Ox Cart Ale House

My friends and I have a monthly dining date, and this month was my pick. So this review was partially based on 8 peoples opinions. There were many awesome things, a few misses, but I would go back in a heart beat. There were so many really good entrees, like the Pork Porthouse (super flavor, big portion), the lamb burger, my Fried Chicken sandwich, the Pastrami sandwich — all terrific. One of the best things in my opinion was the Brussel Sprouts — wow!
The misses: The homemade ketchup was loved by no one. Too smokey, just tolerable. If I went back I’d bring some good ol’ ketchup packets in my pocket. Also, one of our group got the Turkey Apple sausage and found it way too salty. Others agreed. Also, we wished our server had stopped by more often to refill drinks. The place was not very busy at all, but it seemed once we got our food, we were forgotten.
All in all, we had a great time and loved the food.

Casual and cool atmosphere with good food (all ingredients made from scratch). Two of us at the table asked for more ketchup as it was homemade and really tasty. I had a lamb burger with special sauce on it that was excellent. Everyone was satisfied with their meals. Our server was poor — swing and a miss on that one! Regardless, we will return because of the food and atmosphere. I really appreciate that everything is made from scratch.

Well this place is absolutely perfect. Everything from three people who asked me if I needed help, right down to the bartender who had the same inquiry. The owner himself, also on hand ensured my time here was nothing more than perfect.
Beer selection? It’ll take a few visits to really have a tour. Their menu? It’ll take time to formulate a true preference. My mind went back and forth between a crab artichoke dip and sweetbreads. House made sausages? Yes, please.
Just go here. Enjoy it. It’s perfect.

The house made ketchup was amazing. I guessed 4 spices successfully and then they stopped telling me when I was right.
I had the lamb burger. It was amazing. I am Greek so lambs a little important.
My best friend ordered the grilled cheese and every time she took a bite the sound of bread crunching was so satisfying. She loved it.
We had drinks and they were drink-​y and lovely.
Sarina was our server and she was lovely. She walked to the kitchen like 3 times to ask the cooks about spices. Simply a delightful person.

I’d rate 3.5 stars/​5. Overall it was a nice experience but I just don’t have any «wow» moment from eating here. There are plenty of nice options on the menu but it is a little pricey for most things. I would pay $ 15 for a GREAT bacon cheeseburger, but the one at Ox Cart was just good, making the price seem too high in my opinion. The scallop app sounded great but $ 18 for an appetizer is just not a great deal. I would recommend checking this place out during happy hour so it is less expensive.
The positive: service, selection of beers on tap
The neutral: the food, the ambiance
The bad: prices, parking
Would I come back here? Maybe. Would I recommend to others? Maybe.

Was here with my boyfriend and fam for brunch and it was delicious, the waitress was awesome. I ordered roasted game with mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts.

Dug it here. For starters, super hunky bald headed bartender, which is always a plus. Lamb burger was fantastic, kicked Red Cow’s ass. Duck stew was bomb! Loved the fun vibe, will be back!

I came here to review my portfolio of pictures of my cat and have a drink one night, it’s an alright place for that.
In any case, if you order the cold press coffee on tap and the chocolate stout it makes a great combination when you drink them through two straws at the same time.
That being said, the crab and artichoke dip is to be avoided unless you are looking for tuna casserole (also the texture was just plain weird). My cat would like it, probably, he is finicky though.

Visited on a Saturday night around 7:30 and was pleasantly surprised to find a table for 3 right away. The drink list was great, probably 25 draft selections with a good mix of standard (Surly, Summit) and unique (sour beer, ciders, cold press coffee). We didn’t try the wine but really you should have no problem finding something here to please everyone.
The food was a great surprise, reasonably priced and a good step above standard bar fare. We started with the cheese curds — amazing! Served with a sweet and spicy honey sauce which made it different than every other pub around. We also tried the fried chicken sandwich, pastrami sandwich and gem lettuce salad and let’s just say there were no leftovers. Service was friendly and fast. We will be back!

The food was ok but the service sucked. The servers would only ask one person at a time if they’d like another drink. They wouldn’t ask anyone else until they brought back the previous persons order… I guess filling 2 drink orders at a time was too difficult.
It wasn’t very busy when I was there and it still took more than 5 minutes to bring a drink back.

Let me set the scene: Cloudy weekday evening in late summer. The windows are open and there is a nice breeze flowing through the restaurant. The lights are so dim that you can barely see the menu when the clouds brush pass the sun. There is a table of 15ish white men in suits drinking large quantities of beer and chuckling hardly in the back room. The dining area and bar are decked out in dark wood and expensive-​looking, shiny metal fixtures. You’re a small, casually dressed black lady who works at a non-​profit and just really wants some cheese curds and maybe a beer.
The food here was tasty. The boo and I split the crab dip. I got a yummy salad with goat cheese. They have a pretty impressive tap list and wine list with several things from across the world. I think our quick weeknight dinner ended up being close to $ 50 but I will note that we did both get beers. I think this place is a super nice bar but I felt like I needed to be wearing a skirt suit and power pumps to feel comfortable. Not my scene but I would go back for the crab dip, y’all.

Read about this place in the PP so tonite we left Mendota heights, traveled north on 35E, passed the grand ave (Salut) Kellogg exits (McGoverns), Selby (Redcow) made our way to lowertown. (No free parking in lowertown)
I’m a huge fan of the Oxtail. I have written many reviews regarding the oxtail from all over the US and the world!
Send out the Lewis and Clark expedition to search for another tail to put some meat in this bowl of broth! You can charge me more! You can double the price. But put some meat in the soup!
Speaking of prices, my wife (the Jewish Doctor) who never complains, did mention the scallops were $ 9.00 PER SCALLOP!
We tried, but I told my wife to take a good look cause we will never be there again. And to add insult to injury as we were driving away we heard a band playing in Mears park and many of those Spectacular FOOD TRUCKS lined up and we could have brought our dog!

There’s a lot of potential here, but they need to send their servers to boot camp. Like real fast. Practice some basics like smiling, writing down orders, bringing a straw when asked to name a few.
The restaurant is big, modern, with lots of open windows. It’s nice. What I’d expect for a fancy name like Ox Cart. The bar is humongous too, so you can stand at any end of the place and get to it. I heard parking was a bitch though, good thing I ubered.
I came with a group of 10 plus for a birthday dinner. They could have easily lined up tables to fit all of us. Instead they sat us against a wall with a table that fit 8 people, then pulled two round tables up against the back of our chairs. Ahhh yeah, that doesn’t work for dining as a group.
Our server was a ding bat. We had to repeat orders, some drinks never came because it was forgotten, my friend asked for a straw that never came, I got up and picked one off the bar for her, entrees came before appetizers, and at the end of the meal we had to tell her what we ordered so she could get our bill. She didn’t smile and certainly wasn’t friendly, we were a nuisance to her. Once a manager, I assumed he was a manager, carried a drink over to us for her, he wasn’t friendly either.
On to the food. The cheese curds were good, but the honey, also known as ass sauce, it came with was disgusting. It was way too sweet. We asked for the house ketchup and that wasn’t anything special. The duck sausage, gross, over seasoned. The plan brat was good. Not great, but better than the duck sausage. Mussels were also good. The winner was the open face ham and Gruyère cheese sandwich topped with an egg. That with the parm fries and plan salad saved this place from being a total disaster.
Don’t bother asking for anything special on drinks, like an old fashion. One of the worst I’ve had. That should be bartending 101. Too bad she didn’t forget to bring me that one. Stick to beer, they have a good selection.
I probably don’t need to come back here again unless they start hanging certificates for servers who pass a serving class.

My cheese curds and lamb burger were excellent. The chocolate tort was tasty, but nothing really special (though the salted caramel ice cream that came with it had a great flavor). I love the building, and our server was one of the best I’ve had in the cities. The people here, in general, were also extremely friendly. We came on a busy Saturday during Happy Hour and grabbed a great table just before it filled up.
I will definitely be back here.

As I live across the street I was excited for the new option adding to the Lowertown vibe, but after numerous trips and attempts to find the positives I have to say there aren’t many to be found at Ox Cart. A large part of this can be attributed to the service and the atmosphere.
I dig the big open-​air windows that lead to the patio. Unless there’s a guy smoking a huge cigar, while his overly drunk bro friends chain smoke, curse and catcall. This will net you an apology from an embarrassed server when she realizes it’s the Manager.
The TVs are small, but much easier to view than the Bulldog. It’s nice because there aren’t a lot of sport options in LT. Apparently though, the HDTVs at Ox Cart don’t get sound (or closed captioning.) At least this is what was explained to us on another trip when my girlfriend and I tried to catch a bit of the (drink to the) debates.
The beer selection is eclectic, offering a wide variety of pours and pints. This unless they’re out of what you order. You’ll still be charged for the price of that beer, even if the one you switch to is cheaper. As was my experience while catching up with a friend from out of town on another instance.
Lowertown is growing for sure. In it’s need to get into Lowertown as the boom happened, Ox Cart feels forced and contrived. Being crammed into the side of a parking ramp, with ceilings lower than the bar in my grandparents’ basement, is the visual metaphor of what quite possibly will be your Ox Cart experience. Bulldog, Barrio and Public are all 1 block a way. All of which are much more established and welcoming. They feel like they belong, because they have grown WITH Lowertown. Ox Cart simply has a lot of growing up to do.

The seat yourself was a bit strange, but nice because we chose a booth for some privacy. Our server came quickly. My only complaint on service is she kept asking about the next thing before I was ready. (Like dessert when I was still eating dinner.) she came off as a new server to me throughout the interaction, so I figure she will learn those skills over time.
My hubby and I tried the crab & artichoke dip for an appetizer. I was frankly surprised at the amount of crab. (There was a lot for me. So if you’re a fan a crab you’ll be happy!) the artichoke flavor didn’t really come through. The artichokes were in very large chunks so you get a bite with all crab then a bite with all artichoke. Not terrible sins. But I’d say the overwhelming flavor profile was crab and lemon. We probably won’t get it again since we are more cheesy artichoke dip people. But it was good and so hot when served to us that we both burned our mouths. (We know the server got it to us fast!)
I had the lamb burger. This was really good! I would order this again! I got the salad on the side and loved it! Hubby got the regular burger and he enjoyed it!
Overall I give them 4 stars. I’d give 3 ½ if I could. But we will likely be back. I’m sure many of these things will work out since it is such a new restaurant.

Just opened and excellent.
I just moved into the neighborhood and went to the ox cart after a day of heavy lifting. The lamb burger was excellent and the ambience is magnificent. Will definitely be making this a regular hangout.

So very happy to have a new restaurant in Lowertown Saint Paul! The chef in the kitchen knows what he is doing for sure. Pub grub on steriods is a good way to explain the food. My girlfriend and I have been here three times in the week since they opened. Only sat at the bar so far, and the bartenders are very friendly and accommodating. If you are a wine fan, the Rose‘ from France is VERY good. The Standard craft cocktail is also a big win. The cucumber vodka makes it a great refreshing summer drink.
My girlfriend has tried two of the salads, the oxtail soup, beans with bacon, spinach and the scallops on the starter menu. She’s not much of a meat eater so very happy to have a local pub offering something other than the typical gut-​bombs. She liked that the Gem Salad is made with slices if real ham instead of fake, pressed «ham bits». The Oxtail Soup is made with a light beef broth and veggies with a nice kick from chili oil to keep it interesting. The beans and bacon paired with the side of garlicky spinach are a perfect, nearly meatless option according to her. She has declared the Arugula Salad to be her favorite, owing to the perfect balance if peppery arugula, tangy goat cheese, and sweet vinaigrette. She thought the scallops were a tad over-​dressed but perfectly cooked and it’s easy to navigate your fork to avoid too much of the orange sections, bacon, crème fraîche, and oyster mushrooms if you’re a purist like she is.
I had the fried chicken sandwich, coney, and the bratwurst so far, and all have been delicious. My favorite was the coney because of the potato chips inside. Yea, that’s right… also the red peppers give it a little extra kick and sweetness. The gooey cheese and the sweet spicy mustard made the brat a must-​have. The chicken sandwich has a very good light, crispy breading. But most of all, THE CATSUP! Damn… the catsup. That is all.

Dear Ox Cart Crew,
This is my second time at your establishment (in four days). There is a reason for that. Tonight, your staff was getting rocked… Growing pains. Good came slowly… First event. Through it all, you held your own and delivered incredible food. You will work thru these challenges as you get more experience and this place will be a destination.
And to the jerkwad who keyed your window… Shame in you. This place is an incredible addition to the neighborhood and you should consider yourself fortunate to have them.
Fellow readers… Go check them out. Be patient, be kind and you will be rewarded. Our server, while flustered, was doing her best and, as a former waiter who understands, I get it. Keep driving and you will do well.

Ox Cart Ale House is a much needed and wonderful addition to Lowertown (St. Paul). I typically don’t have high expectations for a restaurant on opening day, but Ox Cart Ale House did a fabulous job. From The venue, ambiance, food, drink and service, Ox Cart Ale House is a must if you’re in Lowertown.
Ambiance: Dark, Intimate, Rustic, Clean
Ideal For: A night out on the town with friends, a celebratory occasion and or date night.
Parking: Street Parking & Garage. No Private Parking Lot. Easily accessible by bus & the Green Line (light rail).
Price: No food items over $ 22. The average price for an entrée is about $ 13. 50.
Menu: Simple yet sophisticated menu filled with traditional pub grub that will satisfy anyone’s palate. The food was flawlessly cooked, not too greasy, perfectly portioned and left me full and wanting more when I was done.
The Cheese Curds are excellent but the spiced honey dipping sauce took the curds to the next level. Hell, I’ll probably order the spiced honey dipping sauce as a side for my entrée next time around. I trashily (yes I know that’s not a word) stuck my finger in the honey and ate every last sticky drop. The Coney Island Dog was packed with flavor and the sausage was beautifully crafted in terms of taste and presentation. The homemade chips on the Coney Island Dog were to-​die-​for; seasoned just right and chewy in a wonderful kind of way. The Fried chicken was scrumptious, the meat was juicy and the sauce on the burger added the perfect amount of spice and nom-​nom-​nummy goodness.
I’m beyond impressed with Ox Cart’s dipping sauces. The Spice Honey knocked my socks off and the Ketchup is sweet, homemade (or tastes homemade) and has a beautiful hint of a sweet spice that up’s the ante for your typical ketchup. I thought the French Fries were okay but could be slightly crispier and saltier in my personal opinion. As for desert, I tried the Strawberry Spice Cake. The cake was dense, not overly sweet and perfectly portioned to share with another person. Although I’m a self-​proclaimed coffee addict, I could do without the espresso crumb on the dish; for me it took away from the cake and ice cream. I would order this dish again without the espresso crumb.
Bar: Full bar. Great variety of local craft beers at a fair price. Some of the local craft beers include; Surly, Indeed, Bent Paddle, Tin Whiskers and more.
Service: Fast, Knowledgeable, Friendly, Attentive (never had to ask for a water refill etc.)
Miscellaneous: Open seven days a week, the kitchen is only open until 11 PM. A rooftop patio is expected to open at a later point in time.
Summary: I LOVE Ox Cart Ale House. I plan to be a neighborhood regular. Ox Cart Ale House is the perfect place to go before and or after a concert, Saints or Wild game.