Half Moon Bay favorite Johnny's has slipped into the San Mateo brunch scene, quietly debuting a new location in downtown's Brickline development. The modern spin on the classic diner began its soft opening last Tuesday and is currently serving breakfast and lunch in the mornings and early afternoons, with owners eyeing a formal grand opening in early April.
Where it is and when
The San Mateo outpost is tucked into the Brickline complex at 7 N. B St. and is open daily from 8 AM to 2 PM. The restaurant began soft-opening service last Tuesday, with a full grand opening planned for early April, according to The Mercury News.
Menu and vibe
The menu leans hard into diner comfort food, with lemon ricotta pancakes, old-school milkshakes, and pie sharing space with waffles, chilaquiles, and a short-rib eggs Benedict. In San Mateo, the lineup also includes a crispy fish sandwich, shrimp Louie, and smash burgers, per the restaurant's website at Johnny's.
Roots and revival
The current incarnation of Johnny's tips its hat to the original Half Moon Bay diner of the same name, which opened in 1967 and was run by the Evan family until it closed in 2006. The Del Fierro family revived Johnny's in 2023 and now operates the new San Mateo spot as well, according to The Mercury News.
What locals should know
For downtown San Mateo, Johnny's adds a neighborhood-friendly breakfast and lunch option inside Brickline and gives commuters another early-morning stop within walking distance of the office. Menus, updated hours, and other details are available on the official site at Johnny's.
