. Open Monday and Tuesday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. until 1 a.m.
