Bull Valley Roadhouse, Port Costa

Reviewer: Foodnut.com

Bull Valley Roadhouse

14 Canyon Lake Drive

Port Costa, CA 94569

510-787-1135

Bull Valley Roadhouse Website

Book Reservation

Bull Valley Roadhouse Port Costa Exterior Decor

Why did we dine here? – An oasis in the middle of nowhere. We’ve read about this place for many a year and finally got a chance to dine here, on the way home from Tahoe. Bull Valley Roadhouse serves farm fresh American Fare & Pre-Prohibition Cocktails.  This restaurant is located on the South side of the Carquinez Bridge, at the end of a windy road.

Bull Valley Roadhouse Port Costa Interior Decor

Their building is dated way back from 1897, transporting you way back into the past. Black and white photos and drawings, dim lighting, old wood, ceiling fans. This restaurant and town would fit right into a zombie flick! Except that there are too many hipsters…

Executive Chef : David Williams (Dottie’s True Blue, Slanted Door) serves up the fine food.

Fellow bikers and hikers note: Newly opened, East Bay Regional Park District’s “George Miller Trail” provides paved access to hikers and bikers along the Carquinez Strait, connecting Port Costa with Martinez, Amtrak and the San Francisco Bay Trail. Make a day of it.

Insider Tip – Its a windy drive, so drink early and have a designated driver.

Cuisine – American
Location – Port Costa (Near Southern tip of Carquinez Bridge)
Opened – November 2012

Service – Bull Valley Roadhouse had very good professional service. No worries about recommendations, refills, pacing, etc.
Verdict – Bull Valley Roadhouse is easy to recommend. Straightforward American fare with strong drinks, in a unique setting. Take a road trip here, you will not regret it.

Is this restaurant worth a 5 minute drive? Yes. 30 minute? Yes. 1 Hour? Yes

Bull Valley Roadhouse Signature Dishes – Fried Chicken, Pork Stew, Steak, Cocktails.

Bull Valley Roadhouse’s Menu changes daily but is short and concise. 7 small plates to share with several salads for vegetarians. 5 meaty large plates and a nice list of accompaniments. Family style is the theme.

Website Bull Valley Roadhouse Menu

Bull Valley Roadhouse Food Picks:

Bull Valley Roadhouse Port Costa Mojito Earls Peachless Cocktail

Mojito ($12) was strong and not very foo foo. They are serious about drinks.

Earl’s Peachless ($12) another top notch cocktail.

Daily Bread: morell’s bread – Berkeley, CA – Wheat, with sea salt butter ($4) Bread rotates from different sources. Our bread was on the wheaty, healthy side. A distinct contrast to the rest of the meal. Excellent butter.

Bull Valley Roadhouse Port Costa chicken wings

roadhouse chicken wings, sweet chile sauce ($9) was suprisingly good. Modern Spicy and sweet with high quality tender chicken. Fab. Use the bread to sop up all the sauce. Wing stop, eat your heart out.

Bull Valley Roadhouse Port Costa Walnut Apple Salad

walnut & apple, mixed greens, gorgonzola, honey-sherry vinaigrette ($14) had a lite dressing and nice fruity and nutty balance. Some minor balance to a rich, strong meal.

Bull Valley Roadhouse Port Costa Fried Chicken

crispy buttermilk fried chicken, buttermilk biscuit, smoked ham hock ‘n’ jacob’s cattle beans, pepper jam ($28) Forget about cholesterol tonight, this is a fantastic fried chicken. Dipped in an eggless batter, the skin was crisp and the meat still juicy. Nice beans. The pepper jelly was one hot jam for the biscuit.

Bull Valley Roadhouse Port Costa pork stew

slow roasted llano seco pork stew, organic polenta, tomatillo, guajillo chile, sour cream, lime ($27) is another signature dish. Taking a sort of Tex Mex slant, this dish has lots of tender pulled pork with strong lime garnish. Nice rich polenta rounds out the dish.

Bull Valley Roadhouse Port Costa winter love risotto

winter love risotto, honeynut squash, baby delicata, red frill mustard greens, grana padano ($27) Rich, creamy and topped with some greens.. This is a killer dish for vegetarians and carnivores alike.

Bull Valley Roadhouse Port Costa braised baby kale

braised baby kale, chile, shallot, garlic ($9) was also spot on. Wish we could cook it this well at home.

Bull Valley Roadhouse Port Costa macaroni gratin

oven roasted macaroni gratin, gruyere, grana ($10) is not your grandma’s mac and cheese. Quality egg less pasta cooked al dente, combined with high quality cheese. This went fast.

Bull Valley Roadhouse Port Costa Biscuits and gravy

biscuits and country gravy ($7) was simply awesome. Glad we ordered it to support splitting the fried chicken. Fantastic rich gravy, smothering a tender old school biscuit. Should have ordered some more to go!

OK: (Order if you like this dish)
None

Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
None

Do you agree with our review? Have you found other similar restaurants that are better?

The Bull Valley Roadhouse Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Restaurant Map:


Bull Valley Roadhouse Overall Rating: (Excellent 3)

Come Back?

Food Rating: (Excellent)
Service Rating: (Very Good)
Atmosphere Rating: (Very Good)
Value Rating: (Good)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:Full Bar
Attire:Casual
Parking:Street
Reservations:Yes

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