This is a really cool, laid back place! It was my first time there and I think you are supposed to wait in line to order and then find a seat. I was by myself and I spotted an open seat at the bar so I made a break for it! Sat at the bar and ordered an unusual blend from the wine list. I think it was a Merlot blend, and it was fabulous! It went really well with Burger which I had not intended to get but the couple next to me both ordered it and I figured I better not miss out on something I know nothing about. It was an impulse which. I will not regret! read more

A hidden gem in San Carlos! It's a beautiful, modern brunch spot - like something I would find in SF. For anyone who wants an aesthetically pleasing restaurant with delicious food, this is the place to go. There is indoor, outdoor, and bar seating. The outdoor patio seating area is surrounded by vines and has electric heaters. The wait can get pretty long, but there's free coffee to sip on! The menu is seasonal. So far I have tried the Bacon Hash and the Gingerbread French Toast. BACON HASH 3.5/5 - Thick pieces of bacon with potatoes and other seasonal vegetables (I think I had it with peppers, squash, spinach) topped with two poached eggs. It tasted very .. healthy. Not a bad thing, but I'm not a huge fan of peppers :'D The poached eggs were perfect when I had it. GINGERBREAD SPICED FRENCH TOAST 4/5 If you have a sweet tooth, this is the dish for you. The french toast was fluffy and topped with crushed gingerbread cookies, with a side of crème fraîche and apple cider syrup. Service was great! The hostess was friendly and the servers gave us just the right amount of attention. Overall, Johnson's Saltbox is definitely worth a trip if you're in the Peninsula! I would go back. It's so hard to find a cute brunch spot after moving out of the city, so I'm glad I found this. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Gingerbread Spiced French Toast - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Johnston's Saltbox won me over in the first two minutes of arriving. I went on a very nice Sunday morning, and was told there would be about a 30 minute wait for two people, but there is free coffee out back. A 30 minute wait is nothing for a decent place! The inside is very cute, with tables set up and a bar for people to eat at. All of the doors in the front of the building open up for people to easily eat outside on the porch. The backyard is even cuter, with trees and greenery everywhere and high tables to sit at. There is also a standing bar in the backyard for people to relax and drink coffee by. After actually getting seated within 10 minutes (amazing!), we ordered a Lemon Shandy (half beer and half lemonade). It was so refreshing, not too sweet, and perfect for a warm day. I got the smoked trout tartine, which had trout and egg and veggies piled high. My boyfriend got the frittata, which looked delicious. Lots of food, but not a greasy, salty brunch that leaves you feeling like you need a nap after. I am so excited to go back! read more

Johnston's Saltbox - French toast and irreconcilable eggs! - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

Did a Saturday night pickup. Was nervous, as weekend pickups have been hit or miss lately. I get it, everyone is slammed right now, but still, was expecting it not to be ready and have to wait. Food was ready and I was in and out quick. We got a burger and the chicken sandwich. Both were tasty and cooked to what we requested. Chicken was a tad spicy, but still very good. read more

How does a restaurant take a nose dive from 4 stars to 1? It's easy when the owner simply doesn't seem to care about his customers. Though I looked past an unfriendly demeanor on two prior visits due to good food and friendly staff, our recent visit was too much. My family walked over to have dinner at opening time (5:30). One child in our group started to feel some aches and had to slow down. So, I stayed back with him and asked the others to go ahead. When they arrived, the owner told them he would seat us at a table for 4 as soon as the rest of the party arrived. Strike one. Most restaurants are gracious enough to seat those who arrive first especially if other members are close behind. Most restaurants also make an effort to offer something (a drink) to those who arrive first in the party. Most restaurants are also customer savvy enough to offer reservations, but not this place. Well 5 minutes later, I show up with my son and and our entire family approaches the owner for a table. His response is a very cool "you have a 45 minute wait." Strike two. We looked around and noticed empty tables for 2 next to each other and figured they could be moved together. In fact, the last time we ate there, two of those tables were moved together to accommodate us... but not this time. Strike three. No apologies. No effort to make things right. Just a dismissive comment to wait 45 minutes. My take: In a party of 4 with 2 children, we weren't delivering the revenue stream this business is seeking. In my book, if you can't treat people with decency and consideration, you shouldn't own or work in a service industry. read more

We went for a ladies lunch. The service was excellent! They only gave us Stevia, no sugar but other than that, the service was very good. The outdoor seating was very nice. Two hooks on the corners to hang purses, which was very thoughtful! Not enough hooks for all us but two more hooks that you will find almost anywhere else . The salads were very fresh but nothing I can't make at home, so ordinary and disappointing. Their mushroom pasta was amazing. Soup was okay. Food was a bit of letdown. We went for lunch on Friday 21 Jan read more

So today at lunch, we are a party of three at 1pm - one person in our party who has an injured knee asks us to place her order while she grabs a table - so two of us remain in line...waiting to place our order, Tall guy in blue shirts is going thru the line asking "how many in your party?" - we say 3 - he sees two of us as we glance at our seated friend - he very rudely says "our policy is to place the order first and then be seated". Seriously? Well our policy is to not stand in line like cattle - so we will be spending our money eating at a place where we are not treated like cattle and it won't be here. So I hope you shut your trap, Mr Table Nazi, about your ridiculous policy. This is no way to talk to paying customers. About the food on this visit - meh. We spent over $75 for lunch and they ran out of the butternut squash soup with Verne fraiche but could not be bothered to update the list. Substitution was a sorry excuse of a soup with watery tomatoes pieces of soggy kale and a whole lotta bland - don't waste your $$$. The ugly way we were treated definitely left an ugly taste in our experience. Please don't encourage this type of abuse. We deserve better. read more

Wonderful brunch experience here. This place seems to be the new brunch spot in town. I came here on a Saturday around noon, and the place was packed. My friend and I waited around 20 minutes before being seated, which wasn't bad considering the huge crowd. This restaurant has a very bougie and hip ambiance. Everything is well decorated and super instagrammable. You can tell the restaurant definitely put a lot of thought and effort into every aspect of the brunch experience and even paid attention to the small details (like pretty wall decorations). The only thing is that the wait could've potentially been longer due to everyone instagramming their food. Also, I saw that they had an outdoor seating area that looked nice too. But it was too cold when I went to actually utilize the nice outdoor area. Service was nice and the waitress was patient with all of our questions. We ended up ordering the bacon hash and smoked trout tartine and the scones. Everything was delicious. I'd particularly recommend the bacon hash. It comes with two poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. It tastes delicious when you mix the egg yolk and sauce with the potatoes. Also, the bacon in the dish are actual chunks of bacon. Good portion sizes, although a little pricey. Overall, I liked the brunch experience. I would love to come back and sit outside next time on a nicer day! read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Bacon hash and smoked trout tartine - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Fantastic food, wonderful casual ambiance, great team and ownership. HIGHLY ADVISE.

We came at 10 AM on a Saturday and forgot to write our name on the waitlist for seating inside. However, there was no wait for outside seating, so once our party arrived we chose to sit outside. There were heat lamps and blankets, which did the job of keeping us warm. My sister and I shared the bacon hash and croissant with yuzu curd. The bacon hash was quite good with thick cuts of bacon. The croissant was amazing. The croissant was more dense than other croissants I have had, but it went well with the yuzu-flavored pudding. Service was good; I didn't feel like the servers were every trying to rush us, which is a plus especially at a brunch place. The restrooms were clean. read more

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

Great location, delicious food, generously poured drinks and the most adorable outdoor space in San Carlos! The server was also especially sweet and accommodating. Highly recommended, especially for a nice dinner for 2 or a night out with the girls. Will definitely be back. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Halibut on a bed of veggies. - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

My rating system is a possible star for: food, drinks, service, ambiance, and "other." Food: +1 star. Soooooo good! My husband had the short rib sandwich and it was absolutely delicious, so much flavor. Lots of spicy and sweet combinations, and the meat was just as tender as can be. As good as it was, we still agreed that my ribeye burger was better. We added bacon and cheddar cheese, but the burger was so tender and juicy that I imagine it would have been amazing even without those optional additions. The fries were exceptional as well. I can't wait to try the food on the dinner menu. Drinks: +1 star. Great beer and wine selection, but be warned it is definitely on the pricey side. Especially considering you aren't in a high-end, romantic setting. Service: +1 star. Interesting set-up. You go up to the counter and order, then take a number and the food/drinks are brought to your table when they're ready. I don't mind not having a server, but it is inconvenient to have to get up and wait in line again if you want to order something else. What it comes down to is that the staff there were knowledgable, polite, and professional. Ambiance: +1 star. Simply adorable. Hipster farm-to-table vibe. Very clean, but looks like more of a cafe than a restaurant. They have seating indoors, on the front patio, and on the back patio. All of which have a lot of charm to offer. Other: +1 star. So many thoughtful touches about this place. There are small blankets available at all of the outside tables. They have reusable straws and lids for kid's cups. They have signs on the tables that ask people to reserve the larger tables for larger groups. They don't take reservations, which makes sense given the fact that it's a smaller space and they don't want to waste space on reservations that often run late or end up cancelling. read more

Best new eats in San Carlos this year, so far. Didnt expect it to be so far south in the town but this end of. Laurel needed a revival. Really cool space, nice patio area, long bar and dining room that opens out to the outside. Split a burger and friend chicken sandwich with a co worker. They got the temp on the burger correctly, and the fry o. The chicken was spot on, despite being messy. The ordering system might be a bit confusing as you create a queue at the bar that blocks the patio entrance, though you get table side service. A bit quirky. We sat on the perimeter of the restaurant with the open windows and enjoyed the nice day with a satisfying meal. 4.3 stars read more

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Uh-amazing. Went to a lunch last Saturday and the food, drinks and service were amazing. Such a kind and wonderful staff! The food was delicious, we will be back! read more

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Nice, modern, quaint, urban spot on the quieter/residential end of Laurel in San Carlos. Very nice addition to the neighborhood and yup, the yuppies are definitely responding. They pack the seating in their small space, and on a Saturday night, every seat was taken. The problem though, from my experience is that with the addition of patio seating, the kitchen may be taking in more than it can handle efficiently. For an appetizer, we split their Rib Eye Burger w/ Cheddar ($16) cuz that's just how I roll mmkay. It is a legit upscale burger and it is more steak-y than burger-y. Kinda wished it was a little more fatty/juicy but the flavor was right. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/johnstons-salt-box-san-carlos?select=oHjXjgcDDNEt409GTJ3mIg#oHjXjgcDDNEt409GTJ3mIg And the thin cut fries were spot on, just enough crisp to keep the integrity of the potato intact. Perfect with a pint of Guiness and they know how to pour one here. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/johnstons-salt-box-san-carlos?select=-DqSVs6bSR4D6lmDqmwnnA#-DqSVs6bSR4D6lmDqmwnnA Chicken and Dumplings is not what it sounds like, here at least. Instead of a rich, sauced dish this was basically a deconstructed chicken caccitore, more bistro style than moms version. A very nicely pan roasted chicken breast with wing joint attached served with a rustic caccitore sauce (tomato/shitake mushroom) and pan fried gnocchi. The chicken was real good and juicy, but maybe could of used a little more crisp, the skin was a little flaccid. The sauce was hearty and nice. The gnocchi was not as supple as I'm used to, so that was a bit of a downer. Overall decent dish. Had this with their Pinot Gris and it went well. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/johnstons-salt-box-san-carlos?select=o2u7kq1YD9DeAaRX_jXSxA#o2u7kq1YD9DeAaRX_jXSxA Tried a bite from a Halibut plate and though it was a generous portion at $26, it was incredibly over cooked. Which is a damn shame for a gorgeous piece of fish. This is where I felt the kitchen may have lost the timing. Quinoa salad was a nice accompaniment with fresh parsley, mint and pomegranate seeds. Wanted to send it back but we were running out of time, so we just dealt with it. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/johnstons-salt-box-san-carlos?select=ZgabKgD9KzklKepAqwDC7Q#ZgabKgD9KzklKepAqwDC7Q Still pretty solid and I'm sure I'll come back and try a few other items. They've been open less than a year, so I'm sure it will only get better. For the most part, I'm a fan. read more

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The architecture, design and decorations of this restaurant are beautiful, but that's where the raves end. I came here with my family and was underwhelmed. Food was way under seasoned, and incorrectly and poorly described on the menu. The wait staff was poorly trained or very inexperienced. Besides our adult entrees, we ordered two kids menu items of spaghetti and meatballs and a macaroni and cheese for our sons. We waited a long time for our food to come and when it did they got my sons order wrong. Gave him chicken nuggets instead of Mac and cheese. They took it back and then one son had his food while the three of us waited awhile for our food. The expediting of entrees from the back of the house to be fired up all at the same time needs work. When they returned with my sons Mac and cheese it was literally spaghetti noodles with butter and cheese. What kind of Mac and cheese is that? And the portion sizes were inconsistent. Spaghetti, which needed salt, was full to the brim and Mac and cheese was filled about 1/4 of the bowl. Both cost me $7.00 each. My vegetable tagine was under seasoned; needed more spices and salt. Husband's flank steak was cut nontraditionally for a flank steak, and menu did not say steak was marinated. Zucchini and potato pancake did not have crisp texture of a latke. Funny they call this place the salt box but there's no salt to add to your food on the tables. A miss on all of our food and service experience. Sorely disappointed. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - This is Mac and Cheese? Also take note at how much food is in the bowl. Hardly a 1/4 of the bowl. - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

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I heard great things about this spots and had to try it out myself when I was in the area. There is meter parking on the street, but most of the parking spaces were taken in the afternoon. The first thing I noticed was how beautifully decorated the inside and outside of the restaurant is. I wish I got outdoor seating, but it was full. Oh well, next time! You order and pay in the front before being seated. The menu is simple, but in this case, it is a good thing because I knew what you wanted easier. I ordered a summer salad that had bacon bits, tomatoes, your average greens, and fried chicken (+$5). The fried chicken was yummy/ flavorful and complimented my salad well. My friend ordered a BLT sandwich and liked it. The staff was very nice, thank you! read more

Johnston's Saltbox - BLT sandwich, summer salad, iced tea, root bear - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

We came here on a Saturday for brunch and the place is clean and modern. We sat outside under the heat lamp and the sun and falling leaves. We shared some scones as well as the pancakes. I also tried the mushroom tartine, fried chicken sandwich, smoked bacon hash, in addition to my breakfast banh mi. Food was good. Service was also good. We came here Saturday night for dinner. The wait for a table of 6 was 45 minutes. We waited outside and had cheese and drinks. Our table was also outside. Service was friendly but it seemed like there was only one waitress for the entire inside dining room. It was cold sitting outside. To start, we had the potato cheddar fritters. They were more like croquettes or fried mash potato balls. We also shared the kale and beet salad. As well as the warm olives. My seabass with risotto was very good. I also tried the braised short rib which was like a stew. For dessert we had a blood orange panna cotta. tart and yummy read more

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A great place for lunch or dinner in the San Carlos area. And if you don't drink, the price of the food is good, especially for the quality of the food. We got chicken sandwiches, a burger, and a salad to share. The portions are awesome, as my coworkers took a good part of their chicken sandwiches home with them, and I couldn't finish the salad along with the burger that I had. The burger was cooked great and was tender (you can choose how well they cook it) and great flavor. Saltbox isn't a very large place but it adds to the ambiance so you don't feel super crowded and cramped. There's also an outdoor seating area that is nicely decorated as well. read more

2.5 stars but rounding down since I really didn't enjoy most of the dishes I had. I'd been meaning to check out Johnston's Salt Box since they opened last year, and finally had the opportunity last month when my coworkers and I went for lunch. They don't take reservations for lunch, and it's first come first serve- you order and pay at the bar, and they bring your food to your table. We got there a little before noon on a Wednesday, and the restaurant was just starting to really fill up. They say 4 is the max/table, but we did see a couple of tables with more than 4 people. We tried: -Early Spring Salad (Gem Lettuce, Arugula, Spinach, Shaved Carrot, Snap Peas, Pickled Onion, Bacon, Parmesan Vinaigrette, Herbed Crouton, $12, http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/johnstons-salt-box-san-carlos?select=v1gP5jIv2VLi1U4JQ_kZ0w#v1gP5jIv2VLi1U4JQ_kZ0w): Ok, but kind of a strange combination of ingredients for a salad. Although they didn't skimp on the bacon, I didn't think this was close to being worth $12. The dressing was a bit too tart for my preference, and I wouldn't order this again. -Fried Chicken Sandwich (Buttermilk Battered Chicken Breast, Hot Sauce, Blue Cheese, Jalapeños, Cilantro, Celery Slaw, Fries, $13, http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/johnstons-salt-box-san-carlos?select=v1gP5jIv2VLi1U4JQ_kZ0w#I0Lar7xYChDU835rmykkDA): Pretty good, but not the most amazing friend chicken I've ever had. However, one of the better dishes I had for lunch. -Ribeye Burger (Melted Onion, Aioli, Lettuce, Tomato, Fries, $14, http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/johnstons-salt-box-san-carlos?select=v1gP5jIv2VLi1U4JQ_kZ0w#fysPn4lVC1neoWagQbwhnQ): Underwhelming- the patty was under seasoned and didn't even have a good sear on it. Definitely very disappointing for the price tag- skip! -Steak Sandwich (Grilled Flank Steak, Ranchero Sauce, Avocado, Refried Beans, Pickled Carrot, Queso Fresco, Chili Aioli, $14, http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/johnstons-salt-box-san-carlos?select=v1gP5jIv2VLi1U4JQ_kZ0w#1Pdd7IEGGpbdqA_2UorTfg): Eh, just ok for me. The steak was on the chewy side, and there were too many ingredients which made the tastes very muddled- skip! Our food came out within 10 minutes, but it took a while for them to take our order (the line moves quite slowly). They are also super strict about only sitting at a 4-top if you have more than 2 people in your party- the table police made sure to check in on that (and wasn't the most polite about it, in my opinion). Overall, the chicken sandwich is the only item I would actually recommend ordering, but all of the dishes are overpriced in my opinion, and I don't plan on coming back. However, they were pretty busy, so they don't need my business! Parking was ok when we got there, and we were able to grab street parking (for free) easily. read more

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Arrived at 11:45am on Friday and the line was already out the door. It took awhile for everyone to order at the counter before being seated, but we eventually got our food a little after noon. The menu is much more condensed and didn't offer all the cool brunch items available on the weekend. I got the fried chicken sandwich and it was good, but nothing special. The ginger lemonade was super refreshing though... read more

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

This review is long overdue. I am obsessed with this place! The food, the ambiance, and the staff are all amazing. I have introduced many of my friends and family to Johnston's and they love it. Every dish I have tried has been so tasty and unique. I also love that they change out their menu often to give you an array of dishes to choose from. I have not yet been here for dinner only lunch and brunch but it is on my to-do list! Not only am I regular coming here at least a few times a month, but now my own Mom comes here with her friends to dine at least every other week, if not more! Johnston's (or as I like to call it- Saltbox) we love you! read more

Have been to Johnston's quite a few times and never been disappointed. The food tastes extremely fresh and the service is excellent. The space is lovely both indoors and outdoors. I highly recommend the fresh scones, they are the best I have tasted in a long time. Their menu keeps changing and we have loved it every time we have visited. The largest group they accommodate is 6 people! read more

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

I really wanted to love Johnston's Saltbox, but all in all, I don't think I'll be going back. Here's a breakdown which should make it clear why I'm conflicted. ;tldr: Scones were the only worthwhile food item. Everything else was bad or meh. Service is slow and disorganized. Overpriced. Food (3/5): The food was very hit or miss for me. We came here for brunch at got a coffee, a shandy, the bacon hash, the eggwich, the cinnamon challah roll and the scones. The scones were out of this world delicious. If I had just eaten those, it would have been 5/5. However, everything else was either "meh" or bad. Bacon hash and challah roll were meh. The flavors were boring and the roll was too dry. The eggwich was inedible. It was SO spicy and SO bland at the same time. Not sure how that's possible, but it just was not good. Service (2/5): Everyone we talked to was very nice, but they were incredibly disorganized and slow. I saw 2 tables before us get the wrong orders. It was impossible to flag anyone down. Our food also took forever to arrive, which would have been fine if coffee, water and everything else had been better attended to.. but it wasn't. Ambiance (4/5): Really adorable restaurant. Whoever decorated this place should decorate my house. I was obsessed. Their outdoor patio is also awesome. Price (1/5): The prices are definitely too high for the quality of their dishes. If the dishes had blown me away or just been at least pretty solid I could handle this price tag (think like $15 - 18 / plate) but most things were bad to mediocre with the exception of the scones. read more

We went here because we had a gift certificate and had heard good things. On the positive side, the staff were very nice and generally attentive, the location was good, and the ambiance was very pleasant. The not so great: 1) ordering: you have to wait in line with no idea why especially when you see open tables. As we got closer, I could see people ordering so I flagged someone down to understand the process. At this price point, I am expecting table service for my meal, not just add ons. 2) pacing: we got the appetizer before our drinks and our main course during our appetizer. Dessert took longer which was normal since we ordered from the table but surprising when how rushed the first part was. 3) food: it was fine but it felt like there was almost one too many ingredients: the pepper on our fruit on the cheese plate or the chocolate inside the tart as well as on top. All in all, will not rush to go back. read more

Today during lunch was my first time having Johnston's. I've been wanting to try this spot out and my team and I decided to dine in. I love how open the place is, the decor was adorable, they have a patio in the back, a roof top I didn't get a chance to check out, and overall I loved the ambiance. It's a family owned restaurant so you see mom, dad and son behind the counter. The mom was behind the register and recommended a delicious Arnold Palmer when the ginger lemonade was too sweet for my taste. You get free refills which is awesome for a $4 delicious and refreshing beverage made from scratch. First thing you do when you step into the restaurant is get in line to order your food. They'll give you a number and the staff will deliver your food if you're dining in. The staff member that delivered our food kept our drinks filled which I really appreciated. He came back several times to check up on our table and made sure everything was in order. He was extremely attentive and diligent. Service needless to say was impeccable. Now let's talk about the amazing fried chicken I just order and had to immediately write a review about. It was a crispy buttermilk chicken breast with hot sauce, blue cheese spread, jalapeño, cilantro, celery slaw, paired with mounds of fries. There was so much food on my plate I couldn't finish my fries. The fried chicken was crisp to perfection and the meat was extremely tender and juicy. The slaw had a nice crunch and the flavors of the ingredients harmonized very well. The fries were crispy just the way I like it. It was the perfect meal and I can see why my coworker ordered the same thing on his second visit. We took our beverages to go and the son was nice enough to top off our drinks. $4 well spent on a refreshing beverage I can enjoy at work now :) Overall, I loved my entire experience here. Food, service, ambiance all exceeded my expectations. The price point is a bit high (average $12-$18) but well worth it for the high quality ingredients and the generous amount of food. I left completely full and satisfied and would love to come back again soon. read more

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

Always fun and the food is wonderful. The brunch menu has great regular dishes and always has something new to try! Yum!!!

The food here is extremely well done. It is pricey and there is always a wait. No reservations. Thus the 4 versus 5 star. Great staff and fresh food replace the little things. read more

My husband and I recently dined here after hearing rave reviews. The atmosphere and the architecture is amazing. The restaurant itself is beautiful. At first glance, this space looks as if it belongs in a hip SF neighborhood. The service is O.K.; not the best, not the worst. It took us a while to get greeted, menus, to get an order in. We also had to ask for water, silverware and flatware... The menu is limited, and from the looks of it, it seems like it changes often--think seasonally, local, quality ingredients. Which earns high points in my book...I like simplicity and seasonal. The food is amazing, and the wine list is great. If this review were based on just the food alone, I would have given Salt Box a 5. We started off with the Tempura Asparagus and homemade Chips. Both were good. I ordered the Kale Salad and my husband ordered the burger. Our meals were delicious. I'll probably be back to see if this was just an off night. I'm sure because it is a new restaurant it has a lot of hiccups to smooth out. read more

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Love the chicken and bacon dish, the beet salad, Brussels, and cheesecake cookie. Had a nice glass of Brut as well and a you guava be kidding me cider! Such a nice back patio! read more

I have to say that I first came here for brunch and it was a total fluke: my girl friend and I were trying to find a brunch place between ikea and Burlingame !!! And we found the salt box... Since then, it's become a love story. If you haven't try it out... Don't go!! Otherwise it will become way too crowded !! ;) More seriously, the salt box has become my favorite place in the peninsula... And my friend will tell you; I'm the ultra picky one! So go there anytime of the week, any time of the day, you won't be disappointed :) Cheers to this beautiful place in the middle of nowhere :) read more

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I used to love coming here and food was amazing. However, since they reopened this February food has been meh and the service is so disorganized. Their board reads stand in line to order and get seated, but there is also a waitlist you need to get on even before that. Wasted an hour on Friday eve trying to dine here. Eventually gave up and went to a nearby winery pizzeria. read more

We heard it was really hard to get into for dinner so my husband and I decided to give lunch a try. We were greeted at the door by the owner. He explained to order first and then grab a table and he gave us estimated wait times too. Great first impression! We ordered at the front counter and got a table number so the servers knew where to deliver the orders. My husband and I ordered a BLTA and Cobb salad to split. I'm not sure the table numbering system works too well. The servers walked around aimlessly a few times trying to figure out where to deliver the food and drinks. It didn't bother us, it was just an observation. The salad and sandwich were great. Very fresh tasting. It's a limited menu and the wait can be long, but we liked the food and ambience enough to try it again. Maybe next time it'll be for brunch. read more

Came here on a whim on a Saturday Night. They don't take reservations but the wait isnt too bad. They have a quaint heated outdoor patio area to hang out and chill while you wait for your table. You can order drinks and they even have blankets tp wrap yourself with in case its a bit chilly for you. When we finally got seated, our server was very attentive and helpful with recommending some favorites. We ended up ordering the turnip soup that was delicious and flavorful. It sounds a lot boring than it tasted. My husband ordered the rib-eye burger and I had the Beef Stroganoff. Both were amazingly good. You can tell the ingredients are fresh and cooked perfectly. The burger was hearty amd the noodles in the stroganoff were light and the beef was so tender. We barely had any room for dessert but couldnt pass up the bread pudding. It put our meal over the top. Overall their service and food was top notch. We will definitely be back to try their other items. read more

Another great lunch in a comfortable, stylish and enjoyable setting. I had the herbed pork sandwich with a salad and it was excellent. My friend had the rib eye burger and ate the entire serving. Great place for lunch in downtown San Carlos, but off the beaten track. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Rib eyed burger with fries (top), and herbed pork on focaccia and salad (bottom). - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

This place is amazing. Best food in San Carlos by far. I love the burger and beet burrata salad. The pastas are always fresh and delicious too. read more

Such a great little spot. Came here with some coworkers ; not the best place of you want to casually meet people up or gather and have a standing invitation since they do not allow you to be seated until your whole party is available... Which can be annoying. They do have tables outside designated as community tables which I am assuming works like an open bar which they also have but it started raining that day so we had to migrate inside and wait for everyone before getting seated. The people there are all very nice and strangely either they work for a modeling agency or the management is keen on their ambiance but every waiter and waitress were all very easy on the eyes and quite gorgeous. Made me rethink ordering my usual obesity inducing meal portions. Great selection of wine and beer on tap though it looks like they have a small capacity for tap, just around four or so at a time. I got their burger and the kids menu fried chicken which were both incredibly tasty. The burger is comparable to Burgers and Brew which is the ultimate comparison for me. Bun was nice and toasted to a nice crisp crunch and the patty was no run of the mill Costco patty and was hand made with perfect fast content to be juicy. Fries are super good too, I had a great time here and it filled up fast for dinner. Will be back soon! read more

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Two of my girlfriends and I stopped by Johnston's Saltbox on a Friday evening to celebrate a birthday. It's a tiny, but cute restaurant. Reservations are not available so be sure to arrive early. They also do not recommend parties larger than 6, so come in small groups. Parking can also be hard to find. Why should you come here? Ambiance. They dim the lights and light a candle at your table. It's perfect for you and a date. Very cozy. For us ladies, we just dig things kinds of things. How's the food? My party of 3 ordered wine, ginger lemonade, the aged gouda cheese plate, the pumpkin tartine, and ribeye burgers. I highly recommend the burger. I asked for medium rare and it was cooked perfectly -- absolutely delicious. The aged gouda cheese plate was also a nice appetizer to share with friends. I personally felt that the tartine was forgettable. It was good, but I was not blown away. Same goes for the ginger lemonade. The ginger was barely there and overall just tasted like normal lemonade. Would I recommend this place? Yes, this place is great for anyone who is seeking a good ambiance for dinner. The ribeye burger was actually one of the cheaper entrees (about $14). There were other options that range $18-$26. Prices are not cheap so I would reserve it for special occasions if you're not looking to splurge. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Aged gouda cheese plate - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

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One of my favorite lunch spots in Redwood City. Great outdoor seating, amazing service, and the food is fanfreaktastic. On both of my visits, I picked up the fried chicken sandwich. One of the best pieces of chicken this southern boy has had in Cali. You must grab a glass of their homemade ginger lemonade. read more

Johnston's Saltbox - Fried chicken sandwich w/o the slaw. - New American Near Me - San Carlos, California

Topline summary: Bougy af brunch joint with boring food. At least on weekends. Ruined brunch forever for me. Mistakenly ordered $70 worth of overpriced, boring, mediocre crowd pleaser food (in description only) to chew on and pass the time. Mac n cheese was lightly dressed in cheesy sauce and topped with crappy Parmesan. $9 worth of mildly flavored creamy pasta. Fried chicken sandwich was slippery af to hold and wasnt easy to eat. The breading came off the whole bird. I felt sorry it had to feel so naked. The coleslaw came with celery. Is that your inventive touch? Don't make me laugh. Bottom half of bread felt soggy when I first grabbed it. Wtf. Carnitas with poached eggs + salsa Verde + polenta. Omg pass on that!! It was $17, +$6 to add on the carnitas. Carnitas is time consuming to make but it's just pork shoulder which is fatty and cheap af. I took one bite and was like nooooope. I took the leftovers home (because I just paid an arm and a leg for it) and repurposed it into a skillet pork hash using my own creativity and fresh produce at home. Overall this dish tasted like something a boring diner would order to feel like they're being adventurous. The beer + bloody Mary mix was aite. But staff behind the counter should keep their hands cleaner than what I saw. Lots of touching money, credit cards on top of mixing drinks. And reaching their big hands into tiny jars for them garnishes and then serving it to my table. Gross. The avocado toast and egg breakfast sandwich didn't look special or yummy. I was in disbelief the whole dining experience, gazing at what other people were ordering. If you're forced to come here, sit without having to wait in line at the counter. And for the love of God, do not order any of the above. Instead, order the blueberry pancakes or scones which looked decent on others' plates. Or better yet, drive over a few blocks to The Town. read more