Neal's Coffee Shop - San Mateo

We love Neals Coffee Shop and have been eating there and ordering takeout for years. The clam chowder is my favorite. My husband loves the French Dip and Bens Special is my favorite breakfast.

Chicken fried steak was delicious. Country potatoes were perfectly seasoned. Hash browns were perfectly crisp. Only downfall were the pickles on my breakfast croissant.

We ordered fish tacos, hot chocolate, pan cakes and waffles. The Fish tacos was bland. The fish was not cooked properly. The pan cakes were ok. The waffles were not great too. The waitress were too busy to even recommend something for us. We came in hungry and left hungry. This place is not for us. The hot chocolate was just water. I did not pay $3+ for chocolate water. I couldnt drink and i asked for a carry-on cup and I was told that i will be charged 50c for that. This was the tipping point.

Good food, but questionable customer service. I ordered an iced coffee, server asked if I wanted vanilla and I declined. We were charged the extra cost for vanilla anyways, and the cashier did not seem happy with amending it. Which was then amended to $4 more somehow... when we went back, they seemed even less happy about amending that. It's a trivial amount of money but it's the principle. Good and fair customer service would make it right without hassle or attitude. Edit: not sure how to respond to the owner's response below. This happened around 11:30am today at the San Mateo location, and we dined in. Appreciate the offer but don't worry about the iced coffees, we won't be returning. Just please ensure your workers have sound morals.

Total Diner/Coffe Shop Experience. friendly and attentive staff. there is always someone who keeps on the table and keeps drinks or ensures that they do not miss anything. consistent food choices, healthy portions. parking is sometimes a little challenging, but it is located in a super market place, so they need a short walk once parked. I don't drink a coffee, so I can't comment. I see a lot of preorder during the visit. a good breakfast here. the choice is great. other shops close to so handy when they run and want a quick bite. clean toilets.