Tidewater Tavern

I dropped into this place with my family on Sunday afternoon.  Half the tables were empty, so we were seated right away.  It appeared to be a nice, casual place for a beer and burger.  And the waitress was very pleasant.

The tap beer selection is definately lacking.  We ended up just ordering bottles.

I wish I could comment on the food, but 35 minutes after ordering we had still not been served.  We asked the waitress if there was a problem and she said the food would be out in five minutes.  10 minutes later we just paid for the beers and left.  

There was no apology, just irritation that we weren't willing to wait even longer for our food.  Nice way to put a downer on what should have been a pleasant Sunday lunch.
Thanks Tidewater, I won't be back.

Two things I have done for the past 4 years every July, come to my timeshare in Solano Beach and head over to Tide Water for the fish tacos (at least 3 visits in a one week period)!  I always bring guests with me and boast that this is THE PLACE for fish tacos.  This year I was surprised about my visit for 2 reasons...

The place has recently, and appears to still be, going through a renovation.  While I agree a face lift was needed, myself and my dinner group didn't particularly feel warm and fuzzy inside like we did in past visits.  The prior "bar like" atmosphere is now more of a high school cafeteria feel and look.  The decor is all over the place, some old some new, folding chairs at some tables and it isn't welcoming at all!

 We walked in and past 2 female servers who didn't acknowledge us at all as we wondered if this was still a "seat yourself" place so after standing there blankly staring for a minute, we sauntered over to a table, a dirty one but a table.  I noticed debris on the floor, a lime wedge, napkins and never had seen that in there before and on the new flooring.

 There were 2 tables being served with larger than normal parties but considering the size of the place and that it's not that big, there should have been no issue getting those tables and more served timely.

 The 2 tables had obviously been in there for a while, they all had drinks and appetizers so well on their way.  We place our order, fish tacos, a burger and a salad with grilled fish.

 15 minutes went by, 20 minutes, our waitress could see us looking at her each time she walked past us, not saying a word, no update on our food, nothing... 25 minutes later we all started deliberating leaving and going to Pizza Port for some service and food.  30 minutes later, our food arrived and we were all starving and ready to eat.

 Where to start?  Burger and fries.  My guest took a bite of the fries, handed me one and said take a bite and tell me what you taste, so I did.  Obviously they had been sitting for a while as they were hard and grease ridden.  The inside part was, well not there, there was no potato texture inside as they were all dried up.  The burger was okay but over cooked.  Then we realized, the waitress never even asked how my guest wanted the burger cooked!

 The salad with fish on top.  This was ordered dry with no dressing.  The vegis all tasted like soap.  The fish on top was dried out and over cooked.    Then the waitress brought over "garlic bread".  It was half cooked, limp and the taste was far away from garlic.

 And now for the famous fish tacos... they arrived in what appeared to be a different tortilla than what had been served over the years and with LOTS more cabbage!  I took a bite and boy was I disappointed!  The fish was dry and what used to be the wonderful white sauce dripping out with every bite was non-existent.  Thank goodness I had a lemon wedge to squeeze into this or it would have been bone dry!

 I announced to my party my apology for bringing them back here and pledged not to come back at all this trip or ever again.  My favorite place to go on vacation has lost its charm, friendly service and good, quality food.  Need to find another venue to frequent on the rest of this trip and all future for my fish taco fix.  I will also pass this along to my family and friends that I have referred to come here in the past and will let them know, it's time to move on...

Well, makeovers are usually a good thing, but I think they forgot the most important part....the bar! Where is all the taps??

The beer selection is lacking. I mean, So Cal by the beach, place deserves an extensive So Cal beer selection.

However, food is pretty good, especially the burgers. Staff is awesome and speedy. Worth stopping in and having lunch if your in the area. Set right on coast Hwy and plenty of seating.