Went here for brunch and it did not disappoint. Service was great and fast. They sat us upstairs since there was a few boys soccer teams that were there with their coaches and parents. The honey mint mojito came in a cute bear glass and was just the right amount of rum, a little tarty but once watered down was good. Had the biscuit and bacon board (lots of bacon and the biscuits were warm and fluffy). The French toast was just right and the berries were sweet. The crab Benedict was made of real Dungeness crab and the muffin was still crispy. Honestly, the biscuit and bacon board would have been enough. 4 stars because it was $$$ but would def go back again read more

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Out server was fantastic, very nice, capable and sweet. The ambience was fun too, they had live music on Thursday night so that was great! However, the food was very disappointing. We went there because they had gluten free options and I have celiacs. When we got there I asked about the gf options labeled on the menu and the server said that those items were not really gluten free... So, I asked what my options were and it ended up being salad or surf and turf. My husband and I decided to share the $60 surf and turf and it was okay, but I wouldn't order it again. The one thing that was the most disappointing was the $12 Italian soda. It was just not good... Maybe some of the other non gluten free items are better, but not suitable for a person that needs gluten free options unless you want to eat a salad. read more

Food 5/5 - fried calamari had light breading; salmon risotto was nice portion, balanced flavor, risotto perfectly done. Service 1/5 - server was aweful. There were 6 people in the restaurant so no excuse not to give us full attention. Plates weren't cleared, we weren't checked on after serving, had to call him over to order, had to call him over for the bill, had to ask for a take-out container. No refilling of water. He was on his phone or talking to cooks. read more

Came for brunch on a Sunday and we were able to get seated immediately despite the restaurant being busy. The restaurant is located on the corner of the block across from the Cal Train station. There's also an upstairs seating area for more tables. Items ordered: - California benedict with country potatoes: The potatoes were really good and savory and came with bell peppers which were a nice addition. The eggs were cooked well. There was a lot of bacon in the dish though which may have made the dish more oily than I would've wanted. - Loco moco: Solid loco moco. The meat was cooked well. Just a bit salty but not too bad. - Half stack red velvet pancakes ($8): I was a little disappointed in these pancakes because it felt like there wasn't much red velvet flavor. It tasted more like a regular pancake but it was a bright pink color which made it seem like a strawberry flavor pancake? I probably wouldn't get this flavor of pancake again but they have many other flavors to choose from. read more

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2/2/25 My husband and I took his parents to Drake's for lunch. We got here at 12:20pm and it was very busy and very noisy. The host said a table would be ready by 12:45pm; we were seated by 12:40pm. We were a walk-in; I would definitely recommend making a reservation since they prioritize those people first. I think we had at least 5 people (with reservations) get seated before it was finally our turn. We were seated upstairs which was better than downstairs because the noise was slightly muted and it was more roomy. Here's what we got: - Brunch board (to share) - Loco Moco + Lavender Latte (mine) - Industrial's biscuits and sausage gravy with tater tots (Zach) I don't remember what his parents got, but the general consensus around the table was that everything tasted great. I think my dish could have been less salty, but overall it as delicious. I tried some of Zach's biscuit and tater tots and those were super yummy. The lavender latte was very smooth and not too sweet, smelled just like lavender as well, but not overpowering. I would definitely come back and I'll be sure to make a reservation next time! read more

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We've been here many times now for breakfast and lunches. The service and dishes have been excellent every time. Great options for breakfast and lunch. We haven't tried dinner yet but will soon. read more

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Meh. Everything was just okay. The chicken and waffles sauce was not good; too much spice with sweet. Breakfast is always breakfast, just basic food. Good place for social hour or a date. read more

Good eats with slow and inattentive service. Guess we weren't posh enough for them. The waiters seem to be busy with people who looked retired. Not us middle aged folks. Maybe it's because I still have all my hair and I'm not bald yet, but they kept forgetting to give me the menu or even refill my water. Service was a major bust. Food was okay. 3 stars average. I had the Crab Benedict which I felt tasted rather lackluster. The hollandaise sauce was so bland, the muffin tasted untoasted and the salad was just your average greens. My coworker's Cuban sandwich was lukewarm, chewy, and the cheese wasn't melted. Nothing outstanding or memorable about our meal. read more

Drakes - Meh - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

Awesome brunch! Seasonal pumpkin pancakes simply melt in your mouth! We were a pretty big group, so we got to try a bit of everything. The peach burrata toast was really good, and good to share. Yumm chilaquiles, super yumm crab avocado salad (forget the exact name) The kiddos tried the honey bear no-jito and it was so delicious. Really nice place overall! read more

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Our food was really delicious! We went for brunch and ordered California Benedict, salmon Benedict and chicken and waffles. Everyone was very happy with their food. Our cocktails were also great! So happy to have a brunch place in San Carlos that doesn't disappoint. read more

Drakes - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

The food was delicious! We ordered the loco moco, a country fried steak with a pancake on the side, and a breakfast sandwich. Also bottomless mimosas and coffee. The service was good as well, and the staff was attentive and quick with the refills. The ambiance is nice and cozy. read more

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Tried the Loco Moco for brunch today and it's really good! Now I've (3) area restaurants that make this entree very different from one another but all delicious in their unique creation. Talk of Broadway (RWC), Neolani's (SC) and now Drakes (SC). Really great Loco Mocos! Artfully created starting with gorgeous white sticky rice formed in a single layer cake shape, then generous portioned excellent quality beef burger placed on top of the rice, with lovely sunny side up egg up tippy top. All sprinkled with fried onion crunchies and lots of savory herbed, mushroom, brown gravy to pour over. So good. Really great version. Excellent quality ingredients and delicious. If you're in the mood for brunch and something savory and hearty, try Drake's version of the Hawaiian classic entree, Loco Moco. Cheers! read more

Drakes - Loco Moco, really good! - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

This place is such a gem for brunch! The space is perfect for groups and inviting with a really cheerful vibe that makes you want to linger. The food was not only delicious but also plated beautifully--definitely Instagram-worthy. Portions were just right, and the flavors felt fresh and comforting at the same time. The staff made the whole experience even better with their friendly service. It's the kind of spot that feels perfect for catching up with friends or enjoying a slow, happy morning. Nice spacious second floor seating for bigger parties. Meter street parkings. read more

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Went to Drake's for brunch with a friend and had an incredible experience!! Not only was the ambience, decor and color theme so beautiful but the staff was so welcoming and friendly from the beginning to end! We started with a bottomless mimosas which came with mini mason jars of each juice flavor which I thought was so fun and unique so you can make your own mixes and mimosa and the food was incredible as well!! 10/10 would recommend for brunch, next time I'll be there for dinner!! read more

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2.5 stars. Searching for interesting brunch spots via yelp, I found Drakes which the boys were down to check out. Via yelp, I booked a reservation for four of us for Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 12:30 PM, less than 24 hours prior to our visit. After finding free parking in the lot behind the restaurant, we arrived on time for our reservation. The main dining room was not full, but not empty. No tables were occupied upstairs. It did not appear that we needed reservations on that day. The charming venue appeared to be clean and tidy. Drakes' menu has an array of offerings that appear to be appealing, but what you receive are diner quality plates at fine dining prices. Below are what we ordered as well as the extra charges that we found on our check without warnings. Brunch Burger ($25) with side of tater tots ($3.50) - Z said that this burger was good, but...the burger and sandwiches don't automatically come with a free side of fries or something? To add a choice of side is an additional $3.50! Seriously?! For an à la carte burger, the price is hefty! A side of ranch was another $1. A little heads-up on such an extra charge is always nice instead of just finding out when you see it on your check. The latter was what happened to us. Chicken and Waffles ($26) - V was initially interested in this plate until he saw the price which he found to be too expensive. Mom enjoyed this breakfast plate at her previous visit. She was extremely disappointed by it this time. I didn't see any justification for the high price of this plate. Red Velvet Pancakes ($15 for full order) with Bananas ($2.50), Strawberries ($2.50) and Chocolate Chips ($2.50) - Pretty presentation, but V found this sweet breakfast to be just ok, nothing special. He had seen on yelp photos of the same pancakes with much more whipped cream, so he asked for more. For the extra measly dollop of whipped cream, we were charged $2. Again, no heads-up by our waiter. A very ridiculous charge that just made Drakes look SUPER cheap. "Old County's" Country Fried Steak ($28) - This was my order. I always order country fried steak at breakfast joints. Drakes' version lacked the crisp that I like and the sausage gravy was underwhelming. The country potatoes were also bland and so over cooked with some burnt pieces that they were hard to chew. I had to send the potatoes back, replacing them with tater tots which were piping hot, perfectly golden and crispy. Interestingly, our server told us that the country potatoes were house-made and the tater tots were store bought, frozen in a bag. The boys and I didn't order any beverages. Perhaps it was for the best that we stuck to iced water because Mom's coffee was lukewarm. She had to have her cup microwaved, but, really, the kitchen should have brewed a fresh, new cup for her...but Drakes would have probably charged for that, too. Nickel-and-diming aside, service was patient and friendly, just not forthcoming, unfortunately. I was delighted to see a German Shepherd sitting in the half booth table area, so kudos to Drakes for being dog-friendly, especially indoors. We were so turned off by Drakes that we decided that we will not return. read more

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This place is gorgeous! High ceilings, ample natural sunlight, historical building. Really nice and open and comfortable ambience. We came for brunch and had the Beef corn hash and Chilaquiles - both very good. Hubby said the corned beef is the best he's had!! We had drip coffee - wasn't sure if they did refills so I had to ask (no one willingly tipped it up) - yes they do. Look forward to trying their other dishes!! Updated: so it seems that I may have been served caffeinated coffee instead of decaf as requested as part of my refill. I could not sleep at all last night (I haven't drunk caffeinated coffee for several years)... just a note to the service staff to please be mindful of this! This is coming from a 40 week pregnant woman who is extremely sleep deprived the day after... honest mistake I'm sure, but just a note on attention to detail for the service staff, thank you! read more

Drakes - Chilaquiles - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Great service and yummy food! The host was friendly and seated us quickly. The wait staff seem to have fun together while working and promote a positive atmosphere. The interior design is aesthetic with the brick and lots of windows. The table has a lot of things on it overall- the potted plant feels too big on the two-person table imo. The food was delicious. We ordered the California benedict and smoked salmon benedict. Everything was great but the tater tots were the best we'd ever had. Perfectly cooked with a crispy outside and tender mealy inside. Would definitely return. read more

Drakes - California Benedict - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

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I have always had my eye on this restaurant and finally I got to try it They have street parking easy and convenient The staff was very nice and welcoming I loved the high ceiling and open seats with a bar seating option The food was tasty we ordered the crab Benedict loco Moko, and an omelette with tater tots Over all 5 star I can't wait to come back read more

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I'm always looking for a good brunch place. The perk with Drakes is that they offer it everyday, but just weekends! There is lots of street parking available. The Caltrain lot is across the street for parking too. The restaurant had different seating styles. They had couches, tables, bar seating and seating upstairs too. There are lots of food options available too. The dish sizes are plentiful so you can share if you're not too hungry. We got a shareable board to start. We got the Biscuits Bacon Butter Board. The biscuits were large enough to split amongst 4-5 people if you just want a small bite. The biscuits were nice and fluffy. The bacon, butter, and jam were great accompaniments. Our table got a variety of dishes like classic Benedicts, breakfast burrito, chilaquiles, and breakfast sandwich. The dishes came with a side of choice of potatoes or fruit. The potatoes were great, but got to be a lot with all of the dishes. Everything was great. The waitstaff was friendly and accommodating. We'll be back. read more

The fam enjoyed a quick dinner here before heading to the airport to go back home. Some of the highlights were the coconut shrimp tacos, the tomato bisque with the most amazing grilled cheese and the French onion soup. We also got the Drake's platter which comes with grilled tenderloin on arugula, with garlic, onions, tomatoes and peppers. I thought the tenderloin was just ok. We also got a couple of cocktails. The blood orange margarita was pretty good. Service was fast and attentive. The ambience is nice too. If you come here, get the grilled cheese. Amazing! read more

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I came for Sunday brunch with a friend, and we had a nice meal. I ordered a caramel latte and the corn beef hash, which were both delicious. Good service. We also ordered one of their cinnamon rolls to go. Lots of natural night when sitting downstairs. Cute decor. read more

Went on a Saturday with a girlfriend and we were there from 12 - 3! We originally chose it for the bottomless mimosa ($25 for one hour - which was a little more than expected for only one hour). However Francisco was such a great bartender / server we ended up staying. We ordered Bloody Marys to start. Francisco let me taste their mix as I didn't want something too spicy. He ended up making mine not too spicy and my friend's spicy as she requested. We ordered chilaquiles and bacon Benedict's. Both dishes were amazing. Tasty. Well cooked and generous portions. The tater tots were spot on as I liked them. After eating we did end up getting the bottomless mimosa. The great thing is that you could choose one of five juices or even mix them. It was fun to try the different juices every time they refilled your glass! The atmosphere and the decor is pretty fun. I'd love to get the sofa section as some point. They have an upstairs but I wanted to be downstairs in the sunny lit up area! Would love to go again for my next brunch. read more

Drakes - Bloody Mary with celery. Lemon. Olive. Tomato and Bacon - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

Ambiance - loved how bright everything was and some of the tables surrounded the bar/drinks prep area, so it felt very lively Service - prompt service, very easy to make reservations through Yelp. Needed a high chair and they initially seated us in a busy area, but kindly let us move to a more quiet location once we saw another table was available Food - the menu looked very appetizing but was a little disappointed by the portions and value. The waffles from the chicken & waffles lacked flavor, the wagyu loco moco wasn't as flavorful as I'd expect from wagyu beef, and the cinnamon roll was too dense. We needed something to "cut" the loco moco and chicken and waffles and was surprised that they didn't have any pickles. For these two dishes, something like cole slaw or pickles are needed complements to "cut" the dish --- otherwise it felt very filling and dense. For the price, I expected a bit more. Though, I'm glad to have tried it to explore a new spot in San Carlos. read more

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Came here with my mom for a mother-son lunch. Came here by my mom's recommendation -- first time here! Was seated promptly, service was great. I was excited to see a Cuban sandwich on the menu but was disappointed after eating it because it wasn't anything I expected it to be. No pulled pork, no French roll or Cuban bread, no pickles (subbed for pickled radish??), I also didn't taste any mustard I finished the sandwich because I was hungry, but it left much to be desired. Happy with the fries tho lol. My mom enjoyed her usual chicken and waffles. I left with a cinnamon roll which also could've been better. Maybe it'd be better if I had it fresh in the restaurant. Might give this restaurant another shot for dinner or choose a different breakfast item next time around. read more

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My wife and I flew into the area on Feb 8, 2026 and walked in around 11 am. The place was not overly busy with plenty of seats at the bar so we sat there after speaking with the hostess. The hostess was very nice and greeted us with a smile. We looked at the menus and asked the bartender which drinks he recommended. He was not too helpful and seemed annoyed. My wife ordered a mimosa and I ordered the blood orange margarita. Unfortunately my drink was too sweet. I asked the bartender if the omelets were big portions and he said yes. So my wife and I decided to split the crab omelet. This again seemed to obviously annoy the bartender. When the omelet arrived I asked the server for some hot sauce. Unfortunately he never returned so asked the second bartender which he gave me. The food was very good, I can't lie. So we decided to order the French Toast and I politely asked the second bartender while he was at the register in front of me. He ignored me and then walked away. My wife asked the other bartender if we had to order from him and he said yes, then walked away from us. At that point, my wife and I were done dealing with the poor service and attitude of those bartenders. I asked for the bill which i immediately got. We paid the bill and told the hostess that the service at the bar was terrible. I worked in the food service before so I m very aware of the business. I am very understanding with delays in service or wait times but it was obvious if you are not a regular customer at Drakes you get pushed aside. The bartenders seem to pay more attention to the young girl at the bar across from us keeping her champagne glass full during our whole stay there. If you want a better place to enjoy brunch go to Town down the street. Unbelievable food and service no matter who you are! read more

If you're looking for a charming brunch spot with a historic aesthetic and incredible comfort food, this is the place! From the moment you step in, you're welcomed by warm and attentive staff who make you feel right at home. The menu offers a great selection of dishes, and while I've tried a few, my most recent favorite was the crab omelet- it was surprisingly fresh and absolutely delicious. The drinks here are also a standout, with unique and creative options that pair perfectly with the meal. One thing to note: weekend brunch can get pretty busy, so I highly recommend making a reservation. Parking is manageable, with a nearby garage if street parking is full. They also offer lunch and dinner, which I have yet to try, but if brunch is any indication, I can't wait to come back! read more

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great food, lots of choices. really nice staff. a bright restaurant with lots of huge windows. read more

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Drakes for the win!! Did an event here and couldn't have been happier. Since the beginning of inquiring about the event, they were very approachable and super easy to coordinate with. Drakes made us feel like family. Would highly recommend to go for food, drinks, or plan an event with them! Food was incredible. I had Classic Benedict, seasonal salad, marg w/Tajin rim! read more

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This was a great place for Sunday brunch. Make reservations as it will fill up. Cool atmosphere with the old building. Nice efficient service, food came quickly. I had the corned beef hash Benedict. It was great. The hash was different from what I expected (prob a little more authentic than the canned type I was expecting). The tater tots though - wow! Super crispy, so I guess they were fried. So good, couldn't stop eating them. My only complaint was that the orange juice wasn't fresh squeezed. Was canned or bottled. Would've been the perfect thing to have fresh squeezed juice! read more

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Ambiance of the interior is cool, it's like being in New Orleans. Dishes: 1) Chilaquiles 2) Side of tater tots Logistics: -free street parking -accepts cc -plenty of indoor seating -full bar available read more

Drakes - Chilaquiles and side of tater tots - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

Our waiter was great but unfortunately the lady who brought out the food either didn't care or didn't understand when we confirmed with her that my pancakes were gluten free. She explicitly said YES they were, so I began to eat them. Our waiter comes out with my actual plate 5 minutes later with my gluten free pancakes. As a person with an allergy I always confirm that my plate was made safely, and this time I was explicitly lied to after confirming multiple times. This is unacceptable in a world where allergies are common, sometimes life threatening. Just want to share for anyone with allergies visiting Drakes to be careful !!!! read more

Great brunch time at Drakes for my first visit. Parking was about two blocks away but on a beautiful day, who cares? As I waited for my friend to arrive, I took the liberty of ordering a virgin bloody Mary. It was delicious! A little peppery with bits of tomatoes, I half slice of bacon, stick of celery and a skewer with a cherry tomato and olive. No alcohol this time due to having to drive a distance afterwards. I couldn't help but look at the dishes that were coming out because the smells and colors of the plates really caught my eye. The chilaquiles are pretty popular and very good according to my friend. It was very generous on the chips and her eggs were cooked perfectly. My corned beef hash was very tender and the tots are out of this world crispy. My over easy eggs were cooked perfectly! Please support this local business. read more

Drakes - Cool vibe! - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

Amazing place!! You need to go here if you don't you are missing out! Staff and everyone is amazing

sunday morning breakfast at drakes little after 9am opening...seated and menu provided...empty and more guests arriving...mornings appear calmer and more relaxed at drakes...3 adults and 3 children...2 kids taking kids classic chicken & waffles, and other taking teddy's breakfast with pancakes...chicken fried hard, but kids enjoying...teddy's having scrambled eggs, tater tots and bacon...basic, but pretty good...adults having more variety with breakfast menu items priced in the $20 plus/minus range...a classic breakfast burrito $18 and adding a side of bacon $3.50 extra...served with a side of sour cream...stuffed with eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, cheese and potatoes...good ratio of all ingredients inside...french toast with berries and powdered sugar looking good...quiche was a hockey puck sized creation with a side salad...overall, a good family friendly restaurant in the morning... read more

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Tried this place for the first time for a brunch for two people on a Saturday. And I have to say- while the quality and freshness of the food was quite good, the portions are *quite* small for the prices, which are definitely significantly higher than your average brunch place. We had the smoked salmon Benedict with side salad instead of the home fries and the vegetarian omelette with the fruit side (at additional cost). And while I understand that both of these brunch dishes are usually on the lighter side compared to omelettes or breakfast hashes, there's no way around it- the portion size is small (see pic). Too bad, because the service was good, and the atmosphere is quite nice. But I left with the inescapable feeling that this place is a bit overpriced. read more

Drakes - Salmon Benedict - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

A ok spot. The place is cute and breakfast looked like the move here. The lunch was fine, but pricey for what it actually was. Items were upwards of $18+ and although it was good, it was just not super elevated. The Caesar wrap lacked a ton of protein and had no distinct flavor and the fries were the battered variety. The sandwich was better with the melty Gruyère. Not the largest piece of chicken, and while buttery, the roll was dense. Side salad was passable. Service was fine and again, the move is brunch here, clearly. Overall, a cute little spot on the main drag. I'd come again! read more

Drakes - Chicken Sandwich - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

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I love the area in which this restaurant is located! Accessible and nice street to walk around. The croque madam was flavorful and filling, I would definitely recommend! The latte was a perfect combination. The service was great, the staff was friendly and welcoming. read more

Drakes - Croque Madame - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

I've been to Drakes a few times, twice for brunch and a couple times for dinner. I will say, it's expensive but I do think the quality of the food is good and you get what you pay for. I do with the cocktail prices were a little bit lower but that's okay, I'll still get a cocktail! Everyone there has always been really nice and they have a great staff. I do like how it's decorated and always feels nice walking in. Their Trivia Tuesdays is fun too! read more

Drakes - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

I've been here a few times, and it's always a great experience--from the food to the attentive staff who regularly check in. We ordered the country fried steak, loco moco, and chilaquiles. All delicious! read more

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We've been to Drakes a number of times and we have always enjoyed it. Recently, we took a party of 14 family members, most from out of town, for lunch and I have to say the service was excellent. It's not always easy to work with a crowd like ours, but our server was friendly, helpful and just a pleasure to work with. The food was good and everybody left very happy. The photos I have below are from our first visit where I had the quiche for breakfast (which was surprisingly good, since who orders quiche when there are so many Mexican options?) Others had the spicy breakfast burrito and the brunch burger, both of which were nicely spiced and delicious. The ambience is great and it's fun to look around at the old photos and how the building looked many years ago. It's definitely one of our go to places when we are visiting our family in San Carlos. read more

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