The Warehouse Cafe

How Port Costa’s Warehouse Cafe Is (Just Barely) Surviving the Pandemic | Eater SF

"Set in a tiny, almost-ghost-town downtown above the Carquinez Strait, Warehouse Cafe in Port Costa felt like a magical, Old West–style biker bar that turned heartbreaking during the pandemic. I learned that Ivana Domansky, who bought the place in 1999 after immigrating from the Czech Republic, has run it as a weekend gathering spot for motorcycle enthusiasts and as a cult favorite in the East Bay for its selection of more than 250 beers and for its bargain-priced prime rib dinner. The 14-ounce prime rib—now $20 cash—is served Friday and Saturday nights (takeout or dine-in) with garlicky sautéed mushrooms, a baked potato and horseradish (soup or salad sold separately); everything at the bar is cash only. When outdoor dining resumed, Domansky expanded the large patio into the parking lot and reopened with a simple lunch menu of burgers and kielbasa to keep the business afloat at roughly half its previous volume, after also having to restock food following a freezer failure during the shutdown. Bikers were among the first and most joyous regulars to return and, despite their outlaw reputation, have mostly been respectful about masks and distancing. Facing about $70,000 in debt, Domansky often cooks, serves and washes dishes herself while hoping the bar can reopen “full blast” next summer; the cafe opens at 1 p.m. Monday–Friday and 10 a.m. on weekends, closes when customers are gone, and customers can call 510-787-1827 to confirm availability." - Luke Tsai