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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Since You Asked: Lost Creek, Applegate lakes on pace to fill ... Ashland contractor faces federal bribery charge ... Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... Since You Asked: Lost Creek, Applegate lakes on pace to fill ... Ashland contractor faces federal bribery charge ... Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... DINING A hipster vibe at The Haul Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Mar. 25, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Mar. 25, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Both inside and out, The Haul in Grants Pass has a Portland-esque, hipster vibe. The restaurant's menu of inventive dishes made with locally sourced ingredients doesn't disappoint, showing there's more than just a cool atmosphere. At 121 S.W. H St., The Haul has a large roll-down garage door with windows to let in ample light. In good weather, diners can eat outside at picnic tables set near rectangular wood planters filled with bamboo. An industrial-meets-rustic theme prevails indoors, with exposed metal duct work, I-beams, a concrete floor and a wood-beam ceiling. Visitors order at a front counter, which is also where they pick up their drinks. Each party takes a mini iron I-beam printed with a number to a table, where servers deliver the food. Although the counter-ordering system would imply a lack of service, we were well attended by the staff throughout our meal. I wanted to try the Butternut Squash Tacos (two for $6) and the Chicken Tacos (two for $7), and the staff obliged by making my meal with one of each. The corn tortilla tacos arrived at my table generously stuffed with ingredients. A salad of fresh mixed greens, shredded carrots and a light dressing accompanied the tacos. I was curious to see whether the squash tacos made with butternut squash, black beans, Cheesorizo, lime slaw, aioli and mole kraut would be a delicious mix or a culinary disaster of incompatible tastes and textures. The squash taco was exceptionally good, the corn tortilla a perfect accompaniment to the soft, roasted squash, the hearty black beans and the tangy slaw. Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will be satisfied by the filling but not-too-heavy tacos. The chicken taco was also a treat, with a lingering spiciness to the shredded chicken complemented by the pickled red onions, lime slaw, aioli and cilantro. My husband had the Fettuccine Alfredo ($12 alone or $2 more for chicken), which had chewy house-made noodles, a not overly creamy sauce, chicken with a smoky flavor and sprinkles of Parmesan cheese. He decided against having the leeks, winter squash and hazelnuts The Haul normally adds to its Fettuccine Alfredo — a mistake, in my view, given the successful flavor combination of the squash tacos. My kids shared a pepperoni pizza ($12 for a 12-inch pizza), which had an artisan-style crust, San Marzano tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Diners can see the pizzas being cooked in a large wood-fired oven in the dining area. For dessert, we tried the Churros with Salted Caramel (three for $5 or add a fourth for $6.) This traditional Mexican dish of pastry dough deep-fried and rolled in sugar was "one of the top 10 things I've ever eaten," my daughter declared. A server brought the churros to us piping hot. With the caramel sauce, they tasted like fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon rolls with caramelized butter and sugar. Without the sauce, they were equally good and brought back memories of the home-cooked donuts my mom made when I was a kid. Opened in the fall of 2014 by Chad Hahn of the local food truck and catering service Fulcrum Dining and Jon Conner of Conner Fields Brewing, The Haul has a range of other inventive dishes, along with artisan sodas, craft beer, wine and cocktails. It often hosts live music upstairs. For information about The Haul, including the latest days and hours of operation, see www.thehaulgp.com or call 541-474-4991. By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Mar. 25, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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