Just in time for March Madness, the popular San Carlos sports bar ‘Sneakers American Grill’ is reopening in a new location.
Sneakers, which is famous for having TVs at every table, has been a San Carlos hotspot since its opening 1992. For decades, Sneakers has been accessible to all due to its proximity to downtown San Carlos.
Now, it has moved from its original venue on San Carlos Avenue to an even more central location: Laurel Street, the main street in downtown San Carlos.
“We moved here [Laurel Street] because it is a better location and we have more space,” longtime Sneakers employee Ismael Barraza said. “This space is nicer [than the other] and it will be able to accommodate more people so we can ensure their best experience.”
Downtown San Carlos is home to many restaurants which serve food from all over the world, but Sneakers is unique.
“We’re the only sports bar. If you want to eat a good meal and watch a good game, you come here,” Barraza said.
Despite the fact that it is a sports bar, Sneakers is also a popular restaurant among younger generations.
“I love eating at Sneakers with my friends,” Design Tech High School sophomore Anna Zigmond-Rahm said. “It’s great to have a place that’s cheap and good to eat at with friends.”
The positive environment at Sneakers is felt by employees and customers alike.
“I’ve been working here for 13 years,” Barraza said. “At this point, we’re like family. It’s just so fun to be around these people.”
Customers have similar experiences at the restaurant.
“With all of the excitement from the games that are always playing on the TVs, and the friendly staff, it’s hard not to have a good time,” Zigmond-Rahm said.
While the restaurant changed locations, it closed temporarily. Customers awaited its reopening and are excited to visit the new location.
“I am so happy that it’s open again. I saw the new space and it looks really nice- much better than the original location,” sophomore Elizabeth Kravtchenko said. “I can’t wait to eat there. Hopefully, the menu isn’t different.”
According to Barraza, the menu has remained the same.
“The only thing different, menu-wise, is that we have more beers to offer now,” Barraza said.
Both employees and customers are excited to experience the new location and have an optimistic outlook on the future.
“I’m excited to see all of the new and returning customers,” Barraza said. “Hopefully this new space will keep business going well, but I am not worried at all about that.”
To eat at Sneakers, it is open daily at 650 Laurel St.
