The Cobbler & The Tailor

I admit, I was somewhat afraid to come here because of some not so nice reviews, however, my experience was 5 stars.
I brought in a favorite (designer) shoe of mine. Sadly, I managed to scrape the heel and damaged the leather.
I brought my shoe in for repair. The owner took it, brought it back within 3 minutes and made it look damage-​free and didn’t charge me (probably because the fix was so fast and easy).
That’s what I call great and fast service! I know who my cobbler is from now on and I’m ready to pay this time :)
Side note, for Louboutin lovers that want to preserve their red sole, the owner has a great red rubber sole.

Unfortunately, «The Cobbler» did a very poor job repairing my shoes, I asked them to polish the shoes and come back to find that they completely repainted the shoes, covering the natural, tanned leather, color of the shoes. I would not recommend this «cobbler» to a friend I was very disappointed by both there skill level, price level, and the customer service as a whole.

As I was looking for shoe laces, I stopped by The Cobbler & The Tailor, a local business of fifteen years, the only shoe repair store still left on Burlingame Avenue. From our conversation, Jay, the shop owner, seems to clearly care about his craft and customers. I’m grateful for the laces, but also his dedication to the art of repair and mending, a commitment not made easy given the acceleration of this area. A know-​how and skill, instinct and craft that feels rare, but perhaps more relevant than ever before.

Shoe, shoes, shoes. I bought my most expensive pair ever. Pink suede, with embossed snake skin. I was in love. I had them for about a month and wore them out on a girls night. Big mistake. I totally trashed them. Walked in mud and turned them grey. EWwwwww. He said I could either live with it or pay to have them dyed, but they would never truly be the same. I wanted to hold on to them so I dyed them black. I never really wear them, but I appreciate that he gave me options and his honest opinion.
This guy is legit. He is cheaper and more friendly than the one on Broadway. This guy tells you up front what you can expect. If something is ruined he will tell you. He won’t try to get you to pay and then at pick up say no guarantees. He lets you know before hand what the best route is. Super Honest. I love it.

I had a few items in my wardrobe that always made me feel bad because of the poor fit, especially the expensive jackets. Thanks to Jay, who breathed new life into these pieces. The alterations were perfect, and we’re done on time.

My husband and boys have taken there shoes here for years!
The couple are so kind to them and shoes are great!
We will continue to use this shoe repair.

Good service but unjustifiably high prices. Sorry, but I won’t come back.

I was very upset with the past 2 shoe repair places I have taken my stuff to (both in downtown San Mateo). Looked for a new place, so came here with my favorite boots. I was told that they can fix anything so don’t worry. 1 week later I am here to pick up my boots, and it looks so much better. Can’t wait to bring my other shoes here that I was told by others that they cannot be fixed. Thanks Jay!

My mom recommended this place to me after she got some heels fixed here. I brought in my favourite pair of boots when one of the soles suddenly collapsed on me (how does that even happen to a flat heel?). I was kind of weirded out by having to pay in full up front, but I had to trust my mom wouldn’t steer me wrong…
Cut to a week later, not only are both shoes impeccably repaired, they’re polished and conditioned to look even better than when I first bought them! They look and feel great, well worth the cost of repair. I will definitely come here for all future shoe repairs, and now that I know they tailor too I might be in even more often.

This shop is GREAT! I brought in a leather jacket with zippered sleeves that were too long. It came out fantastic, they did such a nice job you would never know the jacket had been altered. I also had them modify a wool coat with equally good results. The man who runs the place is really sweet and knows what he is doing. The prices are reasonable also. Nice shop!

Very high quality work at very reasonable prices. I entrusted my $ 1000 Bally briefcase to them for repair and to be dyed. I expect the best and they deliver.

They are so good here! Just saved my fendi riding boots that I’ve work through rain, snow and salt and got NYC yellow can paint on. They literally look brand new. And my beloved leather jacket had a mystery sticky residue all over it. They restored it like new. I don’t have a lot of cash to throw around and these were my investment pieces. I’m so grateful I found them through Unilocal.And they were fast!

The woman who works here is very nice. She charges very little considering the location. The quality of her hemming was imaculate.

I just picked up my suit .what a great job Jay and Claire did. This was a vintage Thierry Mugler suit I bought online, that was three sizes to big for me. Jay has made it look like it was made for me. I know how to sew and have all my clothes altered from several different tailors over the years and they are the BEST! I’m a professional person and when I guest speak at events Jay has designed dresses for me that people have come up to me and asked me who the designer is.
They are the the nicest people, they give 100%.

We are so pleased to have such wonderful shoe shine and shoe repair service close by. We are extremely happy with the service and the courtesy.
They do great alterations… most places avoid working on difficult clothing, but they always do great work on any alterations. Highly recommended.

quality and friendly service at a fair price! i needed a buckle replaced on a pair of clogs but only brought the defective shoes with me… the owner suggested i bring in both shoes so if needed they could replace both buckles. i appreciated the thoughtfulness of thinking ahead. i promptly returned the following weekend with both shoes, $ 10 seemed reasonable to me and was done quickly.
great location off burlingame avenue located in the fox mall, my only wish is later evening hours, since i work in san francisco it makes getting here during the week difficult.

I’ve been coming here for years and figured i would just do a quick review, a much needed positive one at that.
i have expensive taste for my dress shoes and man does Jay take care of me! i bring all my dress shoes here for a touch up, fix up, repair, a quick shine, you name it! Irene knows me by name and always says Hello and greets me right when i walk in.
i Def prefer coming here as opposed to the shoe repair place in the east bay where i live. i know that jay works part time at the shoe repair at the bottom of san francisco centre in SF and that is how i learned that he has his own place. Gave it a shot and couldnt be happier. You def have to bargain with them and make sure that you let them know you’ll be back and they will work with you on the price!
Thanks Jay and Irene for all you do for me! I’ll def be referring folks to your establishement. Much appreciated!

This place is the best for alterations! Super reasonable prices and the woman is great at keeping the original hem on jeans. I was referred here by someone and I thought it was going to be super expensive because it’s in Burlingame and was pleasantly surprised by how inexpensive they are. i was shocked by the first review that said they are rude. I’ve never had a bad experience here.

I have been bringing clothes for alterations for quite some time. These are the nicest people that really work to please their customers. I just brought in some drapes that need to be made shorter and Claire is always so conscientious. I highly recommend bringing your items needing alterations. Plus their daughter is in the Marines so you’ll be helping a military family!!!

I suspect that I am writing about the same place that Cathy O found rude. The shoe repair guy is named Jay, a middle eastern guy from Lebanon. The reason I’m not sure is because I grabbed a business card and it says «The Taylor» on it, but it is in Fox Mall Plaza, on the left when you enter from Burlingame avenue.
Both Jay and the woman working there (maybe Irene?) have been nice to me (and I’m not that friendly really) —. I came in with a pair of shoes that I had worked on at the other shoe repair shop in the neighborhood and had them quote the price for that work. Jay’s price was about half that of the other shop. So I’ve brought him a few pairs of shoes since then and the work has been fine, quick and reasonably priced.
One thing that I might add is that Jay is not there everyday all day. Business card says the phone number is 650 342 1115.