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Goose Port Public House, located in the Civic Center building in downtown Roseville, as been serving amazing lunch, dinner and breakfast on weekends, with an amazing Portuguese flair, thanks to the creative talents of owner Al Santos. Goose Port Public House is open every day of the week, and besides fine food, the restaurant has a full-service bar, beer on tap, and patio dining with a up-front-and-personal view of downtown Roseville, weather permitting. As with all restaurant reviews I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: It's late Saturday morning, July 13, 2024, and I've arrived at Goose Port Public House to enjoy an amazing brunch.
Photo: Today was a special Saturday, as Union Pacific Railroad's #4014, which is the world's largest operating steam locomotive, was in town. Goose Port Public House set out a welcoming sign, but didn't seen to offer any specials for the event. I noted they opened early, as downtown Roseville was simply traffic-jammed and packed with railfans, locals, and everybody curious to see the giant of the rails up-close-and-personal.
Photo: It's just a little past 10:00 on this Saturday morning, as the main dining room is packed, and it's an "all hands on deck" experience for the employees. I noted the restaurant seemed to be operating at full staff, and service was top shelf on this super busy morning.
Photo: The smaller dining room, which is located next to the full-service bar, is a busy place, only fifteen minutes after the restaurant opened.
Photo: Thanks to the overcast sky and the mild, 80-degree weather, outdoor dining was a pleasure. The side patio dining area offers tables, while the sidewalk-facing patio dining offers high, bar-style dining. Union Pacific Railroad had their "Heritage Fleet" of passenger cars on display, which is visible from the side patio, but the diners seem to more interested in the delicious cuisine that Goose Port Public House offers every day of the week.
Photo: The "GP Menu Favorites" from the weekday "Brunch" menu. Since I was enjoying the ambiance of downtown Roseville, I went with the "Downtown Burger."
Photo: Meet Anthony, who greeted me, seated me on the patio, and brought me a Modelo beer with a friendly smile.
Photo: Meet Peg, my friendly hostess, who brought my "Downtown Burger" to me with a smile. It was truly pleasant dining outside on the patio, facing the sidewalk and Vernon Street, as thanks to the arrival of U.P. #4014, downtown Roseville was simply jammed with visitors, rail enthusiasts and hungry diner. Despite the HUGE crowds in downtown Roseville, and the full dining room, my delicious lunch arrived in around 20 minutes after I placed my order. Top shelf service and dining in every way!
Photo: I raise my glass to my friendly hostess, Peg, and toast the amazing cuisine at Goose Port Public House, located in downtown Roseville, CA. This Saturday is a special day, as the City of Roseville was throwing a family-friendly event to welcome U.P. #4014, the world's largest steam locomotive to town, on it's westbound tour. Roseville is a major player Union Pacific Railroad, and boasts one of the largest railroad yards west of the Mississippi River. The city and the railroad were hosting free viewing of the magnificent, giant steam engine, and it turned out to be quite an affair, with THOUSANDS of railfans and interested spectators from all over NorCal and beyond, flocking to Roseville to attend the event. I'm wearing a vintage railroad engineer cap, complete with Union Pacific Railroad patch, as I'm attending the event, and enjoying #4014, also known as "Big Boy." Click on the photo, or THIS LINK to see the photos I took of this magnificent steam locomotive during it's visit to Roseville and beyond.
Photo: On this late Saturday morning, brunch was being served, so I went with a "Downtown Burger," which is highlighted on the "GP Menu Favorites" section of the "Brunch Menu." My side of choice... fries, naturally. This amazing cheeseburger began with a seasoned, juicy 1/3 pound patty of Angus beef, grilled your way - I chose medium rare - and topped with a perfectly melted slab of Cheddar cheese. Next, the meat is topped with a generous helping of tender, grilled pulled pork, mixed with "GP" barbecue sauce. If that wasn't enough to make for a fine burger, a mountain of battered, deep fried onion rings topped the beef. All of this burger goodness was wrapped between a toasted bun, drizzled with mild horseradish sauce, and it was all held together with a large tooth pick. Side choices include fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries or tots. What a dilemma! My side of choice was fries, which was a wise choice, as the fries were simply delicious, and some of the best fries you'll enjoy in western Placer County. The fries were cut on the large side, with the potato skins remaining - I LOVE that - deep fried to a golden brown on the outside, and tender and juicy on the inside. One bite into this amazing cheeseburger and you could taste the juicy beef, cheese, pork, onion rings, not to mention the barbecue and horseradish sauce. Such a taste sensation! All the flavors worked together well to make a delicious "Downtown Burger," which would be the delight of any burger connoisseur, and those who admire an amazing burger. The meat-to-bun ratio was perfect, which is a crucial element to a superior burger. Goose Port Public Nailed the burger in every way. The fries made for the perfect side dish, and the ranch dressing added enhancement and joy to the perfect brunch! The Modelo beer made for the perfect appetizer... or was it dessert? Whatever the case, it was a welcome part of this late Saturday morning brunch. Are you looking for the perfect burger? Well... no burger is perfect, but the "Downtown Burger" with a side of fries comes close...
Photo: Close-up of my "Downtown Burger." You can see the Angus beef, cheese, pulled pork and the mountain of onion rings, and almost taste the goodness. How about the fries? ... aren't they amazing?
Photo: A few bites into the "Downtown Burger" shows all of the layers of goodness in this delicious burger. It had been a little over 13 long months since I've had the chance to pay a visit to Goose Port Public House, and that's WAY TOO LONG to miss out on the great food, great hospitality, great beer, and the fine patio dining this restaurant has to offer. My long hiatus passed on late Saturday morning, July 25, 2020, when I visited Goose House to enjoy another fine lunch.
Photo: Goose Port Public House is located in the new Sierra College building, across Vernon Street from the Civic Center, located in downtown Roseville, CA. Since my visit last year, the patio has been expanded to allow dining in front of the restaurant. The owner definitely had the foresight to expand the patio last year, before the COVID-19 virus hit. It's about 11:45 on Saturday morning, July 25, 2020, and I'm in the mood to enjoy a fine lunch at Goose Port, which I enjoyed on the patio, to the left of the photo.
Photo: Thanks to COVID-19, and the orders of Placer County, the inside dining room, along with the bar is closed to customers, and all dining is to be done outside on the patio. On this pleasant Saturday morning in late July, even if indoor dining had been allowed, I would have sat on the patio, as the temperature was in the low 80's which made for very pleasant dining. No inside dining is allowed, but if need to use the restroom, you're allowed to walk through the dining room to "do your duty," as long as you wear a mask. This isn't Goose Port's idea, it's orders from the county.
Photo: Thanks to the COVID-19 virus, and the orders of Placer County, the dining room is bare. Goose Port has devised a rather novel ordering format. To be "seated," you walk to the main entrance, on Vernon Street, which is open, but Alli, one of the super friendly staff members was sitting behind a desk, and handed me a single-use menu, and offered to seat me on my request. I simply asked to be seated on the patio facing Vernon Street, so she just handed me the menu, and invited me to sit at any open stool. "Social distancing" is en effect, as per state mandate. No problem dining outside on the front patio, as even if the dining room would have been open, I would have chose to sit outside, as I prefer outdoor dining.
Photo: My friendly server, Danielle R., brings beers to a friendly couple, sitting next to me - but 6 feet apart - on the front patio. Shade canopies have been installed to ward off the hot July sun, which make for an excellent dining experience.
Photo: The front page of the menu, which features appetizers, sliders and greens. All items on the menu look tempting! The menu is printed on a piece of paper, and is meant for "single use" to help control the virus.
Photo: The "main" menu, which features sandwiches, burgers, tacos, "Entrees," and dessert choices. The "Street Tacos" surely tempted me, but I was in the mood to enjoy fish and chips.
Photo: Last year, management added a patio lining the front of the restaurant, with bar-like seating with tall stools, facing Vernon Street, in downtown Roseville. As you sip a beer, or enjoy a fine meal, you can watch all of the action, which makes for great "people watching" as you enjoy your meal. Pop-up canopies provide shade, which make for comfortable dining. The Civic Center and City Hall building is directly across the street, and you can watch people playing in the water fountains, which shoot up from the Civic Center Plaza.
Photo: Meet Danielle R., who brings my neighbor's orders with a masked smile. During my visit last year, I was treated to Danielle's fine company and service, and she actually remembered me.
Photo: Thanks, Danielle, for snapping my photo, as I prepare to enjoy my wonderful lunch at Goose Port Public House. Note the bar-like seating, and the view of downtown Roseville in the background, which makes for fine dining.
Photo; From the "Entrees" section of the menu, I went with "Wild Cod Fish and Chips," as I'd been craving fish and chips for the last couple weeks. Next to burgers, fish and chips is probably my favorite meal. The menu describes the entree as, "Blonde ale batter, seasoned fries, malt vinegar, and house tartar sauce." That's a simple description for such an elegant lunch... The star of the meal is the fish, and your meal includes three pieces of wild cod, coated in seasoned batter, and deep fried to a beautiful, crispy golden brown on the outside, but juicy and tender on the inside, with makes for a perfect piece of "fish." Each piece was the "right size" for dipping into the malt vinegar, or the tartar sauce. The fries were lightly seasoned - most likely seasoned salt - and sprinkled with what I assume was oregano flakes. Such a perfect combination! The fries were perfectly deep fried to a light, golden brown, and were crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. These fries were absolutely delicious, and made for a perfect side dish! The chef has talent, as the fries were seasoned perfectly, and weren't salty or greasy. As a nice touch, a small cups of malt vinegar, ketchup and tarter sauce, along with a couple lemon slices are provided for your dipping pleasure. I dipped my fries in the ketchup, and alternated between the tartar sauce and the vinegar for my fish. The presentation was beautiful, as the fish, fries, tartar sauce, ketchup, malt vinegar and lemon wedges were artfully arranged on food-grade paper, simulating the front page of a newspaper. The only thing better about the lovely presentation was this delicious lunch! Combine delicious "pub food," cold beer, friendly service, along with comfortable patio dining, and you'll realize Goose Port Public House is a "gem" of a fine restaurant. Amazing dining, with a fine view of downtown Roseville, CA! Let's go back to Sunday, June 16, 2019, and enjoy my first visit to Goose Port Public House, not long after the restaurant opened...
Photo: It's 1145 in the morning on Sunday, June 16, 2019, and I've arrived at Goose Port, to enjoy an early lunch of a burger and a beer. The restaurant is located in the new Sierra College building, across Vernon Street from the Civic Center, located in downtown Roseville, CA. During the 20+ years we've been living in Roseville, the city has transformed Vernon Street from a neglected urban backwater to a vibrant, clean, tree-lined street, lined with restaurants, shops, and many entertainment and recreation options. As of this writing, Goose Port as been in business for only two months, and they are truly a welcome addition to the "hip" atmosphere generated along Vernon Street.
Photo: Today is Father's Day, and a sign announces "Happy Hour," and welcomes all dads.
Photo: As you enter the restaurant, the first thing you'll notice is the full-service bar, and the television monitors, located above the bar.
Photo: As I walked in the door, I was greeted by the friendly staff, including Alli, at the register, and Danielle, who was working the bar, and who took my order. There is a "Please Wait to be Seated" sign, but since I arrived only a few minutes past the 1130 opening time, seating was not a problem. Despite the fact that the bar, and the dining room were inviting, I chose to sit outside on the patio.
Photo: The dining room is large, spacious, clean, and is light and cheerful, thanks to the large windows that look out to Vernon Street - the main street in Roseville - and offer a view of "life on Vernon Street," as you enjoy a fine meal, or a cold beer. The furniture is composed of tables, chairs and high, long tables, with stools. The dining room has a total of seven large television monitors, that can be tuned to ANY sporting event, as Goose Port subscribes to sports packages that cover College and NFL football, MLB, and NBA action. The owner of the restaurant, Al, pointed out to me that tables can be arranged to be clustered around television screens of a particular event, so those cheering - or booing the opposing team - can sit together during any sporting event. Why seven television monitors? During NFL season, there are seven games played in the morning and afternoon - with one game in the evening - so no matter what game interests you, it's shown, and you can sit with like-minded fans. I'll keep this in mind later this year when the New Orleans Saints are playing, as their games are rarely televised on the cable package we subscribe to. Since today was in the middle of June, the television monitors we all about Major League Baseball.
Photo: The food menu features all of your "pub food" favorites. The other side of the menu highlights the beer, wine and mixed drink selection. After looking over the menu, I settled on the "Goose Port Burger," as I love a burger of any variety.
Photo: If you're sitting with a large group, the high, long bar tables might be a good option for your dining pleasure. Each table features baskets with a bottle of mustard and ketchup, shakers of salt and pepper, napkins, wrapped utensils, and either flowers, or a potted plant. The large dining room has a sports bar atmosphere, and an "electric" vibe. Such a great place to enjoy a beer and a ball game!
Photo: Since the early afternoon was balmy, and the temperature was in the mid 70's, I chose to dine outside, on the lovely patio. The restaurant's web site advertises the patio as "dog friendly for friendly dogs." It's just a little past noon on this early Sunday afternoon, and only a small portion of the patio is shaded, but in an hour, the whole patio will be shaded, for enjoyable dining.
Photo: From the patio, you get an excellent view of Vernon Street, and downtown Roseville, and you can watch all of the "happenings" as you enjoy your beer, and your meal.
Photo: All of my life, I've been interest in railroads, railroad action, watching trains, and in addition to being a "foodie," I'm a "railfan." The patio allows you to enjoy your food, sip your beer, and watch big-time railroad action in progress, thanks to the nearby Union Pacific mainline. The train you see in the photo has just gone over Donner Pass, and is headed for the Port of Oakland. Over the years, I've "railfanned" Donner Pass many times, and by clicking on this link, you can see just one of my many adventures that I've enjoyed over Donner Pass, thanks to Union Pacific. It's interesting to note, that in chatting with Al, the restaurant owner, how much I liked the view of the railroad, he mentioned when he selected the location, he never gave a thought about the nearby railroad. He told me that many diners, especially men, have remarked to him how much they love to sit on the patio, and watch trains.
Photo: Friendly bartendress Danielle pours my pint of 805 beer, which is one of 21 beers on tap. As shown in the photo, there is a great variety of beer on tap. If you can't find a beer to your liking from the tap, there is also a great selection of bottled beer available.
Photo: Meet Al Santos, the owner of Goose Port, as he brings my "Goose Port Burger," along with a side of tots, with a smile.
Photo: Thanks, Al, for taking the photos, as my "double" - as seen in the reflection - and I, as we prepare to enjoy a delicious lunch at Goose Port, located in downtown Roseville. I got to enjoy all of the meal, as my "double" didn't seem to be hungry.
Photo: My "Goose Port Burger," with a side of tots. Fries are the standard side dish, but you can choose onion rings sweet potato fries or tots at no extra charge, if you prefer something other than fries. The menu describes the "Goose Port Burger" as, "1/3 pound chuck, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickle, pita seed bun, with Goose Port sauce. Served with fries." The presentation is a work of art, but the burger is even better than the presentation! The burger starts with a one-third pound patty of ground chuck, cooked your way; in my case, I ordered it cooked medium, and that's the way it was delivered to me. The patty was cooked perfectly, as it was juicy tender, and delicious. I have never had a burger on a pita seed bun before, but the bun was fresh, chewy, yet firm, as you could actually eat the burger with one hand, and it all stayed together. The bacon was cooked medium as well, and added a smoky goodness to the burger, and truly enhanced the delicious package. The lettuce, tomato and pickle were super fresh, and the sauce was so great that I didn't add any mustard, which is a de facto standard condiment of mine. I didn't notice the cheddar - was it really there? - but I didn't care, as the burger was standalone amazing delicious with, or without the cheese. This is a GREAT burger! The tots were deep fried to a crisp, golden brown, and were very crispy on the outside, yet juicy and tender inside. Unlike deep-fried side dishes at other restaurants, these tots weren't excessively salty or oily, and they were fantastic! The "Goose Port Burger," along with the side of tots, and a pint of 805 Beer, made a wonderful lunch, enjoyed outside, on the patio, on this balmy, early Sunday afternoon in mid-June. From the burger to the beer, including the tots, this lunch was simply AMAZING! I am an "elite Yelper," and on Yelp, I'm rating this amazing sports put 5 stars all the way.
Photo: My delicious lunch of "Goose Port Burger," tots, and a pint of 805 beer. Delicious! Goose Port is located in the heart of downtown Roseville, the decor is very modern and "hip," comfortable and family friendly. The patio is "dog friendly" for friendly dogs, and a great place to enjoy great food and beer, and watch mainline railroad action. The beer is cold, the food is delicious, and the staff are super friendly. What's not to love about Goose Port? Goose Port Public House Copyright(c) 2024 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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