State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria — Restaurant in Los Altos

• COVID Info at the Bottom *

This place isn't a restaurant, or pub... but an experience. Their THIRTY taps change weekly, or maybe even more often, at times. But, if you can't handle draft, there's a hearty selection of cans or bottles... even including wine.

For Pinball Enthusiasts, this place is a DESTINATION in the Bay Area. Hosting an ever-rotating Seven Pinball Machines, and a collection of video games (currently including Golden Tee Golf!), they have all the ledges and mini-tables so you never have to stray more than arm's reach from your favorite brew.

Lastly, GLUTEN FREE PIZZA! Did you hear that? Yes, they have * IT *... not only a token "gluten free" pie, maybe cardboard, that you're used to getting only-one-size from most any other delivery, but theses guys KNOW the drill! Honestly, I don't think I've had a better Gluten Free ANYWHERE ... and, with a spouse who is gluten sensitive, we have NEVER had issues - like I said, they KNOW what they're doing!

My only "critique" is, honestly, the wings. That said, they are GOOD. They sometimes are bit overcooked, and lack the real juiciness of a good chicken wing... but, not to the point that I'd ever think of sending them back (so this is more of a "nit pick"). They only have a handful of sauces, but overall, they span a wide range... the buffalo is NOT vinegary (Yay!), their habanero packs a little heat, their buffalo is sweet, and you BETTER be ready if you try their ghost pepper. Sometimes, I just like to ask them to mix the buffalo and barbeque, and enjoy them... rather than light myself up.

So, don't bother if you're just want to order out a "not cheap" pizza... you need to GO HERE, and be prepared to spend some time, enjoy some nice adult beverages, play some pinball, and talk to their great staff. I am happy being a "pseudo-regular" here, at this point (not that I ever really use the Yelp Check-In feature)

COVID: Practice, here, is more-than-comfy. They have reduced their parking to put a handful of tables, outside. They are wide apart, with heating lamps, and quite comfortable, under the trees. There are a small handful of tables, away from the kitchen and staff areas. Their doors are clearly marked with an entrance, and suggested line-up spots, leading in from the door. Staff are all wearing masks and gloves, and they politely ask you do the same when near their areas. The arcade is available to RENT at a fee (call ahead for reservations). Overall, anyone overall concerned about C19 should feel safe here... anyone NOT concerned, still won't be too badly inconvenienced. They are clearly operating within CDC/California Guidelines, and "doing their part" to strike more-than-a-fair balance to any extreme political inclinations (ie. don't...

UPDATE: Changed rating from 3 to 4 stars due to patient and helpful reply from owner. It seems that my friend and I had missed a couple of signs, and I had also not noticed that the default when paying was "no tip."

If I had just ordered pizza for take-out, I would have rated this place an easy 4 stars. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for this visit.

Thumbs up: Pizza was very flavorful, with zesty sauce and toppings. Caesar salad was quite tasty, just the right amount of dressing. Hibiscus cider was refreshing. Parking lot had many available spots.

Thumbs down: Chicken wings had very little meat on them. Very little / poor service (read more details below) yet still solicited 15/18/22% tip. Uncomfortable chairs. Noisy. Prices aren't shown online. No at-table drink menu; all drinks are posted in hard-to-read text above the bar.

• About the "service" * My friend and I walked in and were baffled. Waitstaff were zipping to and fro, but no one greeted us. I flagged one down "Excuse... excuse me! May we have a table for two?" "Um, sure, you can sit anywhere."

Went to the table, but there no menus. Realized we had to grab menus from the front, so we did.

Decided what we wanted, waited for someone to come to our table. 15 minutes later, again flagged someone down. "Oh, you have to order over there" (vague pointing). Took me a bit, but I figured out where to go.

Food was eventually brought to our table. And eventually, dishes were cleared. But no one asked if we needed anything else, how we liked our food, if we wanted dessert, etc. Um, okay. And how do I pay? Oh, I guess I go back to the order location to close my tab?

Wait... now I"m being asked to tip? 15, 18, 22%? For... what? Practically no service? Why?!

I'm absolutely fine with pick-up-my-food type of places. But 1) make it clear from a sign at the entrance. and 2) Don't solicit tips. Tips are for service.

Ironically, I consistently get excellent service at Yayoi in Palo Alto, where tips are expressly discouraged.

I might go back here for a pizza takeout. But I just don't see why I'd...

Great pizza restaurant in downtown Los Altos with a fantastic rotating beer selection. I have a regular dinner here with a friend, and we always love the food.

They have an interesting menu of pizzas with ingredients ranging from your standard pizzeria fare to really creative and unique ingredients. Seems like they've got some pizzas that always stay on-menu and some that are either seasonal or otherwise rotating. In addition to pizza, they've got a good menu of sandwiches, appetizers, salads, etc. The deviled eggs are a great treat. A pizza is a perfect size to share between two people, with some deviled eggs or a salad.

The beer menu is as good as it gets. They've got somewhere around 40-50 beers always on tap, and always rotating. They're organized by type on the menu and there's always something for everyone. I am a huge beer lover and there's always something to be excited to try.

The atmosphere is comfy local neighborhood pizza joint - restaurant seating with an exposed kitchen, a wraparound bar where you can also eat dinner, and a back area with a couple arcade games. Their outdoor seating is where it's at, though - they've got a small patio with a few tables as well as a portion of the parking lot they've converted into seating that manages to be very pleasant despite being in a parking lot. They've got outdoor heating for chillier nights; on the coldest nights we have been a bit cold so better...