"This has been my favorite coffee chain for the past 14 years, and this particular location stands out from every other Philz. Here are a few reasons why I choose to visit this spot every day: 1. Exceptional Team – Danielle and Bere(nice) The store manager, Danielle, along with Berenice, have built genuine relationships with their regular customers. Small gestures make a big difference—like having my cup ready as soon as I get in line, or topping it off if there’s extra coffee instead of wasting it. These actions reflect how much they care. 2. Efficiency and Consistency Everyone here works incredibly hard. People want to grab their caffeine and get on with their day, and this team understands that. I can’t remember a time the wait exceeded 7-8 minutes; even on the busiest mornings, it’s usually just 3–5 minutes. This level of consistency keeps me coming back. Other locations could learn a lot from the Hillsdale team—proper staffing during peak hours and smart coverage when someone is out are challenging, but they’ve mastered it. 3. Great Ambiance and Location The shop has a pleasant atmosphere, plenty of seating, and soft music that sets the tone just right. Being close to the mall is a huge strategic advantage—location truly matters, and they have it. 4. Early Morning Hours Their shift to earlier opening hours has been a game-changer. A year or two ago, this wasn’t the case, but now early risers like me can stop by at 6 a.m. This alone has made my routine so much better. These are the main reasons why I visit this local shop almost every day—sometimes with my kids, sometimes on my own. It’s simply an exceptional place."

"I’ve been to so many Philz around the Bay, but this one just feels like home. It’s my go-to spot when I want to work from a café — warm, cozy, and always full of good energy. The space is huge with lots of outlets and comfy corners, kind of like a chill co-working spot. Music’s mellow, people are friendly, and the vibe is easy. And of course, the coffee — still the best in the Bay. You can really tell they care about what they do. Perfect for: remote work, catching up with friends, or just a peaceful coffee break."

"Tried Tiramisu - a seasonal drink and it was a blast. This location is in Hillsdale - new renovation shopping mall in San Mateo. The outdoor seating is a charm for this season. My drink was served quickly but honestly, the service was a bit less friendly than other location that I went to."

"I experienced extremely rude and discriminatory service at this location, which compelled me to contact customer support. It has now been over a week, and I have received no response whatsoever. It seems that customer service is not a priority for this company. It is truly disappointing to see that as the brand has grown in popularity and expanded to more locations, the quality of service has clearly declined. This experience has significantly damaged my trust in the company."

"Always love Philz! This spot is a good one, free parking at the mall, but not always the easiest parking. I always love trying new things on the menu, this is their honey oat latte. Service was great, and they also had a lot of merch available at this location."