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    The State

    4.2 (271 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    The State Photos

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    THE STATE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The State

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    Chicken and waffles
    Aileen H.

    I went back for brunch and the steak and eggs tacos were SO GOOD! The steak was tender and perfectly cooked and seasoned. I I wish I had taken photos. We also got the chicken and waffles. The fried chicken was perfectly battered and fried and so were the waffles. Both dishes were well-made. Our sever was very attentive. My only suggestion would be for them to have non-diary milk substitutes for the coffee Also, maybe offer a French Press. This was my 4th visit and this and the last visit were my two favorites. Ambiance is spacious, modern and causal.

    Todd J.

    Stopped by during the street fair and grabbed a seat on the patio perfect setup for people-watching. The energy from the crowd paired with the laid back patio atmosphere made it an ideal spot to just sit back and take it all in. Service was quick and efficient, even with the extra traffic from the event. Everything moved smoothly without feeling rushed. Went with a hot toddy, and it hit exactly right smooth bourbon, well-balanced, and served properly hot. Simple, but done really well. Overall, a great stop during a busy day good drinks, easy service, and a patio that really adds to the experience. A+

    Truffle burger with chips
    Francisco M.

    There's public and street parking to get here. The atmosphere is nice for a semi-casual environment. The dim lighting indoors is chill and the outdoor seating is fun. You especially get a good breeze from the open front. The volume level is decent even while busy. The food arrive at a good time. I got the Truffle burger. It seems like they cook all burgers to medium. Regardless, it was delicious. The patty was juicy and a good portion to fill up. Thw chips are nice and crunchy, not too salty. Although it took a bit of time to get the check to leave especially when there's a limited amount of tables.

    kayla r.

    Such a great spot at Victoria Gardens. The atmosphere is really nice, especially if you sit outside. Food and drinks were both really good, and the whole place has a fun, lively vibe. Perfect for a dinner date or a night out.

    Cheese plate appetizer

    The State off Myrtle in Monrovia is a small, cozy spot with a great vibe--especially if you can grab a seat on the outdoor patio. Inside, they have a comfortable full bar that adds to the overall laid-back but elevated feel. We were actually able to walk in and get a table pretty quickly on a Friday night--even with a street fair going on along Myrtle, which was a nice surprise. The area itself is great to walk around before or after your meal, which adds to the overall experience. The food was solid across the board. The cheese plate was delicious and a great starter. The shrimp tacos were tasty, and the mac and cheese with shrimp added was a standout--super rich and satisfying. But the real highlight for me was dessert--the chocolate-filled beignets were so good and definitely a must-order. Drinks were also on point. The espresso martini was strong, smooth, and honestly one of the better ones I've had. Service-wise, the staff was friendly and welcoming, but things did move pretty slow throughout the meal, so just come with a little patience. Overall, a great spot for good food, strong drinks, and a relaxed night out--just not if you're in a rush.

    Kathy M.

    The phone number that is provided on the Yelp page kept ringing when I called to see if I can make a reservation over the phone, but no one picked up. Luckily, someone asked the question on the page and someone from the business responded back with a link. I had a little hard time finding where to make a reservation online, but I found it eventually. When I went last, it was New Years eve, so it was extremely busy. I came back on a "normal" weekday and it wasn't as busy. We came back for their tacos and I noticed that they weren't the same. Each taco Tuesday is different and they do not have the ingredients to make the tacos listed the week prior. Love the variety, but saddened to not be able to have something I truly enjoyed available to order. I would call the restaurant to see what tacos are going to be on the menu for taco Tuesday (good luck if anyone picks up the phone). The environment was casual, chill, and quiet. Not too busy with patrons. We were able to order our meals. My husband tried their tacos that they had that evening and he enjoyed them. I also got a barbeque burger that was worth the price. We also got a creme Brule for dessert. The price was $10 and it was a large enough dish to share with someone. I wished someone would have mentioned that the rim was extremely hot. I touched the rim of the bowl and pulled away quickly so I didn't hurt myself. This is the reason for my 4 stars.

    Mario B.

    We visited The State in Monrovia, and overall, the food was excellent -- especially the pork chops! Perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Our server, Edgar, was great -- attentive and friendly throughout our visit. The only downside was the seating situation. They mentioned we needed reservations, but the restaurant wasn't busy for the hour and a half we were there, so there really wasn't any reason not to seat us right away. Hopefully, management can improve that process. Other than that, everything else was great. If you're near Lemon and Myrtle in Monrovia, definitely stop by -- the food is worth it!

    Wedge Salad
    steve s.

    Stopped in for Taco Tuesday and shared a Wedge Salad and had a couple tacos (no pics) and some drinks. The food was outstanding and service was great. We will be back soon.

    Pesto Chicken sandwich
    Leilani M.

    Great patio space was perfect with heaters to keep things toasty. The outdoor Christmas ambiance was beautiful. Having our cousins Christmas time was a perfect space for us to enjoy. Food was good. Service was great. A smaller location if you have a big group I'd recommend reserving the whole patio. There's a good amount of open space to mix & mingle. The power went out for a good while during our visit in December. The street lights stayed on but we could definitely tell with difference when our toasty heaters stopped glowing. Street parking lines the downtown area with designated lots within walking distance.

    Daisy R.

    The food was really tasty and you can just see it in the photos.Makes you want to take a bite! You have the option to sit indoors or outdoors.The parking is street parking.The manager was so nice.Super accommodating and very attentive to our needs and always checked on us every now.And then to make sure that we were good, even though we were sitting outside in the patio ! Shout out to the bartenders and especially the manager for making this experience wonderful !

    Onion ring - inside. I'd pass on ordering them as a side
    Alice Y.

    Summary: 4 stars for strong drinks (Sandra Lee approved), tasty food, and good service. The flavor of the cocktails might not match their description. Food comes out relatively quickly. *** The vibe inside this small restaurant is dark and intimate. The turquoise walls feel Victorian-esque, but the lit up bar adds a modern twist. They sometimes convert the front patio into open air dining before the outdoor bar seats. Most of the tables and booths inside seat parties of 2-4. DRINKS ORDERED On weekdays, there are all-day specials in addition to the happy hour specials ending at 6 pm. For example, glasses of wine are half-off on Thursdays. - Bee's Please ($14 - gin, passionfruit, rhubarb bitters, and honeycomb). I enjoyed the floral taste of the gin, but whew! This was a stiff drink. I felt the burn in my lungs lol. Eating the honeycomb was fun. I couldn't taste the passionfruit, but my boyfriend said it was present as a slight, sweet funk. - Samurai Sour ($14 - gin, plum wine, apricot, egg white). The drink was very strong. Curiously, I perceived pineapple, gin, and maybe bitters. I appreciated the creativity even though the taste wasn't what I was looking for. - August Kessler Riesling ($13/glass). Fruity, crisp, and sweet. - Silver Palm Cabernet ($13). Fruity and bold, slightly sweet. - Marques De Cacerez Red Blend ($12/glass). Bf said this was earthy, so I took a sip. The wine was on the dry side, and I liked that it was not tanniny. MAINS/BURGERS ORDERED - Veloute Chicken ($24). The brussels sprouts and carrots were AMAZING! Maybe they were cooked in the drippings because they were so flavorful and umami. The vegetables were tender and retained crunch. I also liked the mashed potatoes. The chicken breast was juicy, but I didn't like the lemon veloute mixed with mushroom and sun-dried tomato. The creamy sauce tasted more "sour" than "lemony". Also, the amount of sun-dried tomato was overpowering. - Bourbon BBQ Burger ($16). Two thick slabs of bacon and onion rings topped this thick, juicy burger. It was cooked to medium as requested. The burger was lightly sauced, and most of the bbq sauce sat on the onion rings. The sharp white cheddar went well with the burger. I just would have preferred crispier bacon. My side salad was a delicious mix of leafy greens, watermelon radish, and candied almonds lightly dressed in a sweet vinaigrette. - Biergarten Burger ($19 - daily special). The two smash burgers patties on a pretzel bun with mustard. Instead of the side salad, my bf upgraded to a side of onion rings. For the dip, he chose the beer cheese which was fantastic. I liked the concept of this burger, but the sweetness of whatever else was in it threw me off. - Blackberry Burger ($18). The burger was tender and juicy and perfectly cooked. I enjoyed the blackberry BBQ sauce, which was slightly sweet and contained whole blackberries. I also liked the lemon vinaigrette for the side salad. SIDES ORDERED - Onion Rings ($1 upgraded side with a burger - 5 pcs). The onion rings were hefty and crispy. While I appreciated the crunch, the flavor was just okay. The onions were a bit hard and flavorless. We got a side of ranch, which was missing the dairy flavor that I'm looking for in a housemade ranch. - French Fries ($4). These straight cut fries were hot and crispy, like McDonald's but better. They were tossed with parsley or some other finely chopped herb that didn't impart much flavor.

    Brussel Sprouts from happy hour menu
    Kirsten F.

    Brought my Doberman here and they let us sit on the patio! Very dog friendly and even brought him a water with ice. The happy hour and regular menu was wonderful and affordable. Happy I stumbled along this place while walking around. Our 1st server was excellent, then it switched to a female and she was not as attentive. But he was awesome!

    Amazing Drinks.......
    Daniel E.

    I want to start by saying that The State is honestly one of our favorite spots. We go not just to the Monrovia location but also the one in Rancho Cucamonga, and overall, the experience is usually amazing. The food is consistently great, the atmosphere is lively, and most of the staff truly go above and beyond--especially when accommodating large groups like ours with kids. That's not easy, and it's appreciated.

    Brussel Sprouts

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    1 year ago

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    The staff was excellent they went above and beyond for us. food was great you have to try the bread pudding.

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    Page 3 of 7

    Ask the Community - The State

    What is happy hour times?

    Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 11am till 5pm

    Are kids allowed?

    Yes, it is family friendly. There is also a small outdoor seating area.

    Hi, for a party of 40 people, is there a time limit too?

    Hello, my name is Sean Wilson, I am the general manager here at the state in Monrovia. I want to first thank you for reaching out to us, If you have time can you email me at sean@thestaterestaurant.com regarding your party that you would like to… Read more

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes we do ! You can make a reservation at thestaterestaurant.com

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    4.6(156 reviews)
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    Hands down, the best thing on the menu has to be the buffalo fries. I ordered them with both meats,…read moreal pastor and asada, and they were amazing. The bowl was very filling with all the fries and meat, and the toppings and sauce were a great combo. I would definitely go back just for that. The chips and salsa were also good. The salsa had just the right amount of mild heat with a fresh taste. The beer battered avocado tacos were decent, but in hindsight we should have gone with a protein style taco instead. With the deep fried avocado, it was a bit overpowering, and I noticed a slight aftertaste. It was a little disappointing that the horchata tasted watered down and more like a powdered mix rather than freshly made, but we understand that is not the main attraction. The environment is more for those who enjoy the bar life, so it can get pretty noisy. The food was good, just not our style.

    Food: A-. Super glad I only ordered the rice and beans because it was the perfect amount. L-O-V-E…read morethat they have a special menu for Sunday brunch. Service: B. Really attentive at the beginning maybe died off a bit when I changed from alcohol to water. They were really flexible with me changing my order last minute without any complaints which I appreciate. Ambiance: A-. Started off calmer with rad music from the 90's R & B sounds then the football crowd filed in more and more as they woke up. This livened the bar up 10 fold and it was a blast. It helped that there was crazy endings to the Rams @ Eagles game.

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    Blush - Long Table Set-Up Rentals Available

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    I had my 50th birthday celebration at Blush and had an amazing time. The venue was super nice and…read morethe decor had my guests loving the atmosphere. The Manager Jin was so accommodating and friendly. His bar staff kept my guests happy and they were very welcoming. I would definitely recommend it and I would host another event there.

    UPDATE. We rescheduled our Vow Renewal from May-Dec, which seemed easy enough to do at first when…read morecommunicating with Chris, who was going to be onsite manager for our event. It proved more difficult when dealing with the owner Scott. I'll start by saying the end result was us rescheduling at the same rate that we booked & our event went well, however it wasn't without hiccups. When rescheduling, we were specifically instructed by Scott to cancel our booking in Peerspace & rebook the new date. That's when issues started. Before cancelling I mentioned how Peerspace won't refund our full amount & Scott replied that whatever isn't refunded will be credited toward the new date. That didn't happen without us constantly reaching out via text, email, & Peerspace. When you request a date on Peerspace it's pending review/approval from Blush, however it charges you immediately. Since we opted for the payment plan that required about half down & remainder later, we were waiting on our refund to book the new date. It never came. When we were finally able to have a phone call with Scott, I couldn't get one word in the entire time he was mansplaining the world of business. He was very patronizing & I swallowed my pride because we just wanted a resolve & to not lose the deposit. I asked very clearly whether he was going to uphold our agreement. He did, but under the condition that we pay the remainder of our balance upfront in good faith to them. We did & that was that. Thereafter, it was back & forth whether Chris would still be working our event which Scott said he was. Chris was the saving grace of Blush in our opinion. Customer service & how you treat people is king, so it put our hearts at ease. But not for long, since it was changed later to Jin. Getting Jin to respond was difficult. We requested a final walk through with our coordinator about a month before our event. Jin told us he wasn't feeling well & wasn't present for most of the walk through. So we asked questions via email instead. I specifically mentioned a clean facility is important to us. The place just wasn't as polished as we first saw it. He was responsive only after I'd send text follow ups. The week of, not at all. I was waiting on confirmation about our drink selection which I never got & we just hoped it would all work out the day of. Day of our coordinator arrived first. The bathrooms were clean but the bar, cocktail tables, mirror hallway, & front door were full of fingerprints and sticky as if not cleaned from a previous event. We were told there would be 2 staff & that they'd be able to help us move cocktail tables. We weren't aware one of those people would be Jin & he wasn't helpful at all. He completely ignored our coordinator & aunt, but jumped to help our DJ with the sound system. 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    Seoul Alley

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    We were looking for a late-night spot with decent food, so I searched around and this place popped…read moreup. Mind you, this was in downtown Monrovia and I'm in Montebello, so it was about a 24-minute drive. We got there around 11:10pm and they closed at midnight on a Monday night. Parking was easy since it's in a strip center in downtown Monrovia, but I'm assuming that's because it was late. Not sure how parking is during the day. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted and seated right away. It was a cool little spot with quite a few customers still inside, which was a good sign. The guy helping us was super nice and attentive. We ordered the Corn Cheese, Garlic Chili Chicken, Mussel Soup, fries, and two sides of steamed rice. The fries were crispy and really good. The corn cheese was delicious, I'd probably add spice to it next time. The garlic chicken was very flavorful. The mussel soup had a very strong ocean taste and could've used just a little more seasoning, but I think that's just the style of the soup since it's more of a light broth. Overall though, everything else was great, good food, good vibe, and great service.

    I been on a pocha hunt these past 2 years and I wish Seoul Alley was closer to where I live. It's a…read morecute little restaurant that is set up to ACTUALLY look like an alley way Drinking was a fun time here, especially with that dice-rolling surprise drink for $5 I wished I spammed that more. Our waitress Ashley was friendly and really quick with our food. The rose tteokboki was as delicious as I'd expect tteokboki to be. The spicy squid stir fry was delicious and actually spicy. My brotha only wish there was more squid to veggie ratio. But the real vip was the kimchi, they use the extra fermented punchy napa, I can attack that shit all day long cant believe I forgot to take some home. Hope to be back if I ever find myself in Monrovia again

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    I decided to be local and went to this dive bar. They do Alonsito about every drink uou could think…read moreof. I first tried their zombie drink. Amazing! I think it's like pineapple juice and two choices of rum. Tasted amazing. The two bartenders are nice, very conversational. I can see why they get regular bar attendees. This bar isn't bad. I will definitely come back if I'm looking for a local buzz. Maybe get a buzz here and walk to the movie theater.

    We visited The Cove after seeing it all over social media. The photos made it look rustic, upscale,…read moresuper cute and very spacious with amazing drinks and a great menu. We even got dressed up because the vibe online felt fancy and elevated. Unfortunately, the experience was very different in person. The space is extremely small and overcrowded, to the point where you can barely move, let alone order a drink. We squeezed our way toward the back just to find a little breathing room, but it was constant "excuse me" in every direction. With how packed it was, the bartenders seemed to be moving at a slow pace with little sense of urgency, which made getting to the bar nearly impossible. After waiting about 10 minutes without being able to place an order, we ended up leaving. It was disappointing, especially after driving out excited to try the drinks we saw online. The photos make the space feel much bigger and more relaxed than it actually is, which created a very different expectation. Overall, the experience didn't live up to the hype and first impressions fell flat.

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    We came here for a casual dinner on a Sunday night and the Blind Donkey did not disappoint. We sat…read moreoutside because we brought our dog and there was no one else out there! The menu was scanned via QR code and it was easy enough to access. We both got burgers, mine was a beyond patty and my fiancé got a beef one. The food came so quickly and the French fries were DELICIOUS. I've been looking for a new favorite fry since Pizza of Venice was lost in the Eaton Fire and I think these may be it! Funny that we didn't try the drinks or spend time inside at the bar but from sitting outside on a cold winter night, I can only imagine the inside is even more fun!

    I've been to this bar multiple times and have always had a good experience, which is why what…read morehappened yesterday around 5 PM was so surprising and upsetting. When we walked in, there was a tall, bald male bartender and a blonde female bartender working--neither of whom I've seen here before. We ordered two drinks, but the service from the male bartender was inattentive from the start. At one point, my friend tried to get someone's attention to ask for a lime and wasn't acknowledged. She ended up grabbing a lime herself from the garnish tray--which I understand isn't ideal--but the response we got was completely out of line. The male bartender became immediately hostile and started aggressively cursing at my friend. When I calmly asked the female bartender if this was normal behavior, he inserted himself into the conversation and said, "she put her fucking hand in the fucking jar," in a very confrontational tone. I tried to de-escalate the situation and respectfully explained that there was no reason to speak to us that way, but he continued the hostility and ultimately told us to "get the fuck out." At that point, I paid for our drinks and we left. What made this especially disappointing is that this has never been our experience here before. We've always enjoyed this bar and have had positive interactions with the regular staff. If this had been my first visit, I would not come back. I understand that what my friend did wasn't appropriate, but it absolutely did not justify being yelled at and cursed out. I hope management addresses this, because this kind of behavior is not reflective of the bar I've come to know.

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    The Blind Donkey - Hatchet job

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    Hatchet job

    The State - whiskeybars - Updated May 2026

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