Buddy's Bites and Brews: Reviews

Buddy’s Bites and Brews: Reviews | restaurant info + video | full episode video

Name: Tara
Occupation: Optician
Location: Castro Valley
Favorite Restaurant: Buddy’s Bites and Brews
Reviewed Buddy’s Bites and Brews: Wednesday, April 10, 2013

There are not many places that I really crave, but I crave Buddy’s! The food is a-m-a-z-i-n-g! Buddy’s has a large selection of your all-American favorites as well as some new inventive ones. Ever tried a garlic and bacon stuffed hamburger topped with pineapple, jalapeño, mushroom, avocado, cream cheese, pepper jack and pesto aioli? Well, you haven’t lived until you have; it’s mind-blowing! Some other favorites are the fish tacos and calamari which are always fresh and perfectly cooked and served with their drinkable ranchero sauce; for you ranch connoisseurs, it’s a good one!

The restaurant owner was a surf instructor in a previous life hence the fresh seafood fare throughout the menu. You can always pick from their great beer selection from local breweries or try their sake-infused cocktails too! The portion sizes will rock your world as I always have a doggie-bag to take home after my meal, so come hungry! Buddy’s has a fantastic happy hour with great pricing and Wednesday is trivia night! I have never had to wait for a table here, but if do come on trivia night come early; it gets pretty hoppin’. Come for the food but stay for the fun! You can always count on Buddy’s for a great meal and a great time.

Name: Caen
Occupation: Chef and High-Tech Entrepreneur
Location: Berkeley
Favorite Restaurant: HRD Smokin’ Grill
Reviewed Buddy’s Bites and Brews: Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Buddy’s is your neighborhood bar and grill. It’s about seeing friends and enjoying a good beer after work or on the weekend. You don’t go here for the food, though it fills you up; you go here to disconnect, catch a game and then pull into the driveway at home feeling a little more relaxed–unless you took the hot wings challenge! Either way, I’d recommend going in the evening when the atmosphere has a bit more charm, unless you want it to be quiet. In which case, come for the lunch special and bring your own entertainment.

Name: Casey
Occupation: Mom-preneur
Location: Lafayette
Favorite Restaurant: Metro Lafayette
Reviewed Buddy’s Bites and Brews: Sunday, April 14, 2013

Buddy’s Bites and Brews is a great spot for a casual meal and drinks. This surf-themed pub serves beer and wine only and has a lively atmosphere. The wait staff is friendly and energetic. It seems clear that the happy and engaged clientele go to Buddy’s for a good time and the vibe is infectious. At most tables, you‘ll see tall two-liter cylinders of draft beer (they call them “pipelines”) so diners can draw from their own tap.

We went on family night and I don’t think I’ve ever been to a restaurant that caters to families to this extent. There is a bookcase filled with games like Jenga and Connect Four you can use at your table and kids 12 and under eat free on Sundays. With minimal prodding, our charismatic waiter, JD, proudly told us all about the chef, the owner and weekly specials. We asked him about the most popular dishes and he took us through the menu in a very thoughtful way.

The fish tacos are one of the most popular items and for good reason. The piping hot, freshly-breaded cod is served in corn tortillas with fresh pico de gallo and cabbage. A couple of sauces are served on the side– a spicy pink crema and a very spicy buffalo wing sauce. We shared two tacos as an appetizer and I immediately wished I had ordered them as my main dish.

The cioppino we ordered was really outstanding with tons of fish and shellfish cooked perfectly and swimming in a delicious tomato broth. We ordered a portobello burger which was tasty but a little overwhelmed by the soft egg bun it was served on. The fries were good and so was the clam chowder which is great if you like bacon and who doesn’t? In fact, one of the drinks on the menu is a Buddy’s Bloody Mary which comes in a bacon-rimmed glass! I had a very fresh and tasty tall glass of house-made sangria. The “dessert nachos” were, as our daughter said, “very instagrammable” and tasty but not for the faint of caloric heart! All in all, Buddy’s Bites and Brews is a really fun spot and the chef has a great touch for seafood.