Elephant Bar Restaurant
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Dinner, Lunch
- Best Nights: Sat, Thu, Wed
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: No
43 reviews
Fremont, CA
"My sister, husband, and I came here on a Friday night a couple months back. We absolutely loved it! We had a comfy couch near the fireplace…" read more »
90 Reviews for Elephant Bar Restaurant
I don't know whats happened to this place! About half a decade ago when this place was still new, it was the "hot spot" in Fremont. As a pre-teen, I would still pretend to be 10 so I could get their kids burger which is a fab deal (Cheeseburger + fries + drink + ice cream sunday = $5-6) but now going back there after several years, I feel like everything in their menu tastes pretty crappo.
I noticed they recently tried to give their menu a new mix by throwing in some fusion foods, and let me tell you - burgers and asian food just don't mix on a menu...
I don't think I'll be coming back here again frankly. And it's not just me or me growing up, even my parents think this place has gone downhill - thats bad enough.
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Haiku for Elephant bar:
The Elephant Bar
Long wait for just decent food
No more than three stars
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The slogan mentions something about an eating adventure...hmmm...
The best part of E-Bar is the bar. We usually just sit in the bar to avoid a long wait...Oh and the funny Elephant eye glasses are quite humourous too.
The food is ok. Our service was decent but it did take awhile to get our check. You gotta love 2 hour lunch breaks on Friday though. I even had to drive my drunk friend back to work. hehe. Fun.
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The most stars I'll give to a restaurant chain is 3 stars.
With that said. Service here is not too shabby, the wait can be a tad long. I like coming here with my fellow motorcycle riders since we can literally park our motorcycles on the side walk in front of the entrance, and they don't seem to mind. Food and drinks are reasonably priced and the food is mediocre since, again, it is a restaurant chain.
I'm not a big fan of Elephant Bar. I don't think their food is very good and overpriced for what it is. The one thing I do like here is their artichoke dip. I don't have much to say about this place. I've been to several of them many times, not by my choice, and I don't remember ever leaving the place thinking I would like to come back.
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Yelping about the desserts we had...
After having a lil get-together-dinner for a friend, we decided to head over for some yummy Mud Slide at Elephant Bar. I've forgotten how humongous those things are. But in the company of 4 people, it was the perfect portion. But then some of us had sweeter tooths (or teeth lol) and ordered two more desserts--Fudge Brownie and Giant Cookie Ice Cream sandwhich. And they were humongous and yummy too! INSANE!!! Yo Yo Yo--neighbors, friends, dawgs, anyone...Help us eat?!?!?
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Its the best bar in Fremont... (not saying much) so I give it 4 stars for that. alone. Their young bartenders probably do not know what a rusty nail is, but otherwise, its the best bar around. Maybe some of the new restaruants on the south side of town (PF Changs) are at the same level.
The food is better than average. The menu has tons of unique dishes and the kitchen seems happy to make adjustments. Its a good large group place, with nice (non-romantic) ambiance. I seem to go there a lot.
Happy hour has 1/2 price appetizers when ordered at the bar... its a great deal!
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Food is cooked to perfection, but that's about it. The taste isn't there. This is a good place to hang out with a bunch of buddies and share some good times, with alcohol I must add. It's also fun to take those crayon carrying animal feet.
This place is packed both times that I have been there. I recently moved to Fremont and I have tried the food here and I must say that the Mahi Mahi and the honey mustard chicken salad are my favorite dishes. The service is good but the reason why I dropped a star is because both times I had to wait extra long for my food. I recommend this place for anyone going out to eat with a group.
The Decor here is kinda cool, but not much else
When this place first opened yeeaars ago I would have given it a 4, but the quality and service has since droped.
The last time I ate here I felt disgusted. I ordered the Fajitas and it tasted plain bad. I took only a couple bites and the meat tasted kinda old or something. Made me sick to my stomach.
The service is poor, mostly staffed by high school lackys who do not know a thing about service.
The last time a came the lettuce wraps were ok, but who knows how much more downhill it has come since I last been.... and im not giong back to find out.
As a yelper I wuold have to highly advise staying away from this place. Below health standards food quality with poor service is never a good combination and you are almost surely guaranteed a bad experience.
I will never go to elephant bar ever again.
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I try to avoid eating here as much as possible unless my friends want to. I came here for the first time a few years ago, maybe when I was in junior high (I'm in college now) and have been here countless times since then, mostly for birthday dinners and large gatherings. I've NEVER been impressed with the food. Sure the menu choices seem exotic, especially in the whole giraffe statue atmosphere, but it's nothing to write home about. On the plus side the service is always friendly.
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I just relocated from Arizona.. There's an Elephant Bar Rest in Arizona too but i have not been to one at all. So since i just got here... Me and my new friends decided to go to Elephant Bar, just because they had a few drinks earlier (happy hour) and now it's chow time.
Since i'm new in the North Cali and not that family with the surrounding area, so i just go with whatever my friends decide to go.
I heard a lot about the restaurant but never had the opportunity to patron the establishment, even when i was in Arizona.
The restaurant was decorated with great safari theme decor, with an open-bar in the middle of the establishment.
The menu was interesting.. List of delighteful named dishes with great presentation (photo on menu).
I had the catch of the day, "Halibut" and the server suggested to go with the Macademia sauce... Sounds mouth watering and high expectation of the dish...
Waited and waited and waited... My dinner came... It was merely a grilled halibut with some steamed vegetables on the side and mild flavored macademia sauce. The sauce do not taste nothing close to macademia or any flavor at all.. First i thought it was my Jack + Coke... but my friend ordered the same and he agreed that the dish was "Tasteless"... The Olives in my martini has more flavor than the fish and the sauce.
Disappointed with the main dish.. we skip dessert...
Cool spot. Cool decor, a HUGE menu with decent drinks. Maybe I'm a light weight now but their blended drink actually got me a little buzzin.
We sat in the bar area where there are booths and stools around the bar and flat screen televisions for the sports fans. Our server was friendly and the food came out pretty quick.. Appetizers out first like they're supposed to and then our main course. Their tater skins are actually pretty decent. And my Asian salad was pretty tasty. I just didn't realize til later that I should've continued to mix my salad as the dressing fell to the bottom.
Plenty of parking but you could wait a bit if you wanted to sit in the main dining room. They were also nice about splitting our check 4 ways. I know, annoying. A lot better service than the Hayward location. I will never go to the Hayward location again.
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4 stars when service is good; otherwise 3 stars.
I've liked anything I've tried here - usual roadhouse fare, but also good asian dishes. Our entire family enjoys it, and the prices are quite reasonable.
It can be a little noisy on a busy weekend evenings, but it's also good for lunch. It's our family comfort choice.
The only reason I would come here is if I'm with a big group of people that can't decide what cuisine of food we want. Otherwise, the food snob in me dismisses this place instantly. I don't think there is any dish that I could even recommend here. Maybe I will try the bar experience sometime.
The plus side is that the service (usually high school and college students) is pretty quick and friendly and the lines aren't as long as they used to be.
I went there with one of my friends few weeks ago. A Chinese guy took my order, and the food was served after about 5 to 10 minutes. So, we started eating. After 5 minutes, that guy who took my order just came to table with a check !!!. I had been in the restaurant only for 15 minutes, and that guy already wanted me to leave or what? and never asked me if everything was ok.
Anyway, it wasn't that pleasant.
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It's always crowded and I think people come here for the ambiance rather than for the food.
I got a burger here last time and it tasted dry.
The service is excellent though.
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Living in Fremont there's not a lot of great restaurants, so you end up eating in a rotation if you stay within the area. This is sometimes part of mine, since I live near it. So I've been here numerous times. The food is okay, nothing to rave about. I think my favorite thing there is the tri-tip and the macadamia nut mahi-mahi (which I"m not sure is part of the regular menu or not). The featured drinks are pretty good.
Service varies, of course, on who is serving you. It can go both ways, where I might get a server that actually comes and checks on you and refills your drinks, or there's the ones you hardly ever see and have to chase after, or comes only when you're just about finished. I'd say 60% of the time, I get a server that doesn't show up again until the end.
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Got here yesterday about 6:15 (no crowd, I was surprised) We were seated immediately.
I had a coupon I had clipped from yesterdays paper for the Shrimp Platter, $10 special. So my husband & I decided to go there for dinner, with my son too. Seated promptly, got our drinks. Placed our order. I got a salad as well...but when 10 min passed and I didnt get my salad yet, I started to wonder...I was able to glance at the cooking area from where we sat and could see a salad in the distance, I assumed it was mine. Then our waitress brings out the stale looking salad. I just stared at it as she said she had forgotten about it. The lettuce was wilted and all in all didnt look fresh, the dressing was pooled in a wilted piece of lettuce, the salad was skimpy and good enough for a rabbit to enjoy. I had her take it back and take it off the bill. Then we waited and waited for our dinner...15-20min...
Our shrimp platters came, my son ordered the chicken pieces and it looked tasty. You get 15 shrimps, 5 coconut battered, 5 skewered and 5 just fried. Came with some stir fried veggies and some fries along with 2 dipping sauces - one tasted like cooked orange marmalade and the other was a more twangy like sauce. We enjoyed it. Though my husbands skewered shrimp were a bit undercooked.
I do enjoy their food, just that they are slow, not sure if its because they dont have enough people coming in to work or what? I did see, I think it was a chef come out and served people their food along with a waiter? Sorta strange. (Probably trying to do the Hells Kitchen thing?)
I like what they have on the menu, new and different. Id still come back.
What's better than getting a fat discount on your food because your date's friend works here? nothing!
This restaurant serves a lot of american food and some asian foods. The chicken tenders here are pretty good (which is covered in panko bread crumb batter). The honey mustard sauce that comes with the plate makes the food even better! I wish they would give a lot more chicken tenders though.
The spinach and artichoke dip is really addicting...I couldn't stop eating the chips and dip.
I'll probably come back here when my date and I feel like getting a discount on food again =P.
Gotta love friends working at food places. haha
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We had a server named Dan and he was totally rude!!! I thought it was because he had a lot of tables to serve which would be understandable BUT from time to time, I'd see him talk and chat with his co-workers when he couldve given us our refills.. My panpacific shrimp was ok. The stirfry couldve been better. It was basically soup with the amount of sauce they put with my rice. My boyfriend had the BBQ Burger. He ended up eating the shrimp off of my food b/c he didnt like it at all. Funny part is, he isnt even a picky eater!!!!!!! Next time I go there, im definitely going ask for another server!
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Fremont doesn't offer alot in terms of restaurants, but what they do have available will satisfy most palates. Elephant Bar has a menu that my wife and I both like and the drink selection is "okay" - they need a better selection of wine. When we just want to go out and have a light dinner or lunch we sit at the bar and catch up with each other during (or after) a busy week.
I enjoy the themed, even corny decor....I enjoy the service. I enjoy the drinks and appetizers....but that does not a restaurant make.
After coming here twice now, I've decided to stick to drinks and appetizers ONLY if I ever return (since both of the main dishes I've ordered have sucked)....
...Especially the Pad Thai. Now I'm aware that this isn't a Thai restaurant, but I was craving some, and this is where I was, so since there was a yummy looking picture of the dish, it looked and sounded (by the description) like a safe bet.
WRONG.
It was noodles, itty bitty pieces of chicken (that cost extra), and what tasted like teriyaki sauce. So gross, I couldn't even eat half.
I drowned my sorrows in 2 of their delicious Mai Tais though, hence the 2 stars. Like I said, stick to drinks and appetizers--the salmon roll as well as the sampler platter are definitely tastier than any of the entrees I've tried.
Unfortunately, I find it difficult to give more than two stars to a restaurant that I have no desire to eat an actual meal at.
But the service is consistently attentive and friendly as well, another huge plus--or maybe saving grace?
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Now, I've been to this place on several dates. The food was better than the dates, which is not saying much for the dates. I did like their spring rolls, and a few other items, but the second something hits the deep fryer there all bets appear to be off.
I think the bar area might be an ok place to check out a game and get some finger food . They have some small booth/tables that surround the bar.
Just hope you have better luck on the dates than I did. :)
The food here is gross.
I had braised Lamb or something and i swear all I thought about the WHOLE WEEK WAS how nasty it was. and how i felt like throwing it up.. over and over and over again.
the service was lackluster.
I will never go to elephant bar ever again.
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Saturday night in Fremont, 3 hungry people who have just spent the day driving and packing boxes in preparation for a move, one hour wait at the Elephant Bar...what to do? Why eat in the Bar area of course! Immediate seating and fast service!
The downside to eating in the bar area here is that the space was poorly constructed. The tables aren't suitable to the way the seating is designed. The person sitting on the chair will be fine but the one sitting on the couch part is doomed. No matter how close the table is pulled the step near the ground impedes the table from getting close enough so there's a huge gap leaving said person with no choice but to sit at the edge. Another design error lies in the proximity of the tables to each other. We had one guy to our right ignoring his girlfriend and instead shouting obscenities at an octave not suitable for public into our faces because Cal lost to Oregon and another guy to our left bitching at this girlfriend for wanting some of his food. (Note to self you've got real quality guys in Fremont)
My wedge salad was delicious, I had them chop it up for me, my house chardonnay left much to be desired and my pork tenderloin wasn't tender, but it was ok for another run of the mill chain restaurant meal.
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Thai Chicken Salad and Tempura Salmon Sushi are both really good. Their happy hour is so cheap, you can order a bunch of dishes for the cost of 1 appetizer. No need to order larger dishes I'd say just stick to these and enjoy.
i'll start with the good. the ambiance is great, love the safari look in the middle of fremont. the elephants, the fans, and leopard rug really do it for me. the bar looks cool too. ok, enough positives.
the food is moderately priced for it's value. the orange crispy chicken is a step up from panda express. i had the braised lamb shank; it's very tender. it tasted so so, but i actually don't know what lamb shank is SUPPOSED to taste like. nothing is wonderful, but nothing is terrible.
the service i got today was not great. the first drinks came out fine, but when i asked for a refill it took forever to get one. i'm big on drinks too, so i wasn't a happy camper. the place was crowded, but that is no excuse for bad service.
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Eh, it's alright. They serve big portions of mediocre food. Great place to go if you're really hungry. It's definitely better than flames and Applebee's, but I'd rather go to Claim Jumper or Red Robin.
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By far the busiest restaurant in downtown Fremont on any given day of the week... If the wait time makes your eyes roll, here's a trick from a friend who is a frequent patron: ask to be seated in the bar area, where there are diner settings and regular tables. You'll still get a spot close to the cool ceiling fans while you get your grub on. Within Fremont Hub, so you can work off your meal with shopping after wards.
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Meh.
That's the best thing I can say about this place. I usually eat the "American menu" which is pretty good, nothing really spectacular (hence the "meh"). I avoid the "Asian inspired" portion of the menu, which looks and taste like upsacle Panda Express and less like PF Changs (which I judge as "Americanized Real Chinese Food").
The bar's pretty decent, I've had some crazy nights begin here but like everything else here, it's nothing much to either brag or complain about.
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I have eaten here a good amount of time, and you would think that says something about the place. Before you make your presumption, let me breifly describe my life. Ever since I was a kid, I could never tell the difference between a hamburger and speghetti, and I think Instant Noodles is an acceptable dinner plan.
The only entrees priced in accordance to their taste are the hamburgers and sandwiches. I find many of the pan asian entrees pricy and mediocre tasting. I would rather go to an Asian restaurant to order those entrees than here. I think the half rack rib dish is good and well-priced. The ribs are not that juicy and saucy, however; I managed to look well- mannered and civilized as I was devouring them.
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What timezone does Elephant Bar operate on ?
The door outside clearly said that the place closes at 10:30PM on Sundays. We went in exactly at 10:12 PM, and were told by 4 different people :
a) We are closed
b) Let me check; I think we are closed
c) I don't know! (WTF)
d) (One waitress to another who earlier thought appetizers/desserts were still available) I think the kitchen is closed. Let me check.
Here is my response - BOOYAH!
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Writing this review is almost embarrassing for me, because I'm about to say good things about this place! First, the bad: it's loud, the wait is ridiculous, it is in central Fremont, the clientele is sometimes questionable (too many bratty kids), there is a gigantic elephant head staring at you while you're trying to eat. Now for the good stuff: I like the food! The prices are decent, the staff is nice and attentive, and the drinks are fruity and big! Need I say more? The only other complaint would be the weird smell by the bathrooms. I'm thinking (hoping) it's disinfectant.
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Thai High Sweet & Spicy Chicken Salad $8.50 - HUGE salad but my fatty inner being devoured its entirety anyway! It's exactly what the name describes it as: very high up in the bowl with sweet & spicy teriyaki type sauce. Plenty of chicken to go around for you, your table & maybe even the next one over.
My friend had some Elephant Bar discount card that gives you 10%? 15? (I forget) off. Where do you get those??
I've had the Creme Brulee twice here and both times it was burned at the top. Black Angus does that too. It's gross.
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My review is based purely on nostalgia...not really.
My boyfriend and I came here on our first Valentine's. Sure, we doubled with my sister and a friend, but still..I'll never forget how badly they got my order, and how even when they came back to fix it, it still wasn't right. Food is OK. My boyfriend likes their calamari..I think it's OK.
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The menu is diverse and very reasonable. The food is great, the portions are ample. The service is great once you are seated. Get ready for a wait though.....does waiting mean the food is good or bad?.....of course people wait for a reason.
I'm going way against the grain here, because I know it's a chain and a whole lot of hype. But if you are reading this review and scoffing at my four star rating, ask yourself this question: have you tried the jambalaya? Although I've never had the REAL thing, I think theirs is really good. Nice and meaty, with a good gravy ratio and just enough cajun spice to keep you eating.
It seems their menu has increased offerings this year, and I had a hard time deciding what to get. They even have two kinds of jambalaya now. What's a fella to do.
Good service, reasonable food prices, good selection. I agree the drink prices are high though.
I wish Fremont had more to offer than this place as a bustling establishment with lots of vibrant energy, but I haven't seen it yet. So I choose not to punish them for balancing the equation and fulfilling a need.
If MC Hammer or Kristi Yamaguchi still lived around here, I bet this place would be the best bet in town for a celebrity sighting.
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Terrible food for an Asian fusion restaurant. I've tried the appetizer of wok-fire chicken and lettuce cups and the pad thai. The chicken for the lettuce cups was dry and bland. The pad thai was not authentic. I've been disappointed every time I've been here.
I have no idea why people eat at this place. The wait is so long, and service is okay. I would go eat authentic Asian food elsewhere.
I LOVE ELEPHANT BAR, its so good i have never been dissapointed.
Those 10 or 15% cards you get through your company. I have a company one they are only valid at lunch though, how sad :(
my company got them through the mail & online at elephantbar.com, in case u wanted to know.
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