Karl Strauss Brewing Company — Restaurant in Temecula

This is for the Karl Strauss in Temecula, CA. Pre-COVID we were frequent visitors at this location and we always enjoyed their food, beers and wine, and they always seemed to have good customer service and a fun atmosphere. Post-COVID the service model changed to a more "counter service" model...cause you know...COVID. However, what we found was that overall, both their customer service and quality of the food had diminished and we stopped going.

We have not been there since late 2023. We wanted to give it a try again so we went on a Sunday evening at 5pm (2/23/25). There was no wait to be seated and they had plenty of indoor and outdoor seating available. Overall it was very quiet and only a few small groups and a few couples were there but by 6pm they were very busy. It was a good atmosphere either way and it reminded us of the vibe that K.S. used to have.

The customer service was excellent this time around. Andrew was our server and he was always friendly, helpful and he made sure we had what we wanted. Great customer service skills!

For food we had the harissa hummus plate, pizza rolls, birrea beef dip sandwich, a pub burger, and a kid's chicken strip meal. It was all good except the hummus plate. The hummus plate was just ok.

The hummus was good but we preferred the soft pita bread that they used to serve vs. the pita chips they serve it with now. On our order there wasn't much of the mixed olives, roasted red peppers, red onion, feta, and cilantro on the hummus to make it very noticeable. They also need to include more veggies on the plate. There were 3 of each of carrot and celery sticks on the plate - just like the menu picture. However it's not much when there's 4 adults sharing.

The pizza rolls were surprisingly very good. The "dipping oil" was also very tasty but spicy/hot. Our group enjoyed it but if you don't like hot/spicy, beware.

The mac and cheese was good. It was creamy with a nice tangy flavor from the parmesan cheese bread crumb topping. It's definitely better than some out there. The burger was also very good, cooked to order correctly, and overall very tasty.

The "birreria beef deep" was good but if you're looking for anything with an "authentic" birreria flavor, this won't be it. It's more like a tasty savory French dip. It's good overall and I would recommend/get again but temper your expectations.

Most notable is that they went back to a more traditional table service model. Much better service which is good and we'll definitely be back. Oh, and for beer they are tops. Always...

I am medically exempt from wearing a mask. I was told it was ok but inside I was approached by a woman with a terrible attitude whom I could not hear, due to the mask she was wearing, about me wearing a mask. As she was explaining my options in a snarky and impatient tone and I was trying my hardest to hear her from behind her mask with all of the background noise, a large man, the floor manager, approached me and aggressively told me I had to wear a mask inside. Although people inside at their tables were maskless. Due to his aggressive demeanor I left and called on the phone to explain that I understand company policy but resented his lack of proper public relations. After explaining this to him he asked very rudely if he could respond. He listened to me Only to respond and justify not to understand and learn or better yet, apologize. Company policy is one thing, customer service is another. There was a better way he could have dealt with that. And btw, he did not understand one thing I explained to him on the phone. It went right over his head and he yelled at me. As a business owner I have no idea how he became manager. I would never have him manage my business. I would lose customers. But he gets paid by a check or direct deposit so he doesn’t understand where his money comes from. I will never be a patron of Karl Strauss again. Is this what has happened to customer service? Masked unelected bureaucrats Emboldened by corporate business and politicians to force people against their will and deny service with threatening demeanor? Let me remind you that YOU are not the authority over me and have NO...

This was our first time here. Food was very good. However, be aware that this restaurant is currently if either for Covid or because they are changing the way they are doing business like I have heard other restaurants are thinking of doing permanently to a server less experience. We waited in line to order at the bar. Placed and paid for our order. A food runner brought our food to our table. I did decide to get a beer flight and to do so scanned a code on the table placed my order online, paid and was brought my order in a timely manner. The staff was courteous. I did ask the food runner for a few additional items when she passed by and she only forgot one out of three. It did save us some cash on tip as we did tip some but not as much as if we had special attention from a server. I am not sure if this matters to your personal dining experience but be aware. It does make the dining experience feel less special which in my opinion may impact what someone may be willing to pay for food. I hope if this is a permanent choice for the restaurant it does not affect their food quality. The blackened mahi-mahi fish tacos were awesome and gluten free. If your gluten-free they have good options here. One cider but of course not a designated gluten-free kitchen. My husband got the Fish and chips and loved them, fries where crisp outside soft inside but the coleslaw did not have much flavor next time we would skip that. The Beer flight was awesome at 3.00 a pop to try most 4oz beers. Overall good experience I will be back just probably not...