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oChef » Maillards – San Francisco
Maillards - San Francisco
Photo from Maillards
Maillards at a glance
San Francisco Parkside
- 🍔 Hamburger-Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 16 of the guests
#1353 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#10 Hamburger-Restaurant out of 37 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
105
Reviews
70.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious burgers
- Efficient staff
Frequently criticized
- Long waits
- Limited seating
The restaurant Maillards is a popular hamburger restaurant located in the vibrant Parkside neighborhood of San Francisco. You’ll find it at 1994 37th Ave, 94116. This spot offers a casual and trendy atmosphere, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Maillards provides a welcoming setting for you and your family, including options for outdoor seating.
Overview: Introducting Maillards
Maillards has certainly made a name for itself, primarily due to its highly praised culinary offerings. Diners consistently highlight the exceptional quality of the burger and the perfectly cooked patties, often noting the delicious cheese and fries.
It’s clear that the kitchen knows how to deliver on flavor and execution, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing taste. However, the experience isn’t without its challenges.
Customers frequently encounter a long line and limited seating, which can detract from the overall visit. Some also find the price a bit steep for the casual setting, and there are occasional concerns about operational efficiency.
Good
7.3
out of 10
105
Reviews
70.5%
Satisfaction
23
negative
8
neutral
74
positive
Maillards generally earns a solid reputation, reflected in its overall Restaurant Score of 7.3 and a Customer Satisfaction rate of 70.5%. This indicates a good experience for most patrons.
The standout here is undoubtedly the Food (8.1), which consistently receives high marks and drives much of the positive feedback. This strong performance is based on 74 positive observations out of 105 total customer remarks.
While the culinary aspect shines, other areas present a more mixed picture. Service (5.8) is rated as average, with some customers noting efficiency but others experiencing delays.
The Ambience (5.1) also falls into the average category, largely due to the casual, often outdoor setting. The primary area for improvement appears to be Value (4), which customers perceive as below average, contributing to 23 negative comments.
What people like
- Delicious burgers
- Quality patties
- Efficient staff
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Limited seating
- High price point
With a strong Recommendation Score of 8.1, Maillards is certainly worth considering if you prioritize exceptional food above all else. The culinary experience is consistently praised, making it a destination for those seeking a truly satisfying meal.
Just be prepared for the operational realities. If you’re willing to navigate potential queues and a casual setting, the quality of the food will likely impress.
However, if convenience, quick service, or a sit-down experience are high on your list, you might find the overall visit less ideal. Plan accordingly for a rewarding culinary journey.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Maillards
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot is clearly hitting all the right notes! With a strong score of 8.1 and an impressive customer satisfaction of 84.9%, diners are raving about the best smash burger theyve had. Based on 62 positive remarks, especially for the spicy smash burger and tallow fries, people love the juicy patties and crisp exterior that make these burgers truly stand out.
However, its not without its quirks. A handful of 8 negative comments point to potential frustrations like the hype leading to long lines and them occasionally run out of buns. Some also found the burger dry or wished for more customization, so be prepared for a popular spot with high demand.
Food
73
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
8
negative
3
neutral
62
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Best smash burger
- Delicious tallow fries
- Perfectly cooked patties
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Items run out
- Limited customization
Often praised
- burgerThe crispness of the patty shone through on the edges, providing contrasting textures and flavors. All in all, it was absolutely delicious for $12.
- friesI tried the jalapeño special and it was fantastic. I also got a side of fries. They sometimes do pop-ups at Olfactory Brewing in the Dogpatch.
- smash burgerbest smash burger I’ve had in California
- bunThe bun, the sauce, shallots, pickles, the cheese!!!
- cheeseI absolutely love these smashburgers! The patties are perfectly flat and the cheese is so good and melty. Plus, the duck fat fries are insanely good.
- foodthe food was absolutely delicious
- jalapeno aioliThe aoli was delicious with a great jalapeno flavor.
- meatI’m not joking when I say this is the best smash burger I’ve had in California! The burger was perfectly cooked and seasoned, made with high quality meat. I would wait every weekend if I could.
- pattiesI absolutely love these smashburgers! The patties are perfectly flat and the cheese is so good and melty. Plus, the duck fat fries are insanely good.
- American cheesemelts perfectly into the American cheese
Frequently criticized
- burgerwouldn't wait in line for that burger again
- cheeseburgerDespite huge lines down the street, they managed to run out of buns, indicating very slow production. I would not waste 30 minutes of my life for this cheeseburger.
- greasynot too greasy
- hypetoo much hype for me
- pattiesBeware: the lines can be daunting! If you get there too late, they run out of patties. So my advice, get there before 11 am and have patience.
- plain cheeseburgerrefused to make a plain cheeseburger
- regular double burgerShe said it was dry and under seasoned.
- run out of bunsthey run out of buns
If youre craving an exceptional smash burger and dont mind a potential wait, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be sure to arrive early to avoid disappointment, especially if you have your heart set on specific items.
Service (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
When it comes to service, it seems like a bit of a mixed bag here. On the bright side, many customers (9 positive opinions out of 23 total) rave about the amazing staff and their careful efficiency. Reviewers often highlight how communicative the team is, especially regarding potential sell-outs, and appreciate the generally great customer service, making the experience quite pleasant.
However, the service experience isn't always smooth sailing, with 10 negative opinions pointing to significant challenges. The biggest recurring issue seems to be the considerable wait times, often involving huge lines and a perceived slow production. Many found themselves in a long line, leading to frustration and a less-than-ideal overall experience, contributing to a rather poor customer satisfaction of 39.1%, despite an average score of 5.8.
Service
23
Reviews
39%
Satisfaction
10
negative
4
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing staff
- Careful efficiency
- Great customer service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Huge lines
- Slow production
Often praised
- ServiceService:5
- amazing staffAmazing staff too!
- careful efficiencyI also got the double burger and fries, and the jalapeno aioli for the fries was perfectly balanced with a nice kick. The staff were amazing too; they handled orders and food with careful efficiency and were communicative about potential sell-outs, ensuring no one was left waiting. I loved supporting such a kind, hardworking group of people, especially the guy working the blacktop like a pro.
- communicativewere communicative about when they were about to sell out
- customer servicethe customer service is great
- lineLine builds up but moves reasonably quickly
- serviceService:4
- staffThe staff were incredibly friendly
- waitit’s worth the wait
Frequently criticized
- linesI would wait every weekend if I could. Beware: the lines can be daunting! If you get there too late, they run out of patties.
- amateursthese guys are amateurs
- huge linesMy experience at this restaurant was one of amateurish service. Despite huge lines down the street, they managed to run out of buns, indicating very slow production. I would not waste 30 minutes of my life for this cheeseburger.
- lineThere's some scattered seating and benches available as part of the farmers market, which is handy for eating on-site. I recommend stopping here first for an early lunch so you can avoid the line and then shop for ingredients at the farmers market without feeling hangry.
- long linewaited in a super long line
- slow productionMy experience at this restaurant was one of amateurish service. Despite huge lines down the street, they managed to run out of buns, indicating very slow production. I would not waste 30 minutes of my life for this cheeseburger.
- waitwait 30-40minutes
- wait timetotal wait of 40 minutes
- waitsThe waits are long
If youre willing to brave potentially long waits, youll likely be rewarded with friendly and efficient staff. However, if you're short on time or patience, you might want to plan your visit carefully to avoid the busiest periods.
Ambience (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
Based on 3 positive observations, the atmosphere here has its bright spots, with some customers giving it a solid 5 and appreciating the handy scattered seating and benches available. These contribute to a mixed customer satisfaction of 42.9% and an average score of 5.1 for the overall ambience. However, the experience isn't universally praised, with 4 observations pointing to areas for improvement.
Some found the vibe to be pretentious, while others noted concerns about an unorganized workspace. A significant drawback for many was the complete lack of seating, especially for a market stall, often leading to customers sitting on the sidewalk.
Ambience
7
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good atmosphere
- Handy seating options
What people don't like
- No seating available
- Perceived pretentiousness
- Unorganized workspace
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- seatingscattered seating and benches... which is handy too
Frequently criticized
- pretentiousnessI made a special trip out to Sunset after waiting in a super long line, only to have the restaurant refuse to make a plain cheeseburger. I hate the pretentiousness of SF’s food scene.
- reusable dishesproduce a lot of waste
- seatingWhile I find it a bit expensive for a farmer's market stall with no seating, I'm eagerly anticipating their brick-and-mortar opening. I spent $34 on two burgers, one fry, and one drink, and the 30-40 minute wait meant I had to sit on the sidewalk.
- workspaceI even developed a theory about why Maillards' smash burgers achieve a superior Maillard reaction – possibly due to the wind at their outdoor location, which might help evaporate moisture and enhance crispiness. I would appreciate seeing a cleaner, more organized workspace, but I understand the potential chaos given it's not a brick-and-mortar establishment and operates only on Sundays. However, they should have a better grasp of workflow by now.
If youre looking for a casual spot and dont mind potentially standing or finding your own seating, the atmosphere might be okay. However, be prepared for a potentially unorganized setup and a vibe that some find pretentious, especially given the 5.1 score and 42.9% customer satisfaction. It's a mixed bag, so manage your expectations.
Value (4 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
When it comes to value, there isnt much positive buzz to report from the feedback weve seen. The overall score for value sits at an average 4, and customer satisfaction is quite low at 0%, indicating significant room for improvement. Looking at the feedback from 2 opinions, the main concern revolves around the price.
One customer felt it was a tad bit expensive for a stall, suggesting that the cost might not align with the perceived offering. This indicates that the value proposition could use some reevaluation.
Value
2
Reviews
0%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
0
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- High price
- Expensive for type
Often praised
No positive aspects so far.
Frequently criticized
- pricea tad bit expensive for a stall
If you're heading out, be prepared that the value might not be its strongest suit. With feedback suggesting prices are a bit high for the type of establishment, you might find yourself paying a little more than expected. Consider if the overall experience justifies the cost for you.
How are the prices at Maillards?
You’re looking at roughly 16 $ per person – reported by 16 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Hamburger Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people are spending, most diners (14 out of 16) are right in that $11–$20 sweet spot. A couple of folks ventured a bit higher, but generally, prices cluster nicely around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 16 reviews.
How does this restaurant’s value stack up against similar spots in San Francisco?
For a Hamburger Restaurant in San Francisco, we think 16 $ per person is a pretty fair deal. It hits that sweet spot for a quality meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Maillards
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Worth the Trip for a Delicious Smash Burger
What a delicious smash burger. I had to plan my Sunday around having this burger, as they are only open five hours a week at the outer sunset farmers market. I ordered at 10: 30 am for a rare brunch burger, and it was definitely worth it.
The meat was smashed and crispy, and the bun of the burger was soft and tasty. I definitely recommend checking out this pop-up burger shop if you can make it.
- meat9
- bun8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
8
Worth the wait for Maillard's burgers
While I find it a bit expensive for a farmer's market stall with no seating, I'm eagerly anticipating their brick-and-mortar opening. I spent $34 on two burgers, one fry, and one drink, and the 30-40 minute wait meant I had to sit on the sidewalk. Despite these drawbacks, I have to admit that this is my favorite stall at the farmer's market.
I feel guilty for not trying other delicious options because I keep returning to Maillard's. Their burger is exactly what a smashburger should taste like – a crispy patty that isn't too greasy. The flavors of the spicy burger are also very well-executed.
- burger10
- patty9
- flavors8
- price3
- seating2
- wait3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Smash Burger at the Market!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best smash burger I've ever tasted. It's my first stop every time I visit this farmers market.
The food quality is exceptional, and I highly recommend it.
- smash burger10
- food quality10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
9
Delicious Smash Burgers, Worth the Wait
I initially wanted to dislike this place due to the hype, but I couldn't. I visited twice, and both times the food was delicious. While the lines can get long, the waiting time of 30-40 minutes from lining to eating was acceptable for me.
The burger itself was well-balanced, with perfect proportions of cheese, pickles, shallots, patty, and buns. The fries were also quite good, and the sauces were interesting. The patties were smashed exceptionally well, and the meat quality surpassed that of a standard smash burger.
It was fascinating to watch the chefs at work. I even developed a theory about why Maillards' smash burgers achieve a superior Maillard reaction – possibly due to the wind at their outdoor location, which might help evaporate moisture and enhance crispiness. I would appreciate seeing a cleaner, more organized workspace, but I understand the potential chaos given it's not a brick-and-mortar establishment and operates only on Sundays.
However, they should have a better grasp of workflow by now.
- burger9
- waiting time6
- fries8
- workspace3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
5
Overhyped Burger, Nice Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was marked by a significant amount of hype, but ultimately, it didn't live up to my expectations. While I have nothing against the establishment, I wouldn't wait in line for their burger again. The atmosphere was a strong point, rated at a 5, and the service was also good, receiving a 4.
However, the food, specifically the Single Patty Smash Burger, only scored a 3. The price per person was within the $10–20 range, and the meal was for lunch.
- atmosphere10
- service8
- food6
- hype2
- burger2
What Maillards offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Can you enjoy outdoor dining at Maillards in San Francisco?
Yes, Maillards offers outdoor seating, allowing you to enjoy your meal in the fresh air. You can also choose to dine-in or get takeout from this casual hamburger restaurant located in the Parkside neighborhood.
What kind of atmosphere and dining options does Maillards provide?
Maillards offers a casual and trendy atmosphere, making it a great spot for a quick bite. You can visit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it’s also good for kids. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible for your convenience.
How does Maillards generally perform?
Maillards achieves a good overall Restaurant Score of 7.3, with Customer Satisfaction at 70.5%. Its Food (8.1) is highly rated, while Service (5.8) and Ambience (5.1) are average, and Value (4) is perceived as below average.
What makes Maillards' food stand out?
Customers frequently praise the delicious burger with its perfectly cooked patties and melty cheese. The duck fat fries and flavorful jalapeno aioli also receive high marks for their quality and taste.
What should I expect regarding service and seating at Maillards?
Be prepared for potentially long lines and a casual setting with limited seating. While the staff is often described as efficient and communicative, some customers have experienced slow production and items occasionally running out.