Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Lovely’s – San Francisco
Lovely's - San Francisco
Photo from Lovely’s
Lovely's at a glance
San Francisco Cole Valley
- 🍔 Hamburger-Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 16 of the guests
#2091 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#34 Hamburger-Restaurant out of 37 in San Francisco
Good
6.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
99
Reviews
49.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Smash Burgers
- Patio Ambiance
- Dog Friendly
Frequently criticized
- Long Waits
- Cold Fries
- Seating Chaos
The restaurant Lovely’s in San Francisco’s charming Cole Valley neighborhood is your go-to spot for a classic hamburger experience. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite, whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner.
This Hamburger Restaurant offers a welcoming setting where you can enjoy delicious food and unwind. With options for outdoor seating, it’s an ideal choice for a relaxed meal.
Overview: Introducting Lovely's
Lovely’s offers a compelling experience, primarily driven by its well-regarded smash burgers and other American classics. The back patio also receives positive remarks, creating a pleasant setting for diners.
However, the dining experience at Lovely’s is significantly hampered by its service structure. Many guests report considerable wait times and a confusing ordering system, which can detract from the overall enjoyment despite the quality of the dishes.
The cold fries also seem to be a point of contention.
Good
6.2
out of 10
99
Reviews
49.5%
Satisfaction
33
negative
17
neutral
49
positive
Overall, Lovely’s achieves a respectable 6.2 score, indicating an average experience, with Customer Satisfaction sitting at a mixed 49.5%. This assessment is drawn from 99 customer opinions, comprising 49 positive and 33 negative remarks.
The Food (7.5) stands out as a clear strength, with many praising the quality of the burgers. However, other aspects pull the overall score down.
Ambience (6.6) is decent, but Value (4.3) and especially Service (3.5) are areas needing considerable attention. The service experience, characterized by long waits and confusing processes, significantly impacts the overall perception, despite the strong culinary offerings.
What people like
- Delicious Smash Burgers
- Beautiful Back Patio
- Dog-Friendly Patio
What people don't like
- Excessive Wait Times
- Cold, Poor Fries
- Confusing Seating System
If you’re seeking well-crafted smash burgers and a pleasant outdoor setting, Lovely’s could be a worthwhile stop. However, be prepared for a potentially frustrating experience due to significant wait times and a chaotic ordering process.
With a Recommendation Score of 6.5, Lovely’s is a place to consider if you prioritize the food and atmosphere over efficiency. It might not be for everyone, especially if you’re looking for a quick and seamless dining experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Lovely's
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 90% of the guests
When it comes to the food, things are looking pretty good, especially with a solid score of 7.5. Many diners rave about the delicious smash burgers, often highlighting the perfect meat-to-bun ratio and the soft potato bun. Folks also love the perfectly griddled onions and pickles, making for a truly satisfying bite.
With 30 positive remarks out of 45 total, it seems the main dishes are hitting the mark. However, customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 66.7%, indicating some room for improvement. A recurring concern, mentioned in 5 instances, revolves around the fries, which some found cold, frozen, or an afterthought.
There were also a few comments about a mediocre smashburger and slimy onions, suggesting consistency might be an issue for some.
Food
45
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
5
negative
10
neutral
30
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great smash burgers
- Perfect meat-bun ratio
- Griddled onions, pickles
What people don't like
- Cold, bad fries
Often praised
- smash burgerThe smash burger was great
- burgersBest darn burgers in the neighborhood
- foodthe food and ambiance are worth it
- smash burgerspopular smash burgers and ordered two. It was all very delicious.
- American cheeseThe American cheese and the perfectly griddled onions with pickles on top makes this my very favorite!
- Drive Thru burgersWhat a cute spot with great food! We ordered two of the Drive Thru burgers, a chili cheese dog, and fries. Everything was perfect!
- EverythingWe ordered two of the Drive Thru burgers, a chili cheese dog, and fries. Everything was perfect!
- OG burgerThe OG burger combines a perfect meat-to-bun ratio
- beerwash them down with a beer
- burgers and wineso good for burgers and wine
Frequently criticized
- friesdon’t order the fries as they felt like an afterthought and kinda cold
- onionsonions were slimy with a weird tasting sauce
- smashburgerMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I'm not sure what the hype is over a mediocre smashburger. The tipping process was uncomfortable, as they watch you decide what to tip before you've even seen your food, and they charge you as you're ordering.
If youre craving a fantastic smash burger with all the classic fixings, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that while the burgers shine, the fries might be a bit of a gamble. Focus on the main event, and youll likely leave happy.
Service (3.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
A handful of positive remarks, among the 3 collected, did mention that the wait could be worth it for the food, and some even described the staff as lovely. While the overall service experience received a poor score of 3.5 and a very low customer satisfaction of 12.5%, these rare moments of good service stand out. However, the overwhelming sentiment from 18 negative comments out of 24 total paints a starkly different picture.
Many found the tipping process uncomfortable and the staff generally unpleasant. The most frequent complaints centered on excessive waiting time and a confusing, multi-stage lines system, leading to significant frustration.
Service
24
Reviews
12%
Satisfaction
18
negative
3
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Lovely staff moments
What people don't like
- Uncomfortable tipping process
- Excessive wait times
- Disorganized line system
Often praised
- serviceService:5
- staffStaff is lovely
- waitI waited in line for about 20 minutes on a Friday around 6 pm, but it was totally worth the wait. I had a great smash burger and enjoyed the good vibes on the patio!
Frequently criticized
- linesThe burger was okay; it's a smash burger, and generally, I love a smash burger. However, after more than 2 hours of lines, cold fries at a burger place felt pretty inexcusable. More than that, it feels like the place is set up to trap you in an opaque funnel, encouraging you to buy drinks to pass the excessive wait times.
- door lineThe door is your first opportunity to wait. This line looked like it was moving quickly but once you get to the front, it really slows down.
- drinks lineThis line looked like it was moving quickly, but once you get to the front, it really slows down. * Line 2 - Drinks (15 minutes): Just a few steps in the door is line number 2, ordering beer from Woods, the other business that shares the space with Lovely's. It's unclear if this line is optional.
- food waitWhen we finally got the opportunity to place an order, we were told we were not allowed to order doubles. * Line 5 - The food (35 minutes): We then had to wait another 35 minutes to get our 3 single burgers and 2 orders of fries. The fries were freezing cold.
- long wait for foodbe prepared for a long wait for food
- order at counterthey won’t take it at the counter
- ordering lineWaiting for a server to come over and take your order.
- seating/waiting/line situationthe seating/waiting/line situation is awful
- staffThe tipping process was uncomfortable, as they watch you decide what to tip before you've even seen your food, and they charge you as you're ordering. The staff wasn't pleasant, although there was a girl named Olive who was kind and apologized for some confusion. Overall, you really have to suffer and humiliate yourself over a decent burger.
- table lineAfter ordering drinks you stand in an entirely separate line to get a table.
If you're considering a visit, be prepared for a potentially frustrating experience with long waits and a confusing ordering system. While a few find the staff lovely, the overall service is likely to disappoint, especially regarding the tipping process and line management.
Ambience (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot gets an average score of 6.6, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 57.7%. Based on 26 opinions, with 15 positive remarks, many folks rave about the great restaurant vibes, cute atmosphere, and especially the beautiful, dog-friendly back patio with heaters. It sounds like a lovely setting for burgers and wine!
However, with 7 negative comments, some found the ambience wasn't quite the chill brewery atmosphere they expected. The open seating system can feel a bit whacky and lead to a crowded bar experience, making seating limited and sometimes difficult to snag, which can be a bit of a bummer.
Ambience
26
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
7
negative
4
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Beautiful back patio
- Dog-friendly space
- Great restaurant vibes
What people don't like
- Limited seating
- Crowded bar feel
- Confusing seating system
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was a perfect 5/5
- cute spotSuch a cute spot
- vibesgood vibes in patio
- Parking optionsFree street parking
- Patio seatingPatio seating in the back
- ambiancethe food and ambiance are worth it
- back patioThey also offer hotdogs and chili as toppings for everything. The atmosphere is a major plus, with an amazingly beautiful back patio that is dog friendly. While the indoor seating is limited, the back patio offers plenty of space.
- barthe bar opens at 4pm
- beautiful back patioBeautiful back patio to enjoy
- dog friendlyDog friendly in the amazingly beautiful back patio
Frequently criticized
- Parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- chill brewery atmospherenot the vibe if you’re looking for a chill brewery atmosphere
- crowded barThe entire place is open seating, first come first serve. It’s like a crowded bar with everyone hanging out right behind the seated folks. People eyeing each other planning their move to grab a seat.
- experienceMore than that, it feels like the place is set up to trap you in an opaque funnel, encouraging you to buy drinks to pass the excessive wait times. Overall, I think there are places in SF that offer better burgers, much better fries, and infinitely more pleasurable experiences. Honestly, this place is less of a restaurant than a collection of lines.
- open seatingentire place is open seating, first come first serve
- seating is limitedIt's one of my favorite breweries in the city. I'd highly recommend going with a smaller group since seating is limited and there are always lines.
- seating systemThe latest time I waited 20 mins for a seat, so I could eat. Then, I bailed as the whole seating thing is super whacky. The entire place is open seating, first come first serve.
If youre looking for a lively, cute spot with a fantastic back patio and dont mind a potentially crowded, open seating situation, this place could be a great fit. However, if you prefer a quiet, chill brewery vibe with guaranteed seating, you might find the experience a bit challenging.
Value (4.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 15% of the guests
Based on 4 customer comments, the value here is a bit of a mixed bag. While the overall score sits at an average 4.3, customer satisfaction is quite low at just 25%. Still, a few folks did find the price to be great, suggesting there might be some good deals if you know where to look.
However, the majority of feedback points to some significant concerns. Many felt the experience wasnt worth the hype, with specific complaints about the pitcher pricing being disproportionately high. Theres a clear call for the business to improve its pricing strategy, indicating that value is a real sticking point for many.
Value
4
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Appealing price
What people don't like
- Value not worth hype
- Pitcher price unfair
- Pricing strategy poor
Often praised
- priceGreat price
Frequently criticized
- businessOn a positive note, the staff was lovely. However, the business needs improvement, particularly regarding its pricing strategy.
- hypeOur dog’s patty was the same size… 😂. The food was still good, but it’s not worth the hype.
- pitcherpitcher is RIPPING YOU OFF: price is 4X a single beer
If youre looking for great value, this place might be a gamble. While some find the price appealing, many feel its not worth the hype due to questionable pricing strategy on certain items. Proceed with caution, especially if you're eyeing those pitchers.
How are the prices at Lovely's?
You’re looking at roughly 21 per person – reported by 16 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Hamburger Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the price distribution, most diners spend in the $21–$30 range, with a good number also opting for options in the $11–$20 bracket. This shows a nice clustering around the average, offering a mix of mid-range and slightly more budget-friendly choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 16 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Hamburger Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a solid mid-range experience without breaking the bank, making it a good option for a satisfying meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Lovely's
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Smash Burgers and Chili Fries
I stopped by to try out the popular smash burgers and ordered two. I also got a side of chili fries. It was all very delicious.
- smash burgers9
- chili fries9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
7
Smash Burgers & Hot Dogs Worth the Wait
As a burger and hot dog connoisseur who enjoys a beer, this Woods outpost is definitely worthy of a stop. They offer smash burgers and hot dogs on the menu. However, it's not the place for a quick bite; be prepared for a long wait for food, despite the apparent crowd behind the counter.
This seems to match the upscale crowd diving into these low-brow offerings.
- smash burgers8
- hot dogs8
- beer7
- long wait for food3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
3
Messy Lettuce Wraps and Cold Fries
I'm writing this review to share my experience. While they offer lettuce wraps as an alternative to buns, be prepared for a very messy and not nicely presented meal. Additionally, I would advise against ordering the fries, as they seemed like an afterthought and were served cold.
- lettuce wraps5
- fries3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Mediocre Smashburger, Unpleasant Service
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I'm not sure what the hype is over a mediocre smashburger. The tipping process was uncomfortable, as they watch you decide what to tip before you've even seen your food, and they charge you as you're ordering.
The staff wasn't pleasant, although there was a girl named Olive who was kind and apologized for some confusion. Overall, you really have to suffer and humiliate yourself over a decent burger. I do not recommend this place.
- burger5
- smashburger3
- tipping process2
- staff2
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
8
Worth the Wait for Great Smash Burger
I waited in line for about 20 minutes on a Friday around 6 pm, but it was totally worth the wait. I had a great smash burger and enjoyed the good vibes on the patio!
- smash burger9
- vibes8
- wait4
What Lovely's offers
Payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Wine
- Beer
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Lovely's in San Francisco accessible for everyone?
Yes, Lovely’s ensures a welcoming experience for all guests. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, making it easy to visit. It’s also considered good for kids, so you can bring the whole family for a casual meal.
What kind of dining experience and drinks can you expect at Lovely's?
At Lovely’s, you can enjoy a casual dining experience with options for lunch and dinner. They offer a variety of beverages, including alcohol, wine, and beer, to complement your meal. Whether you prefer to dine-in, grab takeout, or enjoy outdoor seating, you have flexible choices.
What is the overall dining experience like at Lovely's?
Lovely’s has an overall score of **6.2**, indicating an average experience. While the **Food** (7.5) is a strong point, the **Ambience** (6.6) is decent, but **Value** (4.3) and **Service** (3.5) significantly pull down the overall rating.
What are the standout menu items at Lovely's?
Customers frequently praise the **smash burgers** for their quality and flavor, often highlighting the perfect meat-to-bun ratio and toppings like American cheese and griddled onions.
Should I expect long waits at Lovely's?
Yes, many customers report significant **wait times** and a confusing multi-line ordering system, which can impact the overall dining experience.