Mare Island Brewery Taproom: Delicious Waterfront Food in Vallejo
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In 2014, after brewing their first beer the year prior, two former wine makers and founders of Mare Island Brewery, Kent Fortner and Ryan Gibbons opened what would become the first of three locations (nicknamed, Taproom) inside a section of the ferry building on Vallejo’s waterfront.
Since then, Mare Island Brewery Taproom has become a staple among local residents, joining the ranks of local favorites like Bud’s Burgers, Provisions, Sac’s Tasty Hot Dogs, and Bambino’s.
Known for their vast line up of locally brewed beers, including some exclusive to their Yard Birds club, the Taproom also features an extensive menu of scratch-made pub-style favorites. A few include burgers, fish & chips, fried chicken sandwich, an array of salads, and more.
Mare Island Brewery Taproom Location and Parking
Despite its name, the Mare Island Brewery Taproom is not located on Mare Island. Rather, it’s located across the water on Vallejo’s waterfront inside a portion of the city’s ferry building. The company’s Coal Shed location is located on Mare Island proper and the Taphouse is located in nearby Benicia.
If you’re taking the ferry into Vallejo from the city, you’ll find the brewery just to the left of the dock. If driving, there’s a small amount of parking available behind the building. If that lot is full, then you’ll need to park in the large lots across the street.
Depending on when and where you park, you may have to pay a fee of up to $8.00. To see the current rates and requirements, you can refer to the city of Vallejo website here. Also, be sure to hide your valuables, as this area is prone to smash and grabs.
Mare Island Brewery Taproom
They make good use of the interior space. There’s an abundance of high-top seating options in the center of the floor with additional “normal” tables dotted along the restaurant’s windows. On top of that, there’s more seating at the bar.
If you’d rather sit outside, you can do so. There are numerous picnic-style tables near the waterfront with additional bench seating with high chairs. My wife and I went with the latter, as it was shaded and provided an epic view of Mare Island.
Also in the interior are numerous pieces of wall decor featuring old photos and other artifacts showing Mare Island’s and the waterfront’s past. If you don’t know, Mare Island is a former Naval Shipyard that operated from 1854 to 1996, when it was decommissioned.
These days, the city and its citizens have made significant efforts to keep Mare Island alive. Now, there are many historical landmarks and buildings, private residences, parks, and a handful of businesses, including a coffee shop, wine bar, and more.
Whether you just want a drink or you’re looking to enjoy a meal, you’ll order at the bar. If you’ve only ordered drinks, you’ll be given them shortly after paying or opening a tab. If you’ve ordered food, you’ll be given a buzzer so you can find a seat. The buzzer will go off when your meal is ready.
When your buzzer goes off, take it to the pick up window next to the front door to retrieve your meal. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it, as the employees are more than happy to help carry your food to your table.
On this visit, I ordered the poutine, which is a heaping serving of their steak fries topped with cheddar cheese curds, brown gravy and sausage. Conversely, my wife ordered their fried chicken sandwich which is pickle juice brined and topped with sriracha remoulade and house-made pickles on a brioche bun, served with a side of fries.
I’ve had their poutine a number of times and have always enjoyed it. The fries hold their crisp for a decent amount of time despite being smothered in gravy. The flavor is simply outstanding, which means something coming from me because normally, I’m not a gravy person.
My wife thoroughly enjoyed her fried chicken sandwich. She reports that the chicken itself was tender and juicy, likely thanks to the pickle juice brine. It also had an excellent crisp to it. If you’ve ever had Chik-Fil-A, it’s similar to that, but taken up a few notches thanks to the sriracha remoulade.
As a side dish, I also ordered their artisan pretzel, served with a side of Saginaw beer-cheese. To go with it, I ordered a glass of their Saginaw Golden Ale. The pretzel was great. Super soft, warm, and perfectly salted. The beer-cheese was rich and creamy, nicely balancing the pretzel’s salty, chewy texture.
This wasn’t our first time at Mare Island Brewery. Since Vallejo is my hometown, we’ve been here a number of times. In the past, I’ve tried their pulled pork sandwich and truffle mac dishes, while my wife has tried their fish and chips, and pastrami rueben. All of which were great.
After your meal, head outside and go for a stroll along the Vallejo waterfront and check out the various displays of military artillery, informational boards, and sweeping views of the water with Mare Island in the backdrop. Or, perhaps, hop on the ferry and head over to San Francisco for the day.
We’ve literally never had a bad experience here. The food, beer, and service is top notch. If you’ll be coming to Vallejo in the near future and want to dine at a great local spot, Mare Island Brewery Taproom would be my recommendation.
