The Boardwalk
- 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: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner, Lunch
- Alcohol: Full Bar
30 reviews
Sunnyvale, CA
"Oh my god... a little slice of heaven. I went in with an Indian friend who had never been here before but had heard good things. He ordered…" read more »
44 Reviews for The Boardwalk
I really do like this place after I thought about it for awhile ( and sat here to type this review). A friend of mine said this place "looks janky" and I suppose it does from the outside. On the inside , the look and feel of it isn't much different from that of the outside. What it does have however is "character" and feel of a place that has MANY regulars. I've only been there once , but I feel like I want to return. I was there for one of the Sharks playoffs games and it was a great place to be, and would be great for a night out with the "boys" or any large group that wants to kick back and have fun.
The best pizza in the area. Period. How they make their crust crunchy like that amazes me.
We usually get it to-go, so we don't eat there a lot. Too many kids, for my taste...but, that's what it's about. It's a family joint. Don't expect fine dining here.
But if a game is on, it's a great place to grab a pizza, a pitcher of beer and hang out with friends.
i wish i had found this place earlier; seems like a great place to hang out. however, i'm glad i didn't contribute to the over-abundance of annoying, loud teenagers. this place has some good portions and everything is quite good. i like the pizza, but i think it looks waaay better than it tastes. the crust is a little too hard/crunchy and the taste of the bread isn't really to my liking. and i wish they would give you more than 2 TINY pieces of celery and 2 TINY slivers of carrot to go with your SIX HUGE MOUTHWATERING chicken strips. how can white meat be so tender and juicy?! i don't know. will definitely be coming here more.
Love this place...plus its right next door to work. I know its not the most healthy lunch I could be eating but the food is really delicious. The chicken philly and turkey burger are a couple of my favorites....and you can't forget the fried zucchini Mmmmmm! The service is quick (but not fast food!) and the people that work there are very friendly. They have a few TVs playing sports events so its the perfect hang out with friends after work or on the weekends. Its also a great place for kids and big groups.
I have came here about 4 times now and I can't seem to get enough of this place. The chicken strip meal is by far one of the best things to order. I have also tried the french dip which was perfect.
This past visit I saw they have cheese fondue on the menu and that the table next to us had ordered it. It comes with cheese cubes and apple slices for dipping but the table next to us also had ordered spicy curly fries for the dipping too. It looked pretty amazing, add a pitcher of beer to the mix and now we're talking.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I have literally grown up eating here. I have been going on Sundays with my father and brother for over 15 years! When we walk in the door they start our food. That is what makes me keep coming back after all of there years. It feels good to be remembered. I recommend the Philly cheese steak! That is all I've ordered ther in the last 5 years, if it's not broken why fix it? I cannot think of an establishment that has more sentimental value to me. My family does not go to church on sundays, we go the the Boardwalk.
3 Stars for food
5 Stars for the "cool hangout" vibe
Note: this is NOT a place to come dine. If you're down with emergency, rather fattening fare - then by all means. But I'd probably not come back unless I needed to entertain some kids (4-5 arcade games in back by the restrooms) or was doing what I was doing tonight: having a get together with a large group of people.
If you're not gonna be more excited about the people you're here with, than you are about eating... it's probably not worth coming.
But it would work awesomely for a Happy Hour or a Pizza Party or an End-of-Season dinner for a local sports group.
Loud.
Super casual.
Accommodated a table of 20 with no problem (I called yesterday to let them know).
Large selection of sandwiches, un-exciting (but very fresh) salads, pizza, beer, wine... peanuts. Food came fast too. The Philly Cheesesteak (which I sampled) was tasty.
Plenty of parking.
So in the same way you sometimes let service slide if the food is spectacular... here you let the [good, but not great] food slide 'cuz the atmosphere is perfect for a fun casual night.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
Watch a sports game during lunch while scarfing a philly cheesesteak with fried zucchini sticks. Check your diet at the door though because the food is greasy but somehow leaves you yearning for more. One of my favorite places to have lunch in the Palo Alto area.
The Boardwalk is a good place to go for a really good and juicy burger. The prices are reasonable, and they come with chips!
This is not your typical restaurant, because you have to order and pay first. Afterwards, you have to wait for your order. I like how you can choose where you want to sit. =)
I decided to order the individual pizza with italian sausage and mushroom. The pizza crust was not greasy, which is definitely a good thing. =) I really enjoyed the pizza, too.
After dining here, you will smell like oil or grease....lol.
I think I have found Cheers of Silicon Valley. It's a friendly good old school place to bring your buddies to just kick back and have a beer along with some of their burgers and sandwiches. Clientele is anything from seniors to young ppl grabbing some grub and beers after a game. At lunch, it's a good place to come and watch sports on their big screen tv - like the golf going on this weekend in Pebble Beach or March Madness.
Tried the pastrami sandwich and it was just okay. (Sorry Brian T.) It came on a fresh onion roll with lettuce, tomato, and mustard slapped on there. Maybe I'm used to Togo's pastrami, but this stuff was sheets of tough pastrami that I had to gnaw and bite on like beef jerky.
The guy who took my order was super friendly so brownie points for that. Decent amount of parking outside.
Bottom line: I love the Cheers-like low key and friendly atmosphere. Only think missing is Norm and Cliff. I'd definitely come here again for beers and appetizers. But not a fan of their pastrami sandwich.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Yeah, this place is old school. It's a not-so-subtle reminder of the days when the 49ers and Stanford didn't suck, without the resident drunks who usually go along with such a place.
I was, unfortunately, thoroughly unimpressed by my sandwich; my fries were soggy; and I'm really glad I asked for mayo on the side because they gave me half a pound of it.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Come here and try their pastrami sandwich ("Hold the cheese please" for me, of course). You will not be disappointed. I order it everytime I come here to eat. It's like eating a bacon sandwich, but with leaner meat. Damn...bacon...*slurp*...everything should taste like bacon. *shakes head* Sorry, food fantasizing is one of my unusual habits. Errr...where was I? Ah yes, the sandwich. The onion roll is the perfect compliment to this sandwich. You have the crispy and succulent pastrami along with the soft and fluffy bun. The textures blend beautifully. I would eat this sandwich everyday if I could. But then I'd wind up with a massive heart attack by the time I'm 26.
Mental note: Don't die.
Their pizzas are on par with your run-of-the-mill pizza joints. There's always an abundant amount of toppings and you will probably find yourself bringing some slices home because the pizzas are pretty fulfilling. The chicken wings and curly fries are great sides to your meals.
The owner of this joint is friendly and caring. Not only does he care about and cater to his customers, he also does the same to his employees. On a recent visit here, I must've heard him utter the words "Please," "Thank You," and "You're Welcome" over a dozen times directed at both his customers and workers. What a class act and a respectful person he is! A good establishment is measured by the person running it. And he runs it like a well-oiled machine.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
This place has pretty good pizza. Every time I have eaten there it has been super crowded. However, each time we never had to wait very long for a table. I haven't had anything other than pizza here but they also have an assortment of sandwiches, chili and salads. The pizza I have eaten there had a good crunchy crust and never seemed overly greasy. The orders have always been for 4 or more pizzas and they have always come pretty quick. Even though it seems a little cramped I have gone there with groups as big as 20 and been fine.
I only come out here after volleyball league because it's a tad far from where I live. After a good night of kicking butt, my teammates and I usually come here for pizza, fries, a pitcher of beer (or soda for me). It's a good place to go for a late dinner since it's the only place open.
So the pizza is made differently from what I usually like. It's more crunchy and crispy. The dough is a little heavy, so I get full easily. And they are very generous with the toppings. The fries, onion rings are great too. We always order pizza here so not sure how the rest of the menu is.
Pizza, beer, burgers, beer, wings, fries, beer and they're open late. Great place to gather after volleyball during the week.
Also - their salads are pretty big, so the side salad usually does the trick. They also serve beer in small glasses with the pitchers so you really never realize how much you're drinking.
...what i wouldn't do for a boardwalk pizza right now!...
pizza= yum. onion rings=yum. salads=yum.
they have that pizza crust kinda like tony and albas... and the onion rings are the beer battered kind...and the salads are freshiefresh and big.
we used to come here all the time after volleyball...but it had been a while. but last weekend...after helping a friend moved...we were in the neighborhood. OH! it's as good as ever.
i think the owner guy is always there. he's a really nice guy too!!!
eat here! :)
My friend and I walked into The Boardwalk some time ago back in our college days. Upon leaving, we made a vow to visit at least once a week for a good artery clogging. Sadly, we didn't come close to reaching our goal. I guess that might be a good thing in the long run.
My regular order is the chili cheese dog with onion rings. It's a heart attack waiting to happen, but it's well worth it. These dogs are massive and I've been scoffed at by friends who didn't think I could eat one in its entirety. So many naysayers have I proved wrong.
I never feel like I'm in a bar when I go to The Boardwalk. I guess it just sorta feels like home.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I really like this place - it's just relaxed and doesn't put on any airs.
The pizza was good, and of course, beer!! It's a good place to come with a group of friends just to chill.
5 stars for that classy gent Cullen! My wine will get to me before I get to the front of the line. The pizza is exactly what you want from a place that has shelaqued sports memorbilia as table tops. Best table to view the Bo Sox doing their thing and not get peanuts thrown at you by local baseball lovers? The Stanford Hall of Fame table. Sit at Bill Walsh. And Lord of the Rings pinball. Smack that Balrog.
The Boardwalk is a great place if you want to hang out with friends and be loud and drunk. And once you're drunk you should try food to sober up. I have only been there twice, and the food was yummy. However, you can feel your waist line get bigger just by ordering it. Everything comes sopping with oil. It's really great for late night eats, or if you aren't health conscious. However, for me it shall remain a rare guilty pleasure.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Everything about this place is great. Fantastic place to get together with friends, watch the game and just hang out over a few beers and awesome pizza. I`ve had just about everything on the menu and have never been disappointed. I usually get in and out of there for between $8-$15, depending on what I`m drinking. Very family friendly, cheap, mellow.
Pretty good food - could use more TVs. Great place for a group. Easy to walk up to counter and order. They've got some low carb specials too.
I puked! Yes, I threw up as soon as we got home. I puked!
This is a crap establishment - Sorry B. I literally hadn't eaten for basically a day and my body freaks out on me if I don't eat so I begged my friend to get lunch. I really wanted wings so he mentioned this place and I thought it would cool to check out.
When you walk inside, its basically a sports bar. You look at the overhead menu and pick out what you want and then order at the stand and he hands you a button which beeps when your food is ready.
We ordered and waited for our food. And waited. And waited. And waited. I'm basically slumping in my chair, shaking and dying for some type of food.
About 30 minutes later (it was!), B went up to the manager (?) and asked about our food. Yeah - we weren't in cue. Somehow the cooks never got our order. They tell us 2 minutes. 10 minutes go by! We asked again and miraculously our food comes up.
They burnt my wings. They burnt them and I'm hungry and I want to eat and I'm pissed.
After we ate, my tummy started rumbling and I just felt extremely nauseous. So I became best friends with the roommate's toilet. We had quite the affair.
So in conclusion, I hate the Boardwalk.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
3.5.
HUGE portions.
Yummy pizza.
I visit the Boardwalk at least once a month with my fellow GBAers (Geocachers of the Bay Area) for our monthly "unevent", where we get together, have a bite to eat and talk about geocaching and geocoins.
My usual order is the Big Bird (turkey burger with a side salad). Good tasting turker burger with mayo, lettuce, tomato, and onions. I get thousand island dressing with my salad and put some of it on the burger to give it extra flavor.
I've also tried the pastrami sandwich. Yum! Thinly sliced with lettuce, tomato, and onions. Comes with a side of potato chips although I think you can substitute fries for it.
Another favorite is the Asian Chicken Salad with nice big slices of chicken, peanuts, mandarin oranges, lettuce, some kind of crunchy white noodles, all topped with an asian dressing.
Everyone else loves the pizza and the beer. Lots of tables, a few arcade games for the kids, and a few TVs with your local sports teams.
A great affordable place if you don't feel like going somewhere fancy.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
I found this place in the late 70s while living in the Bay area and it was an instant hit. It actually is an excuse for me to return to the Valley. Most recently (August 2007) I was pleasantly surprised to see that the coffee case had been removed from the bar. Boardwalk Deluxe!
***************
Feb 2008 Revisit update
***************
still having family parties, and food continues to be as greasy and as delicious as ever. Finger Licking Good!
-------------------OG---------------------
If you want to watch football, don't have Direct TV and can't bum it from a friend, then this is the place to watch any fun sporting event. Patriots and Cowboys were playing on Sunday, and I could not watch it at home. I was on a mission to see Tom Brady sock it to Mr. "Getcha Popcorn ready."
Needless to say...Sunday at 2PM was no exception and no disappointment. Always crowded, with 4 games playing at once, this place has a rowdy ambiance with tons of "sports watching food." Love the fried zucchini, buffalo wings, salads, and of course PIZZA. Within the same family as Garret's in SJ, Jake's in Sunnyvale, and The Oasis in Palo Alto. Be warned that when you leave this place, you smell from head to toe like the food that's being served. Either way...I love this joint. It brings back fond memories for me since back in the day my family used to have graduation and birthday parties at this location. Economical for groups, beer and great company is served by the pitcher.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
For its category, The Boardwalk is a real winner - with the kitchen open at 11:30pm on a weeknight! It has very tasty pizza (loaded with butter and garlic) and the drink prices are low. Unexpectedly clean and welcoming for a sports bar. Definitely will return for late night food.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Probably the best cheeseburger I've ever eaten in my life. Incredibly unhealthy, which frankly enhances the flavor for me. If I'm killing myself, at least I'm doing it with something delicious.
The fries are also fantastic - they're of the thick, steak fry variety rather than those piddly ones you find at In 'N Out.
The lunch line is massive, so I'd recommend getting there early if you're going there during the day. And if there's a big game, I'd also arrive early and stake out some seats as it tends to fill up quickly.
In all honesty, the burgers are so good I'd give the place 5 stars even if the servers punched me in the face when I ordered. (They don't. Usually.)
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (2)
Great beer, great food, great pizza...they even make a fantastic chicken caesar salad.
The only reason I wouldn't give it the full five stars is the fact that WAY too many people bring their children here. Oddly enough, it's really not the appropriate place for kids, but people do it anyway. As one other reviewer noted, this is a sports bar. Take the kids to Chuck E. Cheese.
The place has a good atmosphere. The burgers are good, a little heavy on the mustard. DO NOT EAT THE FRIES. They taste like fish and are under cooked.
Prices are average, I will eat here again but I wont go out of my way.
We like to come here after a hike or outing. Casual, relaxed, and inexpensive. Not crowded, big booths. Definitely get the pizza. Thin crust that stands up to cheese and toppings. Yummy combos and so many topping choices, veggies too. Warning: pizzas are huge. We ordered the largest for 2, hoping to have leftovers for breakfast. Easily! ... plus lunch and dinner. 6++ servings. Add as salad and several friends, and this is a bargain.
I like the fact that it is family friendly and not a "scene". If I had kids, I'd bring them here in the afternoon or early evening: watch a game, meet up with friends, share a pizza. Older kids fit-in just fine, and it is relaxed environment for them to learn to socialize. Your kids do need to be able to stay in their chairs; no activities here. Kids are welcome here, but it is definitely a grown-up environment.
Good burgers, great pizza. Fries are extra, unless you get a burger that comes specifically comes with it. Overall a good place with a large enough TV to follow a game. Only negative is that you'll come out of the place smelling like burgers and fries, the ventiliation is not great.
This is a dive as far as Los Altos is concerned but as far as sports bar goes it's pretty nice. Great bar fare, tasty sandwhiches, good pizza, burgers and awesome chicken strips. You will always here me complain about how places don't know how to fry food but they know how to do that here. Unfortunately with the frying comes the calories. Solid food for decent prices. They carry a decent selection of beer (they'e got Guinness) and they got a few tv's and an arcade. Families and drinkers served alike.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
I've been going here since I was 11 and it really feels like home.
Classic sports bar-type feel with good pizza, cheap appetizers, and several good beers. It's a great place to just kick back and watch a game while downing a few slices and pitchers.
The owner also runs Jake's in Saratoga, Oasis in Palo alto, and a few other local joints that share the same menu. Bottom line, I would take a date there, but it's a great place to just chill.
This is a very cool place to come watch a game, or sit down to a casual meal. The atmosphere is that of a sports bar but without the grungy sports bar feel. They serve everything from burgers, french dip sandwiches, chili dogs, salads and full-fledged deep dish pizzas. They have one rather large big screen TV which is ideal for big games as well as a few regular size satellite TVs strategically placed throughout the restaurant for easier viewing.
Most of the food is pretty good; my favorite would have to be the Boardwalk Deluxe which is basically a cheeseburger with Canadian bacon, onions, and Swiss cheese. Top that off with a side of curly fries and you're in heaven. The owner seems like a real nice guy which makes patronizing the place all that much easier.
Interesting place . Definitely a sports bar worth considering on a Sunday morning. The thing that I like most about this place is that its a bar you can actually go to by yourself and still have a good time.
Also, the beer is really cheap. We are talking $2-3 for a pint and thats that standard price. The food is good also and they give you pretty big portions for your money.
The down side to this place is its competitor. If you've been to the Old Pro in Palo Alto, this place is second class. The Old Pro has more TVs at the bar than this place has total. At last count this place has 3 TV with one being really big. However, with less TVs you get less people and faster service. The big worry is if you happen to be a Dolphin fan the odds of you getting to see your game is slim since there are only 3 TVs.
Food is not so hot and can't find anything on the menu less that a million calories. For beer great, for food not so much.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (2)
my husband delivered me a mini vegetarian pizza from this location; i didn't know what to expect but i know that it was darn good.
My favorite place for a burger & beer close to home (now that I don't bartend there anymore...) The Boardwalk is totally family friendly while still giving the feel of a hide-out. Not quite as "divey" as it's sister, the Oasis. Big booths, large selection of good food (even fodue?!) and nice cold beer. I would rate the Boardwalk a 5 if they had a few more t.v.'s. (like the dutch goose) and a little outdoor area.
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Best Pizza in and around…
There are still a couple I want to try that have…
Hot and New
- Gochi Japanese Fusion Tapas
289 reviews
Cupertino, CA
- Yogurtland
128 reviews
Cupertino, CA
- Kaygetsu
123 reviews
Menlo Park, CA
- Kappo Nami Nami
113 reviews
Mountain View, CA
- Satura Cakes
156 reviews
Palo Alto, CA
