The Refuge (menlo Park) - San Mateo

Food is good (try their pastrami! and served at the speed of light and with a friendly smile. The beer menu will take you the whole night to read. Large outdoor area opened until 9pm. One of the best choices in the area.

This was a very good experience just few days ago. Very nicely lit and interestingly positioned place. They have nice area of many tables under red umbrellas outside and plenty of tables inside. Our group of friends took the inside table. The walls are actually glass so siting inside one still can observe the street and it is nice. We all ordered various items on the menu Tuna Melt sandwich, chicken crispy tenders, garlic fries and pastrami Reuben, and pulled BBQ beef.Portions are very good size. We couldn?t finish them all and the dinner leftovers become the lunch next day. I like their fries very much they are adequate thickness, so you can later on cook them either on stovetops or in Air Frier andthey keep the moisture and the taste. I like the attention we got from all the servants, always with a smile and they were proactive about all that we might need. The presentation of the meals on the plates is also very good. I used to goto Refuge in San Carlos (it?s very good as well) and I?m glad we found this new one in Hillsdale mall definitely recommend you to visit and enjoy it!

I had an incredible first dining experience! The food was fresh and delicious, and the beer selection was impressive. The famous Reuben sandwich was tasty, although it was slightly smaller than I expected for the price. The pastrami fries were excellent. The service was outstanding, and the spacious outdoor patio offered plenty of shaded seating. I also appreciated the convenience of being able to pay the bill online.

I really wish there were more vegetarian options at this restaurant. The Brussels sprouts can't even be ordered without bacon! That said, it's a fantastic spot to hang out with friends and sample new beers. The menu has three pages dedicated to beer and only one for food, which is pretty amusing!

We experienced outstanding service that was not only friendly but also came with genuine smiles from everyone. The pastrami sandwich we all had was hands down the best we've ever tasted—juicy and tender; I can't wait to go back for more! The Poutine was another standout; it was rich and delicious, with gravy that was truly exceptional. The desserts were equally amazing, especially the bread pudding paired with their creamy vanilla ice cream. The selection of draft and bottled beers is unparalleled; you must try the St. Bernardus. It's surprising how such a dark beer can taste so light and almost refreshing. We’re from Boston, and we’d gladly travel to the West Coast again just to visit The Refuge!