Came in for a late dinner and made it just before the kitchen closed. The space is large, the staff was friendly and the live band playing. Unfortunately, the food was a major letdown. I ordered the sampler plate, which arrived well after everyone else's meals. It seemed like our server forgot to put it in, along with a salad order for someone else in our group. When it finally arrived, everything was room temperature at best. The onion rings were soggy, the cauliflower bites were cold, undercooked, and inconsistently battered, and the artichoke was the only thing with a decent texture, though it lacked any real flavor. The slider had potential, but the patty was cold. My husband got a pizza that looked and tasted like a frozen Tony's--I didn't bother trying it. I didn't speak up at the table because we were with a group and didn't want to dampen the celebration, but the food quality needs serious improvement. This place clearly puts more energy into its nightlife than its kitchen. With such a great setup and fun atmosphere, the food should be able to match. I hope they step it up. read more

James Dean Sports Bar - The Dean Sampler 3 Sliders with Fried Artichoke, Cauliflower, Onion Rings - Sports Bars Near Me - Salinas, California

I have traveled to Salinas, CA for the California Rodeo! I asked around and was advised this was the place to go for Sunday brunch. Both for the service and pricing and also as the Salinas Rodeo Horse Parade turns right in front of the restaurant. To state that I was disappointed would be an understatement. I had reservations for myself and five of my friends for 10am, just as they were to open. We arrived at 9:55 to find the doors locked. By 10:15, one of my friends left as we were standing in the cold. At 10:20 the door was finally opened and we were advised, they were still "getting ready" but we could come inside. Why allow reservations when the door will not even be unlocked? The buffet was nothing to rave about, food was adequate, salmon very dry, sausage not cooked well, typical buffet food. The wait staff was inattentive, water and coffee both ran dry. The icing on the cake was the pricing, the website stated $32 for the buffet, while in the restaurant the pricing was $35. If the staff would have explained, they are not charging a tax on top for the cost of the meal, it would have been accepted. However no one explained that, only that yes, they were aware the website and menus differed, and no, they would not make an adjustment. Had that been explained, it would have been fine. The online posted cost of $32 plus the tax of 9.25% would have been $34.96. Just under the $35 we were charged. Why not just explain that? I will not be back, nor will I recommend this place to my friends in and traveling to town. read more

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I'm still waiting for a call back from the manager I was overcharged for a brunch meal yesterday Sunday 6/28/26 The food is good But service is terrible the staff didn't have utensils out for the soup They didn't even have coffee for a brunch! The syrup was empty after my boyfriend mentioned it and they didn't refill it for French toast and pancakes! It seems that the Mariachi music for one hour is the only thing that is worth going here for. I can't believe I was charged 135 dollars for 3 people for brunch No coffee just water and they don't even have the decency to call me back and provide me a refund for the difference! I have called my credit card company to absolutely not pay them until this is resolved I'm an RN at a local hospital and I will tell all the staff I know what a rip off these people are! read more

Really cool place that has great live music and a cool vibe, just don't come here for the food. The service was fine, a little slow but not an issue. The food is just not up to par. They serve frozen foods for most of their items and it just lacks any great flavor. We got the sampler plate and the only thing that tasted great was the sliders. Their pizzas are frozen and were too basic. This place would be five star but they gotta step up the food game. read more

A nice spot to come on a Friday! I don't see the venue being marketed but we heard live music and decided to check it out. James Dean is in the 201 Main spot and uses the large, gorgeous patio. Though it is a bar with TVs and high seats, the patio is the best part about this venue, with fire pits, and a fountain wall. We found out they have a happy hour from 4 to 7 pm. Woohoo! Small bites like Chips and Dip and Garlic fries plus $5 to $7 beer, wine and drinks, you can get out of the house without breaking the bank. We had a Rodeo burger (barbecue sauce and onion rings) and the Pepperoni Pizza with a cauliflower crust. Both were delicious! The burger is good enough to stand against other burger joints like Islands. The pizza crust is crispy. Cauliflower crust is going to take getting used to because the crust is the most important part of the pizza. But for a night out to hear live music without having to go all the way to Monterey, this is a great place to go. The menu is small but you don't come here for the food anyway. Service is friendly. Band was fun. I went to follow them on IG, and see that it IS being marketed. I just didn't know the name of the place. They have TVs inside with sports. I'd come back. read more

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So, this little café/bar area is always changing names.... right now it's James Dean Sports Bar. Decor and atmosphere is 10/10 We decided to try this place out: -live dj was really good -friendly waitstaff, however waitress could have spent less time dancing around to the music and more time being a little more attentive to our table -decently priced menu, however we ordered Loaded Fries which were supposed to come with beans on top, and there were [literally] five beans on the fries . the fries themselves were good If it weren't for the bartender Albert, I would give 1-2 stars for our experience. Albert was very helpful, friendly and whipped up some awesome drinks for us while we were there...in my opinion, he and the dj are keeping this place alive. read more

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Was across the street for live music but needed a bite. Came in and had the al pastor tacos and fried artichokes with house special James Dean sauce. The tacos were on oiled and grilled small corn tortillas with a big punch compared to plain street tacos you regularly find. Adds a flair to the staple dish and compliments the decor/ambiance being upscale. There is a nice patio outdoors and indoors is an impressive bar which is extremely well stocked. The artichoke was lightly battered and fried to a crisp on the outside leaving the insides soft and succulent, definitely a local treat of the surrounding growers' land. Definitely coming back. When you go ask for Mike, super friendly and on point waiter. Nosh On Yelpers! This review brought to you by Dogedollars. read more

Good for the live music, beers are overpriced, get bottled but not a place to drink your fill, food prices ok. Ambiance good but name doesn't make sense. Gather all their business is the after 9 dancing, don't be surprised if your hang out ends when they switch to dance format. read more

Great place to hang out. Good selection of local bands playing in the outdoor patio, from country to rock to Mariachi. Good cocktails, maybe not inventive, but they have all the standards. Ok beer selection. My favorite though is their spirits selection. Shots can be a bit on the pricy side but they carry a great premium variety. Love the tequila selections(get the G4, Mijenta, or Siete Leguas) and decent mezcal variety. Food is standard bar fare. $2 tacos on Thursdays were awesome and filling. Burgers are good. Nachos have been a bit underwhelming. Lots of big screens to watch your favorite team play. Would love if they had a couple outdoor TV's but otherwise, good vibes. read more

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Good spot for locals ,, good appetizers , live band took you back to the 70's 80's fresh beer ,

Bartender was clueless Didn't know the beer she served Forgot to put in our food order because she was busy chatting with some male customers read more

We had a great experience here, the service was terrific and the food was great. We had the wings, street tacos, fried pickles and combo pizza . All delicious and reasonably priced. Check them out. read more

Fabulous place and awesome people The best thing to eat is the James dean burger and chocolate shake. read more

Embrace your inner self. As you enjoy exceptional service and entertainment. A Must experience venue . You won't regret. Good job GIRLS! Way to show the strip. read more

Here now, with 4 ppl. It's dead. One other couple. Moved the cornhole game to the sun. Instead of the waitress coming to serve us, she comes to move the corn whole game back. I asume it's a safety hazard. But again, this place is empty. HORRIBLE service. We're gonna pay and go. read more

Good bar but I'm going to make a suggestion for management. Get your theme down. Just because you are calling it the James Dean bar doesn't mean you have to play 50's music. It's doesn't jive with a sports bar vibe that should be hip, cool and chill to hang out at. You got a good look, lots of TV's even outdoor seating area with fireplaces. The 50's blaring music is a turnoff. Who today seeks out 50's music or in any way finds it relatable??!! Play classic rock or anything current and turn the volume down. read more

Very disappointed in this place. We came here because Dubber's down the road was packed and when we got here, it was basically empty. That should have been an indicator, but the great patio area with fire pits was inviting so we decided to give it a try. While the interior is well appointed and it considered a sports bar, there seems to be a lack of identity. The outdoor space did not match the indoor space and frankly, this whole establishment feels out of place. The food quality is that of a very cheap diner with high prices. The loaded nachos, while the in-house made chips were great, were anything but loaded and the cheapest of ingredients used. Taco bell can do better than this place. The refried beans and sour cream were liquid in consistency. The Quesadilla was decent but not worth the $14. The drinks were also very watered down. They have a whole bar full of liquor but only 3 house cocktails on the menu? The Jolly Rancher cocktail was what I would have expected from a place like this, but did not feel a thing. The service was okay but lacked attention to detail. My friend ordered the half onion ring and half fries with BBQ and Ranch, but only got the onion rings with BBQ. We had requested extra cheese for the nachos and got un-melted white powdery cheese. What are we supposed to do with this? My friend did not like his quesadilla at all and when brought to the attention of the server it was removed from the bill, so that was nice. Overall, I want businesses to succeed, but when I go downtown I expect a level of quality and this place just does not do that. Sadly, I hope something else better comes along. read more

Can not believe that I paid $14 for. 16oz draft Stella beer here. Hostess said that is the going price. We checked at a few bars around the area and they were floored. Food was iffy. Ordered chips and salsa and their idea of salsa was buffalo sauce or it seemed to be. I had the street tacos and they were not too bad but very spicy. But that being said I am a woos sometimes when it comes to spicy. Will not go back again. Manager did nothing about the outrageous cost of beer. And waitress was a little confused about what we ordered. I will give her benefit of the doubt if she was new. As I know that restaurants are having a hard time finding employees. She did need to cut her 4 inch nails though. read more

I was told this place wasn't great by a friend but I like to try things for myself, I should have listened. I ordered loaded nachos and when I got them they were not "loaded" they cheaped out on the toppings. I had a lot of chips leftover with nothing to eat then with. The chips were good, I'll give them that but come on, you say loaded I expect LOADED! They only had 3 signature cocktails made with cheap liquor but they had a full bar with a wall of liquor and when we ordered off menu the waiter had to ask to see if they can make our drink, bad sign. I got a long Island and I didn't feel anything, neither did my friend who got the same thing. Our waiter Abraham was nice but forgetful. We asked him twice for the sauces that came with our order of onion rings and fries but we never got them. This place doesn't look like it belongs here and sadly if they don't step it up they will not last. You gotta hit hard in this area to stick around. They need more food options on the menu for vegetarians and better quality food overall. My advice for them, don't be cheap or you won't be here very long. As for those wanting to try it, go ahead..if you like cheap quality food you'll like it. read more

Terrible... Showed up and no one was there to greet me. I sat down at a table and realized that the bartender was not at the bar, and no server, i was probably in trouble. Well the "OWNER" Noel. Supposedly. Acts like someone who just inherited abunch of money and didnt know what to spend it on. If he OWNS a successful business im curious to find out what he's doing different. I would pay to not go there again. The bartender who was M.I.A was named "Lily". They gave me a terrible experience. If you want to spend money, dont do it here. I'd rather buy cats a bottle of milk then give this "Business" a cent more. read more

Ever since they got new owners after COVID everything about 201 is terrible. New James dean diner horrible should have stuck to the past restaurant and Sunday brunch. Also the nightlife it terrible definitely catered to people over 40 and expensive entry prices. The only thing is that it's a beautiful building but it looked like that before so no props to new owners. Overall not worth your time. read more