Nestled among the redwoods on Highway 9 in Felton, Cowboy Bar and Grill is a family-run restaurant with mountain village vibes.
Open from 12-8pm Wednesday-Sunday, dine-in service is highlighted by a large country-quaint outdoor patio where guests can enjoy a meal amid the trees and twinkling string lights. Chef and owner Jim Geary founded Cowboy Bar and Grill in 1996, and it has grown to iconic status in the community. He talked to GT about the menu and how the restaurant has been dealing with the twin disasters of the pandemic and wildfires.
How would you characterize the menu, and what dishes are you known for?
JIM GEARY: I like to think of it as creative upscale American, with a Southwest leaning to the flavors. We’re known for our 18-ounce ribeye, Philly cheesesteak, and our salads such as Bob’s salad, which has Thai-style noodles on greens, topped with ginger barbeque tempeh or barbeque chicken with peanut sauce. We also have yam cakes, which are three or four little cakes made from yams with a ranch-jalapeño glaze. We also do the James Gang, which are the yam cakes topped with chicken and melted cheese.
How has cocktail service been going?
It’s been going well; people are really looking for an excuse to take time out and relax. We have eight beers on tap and a vast selection of tequilas and bourbons. One popular cocktail is our Stagecoach Margarita, with Casamigos blanco tequila, Patron Citronge, served on the rocks in a pint glass with a float of Grand Marnier. The Bolo Tai is also popular. It has five different rums, fresh orange and pineapple juice, a splash of grenadine, and a float of dark rum. Last year we also did bourbon and tequila tasting dinners, with five-course paired menus. People really enjoyed it, and we look forward to doing that again soon.
How has business been affected by the pandemic and wildfires?
We’re doing well. We feel fortunate to have such a large outdoor garden patio. The staff has embraced well the sanitation needs that the pandemic has brought on. We’re looking forward to a warm and sunny fall, and to reopening our bar and getting back to full indoor capacity. The fires have also affected us and our community, further impacting our staff and customers, and we were closed for two weeks.
5447 Highway 9, Felton. 831-335-2330, feltoncowboy.com.
