I stopped into Crystal Springs Tavern for what was supposed to be a quick bite and to watch some college football. Nothing fancy. Sit at the bar, eat something, watch 20-year-olds destroy their ACLs for my entertainment, and go home. Then I ordered the pork chop. I don't know what they're doing to this thing back there, but it was quite possibly the best pork chop I've ever had. At minimum, it's the best one I can remember, and frankly that's the only version of me qualified to write this review. Perfectly cooked, ridiculous flavor, and one of those meals where halfway through you stop watching the game and start paying attention to what you're eating. I came in for football and somehow ended up having a private moment with a pork chop. The bartender was great--friendly, attentive, but also understood the sacred relationship between a man, his dinner, and a television showing college football. The atmosphere was equally good. Relaxed, comfortable, upscale without making you feel like you need to know what fork to use. Meanwhile, behind me were two real estate guys splitting a bottle of wine that looked expensive enough that I briefly considered asking if interest rates had dropped. They ordered a couple of chicken dishes that also looked incredible. I didn't try them because apparently society still has rules about reaching over and eating food off a stranger's plate, even when you've been staring at it for several minutes. That's probably my only regret. I came in looking for a quick meal and ended up finding a place I'll absolutely come back to. Great atmosphere, excellent bartender, and a pork chop good enough that I'm now suspicious of every pork chop I've eaten before it. Definitely found my new watering hole after moving to the area. read more

I have been here on a few occasions, I remembered it differently this most recent time I went. I remembered it being a little more casual , somewhere you can easily get a table and a nice drink from the bar. When I went recently, they must have remodeled the space. It is definitely more "up-scale" than before. I went on a Friday with no reservation, but because it was still early we were able to snag a table. Lots of great options for food. American fare with a California flair. I don't have a picture of it here but get the chocolate chip cookie for dessert. They are homemade and epic! read more

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Cute spot! Love the furniture, tile ceiling, marble tables, bentwood chairs. Felt strangely European in decor. The food was surprisingly good and the service was very attentive. Prices were high but have you been to the grocery store lately? My feedback: the wine and beer list leaves much to be desired. I drank water instead, which was refilled often. Didn't try a cocktail as I was driving. read more

As you enter this tavern you feel like you are stepping back in time, well done. Service was great. The salad and the bread (especially the garlic infused butter with the bread) was amazing. What left us both feeling disappointed were the main dishes. My New York strip steak was half fatty. The cut was not good. My wife's fish and chips - one of the pieces of fish was 100% entirely blood meat and gross. The other one was ok but some quality control on the fish pieces would be nice. read more

A solid place to go to for a meal you know is going to be good. The menu here is fairly limited which allows them to focus on not compromising on quality. We tried the following during our meal: * Kanpachi Kinilaw - a bit of a spicy kick, super fresh crudo, a flavorful mix of fresh, light ingredients * Bread & Butter - can't go wrong here, warm bread with creamy housemade butter * Radiatore Alla Zozzana - house made pasta, freshly made red sauce with housemade sausage. sausage has a bit of a kick but still kid friendly. * Dry-Aged Tavern Burger - cooked perfectly, a mix of different types of meat, including some steak pieces in it, which was interesting. gooey cheese and house sauce on top tied it all together. served with fries on the side. *Fish + Chips - one big chunk of freshly battered and fried fish. great for splitting between kids. For dessert, we split the Limoncello Tiramisu and 2 chocolate chip cookies. We thought the tiramisu would have more of a lemon forward flavor profile but it was much more subtle and pretty close to a traditional tiramisu with a hint of lemon woven in. The chocolate chip cookies were warm, soft, with a nice sprinkle of salt on top. Overall, great meal and would highly recommend. read more

SO LOUD!!! Bring earplugs!!!! I couldn't hear table conversation and I had to wear my AirPods just to stay sane. The inside has no noise absorption so any loud group (as would be expected at a tavern) leads to extremely unpleasant loud environment for dinner. Though the food was slow to come out because it was coursed, the service was very polished and high attention to detail (asking if we wanted larger share plates between appetizers vs entrees, pacing the courses). The waiter was clearly very experienced and service quality felt more like fine dining rather than a tavern so it was just a strange environment where it was super loud like a dive bar but nicely decorated with excellent service like a fine bistro. There is mid size outside patio with space heaters and is dog friendly. It is part of the parking lot so not the most pretty but nice to have an outside option. The food was pretty good and beautifully presented. The menu reflects the same dichotomy where there's "bar food" like fish and chips but it is also unexpectedly elevated. My favorite item was the ceviche. Note closing time is quite early for a tavern - it closes at 9pm and last call for food is 830p. Bottom line - food and service were excellent but I can't see myself returning because of the extremely unpleasant noise. It's likely a good place for large groups cause it's so loud. read more

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It has been a LONG time since I had a burger like this. A long time ago I used to go to Viognier for their burger which I easily considered the best in San Mateo County. When they changed their meat, me and my friends were just so disappointed. The place is now gone, but I had been waiting for another burger that comes around that comes close. This burger doesn't look like anything special, there isn't a lot to it, but the ingredients speak for itself. One bite, and it gave me flash backs of that Viognier burger. I'll be back over and over again as this burger doesn't change. Ask for some extra burnt onion aioli on the side for the fries The restaurant itself is fairly small and fills up quickly. The items can sell out nightly. While that part is annoying, it means they aren't over buying and the ingredients are fresher. They are buying based on expected sales, not bulk. When we went the pork chop, half chicken and Zabaglione were sold out. We had the chicory salad, kentucky fried mushrooms, Radiatore pasta, burgers, and one person got the steak frites. Everything we tried was great. I'd order any one of those again. The pasta had a kick to it which I liked, but if you don't like a little spice, maybe avoid it. We ended with the lemoncello tiramisu. While the other two really liked it, I thought the texture was great, but I thought the lemoncello overpowered the dessert and prefer a more traditional tiramisu. For drinks, we tried the espresso martini, amaro sour, and oaxacan old fashion. The old fashion is the only one I tried that I wouldn't get again. I love mezcal, but this cocktail didn't seem to represent it well. The smokiness was lost, the flavors were muted, just not a lot going on. read more

Crystal Springs Tavern - Burger - New American Near Me - San Mateo, California

Well for starters, I messed up by not taking any pictures, because the presentation alone would be worth 5 stars. I dug right in because I was so hungry and OH MY GOD... impressed is a severe understatement. This was the best food I've put in my mouth in a long time. I came solo and decided to go HAM and ordered 1.the Little Gem "Wedge" salad, 2. the Corn Cassarace Pasta, 3. the Caramelized Carrots, 4. the Grilled Broccolini, and 5. the Grilled Berkshire Porkchop. Yes, I ordered all that to the dome. And obviously I am taking home leftovers (I said that in first person because I am still sitting here, I couldn't even wait to leave to write this review; the good people of San Mateo and beyond must know NOW). Honestly, I am blown away by the level of flavor in every single dish. Even (especially) the veggies, both had their own unique flavors which each pleased my pallet in their own special way. And the service was the perfect compliment to my TOP TIER dining experience. The bartender was friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, and dare I say.. handsome! 20/10 for the Crystal Springs Tavern. If you have never been here; don't cheat yourself, treat yourself. UPDATE: Approximately 15 minutes after I wrote this review I got a piece of the Limonchello Tiramisu and I now think I am living in a simulation and this place is AI and ain't even real because there is no f***ing way anyone is this consistently fantastic. Goodnight everyone. read more

With extremely limited restaurants in our area, the Crystal Springs Tavern delivers real, high-end technique at a fair price. The vibes are high and you feel welcomed the minute you walk in. The chef/owner has serious fine dining experience, he's helped open several restaurants on the East Coast. The other owner/bartender has been in the restaurant business his whole life and shows through his cocktails and hospitality. They have unique house drink recipes, but you can still get a classic done right. The espresso martini and old-fashioned are top shelf. Great wine list too. Doors open at 4pm for drinks and mocktails, dinner service starts at 5pm. They also have an outdoor deck area that's a perfect spot on a warm evening. There is definitely some french influence throughout the menu. My favorite mains are the pork chop and steak frites. My father's go to is the roasted chicken. The burger is fiiire, mussels are the best I've ever had and are cooked in a broth that packs a punch, pastas made fresh in-house, fish and chips are hand-filleted, salads are beautifully presented and fresh, not some weak wilted BS. My favorite side dish here is the kentucky fried maitaki mushrooms, insanely bomb. The location is super convenient too, right off Highway 92, close to 280, and easy to get to from El Camino or 101. There's always parking unlike anywhere else in DTSM. This young establishment always hits. I can see this place being a neighborhood staple for years to come!! read more

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I loved this spot, I thought the food was great! We ordered the steak frites, little gem salad, and my fiancé got the burger. Cocktail and wine pours were heavy, we loved that LOL! Everything was great except the burger was just okay, it was undercooked and it tasted average for the price. Our serve Gabe was great, very attentive. Will definitely be back! read more

We just found this gem on Yelp in a super rainy night. The food was delicious. Megan who ran the front with the bartender (watched him create bomb cocktails) and the best cappuccino I've ever had). Megan was a 10/10 for her patience and service. She was fabulous at recommending our meal. We went with a bottle of Chardonnay and the wedge salad to share. Both delicious. The handmade bocattini and mushrooms were delicious but heavy on the butter. The steak frites were also good but ran into several grizzle bites. They do have the BEST fries ever. Tiramisu was over the top with a hint of orange. Spectacular we loved it. It was cozy and charming in a rainy night. We were relaxed and encouraged to enjoy while we watched the football game. Absolutely going back. read more

Great quality food and menu. We were looking for a new American tavern with just this type of food. We ordered the crudo (a must try!), baby gem salad, fried mushrooms and the juiciest burger! The staff was so kind, service was great, and ambiance was perfect for a little date night. Looks like they had a great selection of drinks with a full bar. Can't wait to come back and try the rest of the menu! The mussels, pork chop and steak frites looked good too. read more

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Great food. Good drinks. Friendly people. A local gem that is a cut above. Every meal I have had was good.

Their Dry-Aged Tavern Burger is to.die.for. Best burger I've had in a long time. Oh and the fries crispy and yummm aioli. Grilled broccollini ohsofresh. Great food and cocktails, very cool vibe! read more

Phenomenal hole in the wall place off the beaten San Mateo track. Thoughtful but still mainstream cocktails (I would prefer more experimental but know they have to make a profit). Elevated food with a menu that wouldn't be out of place in a solid fine dining restaurant. And the prices are incredible compared to downtown SM. read more

Food was good. Restaurant is cozy and loud. We were at a table in the corner and could barely hear each other. The acoustics were unlike any restaurant I've encountered. Maybe we'll get takeout next time or sit outside. I saw they have a tiny patio (for when the weather is good). read more

Yum! Everything our group of four ordered was absolutely delicious--by the end of the meal, every plate at the table was spotless. The service was friendly, welcoming, and attentive, though a bit slower than I would have preferred (probably because I arrived hungry and ready to eat!). The tavern was packed, which made for a lively and energetic atmosphere. It was definitely on the loud side, but we still had no trouble enjoying a great conversation. There's outdoor seating available as well, although no one was dining outside during our visit. I'm already looking forward to coming back and bringing my family. If our experience was any indication, I have a feeling they're going to love it too. read more

First time visit. This is in the location of the old Field Club we really liked and we were pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is nice - the photos on the wall are old golf pics. I asked a waiter & a part are actually from the Crystal Springs gold course. We didn't have a reservation on a Friday night but the Tavern wasn't crowded & we were seated right away. Within the hour however, the place was packed, including a 10+guest party. It was quite loud - not sure if it was due to the larger group of guests or the acoustics of the place. We got water (I appreciate it being filtered) right away, ordered our drinks & food. It was delicious. Particularly the pork chop stood out: it being combined with little Manila clams was amazing and the veg (we were quite sure we got leeks instead of fennel?) was delicious . Great. The burger didn't leave anything to wish for either: we loved the thinly sliced pickles, they tasted house-made (can't believe I'm gushing about pickles on a burger but yeah). Would like to return soon to try more of the menu. read more

Crystal Springs Tavern - Grilled Berkshire pork chop stood - New American Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Started off with a paper plane at the bar, delicious and refreshing! I realized I should have looked at their cocktail menu - so many looked delicious, definitely trying one of those next time. We had the little gem salad, bucatini, mussels and burger. the burger truly stands out. aimplicty at its best. Perfectly melted cheese, pickle, light sauce and delicious meat. Oh and the friea - killer! Especially dipped in the muscle sauce... I ate way too many. I'm not a huge fan of tiramisu usually - I don't know what the chef is doing but I couldn't stop eating it. so good! Highly recommend you swing by read more

Three for three! Great batting average. My third time eating here and absolutely delivered. Bread for table was a nice start. Kanpachi was fresh and delicious. Endive salad was great. Radiatore was memorable! A couple of Plineys and that's a wrap. Seriously- very nice service and owner. Great playlist on the speakers, too. Big Chill-ish. Also, compared to my last review, the lighting, noise, and ambience seemed a lot better. Not sure what a 5 star is but this is definitely 4+ and right near home! Well done for a Tuesday night! read more

These reviews are fake , just look at some of the "customers" they have 2100 reviews. I was suckered by it and this is why I'm almost not going to rely on these platforms for suggestions. We just moved in the area and went to the tavern, excited and hopeful that this would be our spot to have some nice dinners and take advantage of the bar. The service and ambiance was nice , but the food is not good. I had the chicken, which was supposed to come with a sauce they were out of . Instead they dropped a bunch of weird red whole pepper/chilis on the plate it did not compliment the chicken. The sauce was off the peppers were off and it didn't come with any starch , not even in the menu to purchase. The wedge salad they had the was so sharp it was like the ratio was off. I enjoyed the items in the salad I just couldn't at it because of so much sand ! My husband got the lamb burger , he got sick the next day . My daughter had the pork chop and it came with a bunch of clams arranged around it. So odd and off, again. I want this place to have a clear identity of what type of restaurant it is. It's all over the place without much quality control or assurance. They have l5 or so items 2 of the items were out that night. Sometimes people just want solid items and choices. The descriptions on the menu seem mouthwatering but completely lackluster upon arrival and taste . Maybe a good place to get drinks and watch a game , the food needs an overhaul . read more

I cannot say more amazing things about this restaurant! From someone who only loves San Francisco restaurants, I must say I'm so happy to finally have a great restaurant in the San Mateo/peninsula area! The food is top notch, with its "Michelin" touch!. EVERYTHING on the menu has been amazing. read more

My first time to dine here for my pre birthday and a friend's post birthday. I had the Kanpachi Kinilaw as starter was pretty awesome and Grilled Berkshire Pork-chop as my entree cooked with Manila clams and fennel. I don't know what sauce it's mixed but my plate is empty as proof, that's how good it was. Thumbs up to the chef read more

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Our first time dining to this place. Crystal Springs Tavern is definitely the place to check out! Its good taste, service, & the excellent vibe was pleasing. Our group of "30" occupied half of the place and everyone's plate was full in the beginning with good food but all emptied at the end. Every bite was delish! The mussels are a must try and of course their famous Fish & Chips! Kudos to the Chef/Owner read more

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Drinks only after having dinner at rainbow - group was looking for after dinner libations -- thank you Yelp for this find! 1 star: we love the location (across the street from crystal springs plaza) -- good possibility for our new watering hole! They just opened - Nov 7th! 2 star: love the vibe of the place walking in 3rd star: we only had drinks which were great --- big tv - spacious dining area --. Food looked tasty (will return to try) and nice surprises on the menu ! No shock pricing - it's comparable/average prices for Bay Area. 4th star: lots of parking, noise level loud bc it's a fun tavern! 5th star: friendly staff --- met the owners Matt & Max --- our group will definitely be retuning -- no complaints read more

Food was average but high priced. The evening we went the restaurant was very crowded with two large birthday parties. The noise level was very high. The acoustics in the room are very bad, we could hear each other across the table. I don't think I will be going back soon. One positive was our waitress was very nice and attentive. read more

Found this place on Yelp. The location sounds familiar but the pics look different. This used to be a different restaurant before. It wasn't too good when I came here then. Since new owners, I figured I give it a try. Seems they opened only recently. Not bad at all. Reasonably priced for now and decent portions. More importantly, food was tasty. Wish it was a little more upscale inside. The service was only okay. The young waiter was definitely brand new. Maybe even first waiter job. You can tell he was very nervous. I definitely come back again on a hot day and sit outside the outdoor area is still there. read more

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Amazing food. Great drinks. Awesome vibe. A true San Mateo gem. Everything was actually delicious. We came with a big group so tried 80% of the menu and everything was so good from the appetizers to the burger to the fish and chips and the 48 hour brined pork chop. It's a must try - will be coming back again and again! read more

Crystal Springs Tavern - New American Near Me - San Mateo, California

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The food was good. Nothing great but good. The service was not good at all. It wasn't the server because she explained there was only one "chef" there but 40 minutes to get food is unacceptable. They brought us our entrees and then 10 minutes later lo and behold our appetizer showed up. I was trying to flag down the waitress to cancel the appetizer but my efforts went unrecognized. When another server brought the appetizer I was trying to tell him it was unwanted at this point. He said he was sorry and wouldn't put it on the bill. It was on the bill. I didn't feel like arguing so I paid the full amount, left a decent tip, and left. It is a non-repeat unfortunately. read more

We went here on a relatively quiet Friday night with a group of four. All of us had ordered the burgers but three out of the four orders came back with mistakes such as raw meat, cheese on the burger, when no cheese was asked for. We really wanted to make this place work because it's a newer restaurant in the area and we always try to give them the benefit of the doubt. I'd say there's some room for improvement and happy to try it again down the road. read more

Just tried this Restruant last night for the first time. The feel inside was welcoming and had a very good vibe. The cocktails were awesome ! And to eat I had the fish and chips and the steamed mussels with the charred rye bread and both were amazing ! We plan on visiting this Restruant again soon. read more

Peninsula residents, support this place! Great setting with plenty of seating but more importantly, the food is phenomenal. The kids ordered the radiatore with guanciale and the wife and I split the peri peri chicken. All was flavorful, unique and delicious. Drink selection was excellent as well. In an area screaming for this level of quality, creativity and flavor, we need to support the ones who are committed to delivering this type of experience and food. Will definitely return often. read more

Lively, service was great! We had been wanting to try for a while, our friends suggested for a double date night! The food was quite tasty too, we tried the burgers and fish & chips! I had a great Vesper Martini. read more

Crystal Springs Tavern - Vesper Martini - New American Near Me - San Mateo, California

The food was good, but it was so loud inside that I could barely hear my friends chatting. Knowing that this local place is not family friendly as it used to be when it was the Field Club, I wanted to try it for an adult dinner, but the sound level was really uncomfortable. That's a bummer because it is something that I rarely notice, unless it is a very loud bar or a club, where that makes sense anyway. read more

What a great hidden gem with incredible food ! Wonderful neighborhood spot with a full bar and a varied menu. We had the wedge salad, roast chicken, steak frites, and mussels. The wedge salad was delicious with crisp bacon, blue cheese, and picked shallots. Chicken was moist and tender with nice mildly spicy sauce. Steak frites was a generous New York with a big portion of excellent fries. My big pile of mussels was perfected with the spicy sauce and tasty rye bread. Cocktails were reasonable and the wine pour was great. Nice bourbon selection. Antica vermouth would make the Manhattans perfect. Definitely going back! read more

Hands down one of the best local taverns around! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a warm, neighborhood vibe that instantly makes you feel at home. This place absolutely nails the balance between laid-back tavern atmosphere and top-tier food and service. Perfect spot for casual dinners, catching a game, or just grabbing a drink with friends. If you're looking for a go-to tavern with great food, great people, and great vibes, this is it. Can't wait to come back! Highly recommend read more

Absolutely loved it. The Radiatore, Arugula Bucatini, and burger were the standout favorites for us. Highly recommend!

Food was delicious, server was very nice. It is loud, wish they would add something to dampen the sound. Will be back, can't wait for nicer weather so we can enjoy the outdoor seating. read more

First time here since it opened. Pleasant inside, service very friendly. Four of us enjoyed cocktails- Oaxaca Old Fashioned was excellent as was the Tavern Martini. The Caramelized carrots and Maitake Mushrooms were delicious. Excellent crisp on the mushrooms. Favorite of the night was the Arugula Bucatini - absolutely delicious. Fish and Chips were good but I think would have been better if made with cod rather than snapper.All in all very happy to have in the neighborhood and look forward to returning, read more

Crystal Springs Tavern is such a great find. It's in a super convenient spot and the inside is cozy and welcoming. The menu has a little bit of everything, and the steamed mussels were great. Service was on point and we didn't have much of a wait at all. read more