Casino in Bodega blows any "casino" that I have every been to away. It's un-like any Casino you have ever been to.
You will not find slot machines, smoke filled rooms, or roulette tables.
Instead, you will find great food, good people, a pool table and good music.
It's roadhouse like no other.
Established in 1939 in Bodega, CA. the roadhouse played an important role in the filming of Alfred Hitchoke's "The Birds" .
No pomp. No circumstance.
A little grit. A little country. Ambiance that even Charlie Palmer can't buy.
True Sonoma.
Menu changes daily. Local Seasonal ingreidents. Cash only.
What we ate:
Smoked Salmon with Hash Browns, Mint, Peas and Creamy Green Garlic ....9
Warm Black Kale Salad with Bacon and Griddled Onions, Avocado and Point Reyes Blue....8
Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Biscuits, Peas, Carrots and Gravy....15
Goat Cheese Dumplings with Beets, Griddled Asparagus and Creamed Spinach....13
Grand Marnier Marinated Citrus....5
Came in on a Friday night. Â The menu:
- A cheese plate with barhi dates, machego and a pistachio crema.
- A 'air-dried beef' salad with fromage blanc and butter lettuce.
- Hen confit with milk thistle, miners' lettuce and fried winter squash.
- Sweet and smoky ham with green beans, almonds and mustard vinagrette.
- Chocolate pots de creme.
I don't know if it's because we got there toward the end of the night (but still, it was only 8 pm), but our plates differed from the menu. Â We did not get butter lettuce with our salads; (which were gorgeous!) we got some other kind of greens that I wasn't as crazy about. Â Overall, the salad was pretty good, but the texture of the fromage blanc was a little off-putting for me. Â I am not sure about putting whole coriander seeds into the salad either, but the air-dried beef was yummy - it had the texture of proscuitto and the flavor of pastrami. Â
For mains, BF had the hen confit, which was supposed to come with fried winter squash. Â He didn't get the squash; maybe because I'm on a no-carb diet. Â Our waitress may not have understood which plate should be carb-free? Â So Mark gave us brussel sprouts instead, which were pretty awesome. Â Very garlicky. Â BF was a little disappointed with the small portion size of the chicken.
I got the ham; which was very good. Â The portion size was enormous. Â BF ate a bunch and there were still leftovers. Â I was sad that the greenbeans promised in the menu did not arrive with the ham. Â I also got the yummy brussel sprouts, but I was sad about the green beans because I love green beans. Â I didn't like the salad greens that came with my ham (the miner's thistle, I think). Â Bleh. Â Tasted kind of dirty/earthy to me.
The highlight of the meal was the cheese plate. Â I have never really paid much attention to dates before. Â What a mistake! Â The dates themselves were great, but in combination with the cheese, what a revelation. Â I could have eaten another of the cheese plates. Â BF also liked the contrast of the slight bitterness of the pistachio crema against the dates and cheese. Â I hope he will do more of these cheese plates in the future, because it was a perfect finisher, especially since I can't have sugar or flour, but I can have fruit. Â Yum!
Headed out to Bodega Bay for a girls weekend. Â We were referred to The Casino Bar & Grill by a nice lady working at a local deli. Â We arrived to find just what we were looking for, a local bar, with food, pool tables, and a great bartender. Â We ordered our dinner, two of us ordered Lamb burgers and one ordered Pork Tacos. Â Our food arrived and we had some concerns. Â My Lamb burger was fine. Â I was a happy camper eating my dinner. Â The other Lamb burger was raw, as in cold meat raw. Â The pork tacos were all fat (a piece of fat the size a a slice of bread).... and no meat. Â We asked to have the items corrected and the cook informed us that we were not educated women (I have NO idea why that came into play...I graduated from a top 10 btw), and he took the taco plate and slammed it onto my plate. Â I informed him that I was still eating. Â He then took those plates and slammed them onto the third.... Looked at us and stated, "THERE !!! Â FIXED !!!" Â We were shocked !!!!
Needless to say, we payed our bar tab, tipped the bartender quite generously, and left.  We preceded back into Bodega Bay  and enjoyed a wonderful dish at The Tides Restaurant.
This place is awful! The staff and patrons are extremely rude. We asked for our change after 10 minutes of waiting and were accused of having it already. We emptied our pockets and were still treated terribly. When ordering a second drink we were told to remember our change this time. We have no problem paying $15 for 4 drinks + undeserved tip. Don't go!
Review Source:What a wonderful little hole in the wall! I was very thankful to the guy who didn't like it here, he prepared me a little for the place. But let me take you one step further. Enter the bar, adjust your eyes, order your drink from the bar, and order your most amazing meal from the white board. We had the brisket sandwich ( I don't eat much meat but this was spectacular!) the smoked salmon on potato pancake, the grapefruit salad and the frittata. Every bite of every delicious coupling was outrageously good! I'm a sucker for old school complete with deer heads and antlers so I loved this place dearly! Thank you Casino bar and restaurant!!
Review Source:Stopped by on a Sunday afternoon with said girlfriends after our camping weekend. Â We sat out in the patio area in the sun and ate the most gigantic fresh oysters I've ever seen in my life - I LOVE raw oysters, but these were almost (almost) too big. Â One star off for the bar owner who made an out loud statement that we were "tourists". Â I guess...but we live close enough that we'll be back. Â In fact, I'm already planning my next trip....
Review Source:Stopped by for a late dinner here last night (Chef Mark Malicki in the kitchen) and the food was divine. Â I had Trumpet of Death mushroom soup with golden potatoes-- the most amazing melange of texture and flavor-- followed by a perfectly-seasoned roasted chicken dish with caramelized fennel and Romano beans. I'll be back.
Review Source:When a place is around as long as Casino, with the same owner, chances are there is good reason and that proves true here. Â Casino is a pretty standard bar before it's a grill. Â Lunch is a basic burger, grilled cheese or tuna melt and a bag of chips. Â No deep fryer, no greasy feel. But with Mark, Moishe and Jody doing their dinner things on different nights, Casino offers high quality chow at a reasonable to moderate price. Â For locals and tourists, whose dining choices are limited by being in rural area, the food at Casino (different fare every night) rivals that of Valley Ford and Occidental. Â Thai food, a pastrami sandwich, matza ball soup, tuna tartar.....ya never know. Â Lots of gourmet or specialty dishes and each one with distinctive flavors. Â The bottom line is fresh, clean, delicious food and consistent quality without the "fine dining" facade. Â No wonder Casino's Yelp rating edges the rest around here.
Review Source:Wasn't too sure what this place was going to be like. This place is so freakin' old and it is amazing. Lots of stuffed dead animals in there. The jukebox has a good selection of classic rock. The drinks are great. The bartender is awesome (the young lady). The men get to piss on ice in the restroom and the ladies bathroom is clean. LOL! This is a great place to stop and get a bite to eat. This is what Bodega is all about. Good memories and good times.
Review Source:Here's the deal: I don't wish any "ill will" on this place. I just want to state my story then move on with my life.
In short, my wife and I were staying in Bodega Bay at a fru fru hotel. I called the front desk and asked "Where's a good place to get a burger?" They said.. "Try the Casino Bar and Grill -- they ACTUALLY have good food there." I am not kidding. That's a direct quote.
Okay, so knowing NOTHING, we called up, asked if we needed reservations. The girl who picked up said.. "Sure.. okay. How many and what time?" We said two at 6.30. She said "See you there." ... "Um.. don't you want to know our names?" we asked. "No, that's okay." Then that was it. Weird. Turns out, she was definitely messing with us.
My wife and I get there, and here's the thing: I already heard it was going to be great.
But we didn't find out. As I approached the place, I got a quick look of what was inside: all (mostly?) men at the bar, some pool tables with no one at them, and some tables and chairs in the back with nobody eating there.
In short, it was hard NOT to judge the book by the cover -- even after getting the suggestion to go there.
It just wasn't for us. We wouldn't have felt "welcome" there. Heck, we already felt "unwelcome" by being messed with. Again, there was NOONE eating there at 6.30. Maybe by 7.30 the place would have more non-roughnecks at the bar itself, but..
We didn't stick around.
I'm sure the food would have been great.
And, I'm sure the place would have been less intimidating for breakfast, which they also serve. (We saw the BREAKFAST sign as we drove out of town.)
So, in short.. can't comment about the food. Couldn't get past the surly atmosphere.
I'm a breakfast aficionado and until last weekend the best I'd found was in Red Lodge, Montana--my new all-time favorite, The Casino in Bodega. Â Best biscuits and gravy you'll ever find, no skimping on the sausage either. Â Also had the waffles which were perfection; so good they didn't even need butter! Â Potatoes and eggs were delectable. Â My friend had the vegan plate and raved about it too! Â I think the chef's name was Jodie. Â Check it out. Â I challenge anyone to find a better breakfast.
Review Source:Oysters? Amazing. Drinks? Cheap and strong. Bartender, Aurora? Kick ass. The owner also offers a shuttle service weekend nights from the coast to the bar since there are NO taxis around here. It also has the most "Birds" stuff in the area. This is one of the few places I would come back to again and again in Bodega Bay.
Review Source:There is no way you would think that food in this dive would be good but its better than good its gourmet home cooked food, all fresh and local. Its the food I look forward to eating when I come home from a long trip away! They even serve wine at the bar which by the way is seperate cash register from the food. Mark was cooking both times I have been and I have never been disappointed!!
Review Source:Only 2 words come to mind about the place: Â HOLY CRAP.
We stopped in based on the recommendation of a pourer at a local winery. Â We never would have stopped otherwise, but this place is absolutley a hidden gem. Â We were told to ask if Mark was cooking, and when we found out he was, we setlled in at the bar for an AMAZING meal! Â This place is as laid back and casual as you can get: rock and folk music playing, a couple pool tables, deer heads on the wall, totally friendly service.... Â but the food... oh the food! Â Better than spending 3 times as much and going to a fancy 5-star place. Â It was fresh, creative, so much better than we had hoped. Â The owner was really nice, and told us that Mark dreams up random dishes, and never cooks the same thing twice. Â Next time we are in town, we are definitely stopping in for the best food in the area!!
Ok.. quick update... where in the world can you get a five-star meal at a supposed dive bar? Â The Casino Bar & Grill... that's where! Â Stopped in over the weekend and not only were the owners, Greg & Elizabeth there to serve up perfectly-made cocktails, I had an amazing meal, which quite frankly, competes with the best of SF. Â Chef Mark Malicki prepared a delectable and local salad made with Autumn greens, goat cheese, persimmon and pomegranate. Â Perfectly dressed and so fresh. Â I also had the braised pork shank with white beans, fresh herbs and local greens. Â I thought I was in Italy for a moment. Â The menu changes nightly so I plan on heading back soon... it's worth the drive! Â And when the owners are busy tending to business, bartender- Aurora will make sure that your libations come promptly and with a smile. Â It's pretty obvious that the folks here know all about service, quality, and lots of fun.
Review Source:I love this place. Â Anytime I'm in Bodega I eat here. Â Just recently a group of us went on a motorcycle ride and this was our first stop. Â The burgers are cheap, fast, and delicious. Â Its usually just one lady that is working and she gets the food to us pretty quick.
Summer times they have the grill outside going, I look forward to trying that this summer. Â
Also, They have a few of the birds from the movie "The Birds". Â Check it out if you are passing by.
The Casino is a great place to stop in and feel like you've entered into another time....in a good way. Â The well-worn wooden floors reflect the age and character of this fine establishment. Â Ah, if the walls could talk. Â Be sure to check out the collection of deer heads/antlers and other animals mounted on the wall. Â Good, cheap cocktails, can't go wrong with that.
Review Source:Stopped here after reading a few reviews and have to say it was not what I expected. Â The place is definitely a throwback biker bar. Â And the menu was not happening as there wasn't an oyster in sight. Â We were kinda disappointed as the service was lackluster and the menu.. well, like I said. Â No Oysters. Â Not a one. Too bad.
Review Source:With Mike, Miami Mike, and Hippie Ted at the helm of the grill, what can go wrong? Delicious porkey roast, and tri tip, ummm.
Loss of one star for Guinness in a Bottle, and the slackjaw yokel clientele, and lack of GF option other than chicken, she tires f the chicken.
If you like the stare of hundreds of dead, marbelly eyes of deer looking down on your surprisingly gourmet meal of HT's BBQ'd Tomales Bay Hog Island Oysters, then this is your place.
Def worth a stop in if you haven't yet experienced the Casino. You can decide on visit #2 for yourself.
Friday is leftovers, Sunday around 17:00 is the way to go in my mind.
Free Honda Odyssea Shuttle to/ from BB for drunken fisherfolks and the like. Watch out for Johnny Q Law in between the towns.
Had a great stop here on the way back to the city after a fantastic weekend up in Sonoma County. We were blissfully cruising west on the Bodega Highway when we rolled through tiny Bodega. I quickly busted a U-turn after seeing a sign for barbecued oysters. Jackpot.
The oysters were grilled to order on an outside BBQ pit, along with some other barbecued meats. The oysters were large and extremely fresh (straight out of the Bodega Bay a few miles away). We quickly inhaled a dozen (1/2 raw 1/2 barbecued) and then got back on the road.
Perfect stop. Make sure to check out the inside of the bar. Tons of old PBR, Hamm's and Olympia memorabilia. All of which they serve!
Best Bar In Bodega! I go there every time we come to Bodega to either fish or catch crab. We really enjoy hanging out there for cocktails and pool. They have one standard table and another that is a little smaller. It is really fun to be there on a Wed. night when they have a pool tournament. The Food is Awesome! Best deal in town. Last time we were there for their Halloween Party and I have to say I have never had SO MUCH FUN! The place was decorated and the majority of the people there were dressed in costumes. We actually called the Casino earlier and had a shuttle pick us up at the house we were staying at. They offer that service and it was the smartest thing we could have done. We were able to enjoy ourselves and not worry about driving back. My friends and I went dressed in 70's costumes. You should have seen the Afros the guys came in. WILD! The Casino really knows how to throw a party. Karaoke, DJ dancing and a costume contest . Being that I love Karaoke, it was only obvious that I sing my favorite song dressed like Cher, White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane. I love it when I get that opportunity. OK, I didn't win the costume contest but it was fun dancing with everyone. Anyway, I highly recommend this little gem. The owners and staff are always there and happy to see you. Stop by and get to know them. You'll love them as much as we do.
Review Source:What a great place! Â The owner is very proud of her "Dive Bar" classification. Great prices, great food, BBQ oysters, Pool tables and a well loaded Jukebox. And, get this, a shuttle service! Where have you ever seen that? They will drive your drunk a$$ home. Amazing! Great people, friendly locals, a definite must stop! We will be back!
Review Source:being the oinker I am I ordered the pork chop, eggs hash browns and toast special with coffee, beer and water. Â so how is that in bartender lingo? 1 beer coffee back and a water chaser or coffee with a beer chaser? Â hmmm who knows? who cares? Â what I do know is that it was a mighty fine pork chop! ( say in a southern drawl) Â one of the best pork chops i have had. Â and the biscuits n gravy were also the best. Â even better than the railroad cafe which i have raved about. Â friendly staff and patrons. Â then when your done with breakfast go take a hike at Bodega Bay...gorgeous!
Review Source:This place is awesome! I went here two days in a row for breakfast because it was that good. They only have a few options but they are all great and CHEAP! The two egg breakfasts were $6 NO TAX! That was some of the best sausage I've had in a long time. It was very flavorful and didn't have any weird chewy grissels like most sausage. The bacon was cooked perfect. The hash browns were buttery and had onions mixed in. It's like your Grandma made you a special going away meal.
Susie the bartender is a hoot! She makes a delicious spicy bloody Mary and they even have little bottles of champagne if you want a mimosa. They serve BBQ oysters on the back patio in the afternoon 6 for $11.
I can't wait to go back to Bodega just to have breakfast here (there's some biscuits and gravy with my name on them) and hang with the locals.
For a long time I kept my thoughts about this place to myself because I like secrets, and I don't like tourists (even when I technically am one). Â It helps that this place is truly off the beaten path, where the major highway goes straight when you should, of course, take the road less traveled into Bodega. Â
GT and I recently made a special day-long trip up the coast from Bolinas just to return for the side-yard BBQ, where you can feast on Bockwurst, BBQ or Garlic/Lemon oysters, ribs, or whatever else the BBQ Bitch may be cooking. Â The BBQ Bitch (not her real name) is my Bodega idol. Â First time we were here she had GT and I taste her homemade rib sauce. Â "Something's still missing," she confided, "so I'm still testing my recipe." Â
There's something very rock and roll about this place, but in an authentic way, not in a fake-LA-rock-and-roll kind of way. Â Inside is a biker bar filled with weather-beaten locals and the occasional stray (like me and GT). Â The drinks are stiff, the shots are big, and they have ice-cold cans of Olympia. Outside, drinking a beer and a shot on the patio while waiting for your BBQ oysters is a pretty darn awesome way to spend a sunny summer day.
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