If you’re looking for a friendly, unpretentious dining destination with local brews and good eats, look no further than the aptly named Bricks. 

Inside, you’ll find a brightly lit, welcoming bar and dining room that’s decorated with huge, vibrant photos of Placerville’s Main Street (shot by local photographers Scott and Sharon Benton) and walls constructed almost entirely of, you guessed it, bricks. The staff is smiley and attentive, and with big picture windows looking onto historic downtown, it’s the primo place for drinks, a casual meet and greet, or a substantial meal. 

I stopped by on a Saturday for a late lunch and found the place positively jumping. To my palate’s pleasant surprise, five out of the day’s 10 taps were dedicated to local El Dorado County and Sacramento-area breweries like Mraz, Knee Deep, Crooked Lane, and Track 7.

Fried Green Tomatoes

For starters, I ordered the fried green tomatoes—slices of panko-crusted, garden-fresh tomatoes that were deep-fried until golden and served on a bed of creamy grits. Topped with tomatillo salsa and crème fraîche, it was a taste-bud explosion and set the bar high for the food that followed. 

Fish and Chips

An order of fish and chips came next; much to my delight, Bricks’ version featured a hearty helping of four, perfectly beer-battered fillets atop a pile of crispy, still-hot fries, plus the obligatory accompaniments: tartar sauce, malt vinegar, and paprika-sprinkled lemon (an ingenious touch that I’m definitely stealing for my home cooking). Providing the plate with a pop of color was a kale, red cabbage, carrot, and red onion slaw dressed in an addicting Asian-style citrus vinaigrette. 

Bo Peep Burger

The Bo Peep burger sounded too good to pass up…and almost looked to good to eat. Served with a generous helping of fries, the medium-rare lamb patty was seasoned and cooked to my asking, with tasty toppings to boot, like grilled onions, pickled cucumbers, feta, lettuce, tomatoes, and paprika-studded yogurt sauce (similar to tzatziki) on buttery brioche. If you’re a lamb lover, you’ll love this burger…I guarantee it. 

Bricks is casual eating done right. The carpeted flooring means that even when it’s crowded you can still carry on a conversation, and the fare has just enough flair to keep you coming back for more.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Sunday-Thursday), 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Friday-Saturday)

Try This: Fried Green Tomatoes, Sweet Potato Planks, Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, Bo Peep Burger, Fish & Chips, Malibu Chicken Sandwich, Bricks Meatloaf, White Chocolate Coconut Mousse 

Drinks: Full bar; beer, wine, and cocktails

Tab: $$

Heads-Up: Draft beers rotate daily; kids’ menu; bookshelf with children’s books; gluten-free bread available; multiple TVs; weekday Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m.; call ahead for “fast pass” priority seating; happy to accommodate those with dietary restrictions

Bricks Eats and Drinks, 482 Main Street, Placerville, 530-303-3480, bricksonmainstreet.com