This is one of our favorite hideaways in Pleasant Hill. There is a bar area and a separate dining area for larger parties and families. There is also a small covered patio seating area that is pet friendly. We usually are there for dinner and my favorite dish is the salmon Caesar salad or a burger. I've also enjoyed the quesadilla, fish tacos, tri-tip special and burgers. It is not a fancy place, but a very nice casual place to dine with friends or family. Their service has always been excellent and we usually sit at a bar table or at the patio with our dog.
Review Source:Last time I came expecting good food.. I realized I have to remember I'm in a bar. They should really advertise more as a bar than a grill (when you drive by you don't even see it because it looks like a restaurant rather than a bar). That being said, I'm updating this because they have great happy hour prices on bar food/drinks. And the bar food is pretty good! I would come here again!
Review Source:LOVED MY HAPPY HOUR SALAD
Stopped in here on a Tuesday for happy hour (HH); even though they don't do a Taco Tuesday special of any sort (skipping tacos on Tuesday makes Amy a grumpy girl). But my friends decided to brave my cranky.
I ordered calamari and a salad. The rest of the table did their own thing and I didn't try anyone's food but my own. The HH food must be smaller portions for the same items. I think menus should tell you this. (half order for half price). Because some placesgive full orders and the HH special is the half price for the same amount of food. Â At least the salad was a lot of food! It was so good with cheese and yummies all over it. Great deal!
I stopped coming here when they took out the pool tables. On this day as I parked, I noticed some creepers in an Explorer out front, definitely up to know good. They were there when we left an hour later, just chillin. In their car. Weirdness. Guess eliminating pool tables didn't scare off all the bad seeds. So there's nothing really to do here but drink and eat. We did both.
Our server was wearing some great pants. Husband asks the table: "are those yoga pants?" ohhh, boy. We then told the server we'd been admiring her uh, pants, from behind. Good thing it didn't creep her out. She seemed to take it as a compliment. Which it was.
Pleasant enough atmosphere but I bore easily at bars and there wasn't a lot to stimulate me. At least service was terrific.
If you're a snob when it comes to where you are drinking then you may not agree with me. But, I like Magoos because of it's divey-ness and laid back atmosphere. Not to mention the friendly staff and cheap drinks! It doesn't look like it but the food is good as well. Karaoke on Tuesday nights is a delight! This neighborhood bar gets love from me.
Review Source:So I only drop in here for Karaoke. Â Of course there is a gorgeous KJ drawing me in too, but it's a small fun crowd, a down to earth scene, a good bar and decent menu.
I brought a friend in there and he didn't want to leave since everyone was so friendly.
People singing for the fun of it, just what I like to see..
Went here the other night for happy hour, it was an interesting little spot for sure.
*Happy hour menu was good, there was some variety in food and the drinks were ok. I had wine and my friend had a well drink.
*Chicken tenders & nachos were pretty good.
*Service was fine, waitress was very friendly but a bit slow
*Ambience was ok, it is a sports bar after all
*I like that they have a separate grill area, which is somewhat quieter
Overall, cute casual place for a quick drink or 2....not too shabby.
This a local place in Pleasant Hill that I frequent for Karaoke every Tuesday evening. Â The staff is very pleasant and if you are a regular it is a great place to relax with a few friends and sing a song or two. Â The place has a small, but wide ranging menu (burgers, salads, appetizers, and daily specials). Â The Tri-Tip Salad is very good for those looking for a relatively healthy alternative. Price is fairly reasonable. Â Slightly upscale ambience with darker wood furniture as opposed to most bars.
Review Source:Great place to loose yourself for the night! :)
Food is great very filling and greesy if you're drinking the night away whic helps soak up the alcohol
And speaking of the alcohol omg the bartender is super awesome and not at all cheap with the amount of alcohol in your drinks. Definitely a great deal for your money!!!!!
Try this place out cause its pretty awesome
Food was great- had the Magoo's tri-tip dinner for $14. Steak, baked potato, steamed broccoli and dinner rolls were fantastic! Â Easy leftovers. Also had cheesecake and coffee both of which were good. Â Service was poor though- so bad that I was done with the entree before my beverage got to me. Â It was as if my server forgot about me entirely. Â Total bill was $22.
Review Source:Okay, so I used to this place about 3 times a week. At one point, hubby and I figured out that we spent nearly one thousand dollars in one month here. No lie.
The wait persons are awesome. Most of the bartenders are also awesome.
The owner is less than awesome. There's also a new guy who works the floor there who looks like he should have worked there before the remodel. Scruffy beard and untucked shirt. Sloppy looking.
Food is alright. The prime rib they serve on prime rib night was not that good the night I had it. It was super thin too, I've had better in Reno.
They do have Buzz-time trivia which rocks.
Be careful what you select on the jukebox. I put in 5 bucks and only 4 of my songs played.
I'm down to coming in once a week and that's just to check in on my fave employees and have a glass of wine or two.
Used to be so much fun there...
Review for the tri-tip steak: When I go to a place three times, order the steak rare and they get it right all three times it means it is a good place for a steak. It came with a baked potato and some veggies. The beer was also nice and cold.
Why not 5 stars? Well, it is a bar and the atmosphere is a bit weird. Plus, service as just OK. It was not busy where we were sitting so perhaps she was busy elsewhere. The waitress was  nice though so we did not get upset with this lack of attention.
Go here for a $15 steak.
Returned to Magoo's to check out Thursday night karaoke. Â They were packed last night. Â Perhaps a combination of football and a three-day weekend for some? Â The two servers were maxed out but still took the time to make sure we got a table that opened up, had enough stools for us and our friends Megan M and Zack M, and one of the servers made sure we had a table in the restaurant side once karaoke started there. Â I really wish I had caught her name so I could give her a shout out for being so nice. Â
PJ is the Thursday night KJ, who formerly hosted Thursday night karaoke at Zio Fraedo's in Pleasant Hill. Â She is fantastic -- sparkly both inside and out. Â PJ has a nice selection of songs and is super supportive of everyone stepping up to sing. Â Her kindness is contagious because everyone there was so nice to us newbies. Â
I am holding off on five stars because I wish that Thursday night karaoke started at 8:00 pm. Â 9:00 pm is a little too late for me on a work night. Â Also, we heard that there won't be any karaoke until after football season ends. Â Boo.
Came here with a buy one get one menu item with the entertainment book. Â You can order one appetizer and one meal and get the cheapest off or two meals and they take the cheapest meal off. Â
We were promptly seated and decided on the dining area since the other half of the restaurant was the bar area and a bit crowded. Â The gentlemen who sat us also offered to turn the tv's in our area to whatever program we wanted which was nice. Â
Ordered the grilled salmon dinner and grilled tri tip dinner (see pics). Â Tri tip was cooked perfectly medium rare and had a great flavor. Â Salmon with the homemade horsey sauce which helped make it, Â along with the baked potato and mixed veges. Â Lemon drop was $7, 16oz bud light draft $3.50. Â
Cool place, lots of tv's, great service and excellent value with coupon. Â
Service 4.5
Food 4
Value 4
Overall 4.16
This is a god place to drink and have a bite to eat, not necessarily the other way around. None of the food knocks your socks off, except if you are just in a bar drinking and your hungry - then it is golden.
Relaxed atmosphere, and they have remolded and cleaned it up a lot. Solid place, although not necessarily a lunch destination.
We stopped in Magoo's last night for a quick bite, Saturday night around 9p. Â There were about 3 middle-aged guys at the bar. Â The seating area was completely empty. Â We probably hit them w akward timing... post dinner crowd, pre-Saturday night crowd. Â That was actually fine w us though, we were just hungry and wasting about an hour.
The burgers were good, but they don't have pickles. Â The fries could've been a bit crispier, but they were fine. Â
Friendly bartender. Â Especially toward my Navi.
Magoo's grill is a friendly neighborhood place in Pleasant Hill on Contra Costa Blvd just north of he Ellinwood street that goes to JFK UNiversity, Outback' Steakhouse, and Residence Inn.
It has a nice neighbohhood feel, but with a nice ambiance that is better than your local Applebee's, with a simpler but more refined feel without all the faux wall hangings.
I have come here a couple of times, not particularly to dine, but to catch a game on TV at the bar, since I can walk here from where I live. The bar staff is very friendly, most of the bar patrons are friendly, so it is very comfortable here. Most patrons are middle aged.
I have had the calamari and separately, the fish and chips. Both were pretty good, and reasonably priced.
Since I recently quit paying $100/mo for cable to get sports and going without it, I will come here when I need to see a big game. Scores and highlights I can get on-line or from local stations.
Here, I can get friendly service, decent food, and if I imbibe too much, can still safely walk home.
I will have to come here for a full meal or breakfast next!
"Where are we going? " "Where do you think we're going?"
Of course Magoo's!
I've never tried anything foodwise besides the fries, but they are always served just the way I like em: Pipin' Hot!!!! That becaus Jesus the chef makes sure food goes out right.
I love love love the bartenders. Heather is a doll and Daun keeps me laughing. Denise is sweeter than sweet and Sarah is super cute too.
The ladies pour shots of pure deliciousness. Personal favorite: Caramel Apple - YUM!
Keep the Bud Light's comin ladies :)
My burrito cravings have momentarily turned to burger cravings. Â Then my husband suggested we come here to try the burgers out.
The layout is very odd. Â There is a remodeled nice seating area for restaurant goers in the front. Â Then through a little walk way there is a different bar area.
The bar area is large and kind of sports bar-ish. Â But I really liked the sit down portion. Â Dark woods and gorgeous fake wood floor.
They don't have a custom cocktail menu. Â So my husband ordered some standards like Cosmo, lemon drops, and a screwdriver.
My Burger was very good. Â It really hit my baby Burger wanting spot. Â They mIX the meat in house. Â Add all the nice fresh accompaniments and the burger was as good as home made.
The Fish & Chips my husband ordered left more to be desired. Â There were only two rather paltry pieces of fish on a large bed of Frys. Â He never eats all of his Frys.
He not only ate all of his Frys but some of mine too. Â I was shocked at his hunger. Â
I was happy with my food but was disappointed in the lack of cocktail menu and the rinky-dink fish. Â Service was also slow but it was a Sunday and the server was also the bartender.....that was blocked off in the other room. Â Again, the odd layout.
We actually left and went up the street to Bj's. Â He got another appetizer because he was still hungry. Â Not a good sign.
We would come back again for a burger but it probably wont be to often.
Ok, went to this place by mistake one night and I mean mistake because it was a mistake to ever set foot in this place.
First of all, the bar is in the back and we didn't even see anyone to tell us where it was, we just started to wander. The whole set-up of the building was strange. We got our drinks and there wasn't any place to sit so we asked if we could sit in the restaurant area and the staff acted all annoyed. We decided to order some food and it was a whole big process to find us a server. The drinks weren't good so my boyfriend took them back to be remade and the bartender wanted to charge him again. We decided to have just the one drink and leave so we flagged down the waitress who seemed to have forgotten our order, and we asked for our order to go.
I won't be back. Save yourself the time, go down the street to Farrington's instead.
Gayle has lived in Pleasant Hill for around 15 years and she's always been a little wary of coming into Magoo's. Maybe it was the old biker dive bar reputation or perhaps hitting the few taverns in her home town isn't her thing.
I've been told that Magoo's has evolved into more of a family place and Linda M.'s recent breakfast review certainly makes that point. Gayle and I recently came in for dinner after a long day as hospital visitors and were looking for a place to just relax over some comfort food. The bar music was a little loud coming in and Gayle was impressed when our server immediately offered to turn it down. Â And as our meal proceeded, the selection of this softer music fit in well with our down time together.
I had an excellent Patty Melt, although Gayle thinks I ruined it by putting even the smallest amount of ketchup on it. Â Gayle had a not so blackened salmon salad that she also enjoyed. The dining room itself is completely separated from the bar and features very dark woods and comfortable booths. We also both liked our server and enjoyed our dining experience.
Thinking ahead, this would be a good place to walk to breakfast, especially when we have out-of-town guests. Â Magoo's is what it is, and delivers as a nice neighborhood joint to share a drink or a nibble.
A good solid breakfast option (3.5 stars) in P' Hill. Not crowded and is suitable for the family. I enjoyed the breakfast burritos (comes with 2 med sized) with sausage and potato in them. The oj product with ice (blech) was not that great. I'd pre-coffeed cuz I'm kind of a coffee snob. Next time I guess it's a bloody for me! :) Kiddo could not come anywhere close to finishing the full stack of pancakes (the waitress warned him) so he continued to enjoy them for the next 2 days. Plenty of room for us to meet another family and be seated immediately.
For years hubby has been frequenting Magoo's as a spot to watch games that aren't being shown on tv. Since the remodel it's got more emphasis on the restaurant (rather than being a dive bar). Service was super friendly.
The service was great. Our server was very nice and had a cheery attitude. Other than this, I didn't think this place was that great.
Average all around other than the great service.
I suppose it's a good place to watch any sports games. That's one thing they encourage people to do at their restaurant.
The happy hour was pretty legit. It was 25% off appetizers. I'm not sure about the discount on drinks. It was like 2:45PM (15 minutes before happy hour at 3:00PM) but the waitress let us order at that time and still charged us happy hour prices. Good looking out.
Anyway, average.
I just had breakfast here this morning with my family and was amazed at how good everything was. The waitress was welcoming, polite, and knowledgeable, and the food was surprisingly good. I've been there before in the evenings to have a beer and watch sports, but I've never been tempted to sample what looked like standard greasy bar food. Well, breakfast wasn't greasy; it was delicious. It may not have been gourmet-- over-easy eggs, hash browns, breakfast burritos-- but it was perfectly seasoned, it tasted fresh (the eggs didn't come from a bag, the potatoes were potato-y instead of plastic-y, the salsa was hand-made) and it arrived steaming hot on our table in no time at all. We opted for coffee and orange juice (the coffee was so-so, but it didn't ruin the meal), but you can get bloody marys and mimosas if that's your thing.
We thought the prices looked a little high at first, but the portions are very generous (we couldn't clear our plates). All in all, it was one of the best places I've eaten breakfast in Pleasant Hill-- and a lot less crowded on weekend mornings than some other cafes.
I have yet to eat a bad meal at Magoo's. Â
Eggs & bacon w/wheat toast is just amazing, eggs benedict royal is something special (according to my husband), breakfast burrito is pretty darn good, cheese burger is the perfect Sunday morning hangover food, patty melt is authentic and gobble it up good, and their nacho's are one big mound of mmm mmm good.
Denise makes a great Bloody Mary's and you could be tempted to sit around drinking them all day while watching football.
Once you get past the dive bar feel I'll bet you'll want to come back.
Saturday we were trying to find someplace different and something good to eat. For years I drove past Magoo's but had no desire to make a u-turn and try it out. Yea sounds lazy. haha Well we head into Magoo's where we were free to sit where we please which was in the bar. At 2 ish in the afternoon, the regulars were at the bar and the restaurant area was empty. The horse races were on everyone was into it. The group of old guys who were regulars since everytime an older gentlemen walked in they knew who he was. The same went for a few at the bar since the bartender asked them to run out and get them a diet coke.
So we ordered a Patty Melt and a 1/2 bacon burger. We had our choice of regular fries, cheese fries, garlic fries or garlic cheese fries. Â We went with the later 2 and after eating the garlic cheese fries I wished I got those too. They were really good. Â So onto the burger. Most places when they say 1/2 lb it is close after cooking. Well this burger was over 1/2 pound after cooking. The bun was fairly big and the burger hung out on all sides. Packed with lettuce, pickles, cheese and tomatoes it was so good, but I barely was able to finish the fries. Â They have around 8-9 beers on tap and the staff is chill and friendly.
If I wrote this review two years ago, I would have given Magoo's 2 stars at best, but I've got to tell you, they have greatly improved the curb appeal. It no longer looks like a commercial office space trying to be the local dive.
New landscape, facade and inviting front patio  have given them all the tools they need to make it into a cozy neighborhood eatery.
They have dressed up the interior too, at least the front half of the bar and are going for a more traditional pub and grill atmosphere. Â I even noticed that they have new chairs and tables for their front patio.
The food fare here has never been bad. usually pretty good, But I always wrestled with the idea that I was still taking breakfast or dinner in a "bar"-  a very depressing atmosphere.  Magoo's has come  long way and are erasing that memory for me.  The nice high back booths in the front of house make for a nice dining environment (as long as the juke box is blasting too loud.
Magoo's breakfast is certainly substantial and made with care. Â The hollandaise is reportedly home made and quite good. Â Sandwiches with fries will not disappoint.
Being that I live in the neighborhood, I wander in there once or twice a year for a drink. Â At night the place reverts to its "divy" roots, being sustained by the bar fly crowd. Certainly not a place to take the family for a bite at night. Â Perhaps Im just too old for that scene anymore.
The biggest downside? The loud Harley's being revved up in the parking lot soon after last call. Â I can hear it from two blocks away in my sleep.
upside? they are improving . Â The staff (at least during the day for sure because I don't go at night much) are very kind attentive and eager to please. Â They have improved their image, lets hope they keep the momentum going!
And your your part? Give the a try. you might be surprised.
I'm uping the stars on this, only because my friends and I met the owner last night, and he was super polite and friendly. Â He even came over and changed the channel on the tv for us when we were on the search for a soccar game! Â
The bartender was super attentive and helpful, especially when one of my friends found her drink to be too strong, so she put it in a glass with more juice for her. Â I also tried the their food for the first time tonight, and for bar food, damn, their fries are pretty damn tasty.
There was talk that night of us making this the unofficial bar for us law students!
Clean and polite sports bar. Â
Dinky pool tables in good order. Kitchen for late night snacks, discounts start at 11 pm. Â A decent variety of drafts. Â Bartender is pleasant, but not enough to keep you entertained if the bar is empty. Â Nice dart area set-up with tournament nights. Â It's a cozy pub. Â Good access to freeway. Â Not a destination pub but a often used after work pint. Â Order a pint, drink a pint and bid adieu.
Magoos!
I've had many good times with you and gotten into lots of trouble because of you! Â
I love going here for lunch and having the chicken tenders and washing it down with a couple long islands that are always so strong I am afraid for anyone to light a cigarette near me after drinking here! Â I'm pretty sure I'm flammable.
Magoos has darts, pool tables and pinball - SCORE! Â The food is typical bar and grill type fare the more you drink the better it tastes!
Me and my girlfriend stopped here for drinks one night after work and it was hella crowded for being so early that we had to take a little table over by the mens room - big mistake. Â The smell that pumped out the door every time someone went in or out of there was horrid. Â When we saw the owner enter with gloves, a mop, a plunger and a bucket we knew someone blew up in there - GROSS!
Hey - if anyone happens to find a pair of cute sparkly strappy sandals in or around the establishment let me know, OK? Â I remember they were on my feet when I arrived and don't know where they "walked off" to. Â
Too much fun!
I am a student at JFK University which is right around the corner from here.
This place is great for an occassional drop in for the end of a work day stress but before class snack and beer.
My classmate and I would meet up around 5:30. Â We got good service. Â French fries were pretty good. Â Nachos could use some work.
Overall, it was okay.
Not cute at all. Â The drinks are fair (this is a beer kind of place, but I had Stoli & soda all night) and there's a little spot in the corner to play darts if you happen to feel the compulsion.
People are friendly, but the place is small and they all kind of know each other. Â It had a tired feel to it, and as for the dress code...
Well, maybe I came on Tacky and Dowdy night.
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