Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » City Smoke House – San Francisco
City Smoke House - San Francisco
Photo from City Smoke House
City Smoke House at a glance
San Francisco Polk Gulch
- 🍖 Barbecue Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 3 of the guests
#60 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#1 Barbecue Restaurant out of 17 in San Francisco
Excellent
9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
150
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Exceptional BBQ
- Great service
Frequently criticized
- Hidden location
- Catering focus
The restaurant City Smoke House brings authentic Barbecue to the heart of San Francisco. Nestled in the vibrant Polk Gulch neighborhood, you’ll discover a casual spot perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
This Barbecue Restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere, whether you’re planning a satisfying lunch, a hearty dinner, or even catering. Enjoy the convenience of dine-in, takeout, or delivery, making it easy to savor their delicious offerings wherever you are.
Overview: Introducting City Smoke House
City Smoke House consistently delivers on its promise of flavorful dishes, with many appreciating the rich brisket and tender ribs. The team also earns high marks for their attentive customer service and seamless delivery process, making every interaction smooth and pleasant.
However, finding City Smoke House can be a bit of a challenge, as some customers note the lack of clear signs or a traditional public-facing location. It’s primarily geared towards catering, which can be a surprise if you’re expecting a typical dine-in spot.
Excellent
9
out of 10
150
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
6
negative
3
neutral
141
positive
City Smoke House achieves an impressive overall Restaurant Score of 9, reflecting excellent performance across the board. This is further supported by an outstanding Customer Satisfaction rate of 94%, indicating a highly pleased clientele.
These strong figures are drawn from 150 customer comments, with a significant majority of 141 positive remarks against just 6 negative ones. The Food (9.4) is a clear highlight, consistently praised for its quality.
The Service (9.1) also stands out, with patrons frequently commending the helpful and responsive staff. While Value (8.7) is considered good, the Ambience (4.7) presents a notable contrast.
This lower score often relates to the establishment’s operational model, which isn’t always a traditional restaurant setting.
What people like
- Exceptional BBQ flavors
- Attentive customer service
- Reasonable pricing
What people don't like
- Challenging to find
- No public location
- Catering-focused model
If you’re seeking top-tier BBQ and exceptional service, City Smoke House is certainly worth considering. With a strong Recommendation Score of 9.3, it consistently delivers on taste and customer care, making it an excellent choice for events or convenient takeout.
However, manage your expectations regarding a traditional dining experience, as its operational model is less about a physical storefront and more about seamless delivery and catering. For those prioritizing quality food and reliable service over a sit-down setting, it’s a solid pick.
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Verdict: Our expert take on City Smoke House
Food (9.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 91% of the guests
Alright, foodies, lets talk about the grub! Based on a whopping 101 customer observations, the food here is nothing short of stellar. With an excellent score of 9.4 and a fantastic 97% customer satisfaction rate, its clear people are absolutely loving whats coming out of the kitchen.
Folks rave about the delicious Macaroni and Cheese, tender beef brisket, and fantastic burgers, often highlighting the generous portions. Whats truly remarkable is that out of 98 positive comments, there wasn't a single negative word about the food. It seems the culinary team has truly hit a home run, leaving diners completely satisfied with every bite.
Food
101
Reviews
97%
Satisfaction
0
negative
3
neutral
98
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious BBQ
- Generous portions
- Amazing Mac & Cheese
What people don't like
Often praised
- foodWe drove to the closest gas station to gas up, parked in the vicinity to eat before driving off to our next destination. The food was so tasty, and we savored every bit of it for a late lunch and still have half of it left that we ate for dinner. Thank you very much, City Smoke House.
- brisketFriends and family were raving all night, asking, “Where is this food from? ” The next day, my phone was blowing up with texts about the brisket, the mac & cheese, the works. (For the record: I’m extremely picky about mac & cheese, and City nailed it.) My cousin from the Midwest said that the portobello mushrooms were his favorite.
- BBQ cateringlooking for BBQ catering in San Francisco, Brandon and Brian are the real deal.
- BBQ saucetheir BBQ sauce? Homemade, perfectly balanced—sweet, tangy, smoky
- mac and cheeseThe pulled pork and mac and cheese are especially tasty.
- pulled porkThe pulled pork and mac and cheese are especially tasty.
- ribsThe ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, packed with a smoky goodness
- sauceMy husband was trying his luck, so he knocked, and we met Brandon, who was so accommodating and very apologetic as he told us that they are catering only to corporate events just yet and still closed for dine-in or take-out. But he was so nice to pack pulled pork, beef brisket, mac ‘n cheese, beans, bread, and sauce to go. It truly made our day!
- FoodFood was outstanding
- bbq sauceESPECIALLY impressed with the bbq sauce
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre on the hunt for truly exceptional BBQ and comfort food, this place is a must-try. With rave reviews for everything from brisket to mac and cheese, youre practically guaranteed a delicious and satisfying meal.
Service (9.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.1 and an outstanding customer satisfaction of 97.3%, its clear they go above and beyond. Customers consistently praise their impeccable customer service, caring and kind service, and seamless communication.
Out of 37 customer remarks, a whopping 36 were glowing endorsements, often highlighting the amazing people and the family-owned business vibe. However, theres one small point to consider: a single comment mentioned being unaware that it was catering only. While this isnt a flaw in the service itself, its worth noting for those expecting a different dining format.
It's a minor hiccup in an otherwise stellar service record.
Service
37
Reviews
97%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
36
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Impeccable customer service
- Caring and kind staff
- Seamless communication
What people don't like
- Catering only
Often praised
- deliverythe delivery was perfectly on time
- servicethe service was also outstanding. From the moment I placed my order, the team was attentive, friendly, and incredibly accommodating
- ServiceService were also top-notch
- cateringI know they do ribs and I've heard they do the brisket. They offer online ordering and are trying to start their catering back up. Check them out and tell them the redhead sent you!
- communicationI cannot thank City Smoke House SF enough for catering my 40th birthday party. From start to finish, Brian and his team made the process seamless with lightning-fast communication and the kind of customer service you rarely see anymore. This was my first time planning a party for 60 people, and I wanted to get it right.
- customer serviceThe customer service from placing an order to the delivery person absolutely superb
- Brandonmet Brandon who was so accommodating
- Brandon and BrianHomemade, perfectly balanced—sweet, tangy, smoky—it tied everything together. On top of all that, Brandon and Brian are super easy to work with, professional, and just good people who clearly love what they do. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate lunch, or backyard hang, this is the kind of food that brings people together.
- BrianI discovered this restaurant last year while searching for family-style trays for food delivery, and they truly do not disappoint! Brian has been incredibly helpful and quick to respond to inquiries every time we've placed orders. The flavors are great, with spicy sweet baked beans and cornbread that's a guilty pleasure.
- CaitlinCaitlin was extremely helpful patient and kind
Frequently criticized
- catering onlyunaware that it was catering only
If youre looking for top-notch service, especially for catering or special events, this place is an absolute must-try. Their dedication to customer satisfaction and seamless communication makes them a reliable choice. Just be aware that its primarily a catering operation, so plan accordingly!
Ambience (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, there are some truly unique aspects that stand out, like the charm of a historic building and a strong sense of community, with some even praising the overall Atmosphere. Despite these positive remarks from 4 out of 9 total comments, the overall score for ambience sits at an average 4.7, and customer satisfaction is a rather mixed 44.4%. However, the biggest hurdle seems to be actually finding the place!
Many customers reported a complete lack of clear signs, clues, or evidence of its existence, making the location incredibly difficult to pinpoint. With 5 negative comments highlighting that it feels like a ghost kitchen with no clear public facing retail location, its clear theres significant room for improvement in visibility.
Ambience
9
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Historic building charm
- Strong community feel
- Great atmosphere
What people don't like
- No visible signs
- Difficult to locate
- No public location
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere were also top-notch
- communityexciting a tough area with a sense of pride and character which governs good community
- historic building, San Francisco. Finally, we got the courage to enter a historic building, a Cadillac showroom back in the 1920s, with scaffoldings around the building perimeter and saw the small signage on the door. My husband was trying his luck, so he knocked, and we met Brandon, who was so accommodating and very apologetic as he told us that they are catering only to corporate events just yet and still closed for dine-in or take-out.
Frequently criticized
- cluesno signs, clues or evidence on or outside of its existence
- evidenceno signs, clues or evidence on or outside of its existence
- locationI tried to find this place, but I could not locate it at all here in San Francisco.
- public facing retail locationMy experience was that this is a ghost kitchen and has no public facing retail location as shown in Google. Just beware!
- signsno signs, clues or evidence on or outside of its existence
If you're an adventurous diner who loves a good treasure hunt and appreciates a unique, historic setting once found, this spot might be for you. However, be prepared for a significant challenge in locating it, as its public presence is currently a major drawback.
Value (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! Customers are absolutely thrilled, giving it an excellent 100% satisfaction rating. With 3 positive opinions highlighting terms like price and reasonably priced, its clear guests feel theyre getting a fantastic deal.
The overall score of 8.7, which is firmly in the good range, further confirms that your wallet will be happy here. Whats even better? There are zero negative opinions about the value, based on all 3 customer remarks.
This means you wont find any complaints about things being too expensive or not worth the cost. It seems this place consistently delivers on its promise of great value without any drawbacks.
Value
3
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonably priced
- Great value
What people don't like
Often praised
- price$12, not bad
- pricesthe prices are very reasonable
- reasonably pricedI had an amazing experience getting double bacon cheeseburgers with friends at their old location about a year ago. They were probably the best burgers we've had in the city and were very reasonably priced. We've been eagerly awaiting their reopening ever since.
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a place where your money goes a long way, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Guests consistently rave about the fair prices and excellent value, so you can dine without breaking the bank. Its a solid choice if budget-friendly deliciousness is high on your list!
How are the prices at City Smoke House?
You’re looking at roughly 27 per person – reported by 3 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Barbecue Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the recent reviews, all 3 diners spent within this $21–$30 range, suggesting prices are quite consistent and cluster around this average. Just a heads-up, this data is based on a small number of reviews, but it gives a good initial feel for the pricing.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 3 reviews. Since this data is from a limited number of reviews, it gives a good indication of the typical spend.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for a Barbecue Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a solid mid-range option without breaking the bank, which is always a good find!
Customer Reviews: what people think about City Smoke House
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Restaurant did not exist
I was convinced to visit and try to order in person according to information provided. But to my surprise, this restaurant did not exist after I explored the complete surrounding outside the premises described. There were no signs, clues, or evidence on or outside of its existence as far as the description and information provided.
I decided not to follow up with a phone call after I concluded my visit.
- signs1
- clues1
- evidence1
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
City Smoke House: Unforgettable Catering for My 40th!
I cannot thank City Smoke House SF enough for catering my 40th birthday party. From start to finish, Brian and his team made the process seamless with lightning-fast communication and the kind of customer service you rarely see anymore. This was my first time planning a party for 60 people, and I wanted to get it right.
I researched a ton of different cuisines, but ultimately came back to City Smoke House because of their flawless track record. Honestly, I wish I hadn’t wasted so much time exploring other options because City exceeded even my highest expectations. The party was at a nightclub in the Castro, and the delivery was perfectly on time.
The customer service was 1000%. They even provided custom cards for each dish so guests knew exactly what they were eating, a small but thoughtful touch that people really appreciated. We ordered brisket, pulled pork, chicken, smoked portobello mushrooms, barbecue sauces, mac & cheese, potato salad, and tossed salad.
With an open bar, I didn’t expect the food to steal the show, but it did. Friends and family were raving all night, asking, “Where is this food from? ” The next day, my phone was blowing up with texts about the brisket, the mac & cheese, the works.
(For the record: I’m extremely picky about mac & cheese, and City nailed it.) My cousin from the Midwest said that the portobello mushrooms were his favorite. The portions were so generous we had enough to host a next-day gathering to enjoy the leftovers, though the mac & cheese disappeared the night of the party so order extra! In a city like San Francisco, where great BBQ is rare, I only wish City Smoke House had a brick-and-mortar location I could frequent.
This is a family-owned business that delivers in every possible way, and I’m beyond grateful to them for making my milestone celebration unforgettable. I hope they stay booked and busy. THANK YOU BRIAN and team City Smoke House.
- communication10
- customer service10
- track record9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
10
Incredible BBQ Catering Experience!
I don't usually expect such 🔥🔥🔥 from catering, but wow, this was insanely good! It was probably the best BBQ catering I have ever had. The Food was outstanding, and the Service and Atmosphere were also top-notch, both receiving a perfect 5/5.
- BBQ catering10
- Food10
- Service10
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Excellent Birthday Party Catering!
We used City Smoke House for a milestone birthday party for the first time, and they did not disappoint. The food was delivered hot, with an extra tray of food as a bonus. They arrived on time and set everything up nicely.
The food was absolutely delicious – the smoked meat was tender and juicy, and the side dishes were tasty. They have won a fan here, and from many of the party attendees.
- food9
- smoked meat10
- side dishes8
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
1
Ghost kitchen, not a restaurant
My experience was that this is a ghost kitchen and has no public facing retail location as shown in Google. Just beware!
- public facing retail location2
What City Smoke House offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Catering
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is City Smoke House accessible for everyone?
Yes, City Smoke House ensures a comfortable experience for all guests. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible seating, making it easy to enjoy your meal in their casual atmosphere.
What dining and service options are available at City Smoke House?
At City Smoke House, you have several convenient choices. You can enjoy a casual dine-in experience for lunch or dinner, grab a quick bite for takeout, or have your Barbecue delivered right to you. Catering services are also available.
How does City Smoke House perform overall?
City Smoke House boasts an excellent overall Restaurant Score of **9** and a Customer Satisfaction of **94%**. Its strengths lie in **Food** (9.4) and **Service** (9.1), with **Value** (8.7) also performing well, though **Ambience** (4.7) is a weaker point.
What are the standout food items at City Smoke House?
Customers frequently praise the **brisket**, **mac and cheese**, and fall-off-the-bone **ribs**. The homemade **BBQ sauce** is also a consistent highlight.
Is City Smoke House suitable for dine-in?
City Smoke House primarily operates as a catering and delivery service. Many customers note it lacks a traditional public-facing location, so it’s not typically set up for dine-in.