Espiau's — Restaurant in Claremont

Don't bother. So we have been coming here for years. I actually am changing the 4 star rating I gave them 10 years ago. We decided to have dinner here after Village Venture street fair that takes place in the village where they are located. They had changed where they usually let people in from the main entrance to the patio so we walked around. We were told there at 5 pm the wait would be 15 minutes so we asked if we could stand in the patio area to wait since that's where they had us check in. They said well we close at 6 today. I was so confused. I said we should be sat before then right? She replies yes. So I again ask if we can come in the patio area to wait. We waited and were sat fairly quickly. After being sat we got our menus and waited for anyone to come take our order after about 15 minutes someone finally came to asked us what we would like to drink and if we knew what we wanted. We ordered both our food and drinks. I decided I wanted a tostada salad not noticing there were two different types on the menu. I asked the waitress if the salad came with sour cream she said yes and I asked to not have any on mine. My mom ordering the exact same thing said she did want the sour cream on hers. After being in the restaurant and sat for around 50 minutes someone came out to tell us they were out of multiple items that came with items we ordered and offered substitutes for part of the items. So after an hour and after 6pm while we still watched them seating people. Our food comes out the salad we thought we ordered was not at all what we got. Which would have been fine since I didn't realize I ordered something other than what I thought I was getting but the item was supposed to have beans it did not we paid extra for shredded beef which was about a tablespoon full and a big glass bowl of almost a full head if lettuce and block of shredded cheese. Basically it was $22 for an insane amount of lettuce and cheese. Neither salad had sour cream even though the waitress said it came with it so my mom asked for some for her salad only to realize when we got the bill they then charged $1 for the sour cream which would have been fine if she didn't say it came with it or even if she said she was going to add it to the bill at anytime. We watched the people that were sat after 6pm order get their food, eat their food and pay their bill all before we were done. I am still trying to figure out how things have gone down hill so much at this establishment. The restrooms were filthy, there was ample staff and they were out of multiple items. I realize the special event may have played a role in the madness but overall I don't feel like that is an excuse. My take is don't waste your...

This place is a Claremont classic (but definitely not Claremont classy)! [A bit of cool history on this spot if one cares to look it up.] The cuisine, a mix of traditional burgers/American fare and American-style Mexican, is definitely play-it-safe, comfort-food delicious. The friendliness of the staff is hit-or-miss, but you find your favorites. The decor is dated, but that means tons of comfortable booths to choose from! All-in-all, if you know what to expect, you will enjoy your time at Espiau's.

Four-legged friend who's a little "ruff" around the edges? No problem! Ask the host to be seated at one of their outdoor tables. The staff will even bring water for your little one (and if they don't, just ask).

Consumption advice: If you want to write down "salad" in your food journal, but you really just feel like eating a grip of cheese, I recommend ordering the Espiau's Salad complete with house vinaigrette. (You'll see what I mean when it arrives at your table.) "The Cantina" (a.k.a. the bar), while walking the "dive line" pending what characters happen to be present, is fun and they always have a TON of goodies on tap. You can even find local Claremont brews, ciders, etc. in their draft selection.

Espiau's is not the latest craze hipster restaurant complete with avant garde menu selections, locally sourced, and progressive repurposed decor. It is not the first place that comes to mind when I'm craving a cold dry white wine from the French Loire Valley appellation, or inspiration for a new cocktail that will make use of the rest of my handle of Tanqueray + all the oranges falling off my tree in the back yard. Espiau's is the place where I know there will be no surprises. I can get good, old-fashioned, "American" food, a cold draft brew, an overstuffed booth, and even bring my dog or friends who only drink margaritas if I want to. If you're looking for a place to chill, grub, and get comfy Espiau's is the...

Over priced for Mexican food. Cheese Enchilada is $7.99. It's crazy that their Espiau's single salad is $10.99. It's just iceberg lettuce and a tone of white cheese on top. I don't even eat iceberg lettuce at home. Anyway, It's terrible when you get iceberg pieces of core in your salad thats yellowish. I know they're probably getting it from the vendor that way. There's not much lettuce that goes into those small bowls. Should be more careful not to get a bunch of core in your salad. Of course you can't tell if there's a problem, because it's covered with a lot of cheese. I like to get more for my money. And most anyone does, Especially these days. Sorry to say this. But at Olive Garden You can get all you can eat breadsticks soup and salad for $9.99. That's only one example. Another Mexican restaurant I go to. For $9.99 lunch special. One choice, is Cheese enchilada , taco, and rice and beans.And thats less then that salad at Espiau's. senior Specials are one item, for lessThen $9.99. So there you have it....