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Bubba's Diner
- Hours:
Wed-Sun 8 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
132 reviews for Bubba's Diner
Review Highlights
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"I got the Creme Brulee French Toast." In 5 reviews -
"I recommend the soft-shell crab BLT." In 7 reviews -
"This is probably the best corned beef hash I'd ever had." In 4 reviews
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132 reviews in English
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Review from Tu-Anh N.
Great food. Great service. Great eye candy ;P
I've been here a few times now (under old and new owners) and one of the things I ALWAYS order is the CREME BRULE FRENCH TOAST!
This is perhaps the best french toast in the whole gosh darn world. It's crispy and lightly sweet on the outside, and creamy and amazing on the inside, just like creme brule! It comes with a dollop of butter that just melts down across both slices and a side of warm maple syrup!
It's too bad that it doesn't come with a side anymore. But I still order it. However, the other item I usually order are the SLIDERS. And whats new about is that it comes with a side! You get fruit or fries and I've tried them with all!
The OREO MILKSHAKE is pretty freakin' awesome. Can't go wrong there. I think its cute they have Milkshake happy hour from like 3-5pm I think.
I've had both their CALIFORNIA and FLORENTINE BENEDICT. It's pretty good! Nothing to complain about there!
The last time I was there though I had the CORNED BEEF HASH breakfast. The eggs, potatoes, and biscuits were decent, but I felt the hash was over cooked and dry. Darn. I would have liked the biscuits to be warm but its still edible.
Too bad this place is so far from where I live (Oakland). I'd prolly come here all the time. It's such a great treat for me to come here. I LOVE BUBBA'S DINER! WOOT! -
Review from Jordan G.
Sausalito, CA
4/15/2012
Growing up in Marin I used to love and frequent bubbas all the time. Burgers and shakes were hard to beat. Ever since the new ownership the service however has dropped off a cliff. My last experience we were ignored for 30 minutes along with other nearby tables, our food orders were wrong not once, but twice.
I walked in last week to give it another try, the place was only half full, and after waiting for over 10 minutes by the entrance with nobody to greet us, I walked out. I really hope the owner wakes up and realizes this is a service business, I won't go back again which is sad... -
Review from Andy M.
San Rafael, CA
3/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Just moved from Colorado and I would have to say, 'Hella bomb' diner. Awesome atmosphere, great cooks.
Cool Cali eats. -
Review from Arwyn M.
Emeryville, CA
5/23/2012
I hadn't been for a meal since the change in ownership. I used to eat here all the time years ago. The service was pretty good (fun waiter), the food was also pretty good...I was pretty put off about not having organic mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup. I like the idea of 'organic meeting greasy' but I do not like putting high fructose corn syrup and gmo filled condiments on my supposedly organic burger. All in all I would go back, but I really wish they would work out this detail...also...are the potatoes used for the fries organic??!!
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Review from Reinaldo D.
San Rafael, CA
5/18/2012
The coffee I was served was old and burned. I had to ask for a new cup. Even the new coffee was poor quality. I've had much better in MacDonald's. . . But it gets worse.
I had a hamburger. Fortunately I got blue cheese on it because the hamburger meat itself was tough and tasteless. . . But it gets worse.
I chose cole slaw instead of fries. I'm very particular when I waste calories on fries. I want fresh, home cut fries and will wait for them to do it that way. After the coffee, I just didn't trust the fries. So. . .cole slaw. Cole slaw can be nothing but cabbage with ranch dressing slobbered over it or it can be a sublime mixture of raisons, apple bits, carrots and cabbage mixed gently with seasonings and a touch of mayo. The cole slaw at Bubbas was more like the former--only not ranch dressing but something oily.
$13 for a bad hamburger with worse slaw and burnt coffee???? Never again.
This was a great disappointment. I don't get to San Anselmo often and Bubbas used to be a real pleasure. Now. . .Blah-h-h. -
Review from Craig H.
San Anselmo, CA
2/11/2012
Bubba's just ain't Bubba's no mo'
This is a local institution. The new owner has poured his heart and soul into upgrading and remodeling this restaurant. The place looks great. There are more organic ingredients than ever before. This guy isn't compromising. Service is always excellent. It's clear that everyone is working hard trying to make this place a success.
But I wish all the money that was diverted to that grand interior upgrade would have been focused on the actual food.
This place *should* be an upscale greasy spoon, not just a showcase for organic ingredients. I do agree with the new owner's philosophy: it is possible to have your cake and organic icing too - I applaud the mission.
But everything tastes a little "off". Not just different than before - but actually off. Food can span the range of: sightly metalllic/chemical tasting - to simply bland and under-seasoned - to marginally unsettling textures due to rushed preparation. Plates are frequently hastily assembled without much care. Yes, it is quite possible that my taste buds just aren't "calibrated" with the new chef - everyone truly is different - but I like to think I know a flavorful hamburger or grilled cheese sandwich when I taste one. On a positive note, I recently just tasted his horseradish-infused deviled eggs - these were bursting with flavor - quite good - but they are the exception to the rule.
Now I did take the time to talk to the owner about this a couple of times. As a San Anselmo native, I am totally rooting for this guy to succeed - and naturally feel fully empowered to give an opinion when it just isn't wanted ;-) However, I suspect there might be just too much "pride of ownership" here. For instance, when he mentioned something about having to "educate his customers" about the quality ingredients he was using - I saw pride trending towards blinding hubris. Why do we need educating ? Is it because the organic ingredients aren't tasting as good as they should ?
I know, it's a lot to ask of a chef/owner to realize that maybe, just maybe - that his own taste buds might be holding the place back from reaching its full potential. But why not course-correct based on the very real feedback you're getting ? Stop micromanaging the place, hire a proven line cook, and fully empower him/her to make the day to day culinary decision making. Someone has to deliver those perfectly carmelized buttery, grilled cheese sandwiches - WITH organic butter and local organic cheese - and WITH that stick-to-the-ribs, home-style feel. Get the help you need and then have the guts to let them run with it.
Sadly, I've kept going back there searching for something that isn't there anymore. I'm sure this can all be easily corrected, but the first step is to realize there is an issue ;-) Looking at recent reviews, it appears that others are coming to similar conclusions.
But above all, please note: I write this with absolutely no sense of malice. These are rather complex nostalgic emotions that any "Mel's style" diner must cater to.
But I think this can all be distilled down to something astonishingly simple: put 'mo fatty butta back into Bubba's. -
Review from G B.
Sausalito, CA
5/9/2012
Took my young daughter here for a change of pace. The place was flat and boring. The service was almost nonexistent and the late afternoon sun and cooking grills made the place hot as hell. I got the chop salad and it was OK but over-priced for a diner. I don't get the sense they are anxious to improve the customer experience so I'm not going to be anxious to go back.
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Review from Kenneth H.
Corte Madera, CA
4/19/2012
LIke most everyone says, this Bubba's is different than the old one. A serious disappointment. Do NOT order the tuna wontons. Seriously there are 4 teaspoons of mediocre food for $10. In all my experience, this was THE most over priced appetizer I have ever had. Even my son's slider burgers were dry.
Given what this restaurant used to be I doubt I could have been more disappointed. -
Review from kristen h.
San Anselmo, CA
Updated - 3/4/2012
I am so sad about this. I used to really like Bubba's. Tonight (at six pm), we ordered an orange creamsicle shake, but they were out of orange ice cream. We ordered the onion ring tower, but they were out of onion rings. We ordered sliders, and the sliders were raw in the middle yet the buns were soggy. The rest was mediocre at best. :(
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/17/2008
bubba's is very small, so if it's crowded i just walk by and find somewhere else to go. but… Read more »
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Review from Kevin R.
Mill Valley, CA
3/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bubbas is best at night during the week. There's usually street parking and the menu is much bigger. I love this place, tho the servers can be kinda snotty sometimes.
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Review from Mildred A.
Bay Area
12/26/2011
So yes, it is a greasy spoon, but isn't that why we go to diners in the first place? You gotta give them this much "where grease meets organic" is the perfect way to sell regular American fare to the Marin crowd...
Their burgers are pretty good and so are the fries. Now for $6 milkshake...this is probably wishful thinking but a chocolate milkshake should at the very least entail some chocolate ice cream in there; vanilla ice cream plus some cloying chocolate syrup just doesn't cut it for me.
The fried calamari and the ahi tuna pot stickers are every bit as good as they sound. Overall, pretty expensive for diner food...I rather drive to Pearl's in Mill Valley (cheaper and organic-er); as much as it pains me to deal with that insufferable town, their burgers are THE bomb! -
Review from Victor G.
10/9/2011
Bubba's Diner isn't the same so i hear. gone are the booths and the 15 page menu. i came just for the burger and it's still here. the menu is just 2 laminated pages now. portions seem large (and so are some of the prices)
decor: old styled 50's diner.
sampling: bubba's burger(10)
-about 1/3 lb. meat with cheddar, provolone cheese, tomato, schredded lettuce, thousand island and pickle spear on the side. taste of the cheeses not noticeable.
-soft bun had to be sliced, then warmed on grill.
-meat actually med rare. had some juiciness. 3.5 stars
coffee(2)
-slightly harsh coffee, average
crumbs:
-tower of onion rings looked huge, interesting
-open grill
-service was attentive, fast
-new software in cashier made billling errors, quickly corrected.Listed in: hamburgers, cheeseburgers,…
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Review from Jeanette W.
San Francisco, CA
9/5/2011
I used to go to Bubba's a lot for their pancakes. In my opinion, they had the best pancakes around. So, my mom and I were going to up San Anselmo to watch a softball tourney and took her to Bubba's for those amazing pancakes. The place was completely redone (I miss the booths) and I noticed the menu was much smaller. I ordered my blueberry pancakes and not only did they bring them later than my mom's order, but they brought me waffles and the girl asked if that's okay. Nope, it's not. I finally got my order and was hugely disappointed. Mom and I agreed that they tasted like the grill on which they were cooked.
I found out later that it was under new ownership. Bummer, guys. It was perfect just the way it was. So, now, when I'm in the north bay I go to Marvin's in Novato. THEY have the best pancakes around. -
Review from Diane L.
Novato, CA
9/1/2011
They stole my Bubba's. I want it back. I don't think I'll get it back.
How can you take a slice of True Americana, with big fat booths and a seemingly 15-page menu, food coming to your table dripping with goodness... and turn it into a sidecar of Cliff's notes? They did. I am heartbroken.
I ordered 2 eggs over medium with bacon and hash browns. Two bites of the hash browns and I shoved them off to a corner of my plate. The eggs were eggs. And the bacon? SIX fat, curled over one another slices? Cold? I saw my plate sitting up on the ledge while my luncheon mates' plates were prepped. You let the eggs & bacon get cold?
My Bubba's Diner is gone. I wish the new owner(s) well, but I won't be back. -
Review from Resa N.
Bay Area
Tried the infamous Ahi Tuna Pot Stickers featured on Triple D. Original and pretty good. I also liked the bed of cooked spinach they served it on. It had a great garlic taste.
I also ordered the Shrimp Po Boy, which was $16 and just.... OK. The shrimp were a decent size and had a good texture of crispiness but were a little bland. I wish they would have added a bit more garlic aioli because I didn't taste much of it. The classic (natural cut) fries that came with my meal were pretty good. I also tried the Almond Roca shake which was also just OK.
The husband ordered the Unphilly cheese-steak and unfortunately, didn't care for it. I took a bite and it was OK as well, nothing really special about it.
Other than having just an OK experience with the food, the service was pretty good. Then again, there wasn't really anyone there. But still, the waiter was very efficient and attentive. Regardless, I'd probably come back just to try their breakfast, esp the creme brulee french toast!!!Listed in: As seen on TV
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Review from Michael B.
San Francisco, CA
5/30/2011
This isn't your parents' Bubbas... It's not even your stoner-brother's Bubbas. Stoners have better taste. Dining here was wrong on every level. The waitress was inept or lazy (not sure, but at least she wasn't overtly rude), the food was horrible and the menu has an inconsistency which results in an overcharge for food.
My wife and I went in to try it out since it had opened. We figured enough time had passed to work out any kinks we read about in other reviews. We went in with our 17 month old and asked for the back 4-top. The place was empty and the 2-tops seemed too small for all three of us to sit and eat at. The waitress said flatly, "I'm not giving you my 4-top," and as a former waiter, I wasn't going to argue.
We each ordered the pancakes with eggs and sausage, which when you add it up comes to $13. However, there's also a pancake combo, with the exact same servings, for $14. We pointed out the inconsistency to the waitress and she told me that how it comes up in the computer is how it is. We told her we wanted the a la carte since it was a $1 less for the same thing.
So the food comes and it's not cooked. The pancakes were thin and had a really strange spongy mouth-feel. We couldn't figure it out until we realized that they just weren't cooked enough. We told the waitress, who then told us, "You should have said something, I would have them bring you new ones." Given that we each ate about a quarter of one of our pancakes, I didn't understand what she was talking about, but I didn't want to try these things cooked, so we left it alone and ate the sausage and eggs (overcooked) and asked for the check.
Check comes. Waitress was kind enough to take 10% off the bill because of the uncooked and uneaten pancakes left on our plates. But sure enough, the $1 overcharge for each of our breakfasts was on the bill.
I'm not writing this one-star review for a $2 overcharge. I'm writing it for the $38 dollars I paid for one of the worst breakfasts I've been served in a long time. I can only surmise that the 5 star reviews are for the old Bubba's or from friends of the owners. -
Review from Katie W.
Updated - 3/5/2011
It had been a long hiatus since I stepped through Bubba's door - now I am almost feeling sad I did...
In summary, this visit was confusing, disappointing and frustrating - mixed with some good food and some dismal food.
Let's start with the good. There's still the window booth.
There's still the Tower of Onion Rings.
There's still pies & burgers and some of the selection of shakes.
There's still a great selection of sandwiches and salads - in fact, even more so, which makes me happy as I am a Salad FIEND.
I ordered the Smoked Salmon Salad, nice dark greens with Goat Cheese and generous portion of Smoked Salmon. Fried Crispy Onions top the salad, and I was smitten that they did. Very nice accompaniment. Odd were the red grapes, luckily Brat's Son, Brat IV was there to gobble those right up. Salmon was nicely smoked, still tender - however slightly too salty for my palette, but I do have to qualify that statement with this honest disclaimer: I am Salt Sensitive. Yes, a good movie and some salt just bring me to tears...:-p
Onion Rings. These are still presented quite fantastically in Tower Form, and still a must have with any meal at Bubba's, but somehow they were a little TOO battered, which made the rings get quite soggy after time.
Calamari Salad - the menu doesn't specify, but this is battered, fried style calamari. Brat was kind enough to give me a taste and we both immediately agreed, this dressing was over dressed. It was wearing a huge parka, fur lined gloves & boots and a ski mask in 180 degree weather. Other than that, I think it would have been great.
The BAD.
Salads here come with biscuits, huge, doughy, dry ass disgusting tough, pale HORRID biscuits. There is NOTHING to save these. They should be promptly throw away from your plate and away from any passers by, should they happen to think that this is actually food, as it is most decidedly NOT.
The service.
It was a Wednesday afternoon, not exactly your super rush hour in terms of restaurant goers. Our barely teenage waitress - well, she SUCKED. SOOO long to order, extremely long to get our appetizer - and then she drops off said appetizer; the Rings with nothing. No BBQ. No Buttermilk Ranch. No NOTHING. Not even some damn plates to put them on, so then we have to wait for her to saunter back into the room to even ask for these things. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Ug, so SO frustrating.
While still eating, a clearer comes over and tries to take the plate. That I am EATING OFF OF. No asking, just grabbing. Oh, I'm sorry - is my time up? I'm freaking USING that.
Bubba's is under new ownership and they got rid of some of the greats: the PBC Shake, the Walnut Maple Shake, the pie selection, the Tapioca Pudding, the Blackened Catfish Platter, the Falafel Wrap and worst of all, the rest of the booths. Service is no longer Old Fashioned Friendly, it's rush you out, yet be horribly slow and incompetent in they way that they attend to you and your needs.
I will give Bubba one more try, but I'm afraid that's all. Comfort's is right down the street, after all and I KNOW I can get simply awesome food there with servers that actually DO their jobs.Listed in: Come, Let's Break Our Fast, SUGAR, Graceable Eateries
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/27/2005 First to Review
I first went to Bubba's just months ago -- and I have been back countless times already! The food is… Read more »
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Review from Allen S.
San Ramon, CA
5/14/2011 5 photos
Fantastic diner experience.
Bubba's is a small 50's style diner in San Anselmo. Bubba's changed ownership when existing staff bought the restaurant. The owners recently remodeled the restaurant and removed some of the old booths giving Bubba's the ability to handle larger groups.
Today we had the special Meyer lemon ricotta cakes which pleased our taste buds. Bits of lemon zest added interest to each bite.
If you want standard eggs and bacon, order Nicks pick. The bacon was juicy, thick and lean.
All this is good, but best of all is the experience. Ryan and Pauly made the experience memorable. Pauly was extremely friendly and ensured the customer's needs were being met. Ryan, an owner, walked the restaurant, served food and spent time with customers. As a small restaurant there wasn't an over abundance of wait staff which could cause delays but the staff made up for this by attending to details and making you feel like family. -
Review from Joris E.
Los Gatos, CA
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place was taken over in the recent history. The new owners kept the items highlighted in Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the menu. I tried the soft shell crab BLT. The crab was not fried right or the oil was old, I felt a bit sick to my stomach all night after eating it. Definitely not a place I will return to. Sorry....
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Review from Jamie D.
Updated - 3/16/2011 1 photo
Yup. Someone else said it & it's right on. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
I was so happy my favorite date & I got a booth as there are only the two in the window left. I don't see that the new chairs & tables created more seating, but just more uncomfortable seating & not much room between neighbors/neighboring tables.
The food is not as good, but still better than many places. The wait staff was helpless. It was not a typical busy day, but a midweek early lunch. It wasn't crowded, so I feel very sorry if it doesn't improve & soon for busy times.
I don't mind paying for scrumptious organic ingredients, but I also expect to be taken care of with only a couple minor courtesies. 1) Ask if everything is okay not long after the meal is received. 2) Return once to see if anything else is needed & maybe refill water at the same time. I felt like we had to beg for everything which was customary last year & years prior. The busser tried to take our plates with food on them while we were chewing & without asking. Rude.
The pretty waitress cannot get by on looks alone. A little training would take her smile far!
I'm willing to give Bubba's one more try, but I'm scared two bad visits would overshadow a lot of great food memories of times gone by. Maybe I'll build up the nerve... with the right partner in food.Listed in: Top Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/25/2007
PB&C shake = peanut butter & chocolate shake! Need I say more? This place is the ultimate diner. The… Read more »
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Review from Jeff R.
Greenbrae, CA
3/21/2011
I've been wanting to try Bubba's for a decade, but there's always been a compelling reason we didn't (I was too hungover to wait 30 minutes for breakfast, I didn't feel like riding all the way to San Anselmo, my wife was craving Half Day Cafe's huevos rancheros, etc.). But now we have a very compelling reason to try it; Bubba's is sponsoring my son's Little League team, so we went there for dinner after practice.
I feel badly for the other reviewers who have loved this place for years, and don't like the changes. I can relate, but thankfully I'm a first-time caller so I can't miss the Bubba's of years past. I did notice the booths are gone, which I think is too bad (although I understand the reason, with thin margins in the restaurant business).
We went on a Thursday night, and the place was full but not packed. I got the corned beef hash (since it was St. Patrick's Day). It was great; not the best I've had, but better than most. The boys had sliders with what were probably the best diner fries I've ever had; clearly they were hand-made. My wife had a salad, which was really good (spinach and salmon I think).
Service was fine; our waitress is new and admitted it, but she did a good job. The manager was also roaming the place, making sure we had enough water, liked the food, etc. We didn't have to wait long for service or the food.
I'd go back; although it might not be as great as it once was, I think they're working out the new owner kinks. It's an institution, so we'll be patient. -
Review from Zoe G.
Shasta, CA
Updated - 3/1/2011
I have no idea where these bad reviews are coming from! The new management is excellent-- they know all the old customers, and the new layout they designed is excellent. More people can fit inside now so I dont have to wait as long to get my delicious-amazing-spectacular creme brule french toast.
I just got back from a month long trip to Africa and ALL I could think about when I thought about home was how amazing that french toast is.
Every time family visits, I bring them here and no one is ever disappointed.
Bottom line- dont miss this place! YUM!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/12/2010
Abso-friggin-loutly delicious!! I love the food. It is consistently excellent. The staff is… Read more »
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Review from Tommy G.
Fairfax, CA
Updated - 10/25/2011 3 photos
Update: My wife was not at all happy last time she went in (after the new owners took over) so I can't confirm that they are what they used to be...from other reviews it sounds like that is the case.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/2/2006
I LOVE BUBBA'S!
They just got flooded a few months ago but are back up and running again. REALLY nice… Read more »
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Review from Tanya P.
Novato, CA
2/15/2012
Oh Bubba's, how the mighty have fallen! Back when I lived farther North, the trek was always worth it! The wait for a table was one filled with delicious anticipation. Now I live right down the street and honestly you couldnt force me to HIDE in Bubba's were the Zombie hoardes rapidly filling the street outside. The wait times are HORRENDOUS!!! We missed one play and a couple of movies because it took so long to place our order, then even longer to get our food. When the food finally arrives, it's mediocre at best, unsafe at worst. Still, I loved this place so much I gave it three tries. Each time was more disappointing than the one before. The final straw was breakfast awhile back when I ordered pancakes and sausage. The pancakes came along with my husband's eggs oh, about 40 minutes after we placed our order. While I did get an enormous plate of steaming fluffy pancakes, there was no sausage. When I asked, the waiter said he forgot to tell me they were out of it when I ordered it (40 minutes ago). He asked if I wanted something else and I said I would take a side of bacon. The bacon came about 15 minutes later and it was grossly undercooked. What the hell were they doing for 15 minutes?! Certainly not cooking bacon! It was literally limp and slimy with big pools of grease in each fold of the meat. Disgusting. I didnt touch it. They watched me not touch it. Not once did anyone ask if it was ok or acknowledge this obviously substandard offering. Not only that, they made me pay for the offending swine even though it wasnt what I ordered to begin with! Come on! I LOVED this place. I was actually happy to hear it was being taken over by lifelong fans of the joint. I rooted for them so much! Man, what a total letdown.
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Review from Cristy M.
9/11/2010
Came by on a Sunday morning in the clothes I'd been wearing the night before looking for nothing other than a good cup of coffee and a big breakfast. Lucky I was led into Bubba's then. What I love about this place is that it's a diner, a good ol' American diner, but their tag line is that they're into using organic or local ingredients whenever possible. I can attest to tasting it in the food.
We ordered off the Specials menu. I got a Manny's Benedict (eggs, salmon, spinach with Hollandaise over English muffins with a side of house potatoes) and my boyfriend got a Spicy Carnitas omelet (pulled pork in a folded omelet and a side of house potatoes). Though I didn't get to taste his food (pork), I take his word for it that it was delicious. He was offered a variety of hot sauces and tried it with all of them. The cilantro and pepper sauce, in particular, was great, especially for someone who, like me, doesn't favor too-spicy foods.
The house potatoes were great. Usually, I'll never touch house potatoes and, for the most part, I'll switch them out for grits, but these were great. I even mentioned it while eating them.
My only complaint was the OJ. California oranges. I mean, coming from Florida, I'm pretty particular with my fresh squeezed OJ. Still, it was great. I guess if I hadn't been able to tell the difference, I might've thought it was delicious.
A note of caution: Put your name on that list to be seated and don't steer so far from the door because, if you're not paying attention, someone might take your name and draw a big fat line through it just to get seated first. When this many people are wanting to eat there, it can't be all for naught.Listed in: Bay Area Eats
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Review from Tam F.
7/21/2009
About a month ago, the husband and I caught an episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on Food Network. One of the diners featured in the episode was Bubba's and we put it on our list of places to check out-mainly based on what was shown-ahi potstickers and a soft shell crab blt.
2 weeks ago, my husband was on his first week of a company wide furlough and we made a trip to San Anselmo just to come here. We ended up hitting a few other places on the street, but this was our "official" destination. The restaurant itself is small-service was fine and it was a fairly uncrowded when we were there.
Husband ordered a strawberry milkshake, the ahi potstickers AND the blt. I ordered the Greek salad (gyros). The potstickers were not nearly as good as either of us expected. The ahi was cooked and the taste/texture was similar to pork potstickers (at least to me). His blt was big-he liked it but afterward, confessed he wished he ordered the Kobe burger. My salad was really good and the pita that came with it was great.
Since the place is so small, it was easy to see what others were eating. One guy(alone and probably in his 20's) ordered the onion ring tower (8 rings for essentially 8 bucks), a milkshake and the Kobe burger. He rolled out a bit fatter and from the look on his face, a bit happier than when he sat down.
Good food and fun to take a road trip, but not necessarily a "destination" restaurant.Listed in: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
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Review from Wes T.
9/8/2009 ROTD 10/17/2009
Busy place, and I can see why. San Anselmo, like much of small-town Marin, is undergoing some demographic changes. This place, by being an upscale diner, has a wide appeal on multiple levels.
The food is tasty. You won't be disappointed. I would say take your time, though, and think through what you're ordering because the portions will be huge. You might wanna bring a friend, or do some stomach stretching exercises before hand.
Yay on the Meatloaf, and yay for the burgers. Our server was good at his job, and made the experience that much better. Also, try a shake.
There's a big Guy Fieri poster on the wall. Yes, he ate here. Apparently he loved it so much he tagged the wall with a stencil. He's kind of douche-y, but you have to take his word that there is something good about this place. -
Review from Arissa C.
San Francisco, CA
11/22/2007
From the moment you enter Bubba's Diner- an atmosphere of what 's All- American and 50's dining era resurfaces around you. Waitresses don their colgate white smiles eager to make your dining experience a memorable one.
The table was prepped with city juice and a couple of joe's appeared without hesitation. I didn't hear any echo here- our waitress was on top of it. She fixed our appetites with the blowout patch special complete with two dots and a dash (or substitute them for zeppelins). My friend loved the wrecked version with a sweep the floor out back. I wasn't too impressed with their Pope Benedict version because Noah's boy was hard as a puck and the sauce was too tangy.
On another antiquing adventure, we came back for lunch and settled for two cows and didn't make them cry. They came with cow feed and frog sticks and if you're hungry add a bowl o' red or just paint it red.
For dessert my friend asked to burn one all the way while I settled for one in the hay.
Overall great place for a little nostalgia with pictures, music and the people who help bring them all back. Thank you :-)
PS- Don't pull a George Eddy or you'll be 86'ed ;-)
The Diner Slang (available for your perusal on each table)
City Juice- Water
Joe- Coffee
Echo- Repeat an order
Blowout patch- Pancakes
Two dots and a dash- Two eggs and bacon
Zeppelins- Sausage
Wrecked - Scrambled
Sweep the floor- hash
Out Back- As a side
Pope Benedict- Eggs Benedict
Noah's Boy- Ham
Puck- well done
Two Cows make them cry- Hamburgers with onions
Burn one all the way- Chocolate Milkshake
One in the Hay- Strawberry Milkshake
George Eddy- Non tipping customer
Eighty-six'ed- barred from establishment -
Review from Marte E M.
San Anselmo, CA
7/20/2011
OMG people! It's a diner, after all. And a fantastic one, to boot. The food is beyond good - it's fresh, organic and delightfully interesting. The fries are to die for, the salads beat most salads around (big, yummy w/your choice of protein adds & homemade dressings), and the wait staff is happy, accommodating and fun. Their biscuits and much of their menu are in keeping w/the old Bubba's, which we all know and love. And thank you to the new owners for keeping up the tradition, while adding some new ones!
It took me awhile to get used to the tables instead of the booths - but hey, it's evolution, right? No - this isn't your $50 a plate haute cuisine quiet, moody restaurant - if you're looking for that, and the intense service that goes along with it, you're in the wrong place. But...if you want a real diner - this is the place for you. Go there for happy times and good food, at reasonable prices; you won't be sorry! -
Review from Siamak S.
Santa Monica, CA
9/20/2007
Solid Burgers in a 1950s dinner atmosphere. A great place to bring kids and spoil them with shakes. Don't have one but if I was one that's what I'd want.
Make it happen... -
Review from Susanne C.
Fairfax, CA
1/23/2007
I used to love the breakfast's at Bubba's and have waited to write this review. About three years ago it changed owners and I personally do not like the new breakfasts here. I usually order poached eggs and several times my eggs were overcooked. I agree with a previous poster that the potatoes are very greasy. They had an unpleasant taste the last time as if they had been fried possibly in rancid bacon fat. I am just guessing here. The owner seems to have his heart in the right place with using all organic products whenever possible. I just can't forgive having a breakfast that is mainly inedible when the prices here are so high. I gave them three stars for the good waffles served with real maple syrup and then took one away for the extremely slow service in a very uncrowded restaurant.
update in Feb 2007 They have raised their prices to where I should take away a star for even the waffles. A plain waffle with no sides or fruit, just a waffle dumped on the plate with a pat of too much whipped butter is now $7.95. I could stomach it when it was $6.95 but at $7. 95 I think I will just pass. The waffle is not that great for the price. Also the service which was not great before seems to have even gone farther into the dumpster. I went here recently on a weekday to have a waffle and there were all free booths and I was told they would fill up for lunch and I could not sit in a booth. I had to sit at the uncomfortable counter for about half hour. When I left only two booths in the front window were filled and the rest were empty.
I kind of resented not being given a booth. I do not think I will be frequenting them even for the waffles now. -
Review from Amihan M.
Napa, CA
4/4/2007
Bubba's is awesome!
They have a great menu filled with good ingredients and everything I've ordered there is very good. Love love love, their home made biscuit. Their shakes are think and very fattening. Best part is that you can order out of the menu if it's not enough selection for you. They will cook whatever you request. They also give you a choice of 2 or three eggs for not extra charge. This is a great place for picky eaters.
The space is a little small so usually there's a wait, but not too bad. Service is hit or miss depending on how busy they are, but overall it's friendly. They have one table that can accommodate a big group, there is outside seating for diners who can't like dining with their doggies.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Karen S.
3/22/2008
Happy birthday to me!!!
Today the sun was shining, and to celebrate my birthday the Plate Cleaners decided to take a drive and grab some grub.
BFF loves this place and I can see why. We started with milkshakes... yummy! Made with real Oreos and loads of whipped cream.
We then had a mountain of onion rings... oh boy the deep fried sexiness...
We all had burgers, mine was turkey, they had beef, all were cooked perfectly and the fries were to die for.
I really wanted to end the meal with pie, but we were all so stuffed... next time, I am so having that enormous piece of pie... and I may not share.
Perfect place to have lunch, and I can't wait to come back again. -
Review from Susan L.
San Anselmo, CA
2/8/2012
The management and food has changed, but it's still one of our families favorite places to eat!! Great people, atmosphere and same great burger and shakes!!
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Review from Christine K.
San Rafael, CA
3/30/2008
Our favorite eating establishment in Marin.
Delicious food (breakfast, lunch and dinner), excellent service. Down home vibe. No attitude even in the middle of attitude-thick downtown San Anselmo.
QUALITY food made with high quality ingredients (organic, when possible).
My favorite thing on the menu is their sausage patties - flattened by the grill chefs so they cook evenly for a nicely browned outside with salty sausageness inside. YUM!
I love Bubba's! Thank you for being the best in Marin!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxxo -
Review from Jade R.
3/26/2008 1 photo
I've only been here for dinner, and it's always been good, so I'm not sure why there are so many bad reviews. Ive never had any problems with the service, as everyone has always been very friendly and considerate.
It definitely feels like an original 50's diner, and the total occupancy is no more than 20 people, so if you're coming with a large group, pray that it's deserted in there! In the evening, Ive never had trouble being seated and food always arrives quickly. I really like their Italian sodas, which taste a lot like unsugared fruit soda with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream... it's MESSY though, so you'll have to keep drinking it if you don't want it to spill everywhere!
A lot complain about it being overpriced.. and I have to say that it's not a cheap diner, but it's also not a Dennys, so in a way, you fork over the extra bucks to eat at a better place. The other reason why it might seem pricey to some, is that the food served is ORGANIC, as it is explained on the cover of the menu, and they buy their products from local farmers. The $20-burger is a kobe burger and it's the most expensive item on the menu: we tried it and it wasn't extraordinarily different from a good and juicy burger, but still tasty and worth trying if you've always wondered what a kobe burger tastes like. -
Review from Kai T.
Corte Madera, CA
Updated - 6/25/2009
As you can tell before I love this place but what happened this last time Bubba's?! Why did you fail us and everyone else in the restaurant?! We went in to try some of the stuff from food network. We get seated...and wait...and wait...and wait...and try to flag down...and wait...ok, that's cool. I will find my own menu. Thanks!
We order Ahi potstickers...um, ok. I will grab my own plates to share this with my table. Thanks! Could have been beef for all i knew. I wouldnt order them again. No fish taste here.
Ever had a whole room full of staff staring at the floor or doing anything possible to not help the guests?! (not just us...everyone was waving their arms around to try to get something or another. If you ignore us we wont go away!)
So then we have the ribs (not as good as last time) which they were out of half of their sides. So many options left! And the softshell crab sandwich which was pretty overcooked. Not quite sure why but the busboy brought over a plate and chopsticks to us with our dinner. Finally realized it was for the potstickers which were long gone at this point. I'm confused..
I'd say the only thing they did right was continuously fill our glasses with water as they looked down and ran away before you could ask for something else. Lol.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/1/2008
Really good food! Not your typical diner food. They add a bit of class to each dish. I always forget… Read more »
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Review from allison s.
Greenwood, IN
6/24/2007
This place is not good for more than one child per group.
Wanting to meet a friend and her daughter for lunch the beaux and I packed up our son and met her at Bubba's.
There was an empty table a the front (one of the two bigger tables).. this would have worked great but for some reason the 2 servers could not figure out how to seat guests. So when a couple came in they sat them there and made us wait some more. Then a booth opened up and they thought "okay, let's put 2 highchairs at the end of the table so neither kid could reach the table and at the same time block all foot traffic to the other patrons." at least that is what I would guess they had thought if they knew how to think at all.
Yes my review is harsh, possibly scathing. But when your wall is covered with Zagat reviews and other awards shouldn't you have the slightest clue on how to provide good service?
Fast forward: after waiting half an hour for food it finally arrived... not correct but none the less it was food. Very very over priced greasy food.
I had the slider cause they were $2 cheaper than a burger with out the fries. Instead of being sliders, it was a thin burger patty on 6 buns (all connected) and then sliced so the meat didn't fit the bun and you got a triangle of beef on all the corners instead of a slider...
My friend and beaux had bacon cheeseburgers, and they both said they were okay. Just okay. The bacon looked pretty gross, definitely not cooked today.
Conclusion:
bad service(slow and not friendly)
bad food (overpriced and not appetizing)
bad seating (seating arrangement is dreadful)
bad atmosphere (when waiting you read all the outstanding reviews and you might get your hopes up only to be dissapointed) -
Review from Marsha Z.
San Francisco, CA
5/31/2006
Nice staff, but I don't think their food is anything to write home about. Prices, I think, are also kinda steep for ordinary breakfast dishes. Their pancakes are pretty good, though.
*Closed Monday and Tuesday. -
Review from Sarah B.
San Anselmo, CA
6/8/2011
My husband and I both love it here. Perfect diner food, I also love the breakfast. Fun ambiance, great service, and amazing milkshakes that are completely addicting. Being there you can feel the family aura of the place. The brothers, (who are both super cute) choose quality ingredients for their diner, just like I do for our home. Also, we love the sauces. If they delivered, I would have given 5 stars. :)
