Neal's Coffee Shop

Neal’s Coffee Shop is a pleasant surprise. The service is excellent, staff are friendly and attentive from the moment you arrive. The classic diner-style décor creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. The menu is extensive, offering a wide variety of dishes. While it might benefit from being slightly more focused, the quality of the food remains consistently high. Everything I tried was flavorful, well-prepared, and nicely presented. A standout feature is their mimosas made with natural orange juice. Being able to enjoy a fresh mimosa, even early on a Monday morning, is a huge plus, especially in the Bay Area, where this kind of offering is rare. It’s a small detail that really adds to the experience. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend stopping by. The food is excellent, and the overall experience is truly worth it

Had an amazing dinning experience at this cafe. One of the best breakfast in the town. Food are delicious, friendly staff. Highly recommend.

Finally ate here for the first time a couple of days ago. Pancakes are on the thinner side, which actually gives it some crisp, and it's tasty. Ben's Special was good also, especially with their homemade hot sauce. Extra bonus points for the amazing bobblehead collection display. Overall, this side of the peninsula has some really good diner spots.

This place has been here longer than I can remember. I used to go here 15+ years ago when I lived in the area. I took my parents here for breakfast just to switch it up. We all tend to go to our usual breakfast spots. We were greeted and seated right away by a cheerful waitress. She definitely brings life to the place. The place itself is simply decorated. We ordered: 1. Pancake sandwich special - my dad liked how the pancakes tasted home made. Sausage was perfectly cooked. 2. Denver omelette w/ crepes - my mom felt the veggies and ham were not browned or cooked well enough. She didn't care for the potatoes. They weren't seasoned and browned enough. She really liked the crepes and almost literally licked the plate clean. 3. Biscuits and gravy - The sausage and gravy were delicious. The biscuit was a little hard, like it wasn't fresh. The people who worked here were really good at keeping the place clean and ready for the next batch of customers. My dad liked the service and the fact that you can kind of see them cooking the food. Overall, it was a good experience all the way around. It's a simple no frills diner. My parents especially loved that the portions were just right.

I really like the atmosphere and the folks who work there , they make me feel safe and that's so rare in this day ... Very cool space.

Great diner with friendly staff, fresh hot food. Outdoor eating area. We shared the friend chicken and French toast and it was delicious!

Food was amazing but the highlight was the service. I got the chicken apple sausage omelet and added bell pepper it came with two starch sides and I chose home fries and pancakes. The portions were huge for the price and our server was excellent constantly running around with coffee making sure everyone was doing well and taking all the takeout orders that came in. The vibe of the restaurant is comfortable mom and pop and incredibly clean. If you are staying by the airport make sure to stop in you won't be disappointed.

Awesome place! I missed my flight and googled breakfast near me and chose this place. I'm so glad I came here! The lady i believe her name was Alex she took care of me. She was so sweet, kind, caring with great customer care. The food was amazing, those apple cinnamon pancakes are absolutely delicious. Food came out cooked to perfection and stayed warm during the entire meal. Thank you guys so much for making this out of towners day so much better.

Our family party of six had lunch at Neal's today (Sunday) around 12:30pm. I ordered the chicken & French toast for $19.25 and got three slices of French toast and four pieces of fried chicken (half of an entire chicken). The chicken was so moist and tender! It was so good! I tried the liver & onions and they were also delicious and generously portioned. My elderly uncle had the senior entree of liver & onions and it is a great deal, not just for the quantity of food but for the quality and taste! He got garlic bread, salad, red potatoes, and mixed veggies for $23.95; it was enough for him to take home half and have it for dinner. Their Swedish pancake is wonderful. So are their black beans as well as their nice & crispy fries (yes, everyone ordered very different items off the extensive menu and I tried it all)! The service was very warm and friendly. You can tell that many of the staff members have been working here for a while and care about their customers and their business. I was distracted by my nephew while paying at the register and didn't notice the gratuity was already included so I double tipped. But the employees all deserve it because everyone was so pleasant, kind and working hard throughout the restaurant. I was enjoying the food so much that I forgot to take a picture. I'll definitely be back though! Parking is easy, as it's in the shopping plaza and there's always plenty of space. Thank you, Neal's!

Wonderful coffee shop with good food and great customer service. I came early on a weekend morning and didn't have to wait in line but it was full and people were waiting when I left. Lots of tables inside as well as a few tables outside as well. There are bobbleheads that line the kitchen and a very large, signed Buster Posey jersey on the wall. As a Giants fan, I approve all the decor! In terms of the food, they have a really large selection of breakfast and diner food. Good kids menu too. The waitress was very accommodating of my kids and even splitting their Mickey Mouse pancake and OJs which was greatly appreciated. I got the chicken and waffles which were great. My family got a selection of omelettes and egg/breakfast selection items - they all said it was really good! All in all, great coffee shop with wonderful staff and decor! Plenty of parking! I will be back.

Been here a couple of times and I always like this place! Food: yum in the tummy! I always like getting the egg scrambles / omelettes. Service: cool . Ambiance: cozy cozy. ;)

Decided to bypass the overpriced hotel buffet for a local greasy spoon within waling distance and ran across Neal's Coffee shop. The hospitality was great and friendly for my entire visit and my coffee was never less than half full at all times. The menu had lots of options but as soon as I saw chicken and waffles on the cover there was no need to look any further. The waffles came out first and were just as expected, with a good crisp exterior and soft interior. The chicken was evenly coated and cooked perfectly, although I would prefer a heavier hand with the seasoning I really cannot complain. I also didn't read the description carefully... they provide half a chicken! This wouod be enough for two and all this for about half of the hotel buffet.

Brisk and friendly service and relatively busy for lunch time on a weekday. The pancakes are average but the sandwiches are much better.

This place has been here longer than I can remember. I used to go here 15+ years ago when I lived in the area. I took my parents here for breakfast just to switch it up. We all tend to go to our usual breakfast spots. We were greeted and seated right away by a cheerful waitress. She definitely brings life to the place. The place itself is simply decorated. We ordered: 1. Pancake sandwich special - my dad liked how the pancakes tasted home made. Sausage was perfectly cooked. 2. Denver omelette w/ crepes - my mom felt the veggies and ham were not browned or cooked well enough. She didn't care for the potatoes. They weren't seasoned and browned enough. She really liked the crepes and almost literally licked the plate clean. 3. Biscuits and gravy - The sausage and gravy were delicious. The biscuit was a little hard, like it wasn't fresh. The people who worked here were really good at keeping the place clean and ready for the next batch of customers. My dad liked the service and the fact that you can kind of see them cooking the food. Overall, it was a good experience all the way around. It's a simple no frills diner. My parents especially loved that the portions were just right.

I've been coming to Neal's Coffee Shop in Burlingame since I was a kid, and it's been consistently delicious for as long as I can remember. The food, the service, and the warm, classic diner atmosphere have always made it a favorite. Most recently, I had the crispy pork chop with hash browns, sunny-side-up eggs, and sourdough toast, and it was absolutely incredible. Everything was cooked perfectly, full of flavor, and I completely cleaned my plate. You can truly tell the owner cares about the quality of the food and his customers--that pride shows in every bite and every visit. Neal's is a true Burlingame gem and one of those rare places that's just as great today as it was decades ago.

The food was okay. The mouse running in and out of the booth seats while eating dinner was disgusting. Pointed it out to the manager and he didn't seem too concerned about it. He even let another family sit in the booth that the mouse was in. Won't be going back. Would never recommend.

Overall, it was a good experience. While our waiter was friendly, he didn't speak much English, which led to a bit of confusion. When I asked if the entire menu was available, including breakfast items, he had difficulty understanding the question. I decided to go with the French Dip. The bread was perfectly toasty, and the meat was tender and flavorful. The portion size was generous, and I left feeling satisfied. I'll definitely be back to try something else next time.

randomly pick quaint little spot. I would go again portions were huge great price. Some of the tables were small bathrooms were clean. Service was prompt. Had a good time.

Just look at the receipt in my photo -- an automatic 30% gratuity tagged onto the bill!! My daughter and her friends decided to share a plate of Chicken Parmesan $18.99 and when they got the bill, they were shocked to see 30% gratuity added. I was outraged because they ripped off 4 girls who are only 14!! Instead of stewing in anger though, I decided to call Neal's the next morning and I asked to speak with Neal himself. He was gracious about the incident and said he would investigate the situation and compensate. Of course, this isn't about the money lost but more about the behavior and experience. I was happy to see that Neal was responsive to address this issue professionally. To resolve the situation, I actually returned to the restaurant with my daughter on the next day that the server was scheduled to work so that we could bring closure to this situation. What was interesting was that the actual record that was entered in the register was an automatic tip of 18%. The server said it must've been an accident that she accidentally hit 30% but the point being, she never said anything to the girls when they paid the bill and they weren't given an option as to what percent they wanted to tip. Neal also seemed a little surprised to see me return in person, even though we agreed that I would come back Tuesday, after talking on the phone Saturday. He didn't seem to remember even who I was when I arrived stating I'm here to follow up. I also didn't get the feeling that he talked to the server very much about the issue prior to my arrival. It really isn't about the money, which is why I didn't confront them in anger but more from a place of trying to understand what really happened. Personally I suspect the server just treated the girls as young teenagers, maybe thinking they weren't going to tip at all so a mandatory tip was tagged onto their bill. It's sad because this is why so many kids just stick to drinking bobas or getting fast food to go. Let's really work together to give the young people a better experience to life.

Chicken French toast was one of the few times portion was good enough for take home breakfast the next morning. The chicken breast was a bit dry and toast was nothing outstanding. Try Cracked and battered, you'll see why this ranks only a 5/10. Country fried steak was good 7/10 came with crepes as a side instead of pancakes. It's a relaxed atmosphere which is good and bad, service was also slow and no urgency. They took care of a table that came in after us while we were waiting. Not a problem since we weren't in a hurry but that could go wrong for other people. Each meal was about $20 average

Really good breakfast. Old school diner with tons of options. Great pancakes as a side with your omelette!! Great friendly service too!!

Solid gravy minus extra dry biscuits Terrible service - asked for sausage twice and it never came. Never checked in, had to waive down waitress to order food and had to get up to find a waitress to pay the bill. Good pricing Neighborhood feels for the ambiance Won't be back, but Thanks!

DO NOT, and I mean DO NOT order from here. I ordered the chicken fried chicken pancakes and a club sandwich. In the notes, I asked for ketchup and utensils (assuming pancakes would come with syrup) . I received my order with nothing . I called to just let them know and the owner was very rude. He specifically stated I didn't put anything in the notes and I have to pay extra for syrup. He was extremely unprofessional and didn't have any sympathy for his mistake. His attitude and tone was very rude . He spoke over me the entire time and didn't let me speak . I spent. $73 and wish I could take this order back . Do not support this business

This is your classic diner complete with a full grill right behind the counter. My dad and I split the steak omelet, and it was excellent -- we were worried that the steak would be old and grizzled, but it was fresh and moist. We also ordered a lovely fruit salad (pineapple, melon, and grapes) and had really decent coffee. The waitress was quick, friendly, and efficient. Neal's is also conveniently located -- especially if you need to be at the Mills-Peninsula Medical Center next door. I would come back again!

Nice place. Been there for decades. Lots of customers in and out, even during the middle of the week. Good food. A staple in the area. #spicemeister approved.

The food was great and the service was good and attentive. My partner enjoyed the atmosphere and the hospitality.

Classic breakfast spot where you can get all the normal breakfast items. We just had eggs and bacon and sausage. Bacon was perfectly cooked... Nice and crispy and very flavorful. Coffee was OK but nothing special.

Convenient location in the neighborhood shopping center. This is a typical diner with great food. Seat yourself or order to-go at the register. Staff was friendly and the food was ready quickly. I ordered the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger. Plenty of bbq sauce and generous amounts of bacon. Fresh veggies were on the side so I could build my perfect bite. Fries were crispy and delicious.

It might be my favorite brunch place in the whole wide world. The people are super friendly, food is delicious, from delicious low fat omelet to amazingly tasty sandwiches. Love the vibe and the people. Been coming here since 2008!

This was my first time at this place. I got the mushroom burger and hubby got the open face sandwich. Both were done to perfection and so flavorful. The service was very friendly and homey. We look forward to coming back!!

The breakfast and lunch and dinners are great. It's a wonderful place to eat. It's the best restaurant in California today. . The customer service is the best. I have been coming here to eat for 27 years. It's the best.

Great first experience. Busy place but we were taken care of quickly. Dinner classics done well. I tried the banana buckwheat pancakes with a side of chicken apple sausage. Had a bite of my dining companion's chicken fried steak, which was tender and flavorful. Loved the colorful atmosphere. Easy parking in the parking lot. A new-to-me breakfast spot to add to the rotation.

Came here for weekday lunch with my wife and baby daughter. We had been to their other location in San Mateo and thought we give this place a try for some American fare. The place was very bright and inviting and the sizzle and buzz of the open kitchen was nice to hear. Surprisingly the open kitchen had minimal food odor so their vents must have been amazing. We liked the booth tables which allowed our young one to stand up on the chair without much worry. We noticed a lot of folks ordered the chicken and waffle so we went with that along with the country fried steak with hash browns, scrambled eggs and whole wheat pancakes. There was more than enough food for the 2.5 of us and we had plenty of leftovers to take home. The chicken and waffles must be popular because the Asian woman who helped us commented to her staff at one point about how many people were ordering that dish! The fried chicken was basically half of a chicken with one piece each of the breast, thigh, leg and wing. The exterior was nice and crispy and the interior was piping hot, juicy and tender. YUM! The waffle was also quite good. My young one was a big fan! My wife's country fried steak came with a lot of food. The country fried steak was nice and crisp on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside with white gravy sauce on top. The hash browns were also nice and crispy. No complaints about the scrambled eggs and the whole wheat pancake was fluffy, chewy and filling. We would be happy to come back again!

I used to enjoy Neils in Burlingame, but after my recent visit, I'm afraid I won't be returning. The food was disappointing: the linguisa was undercooked, the buckwheat pancakes were raw in the middle, and I never received the sourdough toast I ordered. The coffee was weak, and the service was both fast and sloppy. I asked for water, but it never showed up. The place has clearly changed since I came years ago--whether it's new ownership or just a decline in quality, it's not the same. Not very tidy either. Tables left uncleaned after cleared - a sign of sloppiness. Definitely not worth a return visit.

Loved breakfast here! Came on Sunday around 10:30 and was seated right away. Menu looked amazing but I got the vegetarian omelet with hashbrowns and toast! Large portions, food came out super fast and staff is very friendly.

"Swedish pancakes" were just four crepes. My daughter's toast was a piece of lukewarm bread. Thanks for nothing.

The food was great (diner like), was close to our hotel (we forgot to get our discount!), and the service was very convivial. We got an omelet that came with hash browns and a crepe (lingonberry butter, yum!) and a kids combo with chocolate Mickey pancake. My daughter scarfed both the scrambled eggs and an entire ginormous pancake. She didn't like the sausage link but that's more about her than the sausage. We sat at the counter so we could watch the food being cooked. Coffee was hot, too.

Turned into the shopping center when Hubby and were looking for a place to grab a quick bite; we were in town for a family event nearby. There are several tables outside but we opted to dine inside. We picked a table for 2 by the window. The place was empty except for 2 ladies who walked in after us. A young lady named Ashley greeted us. She was funny and engaging. I ordered the cobb salad and my husband ordered the fish tacos. I watched as our order was prepared fresh as the cook is just behind the counter, in full view of the entire diner. Our order came and we dug right in. My cobb salad had warm grilled chicken pieces and small slices of thick, crispy bacon all over. It was delicious. My husband enjoyed his fish tacos, made with salmon, and he was able to opt for a side of fries. He really liked the fish tacos and I enjoyed his fries - they were crispy and salted just right! Wish I hadn't left my phone on the vehicle to charge as I would have loved to upload some pics of the food. The only pic I was able to take was of the outside as we were leaving. Side note - while the place was mainly empty, I overheard a number of calls for pick up orders. Seems like a popular area diner for nearby residents. I recommend stopping by for a quick bite and would return if I am ever in the area again.

Neal's has it going on for 60 years. Cheers to more! A locals spot serving up delicious food. The Chicken and waffle is yumtastic. Seasoned well, crispy and juicy. You get flavor in every bite. As I enjoyed every fork full, I got to eyeball dishes coming from the kitchen. What a parade of deliciousness is all I can say. Neal's is going to be my go to spot when at SFO for sure!

This place is a local favorite. They have indoor and outdoor seating, offering breakfast lunch and dinner. The chefs cook up large portions, so sharing is possible. The old style cafe set-up let's you see the cooks in action. The wait staff is always moving to take care of the customers. This place gets busy at peak times, so don't be surprised if you have to wait. The only negative thing is having to choose from all the delicious plates that are offered.

Last minute breakfast stop. Passing thru Burlingame from Frisco. We had four adults and five little kiddos. We were seated within five minutes. Food was tasty and service was very friendly. Food arrived at our table so quickly. Kiddos didn't have time to throw any tantrums. Crepes were delicious. Definitely on List for next time when we are in town.

It pains me to write such a low rated review because I genuinely used to like going to Neal's many years ago, but in my experience recently it has seriously gone downhill. I love the old diner feel of the restaurant and it's certainly nostalgic, but the service and how dirty it was is a big turn off for me. Maybe I came on a bad day because recent reviews view this diner highly still, but as soon as I walked in I felt very unwelcomed and all the workers there ignored us so we just sat ourselves down. Both the waiters working there were honestly pretty rude and were not hospitable at all. We weren't greeted at all and we were ignored on our way out. It was just an odd and uncomfortable experience. The seats and tables were also very dirty. We sat in the corner of the restaurant and there were a lot of flies so I was going to battle with multiple flies while having my meal. I honestly feel like I needed a shower after leaving. There were some small bugs that were crawling on us and biting as well. They also raised their prices from last time I came. I ordered the breakfast sandwich with sausage and the sausage patty was super greasy. We also got the shrimp salad and all the lettuce was wet which is not supposed to happen with a salad...the bottom of the bowl was like a pond and a lot of the vegetables were definitely too old to be served. The shrimp was rubbery and the egg was unappetizing. I like supporting small businesses especially a diner that has been here for so long, but yikes...just a disappointing experience overall and the service left me very dissatisfied. I also don't expect an old fashion diner to be pristine and spotless when it comes to cleanliness, but it was very unclean and I legit feel itchy after leaving. I probably won't come here again unfortunately. There are much better options near this area.

Sadly, I have to update my review. Well, Neal's couldn't keep the service or the quality of the establishment. Have been there 7 times from my original post over the course of a couple of months. The food has now become mediocre, service is lackluster, and a new employee screams out at everyone she works with, "You're the best," at the top of her lungs! Annoying as hell! The fruit is days old when you receive it, the cheese isn't completely melted, and the maple syrup and Tabasco containers are filthy. The search resumes!5

I desperately needed a turkey club sandwich and somewhere with wifi. Wifi didn't work out really slow but I enjoyed my club, just could've used a little bit more turkey. Only knocked off one star because the "turkey soup" which is enough to be on the permanent menu not even their soup de jour, had literal cut up deli turkey bits with unseasoned white rice just kinda mixed into some broth (who does that? Surely not why its on the menu did they run out of non-deli turkey and improvised?). Waitress could've been nicer/more personable and also provided better service. Wish I had the original male server before switching seats closer to a charger bc my small party had business to do, and he was so nice and attentive. 30+ min after food dropped off by new lady we never saw her again which was insult to injury bc the table next to us was getting great service but their waitress gave me an eye when I made eye contact like "not my table babe" and i totally get it! She was hauling ass wish we had her! After waiting for a while for anybody to check up I had walk to the front, wait until until i saw my waitress, and flag her down for the bill and to go boxes. The club was very good though hit the spot and their ranch is awesomeeee! Fries were really good too. I actually don't care much about poor service bc I'm the person to just go find someone, leave cash on the table and hope for the best, or ask all their coworkers if my patience has run out because I just want good food and fair prices hence the 4 stars and not 3. My buddy annihilated his chicken and waffles, again good food!

I had a doctor's appointment nearby and found Neal's Coffee Shop using Yelp, and man am I glad I did! :-) A classic American coffee shop in every respect, there is also plenty of outdoor seating in front of the restaurant. There's the usual counter seating as well as lots of booth and table seating inside. The staff here is fantastic! Everyone's in an upbeat mood which rounds out the coffee shop experience. As I was in the mood for an early lunch, I was VERY excited to be able to order their Salmon Tacos. This is a real "meal-for-the-day" kind of dish. Be prepared to be absolutely full when you eat this! It was delicious and the tacos were so big I resorted to using a fork & knife, heheh. If I'm ever in the area again for any more doctor's appointments, I'm going to also make an appointment to visit Neal's!

The Swedish crepes are to die for ! My family and I love coming here for breakfast. My husband's favorite thing to order is the veggie omelet with Swiss cheese and I love the chicken apple sausage with eggs. So DELICIOUS ! All of their staff are very friendly and the service is quick. I highly recommend this family friendly diner I guarantee there's something for everyone's taste.

Food is pretty solid; some places are better, some are worse. It's not the best, but it's a good option if Millbrae Pancake House is too crowded or you're closer in the area. Just be smart with your order and manage your expectations; ordering a steak is disappointing, but ordering their pancakes hits the spot. Stick to the breakfast food items. Service can still be hit-or-miss.

Food was mediocre and we didn't even get our pancakes and English muffin until we were almost done, after asking twice. Came out cold. Seemed to be the same with other tables. No one ever checked to see if we got everything. Only 1 waitress for entire restaurant on a Sunday during breakfast. Lots of people leaving angry. Used to be a good spot but no more. Won't be going back.

This is a review for their DoorDash service. I've ordered their Swedish pancakes twice, which are advertised to come with lingonberry butter, but both times I received only plain pancakes--no butter, syrup, or fruit. Additionally, I ordered their tea, which was advertised as being very flavorful, but what I received was just a cheap Lipton tea bag. I probably won't order from here again.

Absolutely shocking to see the daughter of the owner of Neal's to confront a senior. He got embarrassed when the daughter of the owner complained that he doesn't tip. She talked loudly in front of other customers.

Very cute diner. My hubby wanted a diner breakfast and we were in the area. We walked in and the atmosphere was homey, busy and just had this take you back in time vibe. Service was fast, good came out hot and quick. No one was rushing you to leave but if you are in a hurry this place also accommodates to that. The gravy and biscuits were tasty. Loved the pancakes. Everything was yummy and nothing was left. Totally recommend

Solid American diner food. A Burlingame institution. Great staff. Their Denver omelette is my jam!

Honestly the best brunch/diner spot in the Bay Area. Very lowkey and homey. Not one of those TikTok IG trendy spots lol but The place has a retro diner feel to it They have an open kitchen so you can see everything they cook. -Customer service is GREAT , staff are friendly and hardworking -FOOD PORTIONS ARE BIG I always have leftovers. They also have a wide selection of food. I like all their Omelettes and salads. The dinner is also chefs kiss. -parking is super easy

I LIKE this place! So glad we ate here. I miss the diner vibe. And this place has it. The customer service is friendly, laid back and on top of it. I ordered the Asian chicken salad and it hit the spot. We need more places like this.

Fantastic food and quick service. I was looking for some delicious pancakes and I found them. The best pancakes ive ever had. As a party of one I sat at the counter. I enjoy seeing how the employees and cooks all work together and have fun.

Very good classic old school diner still doing its thing. No fancy frills here, but they are consistent. There's indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is extensive. Pickup and ordering is easy and my order has always been right. Easy parking and the diner is surrounded by other fun shops and grocery stores. I've been really impressed by their smoked salmon Benedict. It's smothered in sauce and portions have been generous. It's my go to dish now.

Food is mediocre, lack of flavor, but friendly and nice staff. Good service and ambiance. I would still come back and maybe try other food in the menu.