Came here on a Sunday around noon and there were a few open empty seats inside as well as some tables outside, but there were people at the restaurant. it's an order at the counter type of place. ~the food~ - Hamburger sandwich: pretty good! I really liked the pickled onion and the choice of white cheddar. I'd say overall it wasn't as greasy as a full burger which I really appreciated! - Mushroom sandwich: out of the 2 sandwiches this one was my favorite! The Maitake mushrooms were very tender and flavorful! - Homemade Potato chips: staff told us that this tends to sell out before the end of the day, but we were lucky enough to get an order of them and they were very very good! The addition of nutritional yeast in the seasoning added a lot of great to the chips! - Herb salad: super refreshing salad, this salad is made with all herbs and the lemon dressing that they used was very light and refreshing, which I think balanced out the rest of the meal! ~overall~ I definitely recommend dad's luncheonette for a quick bite. The staff were very friendly and the food was really good. Everything tasted very fresh and not too heavy. read more

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Experience (4/5 stars): *Food: hamburger sandwich was flavorful! what made it was the red onion pickles. bummed that they ran out of the homemade potato chips and sweet of the week. *Price: ~$15.50 for the sammich Overall, it's a yes! read more

Dad's Luncheonette - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Parking was easy since there's a large lot with plenty of spacious spots available. They also have outdoor seating in front of the restaurant, which is nice if you want to enjoy your food outside. The line wasn't too long when we visited, but the wait for food was about 15-20 minutes. We ended up taking a stroll around the plaza while waiting, which helped pass the time. As for the sandwich, it was okay. I was excited to try it because of all the hype, but honestly, it felt pretty basic and nothing particularly spectacular. It was a solid sandwich and made for a good snack, but it wasn't something that really stood out to me. read more

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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! read more

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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!!! read more

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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!! read more

Dad's Luncheonette - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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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. read more

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What's not to love?? Few steps from coastside farmers' market on Sat sits this inviting caboose serving downright great, perfectly concocted egg burger sandwich & mushroom sandwich!! Ooohhh, the amazing fries with it & the tantalizing salad they serve can't get any fresher!! Now I understand what's up with the line & people willing to wait long. Personable Scott taking orders gives this place a lot of charm as well. Looking fwd to enjoying this place more in the near future!! :) read more

I left a bit confused as to the high ratings. The food is not very good. For the price, I would expect a meal to taste delicious. The hamburger is bland and tiny. Might be for some, but not worth another meal here for us. read more

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! read more

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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. read more

Dad's Luncheonette - Sandwich - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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. read more

Dad's Luncheonette - Menu - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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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. read more

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

Dad's Luncheonette - Burger + Mushrooms. House potato chips. Both are a must!!! One of my faves that keeps me coming back every week - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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. read more

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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!! read more

Dad's Luncheonette - Potato artichoke soup - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Interesting recipe, cant say im filled Definitely a great "snack spot" if you got the $$$ Ordered two jerky dry paper thin hamburgers I guess thats the steez round here for a juicy burger is to be really thin with soggy soft sourdough. Ill be honest, my stomach is still rumbling. Didn't see any sides included with the 17$ burger grass fed or not with these prices throw in some potatoes please lol. Tab was up almost 40$ with 2 burgers and a cup of water. Came hungry and left hungry. Good spot but won't be back. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

Dad's Luncheonette - mushroom sandwich - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

We heard about this place from the Michelin Guide and came for a late lunch/ quick bit to eat. The place is off the side of the highway but they have little picnic tables and seating. The whole vibe was very cute. For food we got the mac and cheese, which was so cheesy and the crispy rice was amazing! We also tried their burger, it was pretty good and I loved the fried egg on it. Overall it was really good, and I can definitely see us coming back to pick up a snack to bring on the beach next time! read more

Dad's Luncheonette - mac and cheese - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Came here on a Sunday and it was busy but not too busy where the wait is unbearable. The mushroom sandwich and hamburger sandwich were good! Wish I took pictures but was too hungry. The service is great as well very friendly. This place is worth a try. read more

We were having a laid-back day and it looked like the perfect place for some affordable comfort food, and it absolutely delivered. The indoor seating is minimal, with a small counter that fits maybe 10 people. The setup is simple: one cashier, a limited menu, and no table service. Since we'd seen the owner featured on The Drew Barrymore Show, we already had a good idea of what we wanted to try. Pro tip: check their hours before you go. They're only open Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM to 4 PM. Once your order's ready, they call your name and hand you your food in a brown paper bag. There are a few picnic tables outside, and since seating is limited, we ended up sharing a table with a few other diners. No big deal, just added to the casual charm. There's a small drink menu, but we came prepared with a cooler of our own drinks for the day in the car. The real highlight was the food. The two sandwiches, house-made organic potato chips, and a creamy mac and cheese that hit the spot. Great quality, great price, and a great little find for a chill meal. read more

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I got their mushroom sandwich and salad on my first visit here. Both were great! Mushroom sandwich had so many great textures and flavor. Wasn't sure if I would like a non-meat sandwich but the mushroom had a robust taste to it that perfectly replaced any meat. Salad was bright and fresh. Staff was very helpful and friendly. We had our meal outside at the picnic tables because it was perfect fall weather. They were sold out of their potato chips so I'll have to come back to try it. read more

Dad's Luncheonette - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Charming little restaurant/ luncheonette with outdoor picnic tables! Macaroni & Cheese and Hamburger were delicious! Also, I don't even like root beer, but after my first sip, I kept stealing my husband's Devil Canyon Root Beer! So good! Food was brought out in a timely manner! Also, the owner is quite a character and enjoys visiting with the customers, which I liked, too! Will definitely come again the next time we're in Half Moon Bay! read more

Great quick easy stop. Keep it simple, healthy and delicious. Had the MAC & CHEESE this time. Crazy Good!!! Perfect balance. So glad this little place is still going. read more

Great spot. Service was chill. Cool vibes with the architecture. Shared one burger sandwich and one mushroom sandwich. Both were fantastic. My partner loves a good sunny side up egg so it was perfect for their taste. Nice day to hit the beach. Oh and man that root beer is splendid you have to get it. It's the Devils Canyon one. I'm considered a root beer connoisseur and it already made my top 5. On the menu, that 60 dollar try one of everything item... is calling our name... till next time thanks for the bites! Ciao read more

Dad's Luncheonette - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

The hamburger sandwich was good but we weren't fans of the mac and cheese. I would definitely come back for the sandwich again and to try other sides. I'm also curious about the mushroom sandwich. This is definitely a cool spot to check out when in Half Moon Bay. read more

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After ordering the happy meal, the mushroom sandwhich was the star of the show and very flavorful while the other items fell quite short of our high expectations. The Mac n cheese was one of the worst we ever had. The herb salad was fresh and delicious. The kimchi potato (?) soup tasted strange to say the least. read more

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We loved the overall vibe at Dad's Luncheonette! Simple food like a cheeseburger on buttered toasted bread makes the world a better place! The employees were super nice and super service and the picnic tables for seating were a great touch! read more

Dad's Luncheonette - Outside - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Despite what seems like a long line and big crowd, this is actually a good place to get a quick lunch! The menu is small and simple, so they know what they're doing, and they do it quickly. I've been talking about coming here for what seems like forever now, finally decided to swing by on a Saturday afternoon (they're only open Thursday-Sunday) to try one of their raved about burgers. Luckily I'm not the picky eater I once was, so I ordered it as it came, a must if you want to get as much flavor as possible. The burger was good, I liked that it came with pickled onions and an egg. Along with the burger we also got the mac n cheese and herb salad, we had wanted to get the homemade potato chips, but sadly they were already sold out. My mom really liked the mac n cheese, to me it was just okay. I did like the fact that it had chives and the puffed wild rice for some extra texture and flavor, but there was a flavor in the cheese that I just didn't love. The herb salad was good, not something I'd think to try, but glad I did. read more

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I have heard a lot about Dad's but unfortunately I didn't think the food was anything special, especially for how long we waited (30-40 minutes to order). In general I think everything lacked flavor - especially the mac and cheese (I think it needed more salt?). I thought the rice pudding was unique but I also felt like it was missing something. read more

Dad's Luncheonette - rice pudding with puffed rice - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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We had the burger, mac n cheese and a cherry chai pudding for dessert. The burger was nice and juicy and came with an egg and all the toppings; a bit on the small side but good. I couldn't find much cheese in the Mac, The crispy rice topping was nice but definitely missed the creamy texture you'd expect from a Mac n cheese (2 stars). The desert was good. Overall a good place with good food but comes with a price. The service was friendly and quick and the outdoor seating was rustic and comfy. read more

Stopped by on a Saturday after finding this spot on Yelp. It had great reviews, so I decided to give it a try. There was a long line to order and quite a few people waiting for their food, but the cashier was friendly. It's a cute little spot for lunch with outdoor picnic tables, or you can grab your food to-go. We ordered the Hamburger Sandwich ($14.95), Mushroom Sandwich ($14.95), and Today's Soup--Shiitake Asparagus Rice Stew ($9). The food was fresh, and I liked that the hamburger sandwich had an egg inside. Prices are a bit high for what you get, but it's a nice place to check out and support local businesses! read more

Dad's Luncheonette - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Strange, quirky little place. Not really my cup of tea. 1 person taking orders behind the counter of a wooden shack attached to a caboose. No real indoor seating as such (couple of tall stools around a wooden bench) and some picnic style tables scattered around outside, under some trees. It was pretty chilly in the shade to be honest. We asked to a bench in the sun. No restroom facilities, you had to get a key, and walk over to a mall, with no restroom signs indicated anywhere. The menu was bleak - maybe 3 or 4 items. Dad's Hamburger, Mac and cheese, Mushroom Burger, Soup, a couple of kids items. Being such a mediocre choice, i went with Dad's Hamburger. I was most disconcerted when it came between 2 slices of white bread. It did taste good however, and had a fried egg in it. Very messy to eat, but tasted really good. Wouldn't go here again due to the lack of menu items, and restaurant facilities i prefer. It was nice to try it once though. read more

When someone mentions half moon bay, dad's luncheonette always comes to mind. Seeing the red caboose after you get off the highway marked the arrival to HMB. I've passed by half a dozen times but never had the chance to try but finally did. The sandwiches didn't blow my mind but they were good and I would get again. It's simple and thoughtfully put together. The pickled onions are a great addition. I think it works because it's on sliced bread but I couldn't imagine feeling the same if they did burger buns. I think the items that shined were the Mac and cheese and the pea soup for me. They were both a VERY unique take on classics. The pea soup was chunky, chock full of what tasted Iike both roasted and stewed vegetables. I loved it! And the Mac and cheese, although not super cheesy, was something I wanted to keep eating. The homemade potato chips are fresh but I'd probably skip them next time. I think this place is a 5 for me because of that charming and humble yet elevated vibe it has going on. Plus the fact that Scott worked at saison adds to the excitement when you first try the place. read more

Whoever's dad this is knows how to run a luncheonette because these scrumptious sandwiches are cooked in the back of an old caboose train! For lunch on our trip to Half Moon Bay, we ordered the Hamburger Sandwich and the Mushroom Sandwich. Hamburger Sandwich (4/5): Tasted like how it looks, in a good way -- a charred grassed beef patty paired with melted cheese and a runny egg sandwiched between two pieces of white bread. The Dad's sauce brings a savory and garlicky kick, while the red onions punch the acidity into your mouth. I like the fancy lettuce used too. I wasn't too impressed with the bread -- it's supposedly from a local bakery but it was comparable in quality and texture to grocery store Wonderbread! It was also not grilled enough to have enough structural integrity to withstand the wetness of the runny egg yolk, resulting in a soggy sandwich towards the end. I wish they would use an artisanal sour dough bread or something to really elevate this sandwich to the next level. Mushroom Sandwich (4/5): Basically the same sandwich as the one above, but the burger patty is swapped out with savory Maitake mushrooms, grilled for that mouthwatering Maillard reaction and maximum umami fungi flavor! They're bouncy and lustfully supple. There's lots of outdoor tables and seating to enjoy your food at. Overall, this is a worthwhile roadside spot to grab a convenient lunch if you're in Half Moon Bay! read more

Dad's Luncheonette - Burger Sandwich - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Love Dad's! Hadn't been there for a few years but got back to the coast a week ago and had to stop at Dad's for a burger. They're a little untraditional -- served on sliced sourdough, for starters -- and they come standard with a fried egg. Don't miss the soup and the herb salad too! A classic spot which, if you hit a sunny day on the San Mateo coast and want don't mind enjoying lunch on outside picnic tables in a parking lot, should not be missed. read more

Very cute, casual "luncheonette" with counter service, limited in door and outdoor seating. Limited menu, with only a couple of options, you can get everything on the menu also for a slight discount which is what my husband and I did recently. It comes with two of the hamburger sandwiches (either mushroom, and beef or two of same type), salad, soup of the day, Mac n cheese, homemade chips, and dessert. When I came most recently the soup was a kimchi potato leek which was super tasty, and the dessert was a black sesame tart which was absolutely delicious! The hamburger sandwiches were a little disappointing in my opinion, I wish I had tried the mushroom version, to me if you are going to put a burger on bread the bread should be toasted to perfection, mine was lightly toasted and felt a little soggy. Everything else was very good, though the chips and Mac n cheese had a nooch (nutritional yeast) topping which is a very distinctive flavor, so be warned if it's not your favorite. Also there is often a long line here, once your order the food doesn't take long but it took me at least 30 mins to order so just be warned! read more

Dad's Luncheonette - Mac n cheese with crispy wild rice topping - New American Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

What a wonderful place.In a historic train carboos.There menu isn't very big but big on flavor I got a cheeseburger with lettuce with sauce, lettuce, picked onions on grilled bread.Yummy.I also got their home made potato chips n had a cup of water.I ate Inside.Tgere is a long table with chairs inside n some picnic tables outside. Service is awesome.. Plenty of parking as it in a shopping center that I believe used to be a train station read more

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Out of all the times i've been in HMB, i'm surprised i had never been here! dads luncheonette is an adorable little restaurant out of a train trolley i came in on a thursday around lunchtime. the restaurant itself is very small and cozy and there's limited seating inside, so plan on enjoying the outdoor seating with the fresh ocean air. i ordered a hamburger and the mac n cheese. it took about 10 minutes to come out and my server was very smiley and friendly. loved the customer service. the food on the other hand was just okay. i promise you i wanted to love love love this place but it was just okay. the mac n cheese wasn't super flavorful and it lacked the sort of consistency i prefer in my mac n cheese. the burger tasted good, with an egg and fresh veggies, but was kind of difficult to eat? it comes in a wrapping paper to keep it together but it's definitely a 2 hand and a napkin kind of burger. i did enjoy my experience but was just a little disappointed in the food. i'd be back if im in the area but would consider maybe the mushroom sandwich and to try the homemade chips. overall 2.75/5 read more

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