.Best Pub Food

Sure, jalapeño poppers and buffalo wings have their deserved place in the pantheon of pub-food staples, but every once in a while it’s nice to enjoy really good vittles with that pint or two or three. Quinn’s elevates bar food to a higher standard while retaining its integrity as an unpretentious place to hang out and play darts. Built in 1890 — although not much of the original structure remains — the Lighthouse still has a seafaring vibe going on. Downstairs is a fancy-shmancy dining room that appears as if it has been decorated by a band of very tasteful pirates. The upstairs pub is more casual — that crunch you hear is the sound of thousands of discarded peanut shells being trampled underfoot. Huge hamburgers, wonderfully garlicky cioppino, perfect fish and chips, and a stuffed tomato salad are a few reasons why Quinn’s is so beloved — especially, and this adds to its nautical ambience, by guys and gals in the Navy. In summer, the deck area is almost always crowded with cheerful customers knocking back a few from the extensive beer list while enjoying a fine view of the Oakland estuary. So call in sick and get there early.