Bull Valley Roadhouse

"The magic of Bull Valley Roadhouse lies in its one-two punch of stellar food and cocktails paired with the charm of Port Costa, the tiny waterfront town hidden in the East Bay where the restaurant resides. Expect old-school charm and a food menu comprised of seasonal ingredients, but you’ll do well to order the fried chicken or BVR burger if you’re stuck on what to choose. The cocktails are good and strong, with some original drinks, and there’s a lively music calendar to enjoy, as well." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff

"My brother drove us out to Port Costa the other night for what he promised would be a unique meal in a unique setting. Port Costa, a town of roughly 250, is little more than a strip of buildings nestled off the train tracks by the Carquinez Strait. After ducking into the Warehouse for a game of pool and a cold beer, we headed across the street for a meal that can only be described as a string of hits. We opted to kick things off with this curiously named dish that turned out to be exactly what I was hoping it would be: freshly-fried chicharrón-esque chips ($12) coated in clove and anise-heavy “pho spice” that crackled and spit like a hot flame when doused in lime juice. Little gems salad with kumquat followed, as did a litany of center-stage-worthy sides. The only miss of this meal for me — and a partial save by the pile of snappy pickled vegetables served alongside at that — was the hot chicken. I know there’s a hot chicken craze sweeping the nation right now, but if I’m seeing “Nashville hot” on the menu, I’m banking on the level of heat to deliver. Instead, I would’ve rather slurped down a bowl of the pork stew with tomatillos, guajillos, and polenta that mysteriously disappeared around the same time this entrée showed up." - Paolo Bicchieri

"Approximate Drive Time: 45 minutes Why it’s worth it: The quaint town of Port Costa is home to Bull Valley Roadhouse, located in a maybe-haunted hotel in a hundred year old building. The restaurant itself caters to ex-pat San Franciscans, offering high-quality, locally sourced food from a former Slanted Door chef. Fried chicken, pork chops, and biscuits and gravy are accompanied by pre-prohibition cocktails, making it a fun, short road trip, or stop on the way to wine country." - Eater Staff

"On the Bauer Blog, the critic found returned to Bull Valley Roadhouse, where he found, “carefully sourced produce,” “easily shared large plates” of fried chicken and strip steak, and “pre-Prohibition cocktails” in the pre-Prohibition town of Port Costa. Bauer has a soft spot for this Top 100 spot, and even though the vibe could have easily been cliche, he believes, “in our fast-moving world this restaurant offers a much-needed perspective.”" - Andrew Dalton