It’s hard for me to resist a cheeseburger when I see one on the menu. With the amount of times I have a burger on this website, you can probably see that too.
Even when I tell myself I should try something different, it can often feel like pulling teeth to order anything other than some form of a burger. There are so many options available and even when they all sound amazing, I still find myself going back to the dish I love the most. And I’m ok with that. That said, if there’s a burger on the menu then there’s a very high probability that’s what I’m ordering.
After spending the morning touring Firestone Walker Brewing Company, sitting down for lunch at their taproom felt like the natural and obvious next step. Because, how can you tour the brewery and try the beer, and not eat the food? That’s not right. So trying the food is exactly what we did.
The taproom itself feels like an extension of the brewery experience and the tour: it’s big, open, lively, and frames the idea that good food should be paired with good beer. As a whole, the restaurant feels like a full space with indoor seating, outdoor patios, and the kind of energy that makes you want to stay and casually move through your meal without the feeling of having to go, go, go.
As the waitress came to our booth and asked what we’d like, I honestly hesitated. I did question whether I should take the road I often travel or explore the other items presented before me. Spoiler alert: I did the former.
I ordered the Bear Burger ($20) with Bacon ($4). It was an Angus beef patty with a slice of gooey sharp cheddar, smoked tomatoes, caramelized onions, lettuce, and rosemary aioli on a sesame seed bun. From the first look to holding it in my hand, it was exactly what I wanted.
In the bites that followed it was clear that this was the kind of burger that was right in all the best places. The caramelized onions added a subtle sweetness, the bacon leveled up the already juicy and rich Angus patty, and the rosemary aioli gave it just enough depth. This is the type of burger you want to have, the kind of burger you dream about, and the burger you never regret having once you’ve devoured it. This burger is perfect for all occasions. Not just when you’re on a vacation, but whenever you’re in the mood for one. Which for me is often.
Across the table, my boyfriend went with the Italiano Pizza ($19). It was a completely different direction from what I ordered, but one that made just as much sense in the moment for Juan. A hand stretched Neapolitan crust perfectly carried soppressata, pepperoni, pepperoncini, Kalamata olives, onions and mozzarella. The crust was charred in all the right places leading to the smokey wood-fire taste and the variety of meats combined with the juice from the olives and the crunch from the onions added a range of flavors and textures that blended well together.
There was something about being at this brewery that made sharing the table between a burger and a pizza feel like the right move. The two plates felt like a good degree of harmony while being filling and comforting at the same time.
And that’s what stood out most about dining at the Firestone Walker Brewing Company restaurant. It’s not just a place you visit for the beer, but it’s a place where the food holds its own and gives you what you’re looking to have. After a tour, tasting, and a morning spent learning about the process both the burger and pizza felt like the kind of meal that brings everything together. The meal was something we didn’t overthink and it came out just right. And that’s what we needed (and appreciate) most about this restaurant.
Follow Them.
Address: 1400 Ramada Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: (805) 225-5913
Hours: Sunday through Thursday – 11:00 am to 8:00 pm and Friday & Saturday – 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Social: Website, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
