In 1993 Michael Friedman and Dan Katz heard about an old run-down "shot and a beer" joint on the Fairfield/Bridgeport border. Run-down might not be the right description of what was the old "Riverside Café"; falling-down might be more appropriate. Friedman, who was an antiques dealer specializing in Cowboy and Western collectibles, and Katz who was a Western collector decided it might be fun to buy the old place and create an authentic 19th century Saloon. While signing the papers at the closing, the partners discovered that the original name of the old bar was the Ash Creek Saloon dating back to the 1920's or 30's and named for it's location on the banks of the Ash Creek.

The building was a mess, but it had great "bones" and what started out as a fun little project soon had a life of its own. Still retaining its original antique tin ceilings and mahogany bar, and decorated with period western antiques from the late 19th century, Friedman and Katz transformed the old free standing brick building into the real thing. In Sept of 93' the doors opened and the Ash Creek Saloon was born.


It took no time for the news to spread and before they knew it the bar was 3 deep and people were waiting on line for tables. "The biggest problem was that our clientele was divided between the bikers in the bar who liked the cowboy theme, and regular people and families who wanted to eat our instantly famous baby back ribs." Says Dan Katz . "If you wanted to get to the dining room, you had to walk the gauntlet through the bar which was wall-to-wall singles, bikers and various other local roustabouts." "We found this very upsetting, but were later told that the people kind of liked it, that it was a bit 'edgy'. Fortunately the two groups never had a problem with each other. As time went by, the restaurant expanded to nearly 3 times its original size and the bar calmed down so that our reputation became that of a restaurant first and foremost."

In 2001 the partners opened the second Ash Creek Saloon in an old 19th century hat factory in Norwalk. It too was an immediate success. Now, after nearly 11 years in business The Ash Creek Saloon is proud to have become something of an institution in Fairfield County. Voted BEST RIBS and BBQ in both Ct. Magazine and the Fairfield County Weekly for 9 out of 10 years, Ash Creek has expanded their culinary horizons and are now considered one the best known and most popular dining establishments in Connecticut, serving more than 200,000 people a year.