Dino's Family Restaurant
(between Alder Ave & Thornton Ave)
Fremont, CA 94536 (510) 792-6533
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
28 Reviews for Dino's Family Restaurant
I worked here and it was the worst job i've ever had! They don't follow the laws. Their idea of a break is going by the dishwasher to eat one bite of food only if there are no customers and your not even allowed to sit down. I worked 8 hour shifts and wasn't allowed to sit down once. Its simply not allowed! I could barely walk when my shift was done. There are pregnant woman working there. I don't know how they handle it. If you are an older man who goes to Dinos stop groping the waitresses.
So, I grew up in Fremont, and when I lived here, Dino's was known for one specific attribute: The milkshakes. That's really all I remember from my childhood diner, so I figured I'd make a quick stop here to actually EAT something.
Everything on the menu is everything you'd expect at your typical diner. I ordered fried mushrooms and fries, because you know, I'm trying to stay healthy. When I saw the neighboring table's plate of mushrooms come out, my eyes bulged out of their sockets. I screwed up once again, there was no way I'd be able to finish that. Still, it was tasty. The dude ordered a burger and fries. He said it was good. He's a man of few words.
It looks like your typical diner, with local school's trophies adorning all the walls (all of MY old schools). The waitresses are diner-like friendly and courteous, three separate workers came by and asked if everything was okay. And, the regulars pour in non-stop.
Grab a menu and seat yourself. No, it's not fancy, but I'd be disappointed if it ever was.
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It's like a trailer or basically a really dumpy looking place. I always passed by it but never tried it until this one time. And to say i'm surprised it an understatement. The food was actually pretty good, the service was nice and in general it had a very homey feeling to it. Would definitely go back again. A nice bunch of people.
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Here's my review of Dino's:
Be expecting a wait at around 11AM Sunday of about 10 parties.
Service is prompt to serve drinks and take your order.
Food takes about 10 minutes.
I had a basic breakfast eggs, potatos, 3sausages, sourdough and some of an omellete.
Portions are on the bigger side especially the potatoes. Next time I'll ask for it more on the crispy side. This place didn't leave a lasting impression it's not fancy but I did only get a basic breakfast. The meal costed $10 and what you order is basically what you get. Can't find any reason to take away any stars so 5 stars for just being what it is.
This place has pretty average food. Granted I've only been here for breakfast - it was just mediocre. On a quest to find a good local breakfast spot, this was one of the lower places I've been to. Maybe I'm not too crazy about the interior design, but the place was clean and homey.
Not much else to say about this place, just that I didn't expect much going to Dino's and left with the same impression I had coming in. Probably won't be coming back to dine here.
Dino's doesn't try to be anything but what it is, a really authentic, down-to-earth diner! With a counter on the right, and booths on the left, trophies on the walls, and tobasco on the tables. This is Americana at it's finest. They have an extensive menu and reasonable prices. The minestrone soup I had was excellent, and the tuna sandwich was better than average. Service was friendly and prompt, bathrooms clean, plenty of parking, and don't forget to bring change for the candy machine in the vestibule.
Sing it with me:
"reflections of the way life used to be...."
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i don't eat diner food often. but when i do, i love coming here.
the prices are good. the service is good. and the food is excellent.
and they are in walking distance.
life is good.
I like Dino's. This Place is American diner. You want to step back in time to Ozzie and Harriet you got it here. from traditional breakfast choices in the morning like omelette's with Spanish sauce to biscuits and gravy, Belgium waffles, pancakes, French toast, bacon, sausage and ham.
Lunch plates and open face sandwiches like turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy, fish and chips, and of course Burgers. They have Dinner Specials everyday That are what the Chef feels like serving that day(your old blue plate, but they don't call it that) like BBQ ribs or chicken breast with lemon butter or my wife's favorite Beefaroni(THEY MAKE THE BEST). Your going to get a great deal and a great value.
Just yesterday I decided to treat my self to one of their cheeseburger plates. A 1/3 pound burger cooked medium with lettuce, tomato(2 slices), pickles and onion. Topped with a slice of American cheese melted on it. Served on a toasted kaiser roll with a large serving of French fries AND a small side Salad for 7.88 including tax. The Burger was perfect, the fries tasty and the Salad had kidney beans, cucumber , cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives and three kinds of lettuce. It was great.
I find all the food here worth the price. It's not a five star gourmet house, but a good old fashioned American diner. Great Service and a decor of Little League baseball pictures and trophies from the team they sponsor and a collection of model American cars. They also keep many copies of the Daily papers for you to read while you eat. A good Family place and atmosphere
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Imagine if you could transform your local dive bar into a place that serves food, well, Dino's would be it. I've only gone to Dino's for breakfast and what it is, is that it beats going to Denny's or IHOP (ie: big chain).
Dino's is local and that's about all that's really charming about it. B/c the food is average, i mean, it's tasty, but not memorable, the service is "normal", they do all that they ought to, but aren't overly friendly or pushy. The breakfast menu is typical "american" fare; ie: omelettes, bacon, pancakes and etc.
Their dinner menu is also the typical heart clogging, attack inducing food but hey, what can ya say? comfort food! they do have things like liver and onions which seems to be something you can only find at diners like this.
Oily, leather booths, a bar with stools and older wait staff with lots of lipstick, yep, you've arrived at Dino's. :)
If you are looking for chic decor or sophisticated ambiance, this is definitely not the place for you. If you classify yourself as a foodie, rather than a chowhound, you probably want to go someplace else. If you want delicious, home-style, hearty comfort food, this is the place.
Dino's is a total dive, but the food and service are wonderful. We moved to Fremont a few months ago, and a good friend recommend the place. I have been in love since then. The liver and onions are better than what my grandmother used to make. The corned beef hash is probably the best I have ever had. The waitresses are sassy and fun. The portions are HUGE, and most meals include soup or salad, and dessert.
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Years ago, this was the only "diner" in North/Central Fremont, unless you counted the Cloverdale Creamery (R.I.P.). We didn't have IHOP and Denny's was pretty far away near the Newark border. Thirty years later, it remains a true local diner and an important part of the community (as all the trophies and pictures on the wall attest to). Though I've wondered about Dino's for decades, I only recently dined there. I'm guessing that it hasn't changed too much over the years.
Dino's has been popular forever and it was pleasing to see diverse clientele, including quite a few Asian families. It's comfort food and the menu has all that you'd expect to see at a diner, including meatloaf, steak & eggs, plenty of fried things, pancakes and more.
The service was rather slow but the quantity of the food made up for it. I ordered a spinach omelette with swiss cheese (you choose the cheese). The omelette and hash browns took up a huge plate - it was enough for two meals. I can't believe they could make such a huge omelette with three eggs. They must add a lot of water to the eggs. The spinach was mixed together with the eggs (I expected it to be folded inside) and it was very fluffy - more like scrambled eggs than the thinner omelettes I've come to expect. It was fine. Nothing fancy. Filling. The hash browns were really good though. Very crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. Mmm. It came with toast, which was of course buttered.
Mum ordered fish which she hoped would be grilled, baked or steamed, but of course it was fried. We forgot that we were at an old fashioned diner. It came with a large salad, spaghetti, and peas & corn. The spaghetti and peas & corn didn't look that appetizing, but then again, it's what you would expect at a diner like this.
Yes, breakfast is served all day. Yes, they have leather booths.
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Great hearty portions. Great service. Daily specials a must order. It's such a homey place. More like a cafeteria for us since we set this place to our default when we cannot think of any place to eat. It will feed you well if you find yourself with a couple dollars left.
Talk about comfort foods. You'll find it here. Loved the London broil, the double cheese burgers and soups!!! I'll never go to Denny's and Country way again.
We love Dino's on Sunday mornings! And apparently everyone else does because it gets packed! This is a great breakfast joint - french toast, omelets, Tyler's favorite chicken fried steak and eggs, etc. Greasy food, big portions, older waitresses with tons of makeup - what's not to love? :)
Fantastic waitstaff and management is cool, too - they comp'd one of our breakfasts!
I'll take Dino's breakfast over Country Way any day.
* Note - I'm not as impressed with their lunch/dinner food.
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Great Food and good prices. This place is definitely feels like an old school diner. Their burgers are great. But it comes really well done. So you may need to tell them if you prefer it different. The place really get busy in the early morning. If you are looking to come, you may try to hit it up after 10am on weekdays.
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Came here for lunch with Su P., fellow yelper, and got hamburgers. I got the mushroom burger, medium, with deep fried zucchini and a side of ranch. YUM. Lots of fresh sauteed mushrooms on my burger, and it was tasty! Not overdone, either.
Service very friendly. She helped me sort out the order, and even though they don't have Ortega chilis anywhere on their menu, when we asked for them, we got some. Also, I asked for the zucchini as a half-order, but knowing that I wouldn't be able to eat all that food, she suggested that I substitute my fries with the zucchini order. Very accommodating and helpful!
Nice meal for a nice price. Quick and friendly service.
Granted, I haven't tried breakfast here, but for lunch, I'd definitely come again!
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If you're looking for a reasonable meal with large portions then you can't go wrong with Dino's Family Restaurant. The dishes aren't what you'd call healthy except for a couple of items in the menu like their salad and their turkey plate....other than that, they're meals are quite good and definitely a good value. Kid friendly with a staff that has been there for years. I've been patronizing Dino's for over 11 years and the staff as well as the owner takes pride in serving repeat customers. They can get busy during breakfast but worth the wait! Its a casual somewhat of a divey family restaurant but it feels like you're enjoying a meal at an old friend's house. Try their Fried Zuchini, Fried Mushroom, Calamari Sandwich and if you like Liver, then their Liver and Onions. They always have a soup special and we love their soup selections. Bring your appetite or prepare to take a doggie bag home. They've been CASH ONLY for a long time so I've never tried using a credit card or a debit card recently.
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This is my favorite restaurant in Fremont. It's everything one looks for in a "regular dive". I'm almost ashamed to admit I have just started going here last year, though I have lived my whole life in Fremont. The service is excellent, and attentive, even when the restaurant is packed to capacity (which is often the case). I like how you can get breakfast for dinner, their salads are fresh and hearty, and soups are always a sure bet. Their hamburgers are wonderful. I always get well-done, and here, that doesn't have to mean "dry"! Portions are as you would expect--way generous. A complete dinner here comes with enough food to easily feed two people--for around 7 bucks. A happy place to go, and always a treat.
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Not a bad joint but the decor is old and outdated. I felt like I was back in the '70's at a Wyoming truck stop.
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I went there for lunch and had the Chicken Barley Soup and a French Dip Sandwich. The soup was WAY too thick, and not Chicken flavoerd. The meat in the dip was dry and bland. The AuJus was oversalted and extremely thick. The taste of it was ok, I guess. I hope the breakfast is much better than the lunch and dinner.
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We takeout for dinner. Italian burger = yummy burger with average but yummy pasta. Salads here are typical but fresh, garlic bread is always good, and the pasta dishes are good but not great. Reliable family food.
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I had breakfast here and its average and highly greasy... i mean how can you screw up cooking eggs? The prices are average too.. i would say if you are tired of going to IHOPs and Denny's want to experiences a niche, family restaurant.. then you should stop by...i believe this Dino's is the only one that exists on planet earth.. i prefer their BBQ sandwhiches during lunch .. i am rating it 3 stars to set everyones expectations right.. its really not vomit food but its no Morton Steak house either..
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Who needs Country Way, when you can come here and wait a shorter amount of time for an equivalent breakfast. Not much to say, but just a nice place to eat, nothing special at all.
Last time I came here two, count them, two people tripped on their benches. Be careful!
I guess my expectations were lower before I ate here, but it was a good dining experience. First, if you are looking for ambience, it's not really here. They have trophies of who-knows which kids, ugly mirrors, and cheap christmas decorations. But really, that makes it the more home-y. The food was brought out quickly, and so were refills, which was good. We had a funny waitress, and were lucky enough to catch a glimpse a couple of times of what American Pie cast-members may call a "MILF." I ordered the blueberry waffle, which I always expect to have the blueberries inside, but of course they were not. I got a really soupy blueberry mess on top of my waffle, but it was slippery good! Second, I also ordered the two porkchops. I could see someone saying that it wasn't impressive, but two for $9.15 and two eggs, and a half of plate of hashbrowns was very filling. On the taste scale, I have always had a hard time comparing breakfast places, but this place gets an 8 out of 10. Expect similar cooking at home. On another note, my mom was sure happy! She ordered the breakfast special and said it was like a "Slap in the face" when they brought it out. It was so big for her! (They are about mid-size compared to what you may know as "big"). Anyway it was so funny that she didn't even touch her eggs and sausage and said, "I'm just going to take it home for fried rice!" She should have just ordered one hotcake! My brother got country fried steak which is what he gets everywhere; we both agreed the gravy was ok. To me it was more like frosting on a cake; it sure looked like it and had a hint of sweetness on it. I mean, if you want a family atmosphere, solid breakfast offerings, and your local newspaper available to read then choose Dino's Family Restaurant. -Matt
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I also didn't like this restaurant. I got very sick after eating here. I would be cautious of this place. The owner and his family are also very rude.
Love the lasagne! See if you can finish it all.
I sure wish they'd change to Coca Cola products.
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Pretty good breakfasts. Usually very busy on weekends.
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It really is family-owned and operated - and the food is what's really meant by "family style." Their mashed potatoes match the best your mom ever made. There are dinner specials every night - and some are darned near gourmet level in deliciousness! The one that springs to mind is Catfish with Lemon-Garlic Sauce. God, it was luscious! I've had Smoked Prime Rib there that was absolutely astounding! Once in a while I get an odd craving for liver and onions; Dino's is the only place I trust to do that right - and, of course, their excellent mashed potatoes make it even better (ask for the gravy "on the side" so you can use only as much as you want) .
The only kicker is they're sometimes crowded and you may have to wait (they have space set aside for this). Service is always truly good and the prices are lower than they ought to be. Overall, it's my favorite restaurant in Fremont. Quantities are generous (meaning 'huge' sometimes). Back in the day when I was broke, this would have been a place where I could eat dinner and have lunch the next day from leftovers. Two meals for the price of one!
Oh, nearly forgot the desserts! On a typical night, their standard desserts include things like tapioca (really good stuff) and bread pudding. Occasionally, they'll have something special, e.g. chocolate bread pudding, strawberry shortcake.
Some kind soul on Yelp mentioned that Dino's does BBQ on Tuesdays and Thursdays - gotta remember that, 'cuz it's always been extremely yummy!
(Note: I have never had breakfast here.)
I've eaten dinner at Dino's at least 20-25 times now and it's always been good - and sometimes it was fantastic!!
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Last weekend I was looking for a place to eat in my neighborhood and came upon the great reviews on this restaurant. So I went there thinking that it's going to be decent, if not awesome. But the reality was that it has got to be one of the worst restaurants I've ever been to. The decor was absolutely horrendous, the waiting area (separate room from the restaurant itself) felt like a jail cell, and don't get me started on the rest of the place. From where I sat, the foul smell of the bathroom lingered throughout my meal. It was just so disgusting. Then there was the food. I had one of the fish items from the dinner menu (think it was catfish or sole) and it was totally tasteless. The veggies that came on the side were supposed to be green beans but really should've been called 'yellow' beans as they were so overcooked. I hate to be this negative but really the only good thing about the place is its affordable price. But really, I'd rather pay a few bucks more for a non-vomit-inducing dinner.
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