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For the Del Fierro family, opening a second location of Johnny’s in downtown San Mateo feels like a homecoming. Located at the Brickline on B Street and Ellsworth, Johnny’s offers the same menu found in Half Moon Bay in an expanded space. The address is also one block away from where owner George Del Fierro worked as an accountant early in his career.
As experienced restaurateurs, husband and wife George and Betsy Del Fierro have owned It’s Italia in Half Moon Bay for 28 years. In 2022, the Del Fierros took over the Original Johnny’s space from the Evan family on Main Street and created their own brunch concept, Johnny’s. The owners leapt at the chance to open in downtown San Mateo.
“We’re very familiar with the neighborhood, and it felt like San Mateo was pulling us (to be there),” Betsy said.
Johnny’s serves elevated diner fare with a focus on local ingredients. The owners describe the breakfast and brunch menus as “intentionally small” while offering dishes to suit all dietary preferences and palettes. Crowd pleasers include lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote and housemade ricotta ($18), a smashburger made with beef from Pomponio Ranch in San Gregorio ($22), Grandma’s Biscuits and Gravy ($14) and a pastrami melt served on bread from Rosalind Bakery in Pacifica ($22). A selection of wines, beer and mimosas are available to drink.
For those seeking a lighter bite, the Del Fierros recommend the avocado toast topped with chili crunch and honey harissa ($17), the Heartbeet Salad with red and golden beets plus whipped chevre ($17) and Tweety’s Breakfast Bowl composed of white rice, avocado, poached eggs, furikake and shiitake in a miso sauce ($17). The children’s menu features a Belgian waffle topped with whipped cream and Fruity Pebbles, grilled cheese on griddled milk bread, and Minnie Mouse pancakes with fresh strawberries ($12-14).
The San Mateo space incorporates Johnny’s hummingbird logo throughout, which is dedicated to Betsy’s late mother. Kristi Will designed both the Half Moon Bay and San Mateo restaurants, which are intended to look similar in theme and decor while still having their own personality. A design feature exclusive to San Mateo will be a quote wall filled with frames of positive, feel-good quotes, reflecting the ethos of Johnny’s as a small business.
The restaurant opened on March 17, with a ribbon cutting slated for spring. The eatery joins the growing number of dedicated brunch spots in downtown San Mateo, including Whisper and Foreigner Cafe. Johnny’s is one of four retail tenants planned at Brickline, alongside Mexican fine dining eatery Reposado, Club Pilates, and Squeeze Massage.
Johnny’s, 7 N B St., San Mateo; 650-393-4787, Instagram: @_johnnysdiner_. Open Monday to Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Sunday from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
