Peninsula culinary memories
By John Horgan
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007 at 4:09 pm in Uncategorized.
Say what you will about the many and varied amenities along the Peninsula, but the area does not lack places to satisfy the palate. From San Bruno Mountain south to the Palo Alto border, San Mateo County has more than its share of terrific places to dine. It’s been like that for a very long time. In fact, some of the best eating establishments have actually come and gone. Too bad. But let’s recount just a few of those long-gone venues from a previous era. How about these memorable spots: The Shadows in San Mateo; Uncle Tom’s Cabin in San Bruno; Ed’s Chuck Wagon in Belmont; Stickney’s Hick’ry House in Redwood City; The Doll House in San Carlos (if memory serves as to the precise city _ someone, please, correct me); Bob’s on Broadway in Burlingame; Santini’s in San Mateo, later in Belmont (Oh, that spaghetti sauce was to die for, by the way); Blimp’s in San Mateo (for fabulous hotdogs); and, of course, Kibby’s in San Mateo and King’s in Millbrae and Redwood City, for traditional drive-in fare right out of “American Graffiti.” Ah, those drive-ins. The motorized gastronomic culture may have been relatively fleeting in the suburbs, but it left a lasting imprint on those of us who spent time taking advantage of its various and sundry blessings. We’ll leave a cholesterol discussion for another time, another place.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
October 17th, 2007 at 8:56 am
The original Martinelli’s Steak Pit - Daly City - Perfect! And, speaking of good food in Daly City,
many of us remember Toto’s Pizza with longing. We’re fortunate to have Westlake Joe’s left.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
You are so correct. And don’t forget Val’s just off Interstate 280. Great place. Very nice people. A reminder of how things used to be.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
John…How could someone of our vintage ever forget the magnificent milk shakes served at the old Bordens Creamery on the corner of California Drive and Howard Avenue in Burlingame on the site of the present Putnam automobile dealership? I still have fond memories of sitting at the counter circa 1955 and enjoying a classic chocolate milk shake for the munificent sum of thirty five cents! Yours Gastronomically, mt
October 17th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Don’t forget Vince’s Sea Food in San Mateo…A bit of Fisherman’s Wharf on the Peninsula.
My grandfather would take me there for Dungeness crabs.
October 18th, 2007 at 6:16 am
And, of course, we can’t forget The York in San Mateo or, for that matter, the lunch-time buffet at the Bit of England in Burlingame.
October 18th, 2007 at 8:20 am
John - you’re right about Vals and its still a cut above the rest! Remember the Leaning
Tower and Burtalucci’s in So. San Francisco but go back a bit further to Oliver’s.
October 18th, 2007 at 11:13 am
16 Mile House in Millbrae-
I remember the Pic and Pan in San Carlos - My aunt took me there regularly when I was a kid- It was in a Train caboose. Not sure if the food was good but the atmosphere was! I love the Millbrae House of Pancakes and Vics in San Carlos. But I stop the clocks for Jefferys on B Street in San Mateo!!!
October 18th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Unless the brain has turned to utter Jello, isn’t Bertolucci’s still in operation in SSF, albeit under new ownership?
October 18th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Yes Bertolucci’s is open and the food is good but I remember Mama! I also remember
when Olivers had the blue glass front on the little place on El Camino and a couple of the Bay Area Bombers tended bar there. And, I continue to date myself when I say I liked to
stop at Vince Russo’s Lazy V and join my friend Tony Governale and his pals after the
Saturday races at Bay Meadows. They held court at the bar where the dice were as hot
as the potatoes in the dining room. Miss those days when the peninsula was more fun
than it is now.
October 19th, 2007 at 4:29 am
We have gone more than a bit urban, haven’t we. More people. More traffic. More gang activity. Less time to kick back, relax and enjoy what we’ve got. Ah, well, things change.
October 22nd, 2007 at 5:15 am
I fondly remember the Shadows in San Mateo. I was a young girl and we would go there, especially on Friday night for their clam chowder. They had many fine soups served with the greatest french bread in the world.
I live in Salt Lake City now, I know the shadwos has been gone for a long while and to this day I miss their soups. If anyone knows of any restaurants that has soups even close, let me know.
By the way is Nicks at rockaway still there? I loved that place.
October 22nd, 2007 at 5:34 am
Nick’s has been sold. But a restaurant is expected to remain at that location.
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:17 am
Nicks sold, how sad. Any idea if this “new restaurant” has the same quality food? Can you still get dripping garlic bread and cracked crab? If you knew Cindy who greeted the customers for her entire life practically, is she there? Thank you for the reply John. Still get my Times Fix on line.
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:42 am
Not sure of the cuisine at this point. But things will be different.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
When I was growing up, I loved the Doll House Restaurant as a kid. Great homemade pies and great food. They had a separate room for the kids to color “The Three Bears” menus. Well I should love the restaurant because it was owned by my Grandparents Charlie & Rose Wynn, my Dad John Wynn, & my Aunt Virginia Matosich-Wynn.
We sold the restaurant due to McDonalds fast food business. Lyons Restaurant bought it. My Grandfather used to run the Cash register. He lived until 86, my Grandmother was 99-l/2, my Dad passed at 72, & my Aunt passed at 86.
I remember Peggy Lees Ice Cream also which is now I believe 31 Flavors.