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Despite a recent news report that Steins Beer Garden will become a Mexican restaurant within a year, new owner Ricky Singh said that he’s just in the brainstorming phase.
Last month, the Palo Alto Daily Post reported that Steins would transform into Barrio Queen, which is an Arizona-based chain. However, Singh said that isn’t necessarily the case.
“Steins does great,” he said. “If we’re able to revive it back, even if we maintain the sales that are happening right now, we’ll strongly consider (keeping) it the way it is.”
Regardless of whether Steins becomes a Barrio Queen location, the restaurant has already substantially changed its menu. Singh – who owns The Counter at The Village at San Antonio in Mountain View, Pinkberry at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Planet Smoothie in Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara and other franchises – said that about 90% of Steins’ dishes are different and that customers have been very receptive to the new offerings.
His favorite? The herb-crusted lamb rack with demi-glace and balsamic reduction, served with charred harissa Brussels sprouts ($45).
Other new additions to the menu include ahi tuna nachos with sashimi-grade ahi tuna, avocado, mango salsa, spicy aioli and soy-lime glaze ($26); samosas with jalapeno chutney and ketchup ($20); pork schnitzel with mushroom marsala ($29) and even Japanese A5 wagyu ($250).
While it may or may not replace Steins, Singh said he is set on opening a Barrio Queen somewhere along the Peninsula. Barrio Queen offers upscale Southern Mexican food, tequila and cocktails. Tacos are made to order with hand-pressed corn tortillas, which Singh said are so soft, “it seems like you’re eating pancakes.”
“You’ll forget any Mexican place you’ve ever had,” he said. “Every single thing is great. It’s amazing, … I’ve never had food like that ever in my life, not even in Mexico.”
Ted Kim founded Steins in 2013, hosting the first Mountain View Oktoberfest that same year. In February, Kim announced that the beer garden would permanently close in March, but just before it shuttered for good, Singh took over the restaurant.
The City of Mountain View will now be the sole host of Mountain View Oktobefest, and Singh said the most Steins will be involved with the event would be hosting a food booth.
Steins Beer Garden, 895 Villa St., Mountain View; 650-386-5505, Instagram: @steinsbeergarden. Open Monday to Thursday from 4-9 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
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