The Taphouse Guildford (Surrey, B.C. Canada)

The Taphouse Guildford, 15330-102A Avenue, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada  www.thetaphouse.ca A buddy of mine (The Cardigan Kid) recommended this place so we went with him late one afternoon to give it a try.  We were welcomed by 3 very nice young ladies and taken to our seats, something you don't see in too many pubs/ bars.  This is a large place, the main floor holds 300 people and there is a second floor that holds 200 people. Opens 1100 am every day.  It wasn't too busy when we were there.  There are 24 different types of beer on tap.  Their happy hour runs from 3 pm to 530 pm, and includes well drinks and glasses of wine for $4.00, $6.00 flights of beer and half price pizza.  There are also beer specials. The pizza was thin crust and very good (Mushroom and peperoni is what I tried).  On the main floor they have lots of booths and a large "L" shape Bar which seats 45 and looks down on to the rest of the bar.  There is a 14 foot projection screen and numerous TV's around 20.  Behind the screen is where the bands play.  Through out the week there different themes, Monday is Team Game night, come and play various board games, Tuesday is Acoustic night, Wednesday nights is Trivia night, Thursday nights are dueling pianos, Fridays and Saturdays nights it is live bands, Sunday is country night.  Service here was good, very friendly and helpful.  Washrooms are single person washrooms, nice touch. There is a double set of stairs off to either side of the stage that leads up to the second floor.  You can also go up by the front.  It is not usually open during the day but also has a bar up there.  Above the area where the dance floor is on the main floor, it is open to the second floor and gives a great view of the stage.  During the day the dance floor has tables and chairs on it.  They have numerous large booths, pool table, pinball game and comfortable for sure.  A big plus for this place is the large parking lot in front (free parking).  The Taphouse is just 2 blocks from the Guildford Mall, think about that around Christmas time when the other half of your relationship wants to go shopping.  They drop you off here, and shop to their hearts content and pick you up when they are done shopping.  A definite win win situation!  I look forward to coming here again. This used to be the Mirage Night Club for 20 years before turning in to a pub, and now with a different clientele.
Late March 2015, was here again and I really enjoyed it.  The pizza's were awesome.  The service was very good.  Did I say there is lots of parking, which is a big plus!! I will be back for sure!

Jorge's Kitchen Mexican Grill and Bar (Mount Vernon, Washington, USA)

Jorge's Kitchen Mexican Grill and Bar  is a diamond in the rough! We found this great place by chance, just cruising around.  Located at 1725  E Blackburn Road, Mont Vernon, Washington, USA  at the corner of South 18th Street and E Blackburn Road.  Phone 350-424-6838  www.Facebook.com/JorgesKitchen   Don't miss this place or let the look fool you.  It is a part of the Little Mountain Grocery store/ gas station.  2/3 rds of the inside is grocery store and the other third is Jorge's Kitchen.  Inside the smell is awesome and yes Jorge is the cook, who is also very friendly.  There is a small sit up bar that seats 7 people, there are two tables of 4 and 3 tables of two and that is it.  Jorge said in the summer they open up the outside patio and it gets very busy out there.  The outside patio is surrounded by a 6'6" fence.  The patio is stamped concrete with nice wood picnic tables with umbrellas.  To drink they serve Elysian Brewing Co. beer.  According to Wikipedia: "The Elysian Brewing Company was a craft brewer that operated four pubs in Seattle. On January 23, 2015, it was announced that Elysian would be sold to Anheuser-Busch in a deal expected to close within three months."  They also serve Corona Lite all on tap.  There is no hard liquor, coolers, wine or cider, just beer.  Now lets get to what makes this place so amazing, the food!  Everything is cooked fresh and it is very busy but the service is fast and friendly.  This place also does a booming take out business.  There were lots of Mexican people eating and taking out food from here which is a very good sign.  The menu is relatively small but the food is sooooo good!  We had the 3 tacos with beans and rice.  The tacos are soft, double with your choice of pork, chicken or beef with fresh cilantro and diced onions.  We went with the pork and I have to say one of the best tacos I have ever had!  the price, $7.99 and great value.  We each had a Corona =Lite and they were $2.00 a glass, another great value! Other things on the menu are:  Burritos, Tortas, Mulitas, Super Nachos, Super Quezadilla, Carne Azada and Carne Adovanda.  The most expensive things are $8.69, and you can't beat that! Happy hour runs 4-7 pm and all day Sunday. Saturday is seafood day where he has Fish tacos and Cerciviche apparently that is also a very busy day.  I can't wait to come back here! I look forward to coming here in the summer and eating out side on the patio area.  If I could I would give it 3 thumbs up, it is that good!  I will be back for sure and hopefully sooner rather than later!

August2022

Back again and still so cool! Changed the layout, small situp bar that seats 5, with 8 beer on tap. They put a roof over the outside eating area. I had the 3 fish tacos and they were quite good. My wife had 1 chicken and 1 steak Taco and said they were very good. Service is very good and friendly. You have to try this place it. Where else do you find a great Mexican place in a store/ gas station. Yes, there are a lot of Mexican's who eat here and that is a good testament in how good the food is!