Laughing Monk Brewing and Gastropub

I had fun on Halloween night ???? Great place and vibe, selection is ????

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We sat outside pretty promptly- food was ordered and delivered- with a little errors but corrected. The server didn’t check on us once after food was delivered to see how the food was or to refill water or any other beverages. The girl who was the food runner was amazing because she corrected the issues with the server- beautiful blonde with pigtails. We ordered a lot of food and overall food was a hit.

Regular fries - yum (can’t go wrong if you like fries)
Garlic fries- yum (most flavor- if you like garlic these are a must)
Sweet potato fries- yum (most crispy out of all 3) if you are trying a healthier version- pass and go for a salad-

Side salad- nice size and yummy

Pretzel- huge- warm- delicious- the table winner amongst everyone.

Brussel sprouts- too oily for my liking- has a little spice/flavor nice to have a veggie, but again if you are trying to be healthier- all that oil- better to have a side salad

Most people order burgers- all were cooked well and tasted good- the buns for the bread were great.

I had portobello mushroom sandwich - the sandwich was drenched with a mayonnaise type sauce- I could pass on that, and ask for open face next time and sauce on the side so I can control the amount. (Just because restaurant meals end up being 1200-1400 calories otherwise)

Overall I would recommend eating here. It’s family friendly and the food is tasty.

We just had a server that had his friends visiting and he was hanging out with them. This could have been a one off scenario. Not enough for me not to say
Don’t come back- but just be aware. Chill environment.

Kid-friendliness: Kids could draw- sit outside

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Bavarian Pretzel with Beer Cheese

Atmosphere was great, not bad pricing, servings big enough to share. Good beer selection. Food was good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 4

Service was amazing!!! Mikayla did an awesome job!!! She made great references to drinks and food... She made sure our drinks were never empty!!!
The food was delicious ?
I'm sorry for not posting any pics but I was so hungry, it didn't last!!!
Highly recommended!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips

Do I want to like Laughing Monk? …yes. Do I go there often? …on occasion. Can I recommend it to others? …sure.

The food and service is on par with most Santa Cruz/SV establishments which is always less than desirable. Anyone frequenting these types establishments in this area expecting special treatment should have lowered their standards years ago.

That being said the location is unlike any other is Scott’s Valley. Historic airport with dog walkers, plenty of parking, free amateur RC plane airshows, and outdoor seating with plenty of sunshine.

Is LM trying to do too much? Being the local biergarten as well as a full service lunch/dinner venue with too much capacity? Maybe.

Try it out and experiment. Afternoon happy hour spot, casual drink and snack with friends, family dinner, etc. See which scenario has the most pleasant experience for you and stick with that. I know what my recipe is.

It’s our responsibility to frequent establishments like LM to insure we have a decent place to hangout and take a break from the grind. I’d hate to see it fail and turn into another Dollar Tree or nail salon.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 4

Great locale, though I have not eaten inside, which is ware-house-y and has a loft-like upper small row of tables on the second floor, which peer down upon the rest of the bar and clientele area — fun for those of us who like sitting in high places. Lots of parking in the rear if the front is full.

I had the “Spiced Squash Salad” ($14), which was one of the best salads I ever have had. Just writing that makes me want to go back. Here, I cut and pasted-in the menu description: “Butternut squash, arugula, crispy maitake, cranberry, feta, pecan, blood orange allspice vinaigrette.” Oh my. It tastes even better than it sounds! My friends ordered appetizers, which is trendily under the menu section called “Community.” My friends ate “Laughing Monk Wings” ($18), and “Mahi Mahi Tacos” ($18), topped by an order of Parmesan Garlic Fries ($8) — both commented that everything was very good. The plates come out really looking like their pictures in the restaurant webpage — mouth-watering!

Check out the webpage — guaranteed to make you want to get there immediately! Great place, if a bit pricey. You can get a “build your own burger, at $19. A good number of vegetarian fare, as well.

Though I cannot remember if the bar’s walls are painted or plastered, they, are very dark, perhaps even black, but it works. There are enormous windows everywhere, and the light isn’t sharp but very airy and nice. High, high ceiling is cool and offers atmosphere. Medium -small inside area, though it may accommodate more than I imagine; I’ve gone on off-hours. They have happy hours and specials. They give you samples of the beer if you choose. Friendly, good service.

Great place to go when you feel like eating/drinking outdoors: their outside area is large (would be a great place too have music, or a reception!), yet with its sun many umbrellas overhead, and the fun property renders it oddly cozy anyway. I like smaller surroundings, so we went to the outside section in front of the cashier, I and that felt very cozy. Umbrellas throughout for those who don’t want the sun on them.

Oh! One simply must remember that the decadently delicious “Penny Creamery” ice-cream store with its locally sourced ingredients (hence the menu has *x* flavor… until it doesn’t) is directly next to the brewery, walk out on the restaurant side closest to Mt. Hermon. All in all, expensive and delicious with good, friendly service.

Vegetarian options: VEGGIE “meat can be substituted, for example, for the hamburger. There is a fabulous Portabello Burger. A vegan avocado- (cashew nut) pesto pasta..A gourmet grilled gouda sandwich. Lots and lots of vegetarian appetizers, a small choice of vegan items. Good number of fish dishes, also, for those who eat that.

Parking: Parking both in the front and in the back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Great place for the whole family. Kids menus has six great options and there was plenty for vegetarians too. Good music, nice atmosphere, and server Mike was helpful and funny.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I've been to the Laughing Monk many times just for beers and also for meals. Hamburgers are delicious. Recently had nachos as well as brussel sprouts which were halved and cooked with sweet honey sriracha sauce and bacon... Service has always been very good. I've met a couple of bartenders there. Nothing but a positive experience... Thank you

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

First time visiting laughing monk brewery. We came here since it was ranked as #1 place to dine in Scott’s valley on yelp. The place was packed and the parking was full. There was a private party in the patio by the parking lot Inside there were a few open tables so we were seated promptly. We ordered a flight of beer which all tasted fresh and nice. For dinner I got the chicken pesto sandwich and my wife got the mahi mahi tacos and my son ordered the brewsky burger. They were all put tgeyher nicely and tasted good but nothing really special. Service was fairly fast. It’s an all around solid 4.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Service cannot keep up with peak demand. Have been coming here every couple of months. Food and beer is generally good, service is generally OK and friendly. This last time got a table quickly outside - even though asked for the table inside. We got seated and no server came to bring water and take orders for 20+ mins so we ended up leaving. It’s a same as they could have been doing great with a couple of more staff.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 2

I thought there was no way this place could get worse after being bought, but I was definitely wrong! We waited almost an hour for a table when there was less than 20 people in the building. The hostess was also the bartender so they weren’t sitting people. It seemed very disorganized and chaotic. When we finally got sat, they were out of a good amount of beers which they didn’t mention during our hour wait. Pretty disappointing.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Good beers and pretty good food, in a nice atmosphere. My wife's salad was very good while my portobello 'burger' could have been more substantial - a lot of bun but not as much filling. Other dishes like the breakfast taco looked very good.

We will go back in the future!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

It's taken a couple of months, but Laughing Monk has really become a great neighborhood hangout. The new menu is a nice change from the old Faultline, and takeout is ready promptly and well-packaged. If you haven't stopped by recently, give it a try!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Just so-so. The beer is ok but it’s definitely better at the other brewery up the road. Got some late lunch and the place was empty. Waitress was very good and quick with the food and drinks.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

The biscuits and gravy were a Denny's interpretation but with less gravy. Really weird food coming from a nice brewery. Sad face

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 3