Quick recap: Margarita ($16) good Guacamole, salsa and chips ($17) very good Cochinita Pibil ($34) good Enchiladas de mole ($38 !) very good, mole is excellent. Read more below if you're interested in the mole. Churros ($12) only fair, don't bother Service was very good, once the server noticed we were there. It took longer than it should have for anyone to acknowledge us, bring water, etc. But after that they were very attentive and friendly. Décor and ambiance are very nice. We dined on June 7. I have been hesitant to write a review. I know the restaurant is new and still trying to find their stride. But I thought others might want to know about the mole. What is offered on the menu is a plate of just mole, a sauce, for $28. I was surprised when I read the menu and specifically asked the server if there was a protein included. Mole is usually served with chicken or turkey, sometimes pork. He said no, just the sauce and tortillas. He said something to the effect that it is very rich and this is how "we" eat it in Mexico. I am Mexican, I have eaten at many restaurants in Mexico City and Oaxaca (and in many private homes). I have never seen a plate of just mole - no protein - on a menu. If this were a tasting menu like Pujol in Mexico City where a small serving of mole with a unique tortilla is one of the many courses, then yes. But this is not Pujol. (Note: In Mexico, there are enmoladas, which are basically "empty" enchiladas of mole served as a side dish, usually with carne asada. That is not what is on this menu.) The server said that I could order the Enchiladas Suizas ($28) with mole instead of the green sauce. He did not tell me that there would be an upcharge of $10 for the mole. So, for $38 I got two chicken enchiladas on a plate. Nothing else. I did ask for a side of fried plantains, which were good. The enchiladas were very good, but not worth $38. I will again say the mole was excellent, but you should know that if you order what is on the menu, you will get a plate of sauce and tortillas. read more

We were able to get a reservation with in 45 minutes of actually being seated. The Paloma's were great !! that we had before dinner. The food was great too and the service. We really enjoyed the Mariachis that were there, making the ambiance really great. Would definitely go back to try other options on the menu. read more

Really good! Good service, great food! I tried a lot: fish taco, steak tacos, shrimp taco, carnitas, skirt steak, ribeye, and the Chile en Nogada. The shrimp taco needed a little more flavour in my opinion but I dipped it in sauce and it was good. The steak and carnitas were good All the steak was super good! Not fatty at all The Chile Nogada was really good too!! We also started with the Caesar salad and the special salad for the day, both needed more dressing. We ended the night with churros and flan read more

I was excited to try this place, but unfortunately the tacos fell a bit flat. I ordered the Taco de Sonorense and the Baja Style Fish Taco. The Sonorense had good-quality meat, but it was surprisingly bare--essentially just steak and a single lonely piece of onion. It really needed something to tie it together, whether that was guacamole, more onions, or another topping. As it was, it felt incomplete. The fish taco had a nice texture, but it was also lacking flavor. I ended up asking for extra sauce just to give it some much-needed oomph. The ingredients seemed fresh, so I think with a little more attention to toppings and seasoning these tacos could be much better. I wanted to love them, but they just didn't deliver the bold flavors I was expecting. Service and cocktails were great. read more

We were walking around Burlingame downtown on Sat eve and decided to eat at Amado with our 5yo. We booked a reservation on yelp 15 mins prior to make sure we don't have to wait. The service was great, the food came out very fast, the restaurant was super busy at this time and the servers were all doing a fantastic job. We tried 3 cocktails between us (all server recommended) and all were great. Mangoneada was my fav. The salsa/ guac was excellent. The guac was mild for our kid to eat. Even though they didn't have a kids menu, our son loved the tetela and the chicken enchilada. I did not like the hibiscus flautas a whole lot but everything else was great. read more

Meeting some friends for a Friday get together and I got there early and as I was trying to walk in the hostess blocked the entrance and asked if I needed help so I said that my friend had a reses so she had me seated quickly. It was a strange as each of my friends who were coming in were also blocked and questioned so not sure why this was the process as it would have been nice if I could have gone to the bar to wait or in the area where there was couch and a couple of chairs. As the far as the food, had the shrimp taco, ceviche tostada & pablano quesadilla and all had good flavor and each were individually unique so it all paired well with the house margarita. The service was fine and the food came out quickly but we just got the feeling they wanted to turn those tables as once we finished and didn't order dessert the bill came immediately as they didn't want us hanging out drinking since they never asked if wanted another round. read more

Amado - (L to R) Ceviche Tostada/Shrimp Taco/Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Burlingame, California

We came here for Mother's Day. My brother called a few times before being able to lock in a reservation for our large party. This place took over the old Flights location, a prime spot in the heart of Burlingame Ave. Our server was well attentive and friendly, and the food was not your typical Mexican cuisine that most Californians are accustomed to. As you may already know by looking at the menu, the price point is quite high. But the quality and preparation is of their ingredients sets it apart. Their version of the beef taco was on another level! Think of an actual steak served on a handmade tortilla with simple garnishes on the side. I was pleasantly surprised! Their fish entree was also superb. We ordered a bunch of appetizers but I wouldn't recommend this for a large party. However their plantain empanada was so good! We'll be back but probably only for special occasions. read more

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Amado has such a beautiful ambiance. You enter the doors and you see how lively and beautiful it is. The tables are beautiful and the seating arrangement is open and comfortable. The bar is in the center and you see the seating is arranged around it. You get a glimpse of the kitchen and can see the traditional pots used for some of the dishes. Our servers were wonderful and explained the dishes wonderfully. We started with different drinks and these were all made with agave based liquors. I loved the Guapo & Pobre. It was tasty. We ate a few dishes and I'm feeling a bit mixed about the foods. We started with salsa and chips. These were fresh and delicious with a range of spice levels. We shared the Mayan dip made with pumpkin seeds. This was mildly sweet and it was nice to share. You can get tortillas on the side and we had ordered the queso fundido. This maybe needed a bit more flavor. Apparently you can add chorizo to it. We ate it happily but as I reflect, I think I wanted something more interesting with the cheese. We shared the halibut ceviche and this was nice and fresh. We enjoyed this a lot! The entrees came with good timing. We shared our food, family style. We got the Carne en su Jugo, Pescado Zarandeado, Mole Enamorados, Cochinita Pibil. Thoughts on each: Carne en su Jugo: We enjoyed this one the most. The beef was flavorful and the broth was perfectly seasoned! This was a crowd favorite and one from the chef's home region. Mole enamorados: this was a bit disappointing. While the flavors were good to experience 2 different moles, there is no protein so be aware of that. I would not order this again as it only came with plantains. The price seems steep for a lack of protein and difficult distinction between the 2 moles. Call out to folks that you'll probably want to order another dish with protein to feel fully satiated. Pescado: this lacked flavor and although it was presented beautifully, I didn't particularly love the flavor since I couldn't taste anything distinct. Cochinita pibil: this was a heftier amount of food. I liked the flavors but this wasn't as bold as the carne en su jugo dish. I've had amazing cochinita Pibil (check out Poc Chuc in SF!) and I wish this was as bold. It needed a bit more flavor. The coconut flan was delicious and creamy! I didn't taste too much coconut though. Overall I enjoyed my experience here and the food was good (but maybe some dishes missed the mark with flavor). I know it's new so I was very impressed with the service and timing of the dishes. I do think I wanted to enjoy the food more. Thanks to the team though for making the experience very comfortable and fun. This is a beautiful restaurant and I anticipate it'll introduce a variety of delicious dishes. read more

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Came here recently and had one of those meals where you actually pause after the first bite... Chef Gloria is doing something really special. There's a quiet confidence in the food and nothing feels overdone or like it's trying too hard. Each dish is really thoughtful, subtle but still rich in flavor, and everything just kind of builds on itself in a really nice way. It feels both rooted and refined at the same time which isn't easy to do. Every plate we had felt intentional. The kind of food that kind of stays with you even after you leave. Service also stood out. Hansel or was it's Handsome who made the whole experience feel really warm and welcoming without being too much. You can tell they care. Overall just really excited to see a place like this bringing something unique to the community oh and the bathroom is down stairs. Definitely coming back and curious to see their adventure! read more

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This is a beautiful restaurant - the interior is new and everything looks great. They've got a nice bar, too. Food is solid all around. The problem here is the service: it's just not welcoming. The experience overall feels more like what you'd get from Denny's than a restaurant priced with $30+ entrees. Our server interaction was transactional at best. There were a few mistakes with the order, but they corrected it when we asked. Our medium rare steaks were way undercooked -- the center was cold and raw - we had to send them back. These details are not representative of a restaurant at this price point. We were served shareable with no utensils. Half our individual meals came out with a 5-10 minute gap between them. We sat with empty water glasses for most of the experience. For an entree, side or app, and a cocktail, you could be spending $100+ per person here after tax and tip. While the food is tasty, the experience does not warrant this price tag. read more

Tried Amado Restaurant for the 1st time this week. The decor is nicely done. Started off with a cocktail and some small bites. Stuck to just ordering several small dishes to share which was enough to fill us up and leave room for dessert. I liked that the crowd was a little more sophisticated than other locations in Burlingame. Music playing in the background but not too loud that you couldn't have a conversation with anyone around you and not hear them. Nice spot for date night. It is worth checking out. read more

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Service was fine. But that's about it. Got the empanadas, chicken app, and enchiladas. We ordered an extra empanada and it was $8 extra for a single empanada! Which makes no sense since a regular order is 3 for $16. The enchiladas were only two and didn't come with anything so had to spend an extra $10 for rice and beans. Save some money and just go to La corneta across the street. read more

This new Mexican place in one of the prettiest spaces in Burlingame. This space on the corner of California and Burlingame Avenues has turned over several times in the last couple of decades. I miss the thai fusion Straits and Flights was a gorgeous remodel with great cocktails, but kind of a gimmicky vibe with less than stellar food. We really like Amando and hope it has a permanent home! We sampled cocktails and some great stuff from the menu. The Ahi Tartare tostados were awesome. The winning dish was the lamb shank. Tacos were tempting, but each plate comes with either one or two. Since we were sharing everything,and love lamb, this was a great choice and I will be returning and ordering this soon. We made four meaty with different condiments and were delighted with the flavors of this dish. Cocktails are on point and service, particularly for a new restaurant was quite good. Amado is missing a fifth star, because while this is not Americanized Mexican food but elevated and regional with attention to each ingredient, the prices reflect the high end cuisine. This is Burlingame, so no sticker shock. Sometimes you want a big burrito but if you want small plates with great flavors and night out in a beautiful environment, get to Amado. read more

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Very trendy place in the heart of downtown Burlingame. Parking can be tricky, but the Caltrain parking is just across the street. We had a reservation, so the wait was minimal and overall everyone was very friendly and attentive. The food was okay and priced reasonably, considering that other places with a similar vibe tend to be a lot pricier. We had taquitos, tostadas de tinga, mole, ceviche, and the carne en sus jugos. Everything was okay, the tinga was probably the best. The only annoying part was that we had to ask several times for the tortillas that came with the meals. Even after confirming that two meals came with tortillas, we still did not get them and when we asked again, they questioned us about whether we got them or not. So that was a bit of a bummer. read more

We reserved for Wednesday at 6:15 pm for dinner and were surprised to see the restaurant packed by 6pm. It was a lot of hustle and bustle and the outside signage was a tad reminiscent of a time when things were more elegant and formal. We were promptly greeted by the trio of hostess and shown to a waiting area where we ordered some drinks while we waited for our table. The ambiance was both vibrant and sophisticated, blending chic energy with elegant touches. The lighting, art, and décor were beautifully curated and undeniably refined but yet with a Mexican feel. Though refined and classy, it still carried a charming Mexican flair, evident in the details--from the tableware to the glassware. We are big fans of Chef Gloria who we have followed around the bay at various restaurants. From Los Altos to Oakland where she is cooking, we are going! The dinner started with a cesar salad that was creamy and crisp. Next the queso fundido that was delicious with the salsas. My only recommendation would be to give at least 3 tortillas per serving as we only had 2 and had to ask for more. As a former Guadalajara resident I had to try the tortas ahogadas that came in a trio and were spicy and tasty with great flavor in the sauce and bread. There was 3 of us so we shared and tried everything between us. With a lots of ooohs and aaaahs in between. Carne en su jugo as always a perfect choice as well as the taco sonorense that was perfectly cooked and tender. The star of the show for me was the Chile in Nogada. I snagged the last one and it was everything I have loved about this special dish. As authentic as you can get when trying this. With flavors of meat, fruit and pomegranate all coming together as one. The great surprise was the Enchiladas suizas with lots of cheese and green sauce making it a very heart felt comfort food. While we ate our drinks were the Agua verde, mexcal Paloma and Guapo pero pobre that became our favorite. Desserts- at this point some buttons came undone. Capirotada a mexican bread pudding was out of this world as well as the flan de coco and the traditional jericalla. We were graced at the table by a greeting from the Chef who made it all the more special. A wonderful time was had by all, and we left with full hearts, grateful for the exceptional service and authentic Mexican flavors. We can't wait to return! I would give them 6 stars if I could!!!! read more

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Food was very delicious! I really liked the tacos. I got fish taco and the Australian Wagyu. I think the service was also pretty good. They were attentive when we got seated however I made a reservation and the table wasn't ready until 15 minutes after the time I booked. The ambiance was also really well decorated. I think the food was pretty overpriced for the amount you got. We got an appetizer and they didn't really give us much tortilla for our dip. Was a good try one time but probably won't be back. read more

Loved the energy from the moment I walked in the door. Must haves are the rib eye, queso fundido and the tuna! Hope it stays this consistent! read more

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4.25 stars. Shout out to the staff at newly-opened Amado for their attention to detail, efficiency, & overall caring attitude towards customers. The restaurant's dinner operation ran like a well-oiled machine. We ordered: -- Guacamole & Salsas ($17): arrived at our table lightening fast. Thick chips, buttery guac, & trio of salsas; our waiter gave a detailed explanation of their flavor & spice profiles. -- Tacos "El Gobernador" ($15): poblano peppers & delicious sautéed shrimp in between globs of melty cheese. Hearty, good for sharing. -- Taco de Carnitas ($9): he liked the mix of pork shoulder with bits of crispy skin. -- Carne Asada Arrachera ($29): Australian wagyu skirt steak. Tender, had a strong beefy flavor, & paired beautifully with side of homemade corn tortillas. -- Jericalla ($10): decadent vanilla custard served in a tiny cup. Reminder to order my own next time. -- Capirotada ($12): I'm not a good judge of bread pudding as it isn't a dessert I ever choose, but fans of the dish would find this one well-made. Excellent date-night restaurant! read more

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Ok this place is incredible!! The food, service, vibes all a 10/10 easy! Miguel was an incredible server! The hostess was so kind and accommodating. The shrimp tacos? OMG!! Also all the other food just to die for! The ambiance? Stunning, cool, fun, chill = perfect. We can't wait to be back and try more! read more

Amado - Mexican Near Me - Burlingame, California

Authentic Mexican food in an upscale environment with so much intention. The food is delicious and the drinks are great. Come support! read more

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Rude manager, doesn't take feedback well, over priced food, semi-authentic, a few vegetarian options, service feels like they don't like working there, long faces, the 1 start for their margarita. Avoid overpriced "Mexican food" places like this, they just care about the esthetic not the quality and value of food items. read more

I went for the first time and I got the fish dish and my husband got the enchiladas. We ordered the plantain as an appetizer and it was good however it did come with stuffed beans which personally I don't like but it was still good. The enchiladas were good. The fish dish was not what I was expecting. It looked good when it came out. At first bite I thought maybe I didn't get enough sauce. I take another bite and it was lack of flavor. I couldn't really taste what I was supposed to taste. Major down size also was it has bones!! I got into it and all of a sudden bit down and it was hard. I had to take out a few bones from my mouth. I don't think I'll be ordering that again. The service was awesome. Our server was knowledgeable with the menu. Also ft a few recs. Overall the place is nice and romantic. I would go back and try something else for another try. read more

Amado - Mexican Near Me - Burlingame, California

It's new it's very nice inside with some cool lighting and a great looking bar. We were seated at a nice big booth that comfortably sat 5. Sampled many items on the menu-fish tacos (fried and ok) ceviche, tuna tostadas cute but just small bites,guacamole chips (supposedly hand made, they were ok) chicken enchiladas, skirt steak tasty and flavorful. For dessert we had the bread pudding, this looked like leftover scraps of bread and was super dry. We were pretty excited to try this place, but might give it awhile to come back and try again. read more

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Probably the best Mexican restaurant in the Bay Area. The food is amazing, the ambiance is stunning, and the service is impeccable. I've been to Amados a couple of times already, and I can honestly say it's probably the best restaurant on the Peninsula. I love how the chef continues to evolve the menu, exploring different foods from all over Mexico, all here in Burlingame. Love this place! read more

Amado - Mexican Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Great spot for date night or a fun evening out with friends. The vibe is warm, the service is friendly, and the food is genuinely impressive. Think elevated regional Mexican, not your typical taco spot. We ordered the queso fundido with chorizo and guacamole for the table. I had a baja taco and carnita taco. Everything was tasty. The queso fundido only came with 3 small tortilla for $17 one person at our table had to have it with chips instead. Fair warning: portions are on the smaller side, so order an appetizer or two if you're actually hungry. It's also pricey, so this isn't a random weeknight dinner kind of place. Come with the right expectations and you'll have a great time. Also, this place fills up fast, especially on weekends. Make a reservation ahead of time. read more

Amado - baja taco - Mexican Near Me - Burlingame, California

This was our first time at Amado , our experience was amazing , staring from the host was incredible polite , our waiters explain all dishes both of them were helpful, authentic flavors delicious food , ambience was great , music not loud . thank you to everyone to work at Amado we had a blast with you guys. Fun bar as well !!! read more

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Finally made it back to Amado Restaurant after waiting a whole year! I missed both the soft and grand openings, so I was extra excited to check it out. We started at the bar where Luis made me an amazing tequila + tamarind cocktail with a Tajín rim... so good and super refreshing. Jesus our server was very pleasant and knowledgeable. We started with guac and chips. Both were fresh. The shrimp taco (more like a crispy quesadilla) was definitely a highlight. I also had the wagyu and fish tacos, and both were solid. So flavorful and satisfying without being too heavy. I was already full but we have to get desserts. We ordered the corn cake. I forgot the name. It was served warm with a side of whipped cream. I thought it would be heavy but surprisingly light and a small surprise we were treated with the flan had this horchata vibe that made it a little different in a good way. Overall, the service was great, attentive and the new space feels hip and with a good vibe. I love the lamps. Reminded me of cacti. You have to come see it. They also have a very cool bar. read more

The Mexico City vibe that we needed in Burlingame Beautiful restaurants and food and drinks matched! We will definitely be back! read more

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Beautiful decor. Good service. Appetizer was a bit dry and served with only two chips. I don't remember the name of the appetizer, but it was the first one on the list on the menu. Our server did bring a few more chips. The Carnitas taco and the fish taco were tasty, but nothing special. My dining partner did enjoy the red mole. We both ordered beers and they were cold and satisfying. read more

It's a beautiful restaurant. I would come back for the ambiance. The food was nice. Small portions. I think it's a start, but maybe it's lacking variety. I'd come back in a few months to see if there are additions to the menu. I appreciate the sustainability and that it's a women-led restaurant. read more

The ambience was beautiful. The food was great. The drinks were like 8/10. My server was extremely attentive to us, well several servers actually. This was the first restaurant I've been to where there wasn't a lull between courses. I would give the service 10/10. Will definitely be back. read more

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Three of us went on a Thursday night. We were seated 50 mins past our 7:30 reservation and it was another 15 mins before anyone filled our water glasses. We were eager to try the food so stayed. I was surprised no one offered us a drink or a basket of chips or something while we waited. The waitress helpfully flagged that the sauce on the chiles en Nogada was either room temperature (I would be fine with) or cold. I then ordered the "scallops cooked in lime juice." Because other seafood was labeled ceviche and the scallops were not, I was surprised when I got a small plate of cold scallops. I also didn't realize it was an appetizer. I was served this before my family had their entrees. My husband ordered the skirt steak which I was very tasty but the first few pieces looked surprisingly rare and my vegetarian daughter had the potato tacos which she said were good but spicy. The ambiance was very loud, but better once we were seated. If they iron out their system so they honor reservations it will be a big improvement. read more

Review based on food. Which is obviously subjective. Me and my husband didn't like anything we tried. Margarita sucked. Caesar salad was too oily and lacked flavor. The steak taco was super fatty and tasteless. It just wasn't our vibe and we won't be back. read more

We had a reservation for 2. The location presents with a dimly lit, intimate ambience but kind of loud music. It's a little hard to carry a conversation without speaking loudly so everything you say will likely be heard by the tables surrounding you. Both the food and drink menu had a nice selection. Very cultural. They just opened and got part of our drink order incorrect but it was no big deal. Would likely return. read more

Amado - Cocktail menu - Mexican Near Me - Burlingame, California

I hate leaving a bad Yelp review but this is actually my first and I want to share an honest experience. I was really excited to try this place especially for the mole. I've been craving a good one ever since visiting Mexico City and having unforgettable meals at Pujol so I came in with high hopes. We had a reservation at 7:30 PM and arrived a little early around 7:15 PM. We were seated in a small waiting area and decided to order drinks while we waited. What threw me off was that another couple who arrived after us got seated right away. I double checked with the hostess to make sure we weren't skipped and she initially thought we were on the waitlist even though we had a reservation. We were eventually seated at 7:27 PM at a high top table near the entrance even though there were several open tables closer to the main dining area near the kitchen. From there the pacing of the meal felt off. I actually have timestamps because I was confused by how long things were taking. Our starter came out at 7:37 PM but our drinks didn't arrive until 7:40 PM which felt backwards since drinks usually come first or at least with the starter. The biggest delay was the main. Our Mole Rosa with rice beans and tortillas didn't arrive until 8:03 PM which is over 35 minutes after we were seated. For a single entrée that felt like a long wait especially with no updates or check ins. We were just sitting there wondering if our order had been forgotten. What was also frustrating was that our server had recommended the mole as enough to share between us but when it arrived it only came with two tortillas. It didn't really feel like a shareable portion as described which made the long wait even more disappointing. Overall the service was disappointing. There were no check ins no acknowledgment of the delays and no apologies. I understand they may have just recently opened but it still felt like a miss especially when I was really looking forward to loving this place. read more

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Excellent food, great service, fun vibe. Guava Mojito, Fish Tacos and Enchiladas were big hits!

We had a 5:15pm reservation on a Saturday during opening week at Amado's. There was a small hiccup when they couldn't find our reservation, but they were able to seat us right away so we moved on without much fuss. Service got going pretty quickly once we were seated. To start (shared): Baja-style fish taco + tuna tostadas     *    Fish taco: Perfectly battered (can't remember the fish, but it worked), and the tortilla tasted fresh and handmade. The aïoli needed a bit more salt and maybe some heat. Pico de gallo could've used more citrus.     *    Tostadas: Overall really good. Loved the salsa macha on the tuna. A little heavy on the aïoli and could've used a brighter citrus finish. Spoon ordered: Pescado zarandeado Beautifully cooked fish with a super flavorful adobo. Solid dish. That said, at $36, it really should come with rice and/or beans. Having to order rice on the side felt a little off. Fork ordered: Carnes en su jugo First time trying this, and wasn't expecting the broth situation, but it made sense once it hit the table. Good mix of textures and flavors. Portion was a bit small, didn't quite feel fully satisfied, but still enjoyable. Atmosphere & overall vibe: Lively and energetic, and it already feels like it's going to be a popular spot for group dinners or first dates. In the summer, opening the windows will give it that indoor-outdoor feel even without true outdoor seating. One downside, the hallway to the restrooms has a noticeable mildew smell, even though the restrooms themselves are nicely done. Final thoughts: Definitely worth trying, especially as they continue to refine the menu. We struggled to decide between 3 & 4 stars. We went with four stars because we have faith there's more to see from this place. read more

Great new place in Burlingame. Food is great, service is excellent. Great vibe for a date night.

The food was excellent. Shared the skirt steak perfectly done Had the chips, salsa, guacamole, and queso. Service was outstanding. All perfection. read more

Wonderful service! I have been here twice in the last month....tasty dishes, a good variety of options. The ambiance and aesthetic overall is very pleasant. My favorite dish has been the arrachera plate, the beans tasted very similar to my mother's. Authentic to say the least. The cocktails were tasty as well. read more

Amado - Mexican Near Me - Burlingame, California