Hopscotch Tavern Review – Downtown Fullerton’s Tavern of Choice
By Juliann Fritz
After relocating to Orange County from San Diego, I embarked on a search for new places to indulge in good bites and craft beer. I recently stumbled upon Fullerton’s own, Hopscotch Tavern. This establishment easy to find, being situated across the street from the Fullerton train depot on E. Commonwealth Ave. Serving the finest craft beer, whiskey, and great food, Hopscotch Tavern showcases fresh ingredients, fine spirits and great people in the heart of downtown Fullerton’s vibrant SOCO district.
Hopscotch gives patrons a fresh alternative to the traditional “Taco Tuesday” by offering “Tapas Tuesday”. Every week, the chef gets creative with original appetizers and desserts. The tapas menu changes every Tuesday, allowing you to try different creations. This week I decided to try the Wontons, fried dumplings filled with succulent pork and vegetables. The wontons were served with a savory soy dipping sauce that enhanced the flavor of these crispy bites.
For my entrée choice, I chose the Pesto Primo, fettucini mixed with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus. Needless to say, this hit the spot. The pesto sauce was creamy and the noodles were cooked al dente. The cherry tomatoes added sweetness that enhanced the overall flavor. The mushrooms and asparagus added great texture to the dish.
Hopscotch Tavern offers a variety of craft beer and whiskey to pair with your meal. I decided to look for an IPA to pair with my dinner. I chose the Pizza Port Kook Double IPA. This beer is hoppy, full bodied, and bursting with a slight orange flavor. It is smooth and light compared to most DIPA’s I have tried. As a self-proclaimed IPA fanatic, this beer did not disappoint.
After consuming all this, my sweet tooth started to creep in. I couldn’t leave without trying one of the dessert creations on the tapas menu. I chose the Fried Cheesecake Bites. This dessert was served with a strawberry dipping sauce that complimented the salty sweet bites perfectly. This treat was reminiscent of the fried food I would get at the county fair as a kid, simple yet delicious.
If you ever find yourself in downtown Fullerton, I recommend highly that you try Hopscotch Tavern. The friendly service, bold flavors, and craft libations will definitely keep me coming back.