Dad's Luncheonette

We went there for my birthday lunch based on a recommendation. Drove up beautiful Highway 1. The place was easy to find. It is in an old train cart. It is small with few spots inside and a lot of outdoor tables. We ordered everything on the menu (limited menu). The food came out fast! It was all fresh tasting and amazing. We split the sandwiches, and they were both good, and we shared the rest of it. It was so good; we took the leftovers home. I will stop there again.

I had the pleasure of visiting this lovely place recently, and it truly has a unique and charming character of its own. Conveniently located just after the exit from the 92 freeway, it immediately caught my attention. During my visit, I decided to try two of their sandwiches: the mushroom and the hamburger. Both sandwiches were absolutely delightful, but I must admit that the mushroom sandwich stole the show for me. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the combination of ingredients made each bite a true pleasure. What sets this place apart is its ambiance. The rustic and slightly weathered appearance adds to its charm, and the fact that it's designed as a train is simply fantastic. I have a great appreciation for unique and interesting venues, and this place certainly fits the bill. It captures the imagination and transports you to a different world. One aspect that I felt was missing from the experience was the availability of coffee. It would have been wonderful to enjoy a hot cup of coffee alongside the delicious sandwiches. Perhaps this is something that could be considered as an addition to their menu. In summary, this place is a hidden gem with its own special spirit. The mushroom and hamburger sandwiches were both delicious, with the mushroom sandwich being my personal favorite. The ambience of the restaurant, with its rustic and train-themed decor, adds to the overall appeal. I highly recommend visiting this unique and interesting establishment, and perhaps a cup of coffee could be a delightful addition to enhance the experience even further.

The vibe here was great, staff was friendly even though the line was long. We waited in line for a bit right at opening, but otherwise they get thru everyone's orders pretty fast. We had the mushroom sandwich and hamburger sandwich, both were amazing, really fresh ingredients, great flavor. Highly recommend, definitely worth waiting in line for and stopping by when in the area.

Cute little spot run by former Michelin restaurant chef. The ambiance of the restaurant starts at it being a remodeled train caboose. Today was a rainy day but there was still a line up out the door. The go-to order is the hamburger sandwich And the mushroom sandwich. They cut the sandwich in half so that it’s easily shareable. Food is straight forward, no frills, delicious. The ingredients are fresh and simple. Very tasty. The dad sauce really makes the sandwich unique. The pickled onions cut through any fat in sandwich for the perfect balance. Would highly recommend a quick stop if you’re driving along the coast. Although there was a line, the wait was not too long and the food came pretty quickly. The sandwiches do come in standard Wonderbread sandwich bread size for $14.50 but all in all it was quite filling for the both of us. There is limited seating inside. Some picnic tables outside.

The beef burger they served was absolutely top-notch. It was seriously juicy and tender, like it could melt in your mouth. We couldn't get enough of it! Now, here's a heads-up if you're planning to swing by on the weekend. Make sure you get there early. We made the mistake of showing up around 3pm once, and you won't believe it—everything was already sold out! Talk about a bummer! So, if you're craving their delicious food, better plan your visit accordingly and beat the rush.

This place is tiny, and very cute. What I liked: + Friendly people + Food was very good - it’s “real food” - unpretentious but tasty. The mushroom sandwich had a nice mix of textures, and the bread was great. The chips were crispy and salty. + Amount of HMB pride What gave me pause: -No options for vegan meals -Very expensive, and sandwiches do not come with any sides, like chips or a salad. For the size and quality of sandwiches, I’d expect that to be included, or the sandwiches to be $5 cheaper. The actual cost of making a mushroom sandwich is so low that I can’t understand paying $18 for a sandwich and chips in a paper bag. - Menu is very limited, only about five options total. What I hope they try: - Adding pie and coffee to the menu to give it more of an All-American diner feel (would love to see partnerships with a local bakery or roaster) - Having at least one plant based entree - Adding milkshakes to go with their burger