The Brass Rail

I was there 5 times between 2015-16 Amazingly delish. So GOOD, I thought my mother cooked it.! True taste and freshness of back home. Omy that fresh homemade wonderful bread.!🤩🥰 I’ve been dreaming of going back, moved quite a ways away, horses sick, dogs sick, fires and the horrible gas prices, been keeping me away.🥲

Not a fancy place, but some of the best steaks and lamb chops I have ever had. Traditional Basque style food so come hungry. I grew up in Alturas and eating at the Brass Rail is an anticipated highlight every time I go back.

We had a party there, and the bartender was very attentive and really added to the fun. The food was delicious, and the room was very spacious for our guests. It was a great time.

I’ve been to a few banquets here. Food is super good, and we had great service. I’ve yet to try the famous lamb stew. Maybe next time.

We walked into the quaint little bar, which gave us a good feeling. Then we passed through the curtain of beads separating us from the restaurant, and taking in the quality of the furnishings we began to fear for the longevity of our bank accounts and briefly considered whether we shouldn't sneak out the back door before anybody noticed us, at which point someone of course DID notice us and showed us to our seat. Our server disappeared into the back, prompting us to again ponder if it wouldn't be prudent to make a crazed dash for the front door like the building was on fire before she came back, at which point she of course DID come back with bread and wine in hand. Navigating the "family-style" dinner was an awkward challenge for two uncultured twenty-something men (Oh, you put the bread on the plate, not in the bowl. Are we expected to eat all the soup? Will they think it's weird if we eat all the soup? Do we pour the water into the tiny glasses that look more suited for whiskey than water -- or are the water glasses going to come out later?), but we made it through dinner without committing any serious faux pas (or maybe the other guests were merely too polite to laugh at our mistakes). When it came time to pick our entrée, another warning sign: no prices. This is when we began to debate what our fates would be when the bill did finally find its way to our table. $40 sounds cheap... Is $80 too expensive? Are they going to charge us more now that they've heard us say we would be willing to believe the meal cost $100? We ordered the fried chicken and lamb steak with bated breath. When she brought us our last course -- daringly rich ice cream -- and that oh-so-sinister piece of paper, the moment of truth was at hand. $45 for two people. How entirely reasonable! How utterly inexpensive for this veritable feast of delectable delights! Needless to say we left with a new-found respect for the culinary talents of this small Californian hamlet and a deep gratitude that we would in fact NOT be selling our cars and taking on second jobs upon our return home. Highly recommended.

Incredible service (we walked in 5 minutes to closing, and the waitress never once acted annoyed or frustrated that we had just extended her night.) Delicious meal (family style. We were served bread and butter, some amazing soup, salad, home grown/homemade lamb stew....and then we got our meal, sirloin steak that melted in your mouth. With coffee and ice cream for dessert.) We were definitely impressed with the experience and look forward to seeing what we are served next time (everything, with the exception of your individual entree changes daily, and, much like at mama's house, ya get what ya get.)

Ate dinner on Tuesday, June 14th. Food was great, service was even better. Lamb stew was one of the sides. We always eat here on our way thru

Sean at Brass Rail is awesome! Stopped in for a quick bite and drinks. We will be back if we are ever in the area again.

Best place to eat in town. I have never have a beef or lamb steak as good as at the Brass Rail. I have shared this town secret with family and friends and will continue to share.

The food was terrific, steak and lamb chops made perfectly to order. One waitress on a Friday evening and she was friendly and attentive.

Super friendly service!! Turkey burger is amazing.

Wonderful establishment with a cozy atmosphere, jukebox and real wood fireplace. Bar in front that serves 4 dishes each dish comes with a side of fries and salad: popcorn shrimp, shrimp, steak,chicken , or chicken wings, garlic fries or chicken tenders , soup bowl or cup with homemade bread (lofty with a cold pat of butter) The restraunt in back serves a 5 course meal. Be here if you want to have good relaxing conversations with the locals and passer-bys

Family style food and a lot of it. Make sure to bring your appetite. Soup and bread was followed by salad and then ravioli before the main protein selection (I had rib steak which was delicious and well cooked). After this comes coffee and ice cream. One of the better finds on our road trips through California.

Loved the basque atmosphere. We had lunch, the beef dip sandwich was excellent. We ate in the bar by a cracking fire. Very nice.

Meadow

Wonderful establishment with a cozy atmosphere, jukebox and real wood fireplace. Bar in front that serves 4 dishes each dish comes with a side of fries and salad: popcorn shrimp, shrimp, steak,chicken , or chicken wings, garlic fries or chicken tenders , soup bowl or cup with homemade bread (lofty with a cold pat of butter) The restraunt in back serves a 5 course meal. Be here if you want to have good relaxing conversations with the locals and passer-bys

Scott Smith (Reverendscoot)

Family style food and a lot of it. Make sure to bring your appetite. Soup and bread was followed by salad and then ravioli before the main protein selection (I had rib steak which was delicious and well cooked). After this comes coffee and ice cream. One of the better finds on our road trips through California.

Karen Turner

Loved the basque atmosphere. We had lunch, the beef dip sandwich was excellent. We ate in the bar by a cracking fire. Very nice.

Great food, huge portions and great service. My wife and I went there on our way home from our honeymoon and can't say enough good. I'm a beef guy but figured if anyone can do lamb it is the Basque and it was amazing.

Food is worth the money. Service was prompt and we had everything we needed. Starter was a minestrone style soup with a salad and chickpeas with beef. Ordered the rib steak and it was by far the best steak I've ever had in a restaurant. Flavorful, great sear, and it was perfectly cooked medium. You can tell the owners put their heart into this place. Would highly recommend.

We were weary travelers on the road from Carson City to John Day. All the local restaurants were closed except the Brass Rail so we stopped in. They were 20 minutes from closing but still took all 7 of us and were kind and made good food. Thank you

I’ve been coming here since the 80s. Nearly every time I go through Alturas I swing by. My whole family loves it. The food is amazing, and it’s hard to find traditionally cooked Great Basin and Basque dishes like available here. The service has always been great and friendly.

After a day of birding at the wildlife refuge we always stop at the Brass Rail for lunch. It’s a comfortable restaurant and bar that seems popular with locals. The lady who took our order was so nice and answered our questions about the town. The lunch menu isn’t fancy but it satisfied our hunger. I had the steak sandwich with fries. A large generous portion of steak was placed on top of a thick slice of their bread. It was charred, juicy and well seasoned. The fries were crisp and the salad with the house dressing was delicious. I looked at it like an honest plate of food and dug in. With an ice cold beer, what else could I ask? My SO had the fried chicken (no breading). Cooked to perfection and served with fries and salad and bread. This is our favorite place in Alturas. You should go there.

Really small town, but this family owned and ran bar/restaurant was just what I needed. Everything was great. Five course meal and very reasonably priced. The family was very nice and the service was impeccable. I've been on the road for a week and they made me feel at home.

Outstanding in every way! The best and most attentive service at the table I think I have ever experienced. A local favorite I’m sure. Thanks

Tawny Szumlas

We were weary travelers on the road from Carson City to John Day. All the local restaurants were closed except the Brass Rail so we stopped in. They were 20 minutes from closing but still took all 7 of us and were kind and made good food. Thank you

Brad Bailey

Outstanding in every way! The best and most attentive service at the table I think I have ever experienced. A local favorite I’m sure. Thanks

William “Dana” Edson

Loved this local dinner house. I will definitely eat here when I drive through the town. I will also recommend this eatery to my friends and family...

Jordan Sanders

Food is worth the money. Service was prompt and we had everything we needed. Starter was a minestrone style soup with a salad and chickpeas with beef. Ordered the rib steak and it was by far the best steak I've ever had in a restaurant. Flavorful, great sear, and it was perfectly cooked medium. You can tell the owners put their heart into this place. Would highly recommend.

H B

I’ve been coming here since the 80s. Nearly every time I go through Alturas I swing by. My whole family loves it. The food is amazing, and it’s hard to find traditionally cooked Great Basin and Basque dishes like available here. The service has always been great and friendly.

J.R. Williams

Really small town, but this family owned and ran bar/restaurant was just what I needed. Everything was great. Five course meal and very reasonably priced. The family was very nice and the service was impeccable. I've been on the road for a week and they made me feel at home.

silvia meier

After a day of birding at the wildlife refuge we always stop at the Brass Rail for lunch. It’s a comfortable restaurant and bar that seems popular with locals. The lady who took our order was so nice and answered our questions about the town. The lunch menu isn’t fancy but it satisfied our hunger. I had the steak sandwich with fries. A large generous portion of steak was placed on top of a thick slice of their bread. It was charred, juicy and well seasoned. The fries were crisp and the salad with the house dressing was delicious. I looked at it like an honest plate of food and dug in. With an ice cold beer, what else could I ask? My SO had the fried chicken (no breading). Cooked to perfection and served with fries and salad and bread. This is our favorite place in Alturas. You should go there.

Good food, excellent service. Nothing fancy, just a lot of tasty home-style food. The really friendly server answered several questions and we had a nice conversation. The price was very reasonable. They do a good Picon Punch also.

Great food, best lamb dinner in northern California. Served family style, complete with a bottle of wine. Excellent table service with friendly waitresses.

Brass Rail Restaurant- bar with antiquated dining hall with a multiple course set menu was quiet an experience. Totally isolated from exterior environments this bar is huge with ample seating and country decor. Bar menu got drinks and food was pretty good and service prompt and friendly. Stepping into the dining hall through curtain reminded me of stepping back in time by May be 50-60 years!🤣 So inna sense the decor from carpet to lighting was just fitting. Multiple courses of traditional dinner menu reinforced the sense of being back in time.

Nice atmosphere for dinner. I had their family style menu. It comes with bread and butter, soup, salad and a dish made for that day. Then you have to choose an entree. It also comes with wine, coffee or tea and ice cream. Good place to go if you’re hungry. $35 before tax and tip. The dish for the day was lamb stew, which was a bit under seasoned. I choose lamb chops for my entree. They were cooked as I requested but again a bit under seasoned. Cooked in oil. Some butter at the end would have really helped the flavor. Service was friendly. They have a full bar and smaller dishes if you don’t want the big family style one at half the price.

Place is Nice for a Quick Drink, a little hello how do you do, clean restrooms and nice established bar. Customer Service is Good and Food Taste Good, not a lot of options, but good for friends to meet up.

One of the few bars in Alturas. Friendly bartender, good cocktails. The restaurant serves family style. This is and has been a regular spot for going out to dinner for my family. On this night they were showing a pay-per-view UFC fight.

Fabulous well priced lunch. I had the open faced steak sandwich and my friend had the French dip. They were well seasoned and we were offered garlic which we gladly accepted. The bread is made in house, the salad was simple and tangy and the fries were crispy. The combination was delicious. My friend said the French dip was the best she'd ever had. We will definitely be back.

Great service and food in family style atmosphere.

Thierry Simondet

Nice atmosphere for dinner. I had their family style menu. It comes with bread and butter, soup, salad and a dish made for that day. Then you have to choose an entree. It also comes with wine, coffee or tea and ice cream. Good place to go if you’re hungry. $35 before tax and tip. The dish for the day was lamb stew, which was a bit under seasoned. I choose lamb chops for my entree. They were cooked as I requested but again a bit under seasoned. Cooked in oil. Some butter at the end would have really helped the flavor. Service was friendly. They have a full bar and smaller dishes if you don’t want the big family style one at half the price.

Gangsta Leene

Place is Nice for a Quick Drink, a little hello how do you do, clean restrooms and nice established bar. Customer Service is Good and Food Taste Good, not a lot of options, but good for friends to meet up.

Tara Dunn

One of the few bars in Alturas. Friendly bartender, good cocktails. The restaurant serves family style. This is and has been a regular spot for going out to dinner for my family. On this night they were showing a pay-per-view UFC fight.

Rebecca Durney

Fabulous well priced lunch. I had the open faced steak sandwich and my friend had the French dip. They were well seasoned and we were offered garlic which we gladly accepted. The bread is made in house, the salad was simple and tangy and the fries were crispy. The combination was delicious. My friend said the French dip was the best she'd ever had. We will definitely be back.

Bear Rugger

Great service and food in family style atmosphere.

All in all ots a great place to enjoy a bite with friends and family to catch up. Really enjoyed the 5 course meal service with wine. It is reasonably priced for the service, however I think I should have gotten the beef steak instead of the lamb steak. Maybe lamb isn't my thing. If I really wanted I could cook everything I had myself to the same taste but I would have had to deal with the dishes.

Robert Oxley

All in all ots a great place to enjoy a bite with friends and family to catch up. Really enjoyed the 5 course meal service with wine. It is reasonably priced for the service, however I think I should have gotten the beef steak instead of the lamb steak. Maybe lamb isn't my thing. If I really wanted I could cook everything I had myself to the same taste but I would have had to deal with the dishes.

Fried chicken was a little overcooked. But overall, I would say it is a good place to grab a bite a cold beer

Surprised by the beauty of the dining room as from judging by the outside, You'd never expect it so pretty at night with the table settings. The service was very good and the staff were very attentive. Nice atmosphere and vibe in the room. The reason why I gave this restaurant three stars is because I honestly didn't care for the food too much. Basque style is nice, however, the quality of the food didn't meet my standards. Let's just say I had all the courses (6 courses) and my favorite part was the baked potato and butter. When you're coming in and when you're coming out, be careful of the rounded stairs leading to the door. When you go in and it's daytime and you come out and it's evening it's misleading and I almost fell. They did their due diligence by putting white tape around the edges but it still didn't seem to capture my attention and I had no alcohol in my system. Hahaha. I feel the most important part of a meal is the main course and my Rib steak I ordered was worthy of about 5 bites. If your traveling and you just need to get some decent food in your tummy go to Brass Rail. If you're looking for high quality meat or a special night out, I suggest traveling a bit further.

Im from TN so I've never been before now. I didn't know about the bar side vs the restaurant side. Didn't know it was a 5 course meal till I was seated. Lamb chops were good. Rib steak was good also . Over all a good meal and a good experience.

A.R. H

Im from TN so I've never been before now. I didn't know about the bar side vs the restaurant side. Didn't know it was a 5 course meal till I was seated. Lamb chops were good. Rib steak was good also . Over all a good meal and a good experience.

Holly jean

Surprised by the beauty of the dining room as from judging by the outside, You'd never expect it so pretty at night with the table settings. The service was very good and the staff were very attentive. Nice atmosphere and vibe in the room. The reason why I gave this restaurant three stars is because I honestly didn't care for the food too much. Basque style is nice, however, the quality of the food didn't meet my standards. Let's just say I had all the courses (6 courses) and my favorite part was the baked potato and butter. When you're coming in and when you're coming out, be careful of the rounded stairs leading to the door. When you go in and it's daytime and you come out and it's evening it's misleading and I almost fell. They did their due diligence by putting white tape around the edges but it still didn't seem to capture my attention and I had no alcohol in my system. Hahaha. I feel the most important part of a meal is the main course and my Rib steak I ordered was worthy of about 5 bites. If your traveling and you just need to get some decent food in your tummy go to Brass Rail. If you're looking for high quality meat or a special night out, I suggest traveling a bit further.

We have going to the Brass Rail for dinner for decades. We lived in Alturas and in Likely for many years and it was always a treat to have dinner there till last. Night. The service was very good and all of the food brought out was excellent till the main course. We ordered 3 Rib steaks . when they came they looked huge and poorly cut. They were seasoned well and cooked correctly but they were so full of gristle we could not cut through them....let alone even begin to chew through that awful gristle. The waitress was very nice and offered to cook new steaks but we were travelling and had no way to heat them etc. We declined and asked that the chef please cut into them to see how truly they could not be eaten. We had hoped they would comp at least INE dinner but there was no offer made. We were extremely disappointed...especially when one of our party travelled 2 days to get there. I don't know what has happened but the original owners would never have run the restaurant like this.

We made it a point to stop here on a Sunday at noon to try Basque food. The Basque part of the restaurant, but all that is open for lunch is the pub. The details shown for this restaurant is misleading. We walked in and said hello to the bartender who also serves food at the table, but never got a response. We were hurried through lunch which was very average pub food. He did warm up to my family after we asked a few polite questions. Next trip we would choose another restaurant in town.

Understaffed for a Friday night. Seemed to either be overwhelmed by a handful of tables or completely lost on how to deal with a mid level friday night crowd. 1 gal working the restaurant, so mist likely u understaffed. We ate in the bar instead. Marginally better there!

I read the reviews and wanted to try the rib steak and when I walked into the restaurant side of it I was asked if I wanted the 5 course meal or something else and just wanted the rib steak. I was guided back to the bar side and was told I could have sirloin steak there. Idk if they were out but it seemed I didn’t have much of a choice. The sirloin tasted great but it was some of the toughest meat I’ve had. The fires were nice and crispy just a bit too much salt. The lettuce was good and that’s their salad if you’re wondering. I like it. I wanna say it had a light touch of Italian dressing but I’m not 100%. Over the am isn’t of the bar was good with some lively people.

Toribio Avalos

I read the reviews and wanted to try the rib steak and when I walked into the restaurant side of it I was asked if I wanted the 5 course meal or something else and just wanted the rib steak. I was guided back to the bar side and was told I could have sirloin steak there. Idk if they were out but it seemed I didn’t have much of a choice. The sirloin tasted great but it was some of the toughest meat I’ve had. The fires were nice and crispy just a bit too much salt. The lettuce was good and that’s their salad if you’re wondering. I like it. I wanna say it had a light touch of Italian dressing but I’m not 100%. Over the am isn’t of the bar was good with some lively people.

Good so bad we left after trying the soup and seeing the salad. Soup was like watered down cup a noodle. Salad was a plate of ice burg lettuce. Saw person in kitchen kill a fly and then flick it off the table … ugh.

Didn't actually eat here, partly because the people immediately made my husband feel unwelcome, and partly because it's absolutely not Basque food, nor is the Basque culture represented at all. The menu includes wings and other bar food, and they don't even tell you what the prices are on the menu. Also, no one was wearing masks. Gross.

I hate to be the one to say it here, but it was very disappointing and it’s not the same as it used to be. The food was straight up disgusting. I’m not sure who chose these ““ side dishes “” But they are absolutely disgusting. The very last time me and my family went, It was Spanish rice and it was disgusting mushy, and had chunks of chicken bones and old steak bits in it. I’m not sure if it’s the cook or if maybe everything’s bought in frozen bags I’m not sure.. And the side salad had no love in it whatsoever no tomato, no onion no crackers or croutons and you don’t get to choose your dressing on it, it was just iceberg lettuce. My entire table steaks were way overcooked; all well done when we ordered medium and the steaks tasted like they were freezer burnt too All of the menus were filthy and had a lot of hand grime from everyone’s hands and the water pitcher was all gross too. We will never go back unless they change their ways of cooking and or get new owners that know what they’re doing. They honestly just need a new cook and new side dish options …..someone that actually knows how to cook. The waitress did great nothing was her fault. As far as I know it was just the food. If you do go to brass rail, the bar areas food is better! chickenwings, chicken strips, etc.

Halana Barlese

I hate to be the one to say it here, but it was very disappointing and it’s not the same as it used to be. The food was straight up disgusting. I’m not sure who chose these ““ side dishes “” But they are absolutely disgusting. The very last time me and my family went, It was Spanish rice and it was disgusting mushy, and had chunks of chicken bones and old steak bits in it. I’m not sure if it’s the cook or if maybe everything’s bought in frozen bags I’m not sure.. And the side salad had no love in it whatsoever no tomato, no onion no crackers or croutons and you don’t get to choose your dressing on it, it was just iceberg lettuce. My entire table steaks were way overcooked; all well done when we ordered medium and the steaks tasted like they were freezer burnt too All of the menus were filthy and had a lot of hand grime from everyone’s hands and the water pitcher was all gross too. We will never go back unless they change their ways of cooking and or get new owners that know what they’re doing. They honestly just need a new cook and new side dish options …..someone that actually knows how to cook. The waitress did great nothing was her fault. As far as I know it was just the food. If you do go to brass rail, the bar areas food is better! chickenwings, chicken strips, etc.