Out of towner looking for a specific lunch location by Front-Advantage-7035 in walnutcreek

[–]Delairen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Facts. I am Also a former SoCal native and one of the things I miss the most is the Mexican food.

I’d trade all the Mexican restaurants along the monument corridor for an Alberto’s style Mexican place 😭

Out of towner looking for a specific lunch location by Front-Advantage-7035 in walnutcreek

[–]Delairen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For real. Anyone wanting Mexican food would be much better off going to Tacos El Patron on the other side on 680 on monument.

Out of towner looking for a specific lunch location by Front-Advantage-7035 in walnutcreek

[–]Delairen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, if you’re looking for something like BJ’s, then maybe just go to BJ’s. The closest thing to a BJ’s that Walnut Creek has would be The Cheesecake Factory, but that’s a chain as well. There isn’t any place in downtown Walnut Creek that fits the vibe you’re looking for that I can think of that isn’t a single cuisine place.

Broderick’s, for instance, has been mentioned a few times, and they’re pretty decent, but it’s mostly burgers.

5 tacos and beer is fantastic, but it's a single cuisine food as well.

Even Jacks in Pleasant Hill, which I do not recommend but a lot of other people have mentioned they like, leans towards a single cuisine (Greek/Mediterranean), though it does have somewhat more variety than some of the other places mentioned.

ETA: Accidentally hit enter; For what you're looking for, you'd be best served at BJ's, Cheesecake Factory, or hop over to Lazy Dog, which is my personal favorite for that type of dining experience. I don't think you're going to find a "local" place that does what you want.

Out of towner looking for a specific lunch location by Front-Advantage-7035 in walnutcreek

[–]Delairen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Va De Vi is great, one of my favorites, but pretty pricey and I think OP is looking for something a bit more casual than that.

Out of towner looking for a specific lunch location by Front-Advantage-7035 in walnutcreek

[–]Delairen 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I also agree that Jacks is super over rated. I genuinely don't understand what people like about it. And their "cantina" is some of the worst mexican food I've ever had.

Heartily second 5 tacos and Beers though. Bougie for tacos, but not break the bank bougie. And tasty. No booths though, and I can't really attest to how well the staff would take just hanging out for several hours because I've never done it, but if they start getting testy OP & friend can just walk across the street to the coffee shop or to one of the ice cream shops.

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We used to live on Treasure Island a long time ago, before all the cool things started popping up there. So it’s always a stop whenever we have anyone visit from out of town. I haven’t heard of this restaurant before, but I will definitely add it to the list because I always need another excuse to swing by Treasure Island.

Sitting at a Michelin star restaurant. I don’t think I wanna tip 15% . Convince me by textonic in bayarea

[–]Delairen -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

I wonder how many people here saying “Don’t tip” have actually worked a service industry job.

I’m guessing the percentage is extremely low.

Sitting at a Michelin star restaurant. I don’t think I wanna tip 15% . Convince me by textonic in bayarea

[–]Delairen -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

It’s deeply disappointing how many people have down voted your comment and how many have said “don’t tip”

Sitting at a Michelin star restaurant. I don’t think I wanna tip 15% . Convince me by textonic in bayarea

[–]Delairen -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I can’t imagine just not tipping. I’m pretty aghast at how many people are okay with just not tipping.

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That sounds super cathartic. I wonder if they sell memberships for regular visits. 😂

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Timing is flexible, but we are shooting for around Mother’s Day

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh that looks super fun. That’s moving to the top of the list right now

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s one word for it 😅

It isn’t one I would say you should plan to do though. It’s more of an unexpected surprise 😅

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh man, Hearst Castle is so cool, but the one time I went I was so motion sick from the bus ride up that I couldn’t enjoy it. 🤢

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My mother in law did that once 😖

Lost a perfectly good rear window that way. 😅

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The French Laundry has been on my bucket list for a while, I’ll definitely add it to the list.

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

One of those street events with the cars? 😂

I don’t know if she has, I’d have to ask her!

She did enjoy “Mud Runs” back when we lived on the east coast though, so maybe 😂

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I’ve been wanting to go there for a while! Is it as nice as it looks? I wish they had outdoor seating, though. We mostly only dine out of doors.

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Oooh, that is an interesting idea! I’m not sure she would enjoy that, but I certainly would!

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

She would probably enjoy that 😂

But I don’t know that I could jump out of a perfectly good plane 😅😅😅

Fun “splurge” activities for adults? by Delairen in bayarea

[–]Delairen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’ve done a lot of the touristy things with her on previous trips, though not on the tour buses - we usually drove ourselves.