San Mateo Prime image

San Mateo Prime

Restaurant Cafe Bar Steak house

Welcoming steakhouse provides craft cocktails, a lengthy wine list & cut-to-order prime rib. People often mention service, Prime, good, dinner, time, excellent,


Address

174 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401

Website

www.sanmateoprime.com

Contact

,
(650) 558-8918

Price rating

$$$ $

Rating on Google Maps

4.20 (195 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 5 to 10 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 5 to 10 PM
  • Thursday: 5 to 10 PM
  • Friday: 5 to 10 PM
  • Saturday: 5 to 10 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: service (13) Prime (10) good (8) dinner (7) time (6) excellent (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 2/5 E B. 1 year ago on Google • 56 reviews
    Prime rib was one of the best we have had. The servers were attentive. Stars are based on what happened after dinner. A service charge (SVC CHG) of 19.8% was added to the bill with NO explanation. There was no indication on the menu, no signs/noticed posted. No disclosure of this when we made our reservation. Fine, maybe it goes towards the gratuity? We thought the SVC CHG went to gratuity - a bit less than we give normally for good service, but okay, we don't mind being forced to pay gratuity. Apparently, that service charge does not go to the servers or wait staff as a gratuity! In my opinion, this is deceptive. Who does that service charge go to exactly?... We won't be returning and will support other establishments that can account to why you are charged a service charge and who is getting the money. Extremely disappointed.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Musho P. 4 years ago on Google • 1589 reviews
    They let us share a 16oz beef, even gave us an extra pop pie!! Which was very eggy and crispy and yummy. Good service and decent beef.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Judy W. 1 year ago on Google • 39 reviews
    Celebrate a birthday there for dinner. Everyone was happy with their meals. I would've given an extra star if they didn't charge for the Shirley temples even with our hook-ups. 🤭
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Khoko K. 11 months ago on Google
    The food was surprisingly good. Just like one of those unknown tasty cuisine hidden in the city.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 K L. 4 months ago on Google • 514 reviews
    We had a large family dinner for Xmas day and only one waiter served us. The food was good but took awhile for the main dish to come out. Not sure why there are 3 persons at the greeting reception.

  • 3/5 Thomas N. 5 months ago on Google • 37 reviews
    I've been here for years. The food is usually decent, but this time, it's a bit underwhelming. Ordered the Filet Mignon, and it came out to be wayyy smaller than before (about the size of a tennis ball). It wasn't very good either. Splat some mashed potatoes and a handful of fries, and there goes a $65 meal. (See picture.) I also heard the rack of lamb this time wasn't great either. Perhaps management should do a taste test to make sure the food is up to par? Cuz this time, it tastes a bit like mediocre buffet food. 😶
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gwendolyn McBride B. 9 months ago on Google • 36 reviews
    Had dinner here today, my first time trying this place. Reservations are suggested. We were greeted by Simon, who was both the hostess and sever. We were seated promptly and placed our dinner order and drinks. Fresh hot bread and butter served is before our meals. The entree portion sizes were perfect, well worth the money. It was a quiet little spot downtown. I loved the loved ambiance and will definitely go back there again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mahgo 4 years ago on Google
    Their main cuts of steak will be~$40-$50 depending on which you choose. Their steaks were nice and tender and the sides delicious as well.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Samantha B. 5 years ago on Google
    It's hard to visit this spot without comparing it to House of Prime Rib so let's get that out of the way - HOPR is way better. That said, San Mateo Prime is way more reasonably priced and more low key. The prime rib was cooked perfectly, really tasty, and the popovers were HUGE. I missed some of the pomp around the table-mixed salad and meat carved right from the cart that you get at HOPR, but at $75 each (with tip and a drink or two) it's hard to complain!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Maya B. 7 months ago on Google • 6 reviews
    Horrible. Flat out refused service an hour and 20 minutes before closing. When I first attempted to visit this restaurant their Google page said they closed at 10, so I made the trek over but apparently they are not open on mondays. I decided I would try again on a Saturday night. I checked online and it again said 10, but I called to verify their hours and ensure they still had crab dip on the menu. After calling they said they closed at 9. I recalled later that day just to check again (since I didn’t want to make the drive over if they were closing early) and they said they close at 9:30 but the kitchen closes at 9. I arrived at 8:10… an hour and 20 minutes before closing and upon entry asked if we could sit at the bar for drinks and apps. But the person at the front just looked at us and said “we don’t serve appetizers”. They didn’t offer us the bar or main entrees, just flat out refused service. It did look slow and I would have understood if they said it was slow and they were closing up early. But to call twice and drive all the way over for them to just say “they don’t serve appetizers” is abhorrent. Will never be back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jason C. 2 years ago on Google
    This place's prime rib is quite tender and flavorful. Good alternative to the House of Prime Rib in SF.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark G. 1 year ago on Google • 61 reviews
    If you Love House of Prime Rib in San Francisco....You will enjoy San Mateo Prime....Prime Rib was very good...The salad Yorkshire Pudding were awesome...and I did not have to wait 3 months to get a 7pm reservation....💙

  • 5/5 Ron L. 4 months ago on Google • 40 reviews
    First time at San Mateo Prime; Very comfortable setting; What you'd expect, nice tables, tablecloths; Nice, well stocked bar; Prime rib, Avenue cut was very tasty; Only distraction was a large party with one very loud individual; Otherwise, great place for a meal; I understand there is also an upstairs dining area; Staff very attentive; I would definitely make a reservation when you go; Lots of foot traffic in downtown area; So I wouldn't take a chance, reserved a table in advance; They can seat large parties too!

  • 5/5 Y.K. Enterprises, L. 6 months ago on Google • 16 reviews
    Always the perfect ambiance for any occasion. We are always greeted by the owner with such warm hospitality. The prime rib is never less than perfect for us. So deliciously tender and juicy. I'm getting hungry for San Mateo Prime just writing this review!!!

  • 5/5 TP L. 2 months ago on Google • 9 reviews New
    Mainly excellent, management and service was excellent, we had a large party and 15 out of 19 of us says the food was excellent and the other four gave the food a 4 plus, worth the time

  • 4/5 CKMo 1 year ago on Google
    I'd say the food was good and the service was great. Portions were large. Id come again.

  • 5/5 Karla T. 1 year ago on Google
    We went to celebrate Mother's day with my family and the service and the food was amazing. Very friendly people and kids friendly that is a plus for me. For sure I will go back again.

  • 4/5 Christina Chang J. 6 years ago on Google
    Steaks are good, but not exceptional as we expected high. Great place for a dinner. Easy conversation and warm environment. Just hard to find parking in San Mateo downtown area.

  • 5/5 Ash C. 2 years ago on Google
    Celebrated my birthday dinner there tonight. The food and service was fantastic. I forgot to take photos but you've seen their prime rib so no sense duplicating photos of the same thing. Will definitely be back again soon. Yummmmmm!

  • 4/5 Josh L. 4 years ago on Google
    Service was excellent, prime rib was excellent, salad was excellent. Sides weren't great, we had fries, both Spinach dishes and garlic mashed, they were just ok. Overall I do recommend.

  • 5/5 william l. 1 year ago on Google
    Outstanding service and food. Very friendly owner visited our booth to ensure everything was good. I would highly recommend this restaurant!


Call (650) 558-8918 Send Email Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Comfort food
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery

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