My mother-in-law lives walking distance from the Brothers Cafe so it is extremely convenient for our family. I have been there a few times over the years and it is always quick, fresh food, that is great for breakfast or lunch. This visit we arrived around 12:30 pm and placed our order at the counter found seating for 3 of us. I was feeling particularly well with an update stomach so I only order their pancakes. They offer fruit including strawberries, powder sugar and whip cream. My wife ordered a tuna melt and fries with an Arnold Palmer. My mother-in-law ordered a latte, hauevos rancho with a scrambled egg. She raved about the latte! My 3 pancakes were huge! And it all look and tasted great. The Brothers Cafe cashier/ordered take was friendly and professional. I did note the chicken & waffles on the menu and saw several oders pass by me. I saw one C&W that looks delicious and authentic having spent a decade in Louisiana, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia and Maryland..yum! It a little off the beaten path on West Hillsdale at HWY 92 in San Mateo. But we'll worth the effort especially with their outdoor patio being renovated..Enjoy! read more

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Nice brunch option in a plaza with lots of parking. Feels casual, but not hole in the wall, so your fancy friends will feel fine here even if it's not a trendy, line out the door Instagrammable place. It is a very bright and comfortable neighborhood space. Features all your diner standards. Order at the counter and then the food will be brought to your table. I ordered chicken and waffles - it featured four pieces of juicy chicken atop a golden waffle, and I had plenty of leftovers to enjoy later. read more

Brothers Cafe - Chicken & Waffle - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

A perfect spot for breakfast. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxing, and everyone on the staff was genuinely friendly and welcoming. The Irish oatmeal with dried cherries and cinnamon was absolutely delicious, comforting, flavorful, and not overly sweet. I'll definitely order it again. The avocado toast with fresh basil, tomatoes, and balsamic glaze was another highlight. Simple, fresh, and incredibly tasty. If you're looking for a place with great breakfast, quality ingredients, and excellent service, this is definitely worth a visit. Looking forward to coming back! read more

Brothers Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

Solid 3.5 experience. Extensive menu, comfort food & basic dishes, easy to get seated, food comes out promptly, comfortable ambiance. A nice local causal place. Just wouldn't recommend their French toast. The bread they use isn't right for it. read more

If you're looking for a casual, welcoming spot with great food and plenty of convenience, Brother's Cafe is a fantastic place. Located in Laurelwood Shopping Center, there is ample parking, which makes visiting stress-free from the start. It's been a go-to spot for good food for a while now, and it continues to deliver. The location used to be a bagel shop, and this has turned out to be a great replacement for anyone who misses the old spot. The chicken fried steak is especially delicious, and the pork chops are particularly impressive for a fast-casual dining spot. The menu also features a solid variety of coffee drinks. Whether you're stopping in for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a just coffee, there's something for everyone. What really elevates the experience is the atmosphere and service. The space works well whether you're dining solo or meeting up with a group, and the staff are consistently friendly and attentive. Overall, Brother's Cafe is a reliable, enjoyable spot that combines great food, easy parking, are well worth a visit. read more

Brothers Cafe - Chicken fried steak - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

Been to this franchise in Millbrae and in San Mateo. Recently stopped by for EV charge right across San Mateo one..and got their popular Swedish pancakes- thin crepes with lingonberry butter ..yumm! Order/pay at counter first and grab any open table with order number provided. Also, the syrup may not be enough as the crepe soaks up, ask for an extra one. Nice large windows and bright light at this corner street side cafe...nice to catch up with friends or colleagues over coffee too! read more

Brothers Cafe - Swedish Pancakes - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

Just ordered and paid $25 breakfast before tip. 2 eggs standard breakfast scrambled! And coffee. Came with 2 dry skinny pork sausages, sourdough toast one pad of butter for 2 pieces of toast! Egg had no taste or flavor and same for hash browns. Ketchup helped eggs. No wonder I cook at home. Only top of hash browns were brown. Nothing was worth the calories! They were friendly at order counter so you give a tip but ambiance is way too noisy and only 4 tables had talking couples! read more

Decent brunch place. Felt like the chicken was slightly over seasoned and the batter was over fried? The batter felt a little too crispy and hard compared to other fried chicken I've had. Gravy was also a tad too salty. Waffles were nice and fluffy. Country fried steak was great, not too thick and not too thin. Service was amazing! read more

Brothers Cafe - Chicken & Waffle - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Brothers Cafe always hits the spot. A no-frills, delicious breakfast spot with an extensive menu that includes all the breakfast staples + so much more. My dad and I come here every time we're in the Bay Area. The service is always friendly and swift, and the prices feel right. Most importantly, the food is fresh, hearty, and satisfying. The seating is a little close together, but no biggey there. That's just the only drawback if you're looking for a more intimate meal. We couldn't care less. I hope this place never changes. I plan to eat here for many more years to come! read more

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Okay. I don't know if I get the hype. The menu is extensive and they've got fun Mexican items like chilaquiles and platanos. But the food was alright. I think it's a standard diner-style breakfast spot, but I don't think it was worth their prices. read more

Brothers Cafe - Platanos Plate - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Great food, wonderful customer service, and the coffee...amazing! A must stop when visiting the area.

This was just the spot we needed! Like Goldilocks we tried 3 different restaurants before settling on Brothers and it was just right. The food is fresh and delicious. Service was great. I was a little thrown by the ordering process and never like to be asked for tip before receiving service (the only downside). We loves everything we ordered, totally recommend the platanos fritos and the Belgian Waffle w/strawberries and chocolate whipped cream. read more

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Came on a Saturday around noon and it was packed. Line out the door to order. I had their Belgian waffle with chocolate whipped cream and strawberries. So good! Food came out pretty fast too. Service was excellent overall. Would definitely come again, but would plan for a 15-30 minute wait next time. read more

Brothers Cafe - Belgian Waffle - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

Brothers Cafe offers consistent quality of food with decent portions. You first order at the counter when you walk in, and the staff assign you a table and hand you a laminated card with numbers on it to put at the table. You might have to wait a little when they get busy. They have a relatively big menu with a variety of items to choose from. Menu is both on the wall and also printed which you could grab at the counter. They do offer refills for the coffee if you are a big coffee drinker. We usually go with scrambled eggs and sandwiches. Scrambled eggs come with hash browns. Sandwiches usually come with sides of greens and fries. It's a good option if you are looking for something that's more diner style and not too fancy. read more

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This was my first time eating at Brothers Cafe. I have had it take out many times, and let me tell you it is much better to dine in. We had the spicy breakfast sandwich and the hash browns were nice and crispy. The amount on the plate was also enough for two people! We also had the chicken and waffles. The waffle was warm and fresh, the chicken could use a little more flavor but we loved the sausage gravy on the side. We were very happy with the portions and the staff were very attentive and sweet. The restaurant was nice and clean. We will definitely be back! read more

The food was really good. We had a tuna sandwich and the french fries were very tasty The staff was very friendly as we asked for no cheese and they forgot and put the cheese so they brought it back and redid the sandwich with no cheese. They repeatedly said thank you for your patience and they were very accommodating. Quick service and friendly staff. read more

Loved this gem! I loved the big black chalkboard and simplicity of the place. The staff were so nice and very quick and efficient. The food had big portions and very tasty. Everyone in the party loved their meals! Definitely coming back read more

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Love this spot. Great food and good service. Their chicken and waffles are probably the best we've had in the Bay Area - and HUGE portions. Clean dining room and bathroom, easy parking, good waitstaff and fast service. read more

Brothers Cafe - Chicken & Waffle - amazing! - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

Looking for a nice breakfast place by redwood city/woodside, my partner and I stumbled upon brothers cafe. With a few other locations in the bay, I knew this place must be pretty good. It was indeed pretty good. We ordered the St. Patty's benedict as well as the Bananas Foster French Toast. Both dishes were pretty delicious and the service was great. The cashier was very patient with us as we navigated their menu and as this restaurant is an order then sit down restaurant, it was very easy to get seated. It is in a pretty isolated area, so I am not sure how busy they would get here, but it is a pretty good breakfast option. read more

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I can't say enough good things about Brothers Cafe,it's truly a little hidden gem! Tucked away in San Mateo, this spot consistently delivers amazing food and a warm, welcoming vibe. The huevos rancheros are absolutely incredible, perfectly cooked, packed with flavor, and so satisfying. And the Swedish pancakes? Easily some of the best I've ever had. Light, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweetness: they're a must-order. Everything feels fresh, homemade, and made with care. If you're looking for a cozy place with outstanding breakfast and brunch options, Brothers Cafe is super great and definitely worth checking out. read more

Brothers Cafe - Huevos rancheros - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

We like this location more the other locations. Staffs are nice, clean and casual. Menu too big, hard to decide before get table. We end up ordering corned beef egg benedict, chicken & waffle, and the weekend carnitas &eggs. Coffee is good and hot. Corned beef is not salty matches well with crispy hash browns . Chicken & waffles creamy sauce on the side which chefs are nice to kept chicken crispy nice touch. Carnitas is nice and soft, with salsa verde is not too spicy. read more

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We met friends for breakfast/brunch. They have a wide selection of classic breakfast and lunch items that are displayed on a huge chalkboard. (They have normal menus too.) You order at the counter and then seat yourself so it could get tricky if you have a big party. We had six in our group and I was the first to arrive. I did let them know that others would be joining. They will not seat until everyone in your party is present. We came on a rainy Sunday afternoon (12:30pm) and the wait wasn't too long. (~15 minutes) I could see this place getting crowded though depending on the day and time of day. It was my first visit and had a hard time deciding. The front person who took my order was patient and was very helpful in explaining their menu items and making recommendations. Once we ordered, service was fast and efficient. My go to breakfast is usually some sort dish that is a pain to make at home. I decided on the Gilroy Benedict which comprised of artichokes and creamed spinach. It came with hash browns. I really liked the creamed spinach and artichoke...not too rich. Hubby had the Corned Beef Hash & Eggs. He let me try some and it was delicious as well. Not overly salty and seasoned, just well balanced and tasty. The hash browns were crisp and a perfect complement to the main dish. They have 2 other locations on the peninsula (Millbrae and South SF)...wish they were in the East Bay. I would love to come back and try their other menu items. read more

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The place wasn't as busy when we walked in, and then BAM it got busy. The food was really good. We ordered the Santa Fe scramble and pancakes and eggs. I loved the chorizo in the scramble. And the sour cream and avocado was the perfect topping for it. The kids loved the pancakes and eggs and bacon. You can't really go wrong with some bacon in your life. The place had a great vibe to it. Very homey and welcoming. A great brunch spot for sure! read more

Brothers Cafe - Santa Fe Egg Scramble - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I have been visiting Brother Cafe for a while now and every visit reminds me why it has become one of my favorite places to eat. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, and it feels like a spot where you can sit back, enjoy your food, and feel genuinely cared for. My usual choice is the Classic Burger. It is simple, consistently delicious, and always prepared just right. It is one of those meals you find yourself craving because you already know it will hit the mark every time. At their Millbrae location they also serve Avgolemono Soup, which is comforting, full of flavor, and truly worth trying. It is one of those soups that stays on your mind after you have it. During my most recent visit, Daniela helped me and she was exceptional from start to finish. She was kind, attentive, respectful, and very thoughtful in the way she checked in without ever being intrusive. Service like that truly stands out and adds so much to the overall experience. It is the kind of hospitality that makes you want to return. Brother Cafe continues to deliver great food, great service, and a relaxed, comfortable vibe. I always enjoy coming here and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a place that consistently does things well. read more

Brothers Cafe - Classic Burger - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

Brothers Café serves consistently good food -- no complaints there -- but wow, the prices will make your wallet flinch. I ordered a glass of orange juice for $5, imagining a tall, refreshing drink. Instead, I got a tiny 5-ounce glass. Cute? Yes. Worth $5? Absolutely not. Service was... fine. The staff brings your food to the table, but with just enough attitude to make you wonder if you accidentally offended them in a past life. And here's my biggest gripe: I've been here four times around 11 a.m., and every time it's a 20-40 minute wait just to place my order. By the time you reach the counter, you've bonded with the other people in line like you're all survivors on a reality show. The place is always crowded, which is great for business, but if they sped up the ordering process, maybe fewer people would bail before even getting to eat. Austin Yee read more

Tried their country fried steak and really loved how thick the gravy was. Would come back for it! You have to order and then be seated. Several seatings inside and some outdoor seating as well. Located inside Laurelwood Shopping center. read more

Brothers Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

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We like Brother's cafe, but last time we went, even though it was not full, the noise level was incredible. We couldn't converse at all. I don't know if there's anything the restaurant can do about it. Shiki Japanese restaurant is nearby. They don't seems to be so noisy. Maybe it's the decoration. There's basically none, just one big room. read more

This is my default meet up spot for friends when we cannot think of where to go. It is straightforward with a large parking lot and plenty of options. I love getting the breakfast menu all day long and am always on the lookout for places with biscuits and gravy. Our kids enjoy their Swedish pancakes and all the sandwiches we have tried have been solid. read more

Food: The Gobbler.4/5 It's a Benedict with turkey and sautéed mushroom. The turkey is a bit dry but mushrooms cooked perfectly and the eggs are perfectly runny! Benedict sauce isn't heavy so it compliments the turkey well. While under seasoned, the texture of the hash browns are crispy- the texture is the most important part because salt can always be added later. Freshly squeezed orange juice 5/5 Tastes like you just plucked the orange from the tree. Absolutely amazing. Service: fast! Ambiance: Standard brunch vibes. Casual dining. read more

Brothers Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

Went here today on a Saturday morning around 10:30am. It looked pretty busy but there were still a couple of tables open and we didn't have to wait for one. The lady doing cashier/ taking orders looked really stressed and felt like she was yelling at us and everyone. She could have greeted us with a smile etc. on the brighter side, the smiley waitress who brought our drinks to the table was sooo nice, she turned around my mood. Finally received our food (about 10 mins) my 3 year old girls ordered a kids #1 which was 1 pancake, eggs and 1 bacon and I ordered an extra pancake ($6 for one). They loved the pancakes! Can't believe they both almost finish their own! Downside their bacon tasted so horrible, my bf tried it and made me try it. Omg so gross! I ordered the chilaquiles and added carnitas. They do not do half orders so yes paid $21 for a full with over easy eggs got the salsa verde on the side, it was sooo good! My bf ordered the corn beef egg Benedict and that was a huge disappointment, pls refrain from getting this. It may look good bc a guy in line went up to my bf and asked what he ordered.. it was not good at All!! read more

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The Brothers Cafe was tasty! I think it was unique how I asked for a pancake with strawberries and bananas, and they literally created a pancake with those fruits embedded inside. I also ordered fresh apple juice and that was delicious :) If you're looking for something quick and good, I'd go to Brother's Cafe. The service was attentive and the food came out within 15 minutes, if even. It's a restaurant where you order up front, they hand you a number, then you go and find your own seat. I will say this cafe is a bit expensive for breakfast / cafe food with an "on the go" vibe. I think this could be due to the cafe's lack of unique features? The branding could be beefed up a bit to scream something more original-- even the menu item names. But maybe I'll swing by again and have another meal and my mind can be changed! read more

Brothers Cafe - Banana Strawberry Pancake, Eggs, Sandwich - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

Visited the cafe last year. I was wondering why all breakfast foods are not salted. WiFi details: BrosCafeGuest pass: goodfood read more

Brother's Cafe is a classic and homey American brunch spot in San Mateo. Their menu is quite expansive, ranging from classic brunch food to salads, sandwiches/burgers, and pasta. I've been here multiple times for brunch and ordered the country fried steak to the Home Run sandwich (with eggs, bacon, jalapeños, and aioli sauce). There's also free refills on coffee if you are a coffee aficionado! Definitely would recommend checking out if you're in the area and in the mood for brunch. read more

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Today me and my sister went in to dine. I been here numerous times before but that was back maybe three years ago. In a mean time, we been doing Togo and stop dinning in. Well...to be honest with you. The food still is great. Nothing changes in that department. The cleanliness is so so. It doesn't have that new feel of the place being updated any more. What I am sure with is the service. The service unfortunately went down hill. Friendliness is zero. The guy that took our orders has no mood to deal with customer of any kind. If he does, I can tell you right now. He SUCKS at it! He looks like someone forced him to work. Not at all welcoming or caring. We paid and I tipped 15% basing off his demeanor. I was polite and my sister was super friendly and chatty. I stopped chatting the moment I caught him rolling his eyes. I dare you to rolled it back further to see what an ass you are! I used to be a waitress and this tip first before getting service is such a BULLSHIT! Not that I don't think ppl shouldn't get tip. Half of these assholes won't know what is proper waitress is like. This here ain't it! We seated and ten minutes later the waitress came by with my OJ and my sis a cup of coffee. She gave us two small cups of water while everyone around us got big glasses. WTF is that about I don't know. Not sure if it was certain individuals that these staffs are picking politeness on. We got the food and the whole time we were not rude or flag them down for more coffee or water. We waited for the waitress that is pregnant to come back with the carafe of coffee to fill it up. Here's the thing. How are you going to know if anyone wants more coffee if your eyes are on the floor? She never once looked up. Not once came walking towards us even after she filled up a cup for a guy two tables down. Here I am thinking, what the fuck is going on here? She served us those drinks. This place was never this bad. They were always so attentive and this is like a totally different place. We waited and even after the third time she walked passed with my sister having her hand up to get her attention. Nothing! So I got up. I am standing right by the counter and she never once looked up. The other two guys are just as bad. I stood there for a few minutes before I tapped the guy that took our order. He looked like I am bothering his daydreaming and I am pissed at this point! I am so sorry but this place just lost my business and anyone asked me about this place. I will tell them like it is. This is like a twilight zone. WTF did we do to them or this is just their typical routine of bad habits? I get it that a few ppl probably won't affect much but if these employees do this to me. They will do it to others also read more

Brothers Cafe - Waffle and Chicken & Waffle - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

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We visited Brothers Cafe after a visit to Filoli. We will be back. The food was delicious. Quite a variety on the menu.

Here at Brothers Cafe, you have to order first and then seat yourself anywhere you'd like. I went on a Monday morning and it was fairly busy (every other table was filled and there was a line) but the drinks and food came out pretty quickly! I ordered the country fried steak and it was cooked perfectly. Unlike other restaurants, the amount of gravy on top was the perfect ratio for each bite as it was still crunchy and warm, rather than soggy and drenched. I asked for fried over easy eggs but they came out a bit more on the medium side, however, it was still pretty good. The hashbrown was fluffy yet super crispy at the same time. I enjoyed eating it with ketchup or with a piece of the eggs to balance out the textures. I also ordered the freshly squeezed orange juice and had no regrets - absolutely refreshing. My friend ordered the banana foster and she said it was good and that she really enjoyed the cinnamon butter they added. read more

Brothers Cafe - country fried steak - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Ordered a few items from door dash to feed the family and the buttermilk pancakes came burnt! This shouldn't have made it out the door. Come on Brothers Cafe read more

Brothers Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Mateo, California

It's an order first then sit so be ready to order when you open the door. It does get busy here. I don't recall menu taped on the window so you may need to step aside and let others through. Service was fast and the food. was really good today. Forgot to take photos, but their chicken and waffles were really good. chicken was fried right and the waffle was light which i prefer. I don't like the cakey/doughy type of waffles. If you have a large party, little tables are put together. i only saw a few little tables outside . We'll be back. read more

Great food. Great service. And cute place. We ordered the country fried steak, chicken and waffles, and Swedish pancakes. The country fried steak and chicken waffles come with this fantastic gravy that I wanted to eat with everything. The Swedish pancake was so light and fluffy. I wanted to wrap myself in it. You order before you sit but you're still waiting for a table to open up before you order. read more

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Solid. They have good variety in their menu, but nothing crazy. We went for breakfast and both had egg platters. Food was great and the service was on point as well. Would definitely go back. read more