I had very good food and decent service here. Â The nachos are probably the best I have ever had.
But...be forewarned: The bartender seemed more concerned with his posse of friends at the end of the bar than service; as a result, I saw a couple come in, sit next to me, wait...and wait...and wait...and finally get up and leave. I haven't seen that in quite some time. Either this couple was homeless (not bloody likely) or the bartender was clueless and/or unconcerned (more likely).
Food was great! I came here over the weekend with a couple friends.
I had the MacDaddy special with bacon and it was amazing. It's a Mac and Cheese bake so it took longer getting out to us but it was definitely worth the wait.
We had it with a simple salad because we didn't want to eat too heavy, but our other friends had it with fries and they were well seasoned and delicious.
My issues were that 2 of my friends had the MacDaddy with buffalo chicken and they charged us more for that without telling us.
Also, beer was a bit overpriced ($6.50 a pint).
The main thing was that service was extremely slow and we had to ask for things multiple times. They were understaffed for the night with only one server.
3 stars for the issues above, but 4 stars for the food.
Really cool place to get a beer and have some really good food! My fiancé and I got the well known Mac and Cheese and it really was good. We also had some chips and salsa and that was good as well. Our server was really friendly and we really enjoyed his service. Overall it is a great place to have some beers and eat some delicious food!
Review Source:Black Sheep is probably my favorite bar to top of a weekend evening. This place feels more divey than others and is better for having a conversation because of the smaller crowd. I never had the chance to try the food while a student at Cal Poly, but I have heard good things about the burgers.
Review Source:Best nachos in town. Â I had heard that the food here was awesome but never got the chance to try it until now.
My previous experience here was on my 21st birthday when I got my free drink. Â "Mind Eraser"
The food here was surprisingly good. Â Mac and cheese, nachos, burgers. Â Awesome.
Occasionally I make mac and cheese hoping to please my wife, but she politely says that our chickens need more carbs and proteins. They, chickens, love it, but I end up driving to Black Sheep to get a real thing. And to tell you the truth, the difference between their m@c and mine is like a difference between Ferrari and Yugo.
So, go Ferrari .
Foodie Yule
I would have given this place more stars because I absolutely love the atmosphere. However, the service, and  I'm just speaking of the waitresses, were horrible. We sat down for what seemed like 30 minutes without anyone helping us. We had to ask someone to finally come and take our order. We also had to ask for multiple refills of water. When we ordered our beer it sat on the counter for 10 minutes before the waitress brought it over to us. There was one girl who had mentioned that it was her first day on the job and she was texting on her phone the ENTIRE time. If they can make a change in this area I will gladly give them 5 stars.
Review Source:This is really 4.75 stars..
Drove to SLO from the bay area and just happened on this place on a Friday afternoon after visiting the mission.
I really really enjoyed this restaurant/bar! Â What an awesome find!
Inside is very pub-y. Wood tables (comfy), paneling/paint on walls. Very cosy, very warm and inviting. In front there are about 12 tables and there's a patio out back. Â
My sister and I shared a basket of garlic/jalapeno fries. They were very tasty. All of the chopped topping went to the bottom of the basket after they tossed the fries, so we had to dig for the topping goodness. That's gonna happen and it actually made for a 'fun' eating experience. Fries come with ranch. Â Dip fry in ranch, then the garlic/jala and yum. Â They were kinda cold because we said we wanted everything at the same time.. really no biggie, -1/4 of a star only.
Anyway, I had the quesadilla special. Came with soup, salad or fries. I had salad with a great Asian sesame dressing. The quesadilla was HUGE. Cheddar cheese, chopped chicken strips, bacon, red onion, bbq sauce inside. UH-Mazing! Â Great bbq flavor, not overwhelming, not drippy.
Sis had the fondue/ham/cheese/cheese/tomato/cheese sandwich. O..M..G. Â Grilled sourdougn on the bottom, thick layers of ham, cheddar, another grilled piece of bread, more ham, more cheese (white), tomato slices, ANOTHER piece of bread on top, topped with mozzarella that they bake so it becomes all browned and gooey. Sis said she'd drive the 200 miles just to get that sandwich again.
Service was great. VERY nice waitress. Very patient while we looked over the menu. Waitress did not hover but was very attentive. Â Iced tea was really good too. Nice brewed flavor. Â Kept glasses full the whole time!!!
If I lived in this area, I'd be here all the time and I'd probably start drinking because it's such a cool place to hang.
If I get to SLO again, I'm going back! Â Great pub food, good prices for what you get. :-)
I've spent a lot of time dealing with shitty writing. Exams, essays, articles, speeches, Yelp reviews...you name it, I've read it, edited it, and perhaps produced it. Sometimes, the only way to deal with the written diarrhea that my students (and the rest of the world) give to me is by finding a place with cheap, stiff drinks, a pleasant ambiance, and a certain willingness to overlook the screams of tormented anguish that arise from the depths of my soul from time to time when I'm editing and grading. In San Luis Obispo (where I find myself drawn by familial obligations a few times a year), Black Sheep is a place that I can channel my inner productive alcoholic, and put nose to the grindstone to get some serious work done...while spilling whiskey all over my students' work to show them how much I care.
If one were looking to be productive, its best to go in the afternoon. My love poem begins with the ambiance, hard woods, a fireplace, a classically styled back-bar in carved wood, and a huge bottle of Fernet (Yay! Fernet!) all make an appearence within the skylit confines. Out back is a semi-enclosed patio, with a lush hanging trellis radiating the aroma of night-blooming jasmine. Drinks are poured strong, and while the beer selection isn't what I'd call inspiring (a couple beers from Firestone [including DBA, my favorite!] Lagunitas IPA and two macros), the prices certainly aren't out of line (5.00 per pint). Happy hour (3-6) is extraordinary, with 3.50 wells, which is certainly one of the best deals in town. Nicole, the day bartender is absolutely fantastic, the bar isn't crowded, and the music is quiet enough to not be annoying (which is a problem I have with other bars in SLO). There is no other place in the city of San Luis Obispo that I can be more productive while nursing an adult beverage.
Black Sheep is an outstanding place to catch lunch as well, because moving away from my barstool to get food means I'm being unproductive, right? Food service is speedy, and although I like my burgers to have a coarser grind, the "1117 Chorro Burger" certainly makes for a good meal (how can one not like a burger with sautéed peppers, mushrooms, onions, and Guinness reduction and still claim to be human?). The Garlic Jalapeno fries are an outstanding side, and I've yet to find an equal in San Luis County to their Mac n' Cheese (especially when topped with Buffalo Chicken...be still my poor, abused heart). You simply can't find cuisine this good at most bars in Central California.
I'm not as fond of the Black Sheep at night, the music grows louder, the service slower, and the room more stuffy and packed with college students every hour after 7:00 PM (when the makeup of the clientele seems to turn towards rampaging frat-boys), but for a place to productively day-drink, Black Sheep is the best. A solid 4.5 Stars, which I have no problem rounding up to 5 because of the quality of the afternoon (and occasionally morning) experiences I've had there.
This is my favorite bar in downtown San Luis Obispo.
I have only once gotten food at this bar -the nachos- and they were good and just what I was craving.
The drinks at this bar can be on the stronger side, but that's what I like about them. There are so many options of what you can get and it really is a nice place to hang out with friends and catch up. Especially because if it's too noisy inside, you can go snag a spot on their back patio.
Classy bar! One of the few classy bars in town, too!
Pretty darn good bar food as well! The mac n cheese is one of the best in town. The alfredo is also very good, a bit oily, but definitely made with real cheese.
Not the cheapest place for drinks, but the bar food and the atmosphere make up for that!
Our group's experience here was off...or at least I hope it was a rarity.
We went in on a weekday evening to have dinner on the patio after work. We had a group of 5 with a few add-ons later in the meal. Dinner and drinks all around. However, before we placed our orders, we asked for individual tabs. We all know this is a pain, but we asked in hopes of making the waitress's job easier in the end. Our answer from our waitress to this question is that they are "getting busy and that they have an ATM..." which is really more of a non-answer. We all thought that was weird. Just say no.
Food and drinks were great- the Mac n cheese is so rich and delicious, a must try! Also the garlic jalapeño fries were more garlic than jalapeño but very good. Beers weren't served very quick.
So the bill comes- and no one has any cash of course and everyone knows that when you use an ATM you end up paying more from the ATM and the bank you use- so we asked if we could put $20 on card X,$30on card Y, etc etc and they said our only option was one card and one transaction for the entire bill.
To be honest, I won't go here again. One of the members of our group comes here almost daily and loves it, but was unfamiliar with our waitress that night. He thought it was off-service too.
Moral of the story- don't expect them to make it convenient for large groups of people to dine at this establishment. After all.....they offer an ATM.
Rude.
Day:
The only thing I really like eating here is the mac and cheese. So if I'm in the mood and cant make it to SLO brew, I always go here. Plus, Nicole is always so very nice. She is the sweetest thing. You cant not love her.
Night:
Nice outdoor patio with heated lamps. The drinks are always right on and everyone is always attentive. If you like wine, they have a Wild Horse Merlot that's quite tasty. Its usually a good place to go if you want to sit and chit chat with friends and have a drink or two. Sometimes is can get a bit busy and its hard to find a seat.
BAAAAA... D. Â I guess I'm just over the crowded college scene. Â No room to move away from the bar once you get your drinks, no easy way to go pee... drunk dudes looking you up and down like they want to fight... I haven't ever been here before, so I don't know what it's like on a slow night, but I know I was getting frustrated being there.
It definitely is for a certain type of person... just not me.
Even though a jäger bomb is such a simple drink to make, this was probably the best jäger bomb I was served at a bar.  Why is that? Because the bartender was awesome and gave us a lot of red bull, pulled out a new bottle from the fridge and filled the shot glasses to the rim, and poured even more jäger into the red bull!
The inside seating was full but we went to the outside patio where there some tables available on a Friday night. Â I would recommend stopping there for a couple of drinks if you're in SLO.
This place is pretty small, but its something about the little places that make them so good. The chicken wings were delicious and the bartender and waitress were reallt cool.
I didnt come on a friday night or sat so there wasnt a whole lot of people in the place, but i can see that this is "the spot" for some night life fun. I guess ill have to come back later this week.
Just came back from here...man that burger was soooo bomb!
One of my favorite places to go for a fun night downtown. The bartenders and wait staff has always been very friendly and it isn't as crazy here as some other bars downtown. You can actually have a conversation and hear what the other person is saying, which is a pleasant change from screaming contests as motav or dtb (aka slo brew).
FOOD:
This place serves pretty good bar food, especially their burgers. They are cooked with Guinness and it gives it a nice overall flavor.
If you don't mind the huge amount of calories, the Mac and cheese is also really delicious.
Nachos are really delicious also.
--------
Overall a really good place for a good selection of beer and unhealthy but oh so delicious bar food. They also generally have the nicest restrooms in downtown. Don't forget to check out the back patio area!
The bathrooms stink because everyone throws up in them. Everyone throws up in them because they drink too much. But it's a bar, so I suppose that's sort of the point.
And would you really want to go to an un-crowded bar? That would be some sort of indication that it's lame and you shouldn't go in.
I accept that the bathrooms stink and that the bar is crowded. I accept this of all bars.
I wish I could get a drink in a decent amount of time though. I realize I'm not tall, but that's not really something I have control over, so if you could start serving the short people a little faster, and leave the tall blondes to wait for their drinks a little longer, it would be much appreciated.
This is one of my evening spots in SLO.
The atmosphere is superb. The lighting is just about perfect inside, including a fireplace (although seating can be rough on weekend evenings). If it's too crowded or loud, they have an excellent outside patio with heat lamps. Granted the heat lamps don't always do the trick on the chillier nights, but there is also often a cash-only bartender on the patio to help you thicken your beer jacket.
The kitchen is very good, if you're hungry the 'Killer Nachos' are legit (especially with nacho cheese). If that's not your thing, there are a number of other solid items on the menu, including their Mac and Cheese, the garlic bread, and the Guinness burger.
I have found the service to be quite good all around; they have a friendly crew here.
The music selection is above average and typically not so loud that you can't talk to your buds. They do tend to crank it up quite a bit after 9pm on the weekends, but not to an obtrusive level.
Finally, the alcohol selection is very good. It's certainly not quite as expansive as Blue, but they keep a good stock at a decent price. I'm a fan of the variety of bourbons and gins.
Lunch here is spot on. Nightlife is chill.
The Guinness burger is on point! Really tasty and juicy and I wish I had ordered it myself! Grilled cheese fondue sandwich, I wanted to love you, but I just couldn't. I think if the mozzarella that's melted on top of the sandwich were a saltier cheese, it might have hit the spot better. But since mozzarella is so...bland, I was underwhelmed. Check Black Sheep's website to get a nice picture of what it looks like.
Anyway, this mediocre sandwich will not deter me from this awesome place! Nicole, the server/bartender, is suuuper nice and the burger will have me coming back for more.
I will come back for the mac n cheese that everyone keeps raving about. I just wasn't in the mood for cheese this time around.
As for nightlife, it's a fun place to hang out and grab some beers with your friends. There's no obnoxious dance-music happening here, just a chill place for a bunch of locals/college kids.
How I wish this bar/restaurant was in my hometown! I was just walking around Higuera St and needed some food so I whip out my trusty Yelp app and found this place. Upon gazing up at the neon sign from the street I knew I had chosen the right place. When we walked we were promptly told to take a seat anywhere. The place itself is long and narrow with the wood bar running almost the entire length of the room. It is small and adjacent to the bar are small tables where you can get your grub on. The restaurant/bar was really cool. It had lots of wood grains and brass but at the same time very casual and inviting. It reminded me of a really old Irish Pub.
The server was also  casual and friendly and we liked her a lot. I read on the Yelp reviews that their Mac and Cheese was very good. My girlfriend ordered that and I had the Guinness Burger. I tried her Mac and Cheese and it was very good and super cheesy. I came with a side salad which cut the richness very well. My burger was also really good. According to the menu it is a beef patty caramelized in Guinness. I had them add cheddar cheese and it was a winner! The fries were also thin, hot, crispy and seasoned well. I washed it all down with a local IPA and I was a happy camper.
I could definitely see myself here on a weekly basis if I lived in SLO. It's great vibe with good food and a good mix of the SLO crowd.
I liked the Black Sheep from the moment I stepped inside. The tables had a coppery covering and wooden benches alongside. Up above, the lighting reminded me of that which you'd find in a castle--circular black iron pieces with multiple lights. They also had this killer glass pipe case with Sherlock Holmes and Big Ben on the door, as well as a black stove/furnace  with a live fire in the corner.
Now, onto the food, which really exceeded expectations: the husband ordered a Guiness burger, which he loved. I sampled a bit and found it to be tasty as well. I opted for the Cajun blackened shrimp & a avocado salad, which also came with carrots, lettuce, hard-boiled egg, cucumber, and tomatoes. I ordered bleu cheese, which they thankfully served on the side. The salad came seasoned with some oil and lemon,  and the shrimp were perfectly spiced and moist. In hindsight, I probably should have ordered a vinaigrette, but regardless, all of the ingredients were so fresh and tasty that really enjoyed it. I ordered the small, but if you're really hungry, order the larger size. Our server was friendly and attentive as well. There was certainly a  nice neighborhoody feel to it--the servers would greet patrons by name and give them hugs as they entered.
AWESOME MAC N CHEESE!!! Yeah for a great pre-drunk dinner! I was told to try it and now I'm hooked. It was made with more than one type of cheese and the noodles are large. A great ooey gooey texture!
Met 7 friends here to start the evening off. Waitress was pretty on-the-ball considering how crowded it was.
Haha moment - a group of 7 had two girls wind-up on the floor and the guys had to carry them out. 2 full beers were left behind. Immediately the stranger across from us jumped up, grabbed one of the beers - "can't let a good thing go to waste!"
Chill place, great service, good food! I came in with some friends for dinner and drinks and it was a great choice. It was a bit drizzly outside and I was craving comfort food. I ended up getting the grilled ham and cheese sandwich and a bowl of tortilla soup. Now this sandwich was no joke! Double decker stacked with cheese on the outside and inside. Plus tomato to round it all out. You definitely will be FULL or you can share. I also had several bites of my friends macaroni and cheese. omg so creamy and delicious!
I enjoyed my dinner, I enjoyed my beer, and our server was super cute & friendly.
I will be back!
One of my two favorite bars in downtown SLO. This place is where you want to go for beer or strong mixed drinks because from experience, this place doesn't skip on the hard alcohol!
Love this place because the atmosphere is cozy, yet clean and nice. Has a pub atmosphere without being quite as crowded as the other bars downtown. And even when it does get crowded, people tend to clear out a lot faster here than at the other bars, so it's feasible to grab a table even at the busiest times.
All the bartenders here are Giants fans so rep them and you may get some special treatment. Overall though, they are nice regardless of who your favorite baseball team is.
There is covers on the weekends which usually comes to be $2. In my opinion I think it's worth it because this is a sweet bar that I'm willing to give my money to. So if you're looking for a lax place for drinks, hit up Black Sheep, grab a table, and just hang out!
Also, when they start playing opera REALLY loud, it's their non-subtle way of letting you know they're closed.
The Good: Daytime drinking at it's finest.
The Bad: No dancing. None. Zip. Zero.
The Ugly: Bathrooms. El stinko.
If you want to have a beer  on a nice patio in the middle of the day, head on over to this place. If you want to have some sun on the patio- head somewhere else.
If you want to sit with your buddies but still have to scream to talk to them. Come here.
If you want to be pushed, spilled on and perhaps get your ass grabbed- then by all means come here.
If you want cheapish/ stiff drinks in Downtown SLO. Than come here.
The crowd can be odd at times. To say the bar is small is putting it nicely. The bartenders in the day are fabulous, the bartenders at night are pricks. But ya know that is par for the course.
The reason I give it three stars is because my friends love it here and it is a downtown staple.
I don't patronize places where the bartender tells me that men can only order certain drinks and women are the only ones who can order a certain drink.
It's too bad too, because I would have really liked you. But it was a first date and you kinda blew it. Try to be sexist on the third date, I'm more apt to forgive you by then.
Do you like mostly liquor with a splash of a mixer? Then this is the place for you... and me. ;-) Â 4.5 stars
Cost to worth it rating: 4
Return worthiness: yes
Highlights:
- Atmosphere: thin long room with brick walls. Even in a collegey town, didn't feel like a typical rowdy college bar. More of a chill fun vibe which we enjoyed.
- Flavored vodka collection: complete with 3 Olives root beer and a new one for me Tang!
- Hefty pouring bartender: as advertised by our waiter at dinner, if you like your drinks stiff, you'll be a happy camper.
Lowlights:
- Bathrooms: only 1 for women and 1 for men so may have a wait.
Really enjoyed our night here and would come back next time I find myself in SLO.
I love black sheep as a restaurant, not so much as a bar though.
Their food is super delicious, and the bartender/server was really cool. I forgot the to-go box once and he ran out to bring it to me. I thought that was pretty sweet.
In terms of bars, I think it's a bit too small, although they do have a patio outside for people to get some fresh air. This bar and grill restaurant only has 1 bathroom each for guys and girls, so usually you'd have to wait in line for a while.
Was in SLO for a weekend getaway and wanted a bar where I didn't feel old around all of the Cal Poly students! Â This was a great find. Â A chill atmosphere with a more laid back crowd.
We sat at the bar where I enjoyed watching the bartenders make some elaborate drinks: Tokyo Tea and Chocolate Cake shots. Â The two drinks that I had were stiff and affordable (compared to SF), the best of both worlds.
For the longest time I avoided this place. I thought, 'Oh great, yet another college frat guy bar'. When I finally gave it a try I was very pleasantly surprised. It has a real good vibe to it. A good mixture of old and young and tourist and local. Everything I've had to eat here as been awsome especially the Pesto Chicken sandwich...with the garlic fries of course. I'm not a Mac and Cheese fan but have heard nothing but rave reviews about it. The bartenders are great and the prices are totally fair.
I've lived in this area since '87 and have been to MANY bars from A.G. to Paso and I have to say that this pub is by far my favorite.
I highly recommend it.
This place was hoppin' last night (thurs). Â We got there around 7 and barely got seated. Â I've typically only gone for their lunch on the patio which is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Â The decor inside is nice - lots of hardwood details and a brick wall-- that along with the fireplace makes this place feel comfortable and cozy.
Our service was good and it's great that they have a kitchen. Â The jalapeno poppers are the way to go. Â I think this might be my favorite bar right now- it's kinda like what Mothers used to be five years ago.
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