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- Hours:
Wed 9 pm - 2 am
Thu-Sat 6 pm - 2 am
Sun 5 pm - 2 am
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
785 reviews for Butter
Review Highlights
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785 reviews in English
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Review from Casey L.
San Francisco, CA
An amazing dive bar that is great for pregaming the SOMA or to end your night.
Two halves of a trailer decorates Butter that helps describe a "white trash" theme most people describe when looking at their drink specialties as well.
Great drink selections with different sodas and juices mixed with alcohol in mason jars.
Popcorn makes for great bar snacks as you drink, converse, or watch their projected television show or movie.
Jell-O shots are hit or miss. Sometimes the alcohol is overpowering, or the yellow ones are just gross.
I have not tried their menu yet, but I know I'll be back again for all the previous great experience I had.
Would recommend you look at their website and plan an amazing time there and save some money.
Butter is great place for hearing classics and throwbacks, because you will find a group of people like me who will sing all night long while drinking. Dancing will occur (even on the bar sometimes) when the liquor sets in and the music remains awesome. Yes it will get packed, it will be loud, and seats are not plentiful; but that occurs during the late hours when partying should be happening regardless. Bartenders and the bouncer are great people and friendly who are always up for a quick chat. The diverse crowd shows why people in general love Butter. -
Review from Cat N.
You'll probably hear this over the sound system at least twice while you're there: At first I was afraid... I was petrified...
And I really was. There were two halves of actual trailers installed into the place. It really does reek of butter. Two of the three bathroom stalls didn't lock, so I had to hold it shut with my foot (you should be impressed with this feat of balance). You pass by the "kitchen" on your way to the bathroom and see some microwaves stacked on top of each other and the deep fryer.
Our group sat close to the door, in case we decided to bolt. But four trailer teas, two jello shots, and a fried twinkie later, a birthday party had crashed our table and I was wearing the birthday boy's shirt. I guess you need to just say "to hell with it", jam out to Journey with everyone, and appreciate the novelty.
Kind of sucks that they were out of ho-hos and ding-dongs by 9:30 though. Never had either - to which my friend said "are you even American?" -
Review from Shira H.
San Francisco, CA
Butter me up, throw some free popcorn at me, cover me in Velveeta cheese within range of elementary school deliciously fried tater tots, jalapeno poppers and mozzarella sticks, give me my drinks in a mason jar with a nifty handle, put crazy reality show clips and throwback videos on huge screens, throw in some funny and pleasing bartenders, annnnnnddddd have a DJ who takes Def Leppard requests.
Oh mama, I think I've died and gone to white trash heaven.Listed in: Winning in the Bay
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Review from Jessica C.
San Francisco, CA
Very small, white trash themed environment yet it doesn't bother me like normal dive bars do. Maybe it's because of the wildly fun drinks and food.
Deep fried twinkies, deep fried mac & cheese, DEEP FRIED PB&J, tots swimming "in a sea of processed cheese"...
"Trailer trash-y" drinks, which are delicious and potent. All drinks at bars should be modeled upon these. I mean where else can you find an "After School Special" - vodka and purple drank (grape soda)!
And it's right next to Crepes-A-Go-Go :D -
Review from Stephanie N.
Clovis, CA
I don't need to write an essay about this place, just know it's a blast. Everything about it. The music, the drinks, the people. I love it.
I went here with a group of 10 friends for a birthday celebration and everyone had an equally awesome time. It's a little small and the drinks are typical bar prices but everyone I met there was down for a good time and where else are you going to get grape and strawberry soda with vodka? Exactly.
We went on a Friday night and the music was a perfect mix of 80s and 90s favorites and hilarious classics. Perfect for belting out and dancing a bit.
The bartenders were the icing on the cake. Attentive, easy going, and fun. Nothing ruins a good bar quicker than shitty people working behind it, for me at least. This is not a problem at Butter- at all. I even (probably very obnoxiously) made friends with Dennis, who may or may not be a bar manager. It's all a bit fuzzy. Either way, he was a blasty blast- just like the bar.
So like I said, no need to go into great detail (I probably couldn't even if I tried...) because all you need to know if this place rocks and you should go.
Sincerely,
A non-pretentious vegan -
Review from Gabriel H.
San Francisco, CA
I was with a group of 8 people in Hayes on a Friday night, unable to find a cab. So we flagged down an off duty Super Shuttle, and told him to take us to Butter.
Have you ever gotten a ride to a bar in a Super Shuttle? -
Review from Anthony Y.
San Francisco, CA
This is from someone who works at Butter. Apparently everything I said was wrong. Read Below,
"Thanks for the great review... I do however feel like I should address a few of your issues... First of all, the owner is Russian, not Persian... But, it's probably not him you are talking about, it's probably me... I am Greek, and often am mistaken for being Persian... Not that it really matters, but there are no Persians here at all... :-)
As for Thursdays... We have always been open on Thursdays... The only thing that has changed this year, is we have been opening at 5 instead of 6 for football... Our DJ starts at 9 - 9:30 PM on Thursdays, and he plays a mix of pretty much everything... Yes, sometimes he'll throw some rap on, but it's usually only if it was requested by someone... Next time you're here and you don't like the music, feel free to throw something at him, like a lollipop or a tater tot... Just be careful we don't kick you out again if we catch you... Which brings me to the next issue...
Whether you want to believe me or not, we never have and never will ask someone to leave to try and maintain any kind of girl/guy ratio. We never have and never will care about things like that... We just want everyone here to have a good time... If you have been asked to leave 3 times, there MUST have been some valid reason. All I can say at this point, is if it ever happens again, PLEASE demand to talk to the manager, me, and I will find out exactly what happened and be happy to talk to you about it ....
If you want to talk to me personally about any of these issues, feel free to ask for me next time you come in. I am always here whenever we are open (except for the very rare night off)...
Thanks again for the 4 Stars, I do always appreciate a good review!!
Cheers!!"1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/8/2011
Butter is actually a pretty good place. It's kind of a weird vibe where it's supposed to be a white… Read more »
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12/8/2011
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Review from Daneca V.
Daly City, CA
It's the legendary Jell-O Shots. They are pure evil in a little paper cup. I highly recommend.
Butter isn't a destination bar, but it's the fucking shit when you're running/stumbling/staggering/generally jay-walking and pissing off everyone else still coordinated and sober while your indecsive ass drinks back and forth between Butter and DNA Lounge.
Bring friends. -
Review from Stephen S.
San Francisco, CA
Jello shots.
I went out with some friends and I used a Yelp deal for 25 dollars worth of jello shots and it was... a lot. We had some other drinks and bought some more jello shots... and things started getting a little blurry. It was a lot of fun and it didn't cost too much. Everyone had a great time. Not really a dancing kinda place but fun for drinking and socializing. -
Review from Kristen C.
San Francisco, CA
Stopped here before a show at Slims on a Thursday night and the place was pretty empty. Bad sign?? Definitely not. The bartenders were absolutely amazing. They didn't skimp on the shots and don't give you a dribble of chaser. What they do give you are free JELLO SHOTS!!! How can you beat that??
TIP: Great location especially since the crepe cart is right next door for late night/drunken munchies. -
Review from Laura C.
Dude. This bar ROCKS.
I mean, what's not to like? Aptly-named white-trash libations complemented by all-American classics like Spaghetti-os, tater tots, chicken nuggs, and mozzerella sticks (cooked via microwave, obvious) kept us more than content all night long. Maybe it's because I'm an early 20-something and I enjoy partying my face off like I'm still in college, but Butter seriously rocks my socks.
And if YOU like to party, have a funky good time, and just get down, Butter is where you should be. There's really no other place like it. Plus, you can shamelessly belt your heart out to 90s hits, and even dance on the bar if that's your cup of (long island iced) tea. Seriously dudes. If you want a shambly good time, look no further. -
Review from kathleen p.
San Francisco, CA
What an awesome place! Came here for my birthday last night and they treated me like I was a regular! They drinks are super strong and super cheap, the hangover the next day is well worth it!
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Review from Suzan L.
Los Angeles, CA
Great music (80's, 90's, electro house), SUPER TASTY DRINKS ($5 Trailer Tea, haaaaaay), 2 for $5 jello shots (jello shot girl!!!), the constant smell of deep fried sweets in the air, a movie projected onto the wall (they were playing, A Christmas Story, such a classic!), and awesome company!
What more could I have asked for on a Saturday night??? -
Review from Nick K.
San Francisco, CA
***Good***
Funny selection of drinks and decor. It's M.O. seems to be the divey-ist of dive bars. For instance, you can order a 40oz in a brown paper bag. Drinks are strong.
***Bad***
Packed. Loud.
Food = Gross... unless you are an obese teenager.
***Recommendation***
40oz in a brown paper bag. Pour a little out for the homies'... -
Review from Nathan F.
San Francisco, CA
Completely unimpressed by this crappy dive that has the gaul to charge a cover to get in. If you're in that neighbrhood, go to Holy Cow instead. Better atmosphere, better drinks, cheaper drinks, and no cover. We moved there from Butter and had a great time.
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Review from jay h.
Dear Butter,
You warm the cockles of my heart. Mostly with tater tots and shots of fernet. Oh...and shots of bourbon. Er....and tequila shots. Um..yeah, and Jello shots, too.
Hm...this is why my fond memories are so fuzzy. Mmm....shots.
J- -
Review from Pamela K.
Four stars for great people, a friendly bar manager named Dennis, killer Sunday night karaoke with Roger Niner and -- of course -- the tater tots.
And popcorn machine. And jello shots.
This place has a great feeling. Trailer park filled with happy go lucky people who have something to tell you through 80's brit pop and death metal ballads.
Just go. It's fun.Listed in: This Is Where I Drink
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Review from clinton e.
Redondo Beach, CA
This place is great if you are young, poor, or already drunk! If being attacked by a drunk overweight sweaty middle-aged woman is your thing than this is your spot.
Drink selection is interesting: 32oz High Life in a paper bag, selection of mixed concoctions to get you wasted but with a guaranteed Hangover!
Te place is dingy and hot as hell inside.
No actual proof but would bet that the bottles of Goose etc. aren't the real deal! -
Review from Lisa T.
San Francisco, CA
Butter never disappoints. Always a great place to begin my night and a great place on a Saturday night.
Was there last night and the DJ was on fire! Great dancing music and a fun place to meet a friend for a drink.
The bar tending staff is always a pleasure to see and the drink prices are spectacular- no happy hour necessary.
Later on in the night, you can warm up with some tater tots drenched in nacho cheese. Super delicious! -
Review from Nicole C.
If there's one thing I've learned through the years, it's this-- Anything that's trailer park trash themed is FUN.
Butter is no exception with their jammin playlist of 80s tunes, delicious menu of microwaved foods (Spaghettios, frozen White Castle burgers) complimented perfectly by their dessert selection of Twinkies, HoHos & Ding Dongs, and mobile-home inspired drinks-- this place is FUN!
Thank you Butter, for the Shotgun Wedding (shot of JD & a beer). You've even somehow made drinking Coors Light tallboys fun... -
Review from Geralyn Y.
San Francisco, CA
I've partied my fair share in this city, and a huge regret is that I didn't discover Butter until now, or maybe it's a good thing. Instead of my usual "hmm I'm not sure where to go," I'll have Butter as an option.
How cool is (a) a huge trailer makes up the front of the space and (b) the DJ set up is at the bar itself. On top of that the decor is vintage. Trailer trashy, but vintage and not sleazy.
Drinking out of jars and paper bag 40s. Good music, and a kitchen with food. Why not?
Did I mention that it's right next door to the crepe cart? Ok, it's right next door to the crepe cart. You're welcome.Listed in: Nightlife.
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Review from Gina S.
Great bartenders! Funny chef! Delicious drinks! Great ambiance! This place is total trailer park trash complete with an RV in the bar! Although, the drinks can be on the sweeter side, you cant taste the alcohol at all which could be a good or bad thing. Everything they served was fried...except the white castle burgers. If you're on a diet, do not come here. Sugar, grease, arterial clogs galore! Great experience, but I don't think spending the whole night here is good. A quick drink and snack before going to another venue is a better idea.
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Review from Claudine V.
San Francisco, CA
This place is so much FUN! If you come here before 10pm, the bartenders give you free stong jello shots . They are very good but DEADLY! Watch out for those.
The crowd is fun, hip and music is great. I like the idea of drinking out of jars and paperbag.
Will definitely come back to get more free shots!! -
Review from Cesie A.
Such an awesome little bar. At first it scared me because it was only me and my two girl friends there and the big, biker looking employees. But then I realized how damn nice everyone was and I was chill with it.
We bought a groupon-like deal where we each paid $9 for $20 worth of food/ drinks which was awesome.
The drinks were SOOO delicious and sweet-- oh and strong. I loved them. They were really unique too. Brought me back to my childhood days of sippin sunny d and grape soda.
The food was also delicious. Who doesn't love tater tots and mozerella sticks?
The overall vibe of the place was great too. You can basically get away with anything here...including dancing on the bar. I loved it and can't wait to go back.
Oh I forgot about the jello shots. Also very yummyListed in: Bars and Pizza
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Review from Tamar D.
The Bartenders: FIVE stars. So attentive, smiley, and engaging with the patrons. Love it.
The Drinks: Eh, I'm not a mixed drink kinda gal, so their crazy board of booze leaves me no interest. HOWEVER, they're uber cheap and strong. So, FIVE stars.
The Ambiance: FIVE stars. It's a mixed crowd of people who just want to be in a familiar place to have fun. No pretenses, no bullshit, no fighting. You know, white trashy.
The Laid Factor: There was a little talent there (from a straight female's perspective), but not much. Don't go here thinking that you're getting' it in later. Mind you, not that I'm trolling bars on Saturday night looking to get filled to the brim.
Spanky: Yes, Spanky deserves a section all his own. That kid is crazy funny. He threw napkins at us, gave playful attitude, and showed his tattoos - one of which actually spelled "White Trash" across his chest. All the while keeping the bar, the glasses, the trash, the floor, spic-and-span neat and tidy. The friend thinks he may have OCD. I just think he does his job extremely well.
Dancing on the Bar: Supposedly, this happens. Usually chicks. I'm not down. Don't want to fall off, myself, and don't want to see up some hoochie's crotch while I'm enjoying my drink. Although, there's a paddle over the bar that is the reason why Spanky gets his name.
Chef: Takes pictures, cooks great white trash grub, and hangs out when it's slow.
Me likey this place. -
Review from Kristin G.
San Mateo, CA
My friend and I had a blast here. We walk in, hit the bathroom. On our way past the bar there is a group of people with an inflatable man. After we hit the little girls room, we got sold jello shots by a very pregnant woman.
We sit down at the bar and the bartenders are ridiculous. They make rounds and hit eye contact constantly. There is no challenge to getting a drink at this place. The bar back is adorable. Spanky made things super fun, as did the cook and the bartenders. The music was fun. The whole thing was fun. We can't wait to go back! -
Review from Maurice R.
San Francisco, CA
Butter has slathered me in its greasy goodness and made me a fan.
I've been coming here on and off for the past year. This past Friday, though, was exceptional. The crowd was dancing. The peach "Trailer Tea" hit the spot more than usual. And the blonde chick who was spinning at the DJ station was mixing the right amount pop/hip-hop/R&B from the 80's and 90's. The stars aligned and all was perfect in the world.
The only downside to Butter is that sometimes, a slightly Marina/Cow Hollow crowd comes through. And there needs to be a bigger, more defined dance area. But other than that, Butter is bootylicious. -
Review from Em L.
Does it get get bettah than Butter? You be the judge:
*Good mix of men/women
*Excellent Tunes being DJ'd behind the bar by a cute blonde guy
*Neon Lights
*Bar Dancing Accessibilty
*JELLO SHOTS served by a pregnant woman in pigtails
*Tator Tots served out of a Trailer in the bar!
*Next door to the best post 2am food in the city, Crepes A-Go-Go
*Good looking people getting down with the music without getting creepy -
Review from Alysha M.
$4 for a can of late-night spaghettios?? I think so!
Tatter tots are also a fav.
Chill bar, music, cheap drinks, fatty food. What more could you ask for? -
Review from Lisa R.
Cheesy tater tots? White castle cheeseburgers? Mini corn dogs? Tragically hip clientele that actually don't suck? Good Golly Miss Molly, I love this place.
Great bartenders on Thursday nights. Grab the mike by the bar, shout nonsensical, funny things, but damn girl, they had BETTER be funny, otherwise I will not be held responsible for what they do to you hear.
DJ is amazing on thursdays.
Half of the snacketeria is half of a trailer that is located inside the bar and the other serving crepes outside on the street. They serve my near-favorite combo, called here, "Shotgun Wedding" (shot of Jack and a tall boy Bud or Bud Light).
Just sat at the bar and enjoyed a nice conversation, a tall boy and the mashups the DJ was spinning (on his Mac, it IS 2011 after all). :) -
Review from Gordon N.
Pleasanton, CA
This is a fun, divey sort of bar to hang out at before a show at Slim's which is across the street. Cheap beer, no pretense here!
One HUGE caveat, tho: don't use the ATM!! I was there on a recent Friday and got some cash for the evening. Within 24 hours someone had created a fake duplicate of my card and used it to withdraw $500 from an ATM in Henderson, NV. I rarely use my card for cash, I have no doubt that someone is jacking card info from the ATM at Butters. -
Review from Jenny T.
Great drink mixes. Free popcorn. Free jello shots. Awesome interior (including half a trailer, and half an TV, a disco ball). Pretty decent prices. Cheap drink specials. Deep fried twinkies and spaghetti-os. All you need for a great trailer trash night out in SF. Very mashup mixes. Can't really dance or anything...very friendly atmosphere though.
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Review from Tuesday C.
San Francisco, CA
Something about this place you just have to like. Maybe its the energy, maybe the brown bags around your forty or maybe its the ridiculous amount of fried foods you can get. If you are just having one of those days and you need some cheap drinks and fried food this is your place. Even better went here with a Scout Mob deal and got 50% of our already affordable bill! The music is a bonus, always good tunes that make you wanna move. Maybe don't take your date here but definitely check it out with your friends! Cheers!
P.S. The bartenders are really nice people! -
Review from Joi B.
Get down and get low brow!
Not me, thanks. Party pooper alert... I know, I know. So, with the caveat that this is just not my scene at all, I still think Butter is good at what it's trying to do: provide a playground for those trailer trash thrill-seeking sorts who probably always lived a middle class or higher existence.
By looking at the menu, I almost spewed my (very strong, thank you friendly bartender who was totally slammed) cocktail. Listen even at a very tender age, I thought Spaghetti-Os were disgusting, preferred a good blue cheese to American "cheese" and barely tolerated cheap packaged baked goods. How unAmerican of me. That I'm still giving Butter three stars is testament that the bar is a good scene, if you're looking for one, the bartenders are fast, cool and friendly (the CC machine was kaput, so free drinks on him. I tipped well, of course).
According to some, I'm a bit of a health freak whose idea of going crazy is by eating the entire block of tofu. Decadent means gorging on an entire $6 pint of berries. So you all go ahead and knock yourselves out if a contrived dive is where you feel comfy enough to get blotto and then projectile vomit chili dogs and deep fried twinkies on the sidewalk (down the block, of course. The employees are too awesome to have to clean up your mess.)
OK, this review is too cranky even for the likes of me. I'd say most people would really love Butter. I'm more the extra virgin olive oil type, just sayin'.Listed in: San Fran Bars
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Review from Nick K.
Jello shots, tater tots, grape soda cocktails and more. This place is FUN.
Quality DJs and a young crowd with creepers galore. Friendly 'tenders too. You really can't go wrong with a Friday night, a group of friends and a round of Liquid Cocaine.
My only qualm is that it isn't a real dive bar. It's a normal bar trying to be trashy and for some reason that really bothers me. I like real grime, not fabricated grime. Butter does a good job at faking it, but it's still faking it.
Fake or not, Butter is a solid bar in a wasteland of trashy 18+ clubs in industrial West SOMA. So if you're looking to get silly, drop all inhibitions and trash it up at Butter.Listed in: FolSOMA Fun
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Review from Marty J.
No cover. Nice dive bar. We fit right in with your white trash themed party. I didn't partake in any of the food but the drinks were good. I bought a round of RV's (red bull vodkas) for $10 each. Used a Scoutmob to take the price from $40 to $25. Then gave a nice tip.
The bar plays great 80's music, with a DJ spinning the turntable. Pretty, pretty cool. Bathroom situation is quick and cool, hanging beads instead of a door. There was a nice assortment of people though I think it's better to come with a group. Cute girls sprinkled through out.
If this isn't your scene or aren't done after last call, hop on over to DNA Lounge / Booty SF across the street to hear some mashup tunes. They let me in for free after 2am after just checking ID's.
You can also buy 32 oz Miller's in a brown bag. Nice touch. I also tried a Cherry bomb, forget what was in it but it was tasty. -
Review from Colleen B.
Orlando, FL
I need to be completely wasted to have a fabulous time here and not cry about getting needing a tetanus shot before I enter.
It's grimy, dirty, loud and obnoxious... but sometimes, that is what you need. Right?Listed in: San Francisco, San Francisco bars
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Review from Larry S.
Guerneville, CA
One if my favorite bars in S.F.! Karoake on Sundays Is awesome. Bartenders are some of the best. White trash theme complete with trailer kitchen is hysterical! Where else can you get mini corndogs covered in cheese, a frito chili pie and a deep fried twinkie, The best bar food ever! drinks are amazing and you can get a 32 of pabst in a bag!! Hahaha!
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Review from Rat a tat R.
San Francisco, CA
If you want a true dive in San Francisco, Butter is your place.
Like any good dive bar, Butter doesn't look like much (nor is it in the most exciting location) on the outside, but if you dare enter, I guarantee you won't be disappointed if you like cheap drinks and anything irreverent towards white trash. The drinks are hilariously named and strong, and the bartenders are hilarious and friendly. They gave me an extra large (and highly alcoholic) version of the drink I ordered at no extra charge. That's probably the most toasted I've ever gotten for $5!
I've gotta come back for karaoke night. -
Review from Joe K.
San Francisco, CA
My beautiful and most loving wife went here for Sunday night karaoke and an exquisite dinner.
/sarcasm on
The appetizer was a charming little cup of fruit gelatin mixed with a delightful alcoholic sauce and chilled to perfection. For our main course we had some fresh mozzarella with a gourmet breading and served with a side of ranch, and marinara. We also had some roasted corn crisps topped with fresh jalapeno peppers and a yellow cheese creation. For desert we had a delicious cake with a cream filling, topped with fresh whipped cream, sugar puffs, and what I believe was strawberry glaze. I wanted to meet the chef, but apparently he's very busy whipping up these gourmet dishes.
The live entertainment began shortly after 9pm. I believe it said on the website that it would start early, but as they say in show business, no good performance starts on time. As always, my loving and most beautiful wife has the voice of an angel. Hearing her lovely voice is always a joy.
/sarcasm off
The staff was amazing, and this place will definitely be added to the top of my rotation as places I want to go. I've been wanting to come here for a long time and it did not disappoint. Hell, they even have the front of a stinking Winnebago in the place. Gotta love that.
