A Jewel in Martinez, CA
Copyright by John Olney , All rights reserved, July 10, 2005

It started off as just a Sunday car ride to get away from the computer, database management and that slumped over sore back in front of the screen. First, my lady friend, Maria, and I went to the Martinez waterfront Marina and park (Sacramento/San Joaquin Rivers) . Here we checked out the grand Bocce Park, which contained at least 20 courts, and believe it or not, none were in use!

We then moseyed on down to the ponds and fed the ducks, geese and the intruder pigeons and sea gulls. I know! They too need food but they do not “share the road” with the other birds! Then we drove around old Martinez town and came upon a bunch of shade tents lined up on Main Street with lots of people milling around. Our curiosity was peeked; we had to stop and join in what ever was going on.

The banner hanging above the blocked off street area, read “Peddlers Faire May 21 and August 6,” but this was July 10, not a listed date. As we walked along the first few booths we began to realize that this was mini Sunday Farmers Market. There were only about 20 booths so it didn’t take us long to do the rounds back to where we first entered. Wow! Now we heard some Blues music emanating from the corner which when we first entered the faire was not playing. If I didn’t know better, I would have sworn B.B. King was playing. Maria wanted to go in and listen and I jumped at the chance.

We entered a small restaurant on the corner of Main and Castro, in old town, Martinez, named “Where There’s Smoke *** Bulldog BBQ. “ It was about 1:30 pm when we first arrived and hardly anybody was in the place. But those present were an interesting collection of characters. There were businessmen and women, blue-collar workers, bikers, and shapes galore. The older set as well as early twenties was on hand enjoying the music.

There were five in the combo - base, guitar, keyboard, drums and harmonica. Shortly after we sat down, the group took a break, so we didn’t know the name or anything about the group. As we had only heard a few pieces, we hadn’t really formed much of an opinion about the group. But that would soon change. After their twenty-minute break they lit up the room. The group is called the “Beverly Stowball Band. The music was much like that I enjoyed so much while exploring the alley ways in New Orleans listening to “small, unheard of Blue’s musical combo’s” playing their hearts out for tips in a jar.

AND THERE WAS NO COVER CHARGE! This is unheard of particularly in view of name guitarist. Mr. Craig Horton was sitting in his entire splendor. He wore a dark purple pant-shirt combo with two-tone lighter purple Patten leather shoes. He was topped off with black hat and dark glasses. He was a splendid picture making wonderful blues singing selected tracks from both of his CD’s. The group plays each Sunday between noon and 4:30 pm. Click here for more on http://www.baddaddy.com/artists_horton.html Horton.

Now, if you’re looking for elegance, don’t come here. Its decor is early linoleum, old tables and mismatched chairs, a mix of sports flags promoting beer, a few pictures of ball players hung in random spots. The Marines were represented with bar book reading material. You sit by yourself until more people arrive and then you squeeze in and yet its comfortable. It’s warm inside from the kitchen heat.

If you’re a tourist, you’ll soon be local, for most who came in while we sat there, obviously knew each other. I didn’t dance but it wasn’t long before Maria was invited to the floor and she had a ball. By 3:30 pm the place was packed and overflowing to sidewalk tables.

If you’re looking for proper and/or prompt service at the table, don’t come here. You get served when they get to you. Bulldog also does a brisk take-out business. People poured in from both the back and front doorways to order and pick-up take-out meals. The menu is simple with everything revolving around Pork, Beef, Chicken and Links. Baked beans, potato salad, Cole slaw, green salad and bread finish off either the lunch or dinner plates. We didn’t eat, as we were due home for company coming over for cards and dinner, but every one we talked to said the food was a must. Here’s what the Contra Costa times said about the food. Click herehttp://ae.contracostatimes.com/entertainment/ui/cctimes/restaurant.html?id=70593/

The lunch price range is about $7 to $10 per plate and dinners range from about $12 to $25 (full rib slab)

I looked for a wine list but there was none on the counter near the copy machine back & white menus. I hunted the sole waitress down. This pretty blond gal, with a Playboy model figure, was the cashier as well as the only waitperson for the entire crowd. She was obviously way overworked but did not take it out on any one. She looked around for such a list and informed me there apparently was none. She then rushed over to the wine cooler and brought out three opened bottles of the wine selection. All the wine was stored in the cooler which, based on the condensation on the door glass, had to be in the 50 degrees range and maybe low 50s at that. The only label carried was “Trinity Oaks” produced by Trinchero Family of Napa Valley (aka Sutter Home fame). The wines were a Chardonnay, a Merlot and a White Zin. I asked about the corkage fee but nobody in the working staff that day knew anything about such much less if one could or could not bring in their own bottle of wine.

I asked about the owner -- Chad Reichold --and if the place had a Website. Nope, there isn’t a site and I couldn’t find one under his name either. If you want more info, call their business phone (925) 335-9915.

Maria and I loved the place, the music and the people. It was just simply fun! We are planning to go back on another Sunday, taking with us some friends, and our own wine to go with the ribs, chicken, beans and stuff. Can’t wait to taste the food that just smelled so wonderful, while listening (and maybe dancing) to more Blues. I’m bringing my Zinfandel and my Pinot Grigio to match the food.

Sidebar: Just in case you might be wondering, I have absolutely no business ties with Bulldog BBQ. I did not receive any kind of compensation for writing this piece. Longtime resident of Napa Valley, John Olney is a wine blogger. His site is http://thewinecntryclub.blogspot.com/ and he can be reached by email at http://thewinecountryclub@sbcglobal.net/