Stuffed Sandwich

Stuffed SandwichStuffed Sandwich
Stuffed SandwichStuffed Sandwich
Eatery

1145 E Las Tunas Dr
San Gabriel, California, 91776-1743
United States

(626) 285-9161 | map
stuffedsandwich.com

One of the oldest true specialist beer establishments in Los Angeles. On it's second location (as of 2006), the Sandwich has very strict rules about beer ordering. First, you must order food before you think of ordering a beer. No ifs, ands or buts. Order the cheese sandwich if you must. Second, if you don't want to drink out of a paper cup, bring your own glass or buy one of Sam's collection (extensive).

Call ahead to make sure that the Sandwich is open and enjoy! (Current operating hours are Tues-Sat 11:00am - 8:00pm)
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.22
Reviews:
60
Ratings:
64
pDev:
17.06%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by thickerfreakness:
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Reviewed by thickerfreakness from Texas

4.9/5  rDev +16.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Well, I was in town for Memorial Day weekend visiting my dad and I had a bunch of free time on Friday before the weekend so I decided I would do a mini beer tour of LA. I went to a couple of stores and got some good stuff but then I decided to go over to Stuffed Sandwich. I had read about it here and other places and it sounded like the place to be for good beer in LA.

I walked into the Stuffed Sandwich which is located in a small little strip center and was immediately awe struck by the coolers. There is almost anything you could think of in there from the west coast and more. Not even to mention the cellar down below. You have to order food before buying any beer so I ordered a beef dip which was really big, good and filling and after bantering with Sam for a while I settled on an 05 Stone IRS. He went down into the cellar and grabbed it for me and then threw it in the freezer to chill it down. The only downfall with the serving was the little dixie cups but the beer more than made up for it and next time I will definitely remember to bring my own glassware.

After eating I sat around in the dim room talking to a couple of regulars and they were just some awesome people to have a beer with. When they decided to head off after lunch time was over I stuck around and started talking more to Sam.

I had heard some bad experiences about Sam and him being a "beer nazi" and yadda yadda, but let me tell you once you got past his initial brute force attitude he was a totally awesome guy. He was one of the coolest and most informative people I have talked to about beer in a long time. I could sit for hours and just listen to him talk about the stuff in his cellar. He has got some amazing stuff down there. His wife Marlene was also there and she was great too; playing off his character, she was just an extremely nice lady. I ended up getting some absolute gems from Sam at a total bargain and ended that day a very happy man.

Let me tell you I have been to the Kulminator in Antwerp and this place is like the American version. He has got some stuff you wouldn't even imagine. You simply must check this place out if you are in LA.
May 26, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.88 by helreidh from California

Jun 26, 2016
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Reviewed by mikesalamh84 from California

1.33/5  rDev -68.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 1 | service: 1.5 | selection: 1 | food: 1
old ass beer that isnt cellared correctly. im good, i rather have fresh beer. i dont know why there is so much hype about this place. everything is expired. and food is shitty
Jul 13, 2015
 
Rated: 4.14 by Devman171 from Maryland

Apr 06, 2015
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Reviewed by sungsays from California

4.85/5  rDev +14.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
I consider myself very lucky to have a job within a mile of Stuffed Sandwich. I try to make it here for lunch at least once a month. The owner Marlene is always there, and opened the shop with her late-husband Sam during the dark ages of the American beer scene, and in the year I was born (1976).

Stuffed Sandwich may be the business with the richest craft beer history in LA County. From the outside, it looks like an unassuming sandwich shop in a shopping center in San Gabriel, but inside you'll find a really unique experience including 10 well curated taps with a rotating schedule based on a different theme each month. Jan (2015) is porters & stouts. Feb will be barleywines, etc... Calendar is available on their website. There are often cellar aged kegs in the rotation as well, and they do regular, small and mini pours, which are great for when you need to sneak in a few sips with lunch. I just had a 2014 BCBS on draft today for example. As people have mentioned before, beer is served in plastic or paper cups. You can bring your own glass, or purchase one in store, so be prepared if you are sensitive about glassware. I believe this is because SS does not have a dishwasher on staff.

SS is definitely a craft beer bar/bottle shop first, but the sandwiches are good here as well. I've tried the giant portioned pastrami dip and the 5 meat & cheese sub. Both were quite good, and their liquor license requires that you make a food purchase w/ beer.

In addition to the 10 taps, there are carefully curated coolers full of craft beers behind the bar. Look for aged, hard to find imports, and lots of Belgians. I've discovered some awesome new beers thanks to Marlene's suggestions including some things I've never seen anywhere else, like the milk stout from Malta that I picked up today.

Around the walls you will find wines, new and vintage glassware, tap handles, and some aged bottles. SS has a cellar in a separate location which a deep collection of vintage beers. For example, they have Anchor Our Holiday Ales dating back to the 70s, and every year of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine at very reasonable prices. If you have a specific vertical in mind, you'll need to call in advance since they don't keep all of their inventory in store.

Stuffed Sandwich is a one of a kind craft beer bar/sandwich shop that would be impossible to duplicate. This is a business that exists thanks to its special owners, and is a must see if you live in LA or are visiting the area. They are closed on Sun-Tues, and are open from 11am-8pm.
Jan 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by ubiq3000 from California

Aug 20, 2014
 
Rated: 2.94 by Mg_32

Aug 20, 2014
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Reviewed by andreambailey from California

4.65/5  rDev +10.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.75
Visited The Stuffed Sandwich today with a friend. The atmosphere is what you'd expect from a sandwich shop. Order at the counter, they call your name when your order is ready. Tables we're clean and orderly. Loads of beer signs adorn the walls, letting you know that you're in for a treat. We went big today! Full sandwiches, chips, and beer. The counter service was great. Friendly with some suggestions to improve our amateur sandwich building skills. Next we ventured off to peruse the beer selection which absolutely floored me! I mean, this is a sandwich shop right? I was not prepared for what selection lay before me. 150 beers from...well, everywhere! And I'm not talking about 150 beers just to say "We've got 150 beers to choose from". You won't find any beer produced for the masses in the cooler behind this beer counter. I'm talking about 150 highly sought after,award winning, noteworthy beers from around the world! The staff was very knowledgable about the beer and answered all the questions we had quite expertly. We started with a sampler of stouts and then moved on to pints. The only thing that surprised me were the paper cups. Each bottle was served with a paper cup. I thought that a bit odd for a place that obviously takes such pride in the selection they have to offer. But I can get over that, I just bought a glass! Since we had eaten there, we were able to purchase beer to go. I've got some presents that are going to make a few beer lovers I know really happy! I'll definitely be back!
Feb 02, 2014
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Reviewed by mrcraft from California

4.15/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25
I've been to Stuffed Sandwich a few times. It's a nice sandwich deli that also happens to stock really nice selection of craft beers in bottles and some months have spectacular tap list.

You do need to order food first before you can buy beer (per their ABC license). This is fine with me. I've had 3 different sandwiches, and they were all good. I didn't care for their spaghetti much though. The staff is very friendly, and they are knowledgeable about beers.

Generally, the tap list is revolved around a theme. Unless you bring your own glassware, they'll serve you in plastic cups. Kinda weird, but okay I guess. They do top it off to the max though, so they'll tell you to take a few sips before walking back to your table.

Now to the beers. In coolers, they carry a nice selection that you typically find in good bottleshops. I hear they have more in a cellar, but I haven't inquired. The one bad experience I had was when I bought a couple of Plinys and didn't check the bottle dates until I got home. It was close to being two months old. Granted they were probably refrigerated the whole time, but most places sell you Pliny that have been bottled within the last ten days. The RR sours were little on the pricey side.

I'll return when they have something interesting on tap that I've not had before, but I don't think Stuffed Sandwich will be my first choice to buy craft beers in bottles.
Aug 16, 2013
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Reviewed by MrVonzipper from California

4.47/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5
I've been here a few times now. Just recently took a buddy the other day for his first time, in which I think he was a little reluctant due to Sam's reputation which can be a Huge turn off.

In my few experiences, they have been good. The first time was about 6 years ago. I followed the rules and Sam was extremely cool and helpful. This place is Not a Liquor Store and it's Not a Bar. So if you go in with that mentality and understand that he can lose his business license if acting like the two. So when you go, plan on eating, at least a little bit. You have to order beer before even thinking about beer. Once you order food. You will get very knowledgable help with their huge beer selection if needed. Also bring a beer glass unless you want to buy one or drink out of a Dixie cup. They don't have the staff a necessity to wash dishes or glassware. I always buy a glass from the great selection they have.

The food isn't bad. I really enjoyed my cappicola sandwich. My buddy got a grilled cheese. I suggest half a sandwich if you plan on drinking.

The beer selection is extensive. A wide range from all over the world with a ton of CA craft breweries along with all the sours for all you sour heads out there. A phenomial Belgian section. If interested the have a bunch of gift type beers like double magnums of great Belgians or Double Bastards or even very well aged phenomenal wines like Silver Oak and Opus One.

This place is a must visit if visiting or from SoCal.
Jul 14, 2011
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Reviewed by DarthKostrizer from California

4.58/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
I made my first stop into this place today with a buddy who had been telling me about this place for sometime now. When you first walk in its best to just forget about the beer section and just order your food to get it out of the way because you will more than likely take a few minutes trying to decide which beer you wanna try first.

As far as the beer goes I believe he has about 10 coolers full of beer which is kind of cluttered so make sure you look behind bottle if you can before decided. There were 9 beers on tap all were of the season I believe. There is also beer on display that is shrink wrapped put together so you can buy different years of the same beer. I personally purchased the Bigfoot which came with a 93,94,95,98,01,and 02 to add to the others I have been aging myself. The selection is good and I'm sure if you got to know the owner he would tell you there is far more than the eye can see. The place also has a decent selection of glassware which you will need if you dont want to drink your beer out of a cardboard cup haha great money making idea buy a beer need a glass with that??

The food was not bad if anything it is filling enough so you can suck down a few brews and be on your way. The price for everything seemed to be reasonable and I had no problem paying what I paid for the beers I purchased.

All in all if I didnt live so far fromt this place I would probably make a few more trips a year than I do now which is one. Highly recommended
Jul 13, 2011
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Reviewed by smarcoly from California

4.8/5  rDev +13.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
My favorite sign in Sam's shop reads:
This is not A Burger King
You dont get it your way
You take it my way
Or you dont get
The Son of a Bitch

My brother-in-law turned me on to this little gem of a sandwich shop and I am so thankful for it. I live in Orange County so it is a bit of a drive for me to get out to visit Sam and Marlene, but it is worth it every time. The first time I walked in their joint I was amazed at the tap selection and the bottle selection in the coolers behind the bar. A very eclectic collection of recent releases, obscure imports, and hard-to-find vintage beers.

The first time I went in was Nov 2010 and I was shocked to see Barrel Aged 2 Turtle Doves on friggin tap! I immediately hit it off with Sam (I had been given a heads up on his style though). He is a true beer lover and Sam & Marlene's combined 50 years of industry experience shine. Sam is the BOSS though. Follow his rules and he is a fun-loving guy.

In order to buy beer, you must order food first (their license dictates this). They hand make all their pasta sauce and it's pretty tasty. The sandwiches are delicious. Huge pastrami sandwich piled high with meat. Nice!

The shop atmosphere is that of a traditional sandwich shop with a little more "beer-lover" appeal. Many, many different styles of beer glasses from different breweries lines the glass cases around the dining area. All are available for purchase. You will want to buy one if you don't bring your own glass. Otherwise, you will be drinking from paper cups.

Sam has an amazing cellar of beer. I don't think anyone has ever seen it though. He has a list of vintage beers you can buy, but he doesn't list his "best" stuff. If he likes you and you hit him on a good day he will venture off to "the back", disappear for a while, and emerge with a gem. As Sam says, "All it takes is money". The best part? These gems are not overpriced. My buddies and I drove up there before a Bruery Reserve Society tasting and told Sam we needed to take something nice for the bottle share. He brought out a Bruery Batch 1 Levuds & 2000 Alesmith Old Numbskull. We were stoked.

I can't say enough about Sam and Marlene. Classy people with a fun shop. You will never be disappointed in their beer selection.
Mar 25, 2011
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Reviewed by DearthVader from California

4.85/5  rDev +14.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
I'm actually sitting in Stuffed Sandwich as I write this review. Marlene set me up with a Tomahawk from Mikkeller.

I am a little biased towards this place because I've been coming here regularly for lunch since they moved to their new location in 2003. I just turned 21 in December of 2010 so I finally realized how amazing this beer selection actually is. Sam (the beer Nazi) has a huge selection of bottles that are cold and ready to drink. Then when you start looking around he has a few packages that are off to the side of hardy wine, bigfoot, and celebration ale. All which have been paired with the same brew, but different years. Sam has a warehouse full of beers that he's been aging for years. Some things dating back to the 70's. He always has 9 beers on draft and he has a different theme for each month. This month is barleywines. He has 3 taps right now that are Bigfoot. A 2010, 2008, and a 2006. Impressive!

You can't say enough good things about this place. Sam has really taught me everything I know about beer. My first day of coming in to actually drink, he went over all the basics and shared beer stories with me for over an hour during his lunch rush. Marlene is the nicest woman alive, but get on Sams hood side and you'll have a blast every time you come in. I find it fun to have an old man talk shit to me everytime I see him.

Bring your own glass and follow his rules!!
Feb 08, 2011
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Reviewed by pword9d8 from California

3.9/5  rDev -7.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
Just like everyone says, bring your own glass! You don't want to have your beer in a paper cup! They have over 700 brews here on tap/bottle. You need to purchase food in order to drink as well.

I was able to buy some beer glasses that are hard to come by so another star for that. Sam is quite a character but grows on you.

He is heralded as the father of craft brew in certain circles and definitely knows his stuff. Beer lovers rejoice, there is a "Beer Heaven."

Subscribe to their email list and you will be in the loop of what they put on tap.
Dec 20, 2010
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Reviewed by drewmprs from California

4.15/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
This is a veritable institution of beer in Los Angeles. Pre-2007 it was stuffed sandwich, father's office, and Hollingshead.

Pleasant setting with a small bar to the left and enough tables to seat about 40 on the right, plus another 30 can sit outside. You must order food and you must bring your own glassware.

The food isn't great but it gets the job done, its basically a deli with an expanded menu. I stick with the sandwich whenever I visit.

The beer list tends to be heavy on the stronger and darker beers but there is a sizeable bottle list. Many customers bring in bottles of their own, just make sure you share some with Sam the Owner. Sam occasionally brings out some vintage bottles from his impressive cellar. Cantillon is often found here when it is gone everywhere else.

I'm not in the area too often so I haven't been here more than a handful of times but I always enjoy my experience.
Dec 17, 2010
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Reviewed by Retsinis from Arizona

4.03/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
Made a trip down to the Stuffed Sandwich for a Barrel Tasting. They were pouring things like Parabola, Adam from the Wood on draft to name a few, and Ishared the whole flight that was offered with a friend.

It's a family owned place, and the service comes with a bit of sarcasm ( in good fun) which makes the place unique. The walls are filled with bottles of some Very rare, and old beers. Such as some Hair of the Dog bottles, Batch 7 in a 750 ml! wow!

Fellow BA picked up a mixed six pack of Bigfoot with a 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2003 in there for $30! amazing.

The place is small, and nestled in the corner of a mini-mall, but this is a must try imo.
Oct 07, 2010
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Reviewed by brokensail from California

4.08/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
I've been here a lot of times. Mostly on Wednesday nights for the weekly beer tasting group.

Always make sure to order some sort of food when you come in, even if it's just a cup of potato salad or a sandwich.

The bottle list is quite extensive and eclectic, so you can easily find something you like or that you haven't tried before. Plus, they tend to have a few interesting beers on tap.

Sam can be a bit rough around the edges, but if you care about the beer, follow his rules, and aren't an ass, you'll be fine. And as much as he dishes it out, he can take it right back too. Though I wouldn't necessarily recommend taking jabs if you've never been in before.

Definitely an institution in the Los Angeles beer world.
Jan 14, 2010
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Reviewed by seldomsthirsty from California

2.1/5  rDev -50.2%
vibe: 2 | quality: 1 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 1
al-righty then. i went to this place 5 years ago for the first time and fumbled just like most do. i got in the wrong line i argued with sam i did not bring a glass of my own. a sign at the register informs all of the rules. i also noticed a print out of the top five places to drink in the country and this was third i have been to all the others and its nada like this joint(it has since been removed) i have returned several times because i like beer and punishment. i agree with the idea to speak with marlene she is sweet and knowledgeable. what is wrong with this place is what is wrong with me. i like to follow rules i want to please people but i do not own a this bizz. i once got into an argument with a guy on a bus(you know who u r) about this place. i was drunk and he sucker punched me with the line, maybe if you lowered your expectations and tried to enjoy it for what it is you would not have a problem. well i was drunk and it hit me square in the brain, this guy was right. i want the SS to be so much better than it is. i want non gross food. i order the coleslaw or grocery store looking fries and promptly toss em in the large bin near the restroom. i want my beer that has been in the basement for three years to be the one i asked for not sams idea of what i want, and it should have been properly cellared after all i paid a lot for it. i want the wife and friends to want to go with me and not be afraid of poor food and service. i want i want i want that is my problem. the SS reviews here are clear and to the point. its like what buwkowski said about wanting, understanding and accepting the truth- its like being at work and having some other guy at home fucking your wife. for me this place is nothing but disappointments. yet i return thinking they may have that white whale of a beer that i want no that i need that i must have. any who if ya do go and ya see a sad lonely dejected skinny white boy in the corner drinking out of a paper cup DO NOT say hi just know that you have been warned and for gods sake don't get the slaw.
Jun 18, 2009
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Reviewed by GRG1313 from California

4.55/5  rDev +7.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Let's be clear from the start, most serious beer drinkers who are going to try Stuffed Sandwich for the first time have read about it. Please, go with the proper expectations and your experience will not only be good, it will be great!

Small, insignificant and unimpressive place in the middle of nowhere. Fine-now you know..get over it and be ready to enjoy a new experience with some beers you may never be able to get or try again. You may also learn something.

Food - I'm a food guy. I eat at "nice" places at least a few times a week. I belong to wine and food groups and I'm a food snob. So, having said that, I can still enjoy a huge, regular and tasty sandwich! Gourmet? No; Quirky California cusisine? No; Elegant? No; shiek and trendy? No! A nice size sandwich with quality ingrediants that just plain tastes good? Yep!

There is a wonderful selection of good old fashioned sandwiches on rolls and there is something for everyone. I go with lots of friends, we order a bunch of different sandwiches and share. Ribs are not gourmet but they, too, are simple but tasty. Want something that's acceptable to all, order an Italian sub-you won't be sorry-basic and just what you expect. Want something a bit out of the ordinary and really good? Try the spagetti sandwich-we thought it was crazy the first time we ordered it. Now, we get one every time.

Glasses - bring your own! Period. (Or, you can buy one from Sam and Marlene. They usually have at least one on sale for about $2 if you don't want to splurge on one of the more expensive $5 glasses. Bring your own - they don't care.

BEER! Ok, this is what it's all about. Yes, you have to order food first. So, now you know it. Get over it. Order the food and then go pick out a beer (or more!) from one of the greatest selections in the city....period.

Now, you want the secret? Try to order from and befriend Marlene! Marlene is Sam's wife and one of the nicest people on the planet. She will help "soften the journey" of dealing with Sam. It's worth it. I've tried beer that I could never find elsewhere; and, I've tried older beers that were remarkable, educational and nowhere else available. And, I did it all nicely, calmly and enjoyably by simply working first with Marlene before I ever engaged Sam.

A word about Sam. Yes; he's idiocyncratic. It's his personality (and, let's face it...it's also his place!) I've seen him ignore someone only once and that was when someone walked in and tried to order a Miller Lite. True story. Otherwise, I really do believe that he wants to help you have the best beer experience that you can have. The guy definitely has strong opinions, but who among this group doesn't??

I find that polite deference works well. A well placed comment that shows some knowledge; a decent question that's genuine, etc. all seem to help make dealing with Sam perfectly fine. And, the truth of it is, I have found that the more he likes you the more he may "bust your chops."

Now you know...go enjoy. I go with 10-20 friends every few months and we have a ball. It's one of the few places where all of the wives and girlfriends also like to hang out.

Just my opinion. I like it.
May 24, 2009
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Reviewed by Needsbeer from California

4.1/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 5
I've lived just up the street from this place for years and haven't paid it any mind until I started getting into craft beer.

Probably the best selection of beer within 50 miles, their standard beer list is huge and their warehouse abounds with hard to get beers as well as vintage varieties from notable breweries.

There is no bar to speak of, more of a counter with 5-6 taps and a vast clear fridge of beers behind it. The owner or his wife will dispense whatever you ask for, but you must be clear. If you ask for "a good beer", the owner (Sam) will go into interrogation mode and give you what ever he thinks you will like. Also if you walk in and ask for a Stone Ruination, but look like you've never had an IPA in your life, Sam will pick up on it and suggest something else. If you don't like drinking out of a paper cup, bring your own pint glass, or buy one from their huge selection of glassware

The Sandwiches are great and makes this place worth a visit even if there was no beer to be had. My biggest warning is for the Polish Sausage, if you don't like spicy (and I mean spicy) don't even think about it. Even for a spicy fanatic like me it feels like a punch in the mouth, 30 minute later a punch in the gut, and a few hours later a kick in the ass with a red hot steel toe. Still, it's a damn good sandwich.

Part of their license dictates that you MUST buy food first, but once you've done that, you are free and clear to buy as much beer as you want to either drink on premises or take home with you.

Overall, it's a great place for lunch and a beer the service can get rather slow during peak times, but as long as you're patient they'll get to you.
Mar 26, 2009
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Reviewed by barleywineman from California

2.42/5  rDev -42.7%
vibe: 1 | quality: 2 | service: 1 | selection: 5
Listen Folks,I went to this place from Venice Beach,CA about 45min-1hr drive,I was ecxited to buy some Vintage Bigfoots or whatever old barleywines in stock.I walk in,see a line for food,and a line for beer,so i get in the long line for beer,So i see the Bigfoot 6pk $28 line ups from 1998+,but there were a few i couldnt really see the dates on,So im next in line'keep in mind im new to this place and waited 15-20min.Now my turn and the Owner of all people is serving and he says"Did you order food?"i reply no,He Says"Order Food then well talk about beer!then he says "next in line" He totally ignores me and helps the next person,So i was gonna buy food, then i say to myself "F this place im outta here! That owner is a jerk and for him to treat customers like that is Wrong.
He also Boasts about being a beer nazi with a hand made poster as soon as you Enter.Dont waste
your time use Bottletrek or liquidsolutions
Mar 23, 2009
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Reviewed by dalion037 from California

3.53/5  rDev -16.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
This is just a sandwich shop with a beer nazi. The beer selection is very impressive but so is the selection in my DBF (dedicated beer fridge).

I like sampling different beers and if bottles are all that's available so be it but, come on.

If I ask for a Rochefort 10 and its available give me the damn beer. I don't need some self proclaimed beer expert telling me that "I" do not really want that beer and just arbitrarily open a different beer and hand it to me like I want to pay for his opinion. And, to add insult to bad beer choice injury, Sam got upset that I did not want to drink or pay for what he opened without me asking. He was pissed to the point that when I went back to the counter he would not help me.

It's a place to go to once to say you've been there but that's enough.
Dec 15, 2008
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Reviewed by nathanm from California

3.4/5  rDev -19.4%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
I have to say this is not a place I would like to hang out at. The beer knowledge/quality/selection may be good, but the place is not very good at all. It seemed dirty, you'd never want to sit outside, and/or just hang out.

I'm a bit biased having lived in Portland Or and frequented many great beer establishments that served great beer and were fun to hang out in. I thought the fact that you have to bring your own glass otherwise you get do drink out of plastic cup to be pretty shady and low-quality.

Plus, i never really got straight answer on how much things cost, which is very frustrating. I don't think it is worth more than a 15 minute drive, especially when you can get a huge selection of beer at BevMo or a place like wholefoods when it comes to bottle beers. There weren't that many on tap when I was there and isn't that what you go out for? - To get great beer on tap and enjoy hanging out at the place? If you go, bring a lot of friends to distract you from the actual place.
Dec 01, 2008
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Reviewed by ballewblake from New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +12.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5
Headed to Bevmo! before an early arrival last Saturday for glassware and a day at the SS. Turned out to not really be necessary as they sold glassware there, and it was cheap enough. Managed to sneak in early, 10:30 Saturday morning and didn't leave until about 6pm. A long day and time well spent getting to know Sam and Marlene. Both compliment each other, she was super nice and well informed on the brews, and he never hesitated to talk some shit. Good thing for him I can dish it back. Had easily the best selection I've probably seen in LA. Lots of Belgians, Germans, and West coasts. Negatives for me were the lack of a bar (felt really weird chilling by myself at the tables all day while families wondered in and left.) and that at least half of the selection were 750's. Really sucked when I wanted to try mostly new stuff but had to restrict myself to 12-11 oz bottles. Prices, sweet, this place falls somewhere between beer shop and bar, where the prices aren't nearly as high as a bar's typical double markup, but just a few bucks more. I left drinking 8 brews, two sandwiches and a hundred buck tab. Last brew was probably the most unusual, an aged Barley wine from Utah that Sam brought me. Cool. Beware of the polish sausage sandwich... I was tasting it two and three times over. ouch.
Aug 13, 2008
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Reviewed by bnutz from California

4.7/5  rDev +11.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 3
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm writing this review after having been to Stuffed Sandwich many, many times over the last several years, and had I reviewed it after my first visit, it may have been a little different from this one.

This is one of my favorite beer establishments (I hesitate to call it a bar, because it isn't) despite its many (and after a time, endearing) quirks. No, you may not always to get the exact beer you think you want; Yes, you have to order something to eat in order to be served something to drink; Yes, you will have to take a sip out of a Dixie cup that you won't be allowed to pick up first unless you bring your own glass and No, you will probably not be allowed to order more than one of a special/limited release bottle (maybe even on repeat trips).

At first, I found some of this, along with Sam, the owner's, need for you to know that he's the top dog, a little off-putting, but after a couple of visits realized that the different and unique nature of the owners and in turn, Stuffed Sandwich itself is what make it a worthy destination for beer enthusiasts of nearly every shade.

The second you open the door, it is evident this place is all about the beer. Good beer. Really good beer. Hard to find beer. Vintage beer, etc. Sam is good about storing (some would call it hiding) kegs and bottles to bring out at unspecified future dates and is also able to get brews that aren't always distributed in the Los Angeles area. His wife Marlene is also great about keeping up the website with what's going to be pulled out of the cellar and put on draft, but when it's gone, it's gone. Although something equally as special is probably just around the corner.

The furniture and decor is low-key and purely functional- nondescript tables, chairs and lighting, bottles and brewery promotional stuff on the walls, but it's what's in the coolers that gets your attention. And that's not even the half of it. Literally. There's more storage in the back. In addition to drinking a bottle of something different or rare with your meal, you can also buy bottles to take home. I was recently looking to fill a couple of holes in my Old Crustacean vertical and Sam was able to do it. Sure you'll pay a little more, but in my case, he had been aging a bottle for eight years. I wouldn't even know where else to go for something like that!

The food is fine, but really becomes an afterthought relative to the drink. It's pretty standard sandwich shop faire and decent if not a little on the pricey side for what you get. But really- that's not what this place is about.

A little humility and an open mind goes a very long way here. The people I know who have been turned off initially (like I was) by Stuffed Sandwich seemed to want to fit it into some kind of Beer Bar Nirvanah-type mold, and you just can't. It is a one of a kind and if you accept it on its own terms, you won't be disappointed.
Apr 03, 2008
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Reviewed by Brewlore from California

4.05/5  rDev -4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 2
Finally made it to this place after hearing so much about it. It's a bit easy to miss when you're driving by so keep an eye out.

First things first. You do not come here for food! The food is nothing special but it serves as a means to getting great beer. Which is exactly what this place has. A fantastic selection of bottled beers (many of which are quite hard to find depending on your locale). Their tap list is equally as fantastic. It's constantly rotating so you're always in for something new and fresh. The last visit they had many Green Flash brews on tap.

Ordering is a breeze and a bit of patience is rewarded when it's your turn for your pint to be pulled or your bottle to be handed over. The owners are great and are very knowledgeable in the brews they are serving.

The atmosphere is quite nice as well. This place lets you know it's all about beer. Glasses, steins, giant magnum bottles, and the wall decor all featuring different breweries or beers. There's even a small patio area outside for those wanting to feast and imbibe outdoors.

Overall, if you're a beer lover you must come to this place. Don't think of it as a food establishment as it's secondary to the brew!

A must!
Mar 18, 2008
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Reviewed by charlzm from California

2.08/5  rDev -50.7%
vibe: 1.5 | quality: 3 | service: 1.5 | selection: 2 | food: 1.5
I tried this place out in 2006. They were supposed to be featuring Alesmith on tap. When I arrived, there was no Speedway, no Horny Devil or Lil' Devil, no Old Numskull, no Wee Heavy, no Nautical Nut Brown... you get the idea. Huh.

I ordered a pastrami sandwich and Sam, the owner, informed me several times in his own inimitable fashion that this was not Burger King and I was going to have it his way. Well, his way was stringy and full of fat and grease. Blecch.

I wound up splitting a bottle of Speedway Stout with a friend on their depressing little patio in order to get away from the noise of the regulars inside.

What a waste of an afternoon and a thirty mile drive. I said at the time I would never go back, and I haven't had the slightest bit of trouble sticking with that vow.

Especially now that the beer revolution in Los Angeles is in full swing, there's no need to subject yourself to this kind of bullshit. There's plenty of other, far better places to have a beer.
Mar 11, 2008
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Reviewed by srroos from California

4.72/5  rDev +11.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Finally made the journey to Stuffed Sandwich to meet up with a fellow BA. So glad I went!

This place is kind of hard to spot, especially in the dark. Drive slow and keep your eyes peeled! Walking in, the place doesn't look like a million bucks, but it has a very cozy feel. Around 6PM, the place was over 50% full, with more people coming in by the minute. Very eclectic decorations, lots of bottles, stickers, and more all over the place. Food service was brief, but friendly. Went over to the bar to look at the selection. Quickly went for the Speedway Stout. Got my pint glass filled to the brim and sipped out of the glass as instructed before taking it to the table. A 16oz pint rang up as an $8 "large pour" which isn't bad considering a 750mL bottle is $10 at BevMo.

Only took a few minutes to get the food, and my pastrami sandwich was certainly stuffed! The beef dip that my fiance got was not nearly as big, but still very good size. Enjoyed the good beer, good food, and good company for a while. Then browsed the bottle and glass selection. Didn't find anything I couldn't live without, but when I went to the register to settle my tab, I asked about what years of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot they had. She came back with a pre-assembled six pack that included 2005, 2004, 2003, 1999, 1998 and 1990 for $27.99. A bit steep for a six pack, but where else are you going to find an 18 year old bottle of Bigfoot for sale?

Overall, I was very pleased with my experience and hope to come back soon! Also, almost forgot to mention that the menu posted online is slightly out of date. The food prices are increased by about 10%, but still very good values. They also had Russian River Supplication listed on the bottle list, but they were all out.
Jan 26, 2008
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Reviewed by theopholis from California

4.38/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Atmosphere- It's a fairly eclectic place, but has something for everyone. Kind of a weird, mini German cafeteria feel inside, with a patio you can chill out at on nice days. All along the walls is a huge variety of beers, (especially magnums), glassware, steins, trays and bar towels. All for sale. They always have several gift packages set up, everything from a couple of Guinesses with glasses for a few bucks, up to a vertical tasting package of Rogues Old Crustacean BWs (that one was over 100 bucks.). The gift baskets change all the time, so check them over every time you visit. A note of caution, make sure the baskets you purchase age well. Not all beers do.

Quality- The food is excellent. Pretty much just a sandwich joint, but they are great sandwiches. The Polish sausage and Pastrami are world class. The beers on tap are excellent. My only complaint at all is that I have gotten a couple of gift baskets where the beers hadn't aged well. Oh well, I'll keep going back for more, because the vintage beers are really something to behold, and I often buy them for the glassware that comes with them.

Service- The staff there is very friendly. Sam (the owner) is a guy who really wants to give his customers his all. He fills your glass all the way to the brim, and you have to lean over and drink some or you'll spill it on the floor on your way to the table. I love that aspect of it. When you order a sandwich, it doesn't matter how labor-intensive it is, he's going to do it up right. My only issue is that you either have to buy a glass, or bring one with you. Otherwise, you get your draft beer in a dixey cup. what's up with that? Also, you HAVE to buy food before he can serve you any beer. It's the type of liquor license he has. But it's great food. Another great thing is that you can buy beer to go. Go to Sam's, order a sandwich, have a couple of beers, and then grab a couple of really special beers to take home. What could be better?

Selection- For bottled beer, this place quite possibly has the largest selection in the U.S.. If you don't see what you want, ask him. Time permitting, he will happily rummage around in this huge underground cavern filled with thousands of years worth of beers. Okay....maybe it's not that huge, but recently, I saw a 15 year old Barley Wine I wanted, and asked him if he had another. He checked, and he didn't, but he brought out a 12 year old Barley Wine, and 2 more close cousins that I hadn't even heard of. Glorious!!!! As for beers on tap, he only has about 10 or so, but each beer is one worth drinking. It's not like Yardhouse where they have 130 on tap, but half of those are various AB, Miller and Coors products.

Food- It ain't fancy, but it's delicious.

Value- Overall, pretty good.
Dec 12, 2007
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Reviewed by t0rin0 from California

4.63/5  rDev +9.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
The first time I came here was in July. I walked in and Sam had 1999 Celebration Ale for $1.99/bottle. I was instantly hooked. Since then I've been there every wednesday that they've been open with the exception of the day before thanksgiving. The menu is impressive, its 2 sided and its got tons of beers from all around the world on it. Its not a complete list, if you ask Sam hes got plenty more but wether or not he'll sell them to you is another story.

I've read some of the reviews and seen people complain about the dixie cups the beers get poured in. Everyone should know that you can bring your own glasses. And of course you can buy the collector glasses in the case.

The food is pretty good. The garlic bread is a bit too salty but everything else is good. Very filling and reasonably priced. They also do beers and food to go. The atmosphere is enjoyable, they have music playing and now that its cold out they fired up the heaters on the patio.

Great place overall. Since July I've tried something like 300 different beers at the Stuffed Sandwich.
Dec 04, 2007
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Reviewed by snpub540 from California

4.1/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5
Stopped in the other day for a bite and a brew or 2. It was my first time and I was blown away by the bottle selection that they had available. Way too many to name but all styles of beer from many different countries were represented. On tap they had some goodies such as 2002 Double Bastard, Stone 10th Anniversary, 2006 Stone RIS, and 2006 Stone Old Guardian.

The sandwich I had (Submarine) was great and quite large. Prices were fair and I got my moneys worth in both the food and beer department.

The service was friendly and great. The only complaint I would have is the serving with paper cups, but I guess I could have used that as an excuse to get a new Stone glass, oh well. I will definately be making a stop here more often.
Oct 01, 2007
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Reviewed by koolchas from California

3.98/5  rDev -5.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
i've finally had the chance to stop in stuffed sandwich the other day since i had a meeting in l.a., the traffic on the 10 at 5:15pm was enough for me to point the gps to this location to have a bite and brew while traffic died down.

stuffed sandwich is a interesting place. luckily, i was at meeting and just happened to keep a guiness glass from the hotel i was at. the place was not busy. just a few locals who i can tell frequent the place often. all the taps were stone brews but, was very happy to see that stone 10th anniversary was available! man, that was some tasty brew and sam had no issue pouring it into my large guiness glass. of course, you MUST order a sandwich first. but, hey, the sandwiches are as the name implies, stuffed! not only stuffed and very good but, cheap! something hollingshead's in o.c. should take note of.

the staff there is very friendly. sam (the owner) is a great person as i was able to have a good conversation with him. the locals there were very nice. a group of guys came in with a growler of brew from sequoia brewey from fresno, ca and knew sam very well. after i finished my glass of stone, they were nice to fill up my glass with their growler brew (which was also tasty). so, a good warm, friendly place with good conversation. also loved all the reagan photos.

lots of bottles offered. my only wish is that sam had a few more taps. as i write this, stone is still on the taps and next week or so sam mentioned changing out to oktoberfest brews with 50+ kegs waiting to be tapped!

hands down the best place for a sandwich/brew combination!

just remember, i you PLAN on going here, bring a glass.

cheers!
Sep 26, 2007
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Reviewed by Floydster from California

4.83/5  rDev +14.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
The only problem I have with this place is the whole dixie cup idea, you cannot enjoy a good beer out of one, so it is essential that you buy one or bring one from home

Could go to this place once a week for the next fifty years and try something new every time

Have beers from several years ago just sitting in the refrigerators

Possess 50 ounce bottles of every Anchor Christmas beer since 1996 starting around twenty dollars

Large selection of Sierra Nevada vintage bottles

Two huge shelves of specialty glassware

Must buy food before drinking which I did not mind because I can always enjoy a good sandwich, the pastrami is highly recommended

Lady was very nice and told me she would hold me whatever vintage Stone bottles I wanted before they start their Stone Days in a few weeks

Hopefully I can complete my Vertical Epic collection

Cannot wait to make it back to this place, I plan on trying Lagunitas' Brown Shugga next time or maybe a Rogue XS Old Crustacean in one of those nifty 6.4 ounce bottles
Sep 04, 2007
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Reviewed by naven from California

3.63/5  rDev -14%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
As long as I can remember, I have been hearing about the legendary Stuffed Sandwich. Being that I currently reside in San Diego, it has been a little too far off the radar to go. However, this weekend, I attended some family business in the Walnut/West Covina area and decided it was finally time to check out this legendary joint.

It may have been an off day, but this place didn't really do too much for me. All of the taps were fairly standard west coast IPA's that are generally available at Bevmo or most beer establishments. No worries, they have lots of bottled beers. Unfortunately, they don't have alot of the beers that are advertised on their bottled beer list. I finally ordered a Oerbier and almost fainted when I saw the $9.99 price tag.

The food was decent, and Sam is an interesting fellow. However, what is the point in spending $9.99 on a beautiful belgian ale, if im going to pour it into a dixie cup? I realize that people tend to bring their own glasses, but im sorry, I don't carry a chalice in my car at all times, and quite honestly, I shouldn't have to.

So, bottom line: If your in the area, I would still go. It's definitely a place that all beer nerds should go to at least once in their lives. However, I wouldn't go out of my way. Bring your own glass, or be prepared to be frustrated.
Apr 16, 2007
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Reviewed by bigbelcher from Arizona

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 2
Having to buy a glass is one way I guess to increase sales. Having to buy food, even if it isn't much is another quirk, that I figure is more attribultable to their type of liquor license than anything else. If you don't buy a glass you get a paper cup. The beer selection was pretty good, however they were missing a number of beers that were advertised on their website. Met Sam the owner and you could tell that he does love beer. The beers were also served a little too cold but since that is how a number of people think it should be served I guess they just go with the flow.
Apr 09, 2007
Photo of Delerium
Reviewed by Delerium from Maine

3.85/5  rDev -8.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 4
First of all, I'd just like to say that this place is a Mecca. being back in Cali, I was glad to stop by my old stomping grounds. Here's my lowdown in a nutshell:
They have only half the beers the advertise on their website, maybe less.
Their food rocks.
Sam and Marlene are knowledgeable, and great people.
Their vintage beers are horrible, every last one of them. I'm a huge vintage beer fan, I've always left there with three or four bottles of vintage impossible to find beers (after buying Garlic Bread :) and they've always sucked. This was the third time I've poured their vintage beers down the sink.
Now, everything thats fresh is great, as well as their tap beers. Definetly worth a visit, as this is truly a legendary place. I'm just being honest on the vintage beer part. I hope Sam does something about it at some point. Anyway,chatting with him is like talking to a piece of beer history, I have the upmost respect for the man.
Jan 29, 2007
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Reviewed by mkraus from California

4.15/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
A real hole in the wall (I'm not saying it like its a bad thing). They make a very good sandwich and have the bottles of beer to match whatever mood you are in.

Be careful, they are a bit like the soup nazi. You need to follow their method. Don't spill beer (lean over and sip off the top), but if you know what you are talking about, they will treat you like family.

They also have a great selection of some beers to go - some hard to find beers that are packaged together in verticals or other methods to create a fun beer drinking night all in one package.
Nov 21, 2006
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Reviewed by goschool from California

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 3
I finally made it out there after reading several BA's rave reviews for the 2001 Double Bastard. I was in Glendale and sirhc said that he would be there that evening. He and his uncle were terrific company.

FYI, the place is in a shopping center (the picture made me think it was on its own) on the north side of the street and there is 1145 on the same street a few miles west.

Atmosphere: It's a sandwich shop so it's all lit up and there are families instead of loud music and hot chicks. Everything is low key and very friendly. The pictures of Regan are a bit much, but I guess I'll let it go as another quirk.

Quality: I'm not sure how I feel about the paper cups, but they had $2 shaker pint glasses. Sam won't rinse out your glass for you so you have to use water from the soda machine and towels from the bathroom.

Service: I expected the soup nazi, but I got a nice owner who cares about beer. I was afraid to ask for no mayo, but that was fine. Sam poured me what I ordered and he only asked that I take a sip off the top of the glass before I pick it up and possibly spill beer that he has gone to such great lengths to age and serve.

Selection: I had a 2001 Stone Double Bastard (I was 18 when that came out) and a 2004 Sierra Nevada Harvest. Both brews were amazing. Sam has a ton of everything in the coolers including swill from exotic countries for the novelty value. Who would order Red Stripe? I had to resist drooling at the sight of 1997 OSA's and 1999 Bigfoots.

Food: I had a turkey sandwich. It was fine, but nothing special.

Value: The strong beers are a bit pricey, but considering the aging, they're pretty reasonable.

If I lived even moderately close to the place, I would go there all the time. It's definitely worth a trip for any BA living in the LA area.
Nov 16, 2006
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Reviewed by BlindPig from Nevada

4.22/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
The people that worked here are very friendly. The lady took the time and went through some things with me which was really nice. I got half a roast beef sandwich and it was very good! They had a amazing selection of beer. I got Stone Old Guardian 2000-2004. They even have VE 03. I also got a mixed 6 pack of Bigfoot. Th years range from 92-recent. Amazing selection. They have a very long list that is organized by country. They also have a good selection of beers on tap. I got to try Alesmith My Bloody Valentine. Have a nice selection of glasses also. The atmosphere is really good too. Wasn't to busy but I could picture it being very cool. The prices are reasonable to cheap. The draft beer is pretty expensive but other than that it's good price. They did make us wait a while to pay the bill and get the beers and such. I understand they didn't have a lot of people working and was pretty busy. Other than that was a really cool place.
Nov 03, 2006
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Reviewed by Callenak from California

4.6/5  rDev +9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
My first visit to Stuffed Sandwich. Sam is definitely all he's cracked up to be. Thankfully I went there with a buddy who had been there a few times already. Warned me to bring my own glass, etc. We got there for the last day of the Stone Day's. Got to drink some 05 Double Bastard and the 8th anniversary on tap. Both enjoyable.

Sam is a character and I wish I could be a regular there just to get to know him better and see what all is in the back, haha. I bought a lot of beer to go which is easy to do because he has such a great collection of beers there. He's got Bigfoot's going back to 1992 (I bought a mixed six pack 99-04), Stone RIS and Old Guardian going back to 2001 or so, plus tons of beer from every country. It was amazing and a good time. I ended up dropping a $100 there and could have spent a lot more. Buying Lou Pepe always hurts the pocketbook. The aged beers can be pricey, but the more standard release beers are quite affordable there.

All in all, if you are in the area and don't stop by, you are making a big mistake. This place is a beer collectors dream.
Oct 02, 2006
Stuffed Sandwich in San Gabriel, CA
Place rating: 4.22 out of 5 with 64 ratings