I can be a bit of a bargain hunter when it comes to eating out at restaurants. I pride myself on finding quality restaurants with reasonable prices. I think I get it from my mom. One of my favorite finds on the Peninsula is Jack’s Prime in San Mateo. You see, Jack’s Prime has something called $10 Tuesdays, in which you can get a cheeseburger, milkshake and fries for — you guessed it — $10. It’s a pretty good deal.

Tuesdays at Jack's Prime you can get a cheeseburger, fries and a milkshake for $10.

A milkshake, cheeseburger and fries for $10 every Tuesday at Jack's Prime in San Mateo.

And just because it’s bargain night on Tuesdays doesn’t mean they skimp on the portions. My cheeseburger — made with hormone-free Meyer Ranch beef — was still juicy and hefty, and it came with plenty of fries. I almost didn’t have room for my creamy milkshake, featuring Double Rainbow ice cream and Clover organic milk. I got a mango milkshake, because, hey why not? I was feeling exotic. My boyfriend David went off the beaten bargain path slightly, pairing the delicious sweet potato fries for an additional $1.50 with his cheeseburger and chocolate milkshake.

Jack’s Prime is a bit of a regular haunt for David, who occasionally stops by for lunch. He made sure to mention that the homemade Ding Dong tastes pretty much like the regular ol’ Ding Dongs you got in your lunch as a kid. Also, the Jack’s Prime menu boasts deep-fried pickles, which I would never order (blech!), but David says are yummy. It’s certainly an unusual item to have on the menu.

If you are not a meat eater, don’t fret: During a previous visit, I ordered the Black Bean Burger — a house-made black bean and cilantro patty, with Jack cheese, roasted bell pepper mayo and tomatoes — and it was tasty. It wasn’t a meatless burger patty trying to taste like meat. Those are almost always so unsatisfying. Instead, this vegetarian option was flavorful and delicious.

If you can’t make it on a Tuesday, other deals at Jack’s Prime include six sliders for $10 on Thursdays, and Happy Hour Fridays with $12 pitchers and $3 wine from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Jack’s Prime
3723 S El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 638-1479
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

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