Had to try their Reuben sandwich and goofy fries (garlic fries with pastrami)--and it definitely hit the spot. The pastrami was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, layered generously in the sandwich. Every bite was rich and satisfying without feeling too heavy. The garlic fries topped with pastrami were just as good--crispy fries loaded with savory, flavorful meat and just the right amount of garlic. Super indulgent and perfect for sharing (or not). You can tell this is a popular, staple spot--there's a reason people keep coming back. Overall, a solid choice if you're craving something hearty and flavorful. Would come back to try more off the menu. read more

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We were tryjng to find a comfortable lunch spot to eat and came to this place based on the high reviews. Seating was super easy either indoor or outside. We ordered: -Onion rings: Super crispy and the onion didn't fall out with each bite. The ranch also was very tasty! -the Reuben: Crispy bread that paired perfectly with the pastrami meat. The Swiss cheese added even more flavor to the sandwich. -Philly cheesesteak: PASS. The meat tasted super stinky and paired with the melted cheese made it even worse. Will not order this ever again. Overall, this place is ok for a quick lunch. They have a wide variety of beers which is nice. I'd only return if I was desperate for a pastrami sandwich in this specific area. read more

The Refuge - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

I have been coming to the Refuge for many years. It has been a favorite of mine since 2013. I have always loved its beer hall ambiance and their corned beef and pastrami. It truly is the best you can find in the Bay Area. I watched the episode of DDD where Guy Fieri came here and learned the process of how they make their pastrami. It's pretty incredible and it shows when you eat it. Their Reuben is my favorite, but I also enjoy several of their other dishes. My friends and I almost always get the Goofy Fries when we come here. They are the best garlic fries covered in cheese sauce and pieces of corned beef. It's consistently amazing. On my most recent visit I had their Reuben which has the best ratio of corned beef, sauerkraut and Russian dressing, plus that delicious rye bread. It does feel pricy for a sandwich, but it's definitely worth it. The pickled onions on the side help to cut all the fatty meat. I was sad to hear that their other locations closed recently. I hope the OG location never closes. It is such a great place! read more

The Refuge - Reuben - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

I'm pretty sad this is their only location as I frequented the Hillsdale location, however, Refuge continues to serve some of the best pastrami in the Bay. Big portion Sandwiches and salads with an extensive selection of brews the original location does not disappoint read more

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I am a sucker for pastrami sandwiches everytime I see them on a menu. So when my sister took me to Refuge, I had no idea what I was going to experience. I was completely blown away with the flavor and tenderness of the rich pastrami. I couldn't stop eating it directly out of the sandwich. It allowed me to taste the meat just on its own and it was soooo good. My sister ordered the pastrami burger so I got to taste that and it was also just as amazing and a combo that I've never had before. My mouth is watering just writing this and I can't wait until I'm back down on the peninsula to go and get more of that pastrami. It was quite pricey for a sandwich, I'll be honest, but now I can understand why. The quality and the quantity was really worth that price. It is unlike any other pastrami I've had before and I've had a lot! I'll be back, for sure! read more

The Refuge - Pastrami Sandwich - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

I've had The Refuge bookmarked for years and it lived up to the hype. Service was good, portions are huge, pastrami is delicious. What more could you want?? The beer menu is huge if that interests you. They give you enough food that two average people can absolutely share something, especially if you order appetizers. I was unsure about the poutine but I ended up liking it more than the Goofy fries, even though they're both awesome. I appreciated that the server worked with me to put together my sandwich, since I love pastrami but don't like all of the ingredients of a typical Reuben. I wish I lived closer so I could get a sandwich more often! read more

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We've been meaning to try The Refuge and finally visited this past week. Unfortunately, their Menlo Park and San Mateo locations are permanently closed. So I knew I had to try their San Carlos location. I just hope they keep this one open, because it satisfied my pastrami cravings, for sure! It was a nice, sunny day around 12:30 pm on a weekday, with tables still available inside and outside. So we decided to go with an outside table to enjoy the weather. It actually felt like spring on a winter's day in January. I guess all that rain last week gave us some sunshine to enjoy the sandwiches under the sun. Service was efficient, but not memorable. ***OUR PICKS*** THE REUBEN ~ Pastrami, sauerkraut, melted swiss, crazy Russian dressing, and toasted rye. ($26.95). Crispy, buttery toasted rye with maybe 3-4 slices of pastrami. Though I felt the plate looked bare with just a dill pickle and some pickled onions. Maybe it just needed fries to look complete. And it wasn't a huge, piled-high sandwich, but it was tasty nonetheless! 4/5 REFUGE COMBO MEAL ~ HALF pastrami sandwich of your choice (Half Plain, Half Reuben, Half toasted slaw #19, Half 963, Half swiss and mustard), fries, and an ice-cold Lager or Pale Ale (40cl Pour). ($27.95) We chose the lager and half 963 (pastrami, apple slaw, (dijonnaise, fuji apple, jalapeno, red onion, walnuts, and celery), melted American cheese, and toasted rye. We enjoyed this a little more than The Reuben because of the sweet and tart apple slaw, which offset the salty pastrami, giving it balance. It was good, but still pricey for what we got. Fries and beer were standard and nothing worth noting. 4/5 We've been searching for pastrami like Katz in NY and we found The Refuge to be similar. The thing about east coast pastrami, it's not that salty like packaged deli meat from the supermarket. Katz is known to give a lot of that yummy pastrami, however, I love toasted bread! It's so much better than 2 pieces of plain rye, which tends to get smushed down and fall apart while holding your sandwich. It may be the OG way of making a pastrami sandwich, but I feel toasted bread just up the notch 10 fold! If only the pastrami was piled-high on buttery toasted rye, I'd be in heaven!!! This wasn't quite there, but it was a good pastrami sandwich. Just wish it was bigger. read more

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We got takeout from the refuge and we really enjoyed everything we got from the pretzels, the hamburger, the salads they tilapia burger, the chicken sandwich. The fries were delicious. Everything was packed nicely and accurately great experience. We didn't eat at the restaurant, but it seemed to have a good ambience. read more

The Refuge - Lots of yummy food - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

I grew up in NYC. That means I grew up with great Jewish deli food. Especially my dear pastrami & corned beef. The Refuge is my Bay Area go to for something approximating what I once knew. But distinct in its own right. The poutine was on point: crispy, right amount of curds, & gravy. Generous portion. The Reuben was excellent. Big enough. Every ingredient was well crafted. Rich & earthy cured pastrami. The right fat content, which I love. Kraut was acidic, crunchy, & a complement. Cheese was noticeable but also not overwhelming. The dressing added a nice tang. The bread held together, a nice rye, nice scent too. I should have had a cold beer. But wine sufficed, a nice Spanish red. I'll keep coming back. Gotta try the chopped chicken liver. A lot to explore on this menu. Total was $59.50. I'll gladly pay for this quality. A NYC inspiration, but a Bay Area worthy descendent. Until next time. read more

The Refuge - Poutine! Crispy too! - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Service: great, we were seated quickly with the choice of outside or inside (we chose outside on a beautiful day) Food: we ordered a pastrami sandwich and a burger to share. I really enjoyed the pastrami sandwich, the meat was thick and had lots of flavor even without the sauce. We asked for sauce on the side so that we can really taste the meat. I think everything in the sandwich allowed the pastrami to be the main star of the dish. My partner, on the other hand, wished there was more pizazz to the sandwich. To him, it didn't really pack a punch or hit as hard as other pastrami sandwiches he has tried. He really enjoyed the brie burger. We both wished the brie was a bit more melty in the burger and the burger wasn't as hot as expected. The taste of poutine was good and we enjoyed the brussels sprouts read more

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The Refuge has some of the best comfort food/pub food available in the Bay Area. The best pastrami in Northern California. Sure the prices are premium, but for the quality and portion sizes, it's worth it! I got quite a few items to try: Number 19 Pastrami: 9.5/10 Goofy Fries: 9.6/10 Pastrami Burger 9.3/10 Wings: 8.5/10 Champ Cheesesteak: 8.9/10 The ambiance, decor, and vibe is great for eating comfort food and casual dining. Service is top notch and they are very nice. The Refuge will be a regular spot for me to stop by and eat delicious comfort food. read more

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Pastrami, Pastrami, and did I say Pastrami. I would still rate the Pastrami best in the area. The sandwiches are great and they have a decent rotating beer selection. Been coming here for a while now - ever since they opened on Laurel. TBH - have not tried any of their other locations as this is so close to home. I think they have one in Menlo and had opened one in Hillsdale (but not sure if it's still there). Great for lunch or dinner (where you can consume a few more beers) Taking off a star for two things - the prices have gone up a lot for the Pastrami sandwiches, and I feel they are carrying fewer of the Belgian beers that they originally started with. I am not a big west coast IPA fan - still prefer the old school European style beers. Please bring the broader selection back Service is always fast and friendly, and they maintain that home town vibe at this particular location, with an interior that matches. read more

The Refuge - My go to - Kwok. Comes in a cool glass - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

I was super excited to finally eat at this fine establishment. I saw the tv show on the food channel that showed how the restaurant prepares its wonderful pastrami. I ordered the rye pastrami sandwich and it was delicious I was loving the flavors. The service was excellent. The ambiance was really cool. Lots of nostalgia and I loved it. I had to drive for a meal well worth our trip. read more

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I came here for a party of about 20 people for a 50th birthday. The staff was very accommodating. The ambiance is very "bar" feel. The poutine was incredible. My husband said he had the best pastrami sandwich of his life. I split the pastrami salad with a friend and got a cup of the tomato soup. It was very filling. All in all, a good visit! read more

So we came here because a friend referred us to this place as their go to place for pastrami. Let me tell yall: this place should be known for so much more than just their pastrami!! It's so good and we did try a variety of different items on the menu but in my opinion all of them were just as good as the pastrami so don't feel locked into that specific dish!! For example I tried the Tilapia sandwich and it was great!! With that, the food, vibes and overall environment was super yummy and the service was just as great ! I think this is a go to spot for every now and then ( please note: it can get pretty pricey but if you're able too I say rock it) read more

The Refuge - Pastrami Burger - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

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We stopped by The Refuge and tried the Reuben, the 963, and the Goofy fries. We ended up sitting outside on a sunny day, so it was really nice. The staff were very friendly and checked on us multiple times. My wife and I got a Black Cherry soda to share, and it was excellent. It had a very bold, strong black cherry flavor and was not watered down at all. A great start to the meal. The 963 was easily the standout. It had a really nice creamy texture and balance of flavors, and it came together better than anything else we ordered. The Reuben was solid and pretty much exactly what you'd expect. Nothing bad about it, but nothing that really surprised me either. The Goofy fries were delicious! They were cheesy, garlicky, and indulgent. The addition of pastrami was a nice touch and definitely elevated the fries. That said, while pastrami is clearly the highlight here, I personally wasn't completely sold on it. The flavor was good, but the texture felt a bit off to me. I've had pastrami at Langer's Delicatessen and Katz's Delicatessen, and I preferred the texture at those spots. Since most of what we ordered featured pastrami, it slightly lowered our overall enjoyment, even though everything was still very palatable. Overall, a solid experience with some real highlights, especially the 963 and the Goofy fries. My wife and I did enjoy the food, we just weren't crazy about the texture of the pastrami! read more

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Wonderful service, impressive beer menu, and decent food. This place is popular. We arrived for an early dinner on a Saturday night and we had our choice of where to sit (we chose outside) but by the time we were wrapping up, maybe less than an hour later, people were waiting for tables to open up. Pastrami is their flagship item from what I understand but I'm not big on pastrami so I went for the chicken sandwich (which didn't blow my mind, but it was pretty good). My brother who DID have the pastrami however, enjoyed it. My kid had a burger but the meat was overly cooked for his taste. Very relaxed bar and grill atmosphere, sure we would give it another shot. Especially if we were jonesin for a beer. I give the Refuge a 3.5, with some room to grow. read more

Wow. The pastrami here is really good. I mean, good food at a gastropub is rare. Good food you want to write home about is rare. This place is better than Katz Deli in New York (popular pastrami joint). I got the 963 and it was yum. Go here for pastrami. read more

Wow! Best pastrami/ and possibly San which I've ever had, usually not one to review sandwich places but this was amazing. Gonna have to start ordering sandwiches now haha . read more

The Refuge - Reuben - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

The Refuge still has the best pastrami and Reuben's in this area IMO. For me, I get the Reuben with sliced sourdough instead of rye. I just like it like that. And I like the slaw inside whereas some like it on the side. To each their own. Service was pretty quick. That's good cuz we like our sandwiches fresh and hot. But alt he sports stuff was taken down from inside. What gives??! read more

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Great place to meet your friends for a casual dinner, watch a Seahawks game (Thursday night football) and enjoy great food and beer! Came here for the first time to meet coworkers for dinner. When I got there they had ordered nachos and OMG so perfect! Just look at the photo. You know what I mean! Perfect amount of cheese, crispy hot chips, guacamole, and jelapenos. I ordered a dark ale on tap which was a paired well to the nachos. Garlic fries came next. Yes they were crisp, hot and perfect amount of garlic. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich. It was really tasty and the roll was tasty, pork generous and the right amount of bbq sauce. Not soggy you could pick it up and eat without it disintegrating. It came with Cole slaw but I also asked for a pile of perfect crisp fries. I had a hot fudge sundae after I shared with my friends. Perfect. And the Seahawks won! read more

The Refuge - My team! - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

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If you want an authentic pastrami sandwich (comparable to Katz deli NY) you've gotta try The Refuge, I ordered the reuben sandwich. The pastrami literally melts in your mouth! So amazing, honestly the best pastrami in the bay area. read more

Upgrading my review after ownership response and as it relates to customer service. That is exactly how to do it. I can't imagine how difficult it is to maintain a thriving restaurant business these days. There was nothing bad about anything we had - just the price points and the service/hovering items I mentioned. I could endlessly critique the best of sandwiches and was not intending to do so with yours, just truly trying to share something with management at an institution I'd say after my 24 years in Redwood City, and you guys having been here for about half that time. Don't want to see you guys go downhill. Happy to share more directed and perhaps helpful/constructive feedback privately (as a former east coast sandwich engineer), but this place is great overall and I didn't mean to throw unnecessary shade. There are good reason for them to have four stars. read more

For DJ's birthday dinner on Thursday, March 13, 2025, he opted to go to The Refuge again, but at the San Carlos location. I easily made reservations via OpenTable for 7:30 PM. After quickly finding a space to park just a few feet away from the front entrance (Like most establishments on the street, The Refuge does not have a private lot), we arrived between 7:35 and 7:40 and were seated immediately at the corner table in the back, right by the bar. Once one of the booths freed, up, we were quickly moved, per our request. The restaurant offers patio, table, booth, and bar seating. Inside, red walls pop out in the dining room of brown flooring and wooden table and chairs. The walls are adorned with Belgian posters and sports regalia. On the night of our visit, the dining room appeared clean and tidy. When asked about the unisex restroom, though, I was advised that I probably would not want to go there. The Refuge's four-page menu has three pages of drinks, mostly of BEER, so this is a great place for beer aficionados like DJ. They also specialize in pastrami, which DJ also digs...even though he is mainly a vegetarian. Below are what we ordered: Delirium Black Beer ($13) - "It was good, I wasn't blown away by it," per DJ. "New" Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich with upgraded Goofy Fries ($17.45 + $10.95 for Goofy Fries Upgrade) - I was concerned that V might find fat in the deep-fried chicken thighs and get turned off, but he ate every morsel of his sandwich with enjoyment. He liked the Goofy Fries, but, WOW! A $10.95 upcharge for the upgrade is pretty steep. Pastrami Burger with upgraded Goofy Fries ($23.45 + $10.95 for Goofy Fries Upgrade) - Z said that his plate was good. DJ and he guessed that the upgrade price for Goofy Fries was only $5. When I revealed the true amount, they both nearly choked. Those fries are EXPENSIVE! The 963 ($26.95) - If anyone watched DJ eat this, they probably wouldn't believe that he is mainly a vegetarian. But he is and he loved every bite. The Champ Cheesesteak ($18.45) - Good, but DJ and I agreed that the sandwich was dry enough that I had to ask for some mayonnaise to put on the bread. CHURROS with Vanilla Ice Cream ($8.95 + $3 for added Vanilla Ice Cream) - V also enjoyed this very much. CHOCOLATE POT DE CREME ($5.95) - YUMMY! BREAD PUDDING ($9.95) - DJ loved this dessert. Service was quick, friendly and accommodating. To treat him for his birthday, The Refuge served a complimentary bowl of VANILLA ICE CREAM, topped with a lit candle, with DJ's BREAD PUDDING as well as a free taste pour of the Humble Forager Sequoia Anniversary Special Beer. Small gestures like that show that the staff is thoughtful and warm. We had a nice time at the Refuge. Below are the individual star ratings from everyone, resulting in a 4.5 star average. Z: 5 V: 5 DJ: 5 M: 3 read more

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We came on a Friday around noon. No wait to be seated. We ordered the Belgium flight, the Reuben and the steak & fries. Everything was delicious! The pastrami is as advertised: flavorful, tender and delicious. We loved both the sandwich and the hunk of pastrami! The fries were super satisfying: crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Soooooo good. Our fav pastrami in the Bay Area. We'll be back! read more

Amazing burger and food! Great service. Cool ambiance. Love this little neighborhood bar/restaurant. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

The Refuge - Cheeseburger w/grilled caramelized onions, regular fries, and ranch dressing (which is REALLY GOOD). Non-alcoholic beer. - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

Food: Poutine - Ample amount of fries. Not enough cheese or gravy for my liking. It was good though. Pastrami sandwich - Quantity was enough for me. If you don't like fatty or greasy meat, avoid pastrami. It was good but do not think I'd drive all the way up here for it. Bread pudding - The best item of the day. You could taste and feel the alcohol (bourbon or rum?) in the sauce. I would have like more filling in the bread pudding but the pairing of the bread with the sauce and whipped cream satisfied me. Service: Attentive. Server was courteous. Refilled water and checked in on how I was doing. Ambiance: If you like cozier sports bar atmospheres that are not too dark , obnoxiously loud, or lack a substantial menu, this would be a good one to try. TVs were visible from my table. My visit was after lunch and before dinner on a Sunday, so that may have skewed my views. It was about 50% full inside. Tables were set up outside but no takers; it was pretty cool that day. Saw multiple food deliverers pick up orders. Parking is along the street and was easy to find. read more

The Refuge - Pastrami Sandwich (regular with kraut on the side) Pastrami Plain - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Very good food, very good service, no refills on the lemonade!! I would go back again but the refills on lemonade need to happen!!!

Definitely hands down some of the best pastrami sandwiches we've ever had! We came in for dinner with no reservations and were sat down right away in a cozy both on a Friday. The beer was excellent. We love the casual, bar vibe. The sandwiches were out of this word!!! Highly recommend and we'd totally come back when we're in this area! read more

The Refuge - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

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I know there's a couple other locations on the East Bay but I'm only familiar with the San Carlos location. This is the place for an awesome pastrami sandwich!!! Quality AND quantity. I've also had the garlic fries, and chopped pastrami salad which is also delicious. Definitely worth a trip if you're craving a solid pastrami sandwich. Service is great, everyone's attentive and kind. Good amount of seating, never insanely busy but good crowds. This spot is spacious and welcoming and offers some outdoor seating as well. Lots of street parking available, and I believe there's some lots in the area too. Also, a great variety of beer and wine for anyone interested! read more

The Refuge - Reuben - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

DRINKS 1.St. Bernardus Abt 12 (draft) - Light, smooth, and amazing. I almost started with this one, but then I tasted... 2.Boulevard BBA Quad (draft) - Absolutely delicious. Rich and flavorful, and ultimately the one I went with. 3.Trinity Brewing Hopped Toddy (bottle) - Mead, I love mead. Definitely different in a good way! Hoppy, not too sweet, and really tasty. FOOD 1.Poutine - As a Canadian, I have to say it wasn't exactly authentic... but it was still incredible in its own way. Comforting, cheesy, and just so satisfying. 2.Brie Burger (medium rare) - Mine leaned more rare than medium (for medium rare), and while it was good, it was the weakest part of the meal for me. It didn't pack as much flavor as I expected, and there were more mushrooms than Brie. BUT the house side salad I ordered with it totally made up for it--seriously, the most flavorful side salad I've ever had. Perfectly dressed with tomatoes, banana peppers, red onions, and whatever magic was in that dressing. I still can't believe I liked it more than the burger! 3.Pastrami Burger - I'm not a pastrami fan (I know, I know), but I tried a bite of my partner's and I've got to admit--it was phenomenal. I still couldn't eat a whole one, but I can fully appreciate how well-executed it was. SERVICE Incredibly quick and attentive. Genuinely impressed and so appreciated. AMBIANCE We sat outside on the front patio--small but with plenty of tables. The interior has more of a dive bar vibe, but in a fun, casual way. MENU The beer menu is extensive--definitely a beer lover's playground. While I'm not a huge beer drinker myself, there were still plenty of options that appealed to even a casual or non-beer enthusiast like me. CONS There is a visible Wi-Fi network, but when I asked, I was told "no Wi-Fi." As someone who loves finding local spots to work from, this was a bit of a letdown. And yes--don't worry--I always order plenty of food and drinks while I work! OVERALL 12/10. Will definitely be back! read more

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Came in "Ser Rodrigo" on Mother's Day for an early lunch, was craving something between burger and Pastrami. Got the 1/2 pastrami combo, and it is a solid bachelor lunch! Kind of expensive, but probably for the younger folks making tech zillionaire money it's OK. TBH the half pastrami was pretty much a full pastrami anywhere else. The fries were fresh and hot, and the house Mexican beer was no worse than a house wine at any good restaurant. Servers were pleasant and peppy, still fresh in the day and not yet slammed by the MoDay crowd, but by the time l left it like floor every table was filled! Ambiance was pleasant gastropub. read more

The Refuge - Pastrami combo with the Reuben, crisp fries, cold Mexican beer. - Burgers Near Me - San Carlos, California

Great place to get a huge pastrami sandwich and a beer. The beer list was good and I had a great Belgian (abt 12) with my sandwich. The sandwich is very expensive but it is tasty and you get a lot of quality meat. So if you'd like to spend a bit for a pile o tasty meats in a casual (think bar) setting then this is a good fit. Service was quick and attentive read more

Asked Reddit where east-coast-quality pastrami could be found in the bay area. This place was the answer. It did not disappoint! It's been 2 weeks and my mouth still waters whenever I think of it. Even the onion rings were the best I've ever had. Can you guys open up a location in Mountain View pretty please? read more

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What an underrated place! I just came here for the first time and I cannot stop eating their pastrami sandwich. The pastrami is so soft and tender with a lot of flavor and finishing off the meal with bread pudding is a must! Also, the server for my table was so sweet and definitely made the experience so much better. Recommend this spot 10/10! read more

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First visit to this great spot and wow, definitely returning. I read other reviews and had to find out for myself. Started off arriving around noon on a Saturday with the place about half full. They have indoor and outdoor seating available. With a casual type of vibe. A full bar with a large selection of IPA beers is offered. For lunch I ordered the 963 Pastrami sandwich, while the drink order was placed I also ordered a pretzel. The pretzel was served hot and delicious. When the sandwich arrived it was very visually impressive. Loaded up with plenty of meat, this sandwich doesn't disappoint. One of the best Pastrami sandwiches I've had in a long time. The side of coleslaw was a great addition. Had to try the bread pudding for dessert and I have to say if you like bread pudding you will love this one. read more

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Not too crowded on a thursday night around 630pm. Parking can be tricky but there are side streets available to park at. The reuben was good, toasty bread with melted cheese and a side of pickle and pickled red onions. The poutine was ok, the gravy and cheese was concentrated in one area. Lots of different drinks (3/4 of the menu) but didn't try any tonight. Servers were friendly and nice! Lots of decor for christmas, brewery emblems, and beer handles hanging on the walls read more

Solid 4.5 stars. I came here for one thing: hot pastrami sando. The meat is tender and juicy. Best in the Bay Area. Too bad they closed the Menlo Park location. read more

The rain was starting to get to me so I picked up my brother and we took a drive to The Refuge for lunch. I'd been here once before but this was my brother's first time. Parking on a weekend can be a little challenging and this visit was no exception. I had to circle the neighborhood a few times before we found a spot but thankfully it wasn't too far since the weather was a little drizzly. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Surprisingly the patio was full despite the wet windy afternoon. Inside was warm and a few folks were eating at tables but we opted to sit at the bar. The bartender was friendly and handed us two menus. I had to flag him down once we decided what to order. He just didn't seem engaged in the customers at the bar which was disappointing. I typically opt to sit at the bar just because bartenders can be a lot of fun and the customers that sit at the bar tend to be entertaining. None of that goin on here. Okay, here's what we ordered: MAC-N-CHEESE - this was warm and creamy and the noodles were perfectly cooked. I'd order this again. TILAPIA SANDWICH - the buttery toasted bread was really the best part of this sandwich. It also had nice, crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes. The tilapia though was absolutely forgettable. The piece of fish was so thin that we had a hard time even seeing it. I'm slightly shocked that they were charging over $20 for this and I paid it! If you're gonna charge this much for a fish sandwich, you better make darn sure it's substantial which this wasn't. It did come with a side of fries and we opted for garlic fries. They were fine. Nothing spectacular. RUBEN - winner winner Ruben dinner!! This was hands down the best thing we ate. The pastrami literally melted in your mouth. Outstanding. Like legit outstanding! These folks know their pastrami and it shows. The one thing that was a miss was the bread. It kinda fell apart because of the meat juices but overall this was a 10 outa 10 for flavor, texture and juiciness. Next time I come back, it'll be pastrami only for me cuz it's THAT good! read more

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The Refuge is one of our most-frequented San Carlos establishments. We learned about it from the sales agent when we were purchasing our condo, and I have since consumed a large volume of pastrami. This place attracts everyone from children to seniors, and the vibes are casual. Food highlights: - Barbacoa nachos - the perfect mix of chips and toppings - Reuben - I always eat one half at the restaurant and one half for lunch the next day. It heats up wonderfully in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. - Goofy fries - their fries are nice and thick. Who can resist a little cheese and pastrami on top? I like the mix of indoor and outdoor seating, the rotating selection of beers, the Tuesday trivia, and the special events (like St. Patrick's day or Pliny the Younger release). My only two complaints (which aren't enough to justify less than a 5 star rating): - There is only one bathroom for the entire restaurant. A line forms during busy times. - Sometimes things get funky with the ordering system (like a drink being forgotten, a wrong item on the bill, or loyalty credits not loading). read more

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