Such a great spot to eat even with long lines it goes by pretty quick. The food is amazing and the staff is super friendly. Easy to spot on the road a must try I can't wait to come back.

+2

Tiny, super cute spot with indoor and outdoor seating. Mushroom sandwich with maitake mushroom and pickles was absolutely delish, better than the hamburger. A little disappointed with their tiramisu -- mostly coz I expected sponge fingers soaked in coffee, but it was just a sponge cake and chocolate mousse with fresh whipped cream -- which is perfectly fine if that's what you wanted because the mousse was good, but it was not a tiramisu.

I wish I made it in time to try their mac n cheese, but the sandwiches here were more than enough to make the visit memorable. Interestingly enough, my girlfriend and I both thought the vegetarian mushroom sandwich was better than its meat counterpart.

Love this place! The hamburger sandwich is delicious. And if anyone in your group can’t have bread they will serve it on a bed of greens. Definitely stop here on your next visit to the coast.

It's one of the best burgers I have had. Quality ingredients, very well seasoned, cooked to perfection. Owner also really nice. Free coffee and water to self serve. Don't miss out this little gem when you are around.

Had the burger and chips for lunch. Best burger I've ever had, reminds me of a Hawaiian style burger with an egg on it. Oh, and the pickled onions made the burger for me! The fresh hand made potato chips were so light and crispy!

What a surprise! the salad is everything you could hope for: fresh, punchy, juicy and simple. We also ordered the mushroom sandwich - an equally delicious event. Everything was ready in 5 minutes and sweet hearts on the packaging. I would go out of my way to eat there again. Thanks!

Best unconventional burger I’ve ever had. Dad’s sauce and melted white cheddar add awesome flavors. Get there early (before 1) if you want to get their potato chips which are equally as good.

Superb flavors, I suggest ordering everything from salad, sandwich, soup and dessert. All good no regrets.

+6

Authentic local burger that has fried egg in it and comes in a toast sandwich not buns. The house made chips is out of this world. This place is busy and has limited hours, they close 4 PM. The caravan is actually an old Caboose car and you can see the interior parts when you walk in!

Highly recommand. Materials are very fresh. Hamburgers are really yummy. Mom's salad dressing are really good. Lots of people waiting in line. Must try.

+1

Great food, hamburger and mushroom sandwich was good and not overcooked. Love the homemade chips it was yummy. Will definitely come back and I’m around town.

Great messy fresh hamburger on toasted white bread. Homemade potato chips. Very friendly people run this small eatery. I walked 4 miles on the Coastal Trail for this burger and it was worth every step.

Highly recommend! Super cozy and inviting, especially because it was raining. The staff member ( not Scott, sorry not sure who that was !) greeted us like an old friend, very welcoming and friendly. The hamburger sandwich was delicious, the ingredients were fresh, perfectly balanced seasoning, truly one of the best burgers I’ve had in my life. My daughter had the Mac and cheese. It was light and tasty! She had her doubts about the puffed rice, but it tasted better than it looked. The cheesiness wasn’t that noticeable, more like creamy macaroni in heavy cream, butter and maybe cheese powder. Definitely go early to get your pick! Overall, I would go again to this wonderful train caboose restaurant!

Everything local and fresh. Had the smash burger without the egg, yumm. Dessert (a lime creation) was exquisite. They vary their desserts so you may not get that particular one, but no doubt it will be tasty!

If you are ever near you need to stop. Hands down the best food. Burger did not disappoint and macaroni was the bomb. I definitely will return next time I'm in California.

Great stuff! All takeout only now but there's a huge grassy patch right next to the caboose you can picnic. Bring your own mat or some camp chairs. And oooh the sandwiches. Fresh bread, fresh beef all made to order. The shroom sandwich is excellent too! Perfect for a chill meal.

We showed up right before closing and they kept things open to serve us. Great food! Friendly staff. Herb salad is fantastic.

Was really impressed with the herb salad and carrot curry soup! Was looking for a light lunch and both packed a punch. The soup was full of flavor and the salad was a unique mix of herbs with a light dressing. Can’t wait to go back. The restaurant has some seating, but it’s not well insulated, so we opted to take it to go and eat at home.

The sandwich is just perfect. The bread is soft and flavorful. Meat is right amount of texture and flavor, did not taste too processed. I did not feel heavy after eating this and that’s how a sandwich should be.

Cannot believe I have missed this place in all of the time that I have been to HMB. Simple menu with enough variety to satisfy anyones taste. Tried this mushroom sandwich. Herb salad and chips on this visit. All 3 were just delicious. Cannot wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.

+4

To say that Dad's is always there for you would be an overstatement because quite honestly their hours are limitrd. But to say that Dad's is never there for you, well that would be the understatement of the year. Dad's is there for you right when you need it. The mushroom burger is u-mommy perfection. I'll never forget the passion fruit pie from days of yore, always calling me back in hopes it returns to the menu. Alas, Dad's knows best and always has something seasonally special.

+4

I can say that the fame of this place is legitimate. A simple menu (which is appreciated) helps "specialize" in its food, where you can taste and smell the quality —the unparalleled service: friendly, empathetic, and comfortable. You can't go wrong here. Yesterday I enjoyed: - Hamburger sandwich (grass-fed beef, organic egg, melty cheese, pickled red onion, oak lettuce on frilled white bread) - Homemade potato chips - Garbanzo soup Worth it!

A very small and busy place especially on weekends. Some outdoor seatings. You order the food first then look for available seats. They will bring the food to you. We had hamburger and mushroom sandwich which came with fried egg inside the sandwich. Both were delicious. We were there at about 1:30 pm and couple items were sold out already.

+3

Delicious food. I really love those burgers both meat and especially mushroom. Basically all their food is great! Friendly service as well. I would recommend going early as the line can be a little long sometimes and a little hard to find seating.

It’s definitely worth trying if you like mushrooms! We shared a mushroom sandwich and the soup of the day that also had mushrooms. Both were delicious. I would toast the bread more. But other than that everything was really good and they prepare the food really quickly. Note that you’ll eat at a parking lot and depending on the weather, this might not be very comfortable. Just think about it as fast food, but with way better quality of ingredients.

What a gem of a place!!! Half moon bay is lucky to have this one of a kind spot. We got the “happy meal” which lets you try everything on menu. Never thought I would like a mushroom sandwich as much as this! So much flavor. So much great texture. And this is coming from a meat eater:) Everything was so fresh- the herb salad tasted just picked out do the garden, the soup was packed with good stuff and the chip seasoning was addictive. The dessert was unexpectedly a standout - key lime + coconut + melon made it light and refreshing and perfect amount of sweetness. Definitely worth a stop on your way through town 🥹🩷

Well I really like places like this, places like this that do one thing really well. I experienced a very good vibe stopping in there ( largely based on a check in phone call with a friend) and I was totally surprised that I got a fantastic and nourishing result. I definitely rate everything as a 10. But suggested 2 easy things herein. I am picky about my eggs and seeing as how they put an egg in the burger sandwich, in the future if I stop in there I am going to ask that my burger sandwich not get cut in half. Some of the egg yolk got lost in the paper wrapping. Also I really like potato salad. While they could be short on space and supplies in the train caboose , a tub of locally made potato salad in the fridge would not be a huge imposition. I don’t really care about the price point of my potato salad, if it’s well done, well made tasty and good that’s all I care about The red cabbage Cole slaw was the kicker that knocked the burger and egg sandwich out of the ball park. It seems to be Luke that one last rare healthy hamburger sandwich, on the California coastline )))

I'm a tried and true carnivore. Our group got a couple burgers and mushroom sandwiches to share. Their mushroom sandwich was fantastic and better than a lot of burgers I've had. Truly a triumph. The Mac and cheese and chips were also excellent and slightly elevated. Worth a stop and a wait in line.

You stand in line wondering what the sandwich is going to taste like, thinking when's the last time I even saw a Caboose? When were the last used on trains? Well, they aren't used on trains anymore. They are used as a vessel for serving up delicious mushroom and burger sandwich. The line moves pretty quick

+2

Stopped by right after reopening! Was very worried they were going to be closed for an extended period. Same great hamburger sandwiches & super friendly staff. Chatted a bit with the owner, super cool guy!

Burger and chips were delicious, staff wonderful. Thanks if I'm in this town again I'll definitely be back for another of these burgers!

Simple menu + simple ingredients = one superb dinning experience. From the crispy, buttery bread, perfectly fried egg, sautéed mushrooms and beef burger party, everything in the Hamburger Sandwich was on point. Just wish I was there sooner to try the already sold out macaroni and cheese and side of chips.

Great spot. The food has AMAZING flavor, and I really appreciated that they made the mushroom sandwich vegan. The soup was WOW. I need that recipe 😃

+1

Super friendly staff. Their food was amazing. The location is amazing and the ocean breeze just tops it off. Recommend this place if you're around or would like to have a nice little drive. Definitely check this place out and their mac and cheese is so good!

Cute little spot run by former Michelin restaurant chef. The ambiance of the restaurant starts at it being a remodeled train caboose. Today was a rainy day but there was still a line up out the door. The go-to order is the hamburger sandwich And the mushroom sandwich. They cut the sandwich in half so that it’s easily shareable. Food is straight forward, no frills, delicious. The ingredients are fresh and simple. Very tasty. The dad sauce really makes the sandwich unique. The pickled onions cut through any fat in sandwich for the perfect balance. Would highly recommend a quick stop if you’re driving along the coast. Although there was a line, the wait was not too long and the food came pretty quickly. The sandwiches do come in standard Wonderbread sandwich bread size for $14.50 but all in all it was quite filling for the both of us. There is limited seating inside. Some picnic tables outside.

+4

Stopped here based on earlier reviews … 💗 google maps! Food was tasty, came quickly after ordered, and our pup could join us. So much better than a fast food place.

The beef burger they served was absolutely top-notch. It was seriously juicy and tender, like it could melt in your mouth. We couldn't get enough of it! Now, here's a heads-up if you're planning to swing by on the weekend. Make sure you get there early. We made the mistake of showing up around 3pm once, and you won't believe it—everything was already sold out! Talk about a bummer! So, if you're craving their delicious food, better plan your visit accordingly and beat the rush.

I loved the mushroom burger...the fries and soup were delicious as well... The Atmosphere was great and service was fast & friendly... Chef even gave us a discount because of my son's graduation and being an Aggie! Gig 'em!

+2

Loved the Maitake mushroom sandwich and coconut corn chowder, and the homemade potato chips were incredibly delicious as well. The vibes were great, and the chef/owners were super friendly. Just go with “The Happy Meal” and try everything on the menu! Definitely worth it.

+3

We swung by this place after seeing some good reviews on Yelp and it exceeded expectations. The kitchen is in an old train car, and there’s a small amount of seating inside and outside. We had the mushroom and hamburger sandwiches - both of which were incredible. They were out of the mac n cheese, so try to come earlier rather than later for lunch (or breakfast). Both sandwiches had a fried egg. 10/10 - definitely make a stop here!

The hamburger sandwich was amazing, and the service was great.

+6

Unassuming, quaint and charming diner with gourmet level food that will have you wanting more. We had a burger, salad and one of the best cookies I’ve had - ever. Reasonably priced and delicious at a cute venue - I left very full. I can’t wait to go back.

+2

I had the pleasure of visiting this lovely place recently, and it truly has a unique and charming character of its own. Conveniently located just after the exit from the 92 freeway, it immediately caught my attention. During my visit, I decided to try two of their sandwiches: the mushroom and the hamburger. Both sandwiches were absolutely delightful, but I must admit that the mushroom sandwich stole the show for me. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the combination of ingredients made each bite a true pleasure. What sets this place apart is its ambiance. The rustic and slightly weathered appearance adds to its charm, and the fact that it's designed as a train is simply fantastic. I have a great appreciation for unique and interesting venues, and this place certainly fits the bill. It captures the imagination and transports you to a different world. One aspect that I felt was missing from the experience was the availability of coffee. It would have been wonderful to enjoy a hot cup of coffee alongside the delicious sandwiches. Perhaps this is something that could be considered as an addition to their menu. In summary, this place is a hidden gem with its own special spirit. The mushroom and hamburger sandwiches were both delicious, with the mushroom sandwich being my personal favorite. The ambience of the restaurant, with its rustic and train-themed decor, adds to the overall appeal. I highly recommend visiting this unique and interesting establishment, and perhaps a cup of coffee could be a delightful addition to enhance the experience even further.

The vibe here was great, staff was friendly even though the line was long. We waited in line for a bit right at opening, but otherwise they get thru everyone's orders pretty fast. We had the mushroom sandwich and hamburger sandwich, both were amazing, really fresh ingredients, great flavor. Highly recommend, definitely worth waiting in line for and stopping by when in the area.

Came for lunch while running errands in the area and this place hit the spot. We got there a little after 1pm on a Saturday and the place was still fairly busy. There are a few tables/picnic benches outside and most of them were taken. Some food items were sold out, but we were able to get a burger, mushroom sandwich, and butternut squash soup. We were splitting the sandwiches and they were nice enough to ask if we wanted it cut in half. Everything was delicious. Will definitely come back next time I am in the area.

Mushroom Sandwich sounds kind of random but this was such a delicious sandwich and the mushroom added really good texture. We had to wait in the line and then also for our order ended up about 20 min. Great ingredients, fresh and just delicious

great and quick food, mac n cheese is stellar. the sandwich is top notch too.

John Howlett

I had the mushroom burger. I'm a beef person, but thought I'd give it a try since it's one of their specialties. I really liked it and was pleasantly surprised. I still prefer a beef hamburger, but would have this mushroom burger again if looking for something different. The homemade chips were also a winner and very good soup as well. I liked all of it.

Matt Davis

We really enjoyed our lunch at Dad’s Luncheonette! The food is “classic California” the vibe is surfer, and the seating situation is precarious at best lol. I came here with my wife about a year ago on a Saturday and it was mayhem ordering/getting a table. But today we came on a Friday at 1pm and it was glorious. Got the happy meal which I split with my wife, and was very glad we did so. I would not sleep on the mushroom sandwich, I feel it is not only delicious but unique, using a wood ear style mushroom. The bread was great, quite buttery. And the sides hit the spot as well. Most people might gravitate towards the Mac n cheese, which was very tasty, but honestly I felt the herb salad brought the right amount of freshness and zing the meal needed. Overall a great experience and would highly recommend to anyone in the area! The staff is extremely friendly as well

Eidmone Tagaca

4.3/5 for the hamburger sandwich. It was kinda pricey but taste wise it was really good. Definitely come here if you’re in the half moon bay area. The taste reminded me of beeps burger but a little but better and lighter. My photos dont do justice here lol

+1

Natalie Krause

Everything about Dad’s was simply excellent. Great vibes, love a tight menu, and the best burger I’ve had in a long time. The salad was clearly super fresh and the dressing unexpected and delicious. The service was so warm and friendly too. Dad’s is such a gem, I can’t wait to return! 100% worth a stop up the coast.

Allison L.

Employees are amazing! Funny and personable, loved everyone and super interactive with all the customers. Food was delicious, fresh daily. Priced higher than expected but it's worth it given all the pluses of quality and service and atmosphere. The vibes were immaculate- cozy and unique too.

Mitchel Long

Nice place to get good food near beach areas! I had the hamburger and my partner had the mushroom hamburger and homemade potato chips with a root beer to drink. Delicious! This place is busy on the weekends. They pump out the food pretty fast for a caboose!

+3

Alexica Qian

I do like this spot a lot. Hamburger sandwiches and mushroom sandwiches has the perfect seasoning. Not too greasy, not too plain. The taste reminds me of the taste of home. I also like the Mac and cheese a lot. Not too sticky and cheesy, so that you can enjoy it one spoon after another.

+2

Hsin Yi Wei

The story of Dad's Luncheonette is full of love and it has been on our to-eat list for a while. We finally got a chance to visit on 12/22, which was their last day open in 2024. We shared a Mushroom Sandwich, a bowl of Mac & Cheese and their daily special dessert - Eggnog Pudding. It's overall delicious with a reasonable price. Our favorite was the grilled mushrooms, which were juicy and tasted like meat. I personally like the eggnog pudding, which was delicate with layered flavors.

+2

Laura Wong

Came here for the mushroom sandwiches and they did NOT disappoint!! Their mushroom sandwich is way better than the hamburger sandwich!! The melty egg with the mushroom and pickles onion creates the perfect flavour that will keep you wanting more. The only thing I wish was there was more mushroom in the sandwich because some parts of my sandwich had no mushrooms due to the mushroom shape. We also got their homemade chips which was super crunchy and delicious and had an interesting seasoning on them. The staff was super kind, efficient and has a huge set of lungs considering he shouts your name from the store when your order is ready. There are some picnic tables outside for eating and limited seating inside the tiny shop as well. This place is a must when visiting half moon bay!

John Mukhar

We went there for my birthday lunch based on a recommendation. Drove up beautiful Highway 1. The place was easy to find. It is in an old train cart. It is small with few spots inside and a lot of outdoor tables. We ordered everything on the menu (limited menu). The food came out fast! It was all fresh tasting and amazing. We split the sandwiches, and they were both good, and we shared the rest of it. It was so good; we took the leftovers home. I will stop there again.

+2

Katherine Gerov

Hands down the BEST food tradition my boyfriend and I have every week! We live in the city (and prior to that, South Bay) and had started this tradition of driving to Half Moon Bay solely for their mushroom sandwich, chips and anything else they had that day that piqued our interest (we're veggie eaters)! Even after the first time we tried it, we were HOOKED. Their ingredients are always the freshest tasting, they're generous with adding them in their items (e.g. their mushrooms in the sandwiches are literally chunks), and they interact like a casual, family-owned "picnic" vibe group rather than simply a food business. One week without their food and I am craving it 2x the next, highly recommend to those who can easily try their food, and ESPECIALLY to those who are coming from farther away - the best MUST TRY place in all of the Bay Area (in my opinion)!

Tasty burgers and the mushroom burger is such a good vegetarian alternative! They cycle through some items but the core meal stays the same. More food stuff @vin.foodjournal

I’m a fan of the simple menu and location. Enjoyed my simple yet tasty burger sandwich which clearly had some quality ingredients as it did not taste heavy or oily. All said and done it only took about 6 min to get my two sandwiches on a Sunday afternoon and maybe another 5/10 to eat. If you plan on stopping in Half Moon Bay then have somewhere to be afterwards this is a great spot.

Popular spot to enjoy a sandwich after exploring half moon bay! There is no dine in, but there are a few tables and logs to sit at nearby.

A very simple and small menu, but each ingredient is excellently put together in the sandwich. Go earlier, otherwise they will run out!

+3

Limited but yummy menu. This no frills, takeout-only foodspot features delicious sandwiches, soups, and desserts. Helmed by the former chef de cuisine of Saison, Dad's Luncheonette prepares comfortable diner fare using super fresh ingredients. The hamburger sandwich is my favorite item on the menu, and is distinguished by its pickled onions and special sauce. The soup of the day changes regularly (as the name would imply) and we found our corn soup to be a bit over salted. Definitely worth a stop if you're looking for a quick bite on your way in and out of Half Moon Bay!

+1

This is a place I wanted to try for a while. I expected more. But my expectations were unrealistic. To call this place a casual place casual is to exaggerate. I did enjoyed my visit. They serve a limited menu, of which I enjoyed the burger, soup, salad and the Mac and cheese. Attention is friendly and the place is cozy. I am looking forward to trying this place again when I visit Half Moon Bay but since time is limited, I have to choose wisely.

Really fun place! Great sandwiches. They put an entire huge mushroom in it, which is very unique. Potato chips were sold out by the time I reached, but I’ve heard they are awesome too!

+2

Solid food, good service but nothing special. Had the mushroom sandwich, burger sandwich which were tasty, Mac and cheese which was dry and bland, and herb salad had nice dressing. Recommend if you are in the area and need a nice lunch, but wouldn’t go out of the way for the place.

Came here on a beautiful Saturday for lunch. Got stuck in traffic and got there almost 3pm. Almost everything on the menu was sold out when we got there, so we ended up getting a couple sandwich burgers and a matcha shortbread with strawberries. The burger was cooked perfectly and the egg inside was the cherry on top! The shortbread on the other hand was decent, it wasn't sweet enough for my taste and the strawberries was a bit sour. Shortly after getting our food they were completely sold out of everything, and was rather quickly closed for business. I do want to try their other menu items in the future, and I will be sure to get there earlier next time!

We were in the area and were looking for a place for lunch. It's a very cute place. They converted a train caboose into a little cafe than can only fit probably not more than 12 people. We ordered the hamburger sandwich and mac and cheese and loved them both.

This place is tiny, and very cute. What I liked: + Friendly people + Food was very good - it’s “real food” - unpretentious but tasty. The mushroom sandwich had a nice mix of textures, and the bread was great. The chips were crispy and salty. + Amount of HMB pride What gave me pause: -No options for vegan meals -Very expensive, and sandwiches do not come with any sides, like chips or a salad. For the size and quality of sandwiches, I’d expect that to be included, or the sandwiches to be $5 cheaper. The actual cost of making a mushroom sandwich is so low that I can’t understand paying $18 for a sandwich and chips in a paper bag. - Menu is very limited, only about five options total. What I hope they try: - Adding pie and coffee to the menu to give it more of an All-American diner feel (would love to see partnerships with a local bakery or roaster) - Having at least one plant based entree - Adding milkshakes to go with their burger

Bun is so soft and spongy, oily. It has nicely grilled flavor to it. I love the way most ingredients are picked up in two buns. It is like Home-made sandwich. Winner is potato chips! Enjoy Yellow Magic powders on top!

+1

Dad Luncheonette is a true hidden gem in Half Moon Bay that offers a refreshingly unique take on roadside comfort food. The menu is small but mighty, and the Mushroom Sandwich is a standout; packed with fresh greens, savory oyster mushrooms, and a perfectly cooked egg, it hits all the right earthy notes. For something more adventurous, the Mac n Cheese comes topped with fried rice—a creative twist that might not be the cheesiest version you’ve ever had, but is undeniably satisfying in its own right. The service here adds to the charm, as the staff is exceptionally warm and welcoming. There is a personal touch to the experience, with your meal delivered directly into your hands, neatly wrapped in a paper bag like a curated gift. It feels less like a transaction and more like a neighborly gesture, which makes the high quality of the food feel even more special. The only practical downside is that the spot does not offer seating, making it strictly a grab-and-go operation. You’ll need to plan for a tailgate session or a short walk to a nearby bench to enjoy your meal. However, the quality of the food and the kindness of the team make it well worth the minor inconvenience of finding your own spot to dig in.

Jessica Lucas

Great place, great food. My kids loved the grilled cheese, Mac and cheese and house made chips. We had to hide over by some other buildings it was windy when we visited. We had 2 families so eating in the cars wasn't an option. Food came fast. And Dads special sauce was perfect for the burger. I even got the pickled onions on the burger which I never usually get but it rounded out the flavor. The price for a kids grilled cheese is $9. The kids mac and cheese is also $9. It doesn't come with anything else. So I would say the prices were high for just those two items that come alone.

Bulakay

We stopped due to reading reviews of how awesome this place was. Wish the menu would have been larger as we had to settle on the burger(wife and I aren’t eating a mushroom sandwich). Homemade chips were good but nothing spectacular. Mac and cheese was unique and the crunchy rice added a great twist but the mac could definitely use more bold, flavorful cheese. Bees all outside in the waiting/ eating area so we decided to eat in the car.

Anna

I came to Dad’s Luncheonette with my dad 🫶 The mushrooms were juicy — they were more like beech or oyster mushrooms than the portabella that frequently comes in mushroom sandwiches or burgers. We thought the hamburger sandwich was more flavorful overall; the sauce definitely shines in it. The egg in both sandwiches carried because it smoothed out the different textures. The bread was a little bit dry, though. The herb salad was very … herby … for lack of a better word, and was very unique. The various herb flavors were very strong and you probably either love it or hate it. We did feel like we should’ve mixed it since it was oily on top and more lemony on the bottom.

Gavin “GJM_reviews” Meichelbock

Great vibes, unique burgers and friendly service make this restaurant a must visit. The guy who took my order was probably the owner and he was super cool. He treats you like a friend from the moment you walk up to the counter and he even remembered my name when I went up for more food. Also, the vibes are incredible. You eat in this tent attached to an old train car, so the dining experience is incredibly unique. As for the food, the burgers are a must. The patty had a great beefy gamey-ness and was seasoned well. Having the lettuce be chopped instead of shredded or in one giant leaf was so smart because it allowed for the crunch factor to be spread around the sandwich, not just in a few bites like most other burgers. Also, the addition of pickled onions and a fried egg are always a great addition. However, I will say I wish the bread was toasted more so it could, one, provide a texture and, two, hold up to the runny egg yolk. There was also some kind of special sauce on it but I couldn’t taste it, so I wish there was more. Onto the Mac and cheese, skip it. There was hardly any cheese flavor, the noodles were hardly coated. The only defining flavor were the charred puffed rice and chives. Dad’s Luncheonette is a fantastic spot for great vibes and good burgers and I will definitely go back next time I’m in the bay.

Yi Ling

One of the highlights of our road trip was undoubtedly Dad's Luncheonette. This quirky diner, housed in a modified train car, is a sight to behold. As soon as we pulled up, we knew we were in for a treat. The friendly staff immediately made us feel welcome, engaging in casual conversation and ensuring we had everything we needed. We decided to try the famous Dad's hamburger and mac and cheese, along with a classic Coca-Cola. 🍔 The hamburger was a masterpiece. The meat patty was juicy and flavorful, perfectly complemented by the pickled onions and a secret sauce that brought everything together. The bread was buttered on both sides as well. 🥘 The mac and cheese was visually appealing, topped with chives and rice puffs. While it wasn't as rich and cheesy as I had anticipated, it was still delicious and had a pleasant lightness to it. The charred rice puffs added a unique texture of a crunch & aromatic fragrance which grows on us the more we ate. The outdoor dining area was charming, with self-service bins for easy self cleanup. The atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable. And let's not forget the entertaining way the staff called out orders, adding a fun touch to the experience. Overall, Dad's Luncheonette was a delightful stop on our road trip. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was welcoming, and the experience was unforgettable.

+9

Overall: Ordinary sandwiches and mac & cheese, homemade chips are good, and matcha custard with sour cherries is wanting a bit more matcha especially with the strength of the sourness. I would not intentionally come back, but worth trying once. Food: - Burger Sandwich ($12.75): Patty was seasoned fine and onions were nicely pickled, but the whole sandwich fell limp as the bread was not toasted enough to hold the few ingredients. Myself and two others didn't feel there was anything special that would make the sandwich stand out. - Mushroom Sandwich ($12.75): Also a limp/soggy sandwich but the mushrooms were cooked okay. - Mac & Cheese with Puffed Rice ($6): Not a strong cheese taste, and the puffed rice with scallions add texture/flavor. I personally prefer a stronger cheese so it was just okay to me. - Homemade chips ($3.75): Good, light crisp with subtle flakes of seasoning and not too oily. The only thing I would order again. - Matcha Custard with Sour Cherries ($6 or $7): Texture of the custard was smooth, but you'd have to try pretty hard to taste the matcha once you get a bite of those sour cherries. The cherries were overpowering relative to the matcha, but they're not too bad when you eat them individually. Service: Friendly staff and moderate wait time.

+1

I went here twice and I think the food is alright. The first time I went (10/9/21), I got the Hamburger Sandwich, homemade potato chips, and Mac & cheese. The second time I went (7/3/22), I got Ramen Hotdog and fruit salad (Today's Sweet). The sandwich and hotdog is alright. The ramen on the hotdog did remind me of when I was a kid and would crush uncooked ramen and eat it with the favor packet... I liked the potato chips but I don't think I would visit here just for that. I didn't like the hard rice on top of the mac & cheese but otherwise the mac & cheese was good. The fruit salad was really good because all the fruits were really ripe and sweet. I think there was something like simple syrup - or it might have been the natural juices of all the fruits.

+1

First time here since we wanted to try due to all reviews. Hamburger is ok the pickled onion is overpowering g the taste of the meat so all I can taste is the onion. My husband ordered the mushroom which he liked I had a bite but to me it’s ok. However the homemade chips and herb salad were good.

I got there right at opening time, but they were about ten minutes late in opening. I thought the menu was a little limited, but several friends recommended Dad’s to me so I wanted to try it. Seating indoors is very limited, so we had to sit outdoors, and this day was both windy and foggy, so it was anything but comfortable. I thought my burger was just average. The best part of my meal was the homemade chips. I know there is a loyal following, but for me, I don’t think I will be going back. If you’ve never eaten there, I think you should go and try it for yourself, your experience and taste might be totally different than mine was.

K S

Great super friendly people, and obviously a staple in town with the unique location. But, man were we disappointed by the food. Maybe the bar was set too high from the talk of Michelin chefs, but the burger (as is, no modifications) was a 6/10. The bread was falling apart, I felt like I had to inhale it because it was so messy. They didn’t offer any salt/pepper or hot sauce. And the Mac and cheese was just bad. Barely any cheese, or flavor for that matter. You can skip it. Got a slice of the chestnut pie for dessert, and it tasted like it’d been there for a week. I believe there are specials they do that are probably delicious, but I was pretty disappointed leaving this place.

Wenyi Deng

We waited about 15 minutes before being seated. Ordered the burger, salad, soup, and dessert. The salad was quite herby and a bit hard to chew, and the burger was just okay. The place itself is cute, with a big parking lot, but the menu is quite limited. The service, however, is very warm and enthusiastic — the staff are kind and even chat with customers while they wait for their orders. Overall, it’s not really a spot I’d go out of my way to visit. The

Erica Chao

This would be a 3.5/5 for my partner and me. We stopped here because the spot was unique (part of a train), but nothing special about the food (at least the item we got which was the hamburger sandwich). When we got there, the line was long and then we waited about 15-20 mins for the food. It was a very basic breakfast patty melt- it had a generic beef patty topped with a cheese, a piece of lettuce and pickled onions, and sandwiches by two pieces of toast. The sauce was light, almost non-existent. Portion is a normal sandwich- all for $17.00 which we thought was on the steeper side.

John C

Cool spot but the sandwiches were super soggy . The bread needs to be thicker and grilled longer in my opinion. Tasted good though but yeah as I said no one likes a soggy sandwich. The mushroom one is a disaster but my son still finished it with a fork haha.

+1

Dad’s looked like a cute place with good ratings to stop for lunch on our drive from Carmel to San Francisco. The vibes were cool and the staff super friendly. We didn’t mind the 25 minute wait in line, given the positive reviews. Unfortunately, the food was essentially flavorless... I had the burger sandwich, mac and cheese, homemade chips, and the soup of the day. The only thing I enjoyed and the only thing that was well seasoned was the split pea soup. The burger was just okay; a fried egg and pickled onions didn’t add anything special or unique. Especially since the onions weren’t very flavorful considering they’re pickled. I was especially excited to try the chips, but they were also disappointing. While they had a nice thin, crunchy texture with the nutritional yeast, there was no real seasoning—just tasted like potato and yeast. The mac and cheese, also bland, and I personally didn’t like the crunch from the rice, especially since that was the only real flavor or texture going on. Overall, I’m not sure why all the great reviews about the food… great atmosphere and staff, but I felt like I wasted my money.

Service was great but the mushroom sandwich and $9 herb salad was just not goood. Ugh please pick flavorful herbs if you’re going to do that Dad!

Since they don't flame-broil meat at Dad's Luncheonette, I have regard them as having no idea what a real burger is about. On the other hand their creamy purple potato soup is pretty delicious. Can beer is average. Planning for food seems to be a bit off. Since when I was there they were out of three items on the menu. And their menu is not long by any stretch of the imagination. You'll always be eating in a crowded spot. But if you can find a seat it's Pleasant enough for outdoor seating. Otherwise you will be sitting on the parking lot curb. If you are looking for a great burger then look elsewhere. But otherwise Dad's Luncheonette is a quality pricey burger stop. The same can be said of their delicious creamy purple potato soup.

+6

Ordered the hamburger sandwich. Patty was very well done and dry. Did not taste cooked to order. Did not taste much of anything else. One thin leaf of lettuce. Cheese had no taste.

I don’t know how this place has so many positive reviews. I had the mushroom sandwich with no egg and it was probably the worst thing I’ve ever had just tasted like two pieces of toast like wonder bread and some mushrooms. I don’t even think they put onions on my sandwich, they must’ve missed it maybe something that went downhill after the robbery or other changes at this place has gone through definitely does not warrant this many five star reviews the service is good but the food is terrible. I don’t think I would’ve paid even five dollars for my sandwich level 15.