Wolf H.
Yelp
Take your in-laws here.
Boulevard Café has been a popular Daly City icon since it opened in 2005. It's the kind of place that gives a city character and Daly City would feel a little emptier without it. The goal here is a classic diner experience with some unique signature dishes. It's in a great location easily reached from Pacifica, the Sunset, and anywhere in between. Close to everything.
Ambiance
Feels more like a cafeteria than a café. Cavernous ceilings and hardwood floors make for a noisy space. The entryway has a nice retro touch, and the seating is cool. The whole vibe feels like it was built in the '60s or '70s -- probably the look they're going for. I found it endearing.
Service
We were seated quickly, drinks taken promptly, and our order followed shortly after. So far, so good. The service itself, however, was quite lacking. I don't need a whole song and dance, but do try to look like you're conscious. If Soviet-era Brutalist architecture could get a job as a waiter, this guy was it. He had all the charm of a Serbian loan shark growing impatient that we hadn't defaulted yet.
Anyway, the food...
I ordered the lamb burger, which sounded interesting, and my bestie ordered a light breakfast for lunch of toast, sausage, and fruit. She was disappointed that they didn't have margarine or any other dairy substitute for the toast, but oh well.
The lamb burger came with feta and red onion with shredded carrot and lettuce on the side. Or maybe that was a salad with no dressing. (There was enough lettuce that it might have been.) I took a bite and it was dry. I asked the waiter for some mayo, which he dropped off and quickly moved on without comment. The mayo wasn't enough to save it. It was just bland. It really needed something more- like maybe lemon or tzatziki sauce. Also the bun was too soft and poor quality. It fell apart before I had finished, so I had to resort to knife and fork. The horror, I know.
Bestie's brunch for lunch wasn't much better. The toast was cold and the sausage was room temperature. The fruit, however, was quite fruity. And that's what you really want in fruit. So high score there.
The Service Again
I hope this guy was just having a bad day. I asked for more iced tea with my glass set conspicuously next to my bestie's empty water glass. He brought another iced tea, but didn't even ask her if she wanted a water refill. That seems so weird. Is it just me?
Bathrooms
Bestie reported the ladies' room was clean and nicely decorated.
Parking
I went on a Wednesday and there was just enough parking. In my experience, it's always been packed on the weekend, so I am assuming parking might be tricky.
Things to improve.
* Add sun shade. My bestie was a dark silhouette as I was seated facing the window.
* Keep water glasses full. It's easy.
* Add some noise mitigation.
Hero Shout Out!
Busboy Juan Carlos was hustling, smiling, and just doing a great job. Turning tables fast and being a boss. Give that guy some Giants tickets or something. He deserves 'em!
__________________________________________________________________
I'm a burger snob, as some of you know, but I don't expect a fine dining experience in a diner. I'm looking for that uniquely American diner experience. (See my review of Art's Café). I do expect good service and food that is comforting and delicious. Good examples would be Tommy's or Max's. Boulevard Café just didn't deliver like that this time.
Any restaurant can have a bad day and miss the mark. I'll be back to try the banana foster French toast at some point. I'll let you know if I have a better experience. I hope I do because this place really does have some personality.