It's going to be the end of a 30 year era. Came back again to try their crab sandwich and I can't express how much I'm hoing to miss their crab sandwich on sourdough. I thoroughly believe their crab sandwich is better than Fisherman's Wharf and better than New England Lobster company in Burlingame. And cheaper too. They're closing soon, as in shutting their doors, so run here to try their crab sandwich before they do. They only have a certain number a day, not sure how many, but people have been buying them so they keep running out. It's real crab folks. Not fillers. Not junk. It's amazing and good with their salad. Gosh, just thinking about their crab sandwich is reminding me to grab a couple more while I can. read more

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It is with sadness that I write this update. My visit there this past weekend was without a doubt the most depressing restaurant experience of all my many years of dining out. It's always been a dated space, but it has crossed over into musty and dirty. It didn't help that the place was also deserted. I felt like I was in a movie scene where the protagonist wanders into a deserted roadside cafe to order coffee and a sandwich from a rough-talking waitress and the only sound in the otherwise empty restaurant is the incessant droning of a ballgame from the ancient TV (hmm...that's kind of almost exactly what happened). This was mid-day on a Sunday when it used to be a hopping time for them. Granted, it was between Christmas and New Year's, but I suspect another part of it is that they no longer serve breakfast. Their breakfasts were hearty and delicious and a big weekend draw; sadly, the breakfast chef (I think he may have been one of the owners or the father of the current owner) passed away two years ago and breakfast was taken off the menu. I gave two stars because my sandwich and fries were still good, but I highly doubt I'll be back, ever. There doesn't seem to be any effort at all to create an inviting or even clean atmosphere. I remember being surrounded by other diners and hearing the happy chatter of families celebrating birthdays. Is it different at dinnertime? Possibly, but I just can't see how. read more

Me and two of my best friends went in for lunch after having a Christmas shopping day in Linda Mar, the place was empty and I said OMG you rented out the place just for us as we all laughed. The waitress that greeted us her hair was in fabulous form you can tell she definitely makes sure her appearance was well put together, She sat us down and she gave us ample time to Look over the menu. This was our first eating here. We did have some doubts to order since the place was empty, but the lady that's sat us down said it had been a slow week because of the Holidays. We went over the menu and She brought up the crab sandwich but we veered to another type of lunch, I ordered the turkey sandwich with bacon and cheddar, my other friend ordered a cheeseburger with Jack and the other friend ordered the BLT. All dishes came with fries or another choice. The fries were crispy and hot we were in awl, my one friend has issues with beef but this Burger was off the chain according to her and did give her any issues at all. The BLT was offered with Avacado and that was no doubt fabulous, my turkey and bacon sandwich was so good with the fixing it came with. When we were done. we all looked at each other and stated this was a great spot to eat. Apologies for no pics. Definitely a place to go again. read more

Everything was great in this place...the food, the service and the ambiance. The only bad thing here was the presence of an old lady (maybe the manager or owner?) who constantly kept yelling out to the staff! Very bad manners. If you need to dress down a staff member, it should be done privately. Other than that, this place deserves a lot of merit for food quality and service! We came in on Valentine's Day so the place was packed to the brim. The staff handled the load quite well! The price was reasonable for the amount of food served. I think the seats at the tables by the bar area need changing - some parts of the seats were already lumpy. When you're in the area and feeling the need for good food, try them out... read more

Vallemar Station - Bar and bar seating available... - Steakhouses Near Me - Pacifica, California

We stumbled across this hidden gem of a vintage steakhouse along highway 1 late at night after a long day of fishing on Pacifica Pier. It was our last night vacationing in California from Hawaii. It felt like a slice of history - a luxury dining establishment/old train station from a bygone era. I can only imagine what a destination this restaurant must have been for weary travelers at the turn of the century. As you step inside, old lit up dioramas of trains decorate the entryway - like a museum. As you walk further in, an antique fireplace with a worn plush armchair invites you in. It was surreal - my husband and I felt out of time and space. "Oh s*%#*" he said as we scanned the aging establishment decorated with aging photos and plaques accumulated over many decades. You could tell the place used to be really upscale but its grandeur has faded throughout the years and now the place feels a bit like a dive bar on the side of the road. We turned the corner - no one was there. The carpet looked like it had been walked on for a century. The air was a little thick but otherwise smelled fine. There was no one to be seen. *Oh s*%#*" my husband exclaimed again. Finally around the back of the restaurant we found the server and and waiter waiting on some guests in the back room. We were seated right away. We ordered prime rib, clam chowder and Manhattans. Surprisingly, the food was top notch. We were provided complimentary warm sourdough bread with butter. The portions of prime rib were HUGE and the meat was tender and cooked to perfection (see photos). One serving was enough to 4 people generously. The clam chowder was so original and delicious - their own original recipe. Light and refreshing but still thick and creamy. We ordered a couple of manhattans - which were served in bucket glasses with coffee straws. The prices were remarkably low for what you get and we went home with leftovers for days. I really hope this place stays in business so we can visit again in the future. Let's hope it doesn't become a relic of the past. I recommend visiting this place at least once before it's too late! read more

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The spot has gone completely downhill, and I'm not even referring to how many letters are missing off the sign lol. While the food portions are still there, the atmosphere is deteriorating. Be on the lookout for mold and mildew, and the sheer amount of dirty furniture. My suspicions from my last visit were correct, owner spoke to me absolutely terribly! I was genuinely disgusted with how I was treated. read more

Still the best crab sandwich in the Bay Area! And didn't mention the perfectly cooked fries too? I don't know what they do, but it's always crispy outside and soft and juicy inside and they travel well. The burgers are great too. The owners Barbara and Denise are nice to talk to too. We always stop by whenever we are in Pacifica. Stop by and you won't be disappointed. read more

Vallemar Station - Best crab sandwich and fries!!! - Steakhouses Near Me - Pacifica, California

Quality and quantity of the food stands out for me. Great menu. Anytime is a good time to go for lunch, brunch, and dinner.

wine options few maybe 2 types total ... when you arrive if not local or regular closed off / cold staff entry and parking very confusing bar only entry / stood and awaited 10 minutes for attentive staff .. back of bar is entry to dining ... no one came to great us :( wine glass pours maybe 5 oz for same price as moon-rakers 8 oz glass with ocean views down the street just shabby service ... no direction outside signage broken .. sad state could be historic .. but lacks effort home town photos in bar tell local history / very cool hope the photos get to historic society when it permanently is closed don't see much hope left . sorry ... . read more

We came here for their Fri/Sat/Sun after 5pm prime rib $39. It was alright. It wasn't anything fancy. For +$3.50, you can get either a salad or soup of the day. Today was clam chowder. As for the sides, you can choose between creamed spinach or cooked vegetables, either a baked potato or garlic mash potatoes. I asked for gravy on the mash potatoes but gravy was not available. My prime rib came with a bone but my friend's didn't. Both were thick and didn't leave us hungry. As for the meat, it got tedious to eat toward the end as it was a lot food. My guess is around 16oz. The quality was OK. It is not herb crusted nor aged that long. They should have dry aged it a bit more for the enzymes to develop a more complex flavor. As for the dining experience, no wait on a Friday night, unlike HOPR or Westlake Joe's. Vallemar Station puts glass on top of table clothes with paper napkins, yes, that kind of vibe. The bartender lady must be at least 70 years old. The waitstaff is young and energetic. There's a huge TV at the bar and also the dining room. It reminded me of how Val's in Daly City used to be, but a notch lower. Free bread. Service was excellent. read more

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We were on our way to Barbara's Fishtrap but decided to go to Vallemar Station due to heavy traffic and I'm glad we did. I think you can tell a good restaurant when you sit down and are presented with a crispy loaf of sourdough bread and butter. It was placed on the table before we could order drinks. I have been wanting veal cannelloni for a while and was happy to find it on the menu. It came pipping hot as three cannelloni in a fabulous red sauce that was surprisingly delicious. I would have added a bechamel sauce to the tomato sauce or cut the salt in half to let the rich red sauce shine more. Before the pasta I had a Caesar salad that had a wonderful dressing. It wasn't creamy like I usually make it at home but it had a wonderful flavor and there was plenty of it. The only thing I would have done was to keep only the younger tender romaine leaves in the salad and do away with the greener older leaves. My brother had the combination seafood plate that he loved and my mom had the crab sandwich which was very good. I'm definitely going back to try more dishes. They had a huge variety of meat, seafood and pasta dishes that I want you to try. We had a lovely waitress who was attentive and helpful. My mom thought the ambience could have been more updated but I liked the darker room, comfy high back chairs on wheels and cozy atmosphere. Especially on this cold winter night. The addition of a nice large electric fireplace in the dinning room would add even more ambience and mood. read more

We decided we needed something more legit for Halloween dinner than frozen pizza and salad. So we opted to pick up a couple of dinners from Vallemar Station, where we've never been. I make a point of not expecting much from Pacifica restaurants, that way I end up less disappointed than i might otherwise be. But AI put some photos in my FB feed, and I got sucker punched. Chicken Parmesan w/ spaghetti and meat sauce. The Combo Seafood Platter w fries and slaw. It's almost a waste of time to rate the food in our little town. The bar is so low. And people who have lived here for longer even than the 22 years we've been here just love the tried and true places that have somehow survived these many years. The place was empty on a Thursday at 6pm, Halloween. The $60, no drinks, no dessert, 2 take-away entrees were filling but absolutely forgettable. The breading on the chicken parm exceeded the thickness of the chicken filet. I'm unsure if these were premade and heated through from frozen. It's not an accusation. I just honestly can't tell if they were made by someone who doesn't know much about food, or who doesn't care much. The Seafood Combo is all frozen items: calamari, scallops, large prawns, fish chunks, covered in a nondescript heavy batter and deep fried lightly. Still moist but otherwise unmemorable. No tartar sauce, no cocktail sauce, no flavor to speak of. The fries were actually pretty good. And the tiny cup of Cole slaw - in a 2 oz styrofoam container - was enhanced with a watered down mayo liquid. I've had better at KFC, when they've packed a fresh mixed batch. Yeah, thanks but no thanks. read more

I've frequented this place over the past couple decades and will say that my wife's and I recent visit still had our stomachs feeling good and full afterwards. Yes, it's still got it's old patina but I think that's what makes Vallemar Station what it is. The people is what makes this place and if you can look past that you'll discover the food is actually pretty good for the $$. read more

The gentleman who refilled our water glasses was the only personable staff member. The waitress didn't seem too happy and the older woman at the bar seemed to be disinterested with diners. The services was mediocre. The food was very salty and somewhat disappointing. Sadly, wouldn't be returning. read more

I got the steak sandwich medium rare and it was really good! Don't expect a fancy bougie ambiance inside, think more of an old mom & pop dive bar. Not the type of scene for everyone but I don't really care about the interior as long as the food is good. Service was good in my option, they weren't busy when I went. The owner reminds me of a New Yorker in terms of her vibe. Blunt or tough on the outside, but actually nice. I'll be back next time I'm in the area and in the mood for meat. read more

Vallemar Station - Steak sandwich - Steakhouses Near Me - Pacifica, California

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Come for the fresh seafood!! Very generous portion and they are serious about their crab sandwiches this is a hole-in-the-wall and we only stumbled upon it and thought to give it a try. Met owner Denise who is super friendly. We went by her recommendations and really loved it. My dad is wheelchair bound but that's not a problem. Denise showed us how to get him into the indoor dining area although it would have been perfectly fine to dine outside. Would love to visit again and try other things in the menu ! read more

I returned to Vallemar Station to watch an NFL playoff game, and it was nice to catch up with Denise and her mother. She remembered how I used to come with my family and coworkers for happy hours and dinner, even remembered how my daughter liked the eggs Benedict they made. I ordered the spicy calamari, which is pretty much how I remember it, hot, fresh and delicious. The French Dip that I ordered also was tasty, and the new French fries it came with were well-seasoned, hot and delicious. I will have to come back for the crab sandwich with my wife, because she loves to get that when we are out, but I can't recall the last time that we ordered it. Thanks to Denise and the entire crew for taking care me, providing excellent service! read more

Vallemar Station - Vallemar Station Deep Fried Calamari - Steakhouses Near Me - Pacifica, California

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Delicious food, friendly service, and plenty of history at this family owned and operated restaurant. Originally a train station from 1910-1920, now they serve classic American dishes with great flavor. We tried their crab sandwich which was super fresh and everything from their fries to their seafood was a 10/10. Please support this family-run business!! Keep businesses like this alive in the Pacifica community! It's a classic institution with a great ambience, you won't regret the visit. read more

Vallemar Station - Crab Sandwich - Steakhouses Near Me - Pacifica, California

This place has always been subpar, expensive and very seriously riddled with mold. All the recent 5 star reviews are from people who felt bad for their thousands of posts on Nextdoor and Facebook about how they're about to lose their business. There is a reason this place was never truly bustling, there's a reason why it will shut down. Fix your mold issue for starters, and then cry to the public for help. Not only is this all dishonest, but not in the best intentions for guests or employees... at all. Edit: I do not need to reach out via phone, and of course I wouldn't expect you to admit to your mold issue online for the public to see, this was posted in hopes that you'll just care enough about it to fix it this time. The place absolutely STINKS. I don't think the carpets have ever been replaced or cleaned here. read more

Came by with my mom and brother for Mother's Day brunch. We've always talked about trying this place out whenever we come to Pacifica but today we finally decided to stop by, and we're very pleased. I got the BLT on sourdough, my mom got the seafood combo, and my brother got the patty melt. We all thought the food was amazing. Good service. I worked in food service for 10+ years so I alway pre-buss the table before we leave honestly it's just out of habit now, but the busser noticed and was really nice and expressed his appreciation. That was such a nice interaction! Our server was really nice and on top of checking on us and getting us refills. And my mom and I just loved the table settings, we really noticed the attention to detail. Perfect stop for a Mother's Day brunch :) read more

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The food here is so fresh, it tastes like homemade. The staff are really fast and some of the nicest people I have ever met

I'm torn here. Vallemar Station is not for me- & there's a reason the reviews span from 1 star to 5. I'd call this place a dive bar/restaurant, kinda like a Midwest truck stop. Hungry Man portions, & 'what ya gonna have hon" service. I ate around my prime rib to avoid the (for me) undercooked portions. Bonus was a side of authentic horseradish. The baked potato came swimming in butter, sadly, no sour cream. The veggies- 1960s lunch room cafeteria. Just to be nice I took most of it to go & dumped it in the trash outside. (Nobody to give it to) That said, my dining companions absolutely loved their prime rib & spaghetti. They're regulars & treated to extra friendly service. Gotta love that. I applaud them for supporting local & keeping this place alive. Me? I won't be back. There's a musty smell. The window sills were covered in grime, yes- flies- it's probably dark so you can't see the scary carpets. And wow, what's with that art? So given this description, judge for yourself if you're a potential customer. read more

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We have someone in our family that is uber picky, with a very narrow palate of what she will eat and/or try which is very challenging for the rest of us to choose a restaurant she can eat at. After an hour of trying to find a decent restaurant close to the Air BnB we staying at, we chose Vallemar Station. You enter thru the bar/lounge and then are warmly greeted by very energetic, and personable server. She showed us our table. Besides our group of five, there was table of seven or eight family members sitting together. Because the restaurant was so empty, we heard every vivid detail about their relatives with chronic health conditions etc. It kind of made us lose our appetites, but such is life. Four of us ordered crab sandwiches. I love fried chicken and was excited to see this item as a Sunday Night Dinner Special. We also ordered a plate of fried calamari as a table appetizer to share. Complimentary sourdough bread baskets were also brought to our table. Our calamari arrived within a few minutes. I chose to skip it, but a couple of folks shred it. Nothing special, but the Tartar sauce everyone raves about here, is really something. I didn't try it but everyone else said they would buy it if the restaurant sold it bottles/jarred. My fried chicken was good. It was juicy with a tasty breading/coating. The serving was generous as well. I was not expecting four giant pieces of chicken. The chicken was filling and I was only able to kill two pieces. I devoured the accompanying side dish of creamed spinach, it was really tasty. Vallemar Station is an old school type of place that serves solid old, school decent tasting food. Service by everyone on the restaurant side was professional, efficient, attentive and friendly. read more

Service is top notch here and the food is delicious. Came here for the Prime Rib special, which is only offered on the weekend. I ordered it medium rare and it came out perfectly. Scallops and the clams were giant and perfectly cooked in the cioppino. Very flavorful! I saw that they had brunch on the menu but sadly it's no longer offered for now. The bread pudding was really good. Highly recommend it if it's available. read more

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This place is dog friendly, as long as your dog doesn't look like a pit bull. I tried to come here with my mastiff and was told they don't let "those kinds of dogs in" Meanwhile another group had a giant malamute hanging out on the patio. When I asked why my smaller dog wasn't allowed the person frowned at me and didn't say anything. read more

Came in tonight for dinner, we got seated in the back, while we were there I noticed my pacesetting was dirty, it had salt all over it. Food portions came out and were very generous sizes but when I went to grab the parm cheese on the table I am glad I noticed blue dots of mold inside. For not being busy you would think the owner or workers would go around and at least wipe down the windowsills that are covered in spider webs and dust. I would like to return and support this business to help them stay open but things need to change prior to doing so. read more

Great place for lunch or dinner. Menu has good variety but isn't too big. Can't wait to come here again very soon!

I came here with my family and the food was amazing!! We had steak, teriyaki steak, and the crab sandwich. The service was lovely and the atmosphere was so relaxed and old school. Will defiently go back! read more

We went on a recommendation. Very dated....but plenty of seating on. Fri at 6:00. The 4 of us ordered a beer which came out warm, yes warm! Room temp. Our bread was just ok, a couple days old most likely. We chose to leave. Two red flags! There is a lot of good food around here to take a chance on spending another $200 based on our first impression. Nice bar, however while the bar tender seemed very nice, she is about 80 years old. Wrong vibe... read more

We were here before Covid and was glad they survived.... But it definitely got really bad. Service: the bus boy was great! Waitress there were 2. Customers- 3 tablefuls Our waitress had 1 table and us when we came in. But it took her 20 minutes for her to come over and take our order. By then another couple came in and immediately took their order after us... okay no problem. The food came out and the couple AFTER us got their food first. They ordered the same thing I did.... But we had to wait another 15 minutes after they were served to get our plates. Worst part, My fried chicken was raw. The breaded skin cooked but the meat eat still pink. Starving I ate my baked potato that could have used another 15 minutes in the oven. The grilled vegetables that came with it was boiled some veggies overcooked and half was just wet - still raw. The chili burger was cold, bland and had no real taste (salt less and not ordered that way) The drinks we ordered took way too long. I boxed my chicken cuz I was not gonna leave 24$$$ dollars worth of raw chicken to waist... came home - threw it in the oven to cook for another 35 minutes. When we were walking out the waitress was talking to the old woman behind the bar. I told them the food was uncooked. They asked if they could cook it but we were already on the way out the door. The old woman behind the bar was angry that I told them the truth and I would never come back, she yelled at me - confused and offended - we just left. Oh btw.... While we were waiting for our food a single man came to a table and he was asked within minutes what he wanted to order.... Go figure. Service- bad. The waitress hung out at the bar while the bus boy was running around working hard. Food- look at the food and don't get food poisoning! The place was old looking, paint dark and the seats worn. Find another place. read more

I Just went there for a Birthday dinner. Great service and large portions! Cocktails and desserts reasonably priced! Its a quiet place so you can hear conversations. We had some handicapped people in our group and they were very accommodating! read more

Vallemar Station - This was the chicken Tocano, very tasty! - Steakhouses Near Me - Pacifica, California

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I've lived on the coast my whole life, half in Pacifica, and I'm mad I've waited this long to try this outstanding restaurant. If you love old-timey Italian steakhouses, this is the spot for you. Stopped by for dinner with my dad. We ordered drinks from the bar which were both strong and quick to come out. For food, we started with the fried calamari, which was fresh and crispy with killer homemade tartar and cocktail sauces. Next, we shared a Caesar salad which honestly was one of the best Caesar salads I've ever had. Dressing was excellent - on par with Tadich in San Francisco. Speaking of Tadich, I ordered the cioppino and it also rivaled Tadich's cioppino in terms of flavor, portion, and variety of seafood. Really excellent dish and the sauce was fantastic. My dad ordered the chicken Parm, which was also outstanding. Everything was fresh, delicious, and very reasonably priced. I absolutely will be coming back. Service was also excellent - very attentive and swift wait staff. Everyone was friendly and inviting. Highly recommend! read more

Vallemar Station - Chicken Parm. Excellent. - Steakhouses Near Me - Pacifica, California

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Crab sandwich was the best! Staff was friendly and helpful. I will be back for another crab sandwich.

Delicious food (salmon & Ribs) service with a smile, very inviting and friendly, with my love on my little 3 day getaway with my husband for my birthday. Definitely will return on our next visit and highly recommended. read more

Vallemar Station - My love and I - Steakhouses Near Me - Pacifica, California

Best in the west coast delicious home cooked fresh food. The prime rib is to die for. Thank you for being there when we need you.

Our group of 7 came here for Mother's Day. My expectation was low, given it is in a touristy area and it was Mother's Day. The service was great and the restaurant wasn't crowded. My crab salad was delicious with generous amount of crab meat. Lettuce was fresh and the egg was perfectly cooked. Others in my group had the crab sandwich and fries. Crab sandwiches had generous amount of crab meat as well and the fries/onion rings were also one of the bests we have had. They tagged on an 18% service charge which was a surprise and the coke was $6 each and 2/3 ice (although they refilled it twice for free). Pay cash if you can as they will pass on the 2-3% credit card charge to you. I don't have a problem with that policy but thought customer should know. Overall it was a pleasant dining experience with our mom. read more

Vallemar Station - Crab sandwich and onion rings - Steakhouses Near Me - Pacifica, California

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This restaurant has hands down the BEST food you will land in Pacifica. In addition, where else can you walk through a museum and legit railroad stop while eating?I have lived in for almost 3 years and I have been to a fair number of restaurants there are only TWO restaurants in bay area that have a museum-isque vibe combined with their dining and that is 1)Vallemar Station Steakhouse & 2) Palm Orchestria (San Jose).... One reason the food is absolutely divine is because the restaurant owner has brought in her own passed down recipes through generations of superb cooking. The clam chowder and crab sandwich were my favorites but almost EVERYTHING is s good! It is the cosiest and cutest little spot ever. Bring your kiddos and teach them some beautiful history. The bar is literally the OG train stop! read more

Loved every meal I have had there. Nice clean environment. Great service! The drinks are delicious and service friendly and fast read more

When you initially walk i , it's very dated and old and could use a refresher.. you don't expect much based upon the ambiance. We were greeted very warmly and seated right away. Our server was energetic and happy and very proud of the establishment and the food offerings. The table next to us ordered the crab sandwich, and we're raving over it, so my husband ordered the same. He was not disappointed and said it wad the best he ever had. They don't skimp on the crab meat. I ordered the rib eye. It was bland and thin but cooked medium, as I requested. I have had better but what I expected with seeing the atmosphere. read more

I loved the idea of eating in an old train station. I have no issues with the old building and hole in the wall feel. The TV in the bar had the news on then family feud and you could here it in the back of the restaurant where we were sitting. The service was polite, although they need help with POS technology. The server had to manually add all the items we purchased on the tag using their phone calculator, took forever to get our check completed and split between two credit cards. The food was very disappointing! The oyster steamers and friend pickles were both delicious but it was downhill from there. 1. Ribeye ordered rare, came out well done, flavorless and very thin. Yuk! 2. Salmon Piccata, basically just grilled salmon with capers on top, not a real piccata sauce. 3. Scallops and Prawns with angel hair posta, pasta was a way overcooked, like a pile of slop and the pasta sauce was sweet like sugar. Tasted like cheep ragu. 4. Chioppino, was blan, seafood limited and pasta mushy. 5. Crab Sandwich was great. Overall most of our party of 8 was disappointed with their entres. Would not go back. read more