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Duarte's Tavern Review

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Duarte's Tavern

¢-$$$, American, Pescadero

User Rating: *** 2.6

Fodor's Review:

Though it has been noted by national press, this 19th-century roadhouse continues to serve simple American fare with a modest, hometown attitude. The restaurant's bar, for instance, is a great place to sip a whiskey; but it's also the local liquor store, which means some locals take their orders to go. The dining room is no frills, but offers a solid menu based on locally grown vegetables and fresh fish. House specialties include abalone ($40), artichoke soup, and old-fashioned berry pie à la mode (which Life magazine once named best in the United States).

Member Reviews & Ratings:

A True Classic

Posted by Alan from Kansas City on 8/1/06

Don't go for the ambiance. Don't go for the great service. GO FOR THE FOOD! Freshest, simple seafood with just a bit of a twist. But the soups and pies are to die for. That's why they have been around for decades.

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 3.0

SERVICE: 3.0

VALUE: 5.0

RATING: 4.2

IT WILL BE A SUNNY DAY IN PESCADERO BEFORE WE RETURN TO DUARTE'S

Posted by Dina from San Mateo Bay Area on 5/1/06

For years we haven't given a second thought to making the long drive from Foster City to Pescadero to dine at Duarte's. Not anymore. About one year ago (give or take), we started noticing that things seemed a bit "off." Nonetheless, we continued to return to Duarte's because we used to love it and, frankly, old habits die hard. Well, yesterday, we put that old habit to rest forever. Because we had our dogs in the car, we ordered our food to-go, so that we could eat it outside the tavern, with the dogs. After spending $57.00 for two soggy, nearly cheeseless and completely tasteless grilled-cheese sandwiches, one order of soggy fries, two pieces of pie (one of which, although fresh, tasted like something Mrs. Smith could have baked) and a quart of Chile soup (the only bright spot of the meal, but not worth the $26.00 Duarte's charged for the soup alone), we realized that Duarte's has become a bonefide rip off. Not only was most of the food almost inedible (I fed the second half of my sandwich to my dogs), but the man who took our order -- who made us wait while he stuffed inserts into menus and whined about how his boss (the owner) had just dumped that task on him -- couldn't have been more obnoxious if he had tried. This was the same man who, when I ordered two bowls of soup (at $6.25 each) suggested I simply ordered a single quart instead, without mentioning that a quart of soup costs $26.00 -- more than double the price of the two bowls. As a result, this pitiful meal ended up costing just about $20.00 less than the to-die-for brunch my friend and I had enjoyed earlier that day at Half Moon Bay's Rouge Chef (where the price of that meal included our Mimosas)!!

FOOD: 1.0

ATMOSPHERE: 1.0

SERVICE: 1.0

VALUE: 1.0

RATING: 1.0