Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Kebab Baba – San Francisco
Kebab Baba - San Francisco
Photo from Kebab Baba
Kebab Baba at a glance
San Francisco Transbay
- 🥙 Middle Eastern Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 22 of the guests
#703 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#4 Middle Eastern Restaurant out of 7 in San Francisco
Good
7.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
103
Reviews
79.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- Inconsistent value
The restaurant Kebab Baba in San Francisco’s vibrant Transbay neighborhood invites you to discover authentic Middle Eastern flavors. You’ll find a casual spot perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed lunch, offering a delightful array of dishes.
This Middle Eastern Restaurant is particularly known for its thoughtful inclusion of vegan options, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Kebab Baba
Kebab Baba generally offers a pleasant dining experience, with many patrons highlighting the deliciousness of the food and the welcoming nature of the staff. The generous portions and convenient location are frequently appreciated.
However, some experiences point to occasional inconsistencies in the overall atmosphere and concerns regarding service speed or perceived value.
Good
7.9
out of 10
103
Reviews
79.6%
Satisfaction
18
negative
3
neutral
82
positive
Kebab Baba maintains a solid overall score of 7.9, indicating a good experience for most, complemented by a positive customer satisfaction rate of 79.6%. This assessment is based on 103 customer observations, comprising 82 positive and 18 negative remarks, suggesting a largely favorable consensus.
The Food (8.5) stands out as a clear strength, often praised for its authentic flavors and quality, including the rich hummus and excellent rice. While the Ambience (7.8) is generally well-received for its cleanliness, Service (6.4) and Value (6.2) are more in the average range, with some customers noting slow service or feeling the prices were a bit high.
What people like
- Delicious, flavorful food
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Clean restaurant, good location
What people don't like
- Slow service experiences
- Inconsistent value perception
- Misleading lamb dishes
Kebab Baba is a worthwhile consideration for those seeking flavorful Turkish dishes served by a friendly team. With a recommendation score of 8.1, it generally delivers a satisfying meal, especially if your priority is well-prepared food and a warm welcome.
However, it’s prudent to manage expectations regarding service pace and overall value, which can be inconsistent. If you’re not in a rush and focus on the culinary offerings, Kebab Baba could be a good choice for a casual meal.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Middle Eastern Restaurant
8.3
out of 10
out of 10
640
85.5%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Middle Eastern Restaurant
8.2
out of 10
out of 10
261
87.4%
- $$
- South of Market
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Middle Eastern Restaurant
8.1
out of 10
out of 10
477
79.7%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Middle Eastern Restaurant
6.9
out of 10
out of 10
586
64.8%
- $$
- Cole Valley
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Middle Eastern Restaurant
6.8
out of 10
out of 10
532
66.5%
- $$
- Duboce Triangle
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Middle Eastern Restaurant
6.5
out of 10
out of 10
345
60.9%
- $$
- Sunset District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Kebab Baba
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot really shines, earning a solid 8.5 and boasting a fantastic customer satisfaction of 89.2%. Out of 65 comments, a whopping 58 rave about the delicious and authentic flavors, with many highlighting the juicy meat, generous portions, and delicious sauces that make every meal satisfying. However, a small number of 7 comments did point out some areas for improvement.
Concerns included the food sometimes being too dry, issues with the vegetables, or specific lamb dishes like lamb a la carte being a bit misleading. It seems consistency could be a minor hurdle for a few diners.
Food
65
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic, delicious flavors
- Generous, satisfying portions
- Juicy, marinated meats
What people don't like
- Food sometimes dry
- Inconsistent vegetable quality
- Misleading lamb dishes
Often praised
- foodhow good is it the food was so delicious
- riceThe rice was some of the best rice I've ever had
- hummusThe hummus is thick and rich
- portionsVery generous portions as well
- veggiesit also came with good veggies and a salad.
- AdanaHighly recommend the adana
- Chicken Kebap with FriesChicken Kebap with Fries and it was so delicious
- Chicken Shish Plateand the chicken shish plate
- FoodFood:5
- GyroThe Gyro is slammin'
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food had nothing to do with Turkish food and was not tasty at all
- extra meatcustomize order like extra meat and I told I will pay extra
- lamb a la cartelamb a la carte was misleading/disappointing
- lamb meatall salad and no lamb meat
- vegetablesI would only improve the vegetables
If youre craving authentic Mediterranean flavors and generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try. While a few experiences mention dryness or specific dish disappointments, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll likely enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal.
Service (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to service, its a bit of a mixed bag here, with a score of 6.4 putting it squarely in the average range, and customer satisfaction at 61.9%, which is pretty mixed. Many folks rave about the friendly staff and warm welcomes, often noting quick wait times and great customer service. Based on 21 total opinions, 13 were positive, highlighting the teams kindness and efficiency.
However, not everyone had a smooth experience. Some customers encountered rude servers and reported super slow service, with a few even mentioning poor service quality. Be prepared for potential wait times, as some found the customer service lacking, indicating there's definitely room for improvement in consistency.
Service
21
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Warm welcomes
- No wait time
What people don't like
- Rude server
- Slow service
- Poor service quality
Often praised
- serviceThey’ve got friendly service
- staffthe staff are very friendly
- ServiceService:5
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- customer servicethe customer service was nice as well
- deliverytaken out for delivery
- ownerThe owner is super kind
- teamWe feel so lucky to have this amazing Turkish restaurant in our neighborhood and will absolutely be coming back, and often! The team at Kebab Baba were so kind, friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is super clean and there are even tables outside.
- wait timeNo wait time
- warm welcomesI enjoyed the fantastic Turkish food, which offered authentic flavors. The location is convenient, and the warm welcomes from the staff made for a pleasant visit. It's worth noting that this place gets busy during lunch time, so it's advisable to plan ahead.
Frequently criticized
- serverthe server didn’t care at all
- customer serviceupset with your customer service
- scheduleThe kebab was delicious and very tasty. The schedule is wrong here in the app, they are open from 10: 30am to 3: 30pm. I highly recommend it.
- servicesuper slow service
- service qualitythe service quality was 0
- wait timeBe prepared to wait 20-30 mins
- white young girlOne white young girl was arrogant and refused me
If you catch them on a good day, you'll likely enjoy friendly staff and quick service. But be aware that some experiences point to potential rudeness or slow service, so it might be a bit of a gamble.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the vibe! The ambience here is generally quite lovely, scoring a solid 7.8, which is definitely in the good range. Customers seem to agree, with satisfaction at a good 72.7%.
Many folks raved about the overall atmosphere and convenient location, with some even calling the place darling and super clean. Plus, who doesnt love those tables outside? This positive sentiment comes from 8 positive remarks out of 11 overall.
However, its not entirely without a hiccup. While most found the atmosphere charming, there was one comment that rated the atmosphere quite low. This single dissenting voice among 11 pieces of feedback suggests it might be an isolated experience, but its worth noting if you're particularly sensitive to the vibe.
Ambience
11
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
1
negative
2
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Darling place
- Super clean restaurant
- Convenient location
What people don't like
Often praised
- atmosphereThis place is darling!
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Convenient locationConvenient location
- locationRight near The Palace marriot
- placeVery good place for a lunch break
- restaurantRestaurant is super clean
- tables outsideThe team at Kebab Baba were so kind, friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is super clean and there are even tables outside. If I could give it more stars, I would.
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereAtmosphere:1
Overall, if you're looking for a place with a pleasant and clean environment, especially for a lunch break, this spot seems like a great choice. The convenient location and outdoor seating are definite pluses, making it worth a visit for a good atmosphere.
Value (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners find this spot a pleasant surprise! With 3 positive remarks out of 6 total, folks appreciate that you can grab a satisfying workday lunch without breaking the bank, often mentioning good prices and even the easiest parking around. The overall score for value sits at a solid 6.2, indicating an average experience, though customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 50%.
However, its not all sunshine and savings. With 2 negative comments, some patrons have voiced concerns about prices being unnecessarily expensive. Theres also a notable complaint about false advertising, which can certainly leave a sour taste.
This mixed feedback contributes to the overall 50% customer satisfaction, suggesting there's room for improvement in how value is perceived.
Value
6
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
2
negative
1
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good lunch value
- Fair pricing
- Easy parking
What people don't like
- False advertising
- High prices
Often praised
- Good pricesGood prices, everything perfect
- parkingeasiest and best parking in the area
- priceThey’ve got friendly service and everything tastes fresh with spot-on Mediterranean flavors. Perfect for a satisfying workday lunch that won’t leave your wallet empty.
Frequently criticized
- false advertisingReally annoying they're false advertising
- pricesthe prices were unnecessarily expensive
If youre looking for a decent workday lunch that wont empty your wallet and appreciate easy parking, this spot could be a good bet. Just be mindful that some find the prices a bit high and have experienced issues with advertising, so manage your expectations.
How are the prices at Kebab Baba?
On average, you’ll spend around 22 $ per person – from 22 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Middle Eastern Restaurant, that’s comfortably mid-range.
While the average sits at 22 $, it’s interesting to see that many guests actually spend a bit less, often in the $11–$20 range, suggesting a good mix of options rather than prices clustering tightly around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 22 reviews.
Comparing value for money at this restaurant versus similar ones in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Middle Eastern spot in San Francisco. It offers a good mid-range option, especially with many guests finding value in the slightly lower price points.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kebab Baba
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Incredible Doner Plate!
My experience at the restaurant was honestly shocking in the best way possible. I had the chicken doner plate + feta, and the taste was incredible. Even the rice was cooked with so much flavor.
I highly recommend this place!
- chicken doner plate10
- rice9
- food10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Misleading Lamb Dish
My experience with the lamb a la carte was misleading and disappointing. The restaurant advertised it in a way that suggested it was lamb shanks, but it turned out to be just shredded meat. This felt like false advertising and was really annoying.
- lamb a la carte2
- false advertising1
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible Food and Rude Service
I came here with my friends, and unfortunately, our experience was far from positive. The server was rude, and we were very disappointed with the food; it was too dry. We even asked for extra sauce, but the server didn’t care at all.
This was the worst Mediterranean place I have ever been to.
- server1
- food1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
New Favorite Kebab Spot!
My new favorite kebab place! I highly recommend it. The parking is the easiest and best in the area, located on Mission and 4th, right before Target.
It's the most affordable parking in the whole area, considering student rates. The food is excellent, and there's a large vegetarian selection. The service and atmosphere were both top-notch, rated 5/5.
There was no wait time, making it perfect for a quick lunch.
- parking10
- food10
- vegetarian selection10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Kebab, Worth the Visit
We had a very good experience here. The kebab was delicious and very tasty. The schedule is wrong here in the app, they are open from 10: 30am to 3: 30pm.
I highly recommend it.
- kebab9
- schedule3
What Kebab Baba offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Organic dishes
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dietary options does Kebab Baba offer?
At Kebab Baba, you’ll find a diverse menu catering to various dietary needs. They proudly offer delicious vegan options, vegetarian options, and halal food, alongside organic dishes and small plates perfect for sharing or a quick bite.
What are the service and dining options available at Kebab Baba?
Kebab Baba provides flexible service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, and dine-in. You can enjoy your meal in their casual atmosphere with seating available, or opt for outdoor seating. They also offer catering and counter service for your convenience.
What can I expect from the food at Kebab Baba?
Customers frequently praise the food at Kebab Baba, highlighting its deliciousness, generous portions, and authentic flavors. Specific items like the hummus, rice, and Adana kebab receive positive mentions.
How is the service and atmosphere at Kebab Baba?
The staff at Kebab Baba are often described as kind, friendly, and welcoming, contributing to a pleasant visit. The restaurant is noted for being clean and having a convenient location, though some experiences mention slow service.
What is Kebab Baba's overall customer rating?
Kebab Baba holds an overall score of 7.9, with customer satisfaction at 79.6%. Food scores highest at 8.5, followed by Ambience at 7.8. Service and Value are rated lower at 6.4 and 6.2 respectively.