The Refuge (San Carlos)

DRINKS 1.St. Bernardus Abt 12 (draft) - Light, smooth, and amazing. I almost started with this one, but then I tasted... 2.Boulevard BBA Quad (draft) - Absolutely delicious. Rich and flavorful, and ultimately the one I went with. 3.Trinity Brewing Hopped Toddy (bottle) - Mead, I love mead. Definitely different in a good way! Hoppy, not too sweet, and really tasty. FOOD 1.Poutine - As a Canadian, I have to say it wasn't exactly authentic... but it was still incredible in its own way. Comforting, cheesy, and just so satisfying. 2.Brie Burger (medium rare) - Mine leaned more rare than medium (for medium rare), and while it was good, it was the weakest part of the meal for me. It didn't pack as much flavor as I expected, and there were more mushrooms than Brie. BUT the house side salad I ordered with it totally made up for it--seriously, the most flavorful side salad I've ever had. Perfectly dressed with tomatoes, banana peppers, red onions, and whatever magic was in that dressing. I still can't believe I liked it more than the burger! 3.Pastrami Burger - I'm not a pastrami fan (I know, I know), but I tried a bite of my partner's and I've got to admit--it was phenomenal. I still couldn't eat a whole one, but I can fully appreciate how well-executed it was. SERVICE Incredibly quick and attentive. Genuinely impressed and so appreciated. AMBIANCE We sat outside on the front patio--small but with plenty of tables. The interior has more of a dive bar vibe, but in a fun, casual way. MENU The beer menu is extensive--definitely a beer lover's playground. While I'm not a huge beer drinker myself, there were still plenty of options that appealed to even a casual or non-beer enthusiast like me. CONS There is a visible Wi-Fi network, but when I asked, I was told "no Wi-Fi." As someone who loves finding local spots to work from, this was a bit of a letdown. And yes--don't worry--I always order plenty of food and drinks while I work! OVERALL 12/10. Will definitely be back!

The Refuge still has the best pastrami and Reuben's in this area IMO. For me, I get the Reuben with sliced sourdough instead of rye. I just like it like that. And I like the slaw inside whereas some like it on the side. To each their own. Service was pretty quick. That's good cuz we like our sandwiches fresh and hot. But alt he sports stuff was taken down from inside. What gives??!

Family pub style place with great ambiance and a large selection of beers, including Belgian beers. Small outdoor area and nice indoor area with comfy booths, some table and a bar service was very good as a Some mixed feelings on the food. They are well known for their pastramis, however I didn't get as I'm not big on pastrami. I thought $26 was pricey tho. Maybe something I don't understand about the quality of meat? I had a Philly steak sandwich which was excellent ( and cost far less than pastrami). Everything was just right with balanced flavors. Hubby had meatball sandwich. It was scant on marinara sauce-- bit dry. Our waiter was happy to bring more sauce and the sandwich was then very good. The fries came with the meal and were hot and perfectly cooked. We got a house salad with ranch and it was odd. A very watered down ranch was on the dressed salad but also it tasted like Italian was also on the salad. Just didn't care for it and we barely ate In a nutshell, a great place if u get the right dish and wonderful ambiance

For DJ's birthday dinner on Thursday, March 13, 2025, he opted to go to The Refuge again, but at the San Carlos location. I easily made reservations via OpenTable for 7:30 PM. After quickly finding a space to park just a few feet away from the front entrance (Like most establishments on the street, The Refuge does not have a private lot), we arrived between 7:35 and 7:40 and were seated immediately at the corner table in the back, right by the bar. Once one of the booths freed, up, we were quickly moved, per our request. The restaurant offers patio, table, booth, and bar seating. Inside, red walls pop out in the dining room of brown flooring and wooden table and chairs. The walls are adorned with Belgian posters and sports regalia. On the night of our visit, the dining room appeared clean and tidy. When asked about the unisex restroom, though, I was advised that I probably would not want to go there. The Refuge's four-page menu has three pages of drinks, mostly of BEER, so this is a great place for beer aficionados like DJ. They also specialize in pastrami, which DJ also digs...even though he is mainly a vegetarian. Below are what we ordered: Delirium Black Beer ($13) - "It was good, I wasn't blown away by it," per DJ. "New" Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich with upgraded Goofy Fries ($17.45 + $10.95 for Goofy Fries Upgrade) - I was concerned that V might find fat in the deep-fried chicken thighs and get turned off, but he ate every morsel of his sandwich with enjoyment. He liked the Goofy Fries, but, WOW! A $10.95 upcharge for the upgrade is pretty steep. Pastrami Burger with upgraded Goofy Fries ($23.45 + $10.95 for Goofy Fries Upgrade) - Z said that his plate was good. DJ and he guessed that the upgrade price for Goofy Fries was only $5. When I revealed the true amount, they both nearly choked. Those fries are EXPENSIVE! The 963 ($26.95) - If anyone watched DJ eat this, they probably wouldn't believe that he is mainly a vegetarian. But he is and he loved every bite. The Champ Cheesesteak ($18.45) - Good, but DJ and I agreed that the sandwich was dry enough that I had to ask for some mayonnaise to put on the bread. CHURROS with Vanilla Ice Cream ($8.95 + $3 for added Vanilla Ice Cream) - V also enjoyed this very much. CHOCOLATE POT DE CREME ($5.95) - YUMMY! BREAD PUDDING ($9.95) - DJ loved this dessert. Service was quick, friendly and accommodating. To treat him for his birthday, The Refuge served a complimentary bowl of VANILLA ICE CREAM, topped with a lit candle, with DJ's BREAD PUDDING as well as a free taste pour of the Humble Forager Sequoia Anniversary Special Beer. Small gestures like that show that the staff is thoughtful and warm. We had a nice time at the Refuge. Below are the individual star ratings from everyone, resulting in a 4.5 star average. Z: 5 V: 5 DJ: 5 M: 3

Came in "Ser Rodrigo" on Mother's Day for an early lunch, was craving something between burger and Pastrami. Got the 1/2 pastrami combo, and it is a solid bachelor lunch! Kind of expensive, but probably for the younger folks making tech zillionaire money it's OK. TBH the half pastrami was pretty much a full pastrami anywhere else. The fries were fresh and hot, and the house Mexican beer was no worse than a house wine at any good restaurant. Servers were pleasant and peppy, still fresh in the day and not yet slammed by the MoDay crowd, but by the time l left it like floor every table was filled! Ambiance was pleasant gastropub.

Definitely hands down some of the best pastrami sandwiches we've ever had! We came in for dinner with no reservations and were sat down right away in a cozy both on a Friday. The beer was excellent. We love the casual, bar vibe. The sandwiches were out of this word!!! Highly recommend and we'd totally come back when we're in this area!

Asked Reddit where east-coast-quality pastrami could be found in the bay area. This place was the answer. It did not disappoint! It's been 2 weeks and my mouth still waters whenever I think of it. Even the onion rings were the best I've ever had. Can you guys open up a location in Mountain View pretty please?

I know there's a couple other locations on the East Bay but I'm only familiar with the San Carlos location. This is the place for an awesome pastrami sandwich!!! Quality AND quantity. I've also had the garlic fries, and chopped pastrami salad which is also delicious. Definitely worth a trip if you're craving a solid pastrami sandwich. Service is great, everyone's attentive and kind. Good amount of seating, never insanely busy but good crowds. This spot is spacious and welcoming and offers some outdoor seating as well. Lots of street parking available, and I believe there's some lots in the area too. Also, a great variety of beer and wine for anyone interested!

What an underrated place! I just came here for the first time and I cannot stop eating their pastrami sandwich. The pastrami is so soft and tender with a lot of flavor and finishing off the meal with bread pudding is a must! Also, the server for my table was so sweet and definitely made the experience so much better. Recommend this spot 10/10!

First visit to this great spot and wow, definitely returning. I read other reviews and had to find out for myself. Started off arriving around noon on a Saturday with the place about half full. They have indoor and outdoor seating available. With a casual type of vibe. A full bar with a large selection of IPA beers is offered. For lunch I ordered the 963 Pastrami sandwich, while the drink order was placed I also ordered a pretzel. The pretzel was served hot and delicious. When the sandwich arrived it was very visually impressive. Loaded up with plenty of meat, this sandwich doesn't disappoint. One of the best Pastrami sandwiches I've had in a long time. The side of coleslaw was a great addition. Had to try the bread pudding for dessert and I have to say if you like bread pudding you will love this one.

Not too crowded on a thursday night around 630pm. Parking can be tricky but there are side streets available to park at. The reuben was good, toasty bread with melted cheese and a side of pickle and pickled red onions. The poutine was ok, the gravy and cheese was concentrated in one area. Lots of different drinks (3/4 of the menu) but didn't try any tonight. Servers were friendly and nice! Lots of decor for christmas, brewery emblems, and beer handles hanging on the walls

Fantastic food. Food came out quick and staff was very friendly. Great choices of beers on tap and bread pudding was amazing! Would recommend and visit again!

Awesome venue. Menu is primarily variations of three tasty items: 1/ pastrami, 2/ cheesesteak, 3/ burgers. Food was delicious with a special shout out to the chopped salad which has a load of fresh vegetables, avocado, snd cubed warm pastrami on the side. Great beer selection on tap and in cans. Go during trivia night and you'll have a blast.

Awesome spot for the best Reuben in the Bay. I don't how they get their pastrami to taste like that, but wow ! I also got the blue cheese burger it was just okay, but don't skip on the Rueben or the chicken liver. Order the bread for dessert and finish it with the underberg shot.

The Refuge is one of our most-frequented San Carlos establishments. We learned about it from the sales agent when we were purchasing our condo, and I have since consumed a large volume of pastrami. This place attracts everyone from children to seniors, and the vibes are casual. Food highlights: - Barbacoa nachos - the perfect mix of chips and toppings - Reuben - I always eat one half at the restaurant and one half for lunch the next day. It heats up wonderfully in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. - Goofy fries - their fries are nice and thick. Who can resist a little cheese and pastrami on top? I like the mix of indoor and outdoor seating, the rotating selection of beers, the Tuesday trivia, and the special events (like St. Patrick's day or Pliny the Younger release). My only two complaints (which aren't enough to justify less than a 5 star rating): - There is only one bathroom for the entire restaurant. A line forms during busy times. - Sometimes things get funky with the ordering system (like a drink being forgotten, a wrong item on the bill, or loyalty credits not loading).

The rain was starting to get to me so I picked up my brother and we took a drive to The Refuge for lunch. I'd been here once before but this was my brother's first time. Parking on a weekend can be a little challenging and this visit was no exception. I had to circle the neighborhood a few times before we found a spot but thankfully it wasn't too far since the weather was a little drizzly. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Surprisingly the patio was full despite the wet windy afternoon. Inside was warm and a few folks were eating at tables but we opted to sit at the bar. The bartender was friendly and handed us two menus. I had to flag him down once we decided what to order. He just didn't seem engaged in the customers at the bar which was disappointing. I typically opt to sit at the bar just because bartenders can be a lot of fun and the customers that sit at the bar tend to be entertaining. None of that goin on here. Okay, here's what we ordered: MAC-N-CHEESE - this was warm and creamy and the noodles were perfectly cooked. I'd order this again. TILAPIA SANDWICH - the buttery toasted bread was really the best part of this sandwich. It also had nice, crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes. The tilapia though was absolutely forgettable. The piece of fish was so thin that we had a hard time even seeing it. I'm slightly shocked that they were charging over $20 for this and I paid it! If you're gonna charge this much for a fish sandwich, you better make darn sure it's substantial which this wasn't. It did come with a side of fries and we opted for garlic fries. They were fine. Nothing spectacular. RUBEN - winner winner Ruben dinner!! This was hands down the best thing we ate. The pastrami literally melted in your mouth. Outstanding. Like legit outstanding! These folks know their pastrami and it shows. The one thing that was a miss was the bread. It kinda fell apart because of the meat juices but overall this was a 10 outa 10 for flavor, texture and juiciness. Next time I come back, it'll be pastrami only for me cuz it's THAT good!

It's been a minute since I've been to the OG Refuge location, and since I was in the area for in errand, I decided to stop by with my dad to grab some lunch. It's located around a block away from the busy part of Laurel Street, San Carlos's downtown. Given the nice weather, we sat outside and immediately put in our orders for lunch; I had skipped breakfast, so I was ready to eat. I ordered the Pastrami Burger and added avocado to it (+$3.50). They must run a tight ship in that kitchen, because our food was out within minutes, coming before we even got our drinks. My burger was quite hunky, with the amount of pastrami being equal to that of the burger patty. Additionally, the avocado added at least half an inch to its height. The main flavor was the pastrami, which was salty, smooth, and easily broke apart with each bite. The sauerkraut on top provided some nice acidity that cut through the richness of the pastrami. The side of fries that came with were thin and crispy, very crushable. Order this and you'll leave full. I know I did. If you do stop by the Refuge, make sure to try their pastrami. It's phenomenal.

Rueben was good, 1 adult and 2 teens was $106. No alcohol just regular meals. Not complaining about price if service was on par but when you pay the waiter brings a card reader and hovers over you watching, after I tap he says "you good" and has his finger on the 20 % tip number. I tell him just leave it here so I can decide on my own. I leave a 18% tip anyway, servers need to make a living despite this case not being great (the choices were 18/20/25) unless you choose other. But what topped this off after my bill charged was sent via text is they charge a 3% credit card fee. This doesn't show up when you pay and review your bill. I thought Ca law requires these junk fees to be clearly disclosed. We probably won't be back until I hear they clean up their service and process. Not a good way to encourage patrons to come back with those parting practices.

Visited The Refuge and the food definitely delivered. The cheesesteak was excellent -- flavorful, juicy, and the bread held up perfectly. One of the better ones I've had in the area. They also have a kids menu, which was a nice surprise and actually pretty good -- definitely family-friendly. Service was a bit underwhelming. I ordered an Arnold Palmer and wasn't aware there were no refills. When I asked, the server replied with "just this one time," which felt a little condescending. I wasn't trying to get a freebie, just asking -- happy to pay for it. Still, the quality of the food makes it worth coming back. A little more warmth on the service side would easily make this a five-star spot.

I didn't discover my love for chopped liver until a few years ago. While there is a place closer to my home that serves this dish, it doesn't come even close to the Refuge's option. The chopped liver, which is on the appetizer menu, has a rich liver taste and not much of filler so you get the full flavor experience. They serve it with plenty of crispy toasted bread, deli-style mustard, pickled red onions/cornishons/cocktail onions, and crispy chicken skin. When you load all of the things up you get a perfect texture/flavor bomb. The folks working at this location were very friendly and helpful with my to-go order, in spite of being jam-packed for lunch. I highly recommend this location and look forward to the Menlo Park one reopening soon.

This one is hard to rate because it is hit or miss. When it is good we really enjoy it - good meat and good French fries. But sometimes it is not good and it is really heavy and greasy and hurts our stomachs after. If they could be consistent we would go here more often.

If I pass thorugh this area I gotta stop at the Refuge for their chopped salad and pastrami or rueben sandwich. I love the freshness of the salad, pieces of pastrami, rye bread, avocado and honey mustard dressing. It's so flavorful and keeps me coming back. I can go either way with the sandwiches between the pastrami or rueben but since the salad has pastrami we have opted for other items on the menu such as the cheesesteak. There's an extensive drink menu if you choose to dine in the staff is attentive and friendly. I also appreciate that their online menu has pictures for the win. Metered parking and unmetered if you're willing to walk a little. Definitely a gem on Laurel Street surrounded by other shops for window shopping afterwards if you feel so inclined.

Loads of ways to eat pastrami and a big beer selection! Came for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon post 6 mile hike and was ready to feast. With the price of those sandwiches ($25 when we visited) we knew we'd be sharing one, so we ordered a ruben, a chopped salad, and of course some fries because what is a warm sandwich without fries to accompany it? The ruben was absolutely fantastic, I mean warm pastrami piled high between bread with swiss and sauerkraut, as long as you've got good meat it's gonna be a good sandwich. As to be expected, the meat was damn good, it's what they're known for afterall. The sandwich was pretty rich, so the side of pickled onions was the perfect cut of acidity. Fries were also fantastic, nice and crispy with the perfect amount of salt. The chopped salad was nice and big and came piled with a good portion of pastrami, no skimping on the avo either so points there. My boyfriend really liked it and said he'd get it again, I wasn't a huge fan of the dressing though, it was a little sweet for my taste. I think I'd order it again with a different dressing. The beer list was pretty expansive with a lot of local beers and European beers on draft. We came right before Halloween so they were offering two different "spooky beer flights" for the holiday. I went one of the spooky beers, a sour to be exact, and enjoyed drinking it with our food. Overall it's a good spot if you want a hearty sandwich with a beer and don't mind spending a pretty penny.

Saw an episode of Diners Drives and Dives that highlighted this restaurant. I love good pastrami and corn beef and this place delivers! I had a Reuben with pastrami and it was one of the best Rubens I've had in quite a while! Wonderful smoked flavor and fresh rye bread. Coleslaw with excellent and delicious dressing Enhance the flavor of the sandwich! I will be going back here very soon. Also, the weight staff was excellent and gave wonderful recommendations for drinks and other food..

THE BEST PASTRAMI SANDWICH I'VE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!! IYKYK. Where have I been in my life? Our first time trying their pastrami sandwich and it BLEW our mind away! We knew this place is good when we met a celebrity eating here so casually with her friends. Not gonna mention her name though since she politely refused to get her picture taken, so I'm respecting her privacy. Back to what I'm recommending from The Refuge: 1. SHORT RIB NACHOS. THE BEST NACHOS I EVER HAD!! TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!! 2. POUTINE. You might think hey it's just gravy over fries. But it's not, it's more than just that. The gravy was soo umami and it made you eating non stop like addicted. Not good. In a good way. 3. GIANT PRETZEL. My kids love this. They share their pretzel dipped with honey mustard. Awesome for appetizers. 4. Double Decker Burger. I might be wrong with the name of the menu, but it's double patty. SO GOOD. SO JUICY. SO BIG. YET SO FLAVORFUL. 5. The BREAD PUDDING. You MUST GET THIS. We were so full eating all the dishes from The Refuge, but the bread pudding was the perfect closing for all the entrees we had. It was so smooth, and you cannot only get one scoop and done. We ended finishing the whole thing. Try also their beer selections!! It's like beer library in here! I've never seen beer collections like them! Definitely coming back in the future!

I came on 5/8 in the afternoon. Wasn't too busy but it was a nice day so we sat outside. I ordered the Ruben Sandwich to share and this is probably one of the best Ruben sandwiches I've ever had! The meat was soft and had a heft amount. $26 is pretty steep but you definitely have to try it!

Years later and I still love this spot. I always recommend it to everyone. The pastrami sandwiches are still good like the first time I tried them. Prices are still roughly the same. Best pastrami sandwiches in the bay no doubt.

We asked to be sited at a booth that was not occupied & the employee said it was not available, but there was no one sitting there so I don't understand why he would say that to me & my wife. He gave us a table & later ON he sat someone else on that booth we asked for, the worse part is that no one ever came to our table to take our order My wife & I walked out, the worst part is that I don't think anyone was aware of my & my wife ever been there. So here is a post for my experience. Please Do Not be deceived by my post: I am not saying this is a horrible place to visit, I'm just stating the facts of my visit on that specific day, perhaps the owner or the manager was not onsite & things were running different. I believe in second chances, so yes I would visit this place again & perhaps have a second opinion..

The best pastrami sandwich I've ever had with pretty good crispy fries as well. We stopped by because we had heard about this place on Triple D and we were not disappointed. Came for lunch on a Saturday afternoon to downtown San Carlos. Nice outdoor area to sit and bring your dog and have a great lunch.

Wasn't expecting much from a mall restaurant, but I was meeting a friend there, so, I essentially, went for the company. But, I guess what I'd heard about these new restaurants being a far cry from the old mall food courts is absolutely true. This place was amazing. It's very pleasant, aesthetically pleasing, and comfortable, and we really enjoyed sitting out in the sunshine. To begin with, I could not believe the amount and variety of drinks. The selection of food was also plentiful and varied. I hadn't had one of my old favorites in awhile and ordered it; not expecting much, to be quite honest. Well, my mind (and palate) were properly blown away with, probably, the most delicious Reuben sandwich I've EVER had. And, it was very generously proportioned. The pastrami was so juicy, thick and flavorful, the sauerkraut and oven baked bread fantastic. Ah! The servers were very nice; courteous, knowledgeable, professional, very helpful and patient (took us awhile to make up our minds) Will go back, definitely, and recommend, definitely!

Had not been here in a few years. Still excellent. Had pastrami salad. Went to the location in the mall at Hillsdale. Nice service and big dining area.

Where else can I get a big juicy pastrami sandwich and a Chimay Red? Can't ask for much more than that! (Also: Fantastic service!)

I'm so glad I discovered this amazing sandwich spot in the Peninsula. Unlike other sandwich places, they don't have sandwiches with excessive sauce dripping from them. The sandwiches are perfectly balanced with just the right amount of meat, cheese, and condiments. On my most recent visit, I decided to try their enormous Cobb salad, which was absolutely delicious. The salad was packed with fresh avocado, eggs, cheese, and the pièce de résistance, huge chunks of scrumptious cured pastrami. I cannot stop thinking about how delicious the salad was and I ate it for several days. I'm excited to go back and have more of their world-class pastrami.

Nice establishment in a quaint little neighborhood. Excellent hard working staff. Great spot to relax for a beer and the pastrami sandwich and beet salad were excellent. Will be back to try more.

Food was delicious. I had something basic: grilled cheese (it was ok), creamy tomato soup(that was so yummy),& cole slaw (it was ok). My cousin & me(we were on vacation in San Francisco) were 1st outside next to a nice fire pit. It got too cold so we moved inside. The waiter was so nice & attentive. It was a chill vibe. I would go back if I'm in San Francisco.

I had a hankering for some East Coast-style classics, so finally gave this restaurant a try, and it satisfied all my cravings! Particularly I wanted a steak and cheese sub, and a pastrami sandwich- and I can tell you that both lived up to the hype! We got the O.G. Cheese Steak, that is covered in provolone, and a Rueban with its traditional sauerkraut on rye. As it turns out, The Refuge isn't just about amazing pastrami; they also have an impressive selection of beers, including multiple Belgian-style ales, so we ordered a couple of flights. Whenever I see poutine on a menu I order it, because I'm obsessed with this Canadian comfort food with melted cheese! We also ordered a pear salad and root vegetables to cut all the greasy foods we were eating that day. Finally we tried their Superlative Bread Pudding that comes with whipped cream and caramel sauce which was such a perfect ending to our meal! The Refuge undeniably won me over with their deli-style food, and top-notch service.

My child's cheeseburger was raw. See photos. This is unsafe. We will never order from here again.

Best Pastrami Sandwich I've ever had!! I've eaten pastrami at Katz in New York so I don't say this lightly! I will be coming back for this exact sandwich very soon. If you haven't eaten a pastrami sandwich here you are missing out on Life!! The waiters were also very attentive and nice. 10/10 service. 12/10 Pastrami Sandwich.

Had to take a trip to San Carlos for a specialized Vet visit for my pup, so what better way to treat us all then a trip to the Refuge? We live in SJ near Milpitas, so it is definately a drive for us. But SO worth it! We came for lunch and invited a friend who lives nearby. She was craving pastrami, so this was the place for her! Hubby is a craft beer kind of guy, so he is never at a loss to find something to try. We have been here a few times now (even back when they had the extended tables on the street) the service is always the best. Our server suggested some items, and we appreciated his recommendations. Food was hot, tasty, and not like other beer/pubs we go to. We'll be back again!

I go here for the pastrami sandwich and this time it wasn't as good as before. A lot more chewy like you can get just about anywhere without the sharp peppery flavor. All the rest seemed similar, good drinks and sides. Will have to try again.

Okay, okay, okay, you're going to ask me how in the world I can compare this pastrami to Katz Deli in New York, but here we go.... I was expecting a mediocre sandwich, after all everyone including my own grandma can cook pastrami, but when I took a bite of this pastrami sandwich my tastebuds were hit with a "wow" punch. This pastrami sandwich was expensive and hyped up, but man, did it pack that Tyson Fury punch of goodness. A blend of fat, spices, and lean meat all at once. This sandwich was a knock out and we'll worth it. It reminded me of those great New York delis like Katz that I tried and loved during my travels. The fries were hot, the service was on point and that bread pudding was legit 5 stars delicious. This place literally won me over.

Wife wanted to go do something. Wanted to try someplace different. We found it. It's like a pub. Drink menu was bigger than food. But what food they do was great. I'm not a big pastrami fan, nor slaw. Had them both on a sandwich. I would drive there again. We can over from Dublin. Well worth it!!!!

Five stars for hot pastrami!! Just like Montreal smoked meat...melt in your mouth and packed with flavor.

Boy do I love pastrami! Bf bought me a Ruben while I waited at Ale Arsenal. We halved it and devoured it! Only reason why I gave it a 4 was because of the price. Almost $30 for a sandwich is pretty ridiculous unless it was STACKED with pastrami but it was a normal size. Bf liked it because he said it wasn't salty. I'm happy he's happy!

Skip this location and head to The Refuge located inside Hillsdale Mall instead...it's worth the 10-15 min drive! Service is something to be desired here... We came here for lunch on a dead Sunday afternoon and sat outside. We waited for a good 10 minutes (maybe it was 5...felt like an eternity) without anybody acknowledging us, mind you that is after we checked in with the host who told us to take a seat wherever we like. All the while there were three staff members standing around the host station doing nothing...err having a conversation. We watched other patrons get acknowledged, greeted almost immediately...specifically three other tables that showed up after us! SMH. We felt like we were in the middle of a t a time sitting in the corner...ridiculousness! The staff messed up the order for the table sitting next to us... they ordered Garlic Fries, but instead got regular fries. at least that didn't happen to us...trying to look for positives. the overpriced Grub: ~ Short Rib barbacoa Nachos - 1/5 SKIP THIS!!! We literally got RECESSION Nachos!!! Where's the meat? (See pic) At $16.95 we totally got ripped! A few morsels of meat...nothing more. The chips were good...but that's about it. ~ The Toasted Slaw #19 - 3/5 A decent Pastrami Sandwich, but the russian salad dressing just didn't work for us. Also, at $22.45 absolutely not worth it... I won't back...

We went here initially because we had "Choose Local" points and The Refuge was one of the places we could redeem points. We were pleasantly surprised. The food was really good (the fries in particular were exceptional; very crispy and not too greasy). The service was great. It was a weekday so we didn't have beer at lunch but they had a great selection. We've also done a review of the San Mateo (Hillsdale) location which has the same menu but a nicer venue. If I could give 1/2 stars, I'd give this location 3.5 stars, but since I can't, I'm giving 3 stars since I think the San Mateo location is deserving of 4 stars because it has easier parking and better outdoor dining. That being said, this place is still great. I think that the staff is a little more personable and if you are south of San Carlos you might not want to trek all the way up to San Mateo. Overall, I think this feels like more of a "neighborhood" establishment while the San Mateo location feels more like a franchise. I mean both of these descriptions in the best way and neither are bad options. But just wanted to distinguish between the two locations.

I've been coming to The Refuge for a long time but my most recent visit was quite the letdown. This location's service needs improvement. We ordered our appetizers about an hour before we ordered our entrees (while waiting for a friend to arrive). The appetizers didn't arrive until one minute before our entrees were served... After our check was delivered we waited over 20 minutes for someone to help us pay our bill.

Excellent food! Excellent! Lean meats. Huge portions. Nice selections of beers. Expensive!! So just be aware.

Do not call in Togo orders. Got a text it's ready, showed up, asked 3 people, waited 10 minutes, and left. Appreciate the Managers Comments, but don't see any chance of process. If you would check orders by phone number, I could have had my order. It wasn't busy, I think I was the only to go order, but they got my name wrong, and no one seemed to try to spend more than 10 seconds checking Will stick to when I can eat in, save take out to a place set up for it.