OK. No dogs. Which means I'm not a big fan. No CCs. Less of a fan. Bud on draft. ok. Tolerable. Taxidermy. I'm on the fence about that. If  you're hunting for sport, to kill and eat, I'm good,.., if you're killing just for trophy I lose respect. Basically, stop in here for a minute for the novelty, head to Flamingo after
Review Source:Fosters is not about the food , which at best can be desribed as interesting and solid. I had an oyster sandwich which was good but not great. Fosters is about the experience, though. It's a virtual museum with an incredible collection of animal mounts. It's a "one of a kind" place full of charm and interest. The staff is always friendly and efficient. I've been coming here for over 30 years and have always had a great time.
Review Source:Yuck yuck yuck. Awful overpriced food. Waitress looked at me like I was from another planet. Worst of all, every inch of this place was covered in animal heads and photos of this insane hunter with his murdered prey. I will never ever return. Only reason why I came is cuz my bf wanted to try it out. Oh to top it off, its cash only!
Review Source:With all the animal heads on the wall, whenever I am in the area, I stop by.
On my way to the Napa Valley to hang out with college friends, one of my college buddies and I stop here for a beer and burger and to hang out a bit.
The biker and biker girls were in town here this Saturday, so we had  beer at the bar, and the biker crowd had the whole back room set for them.
This is really the best and most extensive collection of animal heads. Come along and see for yourself.
This review is for the food only.
For a place that has the heads of wild game on its walls you'd think they would know how to cook a bison burger. My kid very clearly said "medium" when he was asked by the waitress how he wanted his bison burger ($11.00 plus) cooked. When it arrived we're talking borderline raw on the inside. When I politely brought this to the attention of the waitress she said they would throw it back on the grill. When she came back a second time the poor thing was well (very well) done.....like tortured.
Come on, now. Is the cook unable to grill a simple bison burger???
And for me....the "special" of the day was a salmon caesar salad ($11.00 plus). I was literally shocked when I saw the tiny salmon fillet lying on my salad. Mind you I wasn't expecting a huge hunk of fish but if you're going to charge over eleven bucks for that then how about not insulting the customer by putting a decent size piece of fish on the plate??
A neat place to show the kids but not a neat place for lunch. Walk in show the kids the animals on the wall, walk out and then go find a decent place for lunch.
This place is bizarre and wonderful at the same time. (Note: I'm only reviewing the bar.) The stuffed animal heads all over the walls are fascinating. For all those of you having fits about them:
a. Â I'm sure they didn't just cut off the darn things' heads and leave the bodies there to waste. True hunters actually eat the meat from their kills.
b. You probably eat "organic, free range" stuff... don't know how it can get much more "organic" or "free range" than natural wildlife.
c. I think those animals lived a much fuller, more satisfying life than the meat you consume on a regular basis.
End of rant.
The bar opens early (10AM?) and the drinks are delicious and very reasonable.
I personally love this place. Again, another favorite of mine from my childhood. We would go for Sunday drives and wind up in Rio Vista at Fosters Bighorn or "Animals on the Wall" as we used to call it. The french dip is the best thing on the menu. I cannot seem to order anything else because it tastes so yummy.
A few months ago my husband & I stopped in for a drink before closing on a Sunday night. We hung out with the bartender for some time. Even though we were there until closing, he never made us feel like we had to go right away. Very cool guy. We will be back to visit again.
I love this place & plan on stopping back in. The history on the walls is worth the visit in itself.
This place is great! Historical, fun and an amazing Rib Eye. I asked for rare and received rare... do you know what a rarity that is..... hehehehe, little steak humor there.
But seriously, it does my heart good to see a historical landmark look so good. Granted, it may be time for a new ceiling but all in all it looks great. And having a giraffe as a dinner party is pretty frickin cool.
Absolutely disgusting. I was horrified when I walked into this little piece of hell. I'm not a vegan or much of a liberal, but any person with a love for animals will want to cry to see so many beautiful creatures beheaded and hung there, just to be gawked at by drunks. When I walked in ten drunks stared at me for five minutes as I awkwardly stood there and waited for service. Finally the "host" came up and said, "You need something." I asked for a menu and told myself- I'm here- may as well get my family from the car and try to enjoy a meal.
After I got my husband, mom, and kids, we stood there for a minute and someone yelled out, "just sit wherever." We walked into the "dining room," past the bar, and the disgrace became to great to deal with. An elephant, giraffe, lions, and many other majestic beats on the wall. I threw down the menu and we walked out in disgust.
If you love animals, enjoy good service, and do not like to be around smelly drunks, stay clear of this terrible place.
P.S. I didn't bother with trying it, but I heard after the food really sucks.
Very shitty...Just got done doing some fishing in this hick ass town. Walked in around noon for some lunch. All your local oakies and alcoholics were lined up at the bar drunk. Now keep in mind that as we walked in( 2 mexicans & 1 asian, and my little daughter) there was a group of white oakies that walked in before us and sat down and started to browse the menu. As we started to get settled , the waitress who was a total bitch. Comes to us and states; that they are closed for lunch and we should come back another time. Hmmm...What would you do? I never felt so discriminated in my life. I wanted to punch her. Â Very disgusted with the employees of this establishment. It was like when you walk in time stopped and evryone stares at you like they never seen a mexican person. WARNING: (YOU MUST BE WHITE TO EAT HERE). Pass this one up people.
Review Source:If you ever find yourself in the tiny delta town of Rio Vista, Foster's Big Horn is a must see! Â It's an astounding taxedermy showroom, and also, the food and service are great! Â
Foster's has terrific lunch specials for kids - great prices and great food.
Aside from the food, the decor is quite a spectacle. Â They actually have a trash can made from an elephant's foot! Â Ouch!
This place is like a zoo except all the animals are dead
I'm having a difficult time reviewing this place. The buffalo burger was great. The waitress was polite and prompt. The salad was excellent. It's just all the stuffed animals bummed me out.
This place is like a zoo except all the animals are dead ... Â although in a real zoo all the animals wish they were dead... no wait... this place is like a petting zoo but the furry creatures are hard, dusty and room temperature.
As I walked in the first picture I saw was the original owner holding the head of a huge grey wolf he shot... wow, color me impressed. Humans are the only creature that kills simply for the glory and desire to take possession ok, I said it. I don't get the mentality it takes to want to kill something beautiful because you can. .. but I do like the taste of beef ... but I'm confused... but ribs are delicious ... leave that veal alone! ....
Can I have some red wine with this steak? ....
i regret nothing!
The atmosphere is great, if you like dead animals. And who doesn't?
I really enjoy this place, I wish it was closer to home, I'd hang out here every day.
I ate here about 18 years ago and only stopped in recently to show the kids all of the animals. It doesn't seem fair to rate any higher or lower.
I guess I need to go back!
Fosters is a great place with a lot of history... it offers a lot of scenery inside. Great food for budget friendly prices... BUT BRING CASH... cause at FOSTERS CASH IS KING! I personally love their wedge salad which is a little different than the traditional version and it works well. I also enjoy their calamari. Its the large slices not the small ringlet version. TANDY is one of the best bartenders around! If she is there you know your drinks are perfect!
Go for the scenery, enjoy the food and stay for a drink!
I thought sure I'd already written a review for Fosters. Â I personally love the place. Â Lots of local charm, friendliness and the food a very strong 4 plus pushing a 5. Â
The hubs loves fishing on the Delta and many times he will either fish in the Rio Vista area or the Walnut Grove area. Â When he ventures Rio Vista way, we get to enjoy the food and drink at Fosters. Â The bar is friendly and not obnoxious (it was a Saturday nite). Â
The Delta waters can get a bit rough in this area so Fosters is the perfect place to get out of the wind and chill out while warming up!
Oh and lookie what I found...http://www.restaurant.com/Microsite/home/Ârestaurant/383204?vid=2&urlReferer=<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/fosters-bighorn-rio-vista">http://www.yelp.com/biz/…</a>
One of the giant American flags lining the sidewalks of this town hit me in the face as I walked towards this bar and I took it as sign of things to come.
Every inch of the wall is covered with stunned heads of animals from around the world. Â One wall has photos of the hunters in various locations showcasing their prizes. Â Each photo has a little write-up of the date and location of the hunt and some have interesting descriptions of the scene. My favourite sad story is the wolf that was shot in the jaw. Â He was still living, just unable to attack. Â The hunter needed to get back up a hill so he held the wolf by its tail and had the animal drag him to the top of the hill.
I wandered around the place, pretended to take the title of Fish Sniffer magazine seriously, and almost managed to lock myself in the bathroom. Â
All in all, a very American day was had.
It was quite an experience to eat here - though I don't approve of the carnage hanging on the walls I can't complain about the food. Try the fried asparagus appetizer! Â
The only thing that would have made this place better is if they had the head of the a-hole who shot all these animals stuffed and hanging on the wall. I mean... who shoots a giraffe for Christ's sake?
First off, let me say that I loved the place.
But it's fair to ponder would be place survive without the 600 animal heads mounted to the walls?
I say the answer is no. I wouldn't travel for miles to eat some meat at just any old steakhouse. I ordered the streak sandwich and I have to report that it was just OK. Meat on bread. Nothing else. This may sound like a serious put down, but I've had a better steak sandwich at Cal-Expo's racetrack.
Saving the meal was a visit from the owner who offered a bourbon-infused lesson on the art of mounting killed animals. As we learned the Jonas Brothers are the best taxidermists in the world and they did all of the heads in the room, including the elephant.
The place is great it's like a museum with booze and average food. Enjoy.
Made the trek out here with my girlfriend this past weekend, and it was definitely worth the drive. Â Ended up getting the bison burger and some of their homemade chicken noodle soup. Â Fairly average food, but a couple of dollars more expensive than it should have been. Â
I didn't mind it though, because where else can you eat or grab a beer with this kind of decor? Â This is one of those "only in America" places that makes me feel proud to be an American. Â The only downside to the place is that Bill isn't in there to shed some light on some of the more curious artifacts on display. Â How much does it cost to go on a walrus hunting expedition? Â Can I get the number for the guy who mounted that clock on the bear claw?
Pure Americana and a fun place to explore with a pint. Â Don't miss it, but skip the food and opt for the beer.
Listen up people. Â I have next Sunday afternoon all planned out for you.
You're going to explore the Delta.
Bring your bike. Any bike will do because this land is FLAT. You'll be exploring some quiet Delta roads, with old timey marinas and bars on each side of the road. Â You'll think you're 1,000 miles away from the bustle of the bay area and you'll wave at people at the marinas and on the road - and they'll wave back.
Here, I've even mapped out a leisurely 12 mile ride for you:
<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fveloroutes.org%2Fbikemaps%2F%3Froute%3D35863&s=cc19305a972b567c51ac688df8839c73091a8d9debff5fafbbcf15da0fc55267" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://veloroutes.org/bi…</a>
After your ride, head over to Rio Vista and find Foster's Bighorn, which was built in the 20's and has over 350 animal heads on the walls, virtually all of them shot by Bill Foster, the original owner.
Look, I love animals too and think a stuffed animal head on a wall is kind of appalling. Â But when there are 350 of them, it somehow goes from appalling to fascinating. There is really nothing like this anywhere else.
Sit at the nice looking bar, have a cold beer or two and, when you're ready, move to the dining room for some of the best, most tender fall off the bone pork ribs you'll ever eat. Â
There's nothing like gnawing on a rib in the presence of rhinos, bears, giraffes, moose and an elephant to make you really feel like a caveman.
The memory still lingers with me after a year and in case Eye on the Bay is doing reruns I don't want any of you to make my same mistake.
This is really a two potty stop, meaning I hit to hit the lew twice before I was able to escape from this place.
The only thing positive I can say about this place is stop for a drink at the large bar and enjoy the stuffed heads looking down on you. It was amazing how many different animals this man had made into trophy's during his African safari's. A site to see but if dead animals are not your cup of tea then you should totally avoid this place. I think that this IS the reason to stop by Fosters.
Now back to the food: the steak sandwich was nothing to be desired, open faced, tough whole steak with fat intact. The fried fish sandwich was like fried saw fish. I don't think there was anything that resembled fish inside that batter. The clam chowder if memory serves me on this one thing was OK but maybe this is what gave me the trots. Be careful and beware. Go before you leave and hope for a short ride home.
The only reason I'm withholding one star is because I've never tried the food, and judging from some of the reviews here, I may forgo that indefinitely. All I know is that if you love alkyhol and hate animals as much as I do, then Foster's is the place for you, bubba.
The only difference between this place and a zoo is that there are way more animals here. Â Well, that and the fact that the animals here are all long dead. Â Plus the booze flows freely. Â Okay, maybe there are few differences between this place and a zoo. Actually, it is more reminiscent of a Disney exhibit where all the animatronics (is that what they call it?) are on the fritz.
On my first visit, an habitue was kind enough to give me a little tour. Â According to this fellow, the backroom boasts the largest mounted elephant head in the world. Â Mounting it involved the use of a few I beams and cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $40,000, and this was in the mid-1940s. Â The tour ended with a wolverine, which my host characterized, more or less, as a vicious, bloodthirsty little bastard, the only animal, he said, known to hunt purely for the sheer joy of killing. Â "You mean the only animal besides humans?" I inquired. Â My guide shot me the stank eye and shuffled off, muttering and seemingly miffed.
Anyway, if you ever happen to be in the area you owe it to yourself to, at the very least, pop in to take a quick look around. Â There are few if any other places like it in the world. And that's probably as it should be.
My wife and I took a meandering road trip through the Delta and winded up at Foster's Big Horn in Rio Vista. A taxidermists wet dream. Ernest Hemingway would love this place.
I love this place, but not for the animal heads.
Foster's had some cold cold beer on tap including Sierra Nevada Brown. I ordered a couple of Sierra Browns and plunked some quarters in the jukebox. The joint was almost empty, we had the entire bar to ourselves. The sounds of  Ray Charles, Willie Nelson and Billy Holliday were bouncing off the walls.
The bartender was a nice lady. She even bought me a pint of Sierra.
Foster's Bighorn is a cool spot to stop if you're ever in Rio Vista along the river delta.
Foster's Big Horn is legendary among the daytime regulars in the bar I work at, so I took scenic highway 160 down to Rio Vista one afternoon for some cold Coors Light and dead animal gazing. Â I sat underneath the badger and drank my beer, all the while watching a dog in the open doorway. Â He couldn't come in because there was a sign outside that said no dogs allowed. Â Felt kinda bad for him.
If you heard about this place before, then you know it's claim to fame: Â big game trophies bagged by Foster himself for your enjoyment while you drink. Â The food is so-so, and the beers are a bit expensive for the type of place it is. Â None of that really matters. Â Make the drive and see this place for yourself. Â This is a throwback establishment of the highest caliber.
Bonus:  If you come back up Highway 84 north to Sacramento (west side of the river, don't go  back over the Rio Vista bridge), you and your car get to take the Ryer's Island ferry.  For free.  It's strange down in the Delta.  I  like it like that.
Every June my family all piles into a rented van to drive from LA to Rio Vista for a family reunion. It finally occurred to me that I should see what Yelp has to say. I saw this place and read the reviews and knew that I absolutely had to see it for myself.
My dad, uncle, husband and I swung by before a trip to Lira's for provisions. It was the middle of the day on a Saturday and most of the seats at the bar were taken. Nobody was in the restaurant part. But I didn't go there for food, I went for a beer and to satisfy my curiosity.
Yes, there really are huge taxidermied animals all over the walls. Covering every inch, practically. Huge heads of everything from gazelles, zebras and giraffes to elephants and lions. It's mind-blowing. There are even little stuffed monkeys. They also have a huge collection of photos on the walls of the actual safaris where these animals were hunted. They're labeled with little descriptions of where, what animal, etc. It's truly fascinating to walk through and look at everything.
Seriously, this is a must-stop for everyone into kitsch or oddities. It's high on my list of things one must do on a California road trip. 5 stars from me since I wasn't there for food or service. I wanted a beer and to see something amazing. This place totally delivered.
5 stars.
No other place on earth that I know of like Foster's.
I think Foster's needed just a tad bit more emphasis on it's "Eye to the World" as it were. And how colorful Mr. Foster truly was. If I may be so bold.
Here is a guy in the glamorous town of Rio Vista off the Sacramento River. For all expectations that in the 1920's hadn't even heard, the term "The Cat's Meow", or who Harry Houdini, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, F.Scott Fitzgerald, who Frank Lloyd Wright was, or Georgia O'Keeffe. Likely there wasn't even a paved road to town?
He was busy making and running liquor.
But not before getting a taste of the great outdoors, and exotic wonders of the wild as a young man. Filming as an apprentice the Safari's of another man. Later in the early 1930's to become himself a big game hunter. Recording his own adventures being a passionate and devoted photographer, and a sought after taxidermist.
He was bringing "King Kong" type examples when most just saw it in the theaters.
His collection grew into the 1950's.
And it is now, just how rare and unique his collection is that a trip to today's Foster's Big Horn should somehow find you there. Â African Elephant, a Giraffe, Moose w/ a 6'+ antlers (largest recorded at the time). 100's more.
This place is a trip!!
photos: <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fostersbighorn.com%2Fphotos.html&s=e5a0d2f82b15fcb1c15c022b85bb0386a9d236668c45c9d3fa3eee4c4621f262" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.fostersbighor…</a>
Hey, Cold Beer. Good old' fashioned Grub. "Dig In"!!
Menus:  <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fostersbighorn.com%2Fmenus.html&s=c8a2ed8185d3c4d4a87bab10669050074d3410f95cb23aae5412afb0f03c99ca" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.fostersbighor…</a>
home page: <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fostersbighorn.com%2F&s=95861bba94bcba7c13e3e4950e81876c28f51d9efea822181062e0ccb27ee88e" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.fostersbighor…</a>
Not sure I'd come here and chat / text on my cell while here. You just might be the next trophy on the wall. 8-)
This place is way over priced for the truck stop diner meals you get. Â Â It's cool and creepy at the same time to sit underneath hundreds of stuffed animal heads as you gnaw on your meat.
It's pretty dark and dusty inside. Â
You'd think the inside would be cleaner given all the apparent tweeks that work here.
Just for the OK drinks and the cool heads I'm only giving two stars.
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                  Fox Hunt 1960 Â
            "The Horniest Place in Town"          Â
Foster's Bighorn Bar and Restaurant was established in 1931 by Bill Foster, designed as a trophy haven where the public could view the animals of the world. Foster passed on in 1963, his wife in 1975, but current management maintains the exhibits and atmosphere.
This famous collection of wild game trophies shows off 300 wild animals, birds, and fish. Just their heads, natch. High-ceiling, yet gloomy, claustrophobic -- the vague musty flakings of big game kill still in the air. Moose and snarling wild boar heads stare down bar patrons.
We only came here for drinks and stared. Â Couldn't bring any appetite for this place with 300 horns and heads all around!
The food here is terrible and not at all cheap. Â Come here for drinks and weird, weird ambiance but do not order food.
Went here with two friends and found out from the waitress half way through our (lousy) meal that our food had been prepared by an 18 year-old father of one hopped up on Rockstar. Â This made sense given the quality of the cooking.
I first became familiar with Foster's Bighorn ten years ago, when I stepped in eagerly, camera in tow. Many signs were plastered about the place:
No Cameras
No photos allowed
Absolutely no pictures
My stomach turned at the thought of walking away empty handed, so I had a little talk with the bartender. She said I could go ahead, but if the owner walked in, I would have to stop taking pictures. I walked away with three rolls of film and enough material for my thesis exhibition.
Walking in a few days ago, I was happy to see the place had not changed except removal of the cautionary signage and the cigarette stained walls which were neatly covered with a new coat of paint.
This is a bar and burger joint full of taxidermied specimens, said to be hunted by the likes of Hemingway. The animals fill the space with an equally eerie air of calm and unrest.
As I greeted the zebras, tigers, deer, monkey, elephant, giraffe and other unfortunate souls, I felt a familiarity that comes from pictures. The pictures I remembered taking and the many pictures that grace these greasy walls.
This is a step back in time and yet there are still active hunters casing the joint, gaining inspiration for future conquests. Tourists and locals equally enjoy this unique spot. The current bartender is friendly and unassuming, and the environment is the stuff of fantasy and nightmare.
Its a long drive, so bring your camera, have a drink and stay a while. I don't know if the food is good or not, but who can eat with all those glassy eyes staring down on you.
This isn't a bar -- it's a museum exhibit!!
Honestly, I have NEVER seen anything like it. You just can't help but be fascinated by the place and you're talking to a girl who's not and never will be a proponent of killing animals for sport. But still, it's something to see that's for sure. Animals of all kinds, hunted by the bar's namesake, Â line the wall above the bar and back restaurant. I know absolutely nothing about taxidermy (and prefer to keep it that way)... but wow! There's a rather large walrus over the bar that I swear seems to be smiling. Â The enormous elephant and giraffe in the back room... well... they just astound. I'm not sure I could eat with all those eyes on me... but a beer I can handle.
Rio Vista is definitely a small town... but if you're in the area stop in here for a drink. Unless of course you're a die-hard vegetarian or dead creatures just give you the creeps.
I'd love to have written Mike W's review, since it says everything that I want to say.
This is the first place that, for me, defines Rio Vista as something other than a sleepy Delta town. I just sat there in awe of what was around me.
I know a few hunters (and former hunters) and I'm going to ask every single one of them if they've ever been here.
FOOD: had the fish and chips. I'll just say that these people take their batter and frying SERIOUSLY. That, in addition to the (and I mean this) one-of-a-kind decor gets 'em 4 stars.
Whoa....what a trip.  An extremely fascinating but  somewhat morbid place, the Bighorn is the cumulation of what seemed to be  Bill Foster's lifetime ambition:  To kill one of every species on the planet, then mount whatever would fit on the walls of his restaurant.  This is a great place to take people from Southern California who have that "I've done it all and seen it all" complex.  It's fun to watch them when they enter the bar....they don't know exactly what to think at first, but they quickly concede that yes indeed, you've shown them something the likes of which they've never seen before...
Fair warning: Â This is not, repeat NOT the place to take anyone that has any affiliation with PETA, ASPCA, or any other organization that fosters the welfare of animals. Â It's probably not a good place to take vegetarians either. Come to think if it, it's probably a bad idea to take just about any woman from San Francisco here before getting to know her. Â To do so is a dicey proposition at best, and something I'd compare to playing Russian roulette directly at your foot with four-out-of-six rounds in the cylinders. Â I talked to a guy that brought his kids here once. Â His young son got scared. Â His daughter cried. Â His wife wanted to leave...quick. Â It's fascinating in a morbid sort of way...but it's definitely NOT for everyone.
The front door leads to the bar, and your first glimpse of what you're getting yourself into. Â Small to medium-large sized trophies line the left side of the wall, with pictures of whatever he didn't stuff on the right side. Â One particularly memorable picture was titled "Tragedy in the wild". Â It was a picture of a moose skeleton they'd found somewhere in another country. Â Amongst the moose bones, you could see a high powered rifle and a human skeleton. Â From the looks of things, an unlucky hunter shot the wrong moose, and the wounded animal managed to even the score before he gave up the ghost.
The end of the bar leads to the Restaurant area.  If the bar freaked you out, don't go there.  It's where the big game trophies are, namely Rhino, Elephant, and Giraffe.  I always found the Elephant and the Giraffe to be somewhat disturbing.  Giraffe hunting?  It just can't fathom it...  The food in the restaurant is standard issue Yankee  fare, but surprisingly good considering that food isn't what most people come here for.  The bar crowd are mainly Rio Vista locals.  It picks up early in the evening, but dies out quick.  Liquor selection isn't anything out of the ordinary, and beer is limited to domestic long-necks.
Foster's is an interesting insight into the hunting culture of old....a culture that is alive and well in other parts of the country, but almost extinct in the Bay Area. Â It hearkens back to days of yore that some pine for....and that others thank for their passing.