By Kathy Chouteau
Word-of-mouth can make or break a neighborhood restaurant. At Kay Sandu’s Copper Mug, it did something better: It landed the bar‑restaurant an invitation from KQED’s long‑running food show, Check, Please! Bay Area | KQED.
Multiple customers nominated the El Sobrante Indian‑Nepalese‑American fusion spot to appear on the popular television series, which relies on everyday diners—not critics—to recommend their favorite local restaurants. Copper Mug was notified that it would be featured this season, though the exact air date has not been announced.
To mark the moment, roughly 100 customers were invited to the restaurant for an exclusive filming event. Cameras rolled as diners ate, drank and mingled, while the production crew captured footage of the space and conversations at tables across the bar and eatery.
For Sandu, the nomination hit close to home. “It’s a dream come true.” He recalled watching Check, Please! for years with his wife and wondering what it would feel like to be on the other side of the screen. The night before filming, he said, sleep didn’t come easily. “I couldn’t sleep last night,” Sandu said. “It was the nervousness, but it was also the happiness.”
He described the support he’s received from the community, noting that a regular customer recently suggested he stop calling Copper Mug “my spot” and start calling it “our spot.”
The nomination, Sandu said, affirms his original vision for the business. Though his background is in beer and cocktails, he emphasized that food would be the foundation.
“My big focus was the food,” he said, pointing to items such as Indian dishes, chicken wings and catfish and fries as standouts. Sandu credited his chefs—including his father‑in‑law, Bhola Samra the restaurant’s head chef—for delivering flavors that keep customers coming back.
Those customers echoed that sentiment throughout the evening. Danny Gomez, a regular who said he visits about twice a week, described Sandu as more than a business owner. “He’s become a friend,” Gomez said, adding that Sandu runs a Chess Club for the school where the loyal customer teaches first grade. He called supporting the family friendly restaurant during filming “a pleasure,” especially because he sees it as good for the community.
Food favorites were a popular topic of conversation. Gomez praised the Pineapple Fried Rice with Chicken, Momos (dumplings), Butter Chicken and Garlic Fries. “It’s [prepared] how you want it,” he said.
Ganesh Kamath, another regular customer of the Copper Mug who also gravitates toward the Momos—which are prepared half steamed and half fried—appreciates the restaurant’s extensive beer selection. His dining companion, Beth Lavoy, focused on the bar program, saying Sandu has “elevated mixology in El Sobrante.” She highlighted the Smoking Paper Plane cocktail made with Mezcal, Aperol, Elderflower Liqueur and Lime as among her faves. Food-wise, Lavoy also gave high marks to the Momos at the dog friendly spot and said she always saves one for her Chihuahua.
Another regular, Richmond resident Joe Hunt, said he typically orders the chicken wings—favoring the Buffalo, Lemon Pepper and BBQ flavors—along with Fries. More than the menu, he said, the atmosphere keeps him coming back.
“Everyone at the bar is usually the community,” Hunt said, describing the Copper Mug as family‑oriented and familiar, with locals returning time and again. El Sobrante locals turned out for its Check, Please! filming, with Melinda McLain from The Good Table Café and Lorna Padia-Markus from PJs Restaurant & Cocktail seen in the crowd.
This reporter, a Richmond resident, dined with my family during the filming. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala with Rice, which was flavorful with rich depth from the many spices. My husband, Zach Chouteau, ordered the Chicken Momos, which he said were “quite good” and would order them again. Our son, Logan, ordered the Loaded Samosa Chaat—described on the menu as a twist on Indian street food—and loved it.
Check, Please! Bay Area, which launched in 2005 to showcase restaurants through the voices of local diners. Now in its 21st season, the show invites guests to anonymously try each other’s picks before gathering around the table to discuss what stood out—and why it’s worth the trip.
For the Copper Mug, the two-person crew and camera may have packed up, but the buzz is just beginning. Find the spot with a bar and indoor and outdoor dining options at 4203 Valley View Road in El Sobrante.
