GV Hurley's

This restaurant has become the prime watering hole for those doctors and drug reps who circulate the area around J and 28th streets. And while the shirt and ties may dominate the half-moon bar, G.V. Hurley's can be an odd mix of the business elite and kids in their early twenties, with t-shirt and ballcaps. Everyone is welcome, and at the aforementioned bar, everyone gets to see everyone else due to the bar's curvature, a nice perk if there are beautiful people sitting on the other end. Warm brick and exposed wood-beam rafters make this establishment inviting, and the TV's, while handy when you want to check the progress of the game, often take your focus away from those you should be paying attention to.

The food, despite its chic appearence, is all-American at heart, and its portions will definitely satisfy the all- American waistline. The meatloaf special, mentioned here in another review, was outstanding. An open-face meatloaf sandwich that should have been added to the menu by now. The All Natural half-Pound Burger and the BBQ Pulled Pork Hoagie are both worth your lunch dollars, and the Lobster Cordogs and Mac & Cheese Poppers are a tasty new additions to standard appetizer fare. The french fries are some of the best I've had here in Sacramento.

The service can be spotty at times, but if you have Amanda running the bar, you will be well taken care of and you will have a most pleasant experience.

from the outside i was certain that GV Hurley's was a sports bar and was skeptical that they would have many options for those looking for a tasty, light lunch. i was pleasantly surprised at the variation of salad they offered. i ordered one and when it arrived i was impressed with the portion. this salad was a meal! i ordered the Local Endive Salad, and the tangy grapefruit and crunchy endive made for a tasty combination. i would recommend sharing the salad and getting a side dish, as that much endive can be a bit overwhelming. among the other members of the lunch party, the meatloaf proved a popular choice. i noted the shrimp and grits and dungeness crab and thought fondly of the carolinas seacoast and the gullah cuisine that i had eaten there on a recent trip. however, GC Hurleys is definitely a california flavor. with plenty of fresh fruit and citrus accents on the menu, it was a nice hybrid of the styles of cuisine.

my only negative note was that the large televisions featured dermatology informercials. i would rather have them off than silently showing testimonials for wrinkle creams and fat reducers over lunch.