SONS OF LIBERTY ALEHOUSE — Restaurant in San Leandro

Mother of god. Why have they hidden one of the most killer joints I’ve ever eaten and drank at in my life in some place called San Leandro, California? Probably because it would be overrun and cause riots if more easily accessible to a Texan like me. First off, the decor is dynamite; reclaimed wood, painted glass bar, glazed concrete floor, exposed joists overhead. Then the service is immediately recognizable as not screwing around (met the owners, insanely nice beyond measure [Canadian!?!?!] since you would think they must be militant lunatics as hard as the servers work.) Now as for food and drink… The large group I was with stuck with apps and drinking, and it was magnificent. Brussels sprouts so good I was willing to eat nothing else but of course still did, fries so perfect I could have kept eating them all night long if nobody would have pulled me away, artichoke dip so irresistible I was concerned it contained illicit substances, then brisket nachos and crispy ribs that are actually two different items on the menu but I’m treating them as basically one thing which is me finding myself somewhere between confused, heartbroken, and surprisingly proud that I wasn’t being served them in my great Lone Star State of Texas because they’re stupefyingly tasty, especially the ribs. (O, beloved ribs, how I miss you so much already!) As far as drinks, well, let’s call them so criminally mouth watering as to comfortably qualify for a felony. Numero uno, the Blood Orange Margarita is just a banger, a winner anytime every time, no literary embellishment necessary. The Real Killer is a refreshing murderer so slick it makes you think it was your decision to be assassinated. And Fallin’ For Ube is a cocktail so extravagantly delicious that four (or was it five? six?) of them will make the woman you love tell you she loves you literally more than any other time in history as you gracefully place her petite body in bed for a nice, long night’s sleep. Bless you, Sons of Liberty Alehouse. And for a closer—and reminding you you’re reading the words of a Texan here—bless Canada for bringing us such spectacular proprietors, Teresa and Tom.

Having said all that, you’re likely not surprised we went back for brunch two days later. What can I say about brunch at SOLA that hasn’t been said about the moment you realized a recent friend you made would be one of your best friends for the rest of your life? Just as incredible as dinner if not more so. Biscuits? Look, I already told you I’m from Texas so don’t get out of han… Oh, my god. Wow. These biscuits, is this real? Wait, have I died and gone to biscuit heaven? Wait, Duck Carnitas Hash, you say? Yes, please. And why is the meat the most tender and flavorful ever? Oh, it’s confit for an astounding amount of time. Of course it is, SOLA, of course it is. And these chilaquiles, did you kidnap my woman’s Mexican mother? Goodness gracious how good! Oh, and thanks for the best Bloody Mary I’ve ever had, which I probably could have continued to have had without anything else, food or drink, but fortunately your superb coffee provided the clarity to see past my short term pleasure and avoid being punched in the ribs by my darling lady by my side. Besides, I would’ve missed out on the chicken and waffles with maple butter and maple butter syrup, and I’m pretty sure you dosed that dish with something that would get me in trouble if I was on probation because it was divine. What a place, Sons of Liberty Alehouse! And shout out again to the owners, Teresa and Tom, who take more pride in their place than most people take in anything...

Last night, we stopped in for dinner and managed to snag a seat at the bar. We ordered a mac and cheese appetizer, a burger, and the shrimp po' boy all of which were delicious and came out in a timely fashion. I asked for avocado on my burger but that wasn't captured, which was fine as we weren't charged for it at all.

We were sat in front of one of the barwells where one of the bartenders with a nose septum was making drinks and I have never seen someone make drinks so quickly and efficiently. However, at one point she was preparing shots and called out "Adrian" and I also said "Adrian" and smiled as I was reminded of the scene in Rocky. This apparently pissed her off as she thought I was mocking her. Later on, my companion was trying to ask what the smoky smell was coming from and asked multiple times thinking that she couldn't hear him above the noise level in the restaurant. Finally she said "I'm ignoring you because you were mocking me earlier so you don't deserve an answer." I was SHOCKED. I tried to explain that I was imitating the scene from Rocky but she refused to even engage in conversation and walked off. This also made the woman seated next to me to call a server over to change her seat because the bartender's attitude was ruining her meal as well. I've never been treated so callously and rudely by someone in the service industry. Having been in the food service industry myself, I understand how hard the work is and appreciate the effort but this was just unacceptable. Additionally, the shots that she had been preparing when she called out "Adrian" were not for customers but for her, her fellow bartender, barback, and servers. Drinking on the job isn't acceptable no matter what profession you're in.

I've been to Sons of Liberty Alehouse many times before and have never had a problem like this before and will likely not visit so that I don't have to experience such rude and unprofessional service...

Well to find this place we searched for steak house restaurants and this popped up on top with a big picture of a prime rib steak 🥩 and then multiple other pictures of steak and steak like offerings ... So we went to try the place out, we got there just as they opened their doors, say down was given menus, drinks and silverware... We looked at the menu and front to back NO STEAK!!🥩 ... So we called the server and asked where was the steak?? He responded with we don't serve any steak and the closest thing they had was "brisket" definitely not Steak, but the reviews spoke highly about how good the meat was, so we ordered the brisket, brisket nachos, chicken sandwich and a pot pie 🥧 After a little time our order was ready and they were about to bring our food when I noticed a long blond hair wrapped around my silverware, I asked for a replacement set ... It was at this point where I already lost my appetite and just had my brisket nachos boxed and everyone else ate their meals. My uncle had The Brisket, it was drowned in BBQ sauce, if they would have put the sauce on the side it would have been ok as the brisket that we did get that was sauceless was great 👍 but unfortunately it ran out of air long ago and sank to the bottom of that pool (exaggerating but kinda not) My son had the chicken sandwich 🥪 and said that it was ok but that he would not order it again, my aunt had the potpie and said that it was ok .. All and all it was a major let down, NO steak despite being advertised as a steak house complete with photos of steak 🥩 And the food we did have was sub par...

Our server was on top of just about everything else and he was very friendly, he just did not provide any solutions for the problems we did have ... But the food was not his fault. 😕

Would I go back? 100% NO Thank you.

Pictures are of the Brisket Nachos and the Chicken sandwich 🥪 The third picture is of the hair wrapped around my...