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    Johnny’s

    4.4 (88 reviews)
    Open • 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Johnny’s Photos

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    Welcome to Johnny's
    Carl N.

    On this Labor Day, we celebrated at Johnny's. Without further ado let's begin this breakfast spot review. Tootleloo! Johnny's is a charming breakfast and brunch destination that brings retro diner warmth. It's located in downtown San Mateo. They have a modest selection of food and drinks. We came early morning and the place is all ready filled with customers. We sat at their little counter table and perused their menu. I had an Avocado toast x egg potatoes and reg brewed coffee. Food was delicious and tasty. Atmosphere was very inviting and a bit loud when it's crowded like today. Service was spot on. Staff were assiduous and professional. Prices were fair for the area. Plenty of street parking. Overall, this diner is great. I highly recommend them. I look forward to coming back.

    Chicken and waffles
    Thomas R.

    We passed by this place a week or so ago and thought it looked nice on the outside. We checked out some yelp pics and made plans to make it happen. The interior is very 1950s, insanely clean and a blast from the past decor that didnt miss out on any details. Arriving minutes after they opened, there were already 2 tables taken. We got the corner table for the four of us. The menu isnt too crazy but has plenty to choose from. This may have been the first time I ordered a Benedict in my life. I chose the braised spare rib benny that came with potatoes. The chicken and waffles came with thighs and a life changing waffle. Chilaquiles were legit. A member in our party is sensitive to spice, due to their age. We asked the gentleman how spicy the chorizo was and it was a funny conversation but we went ahead and took a chance on the chorizo scramble plate. As suggested, it wasnt spicy at all but it was loaded with flavor. 4 out of 4 impressive flavor and very filling meals. You may think the portions looked small but halfway through, you'll be second guessing if you'll be able to finish your plate. They really have all the aspects of business down here. Efficient kitchen and system, especially as the place filled up as expected. Im 80% sure the kind gentleman that stopped by our table multiple times was the owner. Super cool and down to earth guy. They also have a halfmoon bay location which I couldnt imagine it being anything below 10/10 just like this location. Very pleased and I'm looking forward to coming back here and supporting this business.

    Crispy fish sandwich
    Kendrick L.

    Johnny's has that classic old school diner charm that's becoming harder and harder to find. My friends and I stopped in on a Sunday for brunch, and from the nostalgic atmosphere to the friendly, prompt service, it felt like the kind of place that's been a neighborhood staple for years. Since there were a few of us, we ended up trying a variety of dishes. The iced coffee was unfortunately the biggest letdown of the meal. It was extremely watery, lacked any real coffee flavor, and is something I'd definitely skip on my next visit. The garlic bread grilled cheese was decent, but fairly average overall. The garlic bread added a little extra flavor, though the tomato soup tasted like it came straight from a can and didn't do much to elevate the dish. The fish and chips were excellent. The batter was light and wonderfully crispy while the fish inside remained flaky and moist. It was easily one of the best dishes we ordered. The pastrami melt had plenty of flavorful pastrami, but the sandwich was overloaded with mustard, which unfortunately overpowered everything else. With a lighter hand on the mustard, I think this could have been a standout. Another favorite was the Queen B Belgian waffle. The light dusting of cinnamon added a warm, comforting flavor that made every bite enjoyable. The fried chicken was a touch overcooked despite being a chicken thigh, but it was still a very satisfying combination overall. The crispy fish sandwich was another pleasant surprise. The best way I can describe it is an elevated Filet O Fish, and I mean that as a compliment. The crispy panko coating paired perfectly with the soft, pillowy brioche bun, creating a sandwich that was both comforting and well executed. Overall, Johnny's offers a welcoming atmosphere, attentive service, generous portions, and prices that feel fair for the quality and quantity of food you receive. Not every dish was a home run, but there were enough standouts that I'd gladly come back and continue exploring the menu. If you're looking for a classic diner style brunch on the Peninsula, Johnny's is definitely worth adding to your list.

    Pearl R.

    It's a new brunch spot in downtown San Mateo and I really enjoyed the short rib eggs Benedict and the lemon blueberry pancake. Both are very delicious and I also love the potatoes that came with the eggs Benedict. However I was very disappointed that the server forgot to put in our order and we had to wait for over 30 minutes before our server realized he forgot to put in the order. But overall I really enjoyed the food and I really like the decoration and the vibe of the restaurant a lot!

    Blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes
    Sharon W.

    New restaurant with a fresh, colorful retro diner decor. Our waitress was so friendly and nice and people came by to refill our coffee and water. My friend and I shared the salmon Benedict and lemon ricotta pancakes. Both dishes looked and tasted amazing. I also enjoyed their drip coffee. Love Johnny's, it might become my favorite breakfast place as there were 2 other dishes I want to try.

    queen b Belgian waffle
    Christine L.

    they serve typical brunch food items in a retro style diner. Food was good, but the service was not great and they can't handle full capacity well. tldr order was given wrong, took around 25-30 minutes to get served food each time, waitlist system is weird, popular items are sold out early, which didn't make for the best experience. Got- - My cousin Vinny sandwich: exactly what it sounds like, pesto focaccia bread with lots of buttery cheese and thin sliced sausage like pieces of ham, it was well flavored. fries were a little too seasoned so it was really salty - queen b Belgian waffle with chicken: waffles were really good, had a hint of cinnamon and texture was super soft and buttery rather than crispy, there was no extra syrup with this, but the whipped honey butter they added was enough to sweeten the waffles. Chicken was nice and crispy but didn't come with a sauce - short rib eggs benny: this was fine, the short ribs tasted like stew beef, which we felt like kind of conflicted with the flavors of eggs Benedict the service was not a good experience though. one friend got on the waitlist 20 min early, and we didn't know their policy is everyone had to be there to get seated. our table was given away, which was on us. After everyone arrived, they said we were the next to get seated, and then proceeded to seat another party of same size first which I thought was strange. we ordered quickly but they told us popular items like the pancakes sold out. it took pretty long for the food to come out and one ended up being incorrect. they did correct and acknowledge they sent in the wrong order, but it took another 25 min to come out and by then others were close to finishing their food. unfortunately it seems like other google and Yelp reviewers have experienced similar things. hope they work through this because the food is very promising!

    menu
    Maurine S.

    Came here with some gfs cuz we were craving mimosas with brunch. Friend found this cute spot. Loved the retro dinner feel and the place was bright and airy. Loved the menu selection that was small but varied enough that everyone could find something to eat. Friends had the old fashion scramble and I had the lemon ricotta pancakes and we ordered a bottle to make the mimosas. The mimosas were cute cuz them came with a "globe" of frozen orange juice and asked if we could have the dribble of guava on top. The menu said it would make roughly 4 mimosas but really it was more than that. The only thing I didn't like was that when we "cheered" the glasses didn't clink but made a clunk hahahah. Minor point. Friends said they liked the old fashioned scramble and I loved the lemon ricotta pancakes. For some reason the first bite was amazing but after that it was just good. Did my tastes buds get used to it? Definitely a fun spot and I plan to come back with friends!

    Decor
    claire m.

    Been wanting to try this new diner. How cute is this place. It's located in downtown San Mateo near the Cal-Train parking lot. It can be tough to find parking so plan ahead. I love the decor and the color scheme as well. Perfect place for brunch. My cousin and I went on Memorial weekend and we didn't have to wait since there was just two of us. Service was wonderful and super fast. I ordered The Junior which was 2 eggs, bacon or sausage, I had bacon and potatoes which I substituted for hash browns. The hash browns were super thin and crispy. Never had them like that before. A little oily for how thin they were but still good. They asked if I wanted an English muffin or sourdough toast and I opted for sourdough toast. We also had the orange and guava juice mimosa and a Diet Coke. Everything comes in its own bottle. Really cute. The tiny glass bottles of Diet Coke are $5 though which is a lot for a small drink with no refills. Overall, good place for brunch. I really want to try the lemon ricotta pancakes w blueberry compote and fried chicken on the side. That's what my neighbor at the table next to me had. Will I come back? Yes.

    Shortrib Eggs Benny- this is a must have!
    Tanya M.

    Birthday celebration for my bestie. Decided to try out Johnny's. So glad we did. We got the same dish. Well, the tale of two bennies. Mine was without eggs and avocado added. This place should definitely be on everyone's list. Great ambiance, great music, great food.

    Unevenly cooked eggs
    Erika C.

    I ordered the biscuits with gravy and a side of the eggs. The biscuits were dry little pucks and there wasn't enough gravy. I got that with a side of eggs over medium. One egg yolk came well done and the other yolk came over easy. These are stuck together so idk how that would even happen. Both disappointing. The lemon ricotta pancake though had an amazing citrusy flavor. Wish you got more blueberry compote and more mascarpone cream with it though. It reminded me of the blueberry pancakes from the now closed Canteen in SF; Canteen did this Vanilla Bean French Toast with Blueberry Sauce that had a dollop of whipped cream cheese on top. I get the restraints and ratios being possibly more tasteful or something... but if I'm eating brunch I was it really hearty. Otherwise I can just fry up some eggs at home. Service is friendly, but seems like they're still ironing out the kinks (was not easy to get their attention on my visit and you get the sense they're trying to find their flow). They just opened though. I would come back and try other dishes tho just bc the interior is super cute.

    My Cousin Vinny
    Jonathan C.

    Diner vibes Lemon Ricotta Pancakes: 5/5! One of the best pancakes I've had. The pancakes had a great lemon flavor and the berry compote and mascarpone cream were absolutely delicious. Perfect amount of sweetness. Would get this every time. My cousin Vinny: Great sandwich with the mortadella, burrata and pesto. The shoestring fries were nice and crispy. One thing that was noticeable is that it can get very loud inside, almost uncomfortably. If anyone from Johnny's is reading this, I would consider getting some sound dampeners. Overall, a great addition to downtown San Mateo!

    Chilaquiles

    I have been to Johnny's several times since they first opened, and this review is long overdue! The first time I went in back in May, my friend and I were celebrating her birthday. We met Rene, who was absolutely amazing from the start. I was torn between the lemon ricotta pancakes and the chilaquiles, and I ended up going with the chilaquiles. Rene had a plate of the pancakes sent out for me to try, and that little gesture was just the beginning of why this place has become one of my favorite spots. Every time I come in, Rene somehow makes the visit feel special--whether it's taking the time to chat and have a genuine conversation or sending out little treats for my kids. He truly goes above and beyond to make people feel welcome. Fast forward to last month, when I decided to organize a moms' first-day-of-school brunch. I immediately thought Johnny's would be the perfect place. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous inside, but I knew the experience would be just as special. I asked Rene if he would make an exception and take a reservation for our group, and he happily did. Fourteen moms showed up, and Rene went above and beyond once again. He had beautiful white roses placed at every setting and even put a box of tissues on each table--just in case some of us had a rough first morning sending our kids back to school. It was such a thoughtful and personal touch, and everyone loved it. Everything about Johnny's is 5 stars--the food, presentation, atmosphere, decor, and, of course, Rene. But what really sets this place apart is how they make you feel when you walk through the door. If you haven't been yet, GO! Johnny's has officially become one of my favorite breakfast spots in the Peninsula and I can't wait for my next visit.

    Book the check came in with

    My new favorite breakfast/brunch spot in San Mateo. Ambiance is so fun and bright. The owner came to our table multiple times and seems like a very down to earth, passionate guy (also born and raised here). My wife and I shared the steak and eggs and lemon ricotta pancakes. The steak was cooked perfectly, chimichurri was great breakfast potatoes were perfectly crunchy. These were probably my favorite pancakes I've ever had. Super light and fluffy. The house made blue berry compote + house made mascarpone whipped was delicious without being overly sweet. They also nail the little details: - mimosa was delicious and came with a pretty mini prosecco bottle - lavender lemonade was similarly yummy - the check was delivered in a little Winnie the poo book which was so fun - glasses had fun texture with good grip

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Johnny’s

    Do reservations needed?

    No. You don't need reservations

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    Taste & Glory - Berries croffle | ig : whaEVAeats

    Taste & Glory

    4.4(862 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    •$$

    I have been to taste and glory twice and have experienced great service each time. We have been…read moreseated quickly during weekday hours and fortunately for us it begins to fill up after we arrive. Very cute and small dining area. I believe they have another section for larger groups, but I havent been to that side. The food itself is very good. I am not much of a breakfast person, but I was satisfied with my Sweet Croffle and my boyfriend enjoyed his Spicy Crispy Chicken. My cousin wasn't too impressed with the salad, so I would recommend trying something aside from salads if you are looking for flavorful items. The star of the show for me is a Mango Passion Fruit drink. It is so delicious! My boyfriend and I have to pace ourselves from chugging the entire thing before the food arrives. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place for a nice brunch. I wish they stayed open later, but I will definitely return to try more of the menu.

    Met some friends for brunch at Taste & Glory. I missed that they have a parking lot in the back,…read morebut it was easy enough to find street parking. You can tell they get very busy on weekends and they don't take weekend reservations. We got there around 10:30, and it did take a few minutes to get seated since we had a group of 5. I really enjoyed the Tom Yum scramble, but if I ordered it again, I'd ask for it without cheese since I didn't think the cheese really added anything to it. (I feel weird saying that since I love cheese!) The croissant that came with it was good. My friends liked the pancakes, the chicken croffle, and the udon. I got the house coffee which was fine, but folks seemed to enjoy the ube lattes (though said they were a little sweet). Service was very nice. I do think even with them being busy, I didn't get the sense they were trying to push us out the door when we were done. This is a cute place, lots of close tables though so not where I'd go for a quiet conversation.

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    Taste & Glory - View upon entering

    View upon entering

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    Banana French Toast

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    Foreigner Cafe - Main Dining Hall

    Foreigner Cafe

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    •$$
    Free WiFi
    Healthy dining

    Omg what a find! This place has everything you would expect from a cafe! Nice welcoming…read moreenvironment, delicious food options, patio seating, clean and just an amazing atmosphere. I had the bacon cheddar cheesequiche

    It was my first time coming here, and definitely not my last. When I came in I just wanted an iced…read morecoffee, but I ended up getting hungry when I saw all the food options! My friend ordered the root beer float with cold brew ice cubes. It was not super heavy, it mixed well, and somehow, the root beer tasted great with the subtle but noticeable coffee flavor. For my drink, I got two shots of espresso. I just needed a quick pick me up! For food, my friend got the chicken tortilla soup. It was absolutely delicious. The shredded chicken and the broth were wonderful, I do wish it had less tortilla strips because they soaked up all the broth if left there for too long. I got the California bagel, which was also delicious. It was a little too much egg for my liking, but the bagel was only $12 which I think is decent for what I got. The Strawberry croissant was TO DIE FOR. I have never enjoyed a croissant as much as this one. Fresh strawberry cream inside, super fluffy and crispy croissant overall. LOVE! Not to mention the cafe is very chic, we sat at a table where we could maximize our sunlight exposure. The servers and cashiers were nice, welcoming, and helpful. So glad we came here!

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    Foreigner Cafe
    Foreigner Cafe
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    Apple Fritter - BlueUbe, Strawberry Blueberry, Pumpkin Fritter Seasonal Fritter

    Apple Fritter

    4.2(1.9k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    •$$
    Hipster vibe
    Vegetarian friendly

    My favorite apple fritters ever! These fritters are mega giant and can be easily shared with 2 or…read moreeven 3 people... that is, if there's even anything left! I've tried the original apple fritter, blueberry, and raspberry. They all have that delicious crisp exterior and super fluffy interior, without being dense. I also appreciated that they were not overly sweet, which is oftentimes hard to find in donuts. I still prefer the original apple fritter, but was surprised that I enjoyed the raspberry one quite a bit! There's a big ol dollop of raspberry jam in the middle, and streaks of raspberry throughout the fritter itself. The best thing about these fritters is that they're still delicious the following day. I went a little crazy with ordering and had plenty of leftovers. I popped them into the toaster and they were still pretty decent. The parking lot is tiny and so if you're here on the weekends, you'll likely need to wait for someone to leave. There's usually also a long line as well. Since I'm not in the area, I prefer to just order ahead online for a pickup order. The pickup orders are in a separate line inside the restaurant.

    Great brunch spot with lots of seating! Even if there's a line, it moves pretty quickly. Parking…read morecan be a little tough, but if you wait in the lot long enough, a spot usually clears up. They have a lot of fun drink options and are known for their fritters, although I didn't get one this time. I went with the chorizo breakfast burrito instead, which was huge! Not spicy and filled with a a nice texture from the hashbrowns and eggs. Really generous portions, filling, and delicious. Great spot if you are around the area

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    Apple Fritter - Banana Bread Matcha

    Banana Bread Matcha

    Apple Fritter - Seating

    Seating

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    Brothers Cafe - banana foster

    Brothers Cafe

    4.3(284 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    •$$

    This is one of my favorite brunch places of all time. Easily top 3. Why? Not because they do…read moresomething revolutionary, but because they do all the basics basically to perfection! Fresh squeezed orange juice? Check...so good, always sweet and refreshing. Perfectly fluffy pancakes with the creamiest whipped butter? Check....I get them with blueberries and no added powdered sugar. Chef's kiss. Perfectly brewed diner coffee served HOT with a side of half and half? Check...can't tell you how many places can't get this basic right. Eggs and bacon cooked properly? Check Hashbrowns perfectly crisp on the outside and soft and buttery on the inside? Check I always leave feeling so satisfied and happy. Can't put a price on that. I also love their system of ordering first and then finding a seat. Very efficient and much appreciated. Also appreciate them keeping a nice and clean restaurant. No frills place, but very comfortable. Such a joy to keep coming back :)

    3.5 stars…read more Diner-style family friendly breakfast/brunch place with a few locations on the peninsula. Fast and easy order-first-then-take-a-seat system, and the food arrives within 10min, drinks 5min, even on a busy Saturday late morning. Appreciate the fast service as well as the frequent offers to top up coffee and water throughout our hour+ stay there. Comfortable and clean main dining room as well as the bathroom. Food was just ok: bacon severely overdone and bland/undersalted, sourdough undertoasted, hash brown potatoes had a nice crunch to them. Decently priced but just expected a bit more on food quality

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    Brothers Cafe - Menu board inside

    Menu board inside

    Brothers Cafe - Waffle and Chicken & Waffle

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    Johnny’s - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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