Hendo's Barrel House Happy Hour Menu Gets Rave Reviews, Big Game Event Selling Fast

TEMECULA, CA — One of Temecula's newest eateries is offering yet another reason to walk through the doors. Recently, we visited Hendo's Barrel House, had a chance to chat with Chef Ite, and sample the recent Happy Hour menu.

Hendo's Barrel House might look like a consummate sports bar, but it is much more. Owned by local favorite UFC Fighter and businessman, Dan Henderson, the restaurant is located at 27901 Jefferson Avenue in Temecula. Patch visited to try its new Happy Hour, now available Mondays through Thursdays, from 2 to 6 p.m., and with a menu that is sure to draw a crowd.

If you've never been, you're in for a treat. Hendo's Barrel House takes up a portion of the building that is over one-half Ultimate Fighting gym and training center. The dining space is grand in scale, with soaring ceilings, and a second story VIP section which opens for fight nights, has become the ideal spot for dining during the regular entertaining all-ages events.

Hendo's is ideal for date night, or dinner out with the whole family. Prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is vibrant, and the friendly wait staff rounds out reasons to head here as often as possible. We visited on a Thursday night, during Happy Hour, and found a table with easy sight of multiple big screen tvs showing every sport imaginable.

The Happy Hour menu offered just the right selections for toasting the end of the workday. It offers Bourbon BBQ Wings for $8, ⁠Hendo's crafted draft beers was available starting at $5 and house wine for $6⁠, Barrel cocktails $8. Their signature Bourbon BBQ wings for $8, ⁠Hendo Smash Burger for $9⁠, along with loaded fries, flatbreads.

Can I just go on about this crusty yet soft-inside pretzel? Brushed with garlic butter, dusted with sea salt, it was served with beer cheese, honey mustered and a smoked gouda fondue, of such a size it's almost a meal in and of itself.

We selected Hendo's pale ale to start the evening off right. With light citrus flavors, and an easy mouthfeel, this was a rich ale that was highly drinkable with the giant Bavarian pretzel and Hendo's Smash Burgers we ordered, along with the loaded fries.

All of the bread served with our meal was fresh, warm and delicious. The smash burgers were served on brioche buns, topped with pepper jack cheese, and served with caramelized onions, pickles and a special sauce and pared perfectly with the Hendo's Pale Ale. The loaded fries were decadent, smothered in cheese, bacon, and dusted with scallions, served up with ranch dressing.

Beyond Happy Hour, Hendo's Barrel House has inventive chefs that are serving up a variety of seafood, steaks, and more.

In addition to our meal, we were given a special tasting from Chef Ite, who served us up some delicious, inventive offerings. The first, a feather-light whipped baked cheese, topped with a caramelized bacon, cranberries, and served with brilliantly toasted crostini bread that frankly I'm still dreaming about.

He also served us an inventive edamame salad that brought to mind traditional Elote, or Mexican Street Corn. Each crispy bite burst with traditional flavors, and a blend of creamy spice. The offering from the chef was a much appreciated treat.

To complete the meal, there had to be a sweet treat. So, we browsed the extensive dessert options.

For dessert, we had to try the creme brulee donut, freshly made and eye-rolling good.

The donut, dusted with sugar, filled with creme brulee flavored Bavarian cream, was the perfect way to end our meal. At the suggestion of Charli, our server, we had toffee ice cream on the side which evolved the flavors of the creamy donut.

Hendo's pours a variety of local wines, including Doffo Vineyards, and Peltzer Family Cellars. With a burger or steak, we suggest the Doffo Cab Sauv, or Peltzer's Feeling Cocky. Peltzer's Syrah Rose, which is a definite must-drink if you're ordering from the seafood menu or having brunch. The bartenders also serve an array of signature cocktails we look forward to returning to try.

Hendo's aims to be the go-to restaurant for celebrations, family gatherings, and fight night fun. If you're looking to host a large event, this spot should top your list.

A special event is planned Sunday for the Big Game. Be sure and consider that as an option for the NFL event.

See the Happy Hour menu, and check out their full menu online.

A bit about your host, Dan Henderson:

Henderson returned to the UFC in 2007, facing top-tier opponents like Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Anderson Silva. He later claimed the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship, further cementing his legacy. Henderson's epic five-round battle against Maurício "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139 in 2011 was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's Fight Wing in 2018.

This fight is widely regarded as one of the greatest in MMA history, according to his biography.

After an unforgettable title fight against Michael Bisping at UFC 204 in 2016, Henderson retired as the oldest active UFC fighter at the time.

Hendo’s Fight Nights will also be the ultimate destination for fight fans, hosting electrifying fight nights that bring the excitement of live MMA action to Temecula.

For more information, visit: www.hendosbarrelhouse.com, and when you go? Tell them Patch sent you.