I found their dishes were creative and delicious, and the service was wonderful! There are plenty parking spots available on street. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - French baby pancake - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

Love the food, service, and the ambiance of this place! I wish we lived closer to it so we could go more regularly. They have a super inventive menu that is always changing, and never misses! If you're in the area definitely check them out! read more

This is one of our go to date spots. I love how spacious it is and there is indoor and outdoor seating. The food is always good and the staff is wonderful. read more

The ambiance is lovely on a nice warm evening. Interior design and architecture are a great touch for this quiet neighborhood. I love how they reserve the back garden area for drinks and apps if there's a wait. The sparkling wine was delicious. Service was good - decently attentive however it's all high schoolers working here, so don't expect an explanation of wines or dishes. The reason this review is not 4 stars is due to the food. My partner ordered his burger as medium and it came medium rare. The fries were delicious- they tasted like in n out french fries. He had a lovely large tomato on his burger. I ordered the lamb carbonara. I'm not sure why they called this carbonara as there was not a carbonara sauce whatsoever; the dish was more so like a Swedish meatballs and gravy. The noodles were also nothing like carbonara noodles - there were a few undercooked thick, starchy strands of noodles that composed all of the "pasta" for this dish. The meatballs were delish but also undercooked. I liked the variety of mushrooms in the dish, but they threw some raw sliced shiitakes on top, which I thought was strange. The portions are good but the prices are quite decent. We'd like to return to try more dishes, but chef's could use some improvement! read more

ambiance is absolutely unmatched, one of my favorite spots in san carlos (possibly all of the bay) for brunch. the menu options are always so fun and the food is incredible! read more

A friend introduced me to this place a while ago when we lived in the Peninsula and it quickly became one of our favorite places in the Bay. There are a lot of amazing chicken sandwiches in the Bay Area but the one at Johnston's Saltbox is by and far my favorite (which is saying a lot, cause again, there's so many good ones around). We live in Oakland now and it was worth the drive (and the wait). It somehow was better than I remember. They switch it up every so often - today it was Nashville hot chicken with slaw and a lemon mayo. But every iteration is fantastic. Even better than their chicken sandwich is their scones. Probably the best I've ever had. Like the chicken sandwiches they switch them up every so often and some are better than others but they're all good. Got a latte for the first time here too and it was way better than I expected. Everything else we ordered was good to great. My only complaint is with their post-pandemic setup. We got there 10 mins after opening and there was a long line and it was a bit confusing as what to do. Luckily someone came by and explained. But the line moved so slowly. I saw a couple sit down, get their food and leave before I got to the front of the line. There was plenty of open seats. I don't think it was the restaurant's fault (more likely due to the Bay Area phenomenon of waiting in a long line to order food and not thinking about what you want until you're at the front of the line) and I appreciate the commitment to our safety during the pandemic but might be time to rethink the process. I will say by 11:30 there was little to no line. Anyway, go check it out and get the best chicken sandwich some random idiot on Yelp has ever had. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Fried Chicken Sandwich - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

Yasssss delicious fried chicken!!! :D Johnson's Saltbox is a cute little brunch place in San Carlos. This place gets packed super quick, so make sure you arrive early. We got here 10 mins before opening on Sunday and still had to wait about 20 mins to get seated. This place is also pet friendly with lots of dogs and they provide a cute little blanket for customers sitting outside in case it gets chilly, how cute and thoughtful! We got seated and ordered some drinks, the saltbox soda ($4) & saltbox ginger lemonade ($4) - if you like ginger then make sure you try this drink! Both drinks were tasty and very refreshing! We both ordered the fried chicken salad ($15) and it's super yummy and big portions!! Huge piece of tasty chicken with coleslaw and a kick of spice in the sandwich. Tbh this sandwich was huge and a struggle to eat?? Not sure how one can eat without making a mess and having everything fall apart. I ended up dissecting my sandwich and ate the slaw and then the sandwich. It was a struggle but yummy!! Came with a side of delicious fries too! Food is a little pricey, but definitely worth it since huge portions and it's delicious! Overall, service was awesome and staff was super friendly and attentive - they even help you pack your leftovers. The menu isn't very big, but I heard they tend to change the menu to switch up the items. Definitely recommend if you're passing through San Carlos! read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Saltbox Soda & Saltbox Ginger Lemonade - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

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My daughter and I went here in a Sunday while I was visiting the Bay Area. They were super busy so we sat at the counter, and the service, food and atmosphere was great. You could tell that there was pride in working there by watching the employees help each other out, their attitudes towards the customer and each other. We shared the scones with pecan butter and I had the benedict of the day that had lardons, asparagus, fava beans and shallots as a base. Epic! The portions are quite large so if you're not starving you could easily share. read more

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The food the service amazing !! I came in lunch time and was greeted with a warm welcome and seated quickly I looked at the menu couldn't decide because it all sounded so good ! Paco who was our server did an amazing job , he was friendly and attentive, Definitely coming back! read more

Johnston's Saltbox - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

Friends recommended this place for brunch and it was soooooo goooood. Plus': + Dog friendly + Food was terrific. we just ordered a bunch of stuff and shared (don't tell the CDC; ha ha) + Time: the food came out super-duper fast. + Staff: super friendly. Multiple staff came by to check on us. + Parking on the street was easy (for Saturday brunch anyways) Negatives: - None Bottom Line: when we're back in the area, we'll be back. read more

Awesome food and service ! I was most pleasantly surprised. It was a lovely early evening, and tho we were seated inside, the roll up doors were open to the street and it was just gorgeous !! read more

My favorite restaurant on the peninsula so far after living here a year and a half. A must if you want non-city experience. Amazing food, great staff , great value, fantastic staff. Will be an anchor restaurant for us going forward. Was so excited for the food forgot to take pictures till I was halfway done. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

Let's start with the most important item, the food, yes it was great!! The chicken was moist and flavorful and the portion of the salad was satisfying. The dessert, on the other hand, I did not really care for, the ice cream was very bland. Now on to everything else, service, get here early as this place does not offer sit down service. You stand in a line in the middle of the restaurant and you order at the counter, one by one, then they bring your food out to you. Not really a fan of this type of service, and I probably wouldn't bring a date here. For the little service interaction we had, they were friendly and helpful. I asked about a beverage I wanted to try and the cashier stated if I didn't like it, I could exchange it out. Though I probably would not have taken him up on it, it was very nice that he offered. The restaurant itself is pretty small, we sat outside as it was a nice day out, but you will definitely hear all the traffic going by. Overall, it was good food at a reasonable price if your looking for a casual place to dine at! read more

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I spend too much time and money at Saltbox... I have been coming to the saltbox for years and I must say the service is exemplary! Chris is a stabilizing factor in the great service at this establishment; along with all of the staff who seem to always go above and beyond! Along with this great service and food, comes an atmosphere that brings it all together. I cannot recommend saltbox more, I wish they had more stars to give. -Bill PS it's challenging not to lick the plates clean read more

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You can find this gem sitting between the edges of San Carlos and Redwood City. The place is always packed every Saturday during lunch time and they do not take reservations. Waited for 30 plus minutes on this occasion before we were seated. Blueberry pancakes: not the fluffiest I had but pretty decent in terms of texture. Came with a fresh tin cup of blueberry and strawberry compote as well as a serving of maple syrup. The perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Scones: crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. This heavenly app came with an apricot preserve and a square of butter. A must try at Johnston's. Pot de creme: chocolate custard layered with fudge, honey comb, and whipped cream. Though rich and creamy, the dessert itself was a bit too sweet. When you have a phone set up for business, you better PICK UP THE DAMN PHONE! Was put on hold twice for 5+ minutes before hanging up on me. Please use your phone! read more

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We love Johnston's Saltbox... can't believe I haven't left a review! Everything I want in my local spot: cute, warm decor; seasonal, fresh, evolving menu to keep things interesting; great food and drinks that you feel good eating; friendly service; kid and dog friendly while still feeling classy; and great outdoor seating! 5 years in and still our go-to. Wish more places could nail this brief as well, feel lucky to have them in our neighborhood! read more

Hubs been wanting to check this place and since I was off, I went to visit him at work to have lunch with him here. We were so glad we did! It's a cute place and located on a corner street. You can see it was modernly decorated with outdoor seating. Loved that their outdoor seating offered heated lamps and a blanket. The blanket was soft so I used that over my clothes since it was kinda a chilly day. Why call it a Saltbox though? Am I missing something? Based on Yelp and their menu that day, they do not have a consistent menu even the drinks. They have a simple menu with so many to offer. I was fine with that. It shows they specialize their menu of the month or something. It's American food with a flare. My husband chose the Fried Chicken sandwich. His portion of chicken was bigger than the bread. It was tasty! I chose their Steak Sandwich since I like meat. Man oh man, this was a huge portion with a huge portion of seasoned fries. Both were great especially my sandwich (which tasted like a burger). Usually, I like to have cheese on my steak sandwiches but this had mixed greens with mint, cilantro and arugula or greens with red onions and fresh sprouts! I would never think to add sprouts in a sandwich but that was good. It was so delish that I finished it! I didn't mean to but I could not resist! ;) My mimosa was good and strong but I did not really like the ginger lemonade my husband had. It was only ok. They are open only for breakfast and lunch till about 3pm? They should also open for dinner and interested in what they come up with for their entrees. I will definitely be back if I am visiting my husband at work or in the area. [55/100] read more

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Kudos to Saltbox for making the takeout process so flawless! We ordered 4 meals and an app on Saturday evening. The wait was very reasonable at around 30 mins. My husband went to pick up and the food was all ready and packed up - took him less than 10 mins to find the pickup location, pay, and get back to his car! The food was solidly good. I ordered the winter vegetable stroganoff with chicken added. It was creamy, flavorful and hearty! My husband got the adobo fried chicken sandwich, which he said was good, but not as good as the Thai chicken one he'd had before. Our friends had the ribeye burgers, and liked them. Good not great. We also ordered the hush puppies. They were just ok, but the sauce that came with them was really good! I think takeout food is always difficult to make "great" and I think Saltbox did a wonderful job. Certainly the best restaurant takeout we've had this far (besides pizza ofc). I think I ordered the best (highly recommend the winter stroganoff), as hot sandwiches and fries don't always travel well :) We'll definitely be ordering from Saltbox again soon! read more

This is my favourite restaurant in the peninsula! Living in SF for so long, you find and eat the finest food. Since moving to Silicon Valley, it's hard to find great 5 star restaurant along peninsula or South Bay. The food is incredible, the menu changes seasonally and every time I've gone the food never disappoints me. I've been going to Johnston's Saltbox for over 3 years now ( I'm new to Yelp). The staff and service has always been on point. They are very friendly and treat you like family. I've had regular lunch, weekend brunch and dinner services. Every service I've had is great and food delicious! For new first timers going to eat, be patient as this restaurant is very popular due to great food. Usually there's a minimal wait typical of popular places. During the regular lunch service, you queue up and order at counter then are seated. Brunch service is seated first and then order food. My favourite food items on menu is the fried chicken sandwich, burger and the irreconcilable egg breakfast with carnitas. The homemade soda is great and have an amazing wine selection. I've had it all from salads to dinners and truly love all of it! Prices are reasonable and food portions are filling and generous. Ambiance is great, with a nice clean modern, yet home atmosphere. Reminds me of trendy hot West L.A. restaurants! I go to eat there at least one or twice a week! I also love bringing friends there who have never been! read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Nightside tartine - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Nice spot for business lunch. One of the best chicken sandwiches I've ever had. Low maintenance service, but really warm and friendly. This place is bustling at lunchtime so be prepared for a slight wait to order. read more

Service is absolutely amazing everytime I come here. It was cold today so they let me keep warm indoors before they opened. Even though they were not on the clock, the waiter still offered and made me a beautiful cappuccino. I ordered the kale salad with fried chicken, which I devoured. Lunch service is order and pay at register first before finding a seat. The place does get busy, so either arrive early or take a long lunch break. read more

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Place is pretty chill. I'm sure the my have plenty of locals. We came for Sunday brunch and while we waited enjoyed the complimentary coffee and water outside. The wait was about 10 minutes. They do not have a large selection, but it was decent. We ordered the Durango with brisket and scones. They were both really delicious and the meat was not dry. I noticed the tv was taken out. Assuming that is meant to detract customers from staying s long time. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Very creative and delicious food with seasonal ingredients. They also cater to vegetarian options.

They are very nice there. We went there for brunch and had a friend who was vegetarian. They didn't seem to have too many vegetarian entrees. read more

Such a delicious date night. Sean, Chris and the whole team have created a beautiful, adaptive, safe, and gorgeous dining environment. Every sip and bite were memorable. Twinkly eyes and twinkle lights. Warm meals and good wine. Look forward to returning again to try the other seasonal menu items. Glad to have such a gem so close. Every single person who came to our table were so hospitable, kind and seemed genuinely grateful to have us over for dinner. Next time, the fried chicken sandwich and more local food and wine in a beautiful space. read more

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I have lived and worked in San Carlos for over 30 years and in all the restaurants in San Carlos - I can confirm this is where you will still be discriminated against in 2024. My wife and I came here last night to enjoy the warm evening and waited over an hour (estimated 20-25 minutes) while watching 5 tables seated before us. These tables which varied from 2-6 people were obviously friends of the owner and without a doubt, immediately favored over us. Though we don't know the owners personally, we are great friends with various staff members and so we enjoy coming here, either alone or with our group of friends. We do not order lightly and of course tip generously, but because we don't know the owner personally, we got left on the back burner for an 1.15 hours. The first 2 times we spoke up about wait we were "confirmed" 10 more minutes each time. The last time we went directly to the owner and he showed NO remorse, blamed the hostess over and over and then asked her to seat us in the inside back corner of the restaurant. The food is usually great, but the lack of empathy and responsibility on behalf of the owner, makes it an establishment I would never return to. Like I told him upon leaving, there are many other places that are just as delicious where we can spend our money. read more

It was 7:30pm on Saturday when we wanted Johnston's Saltbox. I was pretty sure that this popular establishment wouldn't have a table then, so we did a takeout. I'm always excited to see their seasonal & unique menu items but I went with a rib eye burger which is one of my favorites. I also ordered a dessert item called "a 'pear'fect match. The light sponge, tangy mousse, crunchy brittle, & creamy top were delicious It took exactly 20 minutes for the food to be ready. We walked home to the next block and ate freshly made food just like at the restaurant‼ I hope their hours will extend for the summer. read more

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Yummy meal yesterday, as I've had on the other occasions I've eaten here. And I'm very thankful for their good pandemic precautions-ample outside seating with well-spaced tables, all staff wearing masks, hand sanitizer on all tables. read more

Came here for brunch and it was really lovely. The space is really cute and they're very thoughtful. We came during the fall and sat outside, and they both had the heaters on and I saw some tables had blankets draped on the chairs. I'm not sure if people asked for them or if we didn't get them because we were sitting near a heater, but it was a really sweet gesture. The food selection was really great, and everything sounded so delicious that I wanted to try everything. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich and while the chicken was really great, it is topped with a tomato chutney that's pretty strong. I didn't feel like the chutney was highlighted enough in the menu and personally I wasn't the biggest fan of it, so I would take note that it's not what some people might think of as a traditional fried chicken sandwich. Still, the food was delicious. Overall, nice restaurant with good food at a reasonable price. All of the staff were very warm and friendly, and we had a great experience for brunch. There's a parking lot hidden in the back which I didn't see, but there's ample street parking in the area. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Fried Chicken Sandwich - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

This is the best restaurant in the peninsula. It has the most delicious menu that rotates seasonly. The service is great and the ambiance is perfect. read more

A cool place to grab brunch on a Sunday morning. We arrived around 10:30AM and this place was packed with several groups on the wait list. Our "30 minute" wait turned into nearly 50 minutes for just two individuals. This place is worth only 3 stars in my opinion due to many factors. The seating arrangement does not make sense; we saw groups after us getting seated first. Also, when I went to talk to the hostess (she was nice and tried her best) twice, she checked for tables for us then sat us down the second time I bugged her even though there were a couple of groups ahead of me? I guess you can easily get a table if you expressed your disappointment? People were getting frustrated at the wait though and there were a few open tables... There was complimentary coffee outside on the patio area which I definitely took advantage of. One of the servers gave us water and spilled on the table... walked away without cleaning it up nor apology. Our waitress was friendly though. Fried chicken sandwich $15 - Pretty good, although the chicken tasted a bit dry. It came with a hefty amount of fries and chicken... I barely ate half and packed the rest to go. My friend ordered the hash breakfast plate... she thought it was okay. The food tasted mediocre and the prices were a bit steep. If you wanted to add a drink your meal can easily be worth $30. Service was extremely slow and workers seemed bothered when we asked for help aloud. Would we back here? Nope... the menu selection are limited and too steep for our budget. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Fried chicken sandwich with fries - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

Oh my good this brunch was so good. The fried chicken and French toast is served with the most delicious peach purée, and the prosciutto toast was so much more then I ever imagined. It was so light and fresh, with all the flavors complementing each other amazingly. Johnston's salt box never disappoints. If you're reading this please bring back your take on the huevos rancheros though with the pickled veggies, I've never had one anywhere else like it and now nothing compares. read more

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The ambiance is really nice but the food was disappointing. We got Brussels sprouts and they came out so quick, they must have been pre-cooked and then reheated or something. They were more warm than hot, and the chili powder on top was not a good match for the vegetable's flavors. The wines were so-so though reasonably priced. It's okay for an average meal but the decor makes you think you're getting something fancier. read more

This place has a super beautiful outside environment. I believe their food is formed to table. They have a small menu with great quality assurance. read more

It's fine, definitely a notch above the other brunch places around the area. The menu has a couple of interesting options, everything we tried was good quality. read more

Love this San Carlos location. The food is fabulous and love the cab wine. Get there early, as there can be a line when they first open.

Yummm! I came here for my birthday brunch 2 years ago, and while it was good, I didn't remember it to be a super standout. Probably because I got normal brunch items and well, it's hard to differentiate. However, yesterday I got takeout (bc still covid times), and got the BLT sandwich and wow! It was delicious. The 'bacon' was generous chunks of well flavored fatty pork belly, with heirloom tomatoes, stone fruit, lettuce and a cream cheese type spread. Lots of flavor. A bit messy from the tomatoes, but completely worth it. Also came with a side salad w watermelon and strawberries. I also ordered the avocado carbonara but the sandwich was large enough for me and my husband to share for lunch, so saving the pasta for later. It looked beautiful though! read more

Every thing is so delicious the flavor and the plating is really good and this restaurant is super kid friendly it's so good that if I had a choice I would come every day in fact I could eat this for a lifetime read more

Far from the 'downtown' blocks of San Carlos is this gem of a place, where the atmosphere is cool and comfortable, service is spectacular, and the food beautiful and delicious. From the moment we walked up to the door, and were greeted by the smiling face of a server exiting the door to tend to her outdoor tables, we knew we were going to enjoy our experience. The hostess was just as genuine and offered several options for us to land. We chose the outside covered patio, where they have long wooden high tables and low 2-4 tops along a wooden bench, with heaters above, and blankets at the tables in case you get chilled. Super comfortable and relaxing. Our server introduced himself, and mentioned the specials, another server came by to get our drinks and waters quickly, then another stopped by to ensure our table was adequate. I was able to watch as all of the staff orchestrated their work and made sure that ANY and all tables were being tended to. Our server indicated that he is also sometimes the chef, and he was able to provide great detail regarding the dishes. Even the 'hot' sauces are made in house. And, they are awesome! Many of the greens and such come from the garden that is on the roof! Oh, yeah, and the food... I had the chilaquiles with chorizo added... spectacular balance of flavors made this one of my best chilaquile dishes ever...(from the menu) - guajillo chile- oaxaca cheese sauce, corn tortillas, sunny egg, pico de gallo, whipped crema, cilantro, queso fresco (option: add chorizo) We also enjoyed the duck confit hash with two sunny farm eggs, muscovy duck confit, roasted root vegetables, herbs, prunes, brown butter hollandaise. As with the chilaquiles, the hash was exceptionally well prepared and the balance of flavors perfect. I can't wait to get back here (it's a drive for us) and check out some more dishes they offer. And, for dog lovers, they are definitely dog friendly, and provide water dishes for your fur babies. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Duck confit hash with root vegetables. Fantastic! - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

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My friend recommended this place for its hot cakes and fried chicken! It's located in San Carlos with cute aesthetics inside and out. Street parking is available. Came on a Sunday morning brunch and we had a short wait of about 10 minutes for a table for 4. We were seated inside and given the short menu. The items all looked delicious and can be a bit pricey but typical for a brunch $15-20. I got the green eggs and crab which was the perfect balance of protein and salad for me! My friends also got a hot cake and fried chicken plate to share because we just had to! The hot cakes were made with corn meal so it was like eating a nice crispy chicken on top of a corn muffin. Yum! I heard they change their menu every so often so I would love to try this place again! read more

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