MacArthur Park - Palo Alto

4.0

1658 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Make a booking

2 people

24 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 6 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Charming
Great for outdoor dining

MacArthur Park - An American Experience
For decades, MacArthur Park has been about bringing people together around outstanding California BBQ and comfort food in a casual yet elegant setting.
You’ll find us nestled in the heart of downtown Palo Alto, and walk back in time in to the simple elegance of a bygone era in a dining room designed by Julia Morgan in 1918.
We take traditional BBQ on a ride with the richness of California’s bounty, offering our signature Baby Back Ribs, fresh fish, meats and chicken, steak, unique salads and comfort food using local farm fresh produce. Portions are large, and there is something for every taste including vegan and vegetarian choices. Join us for cocktails and dining on our garden patio, nightly.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Barbecue, Comfort Food
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(650) 321-9990
Website
http://www.macpark.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Faz Poursohi
Catering
Our Catering Department offers you a wide selection of services and menus with a focus ranging from functionality to elegance to fit your event's needs. Choose from our catering packages available or request a customized menu by contacting mitzie@macpark.com or call 650.291.0306
Private party facilities
MacArthur Parks private dining facilities were specially designed for parties, cocktail receptions, business meetings, anniversaries, weddings, rehearsal dinners and other celebrations. We offer distinctive rooms that can accommodate a variety of events.
Private party contact
Mitzie Tiu: (650) 291-0306

Location
27 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Area
Palo Alto
Cross Street
El Camino; adjacent to Palo Alto Train Station
Parking details
We have ample public parking behind and in front of the restaurant. No valet parking currently available.
Public transit
Located right next to the Cal Train Station and Bus Stop.
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

What 1,658 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.0

4 based on recent ratings

4Food
4.1Service
4Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Peninsula
Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

MacArthur Park in Palo Alto offers a charming dining experience with a "beautiful ambiance and attentive service." The menu features standout dishes like "exceptional ribs and truffled mashed potatoes." Guests appreciate the generous portions and diverse options. While some find the prices high, others highlight the "lovely outdoor seating" and "reliable quality of food."

1,658 Reviews

P
Patrick
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
It has plenty of parking out front, my party arrived early and decided to have a cocktail at the bar as happy hour was running $8 cocktails. It was Thursday and the restaurant was only 20% full. Initially seated under a flickering light, but was moved upon request. The food order was taken promptly and the steak was excellent and cooked to order. I would go again, plenty of spacing, lovely ambience, excellent food, quiet and service was excellent.
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T
Tom
San Francisco
46 reviews
vip
4.0
46 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Three of the four of us had the ribs, which were good, not great. The fourth had the pasta, which he said was great.
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T
Tim
San Francisco
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
I think MacArthur Park is a great place for a large group looking for a big table or private room, or even a business meal, but I would not recommend for a romantic couples dinner. I love the history of the MacArthur Park building. The food was good and the portions generous and overall a good value. I will definitely return, but it will be with a larger group setting.
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R
RODNEY
San Francisco
206 reviews
vip
4.0
206 reviews
Dined on 10 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Always a nice experience in this lovely and historical dining room. Food is reliably good as is the service. MacArthur's is a local treasure.
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S
Steve
San Francisco
26 reviews
vip
4.0
26 reviews
Dined on 1 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The place was very quiet the night we were there (which happened to be Halloween night). It was a little strange to be very nearly the only people in such a large space. But the food was good, and the space is elegant and comfortable, particularly near the fireplace.
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F
Frank
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 30 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We enjoy the Baby back ribs and the Cobb salad. Have been coming to MacArthur Park since its opening in San Francisco. The service is attentive and the food is delicious.
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C
Carol
Los Angeles
22 reviews
vip
1.0
22 reviews
Dined on 27 October 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
What a surprising and terrible experience! I hadn't been for 5 years as I don't live in the area but I used to go there when I lived in Palo Alto in the 1980s. I have always had a good experience there. This time not at all. It was a Saturday night. We had a reservation but weren't told that there was a wedding party in the entire front/main part of the restaurant. We learned that upon arrival. So, we were offered a table in a weird side room, which had low ceilings, carpet and seemed like a dining room you'd find at a terrible hotel. We asked to be seated outside instead but needed the heat lamp turned on because it was the end of October. We were promised it would be turned on twice and then a waiter came by and said it didn't work. So, we just left and I will never try that place again. What a sad finish to a place I remember fondly.
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J
Jack
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 24 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a great server & enjoyed the dinner & our time very much!
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M
MICHAEL
San Francisco
12 reviews
2.0
12 reviews
Dined on 19 October 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
It appeared there was only one waitress taking care of the entire indoor dining room. A seemingly interminable wait for our check to arrive as she had one very large table to handle along with the other tables. Food was OK - not superb, not bad.
1 person found this helpful
A
Andrew
San Francisco
6 reviews
vip
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on 13 October 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 1
Very disappointed. We used to come here back a few years and it was outstanding. Bill Clinton even used to eat dinner here when Chelsea was at Stanford. However, it is still the fine restaurant it was in terms of food, service and surroundings BUT it was absolutely empty ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. What happened ????
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FAQs

MacArthur Park - Palo Alto offers delivery in partnership with Postmates. MacArthur Park - Palo Alto also offers takeaway which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 321-9990.

MacArthur Park - Palo Alto is rated 4 stars by 1658 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

24 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 6 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for MacArthur Park - Palo Alto

27 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
El Camino; adjacent to Palo Alto Train Station
Area
Palo Alto
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Barbecue, Comfort Food
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
We have ample public parking behind and in front of the restaurant. No valet parking currently available.
Public transit
Located right next to the Cal Train Station and Bus Stop.
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Faz Poursohi
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Website
http://www.macpark.com/
Phone number
(650) 321-9990
Catering
Our Catering Department offers you a wide selection of services and menus with a focus ranging from functionality to elegance to fit your event's needs. Choose from our catering packages available or request a customized menu by contacting mitzie@macpark.com or call 650.291.0306
Private party facilities
MacArthur Parks private dining facilities were specially designed for parties, cocktail receptions, business meetings, anniversaries, weddings, rehearsal dinners and other celebrations. We offer distinctive rooms that can accommodate a variety of events.
Private party contact
Mitzie Tiu: (650) 291-0306

MacArthur Park - Palo Alto

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Dining areas

Additional information

CARVING STATION

Prime Rib with Au Jus & Creamy Horseradish Sauce

Free Range Roasted Turkey with Traditional Cranberry Sauce

Mesquite Grilled Salmon with Lemon & Fresh Herbs

SALAD & APPETIZERS

Prawns with Spicy Cocktail Sauce & Lemons

Smoked Salmon with Dill Sour Cream, Capers & Bermuda Onion

Arugula Orange Salad with toasted Almonds & Citrus Vinaigrette

Brussel Sprout & Kale Salad with Apples, Pecans, Dried Cranberries, Cider Vinaigrette

ENTREES

Mary's Free Range BBQ Chicken

BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs

BBQ Spicy Sausage

Butternut Squash Ravioli

Lentil Pasta, Zucchini, and Roasted Tomato & Basil Sauce

Mesquite Grilled Chicken Breast with Champagne Sauce

SIDES

Bread & Butter

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Macaroni & Cheese

Sweet Potato Tots

Fresh Vegetables

Herb Stuffing

Horseradish Coleslaw

Savory Gravy

FRUIT & CHEESE BOARD

Imported & Domestic Cheese Favorites with Dried Fruits & Nuts

DESSERTS BY FAZ BAKERY

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Carrot Cake

Lemon Cake

Tiramisu

Macaroon

Cream Puff

Fresh Berries

Many More!

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

Does MacArthur Park - Palo Alto offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is MacArthur Park - Palo Alto restaurant rated?

Is MacArthur Park - Palo Alto currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information