Burgers and Brew

Cars Mostly Blocking The View Of Burgers and Brew's Open Porch Seating.

Burgers and Brew is a restaurant owned by the same people behind Crepeville. They specialize in burgers (both meat and veggie), of course, but also serve sandwiches such as BLTs (get it with extra applewood smoked bacon, it's totally worth the $1.25 and hella crackin), cheesesteaks, and turkey avocado. Oh yeah, and they serve beer.

For lunch, Burgers and Brew is like Crepeville, where customers order at the counter and receive a number. In the evening, the restaurant has full service and a host who seats customers. As of now, they aren't accepting any reservations.

Though seating is cramped on the porch, the tables and park benches on the corner of Third Street and C are considered part of the restaurant, not Central Park, and you can get full service. This lets you sit on a park bench with a beer and not get hassled by DPD. The porch is wired for live music and the owner stated that he looks forward to small shows. Have there been any?

Burgers and Brew has a happy hour between 3-6 pm Monday through Friday. Their buns are from the Village Bakery. It opened on November 25, 2007, located where Hibachi used to be.

Prior to opening, Davis Life Magazine wrote that they would serve "mostly health food that's mixed with red meat... The new restaurant will feature a simple menu with everything reasonably priced. A lot of beers and homemade fries".

For a review of local burgers, see Davis Life Magazine.

• "Best Burger" Best of Davis, 2008 — February 19th, 2008 California Aggie

• Burgers and Brew Moves in Downtown — November 28, 2007 California Aggie
  

Short lived mystery photo

What's your opinion of Burgers and Brew?

Note: You must be logged in to add comments

Older Comments

• /Pre-opening Comments
  

• /2007 Comments
  

• /2008 Comments

Recent Comments

2009-01-15 02:06:55   My friend and I just came by here to get some dinner, and when we ordered our food, they never asked us if we wanted it "for here or to go?". I guess they just ASSUMED that we wanted it to go, because when they brought out our food, it was in a plastic bag with to go boxes. Problem was, we wanted to eat it right when we got it...just like you're supposed to at a typical restaurant if I am not mistaken. But that's okay! Its not like we cant eat out of our boxes, so we started to dig into our meal. As we were eating, a waiter came by and he asked us to leave because eating out of to go boxes inside the restaurant looked "tacky". So we told them that we never asked for our food to come in boxes. And his response went a little something like this: "Well, after 5pm if you enter through the side doors without calling ahead, all of our orders are to go..."

....

What?! @_@ —jfong252

• What the...since when did this start happening? Darn, now I have to start making reservations to go to a burger joint? —SunjeetBaadkar

• Their response was "tacky". I mean, if they really are concerned with appearances. I've eaten dinner here, literally, over a dozen times in the last two months. I always sit and eat (well after 5) and I have never called ahead. Were you not seated? Or did you just walk up to the register and order? And if so, they should have asked you whether it was to-go. How in the hell would you know such a random and utterly stupid policy without them warning you? They hammer you over the head with their 'no split-check' policy'. Why wouldn't they ask you? And how full was the place anyway? None of those people called ahead for a reservation. What the hell? I know that if you order your food to go, they won't let you sit there and eat it. But if you had planned on it eating there, how can they respond like that? Is there some missing information here? And if they had screwed up, they should have fixed it. —CurlyGirl26
  

2009-01-15 16:03:42   I think the deal is you didn't talk to the host/hostess for the night (they usually are at the front door) to get a table. If you go straight to the register at night, they assume it is to-go. During the day it is like crepeville, but at night you have to wait to be seated, just like any other place. However, it sounds like whomever spoke to you was rude, and I am surprised because I have had nothing but positive experiences with Burgers and Brew, I would bring it up with the managers next time you are there, they are pretty good about fixing this kind of thing. —AndrewPeake

2009-01-16 12:45:18   Yea, so I was with jfong when that waiter kicked us out. I had never been so offended by a burger place! I mean, comon! It's not like its "high-end" burgers—people don't dress formally to eat at Burgers and Brew! They go there to eat greasy food, drink and be loud and obnoxious (at night anyways). And we didn't even want our food to-go! AND its not our fault your own boxes are tacky!! Your cashier didn't even say it was "automatically togo" if you go in through the side door. There were no signs either! So how could you [burgers and brew] kick out your own customers because of stupid rules you didn't inform us about?? eh??!

really, REALLY disappointed... I actually used to like this place too, but not anymore
which is fine; their burgers seem to get worse over time anyways.... —Saffry

2009-01-16 13:12:44   Okay, I just called this place to get this cleared up. This is bogus. Burgers and Brew does not even take reservations. You just show up and they seat you. It tends to get busy at night so if you may have to wait for a but before they can seat you. To avoid that, you can go early or late to avoid the dinner rush. The person I spoke to made this very clear. —CurlyGirl26

2009-01-17 14:45:35   They seem to have recently increased the price of the food up a few dollars. It's still a reasonable price, I just liked when it was amazingly inexpensive before :D —ChristyMarsden

2009-01-29 03:12:25   Great burgers. Simple and fresh —JasonKong

2009-02-02 12:05:12   I keep wanting this place to start getting really good because the Begian beer selection is unlike anything else you can find in Davis. I'd love to be able to go to Burgers and Brew have a delicious beer, enjoy a delicious burger and call it a night, but they can't seem to make a great burger to save their lives. Two days ago some friends and I stopped by for dinner and I ordered a cheescake to split with my girlfriend for dessert. The cheescake was inedible and everyone at the table agreed. It was dry and chewy and lacked any type of flavor. Really quite bad. When we told the waiter about it he was just like "Oh yeah, it's not my favorite either," didn't even take it off the bill. Whatever. I might be tired of trying to let these guys impress me. —anonomous

2009-02-02 22:34:52   I was here about a year ago with my wife getting some excellent services right next door at Smooth as Silk and then afterward was recommended to come here for a burger and brew. The Burger was one of the BEST I have ever had! Large menu with countless choices and they made an awesome "black n tan" for me! Kind of really topped off my day in Davis! Gonna have to try Crepeville next visit, as I heard they are excellent also! —OutOfTownVisitor

2009-02-23 23:07:30   Ridiculously overpriced for the quality of ingredients. —GreezySweezy

2009-02-26 21:24:45   I hate using this word as a critique, but this place is "overrated". It is hard not to say that about this restaurant when you see such a long line every night every day. The fries were okay, they oversalted it for me. Maybe next time I will tell them to leave it alone. I had a turkey melt and that somehow came out salty. Like really salty. And I am usually pretty tolerant. The philadelphia cheese steak was just normal. I really should try the burger. Other than that, the service was really really good for such a crowded place. My friend absolutely loved this place. Ill definitely give this place one more chance. —chand3123k

2009-02-27 09:49:49   My wife and I drove from Sac yesterday just to have a burger. We both ordered medium rare and they arrived almost well done. I suppose this was ok because the meat really was not all that fresh and had lots of gristle. We both stopped at the half way point, got togo boxes and gave the two left over burgers to the dogs. Both of us were kind of ill all night (the kind where you just skip dinner, have a coke and go to bed) Anyway the trip was just plain sad.
It will be quite a while before I go back —Griffon

2009-03-08 12:23:16   I like this place- It's always packed, so other people like it too (a lot). The milkshakes have gotten better, or it probably depends on who is making them, but mine are always thick and wonderful. The burgers are a little pricey because they use Niman Ranch beef- it's raised well, partially grass-fed, and no hormones or antibiotics are used. It always makes for a more expensive meat, but it is actually good for you (as opposed to corn-fed, antibiotic and hormone injected beef, which is crap and bad for you). Plus, it tastes really good. —Lala

Cows raised for Niman Ranch can be treated with antibiotics on an individual basis. Also, these cows are often finished on corn.


"At Niman Ranch, the animals are never, ever given antibiotics in our program [...] In the rare instance that an individual animal becomes sick and requires treatment with antibiotics, it is treated and removed from the Niman Ranch program. That animal is then sold into the conventional livestock market."

2009-03-09 09:01:57   Niman Ranch is a sham, Bill Niman was forced out of the company as part of bankruptcy. Its really all about quality control and as the company has gotten bigger more people are involved who don't have as high standards as Bill Niman, even if they say they do. Without a thorough understanding of the supply chain I think it is just as well to get whatever tastes good at a good price. Don't believe the hype. —NickSchmalenberger

2009-03-21 10:23:29   I went there for the first time with my sisters for my 25th birthday. We didn't wait long for a table but they seemed annoyed when we politely asked for a table on the patio. I even thanked them several times for setting up a table out there for us but we recieved no eye contact, no 'you're welcome', no return smile. Food took a little while to come out. Fish n' chips were disappointing, tiny portion and overcooked for what we paid for. Beers were decent, not a wide selection though. Salad was nice. Fries were salty and dry. Burger was decent but not spectacular. The server was not friendly at all. Even asked how his day was to get a human response out of him. No smile, no nothing. I'm sorry, but I've worked at a restaurant for years and part of your job as a server is to AT LEAST SMILE. Cheesecake was bad, never had one will a 'cottage cheese-like' texture. When we complained, they were like 'oh, its not our highlight in this restaurant.' Didn't take it off our bill. Never going back there again. —YeounJee

2009-03-21 23:36:29   First place I am going to when i come home from China in June. I have been dreaming about you Burgers&Brew! —jsbmeb

2009-04-05 19:44:25   garlic fries are so YUMMAYYYYY. —strawberry

2009-04-16 09:39:25   One of the best burgers I've ever had! Awesome fries! Prompt and polite service. I crave this place all the time! —doggies9

2009-04-27 21:06:24   Huge burgers, delicious fries (try all of them!). I just wish they were a bit cheaper. But I'm sure they must be using quality ingredients. I've been meaning to go here for a date night and sit out on the lit patio. —BrookeB

2009-05-14 23:34:09   I usually go at lunch, the burgers are ok, strangely I don't think they are as good as Crepeville. Seems like they often forget to ask you how you want your burger done, and if you tell them anyways it seems like there is a no better than random chance that you get what you ordered. The Philly chicken sandwich is pretty good.

B&B has a strange lunch order and payment system at lunch. Say you want to meet 5 friends for lunch. They have 2 registers, they funnel everyone into a single register. So the first person orders, then... waits, "oh sorry you can't pay now, we have to take the orders from your friends first". So #1 stands around as #2 orders, then #3, usually by then it's so crowded that people have to jockey around, the waiters enter/exit right by the registers for more added fun. Then #4 orders, goes to pay, "oh no, didn't you hear? We have to take all the orders first". Then #5 orders, by then person #1 is no longer visible to the register. #6 orders. Now the cashier has to find person #1, usually they ask #5 or #6 "hey where is #1?" So then everyone starts mixing around, cycling through the line again to pay (it's more fun the second time). Now everyone gets to do the cash or credit, of course they are now trapped by the cashier, waiters entering and exiting, and of course the 5 other people waiting to pay.... all of course in front of a long line of other people waiting to order. When I look back at the rest of the line I sometimes think they are smirking thinking . o O (sucker, you came in a group I'm getting my food WAY before you). God forbid you do this at the register on the right, then you have the added fun of everyone coming from the register on the left having to cross through to get their drinks. Once all that is finished your order starts in the queue for the cook to make it.

To avoid this you can try to game the system. Can you get away with it? I call it the Don't Waste My Time Game (DWMTG). There's a degree of timing to it, try to avoid the greeter, the waiter, and the manager that floats around. Try to dress differently enough as to not give the staff any hints as to your companions. Definitely don't make eye contact with any friends, because that is sure to cost you some points. To the usual questions of "Did you plan to share a table?", "Are you eating alone?", and "Where is the rest of your group" I suggest trying to look non-commital. If you say yes, even a nod that costs you 10 points. You don't win until you order AND pay... because the ever vigilant staff keep their eyes out for anyone else that walks through the door. I've been foiled several times just before I was going to pay. Once you pay without delay you get 10 points. Then the penalty round starts. Each dirty look, complaints about running out of numbers, whining or bitching about it between the staff costs you 1 point. Anything from the manager is a double penalty. I usually get somewhere between -4 and 3... I've yet to get the perfect 10.

I do wonder if they try this with groups of 10 people, 20? Maybe they could form a giant ring that goes through the front door, by a register to order, then out the side door, in through a second door again, and then you could pay. Sounds like an idea for a flash crowd.

So overall decent atmosphere, especially when it's nice out, pretty good fries and shakes and chicken sandwiches. Okay burgers, and an annoying system for groups that wastes part of your lunch hour and delays the delivery of your food.

—BillBroadley

2009-05-15 22:36:04   This place is really pissing me off. The staff is rude and the burgers tend to be underdone and cold. Worse yet, on one occasion I was ordering take-out and the tag came to about $11, I handed over $15 and the girl asked if I wanted my change back. Of course I want my change back! Then another time I had a take-out tag that was about $23, handed the girl $25 and got $0 change back. Did they figure out it was rude to ask a customer if they want their change and now just figure they should no longer ask and just keep it? —stevie13

2009-05-29 21:44:40   Ive been here on several occasions during the day and I also know some people who work here, a few irritable things: 1. how hard is it to not notice where the menu's are when you walk in? did you miss the sign? are you that stupid? 2. what kind of assholes order shakes at 2:55 am or try and call in a togo order at 2:59am? probably the same dip shit who's arguing with the bartender to get a drink at 1:59am they figure hey cant do it at a bar, might as well do it here? Ive just noticed by going in there that BNB is a MORON attraction. —BEEGEEFREE

2009-05-31 00:00:57   Although, I agree with the way they ask how you want your burger cooked and then bring it out however, I still think they have the best burger in Davis. I like the blue cheese burger with garlic fries, mmm. I never seem to finish my plate though, and end up taking at least half home which is kind of nice and makes me feel better about spending $10 on a burger and fries.

I do wish they would make more seating area, because its always SOO SOO packed and when you're finally seated, you can basically reach over and eat your neighbors food. Besides that, I've never had a rude waiter. Will of course return when I feel the need for a burger better than Jack in the Box. —BrookeB

2009-06-06 18:26:41   I love their hamburgers. The meat tastes so good, like red meat is supposed to taste. And their salads are terrific. I don't know how they do it, but the dressing is perfect. It lightly covers all the greens without being oily or vinegary. We order take out and it is usually ready in 10-15 minutes. —christinecipperly

2009-06-20 18:06:58   The food tastes great, but yesterday I got food poisoning from Burgers and Brew for the second time. —dhgottlieb

2009-06-28 14:16:41   Worst service of my life. I brought out of town guests here and was completely embarrassed by the service. I will NEVER go back. The server was so rude I didn't even leave a tip, and I have never done that before in my life. RUDE HORRIBLE service. Would not recommend. Not worth the bland food. —Kristen2