665167 Fri Nov 06 08:00:37 -0800 2009 18 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 5160731 We will be getting into SFO around 4 pm this afternoon and are looking for a place to stop that is not too far off the I-5. We had thought to go to Max's in Burlingame, but it appears that it might have gone downhill lately. Any thoughts on the quality of Max's or any other ideas for the way down? We like most kinds of good food, (not big chains) but would like not to have to venture too far off the I-5. Thanks Fri Nov 06 08:00:37 -0800 2009 281437 PaqpIn 1 5160742 You should look at a map. Neither SFO airport nor Monterey are anywhere near I5. Fri Nov 06 08:04:39 -0800 2009 5160731 10039 Melanie Wong 2 5160972 I meant the 101. Just usually on the I-5 when in CA. Sorry. Thanks. Fri Nov 06 09:14:19 -0800 2009 5160742 281437 PaqpIn 1 5160746 Point of clarification, you don't use I-5 to go from SFO to Monterey. Fri Nov 06 08:05:00 -0800 2009 5160731 12082 PeterL 1 5160790 The Refuge, pastrami sandwich about 1 mile off 101. Fri Nov 06 08:19:47 -0800 2009 5160731 105235 wolfe 1 5161207 Steelhead Brewery in Burlingame, 5 min from SFO B Street & Vine, San Mateo (4th Ave exit from 101, head west, turn right on B St). Jeffrey's Hamburgers, San Mateo (same directions) Or just go to San Mateo (same directions as above), park and walk up and down B Street til you find something else--lots of choices there. Taquerias, Chinese etc etc Fri Nov 06 10:32:03 -0800 2009 5160731 14447 rednails 1 5161244 If you're not in a big rush to eat, you could stop at Saravana Bhavan‎, Fatima, or Zeni. I'd take 380 and 280 to avoid the rush-hour backup on 101. Fri Nov 06 10:44:29 -0800 2009 5160731 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 5161527 Agree with Robert about rush hour with the suggested route being 380/280/85/17 or 101. South Bay's strong point is ethnic food. There is a pub menu at upscale restaurant The Village Pub in Woodside right off 280 that might work for you. http://www.thevillagepub.net/sub.php?pub_menu Also - Ramen Halu, San Jose, Cafe Artemis in Campbell, Fusion Mediterranean Grill in San Jose, right off 85. http://ramenhalu.com/ http://www.fusionmedgrill.com/ http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/649887 Fri Nov 06 12:13:44 -0800 2009 5160731 108661 ceekskat 2 5161593 Also in Woodside is Buck's of Woodside. It's a diner with solid, homemade food. The house made tortillas alone are worth stopping for. The place is casual, fun and not too pricey. Fri Nov 06 12:28:39 -0800 2009 5161527 130031 Shane Greenwood 1 5161907 my recommendation would be to get as far south as quickly as you can and eat closer 5:30 or 6pm...that may get you to Watsonville...or you can pull off in Downtown Los Gatos and grab a bite. If you want to stick close to SFO or right off the freeway on your way down, I might pull off in San Mateo off of Hillsdale (about 15 minutes South of the airport) and go to Left Bank which is inside the Whole Foods center there. Decent food and better than Max's... Fri Nov 06 14:07:51 -0800 2009 5160731 1104765 vis 2 5161938 The Left Bank in San Mateo closed a few months ago, which is not too surprising as it consistently was slammed on this board. I believe the only Left Bank open is the original location in Menlo Park. Fri Nov 06 14:16:12 -0800 2009 5161907 14447 rednails 3 5162000 didn't know that which shows how often i eat at places right off 101...Benihana, Max's and Elephant Bar here you come... i thought there was also a Left Bank at Santana Row as well but could be wrong. another random thought might be the Old Port Lobster Shack in Redwood City - very close to the freeway and would be maybe more fun than Max's...it's about 15 miles south of the airport... Fri Nov 06 14:38:24 -0800 2009 5161938 1104765 vis 4 5162075 Old Port Lobster Shack! An excellent suggestion. Easy off/on the freeway. Fri Nov 06 14:56:44 -0800 2009 5162000 14447 rednails 3 5162559 Just to clarify: Left Bank in Larkspur is still open. [In opposite direction of your drive, OP, so not suggesting it for you.] Actually, not suggesting it for others either. Just to clarify. Fri Nov 06 19:31:21 -0800 2009 5161938 10927 alfairfax 1 5161986 Max's is exactly the same as ever. But I do agree about traffic. You could also take 280 to 92 west and then 1 south. Then you could stop in Half Moon Bay or at Duarte's in Pescadero. Once you hit 1, there won't be much traffic. Fri Nov 06 14:33:07 -0800 2009 5160731 10966 Windy 2 5162093 Maybe it's just me, but I'd delay getting onto Highway 1 until much further down. I don't like driving that road in the dark, and if the OP isn't familiar with the road, it could be a problem. There are some desolate stretches w/out cell phone reception, or anything else for that matter. I'd take 101 to 156 thru Castroville, much safer. But agreed, traffic would be a bear at that hour. I also forgot about the Sea Chest in Moss Landing, another good place for dinner, and on Elkhorn Slough too (tho not too much to see after sunset). Fri Nov 06 15:01:25 -0800 2009 5161986 14447 rednails 3 5162143 Except 1 going south from 92 in Half Moon Bay is easy driving, it's not at all windy, unlike other spots along the coast. I agree the cell phone reception is spotty, but there are lots of call boxes. Then you can stop in Half Moon Bay, or take a one-mile detour into Pescadero to eat, or stop in Davenport or wait until you hit Santa Cruz. Fri Nov 06 15:18:34 -0800 2009 5162093 10159 Ruth Lafler 4 5162338 Hwy 1 south from 92 is easy and a much nicer drive but it takes significantly more time, esp going via 92 and down 1 but Duarte's is a nice stop. Fastest way should be down 101 to 156 and back to 1 in Monterey. Going down 101 to 156, I'd stop in Palo Alto, Mountain View or San Jose. If Max's is the reference point, perhaps Palo Alto Creamery. It's about 10 minutes off the freeway and you'll be able to get coffee and walk around a bit. If Mexican is an option, I'd go to La Fiesta in Mountain View or it's sister restaurant Fiesta Del Mar. Fri Nov 06 16:56:03 -0800 2009 5162143 27275 ML8000 5 5162367 It may be a moot point, since the plane was scheduled to land an hour ago. But Friday commute hour traffic is not likely to take longer going down 1 than taking 101 through San Jose or 17 over the hill. Hoping they post back and let us know where they ended up. Fri Nov 06 17:13:01 -0800 2009 5162338 10966 Windy