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    Foster's Bighorn

    3.9 (368 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Bars
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Foster's Bighorn Takeout or Delivery

    Foster's Bighorn Photos

    FOSTER'S BIGHORN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Foster's Bighorn

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    Outdoor sign
    Jason S.

    This place was pretty good. The staff were very friendly. You can tell this is a place the locals like to hang out at. The food was pretty good, except for the catfish sandwich. I felt it was dry and the catfish was flavorless, or else it was just so damn thin you couldn't taste it. It was over powered by the red onions and tomatoes. The star of the dish was the one thing you couldn't taste which was disappointing. Everyone else loved their food.

    Eric T.

    Rio Vista a cute town, and this place is fits right in. If animal hunting and animal stuffing is not your thing, it may be best to find another diner but if you're looking for a good unique burger and great onion rings, this is the place. The Shrimp Louie salad was the perfect way to start the meal and the fish and chips is a must try. If you're undecided on the burger, go for the Bighorn Beast Burger with fries (fries had an extra crunch to them) as it's more flavorful and not as lean as the Bison or Elk burger although the Bison and Elk burger was just as good, just on the lean side. The Onion Rings are a must try as they're fresh battered. Even though there was only one waitress, she was bustling and managed to serve everyone.

    Cindy W.

    Can't make it to the Smithsonian? Come see the museum quality taxidermy collection amassed here at Foster's. Some incredibly rare beasts only because this is a vintage collection. Fellow wildlife advocates, try to get past the past and appreciate the collection, it's quite ancient but incredibly interesting and spectacular. Do enjoy a meal in the dining area to really immerse yourself. You can't go wrong with the fish and chips in this old school style restaurant. In my opinion, this is a historical plaque worthy California institution. Rio Vista is a film worthy backdrop of a time and place in California. Anywhere you live in the Bay Area it's worth the drive or maybe even via the Delta . Even if you don't dine in the people who run this icon are friendly and can totally appreciate your curiosity .

    Robert B.

    The food was good but the service was absolutely terrible! They only had 1 waitress for like 15 tables. Waitress forgot my order and I didn't get it until everyone else at the table was done eating, drinks were empty almost the whole time and whenever we asked for something she would forget to Bring it

    Teresa C.

    This was an amazing place to go for dinner. Especially when celebrating a birthday or like we celebrated, Fathers Day. My dad loved this dinner and we all enjoyed ourselves too. It's similar to a museum. When you walk in you're in awe with all the animals on the walls. I mean there are places that have a deer head or maybe a moose, but this restaurant has an entire safari of animals. Elephants, moose, hippos, zebras, giraffes, monkeys, and many more. I felt guilty that I was enjoying all these animals that were shot and killed and then put out for display but I guess it is what it is. This man experienced amazing adventures throughout his life and shared it with everyone. This was a busy restaurant and it was the day before Father's Day when we went so we pretty much planned on a little wait, however it wasn't bad at all. We sat right underneath the huge elephant. It was very cool. The food was really good. In fact they have the best onion rings ever. Oh my goodness. I want more of those. Within our party we had the chicken Marsala, chicken Parmesan and steak dinners. My dad had the special which was a Buffalo Ribeye. He liked it but was a bit disappointed with how it was cooked. Or how little it was cooked I guess. He asked for medium rare but it came out really rare so he had to send it back. He was afraid of it then coming out tasting like a steak "cooked twice", which he said that's exactly what happened. I just don't quite understand what he meant by that. The chicken Parm was good but my niece was expecting a breaded chicken breast. It was a grilled chicken breast. My chicken Marsala was amazing. I had no complaints. The prices are pretty high. For our party of 5 it was around $240sh. But when thinking about the entire picture it was definitely worth it. We really enjoyed it there and will be back for sure. The service was great. Between the 2 servers in our area we had everything we needed or wanted and they were very attentive. I hope you have a chance to visit this hidden adventure. You'll love it. I'm excited to go back.

    Trophies at Fosters in the bar
    Julie P.

    If you've ever driven through Rio Vista, you've probably heard of Foster's Bighorn (and if you haven't stopped in yet, you should.) Foster's Bighorn is a local peeps restaurant and bar. It houses a private collection of over 300 big game specimens from Africa and North America, making it a great place to see what big game hunting looked like in the 1930s. The moment you walk in, you're surrounded by world-class trophies covering the walls near the ceiling. It's unlike any other dining atmosphere around in the east bay. For me, this place is pure nostalgia. My dad used to bring me here once a year when he had business in Rio Vista. I remember being completely fascinated by all the trophies mounted on the walls. Large game hunting wasn't something my family participated in, but growing up in a farming family, animals raised for food were a normal part of life. Even so, the quality and quantity of the collection always left me in awe. Going back as an adult, I can say that feeling hasn't changed. The collection is still impressive. This visit, we kept it simple with drinks and appetizers. My friend ordered a margarita on the rocks, and I had a pale ale. Both were delicious and reasonably priced. The bar itself is a classic 65-foot bar that feels like it belongs in another era. For food, I had the Caesar salad, and we split the ten-inch pepperoni pizza. The pizza featured roni cups and felt like a solid, classic appetizer-style pizza . The side Caesar salad was a great portion with crisp lettuce, shaved Parmigiana, and crunchy croutons, simple and tasty. Foster's Bighorn offers a Chop House style menu for lunch and dinner, making it a great spot for a quick bite or a full sit down dinner. I'd absolutely go back: first for the nostalgia, second for the drinks, and third for the food. It's a one-of-a-kind place that feels like stepping into history while enjoying a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

    Chicken Marsala
    Dennis H.

    Had the Chicken Marsala and it was very good. Chicken tender and the Marsala sauce was excellent. The service was terrific and on point. The taxidermy is cool and it looks like what Noah's Arc could have been like. Very well done and in good taste.

    Nice and appetizing, however don't ask for the end cut the meat was over done and dry. The onion rings were on point.
    Michael D.

    Walked in on a Wednesday night and sat down. Nice pace of service, offered drinks and got down to have a very pleasant dinner. We didn't order any appetizers, but the onion rings I had with dinner rather than a baked potato were delicious. Two specials were ordered the prime rib and the lamb. I had the rib and my wife the lamb. I was disappointed with the end cut hoping for more seasoning, but just the meat was a bit dry; note to self don't ask for end cut next time. The lamb special was on point and delectable. The service was great. Definitely a place to visit in Rio Vista. Also per many of the other reviews the decor is all about the taxidermy on display. They also have labels next to each display which I appreciate.

    Pastrami sandwich

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    3 months ago

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    14 days ago

    Delicious food, fast service and family oriented. Love the back story of the restaurant and its many attractions on the walls.

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    2 months ago

    Fun place! Great friendly service. Exotic setting with elephant, giraffe and others. Go see!

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    11 months ago

    A must see!!! The collection of big game is amazing. The new owner 'Chris' has done a great job of 'spiffing' up the place.

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    8 months ago

    The food was good and so was the service. The restaurant is open and clean. My brother came from New York and wasn't disappointed.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Ask the Community - Foster's Bighorn

    Is this a kids friendly place?

    Yes! There’s a restaurant area in the back, that is away from the bar area in the front. We just took our 13 and 5 year old and they enjoyed all the cool animals on the walls.

    Do they have ADA seating ot tables?

    Yes, the rear dining room has movable tables and chairs. Room to accommodate everyone!

    Are you still open for business?

    Yes

    Are you open for outdoor dining now?

    No, it's strictly indoor dining

    Open for sitdown?

    Yes, even front counter, like in the old days.

    How is the beer? At least one IPA?

    Yes

    View All 7 Questions

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    Ben's Friends of the Vine - Spinach and Mushroom Quiche

    Ben's Friends of the Vine

    5.0(53 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Walked in and was blown away by how stunning the place is. Cozy atmosphere and amazing service. The…read morefood and drink options definitely did not disappoint! Neither did the flavor and quality. Prices are outstandingly reasonable as well. Whenever I'm in town next time, I'd love to get some lunch here again.

    We had a really enjoyable time here after visitors "Hog August " nights in the small town of Rio…read moreVista that's knows how to have BIG fun. I wanted to visit here because of the guest performer that was going to be here. From what o hear, she has performed here in the past before. And I know for anytime in the future that her and her band is around again, I will definitely try to make it out. For sure the music vibes had me dancing in my seat, while I enjoyed a bowl of chilli and homemade cornbread. The chilli was of without spice but the cornbread was delicious to accent the meal overall. In the beginning of our visit the table service was a bit slow as we were walked by twice before r even being acknowledged as I spoke up asking about their pricing on a few items. Once we warmed up and had our meal, we later ordered a flight of wine. We asked the server assisting us inside to pick what they thought were some of the best wines they have. A bit on the bolder side for me but we finished them off. Ther performance was set up outside on their side patio but inside is really nice and welcoming as well. Very well thought out on the decors and the restroom was really clean. I know that we will be visiting again during one of our weekend strolls through town. As we are always seeking new spots in town to try out

    Photos
    Ben's Friends of the Vine - Cute sitting area

    Cute sitting area

    Ben's Friends of the Vine - Spinach and Mushroom Quiche

    Spinach and Mushroom Quiche

    Ben's Friends of the Vine - The front of Ben's Friends of the Vine with an outside dining area for warm days.

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    The front of Ben's Friends of the Vine with an outside dining area for warm days.

    Al the Wop's - Pulled Pork sandwich with onion rings

    Al the Wop's

    4.0(331 reviews)
    11.8 mi
    $$

    This establishment was originally built in 1915 by Chinese immigrants and later purchased by Al…read moreAdami naming the restaurant Al the Wops. Walking into the bar and grill, you can see the many dollars tacked onto the ceiling and the nostalgic background behind the bar of days gone by, which usually plays host to local farmers, boaters, and tourists in the area. My sister and I decided to take a scenic drive along the Sacramento River and recalled our dad's stories of hanging out at Al's after a day of fishing the river and how the place really "hit the spot!" We pulled up and parked on the narrow little street and walked into this well-known place with the smell of garlic French bread wafting into the air and locals sitting at the bar. We were taken into a small back dining area and given the menu. I ordered the infamous steak sandwich, while my sister ordered the Al's burger, and my husband ordered the fish tacos. The plates were quickly brought out to us and were very generous portions. The steak sandwich was so tasty and big, I was only able to eat about a fourth of it along with the delicious onion rings that came with it. My husband demolished the 3 fish tacos and french fries, and my sister managed to eat about half of her burger. We will definitely be back.

    My last time I was here many years ago, it was not a good experience. I was perusing the reviews…read moreand the menu, and I decided to go for a drive down the Delta, and give them another try. I hate to say it, but that was a mistake. Not the drive down the Delta, but stopping here.. As other people have mentioned, it's a cool space with lots of character. I Head into the dining room, and they were pretty busy. I was kind of surprised, as it was a Wednesday. If they are this busy at lunchtime on a Wednesday, I can imagine what they are like on the weekend. I waited a few minutes to sit down, and then finally I walked over and asked the server if I could just sit anywhere. She said yes, I could. She came over to my table to give me my menu, asked what I wanted to drink, and brought it right back. She said she would be right back to take my order, it was about 10 minutes. It only goes downhill from here.... So she comes and takes my order. I ordered an appetizer of the grilled bread with marmalade and peanut butter, and for my lunch, I ordered the spaghetti Bolognese. She said, "I will bring you your appetizer first." So I wait, and I wait, and I wait... As I mentioned, there was a good number of people in the dining room, and there were also people ordering food while sitting in the the barroom. . She was the only one serving, and it looked like there was only one, possibly two people cooking. 30 minutes in, I don't even have my appetizer yet. I waved her down and asked her, and she said it will be soon, there's still a few people ahead of me waiting for their food. As I was watching, I noticed that food was coming out of the kitchen pretty slowly. 45 minutes in... Still, not even an appetizer. I was going to wait a few more minutes, but then I noticed something. I was watching the server. She was not only bringing food, she was handling money I watched her scratch her head, wipe her face with her hand, and then she even scratched her behind, although through her shorts that she was wearing. They were jeans, shorts, and to me, they seemed pretty short for working in a restaurant That was enough for me, I left. I decided to go back home via the other side of the river. I crossed over, and almost immediately found a bar and grill, where I decided to stop for lunch. The service was stellar, and the food was amazing. The prices were also very good. Sorry, Al, I'm not going to wait for number three. Two strikes, and you're out.

    Photos
    Al the Wop's - My favorite spot to hang out with strangers and friends talking about whatever comes to mind. Absolute chill vibe.

    My favorite spot to hang out with strangers and friends talking about whatever comes to mind. Absolute chill vibe.

    Al the Wop's - Burger & salad

    Burger & salad

    Al the Wop's - We have arrived!

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    We have arrived!

    Foster's Bighorn - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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