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Categories: Pool Halls, Sports Bars, American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Woodland HillsMon-Wed. 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
"This place is just good. Simple almost analog approach to food. The standards perfected....."
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We came here on Saturday to watch college football. We sat on the couches which were very comfortable (well the ones facing the tv are, but the ones facing the bar aren't so much). My friend put the experience perfectly- "It's like watching the game at home except with someone serving you." The host at the door was very helpful in making sure that the game we wanted to watch was on the tv where we wanted to sit.
They play the main game over the speakers, but we were watching a different game so they actually gaves us two sets of little speakers to keep on our table that played the sound of the game we were watching. I can imagine that may not work as well on Sunday with so many people watching so many different games, but it worked well on Saturday when it wasn't very crowded.
I find it very interesting that they turn their pool tables into dining tables, but they also have a sepaate dining area where people can eat without being bombarded by loud sports fans.
The food here was very good, except the salad was fairly boring. I was most impressed with the pizza (very fresh ingredients) and the sliders. The nachos and turkey burger were also good. The bar tenders waited on us and were very friendly and attentive.
I hear this place gets filled on Sundays, but you can make this place your own on Saturdays.
I came here around 5pm on a Wednesday. Upon arriving it was no that full, but since it was game one of the world series it quickly filled up. I was lucky to have gotten there when I did because I got a spot on the big comfortable couch. I ordered two long islands and the mountain high nachos which i shared with my friends because it is really a mountain high.
The only bad thing is I was charged for 2 seperate transactions niether of which were mine, I had to call and talk to the manager, also when my friend closed out their tab they were given my credit card so just really pay attention to your bank statements and cards when you go here.
I really like coming here. It's a chill place that can get a little rowdy around game time. There's good beer on tap, the bartenders are cool, the menu is huge (though they close the kitchen at 10 or so) and the food was good (except for the brunch that was just sub-par). There are lots of pool tables, a couple loung-y areas, and plenty of bar seating.
I also like that it's right next to the movie theater and mall. It's perfect to stop in for a few drinks before the movie, or stroll around the mall if you're not quite ready to drive home.
Great food and nice bar, but can be very crowded and loud. Fun place to eat and hang out if you're in the mood to party.
Stopped here for some grub and a drink after seeing a flick at the AMC next door. Not too shabby. I had the Crab cake sammich with garlic fries (whoo! garlicy!) and their version of 'Hush Pups' - basically hush puppies with cheese lovingly squeezed inside.
Me and my date ended up hanging out there for several hours, partaking of their $3.00 margaritas (premade, but not bad for the price)
and lounging on the couches in the back corner.
We didn't shoot any pool, mostly people-watched and saw the games on the many tv's they have. I would go back again if I was in the neighborhood.
The Rack. Its one of the few places open till Midnight during the week...
The food is ok...I only had the tortila soup. I'm not going to lie--it was a little funky.
I did, however like their garden salad, as it came with dark mixed greens--none of that iceberg jokeyness.
I guess if you come in late--its 21 and over? I am of age (but don't really look it) and the bouncer spent a good deal of time examining mine and my dining companions IDs.
The main attraction is they have food and its open late! Wee!
It's by far the best burger I have ever had. Kudos to Executive Chef Elon Kviatkovsky. I've tried the Guac Burger in the past and today I indulged in a Hawaiian Burger for Lunch. My burger is dressed with grilled pineapples and ginger lemongrass BBQ sauce. The sauce sounds intimidating huh!?! But don't worry, it just taste like a teriyaki sauce. It don't matter anyway, the burger is the superstar. It's so succulent you don't need to add any of the lettuce, tomatoes and/or onions in it. You also have a wide verity of sides, here are my favs: mac n' cheese topped with toasted bread crumbs, hush puppies and chili.
They claim to be a family style dining restaurant but I beg to differ. It's more like a sports bar with pool tables and dart games available. They also have about 10 different types of beers on the tap. I must also mention the cute waiters that seem to be enjoying their job.
If you come by for a meal it's meh. The service was disorganized and unsure but their lack of trying wasn't there. It's very obvious when the owner is not there because the wrong food was brought to us multiple times. I had to bring back my desert because it was rock hard. (Brownie sundae) Second time it was good.
If you want to just chill have some drinks and eat finger foods great place.
Strip mall/AMC movie location isnt a plus. restaurant isnt worth coming to. the bar area is really the only thing worth it. tvs galore for games; in fact, during the Laker game in the playoffs, every tv (perhaps 15 of them total) were for the game. pool tables were covered for more seating.
servers are ok (much better experience at the bar). DO NOT order the nachos. they suck! dry, tasteless, not cheap. the wings are ok. nothing exciting really. although it's not drinking food, i like the hummus plate. the fries are yummy. the loud music is good. =) no more Guinness on draft? hello?!
Came here while visiting some friends and staying in a hotel down the road.
While there was much trepidation for spending the last few hours of our evening in a bar/billiards lounge that's in a mall (really? a mall?), this was a really pleasant surprise.
Atmosphere was fun, lots of tables, chill crowd from all walks of life, a decent beer selection and waitresses that were pretty on it. We didn't eat, so I can't give any info on that.
I'm not super familiar with the Valley, but in what seemed as a land of frachise bars, these is a pretty good bet.
The first pool hall I ever went to was in a dungeon-esque, Costo-neighboring local hangout for fathers looking to wet their lips with cold beer and enjoy the company of friends. The Rack is definitely not this kind of place. Like the name directly or indirectly implies, The Rack provides lonely San Fernando Valley singles to make a first date a little less awkward by shooting pool or laughing at the poorly mixed music -- I heard Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Montel Jordan (owner of one-hit wonder "This Is How We Do It," and, of course, the auto-tuned "Blame It on the Alcohol." It felt like I was in a weird high school reunion. But The Rack has plenty on tap and responsive bar service. Look forward to standing with your drink because there isn't much space to sit. And don't be enticed to chill on the back couches.
At one point, my group went to sit on these couches and another party warned of the vomit-filled couch that now was empty. We made sure not to sit there, and when the next group came to sit, we warned them the same way. They sat there anyway and disregarded the rancid smell that permeated the entire back area. Oh yes, pool, vomit, and booze -- another good night at The Rack.
I don't play pool, and I don't really watch sports. (Unless its the Cowboys, Spurs or the Dodgers on the screen, and that's just genetic.)
Why four stars then?
Mac n' Cheese baby. It's all for the Mac n' cheese.
They have two sizes of this creamy concoction, all melty and savory and oh so good. This gift of God to my belly is baked to golden perfection, topped with parmesan breadcrumbs and bacon, and brought to the table super super hot in the little crock they bake it in! Freaking delicious, but not so great for my (rapidly expanding) ass. Want to expand your own? Take a look at the 405983045983409658304968 options on the menu! Talk about overwhelming!
I can't speak for the drinks or the rates for pool but we came here just to chill and watch UCLA get their butts kicked (yet again...sigh... can next season start already?).
It is a bit on the pricey side but there doesn't seem to be that many places open late at night in this area.
We ordered the buffalo wings and the garlic fries. Some of the buffalo drumsticks were overcooked and some of the celery sticks were pasty white. However, all in all, the wings were very saucy and satisfying.
The garlic fries were crispy (a tad too crispy for my full endorsements) but had chunks of garlic which made them decent.
As lousy as the reviews seem to be, the place was pretty packed by the time we left and seemed to be a-buzzin'!
When you walk in they have a small area in the front and then you go further in and theres a whole other side. They have one full bar, and the have seating right behind, however in such a dumb spot really. Its too close ot the bar, needs to be a little further out. The bar guys are nice though. The drinks are okay strength wise. I got a patron silver shot that cost $10, kinda pricey but pretty big. Then I got a tequila sunrise which cost $10. Though I wish this was a bit stronger, mostly juice.
This place you can also eat in the dinning area :D
They have several pool tables as well. Unless you just want to eat and drink then fine. But really you should play pool, thats what most do here. This is not a lets go a dance place. More of play pool, drink and watch the game(s). However, it is a bit more up to scale than the typical sports bar.
You have to put your name to get a pool table. Once they call you or you check back they take you to a table. That way you can sit at the bar-like area and you have a waitress to take drink orders. Maybe because she was busy, but she came over to us once in a hr.+ after we flagged her down, though super nice.
The guy at the front asked the height, b-date, everything! I showed my ID and no problem. LOL
This also tends to have the older crowd going on. I went on a saturday, so depends on which night you go on.
I would go back again if I just want a laid back night and have nothing else to do.
This place is located right next to mall. Theres a door though that goes into the mall as well.
The Glorified pool hall.
I try to write fair reviews so i gave this place two chances...
Pros: Shitload of pool tables.
Cons: Expensive drinks that you have to wait a while for. No entertainment for those not playing pool. Crowd very busy trying to look cool. No personality.
Overall: If you love pool, play a few games, then go somewhere to enjoy your night. If you don't like pool you could do much better as there is nothing else of value here.
The rates aren't great... that's for sure.
$8/hr before 6 and $16 after 6. Although we didn't play.
They have a HUGE menu... although we didn't eat.
So why did we go??? To drink dummy!!!
We asked if there were any drink specials.... Mondays is 2 bucks off mixed drinks. We thought that was pretty cool until we got the bill and saw that their drinks are normally $10. $10 for a small Lemon Drop martini in the mall??? And $8 for a small martini ain't no great deal!
Buh-bye Rack!!!
The decor is horrendous...
Drinks are pricey... (and not that good)
Pool table rates are expensive...
We decided to try out this place for a late lunch one Saturday pre-movie. Now, I don't know about you but my general experience is that if a restaurant offers everything in the world on it's menu, it probably doesn't do a whole lot of anything really well.
I was going to get a beer to drink. They were out of Guinness. They were out of whatever my second choice of beer for that day was. So, I settled on a regular-no-alcohol-included Iced Tea. Maybe this review should actually be 1 star now that I think about it.
The food was so-so. They didn't have the first choice for my lunch (shocking, I know!) so I ended up getting hummus, babaganoush, and pita bread. It was okay but nothing spectacular. (And, really, for middle eastern dips, I try to stick to middle eastern restaurants as a general rule so maybe I'm the one that deserves 2 stars here.)
$5 Margarita drinks ..... need I say more?
(btw- the drinks are good)
was here saturday night till closing for a friends birthda and had a blast! We had the small VIP room to ourselves and our server would drop in to give us our drinks instead of waiting at the packed bar. It took a little while to get our drinks back to us but the convenience factor outweighedthe negative.
The mixed drnks were strong and the beers were cold. Good classic rock (zeppelin, the stones) was being pumped through the speakers and it all equated for a great night!
I guess this place is okay if you lack taste. I am sorry, that was harsh. But I am sick and not feeling very generous. That and I hate all things Woodland Hills, mostly the self important people that inhabit it and the way most everything is overpriced like its some magical hedonistic pleasure palace and I ought to be grateful they've let me play.
So what specifically wasn't doing it for me? Firstly, it's located in a mall full of teenyboppers, meatheads and bleached out trophy wives. Call me snobby but strike one. Secondly, the music in the pool area is so incredibly loud I could not hear the person next to me talking-in my ear. I am all for loud music, but I'm not looking to go deaf-this isn't a club or a rave and unless I am purposely sticking my head in the speakers I don't think losing my hearing ought to be a concern when I go out for a few drinks.
And what about those drinks you ask? The house drinks are all either desserts in disguise, which I personally don't understand, or bright blue and green. That is wrong. I know some people find this charming, but I am not one of those people. The last straw was when they tried to overcharge me and one of my friends for some of our less pink drinks. Maybe it was an honest mistake, but it was really just the last in a list of reasons not to come back.
Hmm, I am cranky today. I think I need a nap.
Ok, so some friends and I stopped by this place before a movie and I have to admit, it was not the best experience. Our beers were poured low, our waitress forgot our order, our ticket was screwed up, and it took forever to get our food. However, the food was good, the beer was good, and it was near the theater. I'm hoping our waitress was just having an off night. I'll probably give it another shot and hope for some better service...
Pretty good food! Service was ok, pool tables, bar and huge screens to watch games. Outside area has a roof that comes down like a convertible! Fun place to watch Lakers.
great enviornment, people and strong drinks...cheers
I'm knocking you down to four. I came here on a Sunday for brunch and it was understaffed. We ordered a mimosa that never came, but still ended up on the bill. Also, the omelet my friend and I had that had pepeprs, feta and spiniach tasted like shrimp. It was probably my one bad time here, so for that I'm still a Fan! But I have to get rid of star.
Oh, The Rack. How I love thee. Let me count the ways:
Mac n cheese
Quesedilla
Wings
salads
sandwiches.…
Read more »
Since Kate Mantilini closed 30 minutes early than there posted time, we walked over to the mall for something to eat. Due to the name, we though it was a clothing store until we got a closer look.
We were greeted at the door by 2 doormen who asked for our IDs, realizing that this was more than just a restaurant. Being a server I will tell you ahead of time, that our waitress wasn't a server but an order taker.
Started off with the buffalo chicken potato skins that were amazing, 6 to an order with a side of ranch. I'd go back just for that, yum yum. My friend order the fried chicken salad (which upon arrival the chicken was almost burnt) and a side of sweet potato fries which he allowed me to enjoy as well. I got the Rack Mac & Cheese, I added the bacon and jalapeos for $2. Which saved the meal, as the mac and cheese itself wasn't good but the spiciness gave it flavor. Actually enjoying the left over now as I write this review.
Expensive. I mean, the bartender was nice and all, but happy hour doesn't start until 4 and we were there at 3... so it was just pricey. Renting a table was expensive... Maybe this just isn't my scene. The do have $3 margaritas, but they weren't all that great.
So yeah, if you are desperate for alcohol before or after seeing a movie at the Promenade, this'll probably do. But as for pool halls, skip it, unless you are the kind of person who can afford the $45/hour VIP room. Then, by all means, hit it up.
I'll be over at Gyu-kaku having $2 beers. v(^.^)
my 2 best friends and I went here before seeing Sex and the City. We walked in and the owner (at least I'd guess he is the owner) and his wife immediately asked us "is this going to be a cosmo day?!" of course it was! we sat down, got our yummy cosmos (along with everybody else in the restaurant) and ordered our food. I got the turkey portabello mushroom salad and it was delicious. One friend got the Bacon lettuce tomato avacado sandwich with turkey on it with the seasonsed fries, and the other friend got the Rack and Cheese (mac and cheese). Our waiter was nice and our food came out super quick. Prices were $8-12 and the serving sizes were perfect!
You could either sit on the patio or in the bar with the pool tables but I hate playing pool with a passion so we opted for the patio seating.
We finished up our lunch and ended our date with 2 frisky kitty shots and 1 french kiss shot....we had to get ready to go see our movie!!
The Rack is a pretty fun place to party with friends and play pool. Went there last week for a company party where we were set up with 6 pool tables.
Large pool hall with ample elbow room, decent pool tables and cue sticks, and equipment available to cater to each table. Pretty friendly servers that brings you drinks and made sure that food trays were always full. Food was "catered" that night.
Food we had is okay but not spectacular...more like bar food (chicken wings, chips with artichoke dip, Hawaiian BBQ pork, mac n' cheese). Full menu available upon request. Place has a separate restaurant area.
Location is not so great and the place can be difficult to find; it's part of the Promenade Mall in Woodland Hills. Parking can be a bear on a busy night. Plan to park in a different zip code.
It'll be better if it's separated from a shopping mall.
This is a warning to those of you who seek a CHEAP buzz... do not fall for the "deal" $5 Long Island Ice Teas or $3 Margaritas at the Rack!!!! They were extremely watered down so you would need to purchase about 3 to feel any real effect. you do the math: 3x5= $15. However, I give an appreciative nod to the bartender. He kindly gave my friend a glass of ice water, even though she didn't order anything and before she asked him for it: a definite first!
Good service, weak drinks.
Brock rocks!!!! I tell ya... Brock totally rocks!!!!
I'd seen this place a couple of times and I'd researched it as well... We're always looking for new places to go see our favorite sucky team, the 49ers! Early on in the season, we ventured down to Busby's (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) down in Santa Monica. The place was cool, but it's a bit of a ways to go see a game, especially if you want to drink a few beers, because you then have to drive some 20 miles home. The next week, we hit Yankee Doodles (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) in Woodland Hills. Now, Yankee Doodles does beer very well, but their food kinda sucked. So when I heard that The Rack, with its elegant logo in the shape of a martini glass/pool rack, was showing all football games all day, I thought we had to check it out.
So we walk in at 10:15 AM and the place is pretty dead. Those people that *are* there are all glued to the various TV sets across the restaurant. We walk around looking for the niners... They're showing on a big screen right by the bar, but the only two seats available are between half a dozen very loud and seemingly belligerent Bears fans in full regalia. It's first quarter, 5 minutes into the game, and the Bears are up 17-0 or so.... yeah not so cool... maybe we can sit somewhere else?
Brock is there... Brock senses our discomfort.... We probably have that look... that San Francisco 49ers look.... the same look, incidentally, that gets Alex Smith, our quarterback, in trouble. It's the look that says, "I'd rather be drinking a nice glass of 98 Pinot than play football today." Problem is, the Bears defensive line in front of him is thinking, in unison, "You a dead man, motherfucker." So anyway, still very much in line with the behavior of our team, we shy away from the loud and obnoxious Bear fans at the bar and Brock offers us a seat in the corner. He covers up the pool table, brings us the menus, and asks us what we want to drink. I'm thinking coffee would be a good choice, seeing as it is now 10:20 AM. I glance at the screen above me... Bears 21- 49ers 0.... "Yeah, I'll have a Bloody Mary or five," I reply.
The food's pretty good. It's not "oh my god this is so awesome I love this food," but considering we're in a sports bar drinking beer on tap and watching football in a pool hall, I think it's pretty good. We got as appetizer the crock of rack mac, a dish of really tasty baked mac & cheese covered with Parmesan. Yummy! We then split a guacamole burger with sweet potato fries. The portion is insanely huge and the burger is well prepared, albeit a bit too bloody considering I ordered it medium. The sweet potato fries are crispy and sweet and taste almost like donuts.... Can you say saturated fat, boys and girls? Whatever, they still taste good even though we left two thirds of them. Bloody Mary was only so-so, so I switched to beer. They didn't serve Anchor Steam so I got a Sierra Nevada instead.
It gets hazy after this... I remember the Bears fans laughing at us and cheering a little too loud in our direction every time the Bears would score a touchdown. One of 'em even had the gall to come and sit next to us and snicker at us... Let's just say it was a painful game to watch. 30 seconds from half-time and the score is 34-0. And then another interception happens and the Bears run it back some 50 yards or so and score another touchdown. I put my head in my hands and all of a sudden Brock is at my side. "That," pointing at the beer he's holding in his hand, "is for that," point at the TV. In this moment of utter distress, the bartender bought me a beer!
Brock works there every Sunday and is the coolest waiter/bartender I've met probably in the last 6 months. If you see him, please tip him very well. I know we'll be back here next Sunday to cheer for our pathetic excuse of a team! Go Niners!!!
Went here on a Thursday evening with Kieran and some co-workers of mine. It was an awesome place with great drinks and really nice tables and cue sticks. I didn't try any of the food but by reading the menu, they all sounded delicious.
There were more than enough open tables!
One of my friends at works is a top rated pro, so she kind of schooled as all, but still it was a great time had by all.
Came here on a Friday night and had a few beers and played some pool before catching a movie at the AMC. From what I remember, beer on tap was good and not too expensive, and the service was decent. No idea about the food, as usual- though from everyone else's reviews, next time I go I'll have to try the mac n' cheese. The actual pool table was kind of expensive for only an hour or so, but we didn't have anything else to do to kill time. TVs everywhere with sports on. Not too much character, but clean and fun. Not a terrible place- I'd go back again, and next time I catch a movie at the AMC I'll probably head over early so I can stop in here.
Came here with my cousins, ordered some drinks and played some pool. The drinks were pretty good. I tried Absinthe here for the first time but it was watered down. It was good. This is a cool place to just hang out.
Great place for food, drinks, games, and Pool!
Food is really good here, I like the Nachos and Potato Skins... yummy
Drinks are pretty good too, though I pretty much stick to Guinness.
Went here once for a football game and was so much fun, great crowd.
Pool table are good, Sticks are decent, Prices are a little steeper than most, but not too bad.
Overall fun place to go.
My bf and I ate here quickly before a movie one night. It was pretty good, not gourmet or anything, sort of salty and greasy but don't get me wrong, grease and salt can be very tasty! I had the caprese sandwich and garlic fries. The fries were delicious! I couldn't get enough but I smelled like garlic for the next week! The sandwich was also very good, but its hard to go wrong with cheese and breed! I can't remember if it was expensive or not but it was a pretty good, quick dinner. Although we haven't back so I guess it didn't make that much of an impact on us!
Was hauling a load of hogs from Encinitas to the Simi Valley, and pulled in this joint cuz Rojan told me that there was some sweet meat inside, if you're hip to the word. Just needed to tip the big boy by the velvet curtain, and... hooooo doggy!!!
Course, I can't comment on the food, and I pack my own flask, but I guess the pool tables looked straight and the music was loud. Time I left at 3 a.m., though, them hogs heard me singin all the way to Simi!
You'd forget this place was even at the mall if you weren't looking. This place is more like a restaurant that got smashed together with a pool hall lounge. The food is okay (but they don't list common food allergens in dishes, so be careful). Drinks are good with some nights having specials, and there's televisions everywhere you sit. Its perfect if you want to grab a drink before or after a movie or just want to shoot a few rounds with friends.
Came on a Friday night for some pool and snacks as a going away party for someone at my workplace. It was pretty loud out there, hard to have a conversation, but what can you expect from a bar/pool hall anyway. Our appetizers were good, would recommend the chicken and shrimp skeweres.. yum.
Can't say anything on the price, obviously it was a work function. But I must say, it wasn't anything too exciting. For a Friday night, it wasn't packed, but there were plenty of people sitting at the bar or wandering around. Heard the mac and cheese is pretty good; I'll have to try that one next time around.
I have a pool table at home.......so why would I go to the rack and play $45 an hour VIP pool...
well the red decore is nicer then home...
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