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Russian River Pub
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Nightlife Bars Pubs American (Traditional), Pubs [Edit]
11829 River RdForestville, CA 95436
(707) 887-7932
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
59 reviews for Russian River Pub
Review Highlights
"Amazing killer prime rib sandwich."
(in 4 reviews)
"Definitely try the wings and the pork ribs."
(in 21 reviews)
"Onion rings were hot, tasty and not greasy either."
(in 9 reviews)
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59 reviews in English
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Review from Megan B.
Santa Rosa, CA
10/4/2011
best burger i have had in years.
Blue cheese in the middle and on the top with all the fixings i asked for.
Amazing house salad with blue cheese and home made dressing.
They make a lot of items off the menu in house.
We met Wendy the owner while we were in here, she was kind and attentive. I have been in a few times while she isnt there since and her staff keeps a high standard of service even when the boss lady isnt there. Lunch and dinner menu is mostly pub food, but they have specials everyday for things like BBQ, steaks, prime rib, chicken dishes and pasta. I hear the breakfast is the best in the area but have not had the pleasure of trying it. I will write when i have the chance to taste that portion of their menu.
If you want a cocktail they hava full bar and beers on tap, a pool table and a tv with sports game playing. dont forget your russian river pub t shirt or hoodie before you leave.
great food by the river, a locals hang out, and comfy bar.
Who knew living in Rio Nido there would be such good food so close by. -
Review from Scott B.
1/4/2012 1 photo
My mother and I had been driving on our Wine country tour for a while, and we were looking for breakfast. It was about 10am, and we were headed up to Korbel Cellars. My eye caught this place as I cruised past it. I suddenly stopped, and turned around and went back. The place wasn't lit up yet, but it had a sign that intrigued me. We parked in their lot, and walked up to the door. I had no idea if the place was even open or not. I gingerly pulled on the door, expecting it to be locked. When it swung wide open I smiled. This place looked like it would be great. It was wood and neon. It looked like a road-side place that served grease, beer and meat.
We sat down and the waitress told us where the coffee machine was, and that it was self-serve. I stood back up and wandered over to get a cup of Joe.
On the way back, another customer had a plate delivered with something that looked absolutely magical. I looked at the menu, and found it. Chicken fried steak, side of eggs and hash browns, smothered in sausage gravy. My mom ordered eggs Benedict on avocado. We drank our coffee, and planned our day of wine-tasting for a few minutes and then the food arrived.
The food was indeed magical. The eggs and chicken-fried-steak were great. The Sausage Gravy that covered everything was great. The hash browns we also wondrous. The If you ever go to the Korbel Cellars up in Russian River, stop at this place. Over the course of the meal, the waitress informed us that they had been chosen for the Pilot of Food channel's show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
This place is great. It has reinforced that hole-in-the-wall restaurants are great. If I'm ever up that way again, I'll go back. Heck, I might go back FOR this place, and then hit Korbel a mile or so down the road while I'm there. Great job Russian River Pub. -
Review from Elizabeth K.
Half Moon Bay, CA
10/8/2011
I saw this restaurant on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network. It looked good on TV and was good in person too! I went with friends. Half of us ate breakfast and half of us ate lunch. You know food is good when a normally chatty bunch is silent as they are all stuffing their faces. No complaints.
The atmosphere is garden like on the outside and bar-like on the inside - pool table and all. Bring your own permanent marker to leave a note on the wall with the thousands of others left there. The food matches the atmosphere. You can sit outside, sip your coffee and eat breakfast. Or, you can sit at the bar with a burger. You pick to match your mood. -
Review from Larry S.
Guerneville, CA
12/27/2011
Best food per buck on the river!!! Best spicy chicken sandwich I've had since stony point grill in Santa Rosa closed up shop. My lady was crazy for the blue cheese burger. And if she's happy I'm happy! Plus service was fantastic. The resturaunt is clean and rustic outside seating, surrounded by trees and a huge green lawn too! Oh and the prices, its like were robbing them. Private parking a plus. Unless your a snob and drink massive amounts
of haterade, and I mean Luke iv injected, you'll love this place. -
Review from Rhiannon G.
Santa Rosa, CA
1/18/2012
Best wings around! I have been coming to this place since I was a kid, and they use the same recipe as they did when the original owner was there. I have a regular family dinner here every month or two and they never disappoint. It's down home, greasy spoon, but lately have been adding some more gourmet items to their menu. A girlfriend and I visited for brunch and had the best bloody Marys, eggs Benedict, with great service on the sunny patio out front.
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Review from larry c.
Columbia, MD
1/16/2012
What a great spot to stop on the River Road to the coast. Terrific food, fantastic service... if they had Fat Tire, they'd be perfect. But then, she wouldn't have made such a good deal on the sign. I love you Wendy !!!
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Review from Judah L.
Cazadero, CA
1/13/2012
Let's keep this short. You can read about the decor in the other reviews.
Everybody working here is super friendly. The food is spectacular and they have several superb local beers, all at a reasonable price. I always see the same two guys playing pool when I go here and they're actually pretty good, and the waitress gave me two free drinks for my birthday this week. -
Review from Louis H.
Santa Rosa, CA
12/4/2011
Hands down the best wings I've ever had!! Good service. Beers cold and pool tables perfect. A good family place. People are all friendly.
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Review from Danni M.
Fremont, CA
10/3/2011
I try to eat healthy, so when I'm out I tend to order turkey burgers a lot...and they usually are pretty bland and tasteless
RRP's turkey burger, however, was DELICIOUS! I loved it, the pesto I had it will, and the side salad with dressing on the side!
It's hard to find local places with great service and yummy food...but this place is one of them!
Most certainly heading back when I'm up north! -
Review from Johm F.
Stockton, CA
11/26/2011
I have been here twice in two weeks. Tues service terrible Sat service outstanding. I had the pub burger cooked perfect the first time, it was so good I had to do it again perfect!!! On a side note the beer was cold and the glass was well chilled.
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Review from Sandra L.
Half Moon Bay, CA
10/3/2011 2 photos
We saw this place on Triple D and since we were going to be in the neighborhood we thought we would give it a try...we are all glad we did!
I had their Famous Pub Burger which came with sauteed mushrooms, bacon, and cheddar cheese (I can't have cheese, so I had no cheese), I added BBQ sauce, and also it was topped with of course lettuce, amazingly fresh tomatoes, pickles, and red onions. It came with either fries or if you wanted to be healthy you can have a salad, or you could substitute your fries for curly fries for an additional fee, I had their regular fries.
I knew just from looking at it that it was going to be a good burger, and although I ordered mine medium rare and it came out medium, it was still dripping juice and tasty! The fries where golden crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, just the kind of fries I want to accompany a great juicy burger!
All of my friends I went with enjoyed their meals as well - we all ordered the Turkey Burger, the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, and the Russian River Breakfast w/ Bacon.
Yes, we all agree we have all had "better" burgers, pulled pork, or breakfasts, but would this place be a place we would drive back for, ABSOLUTELY! The food was worth it, the price was worth it, and the service was worth it! We will definitely come back again! -
Review from Tatiana C.
Oakland, CA
9/26/2011
I normally like hole in the walls, but in this case I'm going to go with: no please! I went here for breakfast after leaving the campground and here's a couple of things I learned:
1. If you are not a local they look at you as if you were an alien from mars.
2. The people in the place, probably locals looked a little like something out of the hills have eyes...I'm not trying to be judgmental, I'm just saying I felt slightly unsafe!
3. The coffee is literally the WORST coffee I have ever had...and I've had bad coffee!
4. The food is greasy (I'm not going to lie I don't always mind that, but I thought it was worth mentioning).
5. You have to get up and get your own coffee...which I actually thought was pretty cool and unique until I tasted the coffee and was annoyed that I had to get up for that craptacular cup of coffee!
All in all I was glad I made it out of there and it made me appreciate the city more so it wasn't all bad! -
Review from John B.
8/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I LOVE locals-only places like this. It feels like you have discovered a treasured secret.
The atmosphere is very divey-- thus why it was on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The atmosphere is dark and old, exactly what is appropriate at this kind of place. But, it is clean and the server was very nice.
We started with some of their famous garlic fried with ranch dressing- they were only ok... The curly fries looked better in the end. We got a grilled chicken sandwich and their Spicy BBQ burger (sub out a turkey burger patty) which was absolutely amazing!!!! We were able to sub out the fries for salads, so overall we were very satisfied eaters.
The best part of the pub was sitting with the regulars at the bar and chatting with them and the bartender.
This is a great lunch stop as you are heading from winery to winery in the area. -
Review from V B.
San Francisco, CA
7/7/2011
My fiance and I have been here twice now and we still like it. The first time we walked in here, we didn't know what to expect. The place looks like a biker bar/dive but the food is very tasty. The people who work here are also genuinely friendly, not at all what you expect from a place that looks like a biker bar. We love the killer prime rib sandwich and the chicken wings (naked, with the sauce on the side). The second time we visited, we took my fiance's brother here and the cook was backed up. However, our server was able to get our food to us very quickly, which again was a pleasant surprise. They ran out of the prime rib so I tried the french dip sandwich which was still tasty, although I preferred the prime rib.
Whenever we go back to this area, we will most likely visit this place again. -
Review from Miles C.
Sacramento, CA
5/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Really it should be a 3.5 but it's not a 4.
The food here is good, not great but certainly good. I had the prime rib sandwich and it was tasty though the bread was hard to chew which on a prime rib means the whole thing starts to get difficult to eat. The flavor was there though and while it took some time, it was pretty well worth it.
I also had some chili fries which could have been better but the fries were cooked well the chili just tasted either canned or 2nd day. What I mean is the flavor was just kinda muddled and one note. Fresh chili has lots of flavors kinda like a fireworks show finale, they all pop and they all come together but they are distinct. This just had one giant single color explosion of chili powder flavored beef. Not bad, but not great.
My mom had the onion rings and they were great fresh, but by the end of the meal they had lost a lot of their charm. But if you order them and don't let them sit through the meal they are quite good.
My guess is that if you were here for a beer and sandwich it might be a bit better. The place seemed to be as much bar as restaurant. -
Review from Lea G.
San Francisco, CA
10/17/2011
The boyfriend and I came here on our way from SF to Mendocino because he saw it on triple D.
It's certainly dive-y and a locals joint, with writing all over the walls and a billiards table in the middle of the dining area. That's not a complaint though. I had a beef sandwich served with their French dip jus and a side of curly fries. I was perfectly pleased with the food, though it's nothing to really rave about. The boyfriend had 10 wings (when he asked how big they were, we were given the impression there would be *A LOT* more meat on them than there actually was) and some onion rings. Really good onion rings!
On the whole, service was okay, food was pretty good, and we left happy we'd tried it but not willing to go out of our way for it again. -
Review from David G.
San Francisco, CA
9/18/2011
So of course after I told my best friend I wasn't eating red meat, we ended up at this divey treasure which is as good as it gets! The pub burger rocked with a side of beer-battered fries and a waitress who made the meal even better with her quick with and outstanding service. A+
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Review from Stephanie M.
Dublin, CA
9/13/2010 2 photos
This review is for two things: Location and GARLIC FRIES. Right between Hilton Campground and River Bend campground.
We ordered garlic fries from here and they were the best I've ever had. They are skinny thin fries with tons of garlic and parsley heaped upon it.
If you are camping at either campground, you must stop here. It has also been on the show "Diners, Dive, and Drive Ins" on the Food Network. I can't wait to have some beer and try this place out again. -
Review from Susan B.
San Francisco, CA
8/28/2011
Great buffalo wings with two screens (congrats NYFlash), a pool table and some nice folks. This is the first time the husband gave the thumbs up to the wings- crispy and good heat.
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Review from Clark and Nicki W.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
7/12/2010
Surely you've heard by now that this place was on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives"? If not, they put it on the front of the menu and their sign that is visible from the road. =) Can't blame them for trying to get some milage out of this, though.
We sat on the patio (Dog-friendly = nice!) and I had a great french dip while my wife had a turkey wrap. Service was slow but friendly and we we're impressed enough that we would definitely go back again.
This place didn't change our lives, but it is definitely good pub food (not just greasy comfort food, but healthy options as well!). As far as pub food goes, this should have a four-star rating, but the slow service brought this down to a 3 for us. -
Review from Sarah T.
Santa Rosa, CA
7/18/2011
Stopped here on a whim today for a burger and a beer. Curly fries were good as was the side salad, but the frozen, low quality hamburger patties were not "famous" by a long shot. I hate picking out little pieces of fat from my burger and losing my appetite half way through. Again, if ya can't get a burger right why would I come back? Maybe order wings like others have said, but skip the "famous burger." Service was very good however; genuinely friendly vibe.
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Review from Nicole G.
San Francisco, CA
12/26/2008
Some of the locs in Guerneville can be a bit surly. You know the kind... mountain men with long hair and gnarled yellow teeth, big dogs and bigger guns? How the gays were able to take over the Russian River, I'll never know.
Anyway, locs congregate like flies to the honey at the Russian River Pub on a cold and rainy day. From the look of all of the initials and hearts carved into its log cabin walls, this place has long been a fave for the townies. Wendy happily sashays around, taking orders and slinging ice cold beers with a smile.
Some of the best pub grub around town is made in their kitchen. Their Famous Wings were spicy deliciousness (as featured on the Food Network), the Famous Pub Burger was juicy and overflowing with veggies and cheese and daaaamn, they make a good curly fry. Why no Famous Curly Fry? I like my fries to be famous.
So, settle yerself in, have some home grown brews, carve yer initials into the wall, shoot some stick and see what happens! If you end up brawling with the locs over the 8 ball you can just chalk it up to experience.Listed in: North Bay Trips, Russian River Wineries
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Review from Vanessa W.
San Francisco, CA
4/21/2009
You need to hit this joint up if you're ever near the Russian River. After a day of kayaking, canoeing, swimming, hiking -- whatever it is you're doing - this is the place to talk it up with the locals and watch some baseball.
The bartender was workin' the jukebox and playin' old school songs like, "Just the Two of Us" (I thought Will Smith made that song up!?) as I sipped on my cold Cider Ale and dug into my juicy sorloin steak burger and dunked my super curly fries into some mayonnaise (it's delicious, you know it). Locals chatted it up around the bar. One of the cooks came out to greet his friends. Out of towners showed off their pool skills.
A Sierra, Cider Ale and two sorloin steak burgers - less than $33.
I'm glad I wore my wifebeater and torn jeans that day - this was definitely the place to do it. -
Review from phil h.
6/15/2008 5 photos
I'm not a huge wings guy but after reading about the wings at Russian River Pub I knew that I had to give them a shot. Not only were they some of the best wings I've had but they were so good that we brought a group of friends to try them the next evening.
Beer was ice cold, our bartender couldn't be sweeter (especially when she topped off my friend's margaritas after their first couple of sips) and the food a notch above your typical pub fare. Definitely try the wings and the pork ribs!Listed in: Wine Country Living
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Review from Rachel A.
San Jose, CA
6/7/2011
Wings, awesome. Breakfast, amazing! Service, top notch! i have to admit when we first walked in I was so not expecting the yummy food and great service. Our waitress was so good. She even seperated all our checks because most of us had cards. If you are in the area, so here!!!!!
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Review from Lauren S.
Berkeley, CA
5/18/2010
Best buffalo wings I've EVER had. I judge every other place against this one. And if I ever go to Buffalo, NY and have some "original" ones, if they don't measure up I'll tell the chef to come out to Forestville and learn how to do it right!
My husband and me and any friends we can round up always trek out here at least once a summer to go swimming and once we're thoroughly sun-baked sit by the river and eat wings and drink beer. And it's ALWAYS worth the trip! -
Review from Dennis M.
Santa Rosa, CA
3/24/2011
03-24-2011 I ate here had the grilled chicken breast and pesto served on ciabatta I was very pleased with the first two bites the bun soaked with the garlicky pesto and juicy grilled chicken breast. But when I got to center I bit into a cold raw center of breast. I was disgusted. My waitress gave her deepest apologies for the incident and said lunch will be on the house. Though my waitress handled the situation great and professionally. I would preferred to have received an apology from the person who grilled the undercooked chicken. It is not only a business liability but also a threat to a persons health to serve raw undercooked chicken for that I will never go back to this place.
Listed in: Places to avoid
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Review from Tracie B.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/1/2008
We saw Russian River Pub featured on FoodTV (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) for their outstanding chicken wings, so we thought we'd try it out on a recent road trip. I'm very very glad we did. The wings were out-of-this-world. Best I've ever had. The waitress/bartender was really friendly. And very important to me on the road trip - the bathrooms were really clean, which I always think is probably a good indication of kitchen cleanliness.
I highly recommend stopping here but note: The Russian River Pub is a complete dive. It's a total hole in the wall building that looks a little like it might end up in the river during the next earthquake. If that doesn't sound like your type of place, keep driving, but know you're missing out on something fantastic. -
Review from Michael M.
Burlingame, CA
6/22/2011
We came here hoping for Sunday Brunch, but missed it so we ordered off the menu. Chicken Caessr salad (justok), Pub Burger (tasty but overcooked), two "Killer" prime rib sandwiches, were not killer. The biggest complaint was the over 1 hour wait for the food, without once an explanation or apology. As people were eating and leaving, we finally asked when was the food going to be ready. Finally the waitress said, "oh, there was an order of 10 that just got served, and yours will be right up" . Twenty more minutes and we finally were served. Overcooked burger urprise". I will give this place another chance, but this was not agood choice today.
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Review from Penguin S.
Pacifica, CA
4/27/2009
Cute little local pub with nice patio seating and decent indoor seating. Took a seat and the bar mistress quickly came by with menus. Great variety for a pub and decent specials.
C ordered a bucket of wings, A ordered mozzerella sticks and I got a chili cheese burger, hold the onions.
The cheese sticks were greally good and seasoned well. The wings were quite spicy and I gobbled up 3. The chili cheese burger was great and the fries were only OK, I like thicker cut fries and these were quite thin.
The juke box pumped out nice music until someone started playing nothing but Van Halen (1 or 2 are great, but after that, variety, please) and the fresh flowers on each table were a really nice touch.
I would love to return! -
Review from Eric B.
Forestville, CA
6/18/2011
The food is killer.
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Review from OKAY O.
Sebastopol, CA
8/10/2009
I can't believe this place was on Diner's Drive In's and Dives on the Food Network. It's not that it was terrible...they have a good variety of foods and everything sounds edible.
I'm just shocked that they landed on that TV show because there are WAY better burger joints and pubs around town-- and they haven't landed on TV! Could it be a case of nepotism? After all, that Guy fellow (from the show) is from around these here parts, you know?
The burger was small and didn't have the charbroiled flavor I expected; worst of all, the beef was fatty and low quality. I was quite disappointed but I wouldn't rule out going there for a beer on rare occasion. I may try the hot wings next time...if there's a next time. -
Review from Ramon V.
CA
8/28/2008
Good pub food.
We had the spicy wings. They were actually spicy! So many places don't know how to make spicy things that are spicy. But these were good. They were tasty, and not too spicy.
Son and I had the spicy burger, with pepperjack cheese and jalapenos. It was good, but a few too many jalapenos for me. Not that it was overly spicy, because it wasn't, but the jalapenos detracted from the taste and texture of the burger. Can't remember what the wife had, but she enjoyed it.
The onion rings were ok, and the fries were pretty good.
Service was good. Very friendly. The music coming from the jukebox was very good, too. -
Review from Dave G.
Concord, CA
5/7/2008
What can I say, I love eating outdoors when it is freezing in the city yet 75 up at the river. Its a mini-vacation only an hour or so from home. Anyway, we are members of a couple of wineries up around here so the last few times we have stopped by for grub. Also since our dog can sit with us on the patio and harass the other patrons with sad dog eyes and whines for food, which embarrasses the gf but I find amusing.
Anyway, both times we both ordered the same thing:
Me: a Famous Pub Burger. It is big and really really tasty and the side of fries is always a huge portion and season salted nicely.
GF: the spicy BBQ burger which has pepper jack and jalepenos on it. The gf is also a big fan onion rings and luckily the pub has some of the best I have ever eaten. They are light and crunchy and for some reason when you bite in the onion doesn't slip out of the breading. I don't know what they do, but they do the rings well.
The gf is also a mozzarella stick connoisseur. I bet she would like the engagement ring better if it were deep fried. Anyway, the moz sticks are really amazing too. They seriously have to be home-made. The breading is excellent and cheese all melty...even I could crave those.
The waitress is really nice and works her ass off. There were some chicks camping in the area eating lunch here and were fighting over the bill one even complained about the avocado on her sandwich costing a buck. The waitress was like "it says it cost a buck on the menu but, whatever take the buck off" she was not pissy or snooty in anyway. She probably seriously could give a fuck. We had to roll our eyes...goddamn hippies go eat your granola and walk someone else's Earth. This all after the waitress told them about some Native American festival they may be interested in at the junior college...
The other patrons are mostly locals, tattooed artsy women and bikers but even though I had a sloppy yuppie weekend exterior of city folk up at the river, we never get a sideways glance.
Anyway, I know we will be back at least 4-5 times a year. We both look forward to it too! -
Review from Kristy W.
Vacaville, CA
9/2/2011
This is the first DDD place we've ever eaten. We are big fans of the show, but now I'm not so sure. The food didn't have much flavor. Were you drunk when you came here Guy? Food always tastes better when you're drunk. Wings were good but not out of this world. Prime rib sandwich definitely lacked flavor. Calamari rings were from a box.
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Review from Cliff M.
Springville, CA
1/6/2011
Amazing wings! Amazing killer prime rib sandwich! Plus ace cider my favorite!!
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Review from Valerie F.
Fremont, CA
7/19/2010
The prime rib sammie and the famous hamburger were super yummers! Curry fries were a little bit on the salty side but seeing as we'd just had a day on the water/beach were welcome sight. I also thought the flavor profile on the iced tea had a unique hint of flower in the background but I didn't know what it was. But the standout were the mushrooms used on nearly everything which I don't know what variety they were but they were really earthy and lovely. Meat quality was good exchange for the price. Decent selection of local brews.
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Review from Phillip B.
Madison, AL
10/8/2010
It is a bar and it has food. It has amazingly good food, but what makes it a great bar is the people. Please disregard the uncomfortable stares as you enter or you might leave without giving it a chance. Instructions for enjoyment are as follows 1) Sit down order a beer or cocktail 2) check out the chalk board food specials 3) place your order 4) enjoy the music selections on the jukebox 5) get up walk around and take in the many trinkets (stuff) on display 6) meet nice and interesting people 7) eat and savor the food. you are on your on from here. The chef has a real knack for cooking southern style dishes or country cookin as we call it down here.
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Review from Wendy P.
San Francisco, CA
12/10/2010 1 Check-in Here
Watched the review on Diners Drives and More and despite things looking scary on the outside, it looks like good food from the way the show portrays it. I'm telling myself I'm going to go one of these days damnit! The chef on the show looked hot too. Must check out soon!.
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Review from Trish T.
Santa Rosa, CA
8/12/2011
For pub food and atmosphere on the river, this place is pretty damn good. A group of us girls stopped by one night on a camping trip to the river, ordered some bar food to go, and it was fast service, entertaining while we waited, and really good food.
