Bay Meadows

Opened in 2008, Jack’s Prime is a modern day diner with mouth watering flame grilled burgers and hand spun shakes using the finest local ingredients for a California take on an American tradition.  A staple in San Mateo for friends and family to gather and enjoy a bite, this spot is never short on drool worthy Yelp raves from long time customers. We recently caught up the charming and talented, Micheal Mallie, Owner of Jack’s Prime. Get to know Micheal a bit more, here:

What’s behind the name Jack’s Prime?
Naming a business was the hardest thing we ever did! A lot more than starting a new business, especially in the down turn of 2008…. No my business partner’s little boy is called Jack and we believed that Prime had so many positive connotations for beef that it was a winning name.

Share a bit about your roots, background and what led you to San Mateo and the opening of Jack’s Prime?
I first came to California 10 years ago to visit a university friend, worked for a summer in Gotts Roadside (formerly Taylors Refresher) in St Helena, Napa Valley and was hooked. The pace, the heat of the kitchen and making people smile with great food and hospitality is a natural fit for me…

Joel Gott (wine maker & burgermeister) sponsored my work visa and I went to the Ferry Building in San Francisco to be assistant manager at the city location. I became GM in one year and ran that location for two more before I located a building on the El Camino here in San Mateo, to start my own business. I really feel that time, my apprenticeship as I call it , stood me in great stead for meeting the new challenge…

What elements do you think make Jack’s Prime a stand out in the classic diner scene?
I think combining the best of that classic feel of a community dinner with the great ingredients and service helps set us apart. From Big booth seating to local craft beer pouring we work hard at meeting the expectations all our customers.

We also provide an atmosphere where both business lunch groups and families feel comfortable and satisfied with the offerings. Salads, sandwiches or burgers, whatever your hankering for we’ve got you covered.

We love when restaurants use local ingredients, can you share which items on your menu are locally sourced?
All great burgers start with great bread and our baker ‘Le Boulanger’ in Sunnyvale is provides the best buns seven days a week. Niman Ranch and Diestel Ranch are co-op style small family ranches that provide 90% of our proteins and we source our cheese from California suppliers.

Craft beer and wines are a big part of supporting the best of California and to be honest we are spoiled for choice! Devils Canyon brewing company in San Carlos and Trumer Pils Braueri in Berkley are the two best examples of local product for local consumers.

What are the most popular items on the menu?
It’s a toss-up between The Ultimate Bacon ( Bacon mayo, Applewood smoked bacon & bacon in the patty) & the Angry Cowboy ( House made bbq, cheddar, Applewood smoked bacon, Onion Ring & red onion jalapeno relish).

Outside of Jack’s Prime, what 3 local restaurants satisfy your cravings?
– Cuisinett in San Carlos for when I want the comfort food of France
– Johnson’s Saltbox in San Carlos with a killer crispy chicken sandwich
– Mediterranean Kebab in Burlingame appetizer plate is amazing

If you could participate in Iron Chef against any other Chef, who would it be and why?
Mario Batalli, if you’re gonna take a whooping, best be from someone who is laughing.

4 toppings I love on my burger: Jalapenos, bbq, bacon, cheddar: (Angry Cowboy is my favorite…)
Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
Sweet Potato or Garlic? Sweet Potato Fries with Tiger Ranch mmm…
The celebrity I’d most like to serve: Matt Damon
My guilty pleasure is: Fried chicken
___________inspires me: The World Cup
What I love most about San Mateo is: Solid community, enough variety and the location is perfect

Head on over to Jack’s Prime and capture your favorite bite with friends in photos! As we develop community, we want to see how you live or play at Bay Meadows and beyond. Share your fun San Mateo lifestyle photos with our community by using #baymeadowslife in our Fame x Frame Photo Contest. You could WIN $50 or our Grand Prize of $500 at the end of 2014 and be featured in a live pop-up photo gallery exhibit. Click here for official rules. Each month, Bay Meadows will select one photo to WIN a $50 gift card at Whole Foods Market San Mateo. Simply hop on instagram or twitter at tag us using #baymeadowslife or submit up to 10 photos per month to photos@BayMeadows.com .

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