Bay Area Thread

[Steve2]

South winchester and Asadero have good food and beer.

Palo Alto is a bust. Worked there for many years. The closest good spots are up or down the Peninsula: Harry's Hofbrau in Redwood City, Fieldwork in San Mateo/Hillsborough, Wursthall in San Mateo, and Ale Arsenal in San Carlos.

These are easy to get to via Caltrain, which runs between SJ and SF with stops and short walks to above places.

Harry's RWC is really hit and miss at this point, I'd recommend checking the draft list on Untappd before going. That said, Gourmet Haus Staudt in RWC is a great spot that's stumbling distance from the CalTrain station and the recently opened Ghostwood Beer Company is worth checking out as well.

for Pali alto the first place that comes to mind is the Rose & Crown but it’s on the pricier side. gourmet haus staudt is a must

I enjoyed the beers @ Alpha Acid in Belmont.

I would recommend NOT going to Rose & Crown lol - really divey, and not in a good way

But yeah, Palo Alto is pretty bland bar-wise. Maybe Old Pro is worth a visit if you want to ride the bull too. There are some bars like Eureka and Stein's in nearby Mountain View.

There's always SARA just over the hill though

Skip Rose & Crown. I drank there for years and it's just ok. Convenient if you don't want to leave town.

Steins and Bierhaus are off the Mountain View Caltrain stop.

Gourmet Haus Staudt, Ghostwood, and El Grullense are off the Redwood City Caltrain stop.

Ale Arsenal and The Refuge are off the San Carlos Caltrain stop.

Fieldwork in San Mateo (not sure how close to Caltrain) is a good spot.

I think I'm technically banned from Ghostwood, but if you're there next weekend, I might try to sneak in.

Fieldwork is 2 blocks from the San Mateo Hillsdale CalTrain Station. They're opening a ROAM burger joint next to the Blue Bottle and Tin Pot ice cream store across the street. Will be a nice little one-stop-shop soon. I'm there a lot because it's close to my house and I'm a fan of the larger outdoor venues. I mean, I'll still hit Habit over Roam 100% of the time, but it's nice to see options.

Steve if you come up for Fieldwork, El Sinaloense in a good sit-down Mexican joint in San Mateo close to the Hayward Park CalTrain station (1 stop from the Hillsdale Station). If you're willing to go a bit further, you can train into downtown San Mateo (2 stops from Hillsdale) and hit La Cumbre which has good food but is a little expensive (e.g., you pay $0.50 for chips). El Nayarita used to be solid, but the service went downhill and the prices are too high to justify the rats running around outside and occasionally through the kitchen. Also there's been a couple violent-crime incidents in the 7-11 that shares the parking lot so we just avoid it (just FYI in case someone recommends their tacos).

I've heard Tacos Al Vapor is solid, but honestly we usually hit La Cumbre (the "home of the Mission-Style Burrito" as seen on Bourdain's show) because their grilled meats are really good. Probably the best grilled chicken burrito I've had in the Bay Area.


If you don't come up to San Mateo, El Grullense E&E (near Gourmet Haus Staudt) is great. Alternatively, GHS has great food.

This is a pretty dang comprehensive account. I'll add that if you come all the way to downtown San Mateo, the best (and cheapest) tacos are actually at Los Primos, two blocks north of La Cumbre. For a burrito, Cumbre's probably the way to go.

But if you're in downtown San Mateo, you should be eating ramen anyway.

man i remember when Nayarita was amazing, their burritos were big, tasty and cheap! such a shame it all went downhill.

Steve there’s also la piñata down the block from la cumbre if you’re in the mood for authentic pupusas...

and if you’ve gone that far there on the grape and grain is san mateo, tho i havnt been there in a few years. owner opened up a bierhaus across the street from la cumbre tho! havnt been yet but i hear it’s solid

Kenji Lopez-Alt's new place Wursthall is in San Mateo and has some Fieldwork on draft too

Now you're in my hood. Los Primos makes a solid taco and is popular among locals. Nice staff and a clean joint, and huge portions of meat. And it's cheaper than the other spots. My house is a block from Los Primos No. 2, but it's not as good as the original.

There's a bunch of true local spots that may or may not have English menus but I haven't explored them too much, and they don't always show up on places like Yelp.



And they've been known to have Sante on tap too...

These recommendations are awesome. Thanks all! Getting in Sunday early afternoon and will probably head up to SF for the day. This gives me some things to do on the way there or back in San Mateo. It also gives me all the info I need for a quick train ride from PA during the work week.

drgarage recommendations for Ramen if I end up in downtown San Mateo?

 

[iong516]

Ramen dojo was pretty sick

 

[RyanG1]

These recommendations are awesome. Thanks all! Getting in Sunday early afternoon and will probably head up to SF for the day. This gives me some things to do on the way there or back in San Mateo. It also gives me all the info I need for a quick train ride from PA during the work week.

drgarage recommendations for Ramen if I end up in downtown San Mateo?

Himawari-Tei. Get the Tan Tan Men (spicy miso with ground pork), but you cannot go wrong with other items.

 

[drgarage1]

These recommendations are awesome. Thanks all! Getting in Sunday early afternoon and will probably head up to SF for the day. This gives me some things to do on the way there or back in San Mateo. It also gives me all the info I need for a quick train ride from PA during the work week.

drgarage recommendations for Ramen if I end up in downtown San Mateo?

What was said above. Dojo is the gold standard but has crazy long waits (or at least used to). Ramen Parlour is owned by the same people and is easier to get into. Great, but a different style I don’t like quite as much.

 

[jtmartino1]

Ramen dojo was pretty sick

It's good, but not worth the usual wait on the weekends IMO. Then again, I'm a ramen noob.

Ramen Parlor and Santa Ramen nearby are pretty good too from what I understand, with a shorter wait.

Himawari-Tei. Get the Tan Tan Men (spicy miso with ground pork), but you cannot go wrong with other items.

That's my jam, and my go-to for ramen. I add a side of karaage to really bump it up. I like that Himawari plays jazz music in the background and the walls are decorated with jazz albums - it's pretty unique as far as ramen restaurants go.


Steve if you want the top-reviewed, go to Ramen Dojo. If the line is too long and you don't want to go too far away, hit Santa Ramen or Ramen Parlor. If you want good food in a quirky little jazz-themed restaurant, Himawari is the place. If you want the expert's feedback, ask loeyjarko . I think he's been to Japan before just to eat the ramen.

Unfortunately we have family in town this weekend and will be out on our own adventures, otherwise would be happy to show you around a bit. If you are free Weds or Thurs and are in town, let me know.

 

[drgarage1]

Santa also has same owners as Dojo and Parlour. Original location was where Dojo is now.

 

[iong516]

I went to Dojo solo on a Sunday, got there right at open and got seated within 5 minutes. Looked like a long wait for parties of more than 2.

 

[pen15clubmember]

These recommendations are awesome. Thanks all! Getting in Sunday early afternoon and will probably head up to SF for the day. This gives me some things to do on the way there or back in San Mateo. It also gives me all the info I need for a quick train ride from PA during the work week.

drgarage recommendations for Ramen if I end up in downtown San Mateo?

Disregard all that and check out Devil's Canyon

 

[Arbitrator]

Disregard all that and check out Devil's Canyon

Wow, people call me a troll.

 

[drgarage1]

Disregard all that and check out Devil's Canyon

Especially if you can find really old bottles of bourbon barrel Full Boar.

 

[rrryanc]

Disregard all that and check out Devil's Canyon

I mean if you have small children and dogs that you want to just let run around, you live super close, and food trucks make the wife happy - it's not the worst spot.

I've also only been once since they've moved to their current location. Their beer is so bad.

 

[matedog]

Disregard all that and check out Devil's Canyon

My company had an event there last week. The Oktoberfest was...okay.

 

[jtmartino1]

I mean if you have small children and dogs that you want to just let run around, you live super close, and food trucks make the wife happy - it's not the worst spot.

I've also only been once since they've moved to their current location. Their beer is so bad.

The venue is cool and the root beer is solid. Bring vanilla vodka in a flask and mix some mean adult-oriented root beer float drinks. We had a company party there recently also.

Especially if you can find really old bottles of bourbon barrel Full Boar.

You mean the infamous "Wild Boar"? Coined affectionately at one of those G&G bottle shares that I'm sure a few of us were attending!

 

[drgarage1]

The venue is cool and the root beer is solid. Bring vanilla vodka in a flask and mix some mean adult-oriented root beer float drinks. We had a company party there recently also.



You mean the infamous "Wild Boar"? Coined affectionately at one of those G&G bottle shares that I'm sure a few of us were attending!

That would be the one!

...

Honestly one of their best beers.

 

[KevSal]

That would be the one!

...

Honestly one of their best beers.

i still have a few bottles of that

 

[AndresR]

Anyone have a Dreamforce badge they aren't using tonight? Can pick-up/drop off. Would like to attend concert tonight. It's 2 blocks from my work.

Please and Thank you.

 

[matedog]

Anyone have a Dreamforce badge they aren't using tonight? Can pick-up/drop off. Would like to attend concert tonight. It's 2 blocks from my work.

Please and Thank you.

I'm no help, but who is playing?

 

[RyanG1]

I'm no help, but who is playing?

Crack in the $2.2 Billion Transit Center Steel Beam. New band, but big deal.

 

[AndresR]

I'm no help, but who is playing?

Janet Jackson in Billy Graham center.


And Metallica, under the stars.

 

[drizzleD]

With Fremont releasing B Bomb soon, does anyone have any experience with if it sees distro down in SF / Bay Area ?

 

[drgarage1]

With Fremont releasing B Bomb soon, does anyone have any experience with if it sees distro down in SF / Bay Area ?

Usually not. Possible some of the places that get SoCal distro (K&L, Wine Shop) might.

 

[CommanderofAwesome]

With Fremont releasing B Bomb soon, does anyone have any experience with if it sees distro down in SF / Bay Area ?

Nope it does not.

 

[Lupulin the 3rd]

Usually not. Possible some of the places that get SoCal distro (K&L, Wine Shop) might.

I've never heard of Wine Shop. Would you mind linking?

 

[drgarage1]

I've never heard of Wine Shop. Would you mind linking?

Whoops, meant Wine Club

https://www.thewineclub.com/

 

[AndresR]

100 yards away from the stage. On the street corner. No Salesforce badge needed.....

 

[bigstrunso]

Haha, nice.

 

[tosh1]

Should have gone up on the Salesforce Transit Center roof garden to watch.

Sorry, but this whole thing is my life this week. And will continue to be.

Maybe the whole story will come out at some point?

 

[stupac2]

Should have gone up on the Salesforce Transit Center roof garden to watch.

Sorry, but this whole thing is my life this week. And will continue to be.

Maybe the whole story will come out at some point?

Dishwasher lambic can melt steel beams.

 

[iong516]

Dishwasher lambic can melt steel beams.

Learn more at dishwashinglambic.info

 

[tosh1]

Dishwasher lambic can melt steel beams.

You joke, but, 40 bus-bays, we have one.

Our bay was first to be closed. Those first cracks are above our bay. Never under estimate the power of dishwashing lambic.