Oh, let's just say Bread Pudding even a snobby dessert lover like me could drool over. So Good! They make the most magnificent Ruben sandwich, no idea how they get pastrami to be so tender, but thanks! Garlic fries and Brussels sprouts and Gouda Mac and cheese, yes please! A great beer selection, super wait staff and quick service, how can it get any better? read more

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Came in for drinks. Service fast and friendly. Yummy drink options with flights available! Loved the fries. Thanks! read more

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The Refuge is a very modern, clean, and casual pub style eatery at Hillsdale mall. A great outside patio to enjoy the outdoors while eating lunch or dinner, the inside of the restaurant being spacious and well appointed. All lot of classic pub food available on the menu but on this occasion I came to try the Reuben Sandwich that I heard was very good. The price was $26.95 which was a fairly steep price. But how was the Reuben? Excellent. Good sized portion of pastrami, with a solid ratio of sauerkraut, dressing, and Swiss. The bread was toasted and very good quality as well. Along with the sandwich I ordered fries for $6.95. I thought the fries were excellent as well. The service was good and the staff are friendly. Quality of food and service is there but the price may deter some. With tip the total was $43. read more

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My sister & I came here last week to eat at The Refuge. Very inconvenient with parking as it is located at the mall so you won't have any issues with that. We got seated right away, and they gave us a cute little kids menu for my daughter. What we ordered: Reuben sandwich: We shared this one with my sister and I. It's a pretty heavy meal so it's nice to be able to share. The pastrami was delicious! Super flavorful. Cheese quesadillas: We got this for my daughter. She actually ate about half of it. I wish there was veggies in it as it is super plain. Fries: You can't go wrong ordering these on the side. The sauce that came with it were delicious! Overall food was decent, service was good! Would love to come back for something different next time! read more

The Refuge - Rey - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Stopped by The Refuge for dinner and left very impressed with both the food and the service. The menu is extensive, but they're especially known for their signature pastrami dishes. I ordered the Chopped Salad, which came loaded with warm pastrami, lettuce, tomatoes, eggs, avocado, and more. The honey mustard dressing tied everything together perfectly, and the two slices of rye toast on the side were a nice touch. The portion was very generous. My partner went with the Impossible Burger, which had all the fixings he loves--especially avocado, which is often an extra charge at other places. It came with fries that were hot and perfectly crispy. There was also a specialty sandwich on the menu at the time, similar to a Chicago-style Italian beef, served with hot giardiniera peppers, their rich beef gravy, and fries. Everything we ordered was delicious, and we cleared our plates. We'll definitely be coming back to try more of the menu! read more

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Family friendly burger/pub style restaurant tucked in the back corner of Hillsdale mall. I really like that they offered indoor and outdoor seating. Servers were all very nice and food came out quick. They have a huge selection for drinks! Almost overwhelming but I liked trying all new drinks I've never had before. I only got the pulled pork nachos to snack on. I wish they did have other protein options. It wasn't my favorite as it was a bit sour tasting and there was a pool of juices on the bottom of the plate (probably from pork) which made the nachos soggy. The plate was a bit small so it was hard to disperse it around. I would come back to try other items though. read more

The Refuge - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

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The reuben - oh my god, the most expensive sandwich I ever paid for but I crave their pastrami. It really should come with fries or coleslaw at the price BUT the pastrami is incredible. I usually like a salty and tart sauerkraut, it is not too salty or sour. Spinach & Artichoke Dip - The dip is pretty good, lightly seasoned. The chips are a bit thicker but maybe it would break too easily if they have thinner ones. His fish and chips look overdone but he prefers it that way. read more

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Accommodate the six of us with no problem. Service was friendly, with great recommendations (and alternatives) suggested. Love that pastrami! Whether the mustard, or the Reuben - everyone was happy. I also tried the tomato soup, which was very good. Balanced spices and creaminess. There weren't many customers during our early dinner time so we had all the attention. Outside heaters were nice - working well. Definitely will be back. read more

Came here for lunch while visiting family. They recommended the sandwiches and they didn't disappoint. Had the combo with #31, fries, and the Pilsner. Very good and highly recommend. The barbacoa nachos were also very tasty. The location was clean and sitting outside in their patio area was excellent. The staff were wonderful and attentive. The food came out surprisingly quick as well. read more

One of the largest international beer-on-tap menus. Large screen tv's display sports surrounding a huge bar. Servers clad in their logo t shirts are quick, friendly and efficient. Think of this place as the local pub, but clad in glass and wood. We got there after lunch so the place is pretty dead. The menus are extensive with 2 pages of beer and their noted descriptions. The menu offers salads, burgers, sandwiches and fried items. Featured is pastrami in different presentations. We split a #31 Pastrami sandwich on toasted bread with fries. Pastrami was sliced a bit thicker and was flavorful. As a lover of fries, the fries were served in a paper cone and were slightly warm, but not fried to order...so they were stale. Adding insult to injury they were under-seasoned and the granules of iodized salt rolled off the potatoes since the fryer shortening was already absorbed. They were sitting under a warmer light for at least 15-20 minutes. How do we know? Fries were delivered to the table within 3 minutes, and fries take 10-12 minutes to crisp and brown. FYI The place was dead at 3pm on Monday 8/18 so the fry cook/chef fired too many fries previously and was too busy watching TV to either refire or he just plated it up without checking the quality of our meal. Sorry, To share a small but noticeable detail on their cheapest, easiest and most profitable product that they buy frozen in 6/5# case tells me something about the back-of-the-house. Poured beverages were fine as always though. Re: Thanks Adam, I rarely post something this obtuse and really appreciate your thoughtful response. We'll be back. read more

One year later, our family appreciates their changing seasonal menu and addition of new soups/salads. While we miss last year's pumpkin soup, we have to say the clam chowder in a bread bowl is fantastic. 8/10 we wish there was more soup, but for the quality of bread and chowder, we would order it again. Also want to recommend the Taco Salad (new/seasonal item) which is a big hit. Lots to eat here - rice, beef, avocado, romaine, with salsa and cheese plus tortilla strips. Over the summer they had a pozole and chicken soup, which were both good, but not as great as their current offering of chowder, Also - don't sleep on the barbacoa nachos! We love the Refuge and recommend it 100%. read more

My first time here, highly recommended by my companions. I asked them how's the pastrami and they said their specialties are that and cheeseburger. Like comparable to Katz Deli in NY? Maybe. But I ordered the cheeseburger instead. $17.95 for a cheeseburger? Yes it was tender and juicy but I didn't dream about it that night. I could get a cheeseburger with mushrooms at Five Guys cheaper and great flavor. For 3 people, 2 burgers, 1 pastrami burger, fries, beer and ice teas came out to $104. They charged $4 extra to grill my onions. Nothing is cheap anymore. read more

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Who would order a salad at a brewery known for its famous Reuben sandwiches? Well, thanks to my friend, I'm now a believer. We had lunch there yesterday, and as always, I was ready to order my usual--soup and a half Reuben. But my friend swears by their chopped salad and insisted it's her go-to. So, I decided to live a little and give it a shot. And guess what? That salad was phenomenal! I'll absolutely be ordering it again. read more

The Refuge - Chopped Salad - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

Everything about this place makes you want to come back. Convenient location with large indoor and outdoor eating area. I appreciate the plentiful outdoor heaters and the big foldout umbrellas. It was beaming sun and it felt nice n toasty for my first visit here. chill vibes Great beer selection with serious limited editions for the real craft beer aficionados and the NA drinkers alike. The real crown is the food. The Brie burger and Goofy fries were to die for. The meat in the fries was so soft and not fatty or greasy at all. These garlic fries are the real deal. No punches held. The salad that came with the burger was not over drenched in the dressing and they use real cheese and fresh ingredients. I had more to say but I'll end it here and let you find out for yourself. You won't regret it. I know for myself, we'll be back soon! read more

We were starving after a morning of mall errands and decided to come to The Refuge for lunch. I like that it's a family friendly environment with a kids menu. We ordered a kids mac n cheese and kids cheeseburger for the kids while I got a chicken waldorf salad and a poutine, my husband got one of their sandwiches. We were all extremely happy with our food - my salad was hearty yet refreshing and the poutine had a nice smothering of gravy and melted cheese curds. My husband's sandwich was loaded - they definitely did not skimp on the amount of pastrami they gave him. Even my kids, being the picky eaters that they are, scarfed down their food and we left with no leftovers, which is a rare feat. Plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, the outdoors is also pet friendly. read more

Got the Reuben sandwich and salad - Both came with a generous amount of tender and delicious pastrami. It's a pretty chill spot with indoor and patio seating, and lots of alcohol options as well; a little more expensive than your average sandwich spot, but if you're craving pastrami in the peninsula I'm not sure where else does it better read more

The Refuge - Pastrami sandwich! - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

I give the Reuben by the Refuge establishment (whether San Mateo, San Carlos, or the former Mountain View location) a solid 5 out of 5 stars, every time. The flavor profile compliments the pastrami so well, I will always order it over any other food item on the menu. (My family lived off of mouth-watering pastrami sandwiches from NYC delis in the 80s, and this is honestly the closest and the best of what we can get in the Bay! The Pastrami sando on its own somehow doesn't do it for me.) I'm picky about my fries so I skip the fried items here. Besides, I enjoy every morsel of the Reuben I can't think about or fit anything else! I got the Half Soup/Half Reuben and the Coleslaw to share, which I love. The Hibiscus Punch was refreshing and not too sweet ;) I devoured them and was happily full to the brim. Service was courteous and prompt. This Hillsdale location is spacious, gets great natural light, has a lot of indoor and outdoor seating. Convenient to access from the parking structure nearby. There are booths and tables that accommodate smaller and larger parties. I'd definitely come again when I'm in the area. read more

The Refuge - Soup & Sandwich (Reuben) - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

It's a great place for pastrami sandwiches. Thank god we ordered many dishes. The fried chichen and waffles was not good at all. But the other two sandwiches ( Ruben and 31) were delicious. The beers were amazing but expensive too! I give 4 stars because the price is very expensive. We ordered 2 sandwiches, one fried chicken , two beers and an onion ring. The bill came to be near 150 including tax and tip! This is so crazy for sandwiches! read more

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I was in the area for work and decided to grab a quick lunch since it's been a couple years. It was a nice day out, so grabbed a table on their outdoor patio. I've had the pastrami and burgers before, both are good, but I decided to go with their tuna melt. I dunno what it is but whenever I see Tuna melts on the menu, I gotta try it. It's one of the most affordable entrees on the menus and I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was! Good amount of tuna, toasted sourdough bread, and fries. It was definitely enough to make me feel full but not too full. The fries were unseasoned so added table salt and pepper. A little medium well done on the fries but average tasting. Overall, great to see Refuge doing well in this location, it's a solid sit down option at Hillsdale mall and great spot to watch a sports game. read more

The Refuge - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Lunch review. American/Pastrami. Poutine Legendary Canadian street food. French fries with cheese curd and brown gravy. (Add Bacon or Pastrami) Swiss & Mustard Pastrami, swiss, toasted rye and Gulden's mustard Pastrami Burger Beef burger, sliced pastrami, melted swiss, sauerkraut and russian dressing served on a burger bun Onion Rings (San Mateo Only) Served with a side of house-made ranch ++Beer selection +Dog friendly Overall, "as good as it gets." read more

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We stopped by for dinner on our way back from a day trip to Santa Cruz. Since it was a Saturday evening, we wisely made a reservation for our group of five through Open Table. We arrived around 7:30 pm and were promptly seated. Surprisingly, the restaurant was relatively calm for a Saturday, with only a few tables occupied. The beer menu is extensive, and the staff is more than willing to offer samples and provide recommendations based on your preferences. The service was attentive and welcoming. I'm not usually a big fan of pastrami, but I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the Reuben sandwich. It came loaded with pastrami, sauerkraut, melted Swiss, Crazy Russian dressing, and was served on toasted rye. I opted for the Soup & Sandwich combo, which included a comforting cup of Tomato Soup. This restaurant has been recommended to us several times by friends, and I'm so glad we finally got to experience it for ourselves! read more

The Refuge - Soup & Sandwich Combo | cup of tomato soup with half a reuben sandwich alongside pickled onions and a pickle slice - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

First visit, fantastic pastrami sandwich! Pastrami #19 (with toasted slaw) was without a doubt the best pastrami sandwich I've ever had. And considering how rich all the ingredients were it seemed somehow lighter than expected. Beer selection is amazing, and the fries were also a really solid win. Nice location, good service, easy parking in nearby mall lot. Why don't I come here more often? read more

Amazing pastrami sandwich! Thick juicy pieces of pastrami, toasted bread, even the sauerkraut was good and I didn't think I'd be a fan haha! The sandwich was a little pricey but I think it was totally worth the splurge! They also have a wide variety of ciders and beers! Next time I'm going to leave room to try the churros! The restaurant was super spacious and there were plenty of open tables! It's also in the hillsdale mall just for reference! read more

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Love the place and the seating, the service as well ! Lord of option to eat from ! Quick service and yummy food read more

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Service is super fast. We came in on a Saturday night, it was pretty busy, but we were seated right away. Servers were willing to make suggestions. I ordered the champ Philly and my husband ordered the cheeseburger. Food came out quick. Both were delicious and I love the fries here. Their ranch is different, more like a sour cream and onion flavor, but good. There were lots of servers around and they all seemed willing to help. Great spot to eat! read more

The Refuge - Cheese Burger - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Service was awesome! Food was ok. Granted I had the impossible burger which is not their specialty but I don't eat meat. It was an interesting combination of flavors. Friends had fish and chips, a salad with chicken (I don't remember which one) and the Rueben. All agreed that food was ok. read more

The Refuge - Impossible Burger - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

This was my first time eating here and it was good but not great. They are known for their Reuben sandwich and that was definitely tasty but it didn't come with fries which I found odd. I ordered a side of onion rings and they were some of the best onion rings I've had in a long time. We ordered the barbacoa nachos as a starter and those were not very impressive. It felt like they were trying too hard to make the nachos unique and you just don't have to do that with nachos. The nachos didn't come with jalapenos so I ordered some on the side and I was disappointed to see fresh sliced jalapenos as opposed to the pickled ones. Overall I was satisfied but not "wowed". read more

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I used to go here for their Reuben sandwiches and extensive beer list while they were open. Unfortunately I don't write a review when this location was in operation. Their corned beef and Reuben's were some of the best in the Bay Area plus their options for imperial stouts were seldom matched. I'll miss this place and encourage you all to visit the location in San Carlos. read more

I'm not the biggest pastrami fan, but will admit the pastrami sandwiches at the Refuge are pretty good sandwiches! Flavor is great and the meat is tender. I love poutine fries so that's a bonus too! They have churros on the dessert menu that come with a chocolate dip. For a large group those are recommended. read more

The Refuge - Poutine - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Service was up to par and outside patio was a-tractable with the nice weather. Food didn't disappoint after establishment was shared by a food reviewer. read more

The Refuge - Pastrami #19 - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

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We've been to The Refuge twice now and had both satisfactory and great experiences. The first time, we ordered chicken wings, onion rings, and a cheesesteak sandwich. The chicken wings and onion rings were standard, nothing special. And the cheesesteak sandwich was decent with a fair amount of meat, but it could've been much cheesier; the bread was a bit stale and should've been toasted for some crunch. The second time was much better as we got the pastrami house salad, a Rueben sandwich, garlic fries, and a cider. The pastrami house salad was delicious and portions were HUGE. It came with a generous amount of tender, salty and yummy pastrami morsels, a beautiful ripe avocado, hardboiled egg, crunchy and fresh romaine lettuce, tart pickled onions, cheese, and a thick sweet and tangy vinaigrette. The Rueben was also very meaty with a good portion of sauerkraut; it was nice and cheesy and juicy. Rye bread was toasted well. Garlic fries had great garlic flavor, but the texture was off as the fries tasted old/ stale and were overall too oily. The Refuge has a great selection of beer, ciders, and wine. Food menu is extensive as well. If you have the chance to dine during trivia night, you're in for some great entertainment. Service is friendly and food/drinks arrive to the table quickly. There's indoor and outdoor patio seating, the latter being a good option on warm days. And since The Refuge is part of Hillsdale Mall, parking is relatively easy within the private mall parking lot. read more

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Stopped in The Refuge @ Hillsdale Mall for a quick dinner before a holiday boutique. The service was good; server friendly. For being just outside the mall it has a warm, homey feeling inside with dark wood booths, which we sat in. They also have an outdoor area but it was chilly that night. However many people were eating outside. The Reuben Sandwich was packed with meat, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut. Easily shared by two, which we did. I did think the $25 price tag was a bit steep but since we were sharing, it was ok. We also shared an order of Garlic fries and Brussel sprouts with bacon (sautéed in bacon fat) Fries were served hot, tasty and just the right amount of garlic oil. The Brussels sprouts were crisp outside and tender inside but lacked salt and could have used a touch of acidity, perhaps balsamic vinegar drizzle. They have a nice selection of beers and ciders too. Overall a good meal and I was plenty full! read more

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When I crave a pastrami sandwich, this is where we go. The pastrami sandwiches and beer selection are awesome. Location is great and parking is easy. Service is good too. read more

The Refuge - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

The service is great. We shared the Mac and cheese, was just ok. I got the pastrami sandwich, didn't care for it. Loved the meat so I took it out of bread and ate that, the soup was Luke warm and very sweet.. not savory tomato soup. My husband got the double smash burger which he really enjoyed. Very large pieces of hamburger, not thin patty's. Overall this was our second time going and probably won't be back. But the atmosphere is great for drinks and hangout. read more

The Refuge - The draft amber ale beer - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

Good food will cost you! We got all the food as takeout. This place had the perfect pastrami. #19 - excellent presentation good ratio of sauce, Slaw , and pastrami. Toasted perfectly not too soft not too crusty. They included pickled onions. Fried Chicken Sandwich + loaded fries - delicious. Chicken was firm and not overcooked. Bun was awesome. The fries were filling. Couldn't finish. Pastrami Burger- amazing. So good it was gone in the blink of an eye. At the restaurant the team was so fast to get our food out to us. The restaurant is like a sports bar with outdoor seating as well. They will let you bring your dog to dine with as well. The bad. These 3 meals after tip cost $95+. read more

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6/25/23 Zach was craving burgers so we decided to check out The Refuge and I had been meaning to check this place out. The Refuge is located at the Hillsdale Mall so that's where we parked. There's outdoor and indoor seating, so we could have brought Coco with us. We were greeted by the hostess and was seating right away. Here's what we got: - Onions rings (to share) - Hot wings (mostly for Zach, but I was peer pressured to eat one lol) - Spicy fried chicken sandwich (mine) - Brie burger (his) The onion rings came out first. They smelled great, were golden, crispy and breaded fairly well. The hot wings came next and they were hot (temperature-wise) and spicy. I only had one and Zach ate the rest. The burgers came out in about 15 minutes. The fries were good; soft inside with a nice crisp on the outside. The chicken sandwich itself was not dry with a nice crunch on the outside, but it wasn't amazing. It was a little spicy, but not too bad. Zach agreed that the fries were good, but that the burger was just okay. I thought the burgers were mediocre, nothing special. Also, this is the type of spot where people come to watch sports so it can get noisy. read more

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Spotted a sign that boasted about the pastrami sandwich here so I had to try it. Ordered the "963" pastrami sandwich with apple slaw and it was so tasty. Tender, right amount of flavor. Just the best. Also ordered a beer flight and was satisfied as well. Excellent and attentive service. We were well fed and well taken care of! read more

The Refuge - 963 Reuben - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Came here for lunch with a friend on Friday and we were seated right away. All of our servers were super helpful and friendly! First impression: This is a great place to come to if you want a drink. Their drink menu, especially beer list, is extensive. Love that they have beer and mimosa flight options as well! I opted for a peach mojito which was yummy and my friend got a sour from Narrative Fermentations. All of the food sounded appetizing to me but we came on a day where I was eating a pescatarian diet so I opted for the fish & chips plus the refuge side salad. The food came out quickly. Fish and chips were standard but good nonetheless. My main gripe is the fish portion was quite small especially compared to the fries! Salad was good and I enjoyed the house Italian dressing. My friend got the soup and sandwich combo with a Reuben and the tomato soup. She seemed to enjoy it! I'll def be back to try the pastrami on another day. This place is definitely a little bit of a treat. Their prices are a little high imo but the food & drinks and service are good. I also generally enjoy the Hillsdale area and ample parking is always a plus! read more

The Refuge - Food menu - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California

It's 6:00 PM on a Thursday night and I'm hungry for a little comfort food... What better place to go than the Refuge in San Mateo! I was seated promptly by Carla, and my friend arrived within minutes, so we perused the menu and settled on beverages (O.P. Rye'd the Lightening - Bourbon barrel aged English barley wine draft for me and a Half Moon Bay Damage Inc - Russian imperial stout for my friend.) My friend ordered the Original Pastrami Chopped Salad and I opted for the combo, a cup of tomato soup and half Reuben sandwich. Our server, Brenda, arrived with our beverages and, shortly thereafter, our entrees were served. If you've not had the soup and half sandwich combo, let me give you a brief description. The tomato soup was savory and delicious like my mom used to serve on Friday nights! As I picked up the Reuben sandwich I was glad that my crisp white cloth napkin was close at hand. The juicy roasted pastrami, dripping melted cheese with sauerkraut and the Russian dressing were doing everything they could to escape the two slices of toasted rye bread barely holding them in place. First bite brought a smile to my face and the flavor was incredible... No wonder the Refuge has a five-star reputation for its Reuben sandwiches! A taste of soup followed by bite of sandwich then a munch of dill pickle provided the perfect combination for a spur of the moment dinner. Our beverage selection paired nicely, and the overall experience was most enjoyable. Our gracious servers, Brenda and Carla, checked back occasionally to make sure everything was just right.... and it was. The Superlative Bread pudding for dessert will have to await another visit... and there will be one! Pros: Service: Attentive, efficient and friendly. Wait time: N/A. Our beverages and food were table ready at just the right time. Portions: A cup of soup and half a sandwich were perfect for an on-the-go dinner. Menu: Fine selection of meals and small plates for the hungry or not so hungry patron. Beer and Beverage List: Extensive and complete with seasonal and year-round offerings. Cons: Music: Was a touch loud for my ageing ears. Overall: A great meal for locals and out of town visitors alike. You won't be disappointed! And you'll be back again! Five Stars! read more

Love the Refuge. I have been dining here ever since their San Carlos location, when there was definitely always a line to get in. This San Mateo location is more spacious, easier to get parking at (it's a nice mall!), and it has plenty of heated outside seating. They literally have everything that you'd want at meal time. Large, expansive drink list with plenty of beers on tap? Check. Delicious food that reminds the mister of his childhood on the other side of the country? Check. Seasonally inspired menus? Also check. If it's your first time here, run, don't walk, and get a pastrami sandwich. Get the one you fancy (you can't go wrong with the regular or the Reuben), but I've always enjoyed the seasonal ones. They are huge though, and if you're on your own, a half sandwich with a cup of soup might be the right play. If you prefer something of the Philly variety, their cheesesteaks are actually quite decent! The mister is from that area of the country, and these get his stamp of approval. Unfortunately you won't find cheez-whiz here but I think the flavours and toppings more than make up for it. Honestly, I haven't really tried anything else here because I just love the sandwiches and beer here so much. Treat yourself and get that pastrami sammich here! read more

The Refuge - Burgers Near Me - San Mateo, California