Jack's Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in San Mateo

I recently had a horrid experience last evening at Jacks. For contextual purposes history is necessary- I am not indigenous to Santa Rosa. However, I came in 2021 not the best introduction to a beautiful community. However, there were three bars that I attended that made me feel like I was part of that community. One was Jacks, bird in the bottle and Monty’s until the recent construction. After yesterday, I’ll will never patronize jacks again. This is what happened- I entered during happy hour / as you may know happy hour is for bar patrons and high tables . All was fill - one individual was at a three set high table- I politely, diplomatically, kindly and considerately ask if you was okay sharing her table / I gave her am out because reiterated if she desired her solitude please continue and we did not want to intrude. The kind patron said no please stay. Suddenly a young waitress approached the table asked the woman that had agreed for us to join her table did we force ourselves onto her table. I let the waitress know I had already asked the woman at the table and made sure it was okay- however the waitress was rude as hell - she assumed that a person of color had no social etiquette, Didn’t care about her for a fellow person ask if it was OK to join. She questioned my moral attitude. The manager, the bar manager, Amanda and the manager of the facility, completely supported her response. It was rude. It was embarrassing. It was condescending, and it was racially motivated. I’m suggesting Bro that all people not just people of all people that disagree with bad and racism no longer...

One of my favorite comfort food places to eat. I frequent both this location in San Mateo and the one in San Bruno. I prefer the interior and ambience of the latter restaurant but parking there is challenging. The San Mateo restaurant is always busy as it's in a great location between S El Camino Real and Hwy 92 - easy to get to. The service has always been friendly and attentive. The servers chat you up and make you feel at home. Also, love that breakfast is served until 2pm!

Our office came here to celebrate our coworker's birthday for lunch. We started with the Mediterranean Sampler - my favorite is the tzatziki. I had a cup of the avgolemono which is a lemony chicken and rice soup that takes me back to my days in Santorini. The birthday guy had the lamb burger which he said was flavorful and juicy. The other two each had entree salads, one of which was the Asian Chicken Salad (see picture). Another had the gluten-free cheese macaroni which I've had before but would recommend it as a side dish with something more savory to complement the cheesey pasta. I enjoyed my usual dish, the polenta and summer veggies. The garlic red sauce and cheese just oozes in between the polenta and vegetables. The portion size will never disappoint as you'll always have enough extra...

I stepped in the other night specifically to pee. What can I say, I had to go. I used to live in the SF Mission district, I know how the smell of pee can spice-up the neighborhood, so I do my business indoors. Anyway, slipped in the front door unnoticed, shimmied past the hostess without incident, a brisk walk through the bar like I own the place, and touchdown, I'm in. No creepers lurking about trying to make eye contact. Bathroom is clean, modern, and offers a private suite for sit-down business. I slip into the private office (I don't like small-talk) to do my thing. I mean it is private. You get your own room. You can do anything in there. Definitely a step up from the days of Lyons. Tunes are piped in via a decent speaker in the ceiling. I exit, wash hands, water is warm, sink is super cool, nice design. Plenty of hand towels. There's a can placed by the door to throw your towel in after grabbing the door handle with it (nothing to be ashamed of, we all do it) I slip past the host's station giving my best, "I just peed without purchase" nod to the cute girl greeting customers, I hold the door for the couple heading in (because I was raised right). Overall, five star experience. Definitely one of my favorite stops on ...