Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Refuge

    4.1 (2.4k reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Order The Refuge Takeout or Delivery

    The Refuge Photos

    Business Info

    THE REFUGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Refuge

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Guy was here
    Kelly K.

    Looking for a good lunch place between SFO and San Jose, The Refuge popped up a lot in my searches so I decided to give it a shot. Service was outstanding. I am a reuben fan, but decided to try one of the cheeesteaks for a change. (Admittedly, I thought the price of the reuben was a bit shocking, which steered me elsewhere on the menu). I really enjoyed the De Arbol Cheesesteak. Too many times a restaurant will "warn" patrons of the spice level only to find the item is not very spicy. I am a fan of spice and the De Arbol delivered. My companion got the OG Cheesesteak and enjoyed it as well. Fries were good, too. Decent beer list. Great experience with the added fun of seeing it was featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, one of my favorite shows.

    Reuben
    Ted C.

    I'm pretty sad this is their only location as I frequented the Hillsdale location, however, Refuge continues to serve some of the best pastrami in the Bay. Big portion Sandwiches and salads with an extensive selection of brews the original location does not disappoint

    Reuben
    William O.

    I have been coming to the Refuge for many years. It has been a favorite of mine since 2013. I have always loved its beer hall ambiance and their corned beef and pastrami. It truly is the best you can find in the Bay Area. I watched the episode of DDD where Guy Fieri came here and learned the process of how they make their pastrami. It's pretty incredible and it shows when you eat it. Their Reuben is my favorite, but I also enjoy several of their other dishes. My friends and I almost always get the Goofy Fries when we come here. They are the best garlic fries covered in cheese sauce and pieces of corned beef. It's consistently amazing. On my most recent visit I had their Reuben which has the best ratio of corned beef, sauerkraut and Russian dressing, plus that delicious rye bread. It does feel pricy for a sandwich, but it's definitely worth it. The pickled onions on the side help to cut all the fatty meat. I was sad to hear that their other locations closed recently. I hope the OG location never closes. It is such a great place!

    Menu 1/2026
    Allena C.

    We've been meaning to try The Refuge and finally visited this past week. Unfortunately, their Menlo Park and San Mateo locations are permanently closed. So I knew I had to try their San Carlos location. I just hope they keep this one open, because it satisfied my pastrami cravings, for sure! It was a nice, sunny day around 12:30 pm on a weekday, with tables still available inside and outside. So we decided to go with an outside table to enjoy the weather. It actually felt like spring on a winter's day in January. I guess all that rain last week gave us some sunshine to enjoy the sandwiches under the sun. Service was efficient, but not memorable. ***OUR PICKS*** THE REUBEN ~ Pastrami, sauerkraut, melted swiss, crazy Russian dressing, and toasted rye. ($26.95). Crispy, buttery toasted rye with maybe 3-4 slices of pastrami. Though I felt the plate looked bare with just a dill pickle and some pickled onions. Maybe it just needed fries to look complete. And it wasn't a huge, piled-high sandwich, but it was tasty nonetheless! 4/5 REFUGE COMBO MEAL ~ HALF pastrami sandwich of your choice (Half Plain, Half Reuben, Half toasted slaw #19, Half 963, Half swiss and mustard), fries, and an ice-cold Lager or Pale Ale (40cl Pour). ($27.95) We chose the lager and half 963 (pastrami, apple slaw, (dijonnaise, fuji apple, jalapeno, red onion, walnuts, and celery), melted American cheese, and toasted rye. We enjoyed this a little more than The Reuben because of the sweet and tart apple slaw, which offset the salty pastrami, giving it balance. It was good, but still pricey for what we got. Fries and beer were standard and nothing worth noting. 4/5 We've been searching for pastrami like Katz in NY and we found The Refuge to be similar. The thing about east coast pastrami, it's not that salty like packaged deli meat from the supermarket. Katz is known to give a lot of that yummy pastrami, however, I love toasted bread! It's so much better than 2 pieces of plain rye, which tends to get smushed down and fall apart while holding your sandwich. It may be the OG way of making a pastrami sandwich, but I feel toasted bread just up the notch 10 fold! If only the pastrami was piled-high on buttery toasted rye, I'd be in heaven!!! This wasn't quite there, but it was a good pastrami sandwich. Just wish it was bigger.

    The 963 on sourdough
    Cathy J.

    I've had The Refuge bookmarked for years and it lived up to the hype. Service was good, portions are huge, pastrami is delicious. What more could you want?? The beer menu is huge if that interests you. They give you enough food that two average people can absolutely share something, especially if you order appetizers. I was unsure about the poutine but I ended up liking it more than the Goofy fries, even though they're both awesome. I appreciated that the server worked with me to put together my sandwich, since I love pastrami but don't like all of the ingredients of a typical Reuben. I wish I lived closer so I could get a sandwich more often!

    Lots of yummy food
    Cat N.

    We got takeout from the refuge and we really enjoyed everything we got from the pretzels, the hamburger, the salads they tilapia burger, the chicken sandwich. The fries were delicious. Everything was packed nicely and accurately great experience. We didn't eat at the restaurant, but it seemed to have a good ambience.

    Poutine! Crispy too!
    Mate R.

    I grew up in NYC. That means I grew up with great Jewish deli food. Especially my dear pastrami & corned beef. The Refuge is my Bay Area go to for something approximating what I once knew. But distinct in its own right. The poutine was on point: crispy, right amount of curds, & gravy. Generous portion. The Reuben was excellent. Big enough. Every ingredient was well crafted. Rich & earthy cured pastrami. The right fat content, which I love. Kraut was acidic, crunchy, & a complement. Cheese was noticeable but also not overwhelming. The dressing added a nice tang. The bread held together, a nice rye, nice scent too. I should have had a cold beer. But wine sufficed, a nice Spanish red. I'll keep coming back. Gotta try the chopped chicken liver. A lot to explore on this menu. Total was $59.50. I'll gladly pay for this quality. A NYC inspiration, but a Bay Area worthy descendent. Until next time.

    Loi N.

    A boutique little cozy restaurant in San Carlos very charming atmosphere with some delicious food n a variety of good beers to boot definitely a place to hit for a delicious Ruben sandwich and an IPA highly recommended

    Pastrami Sandwich
    Onigiri A.

    I am a sucker for pastrami sandwiches everytime I see them on a menu. So when my sister took me to Refuge, I had no idea what I was going to experience. I was completely blown away with the flavor and tenderness of the rich pastrami. I couldn't stop eating it directly out of the sandwich. It allowed me to taste the meat just on its own and it was soooo good. My sister ordered the pastrami burger so I got to taste that and it was also just as amazing and a combo that I've never had before. My mouth is watering just writing this and I can't wait until I'm back down on the peninsula to go and get more of that pastrami. It was quite pricey for a sandwich, I'll be honest, but now I can understand why. The quality and the quantity was really worth that price. It is unlike any other pastrami I've had before and I've had a lot! I'll be back, for sure!

    Reuben
    Rona C.

    Service: great, we were seated quickly with the choice of outside or inside (we chose outside on a beautiful day) Food: we ordered a pastrami sandwich and a burger to share. I really enjoyed the pastrami sandwich, the meat was thick and had lots of flavor even without the sauce. We asked for sauce on the side so that we can really taste the meat. I think everything in the sandwich allowed the pastrami to be the main star of the dish. My partner, on the other hand, wished there was more pizazz to the sandwich. To him, it didn't really pack a punch or hit as hard as other pastrami sandwiches he has tried. He really enjoyed the brie burger. We both wished the brie was a bit more melty in the burger and the burger wasn't as hot as expected. The taste of poutine was good and we enjoyed the brussels sprouts

    Hot Wings
    Michael L.

    The Refuge has some of the best comfort food/pub food available in the Bay Area. The best pastrami in Northern California. Sure the prices are premium, but for the quality and portion sizes, it's worth it! I got quite a few items to try: Number 19 Pastrami: 9.5/10 Goofy Fries: 9.6/10 Pastrami Burger 9.3/10 Wings: 8.5/10 Champ Cheesesteak: 8.9/10 The ambiance, decor, and vibe is great for eating comfort food and casual dining. Service is top notch and they are very nice. The Refuge will be a regular spot for me to stop by and eat delicious comfort food.

    My go to - Kwok. Comes in a cool glass
    Amitaabh M.

    Pastrami, Pastrami, and did I say Pastrami. I would still rate the Pastrami best in the area. The sandwiches are great and they have a decent rotating beer selection. Been coming here for a while now - ever since they opened on Laurel. TBH - have not tried any of their other locations as this is so close to home. I think they have one in Menlo and had opened one in Hillsdale (but not sure if it's still there). Great for lunch or dinner (where you can consume a few more beers) Taking off a star for two things - the prices have gone up a lot for the Pastrami sandwiches, and I feel they are carrying fewer of the Belgian beers that they originally started with. I am not a big west coast IPA fan - still prefer the old school European style beers. Please bring the broader selection back Service is always fast and friendly, and they maintain that home town vibe at this particular location, with an interior that matches.

    Pastrami Burger
    Rebecca R.

    So we came here because a friend referred us to this place as their go to place for pastrami. Let me tell yall: this place should be known for so much more than just their pastrami!! It's so good and we did try a variety of different items on the menu but in my opinion all of them were just as good as the pastrami so don't feel locked into that specific dish!! For example I tried the Tilapia sandwich and it was great!! With that, the food, vibes and overall environment was super yummy and the service was just as great ! I think this is a go to spot for every now and then ( please note: it can get pretty pricey but if you're able too I say rock it)

    See all

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 days ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Loi N.
    2
    126
    312

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Michael L.
    1623
    1188
    5331

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 2
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David T.
    95
    61
    14

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 6
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S S.
    3
    53
    0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric A.
    0
    11
    63

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Very good food, very good service, no refills on the lemonade!! I would go back again but the refills on lemonade need to happen!!!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 61

    The Refuge Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Refuge

    Wine isn't really their thing, beer is. But beer isn't my thing, wine is! Can I bring a bottle or two? What is the corkage fee?

    Is a Reuben really $30?

    No, it is $22.45 and I drive a hour drive each way for it.

    Are dogs really not allowed?

    There is plenty of seating outside with nice heaters. I saw quite a few tables with dogs there - no problems at all.

    Do they have a kids menu?

    Yeah, it's got stuff like a hot dog, max & cheese, etc. The other food is pretty kid-friendly too.

    Does this place have halal options?

    Hi. Sorry I believe they do not.

    View All 6 Questions

    You might also consider

    Johnston's Saltbox - fried chicken sandwich

    Johnston's Saltbox

    4.2(1.1k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Nice, clean restaurant with attentive staff, and we even had a friendly chat with the owner. We…read morewere seated right away for outdoor brunch, and our food arrived all in under 20 minutes. I ordered the breakfast hash with drip coffee, which was very hearty and delicious. The potato pureé in the dish tasted great and cut the saltiness from the pork. The poached egg was slightly overcooked but I didn't mind because the sauce really won me over. Prices are slightly higher than typical brunch spots, but the portions are generous and worth it.

    this was a great place for a family dinner. i came here just after opening on a saturday evening…read morewith my husband, cousin + husband, and aunt. johnston's doesn't take reservations, first come first served, so we had no trouble getting a table for (5), esp since it was so early on. we ordered a few starters to share: +picnic quesadilla: this was a fascinating new concept that i'd never heard of...various cheese, spinach, squash, basil and strawberries! all in a grilled tortilla. this was surprisingly very good and i loved all the fresh produce inside each piece. +crispy brussels sprouts: roasted and seasoned to perfection in lemon and old bay spice. i love me a good crisp, brussel sprout! i honestly could have eaten this myself, and had the entire thing for my main, but alas we gotta share! +soup of the day: a velvety cauliflower, fennel soup topped with wild mushrooms with a side of toasted sourdough bread. this was sooo good, perfect for the cool rainy day that it was and just so savorily delish! for my main, i chose the chef's fish dish, pan seared barramundi, complemented with tomato, black lentils, spinach and artichoke, and haricot vert (french green beans). the fish was soft and buttery tender, and i loved all the veggies that supplemented this dish. there were a lot of little black lentils to add a chewy textural punch to this dish. service was excellent, and prompt, without feeling rushed, despite the long line of customers waiting for a table towards the end of our meal. i enjoyed this dining experience very much and look forward to returning, perhaps even for brunch the next time since my cousin raved about their brunch menu! parking tips: park on the street! free 2 hour parking.

    Photos
    Johnston's Saltbox - Interior

    Interior

    Johnston's Saltbox - Salmon caviar toast

    Salmon caviar toast

    Johnston's Saltbox - Kale salad

    See all

    Kale salad

    Fieldwork Brewing Company - West Coast Slang IPA and Pepperoni Pizza.

    Fieldwork Brewing Company

    3.9(671 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    First I have to say, I love that I can bring my dog and that the staff is always kind about it too…read more The few times Ive gone they are so courteous and bring her a bowl of water. I'm not a big beer drinker as opposed to my niece and friends, but I do like the blackberry parfait fruited sour ale. It's not really sour. Especially in comparison to the aloha vibes sour. I also tried the froze which has peach puree I believe l. It wasn't too bad either. The one day we were there, there happens to be a smash burger vendor and they were very well done. So if you go and they are there, worth a try. There was actually a bunch of ceramic vendors set up along the side as well. Not sure if it was part of the breweries doing, but it was a nice to go take a stroll over and go peek at the goods. Everyone we've encountered here had always been friendly, nothing but good vibes.

    We came to celebrate my brother's birthday, the first of three planned stops. When we went (a few…read moreweeks ago) the kitchen was closed so hummus and snacks were the food options, we did not try them. Great location and had high hopes for my first time here. Server did not really seem to want me to order at the bar instead of through the QR app. I ordered two flights and two single drinks for our party of four and one of the flights was not correct when brought to our table. Regardless we drank through the flights, enjoying the nice weather that day. Went up and purchased a mix and match four-pack on the way out, tipped well despite the so so service. Made our next stops and when we got home later was really disappointed to see the beers I brought home were not the ones I asked for. I know, my bad for not checking before I left, but I was left with the feeling that there was no attention to detail regarding the service we received that day. Two stars because we enjoyed most of the beers we did try.

    Photos
    Fieldwork Brewing Company - Fresh beer in our beer garden

    Fresh beer in our beer garden

    Fieldwork Brewing Company - Beer

    Beer

    Fieldwork Brewing Company - Orchard tables for 75, group-specific ordering table on right-hand side

    See all

    Orchard tables for 75, group-specific ordering table on right-hand side

    TOWN

    TOWN

    4.1(3.5k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    I've been here many a times now and Town never disappoints! I'm a huge fan of their weekday lunch…read moredeal where you can get an appetizer and an entrée, which is such a great way to try multiple items on the menu at a really reasonable price. This last visit, we shared a few appetizers including the cheesy garlic bread, brussels sprouts, and crispy potatoes. Everything was super delicious and came with amazing sauces that complemented each dish really well. The potatoes especially stood out to me, they had a lot of garlic, which I love, but it wasn't overpowering. The garlic had a nice sweetness to it and paired perfectly with the crispy texture of the potatoes. For my main, I got the steak salad, which had a really nice Asian-inspired twist with ginger and noodles. Another favorite of mine is the Napa cabbage salad. We were also celebrating my birthday, and they brought out a bread pudding cake to share that was absolutely delicious with an amazing sauce on top. Every time I come here, I try to order something new because everything has been consistently great. There's plenty of outdoor seating, which is really nice, and the staff are always attentive and friendly.

    This place is an institution. 5 stars... every time. Whether it's a special occasion or you just…read moredon't feel like cooking, Town has you covered. Feeling like a steak but your girl wants sushi... go to Town. Desperate for a juicy burger, but she wants something classier, TOWN. Trying to just chill for the night? TOWN! Wake up in the morning feeling like a boozy brunch??? You guessed it, TOWN. I've had everything on this damn menu and the food never disappoints. The burger is top notch and at $21, a bargain compared to most other sit-downs. The Mary's Chicken can feed 2 and comes with any sides you want... load it up. The steaks are fantastic, though I save those for a special occasion or when i'm with my GF and we can split a bit ribeye (chef cut) and some apps. Finally, the service. They have a cadre of people to keep this place going. Great bartenders that know how to mix up every drink under the sun, nice hosts that greet you and give you accurate wait times, and servers that never forget about you (btw, Walter is the best. He always remembers you if you're a regular, and even if you're not, he'll treat you like one).

    Photos
    TOWN - Pint Barrel Manhattan

    Pint Barrel Manhattan

    TOWN - Grilled cheese with a baby tomato soup for dipping. Part of the happy hour menu!

    Grilled cheese with a baby tomato soup for dipping. Part of the happy hour menu!

    TOWN - Caesar salad

    See all

    Caesar salad

    Marvin Gardens - Ceviche

    Marvin Gardens

    3.4(234 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Funky dive bar, just the way I like them! Good beer selection, and a nice little patio in front…read more (There's one in the back as well, but I didn't look at it, because there was a private party going on back there.). Anna (Ana?) was my beertender, and she was warm and friendly, and made the experience that much better. Highly recommended!!!

    We attended Stand-Up@The Garden, a free comedy show taking place at this bar and restaurant over…read morethe weekend. The venue was casual and inviting. There's some outdoor seating in the front (not being used this past Saturday in October) and a bar and pool table inside. The event was set up in the back patio, which is covered and feels like an indoor space, with lights, plant decor, large screen TV's, ample seating, and a plain stage at the corner. We ordered food and drinks at the bar. The dogfish head 60 minute IPA and lemon drop were pretty good. Our food was served to us at our table out back by friendly staff. The ceviche was a sizable tapa, with a nice citrusy mix of fresh veggies and shrimp and a generous amount of tortilla chips. The churros & chocolate came with 5 pieces, crisp and airy and delicious though a bit heavy on the powdered brown sugar. The show, hosted by Emon Dismore, was what would be expected of free stand-up comedy, my favorite comic in the lineup being Xzavier Bronson. Nothing that blew us away, but we appreciated the carefree atmosphere where we were able to enjoy a few laughs throughout the evening.

    Photos
    Marvin Gardens - Stand-Up@The Garden

    Stand-Up@The Garden

    Marvin Gardens - Churros & chocolate

    Churros & chocolate

    Marvin Gardens - Churros & chocolate

    See all

    Churros & chocolate

    The Grill House - Second logo

    The Grill House

    4.0(440 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Long wait time…read more 3/22/25 I came here for lunch with a group of 10. We sat outside on the patio since I brought my dog Coco. The grillhouse is located in a plaza off Redwood Shores Parkway. Parking was very easy to find. Here's what I got: GH shrimp po boy with seasoned fries I will say that it did take a while for everyone to decide on what to order since they were 10 of us. And I think because since we were a bigger party, our food took 30 minutes to come out. I think my sandwich overall was just OK. The bread was kind of hard and the shrimp could have been seasoned better. The seasoned fries were the star of the plate. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing that day, but I'm willing to give them another try.

    Had an event in Redwood Shores and saw The Grilled House which I had to try. Saw the great reviews…read moreit had and was known for burgers which is one of the best in the Bay Area. Upon walking in there was private event going on, so I had to sit outside which was ok. I was very hungry so I ordered the Hickory Burger and the grilled buffalo wings after a recommendation made by the waitress. Hickory Burger: Surprised it was small and very disappointing. The bacon was overcooked and dry which I should have taken a picture of. The bun used was a sesame seed bun and made a mess every time I grabbed the burger from the seeds on the bun. The burger comes with bbq sauce on it but I chose to add it on the side. The seasoned fries sounded great but was really salty and was one of the worst fries I've had in a while. I had ranch dipping sauce so I dipped there many times to combat the over power seasoning. It did the job to fill my stomach, but I wasn't satisfied. Overall I don't know if this is place I'd go out of my way to come to again.

    Photos
    The Grill House
    The Grill House - The team

    The team

    The Grill House - Grilled Chicken Wings | House buffalo sauce, bleu cheese crudités slaw and a Lagunitas Pils.

    See all

    Grilled Chicken Wings | House buffalo sauce, bleu cheese crudités slaw and a Lagunitas Pils.

    Paul Martin's American Grill

    Paul Martin's American Grill

    3.4(1.5k reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$$

    M has a good offering and good food. A bit of fusion style…read more Good choices for a vegan or a carnivore. The atmosphere is pleasant. It has a steak house vibe. Service was good and quick Yelp Grading This is my rating system to help you gauge my rating. I feel it is a dis-service to over-inflate ratings. I don't want you to be disappointed with your experience. Ratings are based upon the kind of business and expectations. A business will be rated in consideration of its intended clients. A To-Go shop or hole-in-the-wall will be compared to similar businesses and rated thus. Anything under three stars is not worth mentioning. Meh. *** stars - Good overall. Some aspects are above the notch: food, service, and/or ambiance. Worth your time. **** Stars - Exceptional, short of perfect. ***** Stars - Perfect in all aspects. Food/Product Quality, Service, and Ambiance

    Restaurant opens at 11:30. We had a reservation at 12. I went to use the restroom right away and…read moreone of the stalls was clogged with feces. Gross, no one bothered to clean the bathroom before they opened? Food was disappointing despite high prices. Calamari was soggy. -Seafood omelette (crab + shrimp) was salty with barely any lobster in it. Potatoes were flavorless. -Cucumbers in Asian chicken noodle salad was bitter and the chicken was dry. -Seafood tacos were mostly topped with vegetables like onions and tomatoes. No one in my table had anything good to say about their dishes. Service was slow. Waitress also didn't refill our water until we were done eating meaning she didn't check in with our table throughout the meal.

    Photos
    Paul Martin's American Grill - Prime Rib with mashed potatoes

    Prime Rib with mashed potatoes

    Paul Martin's American Grill
    Paul Martin's American Grill - Local Pan-Seared Sea Bass with creamed corn and prosciutto

    See all

    Local Pan-Seared Sea Bass with creamed corn and prosciutto

    The Refuge - burgers - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...