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Town - Steakhouse in San Mateo, California

Town

4.5 (2157 reviews)

716 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA 94070

Steak house
American restaurant
Cocktail bar
Traditional American restaurant

About Town - steak house in San Mateo, California

West Coast wines complement American takes on steaks, chops & seafood in a simple woody setting.

Customer Review Summary

The food at Town is generally praised as delicious, with standout dishes like beef tacos, steak, and desserts. Service is mostly described as attentive and friendly, although some reviews noted room for improvement in staff demeanor. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with an impressive heated patio for comfortable outdoor dining. Unique cocktails, especially pomegranate martinis, receive high marks. Overall, diners recommend Town for a relaxed dining experience and plan to return for both food and drinks.

Key Features

Service options

  • Outdoor seating
  • Delivery
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in

Highlights

  • Fast service
  • Fireplace
  • Great cocktails
  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Great wine list

Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Hard liquor
  • Late-night food
  • Small plates
  • Vegetarian options
  • Wine

Dining options

  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating

Amenities

  • Bar onsite
  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Romantic
  • Trendy
  • Upscale

Crowd

  • Family-friendly
  • Groups
  • Tourists

Planning

  • Lunch reservations recommended
  • Dinner reservations recommended
  • Accepts reservations
  • Usually a wait

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
  • Kids' menu

Parking

  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking

Customer Reviews

Rating Distribution

4.5 out of 5
5
1467
4
491
3
117
2
35
1
47
Based on 2157 reviews

Ellen Veli

3 months ago

The food was delicious. The only complaint would be the hostess didn't give us the happy hour menu when I was brought to my table. When the waiter let us know it was happy hour, we had minutes to order some specials. She was a great server.

SC

1 month ago

After unfortunate experience at the restaurant next-door three of us had a pleasant experience at this charming spot in downtown San Carlos! The interior is cozy (slightly outdated), with a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The heated patio is impressive - spacious, thoughtfully designed, and perfect for enjoying the fresh air while staying comfortable on the rainy, winter evening. The service was top-notch; the staff was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed without being intrusive. The appetizers were beautifully done, with great flavors and presentation. Shout out to beef tacos (mmmm), and brussels sprouts. I also loved the interesting cocktail selection - unique and flavorful. Highly recommend this place for a relaxed, enjoyable dining experience!

Sarina Patel

1 month ago

The Town is my go-to spot for a great night out. I haven’t dined there yet, but I keep coming back for their incredible pomegranate martinis—hands down the best cocktails. I ended up making a similar recipe! The bartenders are always friendly, and the service is top-notch. The bar has a lively, social vibe, making it a great place to meet people or just enjoy a well-crafted drink. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a welcoming atmosphere and a fantastic cocktail!

andikmh

2 months ago

Summarizing from two visits: The food was great; however, the chilean sea bass was a bit over done/toasted/fried. The steak and mashed potatoes were excellent, and the desserts were phenomenal.

Giovanna Phillips

6 months ago

Hopping restaurant with great food & wine selections, friendly & efficient service, & a nice ambiance. We'd hoped to try the prime rib but were too late, so we opted for the pasta dish & the steak tacos. Both were absolutely delicious. We appreciated Nick's service from start to finish. We will definitely visit again the next time our travels bring us to the area.

Hit List

6 months ago

Same as I remember years ago: consistently good place to eat, though there is room for improvement on the service as it comes across as unfriendly. I have had better service with a bail bond agent. The ribeye is good enough to satisfy the tarzan meat craving but I've definitely have had better.

Aaron Thomas

7 months ago

Really solid food. Interesting options, nice location and outdoor seating. Will be back. Wasn't a fan of having rosemary in the loco moco gravy, doesn't belong imo, also too little rice and the rice was a little hard. The French toast was outstanding. The Philly cheese steak egg rolls were novel and interesting but I don't think I'd order again.

angelepatino

6 months ago

Longing for the day I can come back again. Food and service were exceptional. We were seated fairly quickly on. Saturday morning. Love the slightly dim lighting. The restaurant felt like a preview to Fall season and I can’t wait.

Location

Contact Information

Hours of Operation

Friday 11:30 AM–10 PM
Monday 11:30 AM–9 PM
Saturday 10 AM–10 PM
Sunday 10 AM–9 PM
Thursday 11:30 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 11:30 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 11:30 AM–9 PM

Price Range

$$$