Beer Town — Restaurant in Oceanside

My honest opinion. A colleague mentioned this place at work and we decide to try some food this weekend with my family (3/13). This was the next day to the grand opening, so they ran out of many items. They had a smaller selection but still worth trying it. They don't have a host so you seat yourself. This is a problem because you can spend 25 minutes waiting for the waiter/waitress to attend you. For food, we had one appetizer, taco fish. It was good, the fish was fresh and the taco tasted healthy/light, the portion was good (3 tacos). Then, we got the salmon burger. It was decent, big piece of fresh salmon. However the burger was bland, the fish needed more salt, and it needed some type of aioli. I had the tropical salad. The shrimps were outstanding... Delicious and tasty. However the salad wasn't fresh at all. It was a pity because the plate had potential... But when you have to be separating the good from the bad it ruins the whole point of eating a fresh salad. My husband got the brisket and that plate was very good. The main problem with the service was that the waitress took a long time to attend our party, then she brought an appetizer we didn't ask for, and when we rejected it she was trying to talk us back saying we did order that dish ( we didn't so we sent it back). The appetizer came 25 minutes later, 10 minutes later we got the salmon burger, 5 minutes later the salad, and then 15 min later the brisket. Some other people arrived to the restaurant while we were waiting for our food and I felt second hand embarrassed for the way they were being served. It took forever to somebody come to greet them (which was our waitress) and then some other 20 minutes to bring the beers. The waiter wasn't even sure what beer was what... The one thing I rescue from this place is the beer. They are all crazy delicious and that's the only reason I would come back. I understand this place just opened its doors, there's so much space to keep growing. I hope they find a way to excel. The place was nice, great atmosphere, nice people, clean bathrooms. I believe this place needs more experienced staff because service is a big part of choosing where we go eat. In resume 1 taco appetizer, 1 shrimp salad, 1 salmon burger, 1 brisket plate, 3 8oz beers...

We were fans of the Surfside Tap Room, although it had its share of issues (food was one of them) and could have been a much better place to hang-out but alas the pandemic wiped them out and the property sold for a cool $2.2 mil in 2021.

Now, BEERTOWN is here and I hope here to stay! Wow, not only do they 35+ beers on tap, they have a large selection of canned and bottled beverages, from colas to margaritas. And the kicker? They have FOOD.

The menu is eclectic, as in all over the place, but in a good way. There literally is something for everyone here, from simple mac n' cheese to brisket-stuffed poblano peppers. Grilled fish tacos, coconut shrimp, sliders, beer-glazed blue cheese burgers - you name it, it's a variety of different things to hit your palate. Best of all? The food is actually quite good!

We ordered: Fish & Chips ($18) Cubano Sammich ($15) Blackened Mahi Burger ($18) Vegetarian Black Bean Burger ($16) BeerTown Pretzel Bites ($10) Two beer flights (4 beers each) Two Towns "Plum As You Are" Cider (8% ABV) Bell's Best Brown Ale (5.8% ABV)

All of the food was excellent but the Fish & Chips stole the show in my opinion. So flaky, hot and delicious - I will be dreaming of this fish in my dreams. The jalapeno slaw was a little dry and flavorless. Not terrible, just not great. Add a bit more mayo and salt and you're good to go. We also had the pretzel bites, which came with stone-ground mustard and "beer cheese". The beer cheese needs more flavor - more beer or more cheese. Just add something man!

The beers were all great. Their beer menu does slant a little more towards the IPA spectrum, which is great if you like IPAs (but I don't usually).

Service was excellent. These folks are really nice. We learned earlier that the main cook had up and quit that morning so a manager/owner had to fill in but we didn't notice anything. The service, food & beer were all fantastic.

We had already make plans with our friends to come back. When you make plans to come back while you're still there, that says something. Glad BeerTown has filled a little void on this corner...

A Love Letter to the Liquid Gold Dispensary Known As Beer Town

Oh, Beer Town. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I'm sure most of you, just like me, have sat at home wondering, "Where can I sip a transcendent pint while nibbling on peppery poppers of joy?" And, let me tell you, the answer has been hiding in plain sight, a hop, skip and a jump away from my own abode. Friends, the answer is Beer Town.

Let's start with their admirable inventory of beverages. Craft beers, sours, hard kombuchas, and seltzers that I'm pretty sure are mixed by the mermaids of the Pacific. Each of their offerings is like a lovingly curated tour of the fermenter's art. And don't even get me started on the can selection. I've never seen so many aluminum cylinders filled with effervescent elixirs in my life!

Their charcuterie board is like a map of gastronomic pleasure, with each cheese, cured meat, and crunchy cracker marking a delicious destination. The tiny pepper poppers scattered across are like little fireworks for your palate, ensuring every bite is an explosion of flavor.

I'm also convinced their Cubano sandwich is some sort of witchcraft. It's monstrously big, but you'll find yourself devouring every last bite with reckless abandon. With its perfect balance of crunchy bread, succulent pork, and tangy mustard, I'm half-convinced it could broker world peace.

But a pub isn't merely about the food and drink. It's about the atmosphere, the experience, and the people. And boy, does Beer Town shine in this aspect. The staff, ever warm and friendly, greet you like a long-lost friend at every visit. They've mastered the secret sauce of service - hospitality, humor, and hops.

So, folks, if you ever find yourself in Oceanside, CA, make sure to venture down to Beer Town. You won't just find a great meal and a phenomenal beer, you'll find a little piece of home. And don't be surprised if you run into my boyfriend and me. We're practically part of the furniture...