Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Refuge

    4.1 (2.4k reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Order The Refuge Takeout or Delivery

    The Refuge Photos

    Business Info

    THE REFUGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    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

    Reuben
    Savannah Z.

    A friend mentioned this one to try out and I must say.. you have to try it too! This restaurant is nestled on a quiet street with makes the outdoor seating perfect. We shared the reuban sandwhich and I paired it with the refuge pils beer. The kids shared the chicken nuggets plate with fries. This plate had me licking my fingers after; the sandwich was flavorful, tender, and extra juicy. The Staff was nice and came out at the right time if you know what I mean, you could tell it was a family friendly spot too at least when we came in. Will for sure be back To try more

    Reuben
    Shellaine G.

    Had to try their Reuben sandwich and goofy fries (garlic fries with pastrami)--and it definitely hit the spot. The pastrami was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, layered generously in the sandwich. Every bite was rich and satisfying without feeling too heavy. The garlic fries topped with pastrami were just as good--crispy fries loaded with savory, flavorful meat and just the right amount of garlic. Super indulgent and perfect for sharing (or not). You can tell this is a popular, staple spot--there's a reason people keep coming back. Overall, a solid choice if you're craving something hearty and flavorful. Would come back to try more off the menu.

    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!

    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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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!

    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 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!

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    The pastrami burger is worth the drive! Pastrami is so juicy. Great selections of beers & bread pudding is a delicious if you have room!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 2
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Loi N.
    2
    128
    313

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 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

    8 months ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 6
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of David T.
    95
    61
    14

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 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

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

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

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Adam R.

    Adam R.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric A.
    0
    17
    96

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt L.

    Matt L.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years 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

    3 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

    Page 1 of 62

    The Refuge Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Refuge

    For the Pastrami, do they have other bread options besides Rye?

    Correcting my earlier response - the menu says they are all on rye, I didn't realize. It's definitely not an overpowering rye.

    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 7 Questions

    You might also consider

    Cuban Kitchen

    Cuban Kitchen

    4.4
    (1k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    This place makes me want to visit San Mateo just to eat here!…read more I am currently on a very difficult journey to try everything on the menu, but the problem is I keep wanting to reorder the same staples, especially their famous Cubanos. Everything I've tried has been delicious, and the sauces are seriously amazing. They make their own chimichurri sauce, a super spicy habanero sauce, and a creamy white sauce that somehow makes every bite even better. The fresh juices are also worth trying. You can tell they're actually fresh. This spot is flavorful, memorable, and absolutely worth going out of your way for.

    Went on a hike nearby and found this place for food afterwards…read more It's a small restaurant with some outdoor seating as well, right on El Camino. The place wasn't very busy . They have a variety of options , including salads, bowls, wraps and sandwiches. They also had multiple customizable options for vegetarians or vegans that included impossible patty, broccoli or veggies . I got the Quesawrap with Maduros ( plantains ) and veggies options. It came with a side salad as well. Unfortunately , they made the wrap with some seafood or meat , the 1st time. Luckily ,I checked before eating and notified the staff. They made a new one for me and comped off some amount from the bill. The staff was very friendly. They also have a bunch of interesting sauces . Would try this place again

    Photos
    Delicious food
    Delicious food
    Lechon burrito inside (pico de gallo, ghbbq and cienfuegos sauce, no beans)
    Lechon burrito inside (pico de gallo, ghbbq and cienfuegos sauce, no beans)
    Mint mojito lemonade

    See all

    Mint mojito lemonade
    The Grill House

    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 team
    The team
    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.

    The Refuge - burgers - Updated July 2026

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