Highway 1 Brewing Company

Reviews 6

RO

Rocky De Forge

Let me preface this by saying Im a life long Santa Cruz local that is no stranger to micro brews and funky roadside taverns. I really want to give this place a higher review because I love the local, funky feel but both times Ive been here the service and organization and cleanliness was severely lacking. First time: July 2016 The unclear direction whether to seat yourself or wait to be seated, the 30 minutes to get the wait staff to bus the table they seated us at (which we ended up mostly bussing ourselves), never to return to take the drink order. We ended up qoing to the bar ourselves which is ok, but after saying "Ill be right back to take your drink order " and not returning.. They were somewhat busy, but the food took quite a while (30-40 mins after ordering) Then when it arrived, it took another 10 minutes and two asks to get silverware. No napkins. We got our own. The food was pretty tasty, but cool after the wait. The beer was decent in the sea of local tap rooms. Second try: The wife really wanted to return for her mothers day late lunch. We spent the day hitting a couple local farms, fruit stands, bakery, Pillar Point harbor and just enjoying the great weather and views. Showed up around 4:15. Plenty of parking right out front. Still no clear direction whether to seat yourself or not.. so we stood there for a couple minutes and then seated ourselves at one of the four or five semi-clean or un-bussed tables. We went back to the counter to get menus and were told to come back up to order.. ok. The wife and I ordered fish and chips. The kids, chicken tenders and hot dog. Both with fries. 30+ minutes later were told the last order took the last of the fries (chips). Were were offered a few options, none that really went with our fish that had been sitting on the counter for several minutes . We chose the jalapeño corn chowder option. A few minutes later they were out of corn chowder. Ok, I guess its the onion rings for mom and dad and Mac n cheese for the kiddos. The onion rings were un-crispy and the mac n cheese cool. Both tasteless. If I recall, food and 2 beers,$76. The place was un-kept, messy and disorganized. Food and napkins on the floor, people bussing their own tables. Saw several getting thier own water, etc. One couple who sat after us got up and left. On a 1 to 5 scale, overall the food was rated a 2, the service 3, the cleanliness a 2 and the beer a 3. As a business owner as well, I feel theres a decent opportunity to make this a really cool place for food and brews, but they need to focus on the basics and get some experienced staff. Who knows, maybe Ill try them again. Im a glutton for punishment.

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EM

Emily Howard

The food was HORRIBLE! They got our order wrong (brought out wrong items we didnt order) and took a long time to actually get our food. Also there are a lot of items that have been removed from the menu and are still on the main board which will cause some confusion. No table service. We ordered the fish and chips, chicken breast sandwich with fries, and a kids grilled cheese with fries. The fish was so fried it was almost black and dry as cardboard, the chicken breast was so severely burnt black and dried out it could have been jerky, and I have never seen a grilled cheese with 3 bread slices and mozzarella to make the sandwich. The fries were okay and the pomegranate cider was great and is the only reason I can give 1 star. At the prices they charge I was expecting at least decent food! We spent well over $50 for 2 adults and a kids meal which is ridiculous for what we were served! We will not be going back there. Please save your self the hassle and just drive a little farther north or south to get better food.

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CH

Chris Brunette

Absolutely fabulous stop at Highway 1 Brewery.... Lucky to have a gorgeous day to drive up the coast. I have been coming up here a handful of times a year since the opening. I will admit it was hit and miss in the past. On this day though.... It was my best visit to date... The beer was cold and plenty to choose from, the new brewer really did a great job on the IPA. The new menu was a nice surprise and properly executed. Plenty to choose from. The live music was very nice and warmed up the room with ample applause after each song. Some of the reviews Ive read before writing this blew me away. I cannot imagine how difficult this location would be to operate and be successful. I wonder if the bad reviews come from people that have no ability to socialize without cell service or wifi. This truly is a place to appreciate, try to give the honest feedback to make it better, instead of bash hard working people. Thank you Highway 1 Brewery

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BA

Barry Scott

Perspective: Brewed first 5 gallon batch 1971, also worked Antoines Restaurant, New Orleans (since 1840) 13 mos. 1977-1978 (waited on Tennessee Williams, but thats another story). Highway 1 Brewing Company is my home away from home, where one can find daily craft brews, tasty food made with local farm fresh ingredients, sometimes live music (mixed low), real conversation, kindred spirits & a real pub feel. Oh, did i mention views of the Pacific Ocean & breaking waves from the bar & front room tables? Just south of entrance to Ano Nuevo State Reserve. Many beautiful coast side walking trails, beaches & turn outs = Californias forgotten Coast and perhaps most stunning, in its own way. Been driving Hwy 1 for 28 years & always thought when I passed the abandoned building "what a great place for a brew pub" Congratulations Hwy 1 Brewing Company - you made the dream come true for all of us!

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CH

charles warren

Dirtiest restaurant Ive been to in California in the last two years. The restaurant isnt busy but the whole place is filthy and full of flies and wasps. Food was great, beer was good, but nothing to write home about. They made us pay upfront, so we left a good tip, and then got absolutely NO service after they had our money. I had to get up and go ask for a refill on water in an empty restaurant. The bathroom was so filthy that people thought it was out of order because the toilet bowls were filled to the brim with feces and toilet paper. The toilets werent broken, the bathrooms just hadnt been cleaned in so long that they appeared out of order. The only reason its open is because there are no other restaurants for 20 miles.

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NA

Nathan Marquez

Cool location on the PCH south of SF. Reasonable beer selection with tasty options brewed in house and a few featured beers from other craft houses. My main complaint with this place was that it seemed well staffed but the place was pretty filthy. I would think with the number of people who worked there and the fact it doesnt seem like a spot that ever gets super busy that the place should be really clean but it was covered in dust with bugs buzzing around. It put off my need to eat and probably shortened my stay there. With that said if you are in the area and are looking for a place to grab a beer, you dont really have a lot of options but this is a good place to take a driving break to enjoy a cold one

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