50 Best American Restaurants near Foster City

“We love u LV, Gena, Ronda, Danielle and Priscilla! xxx“

“If you're looking for a Texas style BBQ, this is the place to go. I recently read that all the locations closed except for this one. It's not a sports bar, only two flat screens above the main dining area. It's not a place for a date, unless you and your guest are BBQ lovers.
The food is great as it has been since 1983. I ordered a full rack of baby back ribs, l have to say that they gave me 30% more ribs (18 bones) than any other place I've been to. The amount of fat on the ribs were perfect, that it was juicy, yet it doesn't make you lose your appetite. The sauce was the best and well balanced. Everyone's taste buds are different, this is my favorite.
I recommend that you try this place before it closes. I live in the East Bay area, I'll be crossing the bridge just to eat here. It's deliciously worth the trip.“

“I work I love ❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️“

“The food and value was great for the Sunday Brunch Buffet! I only gave them 4 stars because it was a little chaotic while going through the lines in the buffet. It was a free for all! Other than that, everything else was fantastic. Will definitely do it again!“

“On weekdays there's the House Faves, $7 for a dish at this location. Nothing special but hey it's comfort food

Edit: On second thought. For that price, and the fact that there was nothing to complain about with the service and atmosphere, they deserve that 5th star“

“Going in with little knowledge on this restaurant, we had a great culinary experience. Food was innovative and freshly prepared and service (Mariah) on point. The small plates menu, as explained by our server, allowed us to sample many different dishes. We sampled the Oysters, Warm Sesame Pancakes, Salad, Crudo, Yellowfin Tuna over rice and Pork Belly and Octopus. Most "mindblowing" were the Oysters topped with Meyer Lemon Foam.“

“Linda was an amazing service personnel. The food was great. The atmosphere is comfortable and our family of 6 was able to eat a decent meal here for less than it would've cost to purchase a united lounge access pass for the 2 kids who didn't qualify. This pic is what was leftover. We only ordered 5 meals for 6 of us and we still couldn't eat everything.“

“Muy buen servicio y personas muy amables .“

“Chef Marcus’ dishes are full of flavor & fresh ingredients that make for a spectacular culinary experience. 😋“

“Banana Foster French toast and their freshly squeezed orange juice.“

“Good food. Good service. Good atmosphere.“

“Great food and fast friendly service. A great place for burgers.“

“Great food an Service. Friendly staff and generous portions.“

“Fantastic food and service, great for special occasions.“

“JC Bruno is more than a restaurant, it’s a relationship. It’s now my #1 spot, and I’d recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone looking for great food, genuine people, and unforgettable service! If you’re looking for a go-to restaurant that feels like your favorite local spot and your second home, JC Bruno is it. I truly mean when I say that Marcela, the owner, is the soul of this place, and she has completely redefined what true hospitality means in today’s world. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted not just by a friendly staff, but by people who genuinely care. Marcela herself is always around, and what makes her so special is that she doesn’t act like a distant owner, but rather you feel like you’re planning something with a longtime friend. She’ll chat with you, laugh with you, and most importantly, she stands by you to help plan your perfect experience, whether you’re organizing a small dinner or a full-blown celebration. What blew me away most was how flexible she is. JC Bruno’s menu is already this amazing fusion of European, Mediterranean, and other international flavors, but if there’s something special you want that’s not listed? Just ask. Marcela will go out of her way to make it happen. That kind of flexibility is almost unheard of these days. I’ve worked with many restaurants for events and special dinners, but working with Marcela is different because she treats you like a partner, not a transaction. She’ll talk through your vision, offer smart suggestions, and help you figure out the best possible setup for your group. The way she collaborates with you makes it fun and stress-free. It’s rare to find a place where the owner is this involved and down-to-earth.“

“Ordered on Doordash and my croque monsieur was just about ready when we arrived. It gave me time to order an americano and matcha latte. Spent about $30 for everything. The sandwich is packed generously with ham and the cheese was done to perfection as a crust on top. My husband and I demolished it before we got to Ikea. Coffee is well done. The cafe itself is decorated well and a great spot to do some work or chat. The lady/owner? Was very nice and patient while trying to decide on my drinks.“

“BG is a gorgeous restaurant, with well prepared food, and live music/jazz, most days of the week. Owners are very personable and hands-on, which is rare, amongst restaurants. Great place for special occasions or just a night out with your favorite person/people. Share a great experience, without a shocking price tag!“

“Come for Happy Hour or a cold beer few times a week. Good atmosphere, fast service usually Liz, Chelsea and Guy with longer hair and hat or Angel there they all have good customer service, friendly and Happy to Help. all good at what they do but Liz is definitely our favorite only because we have known her the longest and she has never let us go Thirsty or hungry and great at always checking on us 💯👍 as well as Chelsea Angel and the other guy. Been to many BJs in different states but got to say San Mateo has the best atmosphere then By other BJs we been too. But guessing it's only because of the staff there give them what they deserve and keep them around Because without them it wouldn't be the same.“

“Went Late. Was looking for meatloaf dinner (Hard to find these days). Was not disappointed. Huge portions and the price was right. Enough food for 2 more meals for me. WILL DEFINITELY BE GOING BACK. Wait person very friendly and accomodating.“

“The food was absolutely delicious. My wife and I took our three month old baby there for breakfast one morning and everything was delicious! Especially the coffee! The place is very well designed with high-end tables and chairs and decorations. The overall feel of the building on the inside and out is well thought of plan and placed well

Our only complaint was our waitress. She seemed like she could give a rip about anything. When asking some simple questions about the items on the menu she practically rolled her eyes to go ask the chef some questions. When we were finished with our meal, she came back with the check and we asked her if we could have another coffee, and I swear that I was either pulling her teeth or torturing her by asking for another coffee. She kind of grunted and slowly walked back to get what we had asked for. Our whole overall experience would have been awesome if it was not for the service. I highly recommend finding new help.

Also, there were only six customers total in the entire place (including my wife, and I ) when we were there. She was not being overworked or overwhelmed…. she literally hated every moment of being there from what we could tell.“

“delicious pastrami sandwiches🤤“

“Pretty drinks and yummy food“

“Made to order deli sandwiches. I really enjoyed my Embarcadero chicken sandwich and chips combo. There was a huge line so I scanned the QR code and ordered online. My food was ready well before the time it would have taken for me to get to the front of the line.

Generous amount of cheese in the sandwich.“

“good eats 😎..............“

“We had an absolutely lovely experience here! Came for my boyfriend’s birthday, everyone was friendly and attentive. Fantastic high end ambience. The food was almost too beautiful to eat and every one of us thoroughly enjoyed our entrees. One of our guests said it was the best spaghetti he had ever had! The mushroom risotto was perfection. I had the Chilean sea bass and WOW! The salmon was also amazing. The other two guests had roasted chicken and hangar steak… I didn’t get to try them but they looked amazing and everyone cleaned their plate even though we were full lol! We will absolutely be back. Highly recommend!! 5 stars ⭐️“

“Awesome shakes and heavenly garlic fries 👍“

“Always try to go at least once when I’m in Old El Palo Alto.“

“A place that values quality and source of ingredients“

“awesome“

“Wonderful neighborhood restaurant.“

“Excellent food, excellent service, excellent ambiance!“

“Specialty's is back! Had to drive down and get their Milk Choc Chip cookies. So good! This location is very clean and has several tables for dining or just having a coffee (from Peets) and getting work done. The employees were very friendly too. Will be back!“

“Finally ate here for the first time a couple of days ago. Pancakes are on the thinner side, which actually gives it some crisp, and it's tasty. Ben's Special was good also, especially with their homemade hot sauce. Extra bonus points for the amazing bobblehead collection display.

Overall, this side of the peninsula has some really good diner spots.“

“Great just like my mom’s homemade cooking Carrot cake moist. Good. Coffee. Waiters are Courteous“

“Best French onion soup anywhere. The smash burger is surprisingly really good too. The bartender on the weekends is always great and takes care of us. Lots of Silicon Valley lore and memorabilia on the walls and the ceiling. Fantastic place for food!

Dietary restrictions: 3 vegan options on the menu“

“Yvette, the owner of Swing Shift, has cooked, owned and managed restaurants, AND has traveled extensively. She has brought those experiences to Swing Swift and created a “Greatest Hits” menu. My favorite? The tacos from Mexico City are to die for! Chicharrones give them texture and the tortillas are sublime. Not your usual CalMex tacos. My wife could live on rice. She fell in love with the 5 Spice Fried Rice. The pork belly is tasty, not fatty. And a fried egg finishes the dish. Yvette’s burger isn’t from her travels, it’s from her chef’s brain. She marries spices and cheese and high quality beef to create a new burger experience. Ya gotta try it! While we were there, a regular customer walked in, the staff greeted him and said, “Gumbo?” “Yes.” “Anything else?” “No.” He’s in there all the time, JUST for the gumbo. It will remind you of New Orleans. On a personal note, my mother and grandmother used to challenge each other to chili cook-offs and both their chilis were superb. Mom, Grandma, don’t let Yvette join the contest. Her chili is that good! My wife liked the wine list and I was surprised to find mock-tails (try the Sour!) that were actually good, and not just a mishmash of ingredients like so many places. And they take reservations….yay!“

“So glad have a cafe in that neighborhood! If not for this one, there is no place to eat. The place is good too and coffee size is huge. Loved the decor, the ambiance, the service, the location and the food ofcourse! Had ordered the Breakfast Sandwich, Avocado toast, Matcha and the Cafe latte. Everything was good. It’s so peaceful place located in a corner.“

“This cozy restaurant has left the best impressions! Hospitable hosts, MeeSun is sweet and nice. Cheers to Chef Justin and team for all the delicious dishes like whole roasted dorade fish prepared on the Hearth paired with grill asparagus, roasted wild mushrooms. However, you must try the warm milk bread, big eye tuna sashimi, white sturgeon caviar toast, beautiful presentation, wide wine list, draft suds try hazy IPA and wonderful dessert all of them! We had well known guests enjoying their dinner next table over from us. Stephen Curry and his lovely wife Ayesha. I recommend to everyone!“

“Excellent food and service and atmosphere“

“Voted (by me) as the best place for breakfast in downtown San Mateo. I've been coming here for 9 years, and I've not had a bad meal. Friendly staff, generally quick service, good price, great food.

My favorite menu item is the fruit crepes with strawberry yogurt filling. 🤤“

“Es un restaurante muy bonito, sus platos muy bien servidos y deliciosos! Recomiendo a Local Union siempre, excelente servicio el de Guadalupe y Estefany!“

“We came here after visiting Washington Park with 6 people on a Sunday afternoon. It was hot and we wanted something small and quick to eat and drink while the niners game was on. We originally wanted to sit at the bar but since we had a larger group we opted to sit at a table. We got a round of shots and a Prickly Pear Margarita that was really good. We got the signature French fries flight (truffle, rosemary garlic, bbq) served with herb ranch, chipotle mayo, and ketchup. We also got the Chicken Wing flight (Buffalo, salt n pepper, honey habanero) that came with 9 total wings. And we got a chicken fettuccine Alfredo. It was a good little snack for all of us, service was great. There was air conditioning, but there was a quick black out during the game but it came on pretty quickly! There’s street parking and some lots nearby.“

“A fantastic brunch spot offering a fresh house salad, tasty omelet, and a delightful garden crepe. The Bloody Mary is perfectly crafted, and the staff is welcoming. Indoor ambiance and the outdoor seating with great views make it a must-visit.“

“The food was very good indeed and the service was excellent.“

“Very nice modern spot with a clean aesthetic and friendly staff that makes you feel welcome. The food is great comfort fare — I highly recommend the Original Single Patty with fries for a classic combo. The Mushroom Chicken is a flavorful option if you’re looking for something different, and the Mac N Cheese is creamy and satisfying. Portions are generous, definitely great for sharing. Overall, a solid choice for a casual bite while shopping.“

“First time there in years. Greeted warmly, seated at a lovely table. Drink orders and appetizers were taken and delivered immediately. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Our server was as good as they get. I think her name was Cassie. I will go again.“

“I've waited years for a Super Duper to open on the peninsula, and this branch does not disappoint.

Very clean, great staff and service, and burgers are as excellent as the Marina and SOMA locations. We love being able to modify burgers to fit dietary restrictions and preferences. I love how I'm reminding of the quality and freshness of the beef patties with every super duper burger I've had.

My standard order:
- cheeseburger with aged cheddar, extra veggies, jalapeños. sometimes i sub the bun w/ ciabatta
- keto cheeseburger, extra veggies
- cheeseburger without veggies (kids' request)
- fries
- ice cream shakes or cones

I appreciate them using compostable packaging , stainless steel trays and zero plastics (or as little as possible).

Parking was fine on a recent Saturday around 12:30pm

Manager walked around regularly to check on tables , and gernrally make sure things were running smoothly (I think I even saw him water one of the potted plants outside).

Music playlist on point with a variety of genres, and there were even some Snow Patrol and Duran Duran songs I haven't heard in a while. Oh nostalgia!

[Edited to add - they do in fact have beer and wine, so I guess that'll be included in my order next weekend!]
The only thing missing for me is this location does not have beer / wine (which SOMA location has), but it's a small aspect that maybe isn't needed for a large portion of their clientele

Thank you , Super Duper, for making my burger dreams come true!“

“Stopped by The Anecdote at Oyster Point for some drinks and bites after work—great spot! The bar has a cool vibe with awesome bay views. I had the mushroom empanadas, sliders, and a local beer—they all hit the spot. Chill atmosphere, friendly staff, and solid bar food. Definitely a gem if you’re in the area.“

“As always, excellent food, service, and atmosphere. We’ve always been able to be seated in the wine room which definitely adds to the experience. This is our favourite restaurant in San Carlos. We have always come as a group of 5 and everyone has always left happy. Thanks to our server Engin tonight. He was excellent!“