Home to all that is fried, beer-battered and carbohydrate-laden, pub grub is hearty bar food that’s best accompanied by a pint of stout, enabling friends and a willingness to suspend caloric fears. One needs to lay a solid base, after all, when it comes to a night of revelry.
Fish and chips are a calling card for many, with a healthy amount of breast-beating about who’s are the best. But beyond the fryer are hearty stews and soups and Celtic classics worth their weight in Guinness.
Check out some new and old favorites from the local pub grub scene.
Norman Rose Tavern: Brand-spanking new to the pub scene, this Napa newcomer has solid chops both behind the bar and in the kitchen. The owners of popular Azzurro Pizzeria lend their culinary chops to a retro-modern American menu that speaks directly to the “oh I really shouldn’t, but I will” part of the soul. Best bets include a Buttermilk Fried Chicken sandwich with Watercress and peppercorn mayo ($10.95); moist Five Dot Ranch burgers (with add-ons like a fried egg or avocado relish); beer-battered fish and chips ($15.95) with shoestring fries; “Frank’s Frito Burgers” (sliders made with crushed Fritos) and Fatted Calf beef hot dogs. On the lighter side: Plan to have your split pea with ham hock soup pilfered by curious tablemates (it’s that good). Tavern Chop Salad ($12.95) with shredded chicken and candied walnuts and Crab Louie are worth a second trip. Kids are welcome to the table, and root beer comes on tap. 1401 1st Street, Napa, 258-1516.
Barley and Hops Tavern: One of the few watering holes within a 20-mile radius between Sebastopol and Bodega Bay, this Occidental newcomer is about 85 percent locals on any given night – friends and neighbors catching up over a beer and wings at a quintessentially neighborhood bar. What makes it destination-worthy, however, is…well…pretty much everything. Owner Noah Bolmer is a beer aficionado, who can talk for hours about anything with hops and a foamy head (and has the taps to back it up). Food is more than an afterthought, with a careful menu of housemade pub classics from Bavarian pretzels and sausages bathed in mustard and cream to Cottage Pie (ground beef, veggies, porter and mashed potatoes) and their signature Chimay pretzel chicken. “If the food isn’t homemade, you’re at the wrong place,” says Bolmer of his pub grub. 688 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, 874-9037
Stout Brothers: This cozy faux-tiqued public house with its maze of nooks and crannies, tweedy knick-knacks and a snug upstairs balcony has proven to be a popular addition to the Santa Rosa bar scene since opening in late 2007. Fish and chips are still solid contenders here, as are its signature macaroni and cheeses (chicken bacon is tops). It’s also the only place I’ve found to get beer cheese soup, a Wisconsin staple marrying the holy trinity of (what else) beer, cheese and cream. And while its a pale version of the original, its at least an homage to the world’s most perfect food. 527 4th Street, Santa Rosa, 636-0240.
Toad in the Hole Pub: Possibly the most Brit-centric spot in Wine Country, this Railroad Square public house claims to have the Best Fish and Chips in Town. And though repeated visits were needed to investigate the claim, it can be said without hesitation that they’re in the top five. If you’re going for authentic grub, however, the Toad’s got Bangers and Mash (English Sausage with mashed spuds) and Cornish Pasty (think British samosa stuffed with meats and veggies). Make a special trip, however, just for the sticky toffee pudding, which is exactly that. 116 5th Street, Santa Rosa, 544-8623.
Black Rose Irish Pub: Look past the humble exterior and you’ll find a charming Irish pub voted by Imbibe magazine as one of the best spots to grab a pint. If you can Harp Lager-batter and fry it, it’s probably on the menu here. But beyond the fryer, the pub does a decent job at soups and stews (potato leek, lamb stew) along with a homey Shepherd’s Pie (ground beef and veggies topped with mashed potatoes). And so far, the only spot I’ve found to indulge in that most British of nursery foods, mushy peas. 2074 Armory Drive, Santa Rosa, (707) 546-7673.
Maguire’s Pub: The former Finbar Devine’s Irish Pub has been revamped and reborn as, well, another Irish pub. After dark, the scene is more bar than restaurant, but fans say the burgers are solid as well as the fish and chips. And its one of the few spots in Wine Country to reliably find corned beef and cabbage ($13.95) any time besides St. Patrick’s Day. 145 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 762-9800.
Do you have some pub grub favorites? Share where you grab a pint and a basket o’ rings at BiteClubEats.com, Heather’s always-updated food and dining guide to the North Bay.
Mmm. Hot Brown. Might have to investigate.
I love Hot Brown sandwiches, an item on many Kentucky menus, so I’m headed to Rio Nido Roadhouse soon! A hot brown is an open-faced sandwich with turkey, tomato and bacon, smothered in parmesan cheese sauce…mmm mmm mmm!
Rio Nido Roadhouse: Seven days a week, you can get some of the best American roadhouse food on the Russian River and beyond. Try the RNR Reuben, the slow-cooked Pulled Pork, the Hot Brown, Fish ‘n Chips all day Tuesday, Honey Fried Chicken on Thursdays, and the drippingly delicious St. Louis Ribs on Fridays. Home made soups, hand-tossed pizzas, salads, a newly created Pasta dish every Wednesday, and plenty of other familiar menu treats are offered every day from 11:30 a.m. Wednesday is Brewery Trivia night with a different brewery and beer featured every week; try the beer and test your brain. It’s a full-service bar, too.
The building may be old, but the kitchen’s new and so is the menu. Brad Metzger, owner for two years, is a beer aficionado and personally selected the 15 beers on tap. Somewhat of a foodie, too, he works hand in hand with the kitchen staff to create new variations of old favorites. Every Thursday night the ever-popular THUGZ band plays 6-9:30 p.m., and on Saturdays other well known bands are featured from 6-10 p.m.
Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m.-2 p.m., offering eggs any way, home made corned beef hash, waffles, eggs Benedict, omelettes, home made breakfast pizzas and burritos.
The Rio Nido Roadhouse is at 14540 Canyon Two, just off River Road in Rio Nido. 707-869-0821. http://www.rionidoroadhouse.com for full menu and events.
Ahhh…Barley & Hops was wonderful this weekend, as usual. Took a friend this time, who is now smitten with the place as well. Loved the Double Chocolate Stout (my fave). I had the Chimay Pretzel Chicken Salad. The portions were huge and absolutely delicious. And of course, you can not pass up the Braukraut! Heaven!
Wow, this was another wonderful surprise from Biteclub – several new customers popped in this weekend and mentioned this bit, and the very kind comments. Can’t thank our customers enough; it’s nice spending the long hours with such great people. Also, it’s 3688 Bohemian Hwy, not 688. Cheers, Noah + Mir, BH Tavern.
Have been to Norman Rose Tavern in Napa twice. Now that is what pub and Tavern food is. Great reasonable prices and great raw ingredents.Love the vibe and the crab artichoke dip is to die for. Check it out!!!!!!
How about Murphy’s Irish Pub off the plaza in Sonoma. Great food, beers, and the best live music in Sonoma
Please…Stout Bros? For Food??? Let’s see I had the lamb stew which was some kind of meat and veg smothered in a Bisto-type gravy smothered with about a pound of salt. Yes smothered in salt, you could not tell what you were tasting with all the salt.
As for my GF….I thing it was mac and cheese with a sour, vinegarette sort of off-taste as in spoilt.
Hey, Chef! When was the last time you tasted your dishes???
Oh drinks were good
Heather, there is good reason you have never heard of Frier tucks pad…. and No reason to hear about it now. From the bad food ,to the owner and some of it’s patrons , I’m surprised their still in business.
Guess their lucky to have SSU near by to keep them going.
B-Pubbin is right. Friar Tucks devserves this list. Corn Beef and Cabbage is offered year round. You can even get a corned beef casa dilla. Sounded weird but it tasted good. The food is good and not outrageously priced.
I’m amazed that BiteClubEats hasn’t even heard of it. Granted, they only started serving food after they moved, but that was at least 3 years ago.
I also used to go to Finbar’s in Petaluma. Their food was good and authentic. Haven’t tried it as Molly Malones. To busy going to Friar Tucks.
I love a good pasty so I’ll have to check out Toad. Why don’t more places serve meat pies. I love them traditional style meat pies. And finally, 3rd Street food is good but it’s more restaurant than pub grub.
Get your facts right aswell as your spelling! FRIAR TUCKS is not only a pub it’s a full reasturant with a excellent lunch and dinner menu that will leave you stuffed to the gills! When friars was closer to SSU it was just a pub. They were forced to move downtown cotati and now next door to spankys in the building that used to be the inn of the begining. When they moved from e.cotati they opens the new friar tucks with a full service kitchen. They have been downtown for a while now (3yours) they are the hands down the most enjoyable pub of it’s time!! So after you correct your spelling checked out you should put a loll boodeisel in your fact ride and go check out FRIAR TUCKS PUB located in downtown cotati on old redwood hwy, across from exchange bank!!!
frier tux is just a bar . i can not believe it is worth the drive over any other isstablishmint that does not take half the gas to get thar .
The Barley and Hops tavern is indeed a great place and Noah knows his beer. He is, however, a beer AFICIONADO and not an “officianado” whatever that is. Maybe that’s what they call fans of light beer.
The Fish & Chips at Ruth McGowan’s Brew Pub in Cloverdale are amongst the best I’ve had in years. The beer is excellent, too – all brewed right in-house. Worth a trip north.
Never even heard of Friar Tuck’s, so thanks for that suggestion! Dempsey’s seems like more of a restaurant to me, too…and there were a ton of brewpub nosh spots that I didn’t include (should probably do another article!)
As always, my blog is a work in progress that’s always made better by your comments.
Murphys should be included too. Keep ‘em coming folks!
How about TAPS, in Petaluma. Awesome hotdogs, and garlic fries! Not to mention atleast 30 beers on tap.
Dempsey of Petaluma is a restaurant more than a pub.
This is not a accurate article to say the least! No disrespect to biteclub or the writer of this article but how are you going to write an article about “pub grub” and leave out the best public house this side of the Atlantic……….FRIAR TUCKS PUB est 1993 in Cotati?? One of sonoma countys oldest pubs they know how to facillatate a party aswell as feed you like mom did when you were just wee’ Lads & Lassies! They have the best fish and chips(garlic fries that compete with gilroy garlic fries from Pac Bell Park), corned beef sandwich and scootish meatballs and potatoes for absolutly the best price around!! The also are the first ones to offer a “stimulas package” burger and a beer for a low price.You can get FRIAR TUCKS famous corn beef and cabbage year round and the service is wonderful! The atmosphere is great and they have a front & back patio, three pool tables and darts. The bartenders are a friendly face to order a pint or cocktail from when you belly up to the bar to wet yee’ whistle! How they got left out of the mix I just don’t understand?
I have grubbed at all of these places in the article except 2 of them and with all respect do, not one of them can hold a fork or barstool up to Friar’s “THE PUB”! Enjoyed the article biteclub but get a hold of me through e-mail and I’ll buy you dinner and a drink so you can taste for yourself,(I’m willing to bet that you never ate grub at friars because it would have been on your list)
Let me add to the Barley ‘n Hops accolades! Never had a bad meal there, the beer list is extensive and changes frequently, and Noah and Mirjam are amazing hosts.
Even with the usual bile-spewing commenters here I’d be incredibly surprised if anyone complains about this place.
You never mention Petaluma places. Dempseys in Petaluma has possibly the best food at any pub i’ve ever been, and i’ve been to allot. Their house made brews are great too
What about Patterson’s in Windsor? Pretty good eats there! I had fish ‘n chips at Ale Works last week, and it was quite tasty. As for Toad in the Hole…. No Way, No How, NO THANK YOU!
I live in Windsor and I love Barley & Hops in Occidental. Plan on going this weekend. I used to be a frequesnt patron of The Black Rose and Macquire’s was always my second choice, but Barley and Hops has won me over. I followed their blog as their were preparing to open.
The food is wonderful! And the beer selection is very impressive. I love stout. I tried a chocolate beer the last time and it was fantastic. Is it Saturday yet? I can’t wait!
Barley and Hops is really great. When I got a job in Occidental, I was excited that I would be working so close, as it does seem like a long drive Santa Rosa for a few beers. I enjoy sitting at the bar and talking to the bartenders, owner, and other customers. And the fish sandwich is quite tasty.
I gotta say, the Dempsey’s hamburger with hand-cut fries is one of the best burger and fry combos in Sonoma County. Every burger I have ordered there has been cooked exactly as I requested. The beer is not my favorite, but the food is definitely a draw for me.
Also, it may not exactly qualify as Pub Grub, but the menu at Healdsburg Bar & Grill is good. The truffle fries…mmm…fries… Okay, I think I have a problem with fried potatoes. I need an intervention! Great post, Heather, except now I’m starvin’!
Barley and Hops is amazing. I only wish I lived closer so I could go more often. I recently went to The Sweet Spot (SR, 4th Ave) for the first time and found out they have pretty good fish and chips as well.
too salty!
Murphy’s has mushy peas, BTW, or they did the last time I was there…
Murphy’s in Sonoma!!!
Barley and Hops has revitalized Occidental to a degree and Noah should be congratulated. Now there are three Occidental restos who have something to offer beyond “Freezer, Boxed, Bagged and Canned”
He’s got a good execution of a pub at a location that has had its challenges.
Noah’s not afraid to throw in some locally produced wine into the pub model either – something that is more authentic than most would imagine.
+1 on Petaluma’s Dempseys – the brew is great – truly local and the food is a good complement – never been dissapointed.
Mondo in Sonoma !!
Dempsey’s in Petaluma! Good burgers, good snacks at the bar, and excellent brews!