Kyoo C.
Yelp
Finally got to visit the Firestone empire in SLO in March, after having missed it several years ago when I got as close as Pismo beach.
The visit was everything I had expected and more. Just seeing the vast properties got my heart pumping. Found some parking on the first street on the 1st visit, but also found parking lot behind the taproom on the 2nd visit (had to hit it again on the way back home).
Service was excellent on both occasion with multiple folks stopping by to answer questions and bringing food/drinks. Just scan the QR code on your table and you have opened a tab! Order initial beers and food, then order more beer or food whenever you feel like more, it was like playing a game! Beers were delivered so fast, just amazing ordering and service.
1st visit, the young man helped me figure out how to do the ordering. I mentioned I've always dreamed of getting a DBA at the "source". He immediately suggested I try the UDBA if I like DBA. What the heck is UDBA??? Unfiltered DBA, only available at the breweries and it was great!
Was not expecting much on the food, but the burger sealed the deal for me.
Cali-Western Smash burger was an amazing burger!!! Came with tons of fries too. 5/5 recommend!
Also tried the 805 Cerveza Fish Tacos, and that was the opposite, very disappointing entree. Tasted very generic and nothing special. 1/5 do not recommend...
Stick to burgers at breweries, this place easily had the best burgers of any brewery.
Tried a 2nd beer before having to leave for Hearst castle.
2nd visit, I wanted to make sure to try out BOTH the DBA and the UDBA side by side to compare. UDBA definitely wins, just plain more flavor to enjoy! DBA felt clean in comparison. Can't go wrong either way but UDBA was confirmed to be my fav.
Wife tried the beer flight. You can get their recommended set, or create your own by just selecting 5 of the 3 oz beers and it comes out as the flight setup. I tried sips, but UDBA is all I need, lol.
Of course got the cali-western burger again on the 2nd visit, and tried the Lion's fish n chips. The fish n chips was excellent! Loved the big lion fries.
Definitely get the fish and chips over the fish tacos if want fish item.
Even my boy wanted a burger after getting a bite the first time around. Got him a cheeseburger off the kids menu and it was big and he loved it! (he didn't really like burgers before Firestone, lol).
Just being inside the Firestone empire made me proud. All the servers were wearing various Firestone gear like hoodies and what not. I am not the kind that buys merch, but I was extremely tempted by the wicked looking hoodie one server was wearing. Checked out the merch on the hanger on the way out, but decided a bit rich for me. But I saw a sign locals get 25% off everything on Mondays. Wow, what a place for locals. Good thing I'm not local or I'd be there for burger and UDBA weekly lol.
Also checked the tour area before leaving. Didn't make appointment for the tour since I didn't think we could with a kid. But maybe I misread, I think it may be possible to still do tour with kid, just kid can't do the tastings maybe?
$15 for tour + basically the beer flight in tastins + souvenir glass? That's a NO BRAINER! Sadly didn't get to do the tour, but if you have the time definitely worth it I would think!
Overall an excellent place and definitely the delight of my spring road trip.
I know they have a location in Venice much closer for me, but never been. Seems you can get the UDBA there too and the food menu looked the same, so I may have to visit the Venice location when the cravings for UDBA and the amazing smash burger strikes!