Swing Shift San Mateo

American restaurant · San Mateo

Swing Shift San Mateo

American restaurant · San Mateo

1

5 S Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401

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Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null
Swing Shift San Mateo by null

Highlights

Swing Shift is a vibrant downtown eatery mixing global comfort food with a fun atmosphere, perfect for satisfying diverse cravings over inventive bites.  

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5 S Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401 Get directions

myswingshift.com
@swingshift_restaurant

$$ · Menu

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5 S Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401 Get directions

+1 650 281 0122
myswingshift.com
@swingshift_restaurant

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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"A global cuisine restaurant in San Mateo, closed due to marketing challenges." - Paolo Bicchieri

San Francisco Bay Area Restaurant and Bar Closures to Know in March 2025 - Eater SF
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ayush kalani

Google
Swing Shift promised a global comfort food experience, but unfortunately, it fell short. The restaurant is solely indoor, offering a mix of high and regular tables. While finding parking can be a challenge, it's manageable in the surrounding neighborhoods. The restaurant's interior feels unfinished and lacks the warmth, so it can use some touch-ups. It's clear they are still working on creating a welcoming space. The concept of offering a variety of cuisines to cater to different palates is intriguing, but the execution was lacking. The papadums were overpriced for the portion size, and the accompanying chutneys lacked depth. The Siu Mai was a major disappointment with dry meat and no discernible flavor. The Bone Broth Pho was equally underwhelming, with a bland broth and tough meat. While the BSW Gumbo, Irish Meat Pies, and 5-Spice Pork Belly Fried Rice were somewhat better than the other dishes, they still fell short of expectations. The gumbo lacked depth, the meat pies were unremarkable, and the fried rice was undercooked. Service was surprisingly prompt, but it couldn't compensate for the subpar food. Overall, Swing Shift is a missed opportunity. With such a promising concept, it's disheartening to experience such a lackluster dining experience.

Eric Lai

Google
Went searching for a place to eat after a long day, and found this aptly-named restaurant. The grand opening was less than a week ago, but their food and service are already great -- signs of a seasoned staff and management. At first glance the menu seemed like just an eclectic collection of unrelated dishes. But after ordering and trying a few items, I realized it's actually a curated highlights reel of food from around the world; each menu item probably has a backstory for how it ended up there. They also have an interesting selection of (lightly alcoholic) cocktails and mocktails. The big highlight for me was the "Mexico City Style Tacos Campechanos". All the meats in the tacos were well-seasoned, with the chunks of chicharrones adding an enjoyable crunch and texture. And don't underestimate the "Grilled Veggie Board". It's an unexpectedly generous assortment of well-grilled asparagus, carrots, bell peppers, eggplants, zucchinis, and mushrooms... and I may have forgotten something else in that tasty pile of vegetables. I'd definitely return to keeping working through their menu. Note that kitchen last call at the moment seems to be about 15min before closing, though some dessert orders can be placed later than that.

Jess Chan

Google
I love the concept and variety of cuisine here - My husband and I can both find something to satisfy our different cravings! I ordered a mocktail to start. I really appreciated that the complex flavors crafted a sophisticated experience. For appetizers, let me just say, if you only try one thing, get the chicharrones! It was SO SO crunchy and delicious! For the main dishes, my husband had the burger, which he said was super savory and flavorful. I had the tri tip chili which did not skimp out - there was a tri tip in every bite. We ended the night with Mexican hot chocolate cookies with a pleasantly subtle cinnamon taste and perfect amount of sweet. We will be back to try more!

Fei Yu

Google
Somewhat tucked away, modern eatery in downtown San mateo. Good for small gatherings. I was intrigued by the range offered on the menu - Latin, asian, European, American, though the quality didn't match up to the variety. Grilled veggie board had sliced carrots, eggplant, and zucchini too blackened to eat. Fried chicken sandwich was pretty - photogenic but the batter was rather burnt. Tacos were too greasy with good chucks of steak but it was underseasoned and dry. Servers were friendly but the pace was a bit off. Slow for a half filled floor on a weeknight.

Quinn McKenna

Google
Came to one of the opening dinners here and really enjoyed it. The menu covers a lot of territory--some Asian dishes (yummy fried rice, siu mai), American classics (fried chicken sando, burger), vegetarian dishes (grilled veggies were great, vegan jambalaya--next time!) and even Irish dishes (delicious Irish meat pies). Wine and beer coming soon, but the non-alcoholic beverages are sophisticated--not one dimensional fruit juices. Can't wait to go back.

EE Powell

Google
Walked by and decided to stop for midweek dinner! So glad we did!! Food was delicious: Started with the veggie eggrolls then ordered the veggie jambalaya and veggie gumbo. Both were delicious! Will be back again next week and maybe get takeout too!! Really nice servers and the owner was very welcoming! Would be great for large groups? 😋

Arthur Mahoney

Google
Swing shift! The steakiest hamburger I think I’ve ever had!! Definitely complements their delicious Cabernet wine. Also enticing drinks, including a version of an old fashion that’s extraordinarily authentic, although apparently lower alcohol, the original. Although we are mostly meat eaters in our family, I hear that 50% of their menu is also vegan. Great place to bring a variety of friends with different taste desires!

Daniel Muise

Google
Awesome place. Food consistently delicious, well worth the prices. Great concept: comfort food from different cuisines. The first time I went, ordered the cheeseburger entree (it's got chimichurri, provolone, and really high quality beef) and enjoyed it so much that I actually just ordered the entree over again. I was definitely overeating when I did that --- the normal portions are fine, it was just so on point. I went back again 2 days later. Good vibes

Jude D.

Yelp
This is a really interesting menu with a little bit of everything! My friends and I came during happy hour and shared several plates, including chili cheese fries, tandoori wings, and the grilled vegetables plate. I wanna say the grilled veg was my favorite, it was a huge serving and came with a delicious verde sauce and chipotle aioli. I also appreciated that the staff put the chili on the side for the chili cheese fries, as one person had food sensitivities.

Tiffany M.

Yelp
Very creative restaurant serving a variety of cuisines! American, Chinese, Indian, Irish, Mexican and more! It's all fused in this restaurant cafe. I wanted to order more than I did just to taste everything. All items in my order were made with good quality ingredients and care. Very delicious! I ordered the Siu Mai dumplings, Tandoori Chicken Wings and the 5-spice Pork Belly Fried Rice. All were flavorful according to the entree's cuisine. The Siu Mai dumplings are generous accompanied with soy dipping sauce and lots of scallions, this is a hearty treat. The Tandoori Chicken Wings were char grilled and juicy, bigger than average wings, cooked perfectly. The rice is really good and the 5-spice Pork Belly chunks I loved. The egg on top is cooked beautifully, lovely presentation. Cute cafe in San Mateo. Definitely will return to try some other entrees. The burgers look really good and juicy, too! Give them a try! Unique menu with cuisine for all tastes!

Grace L.

Yelp
This was a new cute restaurant with an interesting concept, where the menu includes 1-2 specialty dishes from a range of cuisines, from Mexican to Asian to Creole. I ordered the Bardstown Bramble mocktail to start and then the Mexico City Style Tacos Campechanos as my main. The mocktail was delicious -- it was light, sweet, and refreshing! The tacos were also good -- I loved the crunch from the chicharrones and the salsa was flavorful. The steak was a little too tough for my preference though, and each taco was overflowing and there was only one tortilla (not two like at other places) per taco so it was a bit messy and soggy to eat. It's a small restaurant with a nice, slightly modern ambiance, so would be best to visit with a friend or a small group. Our server was attentive and our food and drinks were served quickly. I do tend to be more skeptical of restaurants that try to be inclusive of multiple different cuisines in one menu, but I was satisfied here so it might be a good option for a small group that are craving different cuisines.

Pearl R.

Yelp
I was so amazed how good their house burger was!!! I would definitely recommend getting the house burger, it was so juicy and filled with flavor. The gumbo was really good too, but the rice was a little dry. The tacos was really big but it was a little hard to eat since there was only one tortillas per taco. Overall, really enjoyed it. The staff were really nice and the food was really good for the price!

Carolyn T.

Yelp
Nice variety on menu. Open "late". Friendly servers . We ordered fries ... yummy . Chili was good but would have been better if it was served with bread or rice or even crackers. The pho was generous with meat but I found the soup Base somewhat lacking in flavor . Will have to try again their other menu items

Kathy L.

Yelp
What a lucky find...this is the old 31st & Union and Local Kitchens location and it is a welcome replacement. It's off of B Street, the opposite corner from Wursthall. It's small and cozy. It's definitely worth the walk away for the hustle and bustle of the main drag. I visited on a weeknight and was ahead of the dinner rush and we were seated right away. I've visited for dinner on more than one occasion and each visit I left very satisfied. It's a simple menu with some international selections--of what I had it all tasted great. We ordered the Irish Meat pies (served with authentic HP sauce), gumbo, Mexico City style tacos, Tri tip steak sandwich, double patty burger. The gumbo was hearty and delicious and the Irish meat pies are small but 3 to an order is filling--packed with meat and potatoes in a flakey crust; tastes so good with the HP sauce. The tacos maybe be misleading--it seems like you may get 1 of each--steak, chorizo and chicharrones, but in reality the tacos contain each of the 3 ingredients, so there a little crunch of the chicharrones with each of the tacos. It may not look like a lot, but it's fillings. The housemade chips are really good; lightly salted, crispy & not greasy. You can't stop at just one! While I didn't have any alcohol with my meals they do have a nice wine selection and offer both regular cocktails and mocktails. It brightly lit with natural lighting from the big paned windows on both sides of the restaurant--counter seating available so you can people watch while you eat too. Great place for low key, casual dining.

Tiffany H.

Yelp
I stop by here with a friend on a warmer day. My first thought was that it was quite warm in here. There's no AC here to keep the temperature down so I began to limit myself to what I want to order as I definitely don't want things like soup that would never cool down. So with that in mind, opted for the gumbo, sandwich, and an appetizer (Chicharrones). The food came out pretty quickly and overall it was a great meal. The chicharrones was fried really well with enough salt and crispy but didn't have that extra oil taste. Probably my favorite out of the three. Definitely no sauce required. The sandwich was good. The tri tip was not extremely chewy which is an issue that I have elsewhere or in general with getting tri tip for such a low price. Personally not really a sandwich girl just cause it's messy and I eat with a fork but hey I'm just a girl with weird habits. But if I enjoyed the sandwich it should mean a lot more right? The gumbo was flavorful. I personally would have added some spice but whatever they had in there was good for those who don't like spicy food. Would come try again but maybe not when it's hot outdoors. I definitely love me some AC.

Win L.

Yelp
What a fun concept - comfort foods from around the world that we crave! Friendly service! Love it! Honestly they had me at hello when I noticed the beverage menu was equally thoughtful for both cocktails AND mocktails! Yay! Thanks for including us non drinkers in the mix! I am embarrassed to say despite being well travelled, my food exposure apparently is not and there were a number of items on the menu that I didn't know without explanation. Fortunately, the server was excellent and he shared both specials and top 5 most ordered items to help us choose upon discovering it was our first visit. We tried the special cod ceviche in coconut sauce, the tacos and the meat pies. Prices were reasonable for Bay Area prices. I absolutely loved the meat pies, they were so good and filling! Highly recommend. The restaurant is located at the old Noshery and has been transformed into a sleek space with sound proofing that really helps with the ambiance. The team was welcoming, warm and friendly! There is a HH menu between 3-5 and after 9p I plan to check out next time! Metered street parking nearby!

Nancy C.

Yelp
Great service and great tasting food! Came here with three friends and we sat at the bar. The server was very attentive and gave us his suggestions on drinks as well as food. We orders fries, chips, tacos, and ramen. I know, you're thinking hmm odd combinations but it satisfied all of our tastebuds! If you're in the mood of some comfort food, then this is the place. From burgers, fried chicken sandwich to pho and ramen. Swing Shift has you covered. The fries & chips were very tasty. The right amount of crisp. The tacos were delicious! The combination of the steak, chorizo, & chicharron added so much flavor and texture. Such a great taco! And the ramen with the amazing broth! It's VEGAN! Made from shiitake mushrooms, it was rich, creamy, and full of delicious flavor! Of course we added pork belly because...why not?!? And they do not judge ;) Highly recommend checking out Swing Shift, especially if you want to satisfy different cravings. You will not be disappointed! Go now! Go!

Luke S.

Yelp
Great drinks , great staff , great prices, friendly atmosphere. I love the location. The food is that comfort that really hits the spot. I found myself not needing anything else to eat for some hrs and I love to eat.

Jessica T.

Yelp
I went for the grand opening party so take it with a grain of salt that the food was free and service was serve your self apps so idk what regular service is like. But one of the main partners checked in on me personally and introduced themselves. The wings were juicy and fall off the bone, pairing well either the sauce. I was impressed with the mexican chocolate chip cookie since most restaurant lack in the desserts area. The texture was soft yet crispy outside with a bit of a warm kick from the spice that complimented the chocolate. I saw they have a $16 corndog, thats crazy, if someone tried is lmk bcs i love corndogs but $16 is insane. The place js small, seating max ~40 people, but it's clean and modern. Cant give 5 stars bcs I didnt actually get served/ pay for menu items but I was impressed with the food provided, atmosphere, and hosting.

Jess S.

Yelp
What a super cute place that just opened up! They made it into a much more chill and relaxed kind of place than the place before it, which had decent food but was more of a takeaway place. Swing Shift specializes in "urban comfort" food - think like burgers, chili, corn dogs - with an asian twist. There was pho and fried rice. And I would say like, urban comfort food but slightly elevated from what you would expect from other places like a hamburger joint or diner. I appreciate the asian inspiration on the menu. And the cajun - there's a gumbo option I'm def gonna come back to try. Really cute overall, and very nice staff. My only complaint was that it got kinda dark facing the window after the sun set, and that the waiter asked if I wanted tapatio but brought out cholula lol I got the tritip chili, which was super good! Great flavors. Also got the baked potato, which, can't really go too wrong there? Toppings were generous. I ate it before I could take a picture. Def gonna be coming back!

Keith M.

Yelp
I liked the vibe here immediately. Servers were nice attentive, and knowledgeable. I got the Irish Meat Pies, with fries, sooooo delicious little flakey fluffy flavor bombs. My cousin got the Greek Salad and a Baked Potato. Potato was the size of my face! Salad was nice and fresh and delicious. Not a bad thing to say about my experience. They also have mocktails and "Low Alcohol Cocktails" which I thought was a nice option.

Alex L.

Yelp
Excellent food that open late nights for late night dinners or snacks. Great variety of foods to get. The service is great and very attentive. Easy to find parking at the caltrain lot a block away. The gumbo was excellent lots of flavor and filling. The tri tip sandwich was perfect. Perfectly cooked and tender tri tip. And the fries was hot and crispy. It was addicting to keep eating after all the food we had. Definitely will come back more as this is one of the few places open late nights. Can't wait to try the other items on the menu since everything sounded so good but we can only eat so much at one sitting

Jeannie P.

Yelp
I went to swing shift for the yelp elite event. It's located in the heart of downtown San mateo. This restaurant serves a combination of Asian fusion style cuisine. I've ordered beef pho. The soup and noodles were tasty and fresh. The beef balls were delicious. I am so glad I went there. The service was fast and efficient. I would definitely go back :-)

Roman A.

Yelp
An eclectic menu of classic comfort foods from around the world. The burger and the chili and the fried rice are some of the best things you can eat in San Mateo--delicious and beautifully done and cost-performant. Well done, Swing Shift team :) The natural wine and NA beverage list and music playlists are on point, too

Edison H.

Yelp
So excited to check out this new comfort food restaurant in San Mateo. We ordered the tacos, siu mai and meat pies. Tacos are great, love the chicharons they added inside. Siu mai is very juicy as well. And the meat pie is so warm and yummy. Service is also great at this place and I love the ambiance here! Happy to see another small business opens here in San Mateo! Highly recommend if you're looking for a place to get some good drinks and tapas style food.

Debi S.

Yelp
Hubby and I have been wanting to try this place out for a while and tonight was a great opportunity. Swing Shift does not disappoint! This place has a great menu - there is seriously something for everyone. Plates to share, entrees and even things when you want something bigger than an app but not a full on meal. The latter is what we got. I had the gumbo and hub had the stuffed baked potato (this is under the heading of "stuffed starches"). He thought he had died and gone to heaven - LOL. Both our meals were delicious! There was not a speck left of either. The gumbo was not overly spicy and made with chicken and andouille sausage. Hubby inhaled the baked potato! Swing Shift has a great drink menu and I love that they offer boozy offerings as well as a strong menu of non-boozy things. They also have a nice wine list. Something for everyone! Service was excellent - thank you Brady for being so nice! I sincerely hope this restaurant makes it. There has been a high turnover in this location and Swing Shift is the only one that's been here that I will definitely go back to. Highly recommend that you go!

L M.

Yelp
A friend and I went to Swing Shift on Thursday and it was an amazing experience. Every dish we ordered tasted delicious. Here are the highlights: Tacos - Fantastic, so jam packed with high quality ingredients. Meat Pie - Refreshing take, simple and clean. Fried Rice - It was soo good I ordered a second order to go! Hope this helps anyone trying to make their mind up about Swing Shift. It's been open for 6 months apparently but I used to go to 31st and Union(sp?) so its in the same place, same general decor, great feeling overall. I just wish I took photos.

Rose T.

Yelp
Post-exam stress relief at this cute restaurant! The food is amazing--we loved everything we ordered. We tried the Chicharrón, tacos, and gumbo, and everything was absolutely delicious. The service was fantastic as well!"

Samantha B.

Yelp
New spot in DTSM and it's already making waves. Where else can you order siu mai, Mexico City style tacos, pappadums, ramen, and mac and cheese, AND they're all great? This is comfort food at its best. Vegetarian and vegan options galore. Healthy options and not so healthy options. Big N/A cocktail, beer, and wine list plus the usual suspects. Run, don't walk.

Tina P.

Yelp
My husband and I came in for an early date night. It was perfect in every way: *excellent service (Yvette the manager was super helpful, warm, and attentive without being overbearing) *delicious and unique dishes (crispy pork bits in the tacos, crispy and savory chicharrones yummyyy) *chill vibe (plants, nice music in the background). Yvette even gave us a complimentary dessert at the end of our meal. We left feeling happy and satisfied. The hype is real!

Emily M.

Yelp
My partner and I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Swing Shift this weekend. We started with the Lure Frites and the Irish Baked Potato, both delicious. The skin of the potato was especially tasty and perfectly seasoned, and the gooey, melty Irish cheese was so good. For entrees, I ordered the House Burger, which is one of the best burgers I've had in recent memory. The meat was incredibly juicy and the brightness of the chimichurri aioli complimented the beef perfectly. My partner ordered the tacos and loved them. I had my eyes on the Mexican chocolate chip cookies for dessert but was ultimately too full to order. The service was excellent and attentive. Really looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu!

Melida A.

Yelp
Wow this restaurant is going to be my go to restaurant in San Mateo now, they have the most delicious CHICHARON I've ever had and I eat a lot of it! If you are looking for a nice meal, comfort food and variety, this is your place!!! I'm coming back to try more delicious food! Shout out to the Bartenders with those amazing nonalcoholic cocktails .

Heidi R.

Yelp
The service was not tween friendly. We got our apps and got out of there due to the unwelcoming vibe.

Ranjan P.

Yelp
What a welcome addition to San Mateo! It has a bit of everything, e.g. I grew up in the U.K, and their meat pies easily rivals any of the best I've ever tasted in the pubs and could best any British or Irish Cornish pasty. Here their version is a beautifully browned flaky pastry crust stuffed to the brim with a gorgeously seasoned bold but not spicy ground beef with caramelized onions and other veggies. It could stand on its own but their HP sauce dials it up. If you've never had HP or other Irish/British brown sauce, please ask for it, because it's a revelation of all elements: tangy and sweet, savory and an incredible umami. HP is a staple in my house. It's a generous portion here: three satisfying pieces, each one big enough to share. Their Greek salad with all sorts of red and greens with Bermuda onion and tomatoes befitting tomato season (though it's the dead of winter :-( this salad sprinkled with feta is absolutely bomb. The red wine vinegar is tangy enough for me, which I'm partial to acid and this hits the spot. I could've easily eaten the entire plate. My only confusion: why no olives in a Greek salad? Isn't is a necessity? I would've loved some Kalamata olives in it. But I'm telling you: that vinegar dressing is everything, one of the best ever. We also got their special of the day: shrimp tacos. It's the quality of the and ingredients and stellar execution at this restaurant that makes every dish special--spanking fresh ingredients, their tomatillo salsa so damn fresh and not only spicy but with a tinge of a kick for a flavor explosion, with a gorgeous corn tortilla and plump shrimp. My husband loved their non alcoholic Guinness style beer. He got their bread pudding with caramel sauce and loved it. I got their fresh apple turnover, which I didn't like at all. The crust was greasy and not what you'd expect of a turnover. The filling, though Granny Smith apple, was too sweet. The savory stuff on this menu is phenomenal and their drinks menu respects those who don't drink alcohol. The prices are super reasonable and the service friendly and efficient plus they are genuinely interested and curious about how you liked everything. The interior is spartan with enough tables and seats to sit comfortably, the old digs of the Noshery. Parking is a bit challenging, depending on the time/day you come so plan accordingly.

Avi P.

Yelp
This place is awesome. An eclectic mix of global comfort food. Everything we ordered was just so delicious. Can't really go wrong with anything on the menu. The bread pudding was our favorite dessert. The staff is super friendly and attentive. And a good mix of drinks.

Kenneth K.

Yelp
Deserving of its high rating for variety, originality, and tastiness. As the owner puts it, they serve food she wants to eat! Our family can have a tough time agreeing on a cuisine when we eat out. No need to anymore! We started with the tandoori wings and siu mai. The siu mai was gingery and juicy and far more memorable than what you get at lot of Chinese restaurants. Second course consisted of the cheeseburger, gumbo, and a loaded baked potato. Cheeseburger was nicely cooked and the potato bun was delicious. Only small complaint is that I'd probably prefer it more without the pesto. The gumbo was amazing! The roux was cooked perfectly and the seasoning was spot on (so easy to tell when folks shortcut either) -- and most CA restaurants do when they try to make Cajun/creole food. Will be back and hope the place becomes a San Mateo institution!

Hooman F.

Yelp
Swing Shift brings back an overlooked part of dining, that is variety, quality, and service which together is "The Dining Experience". Thankfully Swing Shift excels at every level. Yes, you can get a burger, a chicken sando, a bowl of noodles almost everywhere in the Bay Area but you know what you are about to indulge is that of the highest quality with a touch of love, as soon as you take the first bite and the symphony of flavors is introduced to your tastebuds. The minimalist and modern design of the restaurant creates a cozy and warm ambiance to elevate your experience. Do not forget to try a yummy cookie to complete your happiness. Thank you #Swing Shift Team

Nhieu w.

Yelp
Delicious food! They also have happy hour Tuesday-Sat 3p-5p and 9p to close for those ppl like us always looking for a happy hour place. My 12 yr old son likes it too.

Kit L.

Yelp
Interesting food choices - everything delicious: Irish pies, steamed dumplings, tilapia, pho.. first time guests- thoroughly enjoyed

Martin L.

Yelp
Checked out this new restaurant in San Mateo last night and the food was amazing. We mostly had appetizers which were so flavorful and the Non Alcoholic cocktails were outstanding without doubt the best I have ever come across in a restaurant. Sui Mai just bursting with flavor Chicharonnes best I've had and the accompanying salsa were amazing. The service was great ,staff very friendly and helpful The meat pies were so good and the Pork Belly Fried rice was excellent. Great concept for food sharing and trying different comfort foods definitely bringing a bigger group next time .

Joanna M.

Yelp
Lovely little addition to downtown San Mateo at the location that previously housed Noshery. They've done a great job remodeling/redecorating this place so that it is warm, grown up, and approachable. My husband, baby, and I were walking around downtown and looking for a quick bite to eat and some happy hour drinks. I've been hearing some good things about swing shift and wanted to give it a shot! The owner was super sweet and made us some tasty peach cocktails of the day. We shared the chicharrones, gumbo, and slider. The slider was actually a big burger that we ended up halving, so juicy and tasty. I really enjoyed the flavoring on the chicharrones as well. I know they're known for the gumbo but I was a little disappointed by what we got-felt it was slightly watered down, not that flavorful, and the chicken was a bit dry and chewy. In any case, we will likely be back and look forward to trying out other more adventurous things on their menu!

Jenny Y.

Yelp
Love this place. Great food, great vibes, great service. Such a variety of food, and I can't think of a better place to hang out in the evening.

Caitlin B.

Yelp
I only had drinks at the bar but they were so attentive and would have had great dinner service too! Cute spot you should definitely give a try.

David R.

Yelp
We ordered fries, a burger, vegan ramen, and an apple turnover. The fries were good; the burger, while tasty, was dripping in oil and the bun was microscopic; the vegan ramen was quite tasteless and the noodles overcooked; the apple turnover was ok. Service and ambiance were both good. However, the price was way too high for the quality of the food - $24 for a burger of that size was almost insulting.

Vanessa D.

Yelp
This place is wonderful!! Great service and entertainment! This will be a stop every time I'm in town!!

Erik-Lucien K.

Yelp
Found this spot on accident while wondering around. We had been searching for a place with cocktails and variety in food. This place did not disappoint! The margaritas were perfectly spicy. The menu had great selections and listed which items were gluten free. We went with the ceviche (special) and tandoori chicken wings to start, then we followed up with pork fried rice and Tri-tip sandwiches (only thing we ordered that was not gluten free if I remember correctly). I wish I took pictures but everything was devoured. We wanted dessert and will definitely get some next time we come back. Staff and owner were very kind. Attentive without being overbearing. Looking forward to coming back!

Martin N.

Yelp
We got off the train late and found this new restaurant a block away open after 9. We loved the Baked Potato and the Chilli was amazing. Got the sweet treats plate a truly unique item on desert menu and loved the selection. Will be back for sure with friends, so much variety on menu to share .

Bob F.

Yelp
Food was just ok, my wife got the pesto burger and it was very oily. Definitely pricy for the portion sizes and quality.

JM N.

Yelp
Yvette, the owner of Swing Shift, has cooked, owned and managed restaurants, AND has traveled extensively. She has brought those experiences to Swing Swift and created a "Greatest Hits" menu. My favorite? The tacos from Mexico City are to die for! Chicharrones give them texture and the tortillas are sublime. Not your usual CalMex tacos. My wife could live on rice. She fell in love with the 5 Spice Fried Rice. The pork belly is tasty, not fatty. And a fried egg finishes the dish. Yvette's burger isn't from her travels, it's from her chef's brain. She marries spices and cheese and high quality beef to create a new burger experience. Ya gotta try it! While we were there, a regular customer walked in, the staff greeted him and said, "Gumbo?" "Yes." "Anything else?" "No." He's in there all the time, JUST for the gumbo. It will remind you of New Orleans. On a personal note, my mother and grandmother used to challenge each other to chili cook-offs and both their chilis were superb. Mom, Grandma, don't let Yvette join the contest. Her chili is that good! My wife liked the wine list and I was surprised to find mock-tails (try the Sour!) that were actually good, and not just a mishmash of ingredients like so many places. And they take reservations....yay!

Shelley C.

Yelp
Check out this new place in town, great for casual gatherings and others. Irish meat pies were very stuffed and flavorful Gumbo was delicious and not too buttery Tacos were excellent portion and chicarrones Owner came and greeted us and very friendly and her chef knife earrings were slay

Philip M.

Yelp
The service here was so friendly! Great service. The tacos are mandatory; so good! Yum! We're definitely going to come back to this place.

Ankur M.

Yelp
Amazing food, great service and ambience. Unique menu. I will definitely be back! I got the tacos. 10/10.

Kyle K.

Yelp
The food was great and the servers were all very nice. The interior of the resturant is very cozy and sleek. We ordered the tacos, burger and chicharrons. The tacos were great. They had a great filling and tasted like they were made with real quality ingredients. They also had some friend pork rind inside which gave an amazing crunch to it! 9/10 The burger was slightly small but that aside it was still very good. 8.5/10 Lastly the chicharrons. A few of them were oily but they tasted good. The sauces on the side were also a great addition. I love the theme of having comfort foods around the world and I think it was executed perfectly. Its also great to see another small business thriving in San Mateo.

Denisse C.

Yelp
I absolutely love this place!!!! The food is amazing and the drinks are even better! Service is always excellent I love how my partner and I can always count on this place when we can't decide what to eat. Swing shift always has a little bit of everything and satisfies every craving... literal PERFECTION.

Mei S.

Yelp
A bit of an odd concept menu wise but most of everything I tried was delicious. Fries Tacos Irish meat pies Burger Grilled veggies Corn dog Ceviche Pound cake Must try from above - tacos and Irish meat pies. Have yet to try the rest of the menu items.

Emily I.

Yelp
Delicious! We had a variety of things to share for starters and everything was great. I had the ceviche special appetizer and side mac n cheese and both were divine! Others had tacos, baked potato, fried chicken sandwich, and tri tip sandwich and everyone was impressed with the food quality and service. I was too stuffed for dessert but it looked wonderful and everyone raved about the cookies!

Ian D.

Yelp
So many delicious options, so little time. We went with a larger party and shared almost everything on the appetizer menu. The chicharrones, which is more like a super thick piece of friend bacon, and Irish meat pies stand out as favorites. The papadums are nice as well. I had the Mexico City Tacos which I really enjoyed. Isaac the server was great and provided good recommendations for drinks. Ambiance is chill and the decor kind of darker themed. Definitely will be back!