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    Dad's Luncheonette

    4.4 (894 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Dad's Luncheonette Photos

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    DAD'S LUNCHEONETTE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Dad's Luncheonette

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    Menu
    Cody T.

    Swung by Saturday afternoon to a relatively long line to what looks like a retired train cart, very cool! Despite the long line, we were about 10-15 minutes to order. After ordering, there was another 10-15 minutes to receive our food. There is maybe 5-6 seats available inside the train cart to sit and dine. Outside seating is much more preferred for us as it offered more space and the weather was great. We ordered the happy meal, which is essentially one of everything. What it came with was one hamburger, one mushroom burger, home made chips, Mac and cheese, soup of the day (artichoke and mushroom), salad, and a dessert (panna cotta). The best thing hands down is definitely the mushroom burger. Every bite was super meaty and fresh. Everything else however seemed to miss the mark for us. The hamburger was quite basic. With it being one patty, the egg being less runny than the mushroom burger we had, and the sauce being skimped on; it was less desirable than the mushroom burger by far. The Mac and cheese seemed baked and had some crunchy toppings that were a nice miss, but it lacked in the cheese that I typically crave for. The artichoke soup was just not for me. It tasted very fresh and creamy, but it missed for me in lack of savoriness. The salad was fine, but I didn't quite like the nutty granola bits. Finally, the panna cotta arrived melted and was overly sour. We also ordered the leek chili crisp they had on the side, which my gf thoroughly enjoyed. However, at $18 a jar, it was one of those things that we would try once and only once on occasion because of price. Overall, the meal itself was great. Half moon bay being so close to the coast brings a natural vibe that allows us to enjoy our food easily. But since the food we ordered didn't really hit the mark, we're giving it 4/5. Definitely sticking to the mushroom burger next time!

    Mushroom burger
    Kyla A.

    For a fun family friendly lunch in Half Moon Bay, try Dads Luncheonette! Everything is good and this is a place where it can be a struggle to decide. Sharing food might be helpful here! We ordered the mushroom burger, potato chips, salad, and grilled cheese. It all rocks and it all just went with the seaside PCH vibes! I recommend this super cool Cali joint!!!

    Lu Lu S.

    Great experience overall. The hubs and I stopped here for lunch on Friday and there was no line so that's a good start for us because we were hungry! We both ordered the mushroom sandwich and shared the red lentils soup. I really wanted to try their house made chips but they were sold out.. by 1:40pm, must be good.. bummer for us. Oh well, we proceeded with our order without them. Our food came out fairly quickly and we sat inside since it was bit windy and cold outside. The mushroom sandwich was tasty, hearty and refreshing with the lettuce and red pickled onions. The pickled onions was a great touch, it added a crunch and it was lightly pickled so not super tart or overwhelming. I honestly didn't miss not having meat in my sandwich, the texture and flavors of the mushroom really gave off a similar feel. My favorite was the red lentil soup. It was very tasty, plenty of different layers of flavors and textures with each scoop. I didn't think I would like raisins in a red lentil soup but it was a very yummy surprise! We'll definitely be back to try the hamburger, their soup of the day and the housemade chips!!

    Herb Salad
    William S.

    Great spot--the vibes are excellent and everyone is super friendly. You can tell each order is prepared with care; they even come out to hand you your food, which is a nice touch. It's a pretty unique setup--the kitchen is inside a train car, tucked into the corner of a parking lot, which adds to the charm. The mushroom sandwich was my favorite. The texture was great and it wasn't over-seasoned, letting the ingredients shine. Really liked the pickled red onions, the egg, and just enough sauce to tie everything together while keeping all the textures intact. The herb salad had great textures--light, crunchy, and well balanced. The nuts didn't add much for me and could've been left out. The mac and cheese was okay. The wild rice added an interesting texture, but I could also do without it. Flavor-wise, it was a bit underwhelming and didn't have much going on. Dessert that day was really good. Overall, it's on the more expensive side, but worth trying and a nice bite to grab when you're in Half Moon Bay. I'd definitely come back.

    Chocolate Cherry Coconut Pudding
    Allie G.

    So glad I finally got to try Dad's Luncheonette! This iconic train caboose on highway 1 is hard to miss, but often sells out of its popular items early in the day. We got lucky though, and most items were available on a Friday afternoon. My boyfriend and I both got the Hamburger Sandwich and I couldn't resist the sweet of the day - the Chocolate Cherry Coconut Pudding. Service was friendly and quick, and they had a small outdoor seating area. The Hamburger Sandwich was simple but so tasty! I wasn't sure I'd like a burger on sliced bread, but they managed to pull it off. The Chocolate Cherry Coconut Pudding was insane. I loved the creamy but light texture, crunchy coconut flakes, and whole pieces of cherry. Would happily return for more!

    Sandwich
    Amanda H.

    Wow! This place is crowded. Sandwich is bomb as usual, but I'm not quite sure I'll line up for it again on a weekend. Took about an hour! I think there was some farmers market in the back of the lot. But other than that there's not much to do in the lot while waiting for the sandwiches.

    Menu
    Brenda K.

    This place is clearly popular--the line can get pretty long, so be prepared to wait during peak hours. The mac and cheese was decent, though I wish it were a bit cheesier and more flavorful. The sauce and pickled onions of the sandwiches were a flavorful combo, but the price felt slightly steep for what you get. Seating is limited indoors, with just a couple of small areas that can feel cramped, especially with the crowd waiting to order. Most of the seating is outdoors at picnic tables, which works fine on a nice day. The bathroom situation is a bit inconvenient--you need a key and a code to access it through what seems like a leasing office. It was clean, though, so can't complain. Just hope that the key is available when you need it! Looking forward to coming back and trying the soup and chips next time.

    Anthony G.

    It was a chilly, foggy afternoon in Half Moon Bay. My partner and I were gonna go hike but wanted to grab a bite to eat before we started, so we stopped by Dad's Luncheonette. This spot, built from an old train caboose is led by a former 3 Michelin star chef, so you know it must be good and good it was. Their offerings showcase a fun casual take on good take out burgers and food. We ordered the hamburger and the mushroom sandwich to try out. The hamburger was really delicious and the flavors were super satisfying. The mushroom sandwich was essentially the same as the burger but with a mushroom instead. It was also good but I would definitely choose the beef patty over the mushroom any day. It had so much more flavor and depth. Regardless, everything we tried was awesome and I will definitely go back to try more menu items. It is a little on the pricey side, but it's a quality burger with a clear mission.

    Gabrielle B.

    This is a cute and quaint eatery in half moon bay. I've passed by it so many times before finally stopping by to eat here. I love the unique look and feel of the restaurant. There is a very small menu but they do have a mushroom sandwich and I appreciate the plant based option. It was very good, but the mushrooms made the bread very soggy with a gooey texture. There is lots of outdoor seating, but not much of an indoor option so coming here is best for a nice day.

    Burger + Mushrooms. House potato chips. Both are a must!!! One of my faves that keeps me coming back every week
    Shanna J.

    Food and service are always love yall! Thank u for keeping our tummies happy and our hearts full! Also go buy the Coastal Book.

    The train exterior
    Victoria Z.

    Such a cool gem! We stopped by on the drive to Half Moon Bay and ordered the regular hamburger and a mushroom burger - both were delicious. The homemade chips were super unique, it had a umami flavor and a bit of a dusty texture from the seasoning. I've never had chips like it but loved it! Inside seating is pretty limited but they do have a couple picnic tables outside.

    mushroom sandwich
    Anna H.

    I came to Dad's Luncheonette with my dad The mushrooms were juicy -- they were more like beech or oyster mushrooms than the portabella that frequently comes in mushroom sandwiches or burgers. We thought the hamburger sandwich was more flavorful overall; the sauce definitely shines in it. The egg in both sandwiches carried because it smoothed out the different textures. The bread was a little bit dry, though. The herb salad was very ... herby ... for lack of a better word, and was very unique. The various herb flavors were very strong and you probably either love it or hate it. We did feel like we should've mixed it since it was oily on top and more lemony on the bottom.

    Potato artichoke soup
    Renee C.

    I've been going to Dad's for some time- always a delightful experience with great staff and thoughtfully conceived and prepared food. After a recent excursion to the beach, hunger struck - too late for lunch, too early for dinner. Dad's to the rescue, with a 5 star restaurant quality cup of potato artichoke soup and "lime marshmallow" dessert that was nothing short of revelatory. The flavors and presentation were beyond beyond. It's been a few days and my mouth waters just thinking about them. Thank you Dad's!!

    mac and cheese

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    Dad's Luncheonette Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Dad's Luncheonette

    Have they reopened for business?

    Yes. Its ben open for a while

    Want to try Dad's for my birthday. But I can't get there until 1:30 pm on a Saturday. Saw a few reviews say that they tend to run out of menu items later. What tends to be out by around 1:30 pm?

    Every week is different with the flow of traffic of people I would recommend coming there as early as possible. It's worth the wait, though the business owner and his family are really nice people.

    Do they give you the option to keep the sandwich whole or have it cut in half? I notice that some of the pictures show whole sandwiches, while other pictures show sandwiches that seem to have been cut in half by the staff.

    You get the option!

    Is there a gluten/dairy free option? We will be in this area but sons girlfriend has gluten and dairy allergies.

    Both sandwiches have cheese and bread. But I'm sure you can ask for gluten free.

    View All 5 Questions

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    Nice neighborhood market with fantastic deli and yummy sandwiches.I got one of their special of the…read moreday sandwiches which was turkey,swiss with pesto.I also got a potato salad that had bacon and cheese. The market also has a nice produce section

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    Front entrance area
    Front entrance area
    Happy Signature Turkey Sandwich!
    Happy Signature Turkey Sandwich!
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    Gherkin's Sandwich Shop

    Gherkin's Sandwich Shop

    4.1
    (504 reviews)
    7.0 mi
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    You could fly by this hidden gem when driving on Highway 1, BUT you would be missing out on some of…read morethe best sandwiches around!!! I came here with my cousin who wouldn't stop raving about this sandwich I "had to try". So he, my kids, and I took a drive. Walking in, I really appreciated the cleanliness of the place. They also had a really cool floor that looked like you were standing on the beach. Grade: A The service was great! The person who took my order was patient and very helpful when I was trying to figure out food for my son. I didn't know that they also served breakfast items until noon. I ordered the #27 Nor Cal, a kid's burger for my daughter, and so thankful they offered pancakes for my son. Service grade: A Let's get started on the main attraction for me...the #27 NorCal. There are so many choices on the menu that I really want to highlight how great this one is! I ordered it with Dutch crunch per recommendation from my cousin. The NorCal comes with chicken, teriyaki, peanut sauce, pepper jack cheese, mayo, onions, sprouts, and tomatoes. Yes, peanut sauce. The bread was toasted to perfection and soaked up the sauciness. I'm the first to admit that my cousin was 100% right! I really loved this sandwich. The flavors and quality were off the charts. This sandwich easily goes into my top 5 all-time. Wow! Grade: A+ I really appreciated that they have a kids menu! My son had the pancakes. He usually complains anywhere we go, but he actually turned to me and said that he liked these pancakes. I picked one up and I must saw they were thick, fluffy, and delicious. The fact that my son was happy, made our visit all the more better. Grade: A My daughter had the kid's cheeseburger. The burger was a 1/4 lb and came with a generous portion of fries. The French fries were crispy on the outside and perfectly seasoned. The French roll used for the burger may be the best French roll I've had. (Of course I had to try it) haha The outer part had an easy chew and the inner part was like a pillow. I only tried the bread, but my daughter was overall content. The cheeseburger was a good size for her. Things that I want to try next time include their sourdough bread that looked fantastic, their flan, and this bbq beef sandwich that looked insane! There are also a few other sandwiches that looked good on the menu...chicken marinara and provolone, a honey mustard one, and the other was a California club. I'm still thinking about my sandwich a day later so it may take a few visits before trying others. Apparently this spot is a not-so-hidden gem to others as while we were there, the place filled up fast! When we were leaving, a line had formed and the staff readily took care of everyone. I guess it's a known spot. Gherkin's in Montara will be a must-stop any time I'm remotely near it if not even at home...it's worth the drive! Thank you Gherkin's!

    I was in the area for three days in a row and kept driving past this sandwich spot, so I finally…read moredecided to stop in and check it out. One thing to know: avoid the lunchtime rush if you're in a hurry. It gets busy, and with only two people working, the hot sandwiches can take a little while to come out. That said, the service was friendly . The sandwiches are huge--which is exactly what you'd hope for when you're paying $16-$20. I ordered the Go Green sandwich and added bacon. It was delicious, although I would have liked a little more pesto. Even so, it was filling enough that I had it for both lunch and dinner. I also picked up sandwiches for four other people, and everyone enjoyed theirs. If you're a sandwich lover and find yourself in the area, Gherkins is definitely worth checking out. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm nearby.

    Photos
    Inside Seating
    Inside Seating
    Gherkins
    Gherkins
    Turkey with pesto on Sourdough

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    Turkey with pesto on Sourdough
    Breakwater Barbecue

    Breakwater Barbecue

    4.3
    (460 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    Best brisket sandwich with caramelized onions cheddar cheese.Their fries also very good…read more Service is excellent.Ribs or not sold Monday Tuesday or Wednesday Street parking.I recommend this place

    Right off the bat, I can see parking being an issue here. Luckily we came during off hours, so we…read morewere able to find parking just fine in their lot. Their ordering process needs to be overhauled . Yes, you can go to their website or third party apps to find pictures of their menu, but that's a hassle customers shouldn't have to adjust to. They have menus as you get close to the register, but it can be hard to decide in that short of time. Maybe place a menu outside, where the line forms, so people can take a pic and have enough time to make an informed decision. Food: 2/5 Wife had the brisket plate ($28) that came with toast and 2 sides (we got the mac&cheese and potato salad) - toast, might be brioche, was really dry. Imagine an airy Popeyes biscuit: 0/5 - Mac & cheese was super pepper forward. The cheese that they used didn't provide much flavor. 0.5/5 - Potato salad: had a strange taste. I thought it tasted like paint, but my wife disagreed. But she did agree there was an off putting taste to it. 0/5 - Brisket: Decent. Nothing mind blowing. 3.5/5 - Brisket sandwich ($18): Fair amount of chopped brisket. The brisket was not cold, but definitely not warm either. 3.5/5 Fries ($4): Amazing. Best thing here. Might be the best fries I've ever had. Really crispy, well seasoned, and perfect thickness. 5/5 They had 2 BBQ sauces. Both didn't really taste like anything. .75/5 Service: 3.5/5 Just your basic order at the counter, pick up your own food, bust your own table. The employees were pleasant and nice. Atmosphere: 2.5/5 Smoky (which is to be expected from a bbq joint), but luckily there's outside seating. Many of the tables were not cleaned off. They allowed a non service dog inside the restaurant for an extended period of time (if that kind of thing bothers you). Bathrooms were clean enough, just some standing water by the drain hole. Overall: 2.5/5 Definitely wouldn't wait to eat here. We gave it another try after being disappointed the first time at their old location. My wife and I have tried many BBQ spots in the Bay Area (Horn's before they got busted, Everett and Jones, Capelo's, Fikscue, Armadillo Willy's, etc). At the end of the day this is just my opinion. Everyone's taste buds are different. If you are around the area during off hours, maybe it's worth a try. Just wanted people to know what to expect.

    Photos
    Breakwater Barbecue
    Brisket plate
    Brisket plate
    Breakwater Burger

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    Breakwater Burger
    Barbara's Fishtrap

    Barbara's Fishtrap

    4.0
    (3.5k reviews)
    3.8 mi
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    Came here after watching a recommendation from tik tok. And around 11 ish the line was not to bad…read more The usual wait time can be 30plue minutes. We tried the famous fish and chips, garlic bread with crab meat and topped with cheese and also the calamari. The fish and Chips you can choose cold slaw or French fries. We opted for the French fries. The fish is so juicy and fresh. One order comes with 4 pieces of fish and a good amount of French fries. They garlic bread with crab and toasted with cheese was really flavorful. It has a relatively decent amount of crab meat. It's fresh crab meat and it's not to salty of fishy like some places. The calamari are small squid pieces but fried to perfection. Not overly seasoned or oily. The tartar sauce was amazing with every item we ordered. Will definitely come back again for the fish and chips

    My sister and I came here for some seafood after crabbing on the pier next door. The takeout line…read morewas around 30+ people at 1PM, and it took 45 minutes between us joining the line and receiving our food. The dine-in line was a 2-hour wait when we arrived and had closed for the day by the time we left. In general, I'm not the type of person to wait for food no matter how good it is, and unfortunately I didn't think Barbara's Fishtrap was anything too special. My sister and I shared a mini fish-trap combo, Caesar salad, and a cup of soup-- we had almost 30% leftover. The variety of seafood in the combo is really nice! But I thought the breading was soggy and in general just really needed the sauce for a punch of flavor. The fried zucchini was by far the best thing we ate (it was seriously to-die for), which feels wrong for a seafood combo. :P Service was friendly and were trying their best to help everyone, but wow we could tell they were super overwhelmed. :( Would not come back but glad I tried it, especially with such a neighborhood hype around this place!

    Photos
    The usual
    The usual
    Outdoor seating
    Outdoor seating
    INSIDE SEATING

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    INSIDE SEATING

    Dad's Luncheonette - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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