Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Baladie Gourmet – San Francisco
Baladie Gourmet - San Francisco
Photo from Baladie Gourmet
Baladie Gourmet at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- 🫒 Mediterranean Restaurant
$
Price per Person $1–$10
mentioned by 2 of the guests
#1970 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#37 Mediterranean Restaurant out of 40 in San Francisco
Good
6.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
126
Reviews
63.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Excellent Value
- Fresh Food
- Generous Portions
Frequently criticized
- Poor Ambience
- Inconsistent Service
- Dry Dishes
The restaurant Baladie Gourmet is a delightful Mediterranean Restaurant nestled in the vibrant Union Square neighborhood of San Francisco. You’ll discover a welcoming spot perfect for a casual meal or a quick coffee break.
This charming eatery offers a range of delicious options, including excellent vegetarian choices, ensuring there’s something for every palate. It’s a true taste of the Mediterranean right in the heart of the city.
Overview: Introducting Baladie Gourmet
Baladie Gourmet offers a culinary experience where the food often receives praise for its freshness and generous portions. Many appreciate the reliable vegetarian options and the distinct flavors found in various dishes.
However, some find certain items, such as the gyro, occasionally dry or lacking in flavor. While the value is frequently highlighted as a strong point, the overall dining experience can be a mixed bag.
The service is generally described as quick and friendly, though there are instances of staff attitude issues. The ambience, unfortunately, often falls short, with concerns about cleanliness and limited seating.
Good
6.5
out of 10
126
Reviews
63.5%
Satisfaction
42
negative
4
neutral
80
positive
Baladie Gourmet holds a Restaurant Score of 6.5, placing it in the average range, reflecting a generally acceptable experience. Customer Satisfaction stands at 63.5%, indicating a mixed sentiment among patrons.
This suggests that while many find aspects to enjoy, a notable portion of customers encounter areas needing improvement. With 80 positive and 42 negative comments out of 126 total, there’s a clear split in experiences.
Diving deeper, the Value (8.2) is a clear standout, frequently praised for its affordability and good deals. The Food (7.2) also performs well, often described as fresh and flavorful, though some specific dishes receive criticism.
However, Service (5) is perceived as average, with experiences varying from quick and friendly to less attentive. The Ambience (3.4) is a significant area for improvement, often noted for being small, quiet, and sometimes lacking in cleanliness.
What people like
- Excellent Value
- Fresh, Flavorful Food
- Generous Portions
What people don't like
- Poor Ambience/Cleanliness
- Inconsistent Service
- Dry Food Items
Baladie Gourmet presents a mixed offering, with its strong points in affordability and often satisfying cuisine. If you prioritize a good deal and fresh, hearty meals, especially vegetarian options, it could be a worthwhile stop.
The Recommendation Score of 6.5 suggests it’s a decent choice for a casual meal. However, be prepared for an average service experience and an ambience that might not enhance your visit.
It’s best suited for those looking for a quick, budget-friendly meal rather than a comfortable dine-in experience. Consider it for takeout if atmosphere is a concern.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Baladie Gourmet
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a 7.2 score and a solid 74.4% customer satisfaction. With 58 positive remarks out of 78 total, many rave about the delicious lentil soup, flavorful shawarma, and generous portions. You'll often find fresh, authentic Arabic and Mediterranean food, including great vegetarian options like the spicy veggie lavash.
However, not every dish is a winner, with 17 negative comments pointing out some misses. There are mentions of dry gyro meat, watery tzatziki, or even bland lentil soup, suggesting some inconsistency. A few folks also felt the shawarma lacked authentic flavor or that the overall food quality has dipped.
Food
78
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
17
negative
3
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious lentil soup
- Generous portions
- Fresh, authentic food
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Dry gyro meat
- Watery tzatziki
Often praised
- foodTheir food has always been good, always fresh!
- Mediterranean foodbest places for Mediterranean food in the bay area
- lentil souprecommend the lentil soup is probably the star dish
- gyrothe gyro I ordered being a little on the dry side, it was still very good
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I was impressed by the delicious reliable vegetarian options, big portions, and excellent pricing for San Francisco. I ordered the spicy veggie lavash with onions, and every bite was full of texture, different ingredients, and new flavors.
- Arabic foodAnd I really do love the very fresh Arabic food.
- Happy Friesdelicious Happy Fries that are seasoned just right
- Ironbowl soupand Ironbowl soup (great on a cold day).
- LavashLavash and gyro. Tasted very good.
- Snickers barThe “snickers bar” was also unique and pretty good
Frequently criticized
- Lamb and Beef Gyrowas very disappointed. It was dry and lacking of flavor.
- Mediterranean foodnot a Mediterranean place. Please get a proper chef who can cook Mediterranean.
- Mediterranean platterthe Mediterranean platter is not great
- chickenI wish they would get a proper chef who can cook Mediterranean food. Your chicken tasted like sauté chicken.
- chicken gyrothe chicken gyro was nothing more than lavash bread with chicken
- foodeverything was on the floor
- food qualityfood quality has significantly deteriorated, moving from very good to merely edible
- gyroit was not tasty
- gyro meatgyro meat generally tends to be a bit dry
- lamb shawarmaI have tried a lot of shawarma in my life, and Baladie's lamb shawarma takes a top spot on my list of most tasteless ones. I am curious about why it's gotten so many great reviews though.
If youre looking for generally good Mediterranean fare with some standout dishes like the lentil soup or lavash, its definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some items, like the gyro or shawarma, might occasionally be a bit inconsistent in quality.
Service (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 48% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 5 with 40% customer satisfaction. On the bright side, many folks rave about the friendly people and the kind owner, often mentioning quick service and the convenience of weekend availability. Its great to hear about places where the owner gives a warm welcome, making you feel right at home, based on 10 positive remarks.
However, with 14 negative comments out of 25 total, there are definitely some bumps in the road. Customers have pointed out issues with staff attitude, inconsistent service, and unhelpful interactions, sometimes leaving a sour taste. It seems the girl behind the counter and the general staff' can sometimes miss the mark, making the experience less than ideal.
Service
25
Reviews
40%
Satisfaction
14
negative
1
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly owner
- Quick service
- Weekend availability
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Inconsistent service
- Bad attitude
Often praised
- serviceThe service is quick and friendly
- ownerThe owner always gives me a warm welcome
- PeoplePeople are friendly
- closing timethey close at 1:00am means whenever you hangry stop by and eat
- friendlier serviceFurthermore, the establishment has become filthy; I advise against looking up while waiting for your order. Sadly, Baladie is no more, especially with four other shawarma take-aways within a two-block radius now offering superior food, friendlier service, and cleaner surroundings.
- weekend availabilityThey get 5 stars for being open on the weekend
Frequently criticized
- serviceissue as well. Lady #1 behind the counter takes my order and rings me up whilst playing the whole time on her phone.
- attitudepeople working there actually had a nice attitude
- staffthe lady who was preparing the food was rude
- bossThe boss wasn't clear and appeared to me pushing us out of there
- girl behind the counterreceived glares from the girl behind the counter
- helpNo help was offered
- interaction with the customerthat was the end of the interaction with the customer.
- orderput my order in a poor-made to go paper bag
- sour tasteleft a sour taste our mouths
If youre looking for a quick bite and hoping to catch the owners friendly face, you might have a good experience. But be prepared for potentially inconsistent service and staff attitudes that could leave you feeling a bit disappointed.
Ambience (3.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, it seems there are a few bright spots, with some folks appreciating the 2 positive remarks about the cleaner surroundings and the presence of a seating area. However, with a low score of just 3.4 and customer satisfaction at a mere 15.4%, its clear the overall vibe isnt hitting the mark. Unfortunately, the general sentiment, based on 11 negative observations out of 13 total, points to significant issues.
Many describe the place as filthy, with concerns about the decor and ambience needing a refresh. There are even mentions of fruit flies and the space being quite small with little seating, making it less than ideal for dining in.
Ambience
13
Reviews
15%
Satisfaction
11
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Has seating area
What people don't like
- Place is filthy
- Fruit flies present
- Very small space
Often praised
- cleaner surroundingsFurthermore, the establishment has become filthy; I advise against looking up while waiting for your order. Sadly, Baladie is no more, especially with four other shawarma take-aways within a two-block radius now offering superior food, friendlier service, and cleaner surroundings.
- seating areaa small seating area were another plus
Frequently criticized
- placeThe place is not nice
- smallIt's too quiet and small.
- decor and ambiencethe decor and ambience need refreshing
- filthyestablishment has become filthy
- fruit fliesI ordered a gyro, and unfortunately, it was not tasty. The most off-putting aspect of my visit was the presence of a swarm of fruit flies in the soda machine. There were so many flies, which significantly detracted from the overall experience.
- little seatingMy experience at this restaurant was primarily positive due to the delicious food. However, the atmosphere is quite limited, as it's a very small place with little seating. The service can also be spotty at times.
- place to dine inNot a good place to dine in.
- quietIt's too quiet and small.
- soda machinelives in the soda machine
If youre looking for a pleasant dining-in experience with a great atmosphere, this might not be the spot for you. The ambience seems to be a major drawback, so its probably best for a quick grab-and-go if you decide to visit.
Value (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a fantastic score of 8.2 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 100%, its clear guests are thrilled. Based on 10 glowing remarks, diners consistently praise the overall value and prices, finding it to be a good deal and reasonably priced for what you get.
Whats truly remarkable is that out of all the feedback, there wasn't a single negative comment or concern about the pricing or value. It seems guests universally agree that you get excellent bang for your buck here, with absolutely no complaints to be found.
Value
10
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value
- Affordable prices
- Reasonably priced
What people don't like
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I found it to be a great little place with fresh food that was also the right price. The people working there were friendly, making it a nice alternative to the usual lunchtime sandwich.
- pricesthe prices are affordable
- budgetif the budget is limited
- good dealAll of this for $16.00 was a good deal
- pricingexcellent pricing for san fran
- reasonably pricedIt's reasonably priced
- valueit's a pretty good value
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place where your wallet will be as happy as your taste buds, this is it. You can expect great value and affordable prices without compromising on quality, making it a definite must-try.
How are the prices at Baladie Gourmet?
On average, you’ll spend around 9 per person – from 2 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $1–$10 category. For a Mediterranean Restaurant, that’s incredibly budget-friendly, especially in San Francisco!
While the average is 9, the individual prices show a bit of a spread: one guest spent just 2 while another went for 15. This means there’s a mix of very cheap and slightly higher options. Since we only have 2 reviews, this data is limited but gives a good initial idea.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 2 reviews. Since we only have a couple of reviews, this data is limited but gives a good initial idea.
How does this Mediterranean gem stack up against similar spots in San Francisco when it comes to value?
For a Mediterranean spot in San Francisco, an average of 9 feels like a fantastic deal! We think the pricing offers excellent value for this type of cuisine in the city.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Baladie Gourmet
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Miss this spot, wish they'd reopen!
I miss this spot and wish they would reopen. Their food has always been good and always fresh!
- food10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Tabouli and Shawerma
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing. The tabouli salad was not fresh, appearing to be a few days old. Additionally, the shawerma tasted nothing like a real shawerma.
- tabouli salad2
- shawerma1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Mediterranean Experience
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. It is not a Mediterranean place. I wish they would get a proper chef who can cook Mediterranean food.
Your chicken tasted like sauté chicken.
- Mediterranean food2
- chicken2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
2
Disappointing Gyro Experience
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I ordered the Lamb and Beef Gyro and found it to be dry and lacking in flavor. The tzatziki sauce was also very watery and pooled at the bottom of my gyro.
- Lamb and Beef Gyro2
- tzatziki3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
6
Mediterranean Platter Disappointing, Kind Owner
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. I didn't get to try the famed lentil soup, but the Mediterranean platter was not great. However, the pita was warm and soft.
I was able to use up my Groupon vouchers in one go because of Thanksgiving closures. The owner is kind-hearted. The food is served in a takeaway box, and the prices are affordable.
They also have a wide selection of beverages.
- pita8
- owner9
- prices8
- Mediterranean platter3
What Baladie Gourmet offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Offerings
- Vegetarian options
- Coffee
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
FAQs
What service options are available at Baladie Gourmet Cafe?
At Baladie Gourmet Cafe, you have several convenient service options. You can enjoy your meal with outdoor seating, opt for no-contact delivery, or pick up your order with takeout. Traditional delivery is also available for your convenience.
Does Baladie Gourmet Cafe offer vegetarian dishes and accessible dining?
Yes, Baladie Gourmet Cafe proudly offers a variety of vegetarian options on its menu. Additionally, the restaurant ensures accessibility with a wheelchair accessible entrance, making it a welcoming spot for all guests.
What is the overall dining experience like at Baladie Gourmet?
Baladie Gourmet has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.5, indicating an average experience. While Value (8.2) and Food (7.2) are generally well-regarded, Service (5) is average, and Ambience (3.4) is a notable area for improvement.
What do customers appreciate most about Baladie Gourmet?
Customers frequently praise Baladie Gourmet for its excellent value and affordable prices. Many also enjoy the fresh, flavorful food, particularly the generous portions and reliable vegetarian options like the spicy veggie lavash.
Are there any common concerns about Baladie Gourmet?
Yes, some customers express concerns about the ambience, describing it as small, quiet, and sometimes lacking in cleanliness, with mentions of fruit flies. Additionally, service can be inconsistent, with some experiences being less friendly or attentive.