Bear & Flag Roadside Quietly Expands with Exciting Location at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
April 12, 2024 by WeatherTech Raceway Laguna SecaBear & Flag Roadside, the café known for its concept of good simple food, fresh ingredients, and excellent meats, quietly opened its second location amidst the bustling race season last year at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Following its successful launch in October 2021 in Carmel Valley, the team behind Bear & Flag Roadside brings their culinary expertise and passion for great dining experiences to race fans and visitors alike. The brainchild of Todd and Ada Fisher and Emily and Arlen Frew, Bear & Flag Roadside was born from the shared desire to create a California roadside eatery experience in Monterey. The concept was conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the four friends found themselves isolated in a pod. A friendship they say is built on good times, good taste, and smart ideas the team envisioned a café that was reminiscent of casual roadside dining, infused with the quality and expertise of fine dining drawing from Todd Fisher's extensive 30-year career as a chef. Both the Fishers and the Frews have fond memories of the track and so it only seemed natural that their 'roadside' concept lead them trackside. The Fisher family like to come for camping, concerts and exploring the trails and Arlen Frew is a big race fan and has been attending races for over 30 years. With their track café they hope to help bring the fresh ingredients of the surrounding Monterey Area to the visitors who come for the racing. 'It's important to us that the food service represent the rich history and dedicated people who work and volunteer at the track,' says Chef Todd Fisher. 'This place has a special place in our family's hearts and the hearts of many in the community and we want to be part of that.' Located conveniently within the paddock, Bear & Flag Roadside at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca offers visitors a taste of the surrounding Salinas Valley, whether it's a private track rental or a public event. During 2024 season events, guests can expect a menu similar to the Carmel Valley location, featuring hot sandwiches, bright crisp salads, and the tantalizing aroma of Santa Maria-style grilled tri-tip over the large open flame grill in the patio. Track renters are equally impressed and the café has been able to offer a wide range of selections that cater to the desires of the client. Sometimes it is just opening the café but they have also been able to arrange things ahead of time like a Mexican style buffet or a pizzeria. Some of this has led to inspiration for the upcoming season and Fisher hints that they hope to have some more pizza offerings by late May. At the heart of Bear & Flag Roadside is a dedicated team committed to delivering exceptional experiences. Todd Fisher, as the grill master, takes the helm alongside Emily Frew, who expertly manages the kitchen. Ada spearheads the social media presence while lending a hand wherever needed, and Arlen oversees the business operations while often popping in to pour beer and talk track to delighted race fans. As Bear & Flag Roadside continues to expand its footprint, the team remains steadfast in their commitment to providing delicious food, warm hospitality, and a genuine taste of California's culinary heritage. They have just added a new full time event chef Lorenzo Santiago who has worked with Chef Todd for a long time as well as a new event/café manager and a new supervisor.
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Bear & Flag joins Coastal Roots Hospitality and The Baja Cantina/Turn 12 group as the key culinary partners who contribute to the track's major event season. Coastal and Turn 12 handle a majority of the catering and VIP hospitality areas while Bear & Flag remains the only brick and mortar on site. 'Years in the hospitality business has taught me that guests demand, and deserve, delicious and affordable options that cater to the variety of client needs and tastes,' explained John Narigi, president of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. 'It became a major initiative for our team to improve the experience and cultivate local businesses who excel in fast-paced environments like a race track. So far, guest feedback has been that we are achieving that initiative.' As the whole team gets ready for their first full season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Bear & Flag Roadside invites visitors to savor the fresh flavors of the surrounding area in a laid back California roadside atmosphere amidst the excitement of world-class racing.
