Around the Belmont-San Mateo border, El Camino Real is an interesting mix of mattress vendors, timeworn motels, mom-and-pop stores, and used car dealerships. Not exactly an area where you would stumble upon hamburgers with Meyer Ranch ground beef and shakes with Clover organic milk. Lo and behold, newly opened Jack’s Prime serves up all that sustainable and humanely raised goodies that Bay Area denizens have come to demand and expect.

Jack’s Prime just opened at the beginning of October and seems to be garnering a good amount of attention already. Mmmm, cold beer. Have to hand it to Jack’s and their attention to the small things that make a huge difference. Frozen pitchers?! Great idea, folks. We kicked off the meal with some ice cold Boont. Jack’s even has wine available for those weirdos who would rather enjoy a Zinfandel over a cold one.

The interior features a very modern industrial minimalism with its strong emphasis on gray and metal. Thankfully, it didn’t feel like I was going in for a prostate exam or anything. Unfortunately for the wait staff, we snuck in 15 minutes before closing, but our waitress was fantastic and pretty understanding (and it was her first day!).

Nate and I both ordered the Maytag Blue Ribbon burger, complete with Maytag blue, caramelized onions, and beefsteak tomatoes. Pretty freaking good. Juicy and messy, just the way I like it. The bun was perfectly toasted and the spread tied the whole creation together. However, when we first received it, there was one glaring omission. No blue cheese. Nate and I were a bit perplexed, but the waitress quickly took care of it. Being the first week of operation, a few snafus were totally excusable, but it’s hard to call a burger Maytag blue if you forget to place the namesake between the buns. Also, in writing this, I just realized that there were sauteed mushrooms, which was not a part of the menu description. Sweet, free shrooms.

We ordered a pair of fries: the Mushroom Swiss and Breakfast. The Breakfast fries was topped with a fried egg and served with a side of Tabasco mayo. The fries were quite tasty, but we were definitely disappointed by the fried egg. Some of the ooey-gooey yolk running all over the fries would have been nice. Hopefully they’ll address this for all you future patrons.

Had to try the handmade shakes. I had the mint chocolate and Nate went with the black and white. Mmmm, pretty good. The shakes could easily be slurped up a straw (unlike those pesky In ‘n’ Out suckas) and were almost smoothie like, but they held very well. The mint chocolate had a delicious treasure trove of chocolate chips at the bottom. Great way to end the meal.

Based on the past reviews, it seems like we’ve been eating at a lot of burger and sandwich joints recently, but what can I say… I love sinking my teeth into a juicy patty sandwiched between two crunchy and soft buns. Does Jack’s deliver on flavor? Yes, very much so. Should you go? Yes, check them out and support a Peninsula restaurateur who is committed to serving good ingredients. Would I go back? Not for a while. I don’t mean to be a jerk, but I was a bit disappointed by some of the mistakes. We didn’t even get a dish comped. I understand the first week slip-ups, so I’ll wait a bit and let Jack’s iron out some of the wrinkles before I make a return visit.

Jack’s Prime
3723 South El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA 94403
650-638-1479
www.jacksprime.com
Support our local businesses!

Ahh, pastrami. I don’t really consider myself much of a sandwich guy, but when I do spring for one, nothing does it like hot pastrami on rye. (Or a monte cristo, but that’s another entry.) Yes, it is one of my most favored of sandwich meats, yet also one of my least understood. Embarrassingly, I didn’t figure out pastrami was actually cured beef until just a few years ago. Anyway, during my time in college, I had always heard stories of this place. This oddly named joint with unrivaled, perhaps even, legendary pastrami sandwiches. I mean, their sandwich is listed under the Wikipedia entry for pastrami, and we all know Wikipedia is pretty much law…so they’ve gotta be somewhat legit right? As fate would have it, I had the opportunity to swing by and see if the product matched the hype.

Somehow I had always imagined that the best pastrami could only be found at some old ma n’ pa  Jewish deli in New York. Well, The Hat has been around for about 55 years, and while it’s no small deli, it does a lot to try to retain a old, weathered motif. Lacquered wood and antique photos help retain the classic feel. They’ve got an open kitchen, which is always nice, complete with what seems to be way too many workers. The menu is straight, unpretentious Americana: hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chili cheese fries, ham and swiss…you get the idea. But honestly…you’re here for the pastrami anyway.

 It may look like dog food, but I promise it tastes better. A heaping pile of fries topped with chili and melting cheese, and finished with a generous helping of pastrami. A definitive tribute to the American ideal of excessive over-abundance. The fries themselves were the thicker type, which I appreciate…but they were lacking the crispiness necessary to make them great. Either the fryer wasn’t hot enough, or they had been sitting out for awhile. The chili itself, I have to say, was pretty mediocre. No real flavor, no definitive punch. The pastrami’s saltiness did a lot to make up for the overall lack of character otherwise. All in all a mediocre dish. While good in concept, I feel like each of the individual components was lacking…dumbing it all down in the end.

 On to the famed pastrami dip…a modest 8-inch french roll chock full of warm pastrami, complemented only by mustard and pickles. Solid pastrami, with good texture…but the sandwich, like the fries, lacked an overall punch. The bread was flat, adding no real flavor nor texture. I found the sandwich relying a little too heavily on the condiments for any real flavor, or perhaps they were too strong. Like a mustard and pickle hoagie. In either case, the pastrami  was overshadowed. A solid sandwich, but lacking any real punch.

 The Hat was a classic example of over-hype, under-delivery for me. I went in expecting phenomenal pastrami, and while it was solid..too many of the other components were lacking to make anything stand out. That’s not to say their pastrami dip is bad, but nothing really sang. So as of now, I guess my hunt for the perfect pastrami is yet unabated. Well, it was all pretty filling…which counts for something.

 The Hat
1210 E. Imperial Hwy.
Brea, CA 92821
www.thehat.com

Located in San Jose’s illustrious (or pretentious…you decide) Santana Row, The Counter is another play on the “build-your-own-burger” concept. Wherein it is in your hands, dear diner, to select the individual components that will make up your custom built, and hopefully delicious, burger. I must admit I had my reservations first coming in…my past experiences with gourmet burger places have been lackluster at best. While solid in concept, I haven’t yet been to a place that has made gourmet burgers tasty enough to warrant coming back. Especially when I know there’s delicious, simpler, fresh burgers available for a much more palatable price…..*cough* In-n-out *cough*

I really don’t get the interior of this place. Scant decor, solid metal metal beams, a high warehouse ceiling, and chrome chairs. It’s like they were trying to shoot for a minimalist, industrial feel to be cool and edgy, but the place ends up feeling more cold, cavernous and empty. Like enjoying a burger in a warehouse. To top it off, the only color they give the place is this weird aqua-turquoise. So like eating in an old refrigerator. But a warehouse. A refrigerhouse? Not the most welcoming, nor relaxing of places to eat. I dunno, not really working for me. They did have a pretty stocked bar though.

The menus are pretty fun here…you get a clipboard and a small pencil. And you basically check off your selections and give the sheet to the waiter. Be careful if you’re super hungry, I can attest that one’s impulse is to check all the way down the list. One thing I do appreciate about building your own burger is that it allows people to actually read each ingredient and savor, test it in their minds. And people actually thinking about flavors, thinking about what they’re eating is never a bad thing.  Anyway the menu consists of 5 steps…choosing a meat, a cheese, toppings, sauce, and a bun. I have to say I was impressed with the selection…particularly with the sauces available. You have solid roasted garlic aioli, apricot sauce, horseradish mayo…etc. I went with a 1/3 lb. beef patty (medium-rare, of course) horseradish cheddar, (I think) red onion, sauteed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, grilled onions, and roasted garlic aioli sauce. I guess I must’ve gotten too excited checking off whatever sounded good…cause it didn’t dawn on me until later that I had ordered double onions. What a foo I am.

Believe me, it’s smaller than it looks. After waiting a long damn time, the burger finally arrived in all it’s…well…smallish glory. It’s not a big burger. However, upon taking my first bite, I can see where the work went in. The red peppers were nice and sweet, as were the grilled onions. Nice crisp red onions, well-seasoned sauteed mushrooms. And the beef tasted the way it should…like beef! I’ve had so many burgers that were char-broiled till they tasted like burnt cardboard…or so muddled and tasteless that only the condiments lent any flavor. Not this patty. I have to say I was pretty impressed. All the flavors were well pronounced and they all tasted like they should…which speaks of high-quality ingredients and good execution. A solid, better-than-average burger.

Service leaves something to be desired here…everything took a pretty long time while I saw plenty of waitstaff idling around chatting, which is not only infuriating for a waiting diner, but is also a big no-no in my opinion. And my Diet Coke was syrupy and flat…sorry, I had to say it. While having had a solid burger, I left still a bit hungry and with a significantly lighter wallet. Better than average, but still pricey. That aside, The Counter’s burgers are worth trying out. They’re probably one of the better “gourmet burgers” I’ve had. But the issue is that apart from the burger’s flavor, I feel like everything else here is lacking. So it’s worth trying out…but it’s not yet come-backer status.

The Counter
3055 Olin Avenue Suite 1035
San Jose, CA 95128
www.thecounterburger.com
I hate syrupy Diet Coke…no seriously.

I will quickly admit that I am not an expert in Filipino cuisine. Lumpia and adobo anything pretty much covers the extent of my interaction with it. I’ve enjoyed it thus far, and I was looking forward to expanding my horizons. Thanks to the recommendations of some of my homies, I ventured out to this trendy spot in San Bruno in search of some tasty treats.

You’ll have to excuse the terrible photo; the lighting was poor and I couldn’t get across the street for a better view. Place was packed out, though and waiters were working hard to turn the tables as fast as possible. Tagalog could be heard everywhere inside, which is always a good sign for a Filipino restaurant. I was surprised to see a lot of Filipino twenty somethings eating also, but with the huge populations of Filipinos in neighboring cities (particularly Daly City), it’s good to see locals supporting their own. The lighting was moody and the place had a lively and very vibrant feel. I was excited to eat!

I never understood the fixation on lumpia for some people. Just another take on the classic egg roll. Having said that, I ended up going for the fish lumpia; something a little different than the normal pork lumpias. Gotta try the popular stuff right?The lumpia was fried well, with a great crunch upon first bite.  Mmmm, I think I prefer the pork still. The fish wasn’t quite doing it for me.

Of course we all have to eat our veggies. I ended up trying the adobong kangkong, which featured kangkong leaves simmered in soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic – the typical components of adobo. I had no idea what the heck kangkong was, so thanks to the magic of wikipedia, I discovered that kangkong is a water spinach, which can be found in tropical and subtropical areas. Apparently it grows easily in water and is common to many Southeast Asian dishes. The sauce was a bit strong, masking the flavor of the kangkong itself, but I thought it was a good dish. Liked the pork crisps on top too. Think pork rinds, with just a bit of meat.  Delicious.

Okay, honestly, this probably wasn’t the best choice if I was looking for an authentic Filipino entree, but it sounded too good. I waited too long in line before I was seated and my duodenum started to control my desires instead of my brain.  Beef marinated with soy sauce and lemon sauteed with onions, on top of french fries? Damn, freaking awesome looking. I know I can epitomize food snobbery, but I am also a man who loves meat and potatoes. That being said, this was easily the best dish, even though I probably could have made it myself. With rice, it was great. All in all, a pretty good meal. Next time, I’m going to try a bit harder and have something a bit more authentic, instead of giving in to my inner hungry beast. Ohhh, that paella sounds great!

Patio Filipino
1770 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA 94066
650-872-9888
Be prepared to wait.  A lot.  Especially if a bunch of entire Filipino extended families decide to eat dinner out.

My friend, Laurene, and I were starving, so we decided to look for something to eat in Bernal Heights. After a short deliberation (Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack was the other contender), we walked into Inkas. I’m not very familiar with Peruvian food, since I tried it for the first time when I moved up to the Bay for college. Mexican was pretty much the only Latin American cuisine that I had tried extensively. Based on my few experiences ceviche, fried chicken, and lots of potatoes seem to be the motifs of Peruvian cuisine. I’m definitely not complaining about that. Anyway, Inkas was an interesting experience, definitely one worth sharing.

The place was empty when we sat, but we had the luxury of some very personal service. Our waitress brought out a complementary glass of this purple drink, known as chicha morada. My weak Spanish skills helped here a bit, as I remembered that morada is purple maize, but the drink looked daunting. The drink itself was strong in flavor and very sweet; cloves and cinnamon give the drink a very spicy kick. I can’t say I was the greatest fan, but it was interesting and definitely an acquired taste. The waitress kept refilling the cup, so I had to drink it, since Laurene was definitely not feeling it as much, haha.

We started with the ceviche mixto, which had fish, shrimp, calamari, and mussels. This one was a winner. The lime dressing was just right and was easily one of the better ceviches I’ve had. Even came with a bit of corn and potatoes. Good stuff.

Next up was the pollo ala brasa. We ordered the half, which was more than enough for us. Nothing particularly spectacular about the chicken; it was a good piece of rotisserie chicken, with a lot of flavor in the skin. The meat itself was lacking a bit, but it was moist. The fries were run-of-the-mill flavor-wise, but they were deep-fried perfectly (soft inside, crispy outside), so they were pretty good.

I was not enthralled with this dish at all. This was the picante de mariscos, which was basically the same seafood components as the ceviche, but in a spicy chile onion cream sauce. Tasted like a Chinese dish, which isn’t bad, but not what I expected or wanted. The rice on the side just increased the Asian-ness. I think I was disappointed because I wanted something more exotic or different, but my palate associated the dish with Chinese cuisine as opposed to something more stereotypically Latin American or more specifically, Peruvian. In retrospect, I realize that I tend to categorize food into specific flavor profiles and tend to disregard anything that remotely resembles fusion cuisine as completely inauthentic. However, Peruvian cuisine is just that.. a fusion of South American, Chinese, Japanese, and Italian flavors that reflect its diverse cultural heritage. I think I have to learn to be a bit more open to flavors that crossover into unexpected places. Thanks Inkas for teaching me a gastronomic lesson, haha. Not some of the best or trendiest Peruvian food here (I think Fresca and Limon take that title in the city), but a good spot with a very friendly staff.

Inkas
3299 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
415-648-0111
They seriously have to get a real sign. Canvas just doesn’t cut it, especially if it’s over a year old.

Fremont always evokes for me memories of high school and stifling suburban boredom. Though things have since begun changing, back in my day, (heh) Fremont had little to offer a restless high schooler but sprawling track housing and hills. Maybe it’s an age thing, but with time I began finding diamonds in the rough. Small cafes, restaurants, and dives that give Fremont more character than I had initially given it credit for. For one, Fremont’s large Indian population brings with it some damn good Indian food. And among the pack, Pakwan has quickly become my place of choice for warm, hand-made naan and spicy curry. Ho, yes.

At least on the outside, Pakwan has a pretty curious feel going for it. The exxagerated sloping roof would have you expecting an alpine place serving bratwurst and kraut. But instead you find some solid naan and curry. The interior isn’t much to talk about, yellow paint and photos of India, a singular podium where you place your order. A semi-open kitchen allows you to look in on where the action happens, always a big plus in my book. Watch the cooking, soak in the aromas, and listen to the patting of fresh dough as the cooks make hand-made naan in the roaring ovens. Quite a treat.

In my mind, curry is inseperable from fresh naan. A little crispy, a little soft, light and airy, and slightly steaming as you bite into it, naan does a lot to provide a crispy texture contrast to gravyish curry, while also balancing out it’s spiciness. Not to mention it’s always fun to put down the knife and fork and eat with your hands. Rip that flatbread into conveniently shaped pieces to dip, scoop, wrap, (and spill) your curry. Pakwan hasn’t dissapointed with this staple, and they offer various flavors and stuffings for naan, including garlic naan, ground beef, onion, and potato.

First up, chicken tikka masala, a dish I consistently order at all the Indian restaurants I go to. Interestingly enough, tikka masala is not a traditional Indian dish, yet it is widely ordered and vastly popular. Much like orange chicken, tikka masala is a westernized version of an authentic dish, tracing it’s roots back to the UK, and it’s large Indian immigrant population. British tastes for gravy are said to have accounted for the thick, creamy consistency of the curry. Globally speaking, it’s widely regarded that the best Indian food outside of India can be found in Britain, (Apparently Kanye put in $3900 for overseas take-out) so they must have done something right. Anyway, Pakwan’s tikka masala is pretty solid. A slightly acidic, sour taste, likely from yogurt and/or tomatoes in the sauce is mellowed out by the cream in the gravy itself. So the end effect is somewhat tangy, yet not overwhelmingly so. And of course, the nice thickness of the curry is perfect with the naan. The chicken has been a hit-or-miss sort of thing, tending towards a bit dry and overcooked sometimes.

Next is the achar gosht, a roasted pepper lamb curry, along with a mixed vegetable curry. I’ve always been kinda partial to lamb…while others have told me it tastes like wet socks. Nonetheless, the achar gosht was pleasantly spicy and a bit hot, while the mixed vegetable curry tasted of mostly spinach more than anything else. The curries at Pakwan seem to be a bit on the heavier, greasier side compared to other places I’ve been to. Both were solid, but neither was particularly amazing.

For some reason or another, the tandoori entrees at Pakwan have never really hit the mark for me. The spice is right, but the meat almost always seems to be dry and overcooked. Such was the case for our tandoori lamb chops. All the good flavor seems lost if you find yourself having to gnaw at your meat rather than chew it. Hopefully I’m wrong, and I just haven’t ordered the right dish yet.

For all its tendency towards overcooked meat, Pakwan still has me coming back for solid Indian/Pakistani food. And none of the menu items are significantly expensive, so you can walk away pretty full for not too much cash. While I’m willing to bet there may be better Indian food in Fremont, (Shalimar comes to mind) Pakwan provides an easy, accessible, and pretty solid option for sampling Indian cuisine. Give it a shot.

Pakwan
41068 Fremont Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94358
(510) 226-6234
Make sure to get some of the unlimited milk tea, it makes for a nice complement to all the spice.

Pizza is one of my great loves. I have to admit, I was not the biggest fan when I was a young lad; it must be the options that were given to me – Pizza Hut, Domino’s, etc. Well, something must have clicked during those long nights studying in Berkeley and the pie and I became buddies. While Cheeseboard first got the juices flowing, the Bay Area provides quite a myriad of options when it comes to pizza. Golden Boy Pizza always does the trick when I’m in North Beach. If you’re craving the Sicilian stuff, this is your spot. In fact, Golden Boy is arguably the best pizza in all the city. I said it.

I grabbed three of their slices here: pepperoni, combo, and pesto veggies. They also have a delicious garlic clam joint, which seems to have a knack for selling out right before I get in line. Sicilian pizza means square slices, which can be tough to eat (it’s okay to use a fork and knife for this one), but damn the crust on these suckers are to die for. Crispy and flaky, just the way I like it. The toppings are perfect with a sprinkle of oregano. These pieces are big, but a tad bit overpriced at $3.50 a slice. You’re paying for a piece of history here, though, so no complaining. Plus it’s cheaper than anything else you can find in that neighborhood. Golden Boy’s little neon sign acts as a delicious beacon during the late night; all the hungry ghouls who just finished hitting the club in North Beach (or is en route to another) flock here. Oh yeah, no deliveries, and no whole pies to go. Gotta make the trek to taste the goods, haha. And you should, because you might be depriving yourself from one of the finest pizzas you will ever lay your teeth into.

Golden Boy Pizza
542 Green Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94113
415-982-9738
Another cash only joint. Oh well, I can never resist this place. Great hangover cure (that’s what I heard, at least, haha).

I’m sure you love finding hidden gems; movies, books, shoes, music, etc. Who doesn’t? Since this blog is about food, yeah, you guessed it, we unearthed a very fine gem hidden in one of the most unlikely of places. No really, I don’t know how anyone would find this place without the internet. Anyway, Hogan’s Cafe is that little secret place that serves all the favorite homestyle meals, both breakfast and lunch, in a very comfortable setting. Hearty and filling portions make this place a winner.

My roommate and I were going to catch up with a friend for breakfast before work (freaking early), and we left it up to him. Thanks to the magic of yelp, he found this place nestled in sleepy South San Francisco. Okay, so South City doesn’t have much outside of Genentech and its biotech brethren, but it does have a lot of produce trucks. And in between those produce trucks lies this tiny trucker’s heaven. Yeah, it’s really here. Man, if yelp didn’t exist, I would have never eaten here. I was almost scared of leaving my car there. While it can never compare to the craziness of Tsukiji at 4am, I couldn’t help feeling commotion from all the produce being carted around.

Food-wise, Hogan’s delivers what you would expect. Nothing crazy or over the top, and definitely nothing gourmet, but satisfying. The food’s gotta be good if this place is still open, given its secluded location. I had a Denver omelet (omelette? whatever), which is your standard bell pepper, mushroom, and ham egg concoction. It was filling, too much protein in fact, because I was getting woozy in lab, which is never ever a good thing. Damn good hash browns though. Crispy and just sprinkled with enough salt. Hogan’s seems to have a plethora of menu items, so there’s something for everyone. Lunch items look pretty appetizing too, especially the fatty sandwiches.

What a homey place. Littered with pictures of sports and pop culture luminaries alike, there’s a lot of history on those walls. Our server was quick and very polite; exactly what you’d want from someone if you’ve been driving hours through the night. The food was on the table with minimal wait and the coffee was steaming. Great find, check it out if you ever stumble upon it.

Hogan’s Cafe
155 Terminal Court, South San Francisco, CA 94080
650-583-2293
Haha, good luck getting there!

Berkeley has tons and tons of unearthed gems when it comes to delicious food. When I first stepped foot on campus as a student, I distinctly remember strolling down College Avenue during the fall, avoiding puddles and watching the golden ginkgo leaves float in the air. I noticed that there was a plethora of restaurants close in the Elmwood district and I made it a goal to give each one of them a go. This Italian restaurant captured my fancy with its simple, yet authentic food. However, since I slurped down my first linguini four years ago, Trattoria La Siciliana has gained a lot of pub from both locals and Zagat hypebeasts alike, with very good reason.

I relish the opportunity to eat all my comfort foods when I’m back in Berkeley. And for good homestyle Sicilian food, I go straight to Trattoria La Siciliana. The fresh crab and lobster sign is always alluring (although it always seems to be posted). Today, I decided to order one of the house specials, the Granchio all’Insalata, as a starter. The crab was freshly cracked and slathered with lemon, olive oil, and garlic. Simple, but incredibly lip-smacking. It’s not cheap, even for the half, but mmmmm. And I love the fact they give you a nice steamed towel to wipe down your hands after. Great service.

Next up, main course! After the almost sweet tasting crab, I wanted to mix it up with something a little more hearty. Well, might as well go with the Linguini alla Siciliana, complete with anchovies, roasted red peppers, Sicilian olives, and sauteed eggplant. Ahhh, so good. I know that not everyone is an anchovy fan, but if you are, you will absolutely love this dish. The almost earthy kick of the anchovies coupled with the capers make the sauce a rich and very savory experience.

Like many of the storefronts and eateries on College, the space is a little tight and narrow. Makes dinner an intimate one, but it can easily get loud especially if there are parties upstairs. The decor exudes a very homey feel and the service was excellent and very attentive. Sigh, I love having the water filled with expedience. Haha, the simple things right? Trattoria La Siciliana is easily one of the best places where you can find a great plate of authentic pasta in the East Bay.

Trattoria La Siciliana
2993 College Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705
510-704-1474
Aw man, cash only again. Mmmm, cracked crab.

First things first. Watching Fresh Prince is about the closest I’ve ever been to Philly. So, when dealing with something as fiercely defended as the venerable Philly Cheesesteak, I guess I’m forced to admit that I’ve never had a real Philly cheesesteak. That being said, I’d like to think that Jersey Joe’s comes pretty close. Jersey Joe’s has quickly become one of my local favorites…not only because it’s close, but simply because I love cheesesteaks. I mean, what’s not to love? This is unpretentious Americana fare at its best: fatty meat, gooey cheese, and minimal vegetables, all conveniently stuffed into a deliciously artery-clogging sandwich. Throw in some fries and a pint of beer….and….damn, I am having a good day.

Well, the place is certainly not much to look at. Located in a corner of a unassuming shopping center, it’d be easy to miss Jersey Joe’s at first drive-by. No brushed wood inlays or track lighting, no, nothing fancy. And in this case, it’s perfect. This is your friendly neighborhood sports pub/sandwich shop. Sports flags and team posters share wall space with beer signs, all flanking the big-screen projector in the middle of the room. Yes, this place has a projector, along with four plasma TV’s at each corner of the room. Now, normally I’m pretty against having TV’s in restaurants, (see Burger Bar) but here, it just works, it fits. Walk in here Sunday or Monday night, and it’s easy to spend a few hours with the boys nursing beers and watching the Steelers on the big screen, while following the Red Sox on the corner TVs. Simply put, it’s great.

Jersey Joe’s has a pretty extensive menu, including hoagies, burgers, and other sandwiches…but let’s be honest, you’re here for the cheesesteaks. It all starts with your basic cheesesteak: a half-pound of sliced ribeye served with gooey American cheese and grilled onions. From there, a variety of add-ons await, like: sweet/hot peppers, mushrooms, pizza sauce, pepperoni, and (thank goodness) bacon. Get your doggy bags ready too, not only are they huge, but these suckers are dense.

I’m still working my way through the menu, but my current favorite has to be the sweet pepper cheesesteak. The flavor isn’t everything I would like it to be, I usually find myself wishing for some garlic, or laying on the hot sauce. That’s not to say there’s no flavor; the melted American cheese does a lot to mesh the fatty beefiness of ribeye (my favorite cut) with the slight sweetness of the peppers. But none of the components really sing. It’s a solid, good flavor, just lacking some punch. The texture, on the other hand, is great. No gristly chewy bits, just gooey, moist goodness that matches perfectly with a fresh set of crispy fries.

At roughly eight bucks a sandwich, Jersey Joe’s is definitely a little on the pricier side. But otherwise, it’s solid in every sense. Unpretentious fare coupled with a chill neighborhood sports bar feel. In fact, that’s what draws me to this place, it’s a good place to just come with friends and watch the game, while enjoying good sandwiches with a pitcher of beer. East Coast favorites on the West Bay. Nice.

Jersey Joe’s
21 El Camino Real
San Carlos, CA
(650) 592-7317
This place gets packed around lunch hour, so do your best to come before noon, or after 1.