Downtown San Mateo: A Food Review

By Harman B. ‘27

In the heart of San Mateo lies a vibrant and thriving downtown. Renowned for its vast selection of exquisite cafes, delectable desserts, and renowned delights, this bustling district stands as a shining jewel within the Bay Area landscape. The culinary scene compliments Crystal students’ obsession with food while also serving as a cornerstone of its cultural fabric. Intrigued by the Crystal student body’s diverse tastes and preferences, I decided to uncover the favorite downtown spots across various grade levels. I also decided to shed light on the hidden gems of the area.

Logan S. ‘27: After asking this student about his favorite spot, he told me about RISE, a small pizza place next to the San Mateo Caltrain station. The pizza is flavorful with many options, and I’ve heard many Crystal students endorse their cookies. If you just missed a train and need a quick and delicious bite, this is the place for you! There is a location in San Mateo and one in Burlingame on Burlingame Avenue.

Rohan D. ‘25: This student’s favorite spot was Jeffrey’s. Arguably the most popular restaurant among students in San Mateo, this small diner on B Street serves everything from burgers to shakes. If you haven’t tried them yet, they have locations in San Mateo and Menlo Park. This student recommends the chocolate milkshake and fries.

Anonymous ‘26: This student is really into Boba, and is here to give us the scoop. They rank the three most popular Boba places from best to worst as Sweet Moment, TP Tea, and Teaspoon. “Sweet moment has the most options, and I really like their avocado slush with lychee jelly”. They also tell us that TP Tea has good milk teas. Apparently, Teaspoon’s drink quantity is small despite the hefty price, and they have limited options for their customers

Hidden Gem: L&L Hawaiian BBQ

This lesser-known spot located smack dab in the middle of Third Avenue is growing in popularity for their great food and low(for the bay) prices. The pan-fried spam musubi, wrapped in seaweed with flavorful rice, is a fan favorite. Outside of San Mateo, there are a few locations throughout the rest of the peninsula.