The Golden State

Bar, Eatery

426 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, California, 90036-1717
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.41
Reviews:
6
Ratings:
9
pDev:
10.66%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by Bnoise11:
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Rated by Bnoise11 from California

4.75/5  rDev +7.7%

Apr 21, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.74 by mig100 from Texas

Jun 25, 2015
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Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin

4.08/5  rDev -7.5%
The Golden State is more than just a name of a food and beer joint in the middle of Los Angeles; it's a concept as well. The Golden State does its best to source its ingredients within the state of California (are the napkins made in California too, I don't know). The beer is no exception to the rule.

A cozy café with roughly two dozen seats, a counter to order food and drink, and self serve water with condiments. A small blackboard lists the available drafts along with the few wines which they pour. Although only 8 beers pour from tap, the caliber and variety offered is exceptional (Oude Tart, Stone RIS, Saint Archer Blonde, Witch's Wit, Black Market Brown). Even more unique is the bottle list (you'll need to ask for the list). There's roughly two dozen varieties of beer bottles, all of which can be described as exclusive. When you can get Three French Hens, 2006 Stone IRS, Deliverance 2012, Mo Betta Bretta, and Adam 2011, the vintage beer part of my head gets excited. Drafts are a little pricey, starting at $7 a pour.

Food makes the other half of Golden State complete. A limited menu offers sandwiches and sausages, and a damn fine bacon cheeseburger which I thoroughly enjoyed. Curry ketchup for dipping those fries....now I can relax.

The selection may not be large, though what is offered should be more than enough to satisfy any beer geek. A change of pace to the common public house.
Aug 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by GRG1313 from California

Nov 02, 2013
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Reviewed by UCLABrewN84 from California

4.2/5  rDev -4.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
I went to Golden State tonight with my buddy to check it out. It's a fairly low-key store front with a small logo present. You have to really watch the street numbers if you are driving by. There are a couple of tables up front with a kitchen taking up the back of the space. Service was pretty good and I got a free beer since the keg tapped as my beer was being poured. There are only about 7 or 8 taps but they are of good quality and an interesting number of selections. Their food is pretty awesome as well. I got their burger with the sweet potato fries and it really hit the spot. Overall, this is a pretty cool little spot but don't come here expecting a ton of taps. This is a craft restaurant that happens to have a good selection of craft beers. Prices are very reasonable too so that's always a plus.
Mar 09, 2012
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Reviewed by Retsinis from Arizona

4.35/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
Stopped in the Golden State Cafe with a fellow BA, while we had hours to kill as our wives drivers for the evening, as the ladies celebrated a friends 30th Birthday.

A bit hard to find at first, as the sign is small, as is the place. To give an idea of the size of this place, if 25 people were in there, all tables would be filled, and it would be standing room only at that point. However, it is a cafe, not a restaurant or bar, so keep that in mind if you make a visit. What the establisment lacks in space, they make up for in a great tap list (had Older viscotiy on tap as a great example when I was in there) service, selection, and food.

You order both your food and drinks at the register, and I had the veggie burger, with sweet potato (WEDGES!) both of which were very tasty. Prices were reasonable, though not dirt cheap either, as my total order was about $24 with food, 1 beer, tax, and tip. But considering the quality of the food, the generous pour of the beer that I ordered, I was fine with what I paid, and if I only lived closer, would stop in here probably a few times a month for lunch and a beer.
Jul 07, 2011
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Reviewed by whiskeysoda from California

4.83/5  rDev +9.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
This is by far one of my top 3 beer/food venues in America, not just the Golden State (they have been known to put non-California beers on tap here, but when they do; you know it's got to be amazing. Namesake's integrity vs. beer? Beer wins. Thank you).

Clean but comfy (read: tiny!) atmosphere that makes it feel like a much larger space than it is. Service is downright neighborly, and Jason manages to keep an impeccable list of rare and delicious craft brews circulating the 12 taps (recently: Saison du BUFF, Stone 14th, Deschutes The Abyss, The Bruery's Cotton, etc.) including a steady stream of Virgil's Root beer for the teetotalers who still appreciate delicious food.

Oh right: the food. Even though it's "cafe" fair ranging from salads to sandwiches, everything is done PERFECTLY. From their burgers (which unlike F.O., you CAN substitute); sweet potato salad (and wedges...not fries: WEDGES); fish and chips; and - please be aware - THE BEST LAMB BURGER I have yet to come across (only on Thursdays and while they last, served with a greek salad with capers by default).

Wait, tho. It get's better.

Beer floats.

Don't cringe: They're award-winning...for what that's worth. Though I would concur that throwing a dollop of Breyer's into a pint of Cotton would be a sacrilege, The Golden State uses artisanal ice cream (for what it's worth) and gelato from Scoops (off of Heliotrope in Los Angeles) who supplies them with a selection of delicious flavors you can try after dinner by themselves OR float on top of the tap of your choice. Luckily, both the beers AND the ice creams switch out regularly, giving you a bevy of different concoctions to choose from. Word of warning: make sure you try a sample of the ice cream before you go ruining your 6 dollar beer float, yeah?

Make a date to check it out.
Jul 05, 2010
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Reviewed by psiweaver from Washington

5/5  rDev +13.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
One of my favorite places to go out for beer in the city. Great value on all of the bottles and draft beer. A great staff composed of people passionate about beer and willing to educate newcomers. Fantastic beers on tap with many rare/seasonal/hard to find kegs being allocated. Their food is also fantastic especially for the thursday lamb burger night. they are very focused on california breweries and always have a great mix of IPA's, stouts etc. Highly recommend for great night. while they don't run many bottle/special nights the night in night out quality of beers avaliable is hard to beat.
May 20, 2010
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Reviewed by acebrigade from California

5/5  rDev +13.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
This is a beer drinkers heaven. Beer selection is top class and is always on rotation. Example of current draft lineup: Firestone double jack and union jack, dogfish head 90 min, Stone sublimely self righteous, crafstmen 1903, new belgium la folie, lost abbey devotion, old rasputin, allagash ceriuex. Like I said, this place is heavy on the quality beers. Top five burger in Los Angeles, easily. $10 for a burger including any side order.

Staff are knowledgeable, friendly and Los Angeles natives.

Highly recommend
Sep 14, 2009
The Golden State in Los Angeles, CA
Place rating: 4.41 out of 5 with 9 ratings