Located on El Camino Real, Jeffrey’s Hamburgers has functioned as a Menlo Park classic for nearly 19 years. Opened in 2007, the restaurant serves a range of delicious comfort food familiar to traditional diners.
Grilled Cheese ($9.49): 8/10
Many people might view grilled cheese as a plain option, a low-effort, home-cooked staple. However, this grilled cheese reverts that common stereotype. The white bread is flawlessly crisped on both sides, while the center is elegantly coated with gooey American cheese. Each bite creates an impressive cheese pull, evoking a satisfying mix of light and crispy.
Garlic Fries ($4.49): 3/10
Although the fries themselves are amazingly crisp and salted, the garlic fries at Jeffery’s could easily be mistaken for regular fries. Customers need to stuff seven fries in their mouth at once to taste even a hint of the supposed garlic flavor. The Parmesan cheese layered across the top makes the experience even more unpleasant. While Parmesan on a traditional garlic fries dish is supposed to be lightly dusted to provide a delightful cheesy flavor, the Parmesan on this dish is goopily clumped together, immediately falling off the fries.
Root Beer Float ($5.99): 10/10
Finding a root beer float crafted to perfection is no easy task, but Jeffrey’s root beer float is a diamond in the rough. While a tad unappealing to the eye, the taste completely cancels out the murky look. When mixed together, the cooled root beer and the hefty dollop of vanilla ice cream become a sweet, light beverage rather than an overpoweringly sugary one. It is easy to finish the entire thing, and best enjoyed as a refreshing accompaniment to any meal.
Bacon Cheeseburger ($12.99): 4/10
Despite its promising appearance, the bacon cheeseburger is overall disappointing. The rubbery cheese laying on the dull patty is displeasing and unnaturally yellow. The dry bun adds nothing to the unseasoned burger, while the lettuce and tomato feel more like sad afterthoughts than toppings. The bacon, however, is the main attraction, adding a salty, crispy contrast to an otherwise mediocre meal.
Chicken Tenders ($9.49): 9/10
The chicken tenders are simple yet packed with flavor. The crispy breading features a delightful blend of salt and pepper, pairing extremely well with the superbly baked chicken inside. As if it couldn’t get any better, dipping the tender into the ketchup elevates the flavor even further, creating a sweet tang mixed with a savory, crispy tenderness.
