Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Sports
oChef » Brick & Beam – San Francisco
Brick & Beam - San Francisco
Photo from Brick & Beam
Brick & Beam at a glance
San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 88 of the guests
#2099 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#239 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
6.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
466
Reviews
56.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food quality
- Pleasant decor
- Attentive bartenders
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Poor value
- Crowded seating
The restaurant Brick & Beam in San Francisco’s vibrant Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood offers a casual dining experience. You’ll find a fantastic atmosphere to enjoy a great beer selection, perfect for catching a game or simply unwinding.
With options ranging from quick bites to late-night food, it’s a versatile spot whether you’re looking for a full meal or just a drink.
Overview: Introducting Brick & Beam
Brick & Beam offers a mixed experience, often praised for its pleasant atmosphere and well-prepared dishes. Guests frequently highlight the appealing decor and the quality of the main courses, making it a comfortable spot for a meal.
However, the dining experience can be inconsistent, particularly concerning service, which sometimes falls short. While some staff members are attentive, others have been noted for a lack of engagement, impacting the overall visit.
Concerns about value also arise.
Good
6.2
out of 10
466
Reviews
56.7%
Satisfaction
164
negative
38
neutral
264
positive
Brick & Beam achieves an overall Restaurant Score of 6.2, placing it in the average category, with Customer Satisfaction at a mixed 56.7%. This assessment is drawn from 466 customer observations, comprising 264 positive and 164 negative remarks.
Looking closer, Ambience (7.5) stands out as a strong point, often described as pleasant. Food (6.7) also generally receives good marks for its quality.
However, Service (5.2) is perceived as average, and Value (3.3) is a clear area needing improvement, with many finding prices high for the experience.
What people like
- Excellent food preparation
- Pleasant interior design
- Attentive bar staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent, poor service
- Questionable value for money
- Crowded, uncomfortable seating
If you prioritize a good meal in a pleasant setting and are prepared for potentially inconsistent service, Brick & Beam could be worth a visit. The Recommendation Score of 6.3 suggests it’s a decent option, especially if you focus on the well-regarded food items.
However, be mindful of the value proposition, as some guests feel the pricing doesn’t always align with the overall experience. It’s a place that can deliver a satisfying meal, but it might not consistently impress on all fronts.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Brick & Beam
Food (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot offers a mixed bag, with a 6.7 score indicating it's generally good, though customer satisfaction sits at a 64.4% mixed level. Many patrons raved about the delicious clam chowder, well-prepared fish and chips, and tasty burgers, alongside quality beers, based on 150 positive remarks. However, some diners found certain dishes bland, with complaints about items like flatbread and even some steak frites.
There were also instances of cold food and poor quality ingredients, as noted in 57 negative comments.
Food
233
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
57
negative
26
neutral
150
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious clam chowder
- Great steak
- Tasty burgers
What people don't like
- Bland dishes
- Cold food
- Poor quality
Often praised
- foodThe Steak Frites was one of the best steaks I have ever had. Our entire party was extremely pleased with every bite of food. While the service for drinks and refills was a bit slower than I am used to, even with that being said, everything was absolutely perfect.
- drinksThe drinks they made were actually quite strong
- friesI enjoyed the clam chowder, which was quite delicious, and the fish and chips were also good. The fish was perfectly cooked, not over-battered, and full of flavor, while the fries were cooked to perfection. It was also nice to see the executive chef out on the floor, and she was a delight to chat with.
- clam chowderThe service was excellent, and they were welcoming even past closing hours. We had the best bowl of clam chowder we’ve had in SF, and it was served super hot! We also enjoyed the Ahi Tuna Poke, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Cesar Salad, and Buffalo Chicken Wings, along with plenty of beer.
- burgerhad a burger and the meat was just perfect
- fish and chipsThey were perfectly prepared, not too greasy, and had an excellent fish to batter ratio. It was the best fish and chips we had on the trip.
- beerthe beer plus multiple sports on tv was perfect
- calamariThe service was very attentive, and the food was delicious. We enjoyed drinks, calamari, a bowl of clam chowder, and shared the grilled chicken sandwich. I'll definitely be back!
- dinnerGreat place to have dinner
- salmonthe salmon with cooked perfectly
Frequently criticized
- foodfood was very average
- beer selectiondisappointed with their beer selection
- burgerThe burger and the steak frites were super bland.
- coffeeexcept the coffee was absolute trash
- hummusThe food arrived about 20 minutes later, which seemed long for pre-made items. The hummus was not tasty at all, and while the chowder was decent and chunky, it didn't taste homemade. To make matters worse, no one checked on us after the food was served.
- saucedid not come with any sauce except for mayo
- Chowder in a bread bowlChowder in a bread bowl was so bad
- Fish and chipsHad the Fish and chips which was a mistake
- Impossible BurgerHow does someone mess up an Impossible Burger so badly??? It was unrecognizable
- Spaghetti and Meatballsspaghetti with bland tomato sauce on it with a couple meatballs
If youre looking for a casual meal, you might find some real gems like the clam chowder or a good burger. However, be aware that consistency can be an issue, and some dishes might disappoint with blandness or quality concerns. Its worth a try for the highlights, but manage your expectations for everything on the menu.
Service (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, scoring an average 5.2 with 44.1% customer satisfaction based on 118 opinions. Many guests, in 52 positive remarks, highlighted the friendly staff, attentive servers, and great bartenders, often praising quick food arrival and polite interactions. However, 63 negative comments point to significant inconsistencies.
Issues like slow service, unresponsive staff, and guests feeling ignored or encountering rude attitudes were frequently mentioned, indicating that the experience can vary quite a bit.
Service
118
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
63
negative
3
neutral
52
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick food arrival
- Great bartenders
What people don't like
- Slow, unresponsive service
- Rude staff attitude
- Guests felt ignored
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was very pleasant. It's a cozy sports bar-like place with a tasty menu and great service. Boris was particularly knowledgeable and prompt.
- staffCynthia provided amazing food and service. It was also noted that she treats her staff very well.
- bartenderMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The bartender was awesome, and the chicken wings were great. However, the service took a nosedive when a waiter shoo'd me away when I tried to ask for the restroom.
- waiterOne waiter was kind enough to give paper napkins
- BorisBoris was very knowledgeable and prompt
- Boris and EtvinBoris and Etvin were on point. Ver attentive.
- JoshThe bartender, Josh is great
- Nanceelooked after by the most beautiful lady called Nancee
- PatrickLook for Patrick, he’ll take care of you
- ServiceService:5
Frequently criticized
- serviceI encountered a gruff reception and an arrogant waiter. Due to the poor service, I decided to cut our visit short after just one drink and an appetizer, and we went elsewhere for dinner. The food itself was quite good, rated highly.
- waiterWhile it appears to be a bit more expensive, it's a good option if you have the time to enjoy your meal. The service was inconsistent; one waiter was kind enough to provide paper napkins, while another was not. Overall, the food and atmosphere were strong points, but the service could be improved.
- serverserver was really genuinely unfriendly
- waitressMy wife had the shrimp and pasta, and she described it as bland with rubbery shrimp. The waitress was rude; instead of guiding us to our seats, she simply pointed, forcing us to guess until we found the correct table. She never checked on us after the food was served.
- MarriottMarriott get clue...shame for you
- ask for the checkapproach HIM to ask for the check
- attentionBeware, you will sit and be ignored. They see you and ignore you since you are not sitting.
- attitudehas a horrible attitude
- billHowever, other female servers of East Asian descent were very kind and attentive, which I appreciated. While we were still eating (not even finished!), instead of asking if we were done like other servers, one suddenly brought the bill. Why so suddenly?
- coffee refillWhile the food was okay, the service was not very good or responsive. I asked for a coffee refill multiple times but was simply acknowledged and ignored. This made for a very disappointing experience.
Overall, service here can be a bit of a gamble. While you might encounter some truly wonderful and attentive staff, be prepared for potential inconsistencies like slow service or feeling overlooked. Its worth a visit if youre patient, but don't expect consistently stellar service.
Ambience (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the vibe! The ambience here scores a solid 7.5, which is pretty good, and customer satisfaction is also strong at 77.3%. With 58 positive remarks out of 75, many loved the atmosphere and vibe, describing it as family friendly, spacious, and a cozy spot.
Guests frequently praised the clean environment, brick walls, and awesome 70s music, making for a great experience. However, it wasnt all sunshine and good tunes. A smaller group of 13 opinions pointed out some downsides.
Some found the ambiance poor or lacking in atmosphere, mentioning crowded tables and feeling congested. There were also mentions of dirty table issues and even a reused coaster, suggesting some inconsistencies in upkeep.
Ambience
75
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
13
negative
4
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Relaxed vibe
- Clean, spacious place
What people don't like
- Poor ambiance
- Crowded tables
- Dirty tables
Often praised
- atmosphereVery nice atmosphere, the high wooden beam ceiling WOW!
- locationGreat location close to the Wharf
- placeVery pleasant and cozy sports restaurant/bar like place
- ambienceThe restaurant has a cool ambience.
- decorThis is a cool-looking place, with wood, brick and iron decor
- environmentOnly plus is the environment
- restaurantThe restaurant is excellent. I used to break my fast there during Ramadan, and I discovered I was breaking it with pork soup without realizing it.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- awesome 70s musicawesome 70s music on a Tuesday afternoon
- bar and grillVery nice bar and grill
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereatmosphere was quite poor
- Hyatt's reputationI chose to eat here on my last day with my child, fearing it might be unsafe to go out elsewhere with a child, but I regret it. This restaurant is damaging the Hyatt's reputation. I saw how you treated other tables; you're a bad apple spoiling the bunch.
- TVsall the TVs without volume
- ambianceAmbiance is poor, tables are crowded together and it feels congested and uncomfortable
- coasterThis is a nice little cozy spot. One issue, though: the coaster arrived with someone's chewing gum already stuck to it, indicating it was obviously reused. I was just surprised the waiter didn't notice.
- crowds and touristsdeal with all the crowds and tourists
- dirty tablesat at a dirty table
- peoplethe people, almost all very elderly
- quiet tableI choose quite table so I could get some work done
- reused coasterObviously reused coaster
So, should you check it out? If youre looking for a generally pleasant, spacious, and often lively spot with good music and a relaxed vibe, its definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that some guests have experienced crowdedness or minor cleanliness issues, so manage your expectations if you're seeking a perfectly pristine or quiet setting.
Value (3.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 29% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few diners appreciated the happy hour deals and found the price-performance to be good, noting that prices werent that bad for the area. These 4 positive comments out of 40 total highlight some potential bright spots. However, the overwhelming sentiment points to significant concerns, with 31 negative comments.
Many felt the prices were simply pricey or overpriced, especially with added SF Healthy taxes and service fees contributing to a high cost. ' This is clearly reflected in a poor score of 3.3 and very low customer satisfaction at just 10%.
Value
40
Reviews
10%
Satisfaction
31
negative
5
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Happy hour deals
- Good price-performance
What people don't like
- Overpriced food/drinks
- Unexpected extra fees
- High total cost
Often praised
- pricesThe food was delicious, and the drinks were great. The prices seemed decent for the area.
- happy hourThey have a happy hour with discounted food and drinks
- price-performancePrice-performance is good
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was mixed. The food was fine, but I'm hesitant to say it was worth the price. A basic eggs and bacon breakfast for $30+ (with tip) seems excessive.
- pricesthe prices are higher than the quality and experience warrant
- tipAs we left, the same server waved her hand dismissively, not a 'goodbye' wave, but the common gesture to shoo someone away. I paid $100 including a tip, and was treated like an animal? I chose to eat here on my last day with my child, fearing it might be unsafe to go out elsewhere with a child, but I regret it.
- $2 tipI gave a $2 tip I ALWAYS tip well
- $70She never checked on us after the food was served. We paid $70 after tip, and this was the only time in all my travels across the US and the world that I gave a $2 tip, as I always tip well. We definitely would not return, and based on the expressions of other diners, they didn't seem to enjoy their meals either.
- PricesPrices for our meal and drinks was a lil high
- SF City taxAnswer this is a standard SF City tax
- SF HealthyThey have charged another 5% to SF Healthy
- alcoholpaid excessively for an alcohol
- billI did not get the bill prior to paying
If you're looking for a budget-friendly meal, this might not be your best bet, as many found the value disappointing due to high prices and extra fees. While happy hour offers some relief, be prepared for a potentially expensive bill otherwise.
How are the prices at Brick & Beam?
You’re looking at roughly 38 per person – reported by 88 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests tend to spend in the $21–$30 and $31–$40 range, indicating a clear preference for this mid-tier pricing.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 88 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a mid-range restaurant experience in San Francisco. It seems to hit a good balance between quality and cost.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Brick & Beam
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Best Tomato Soup & Excellent Fish Tacos!
My experience at this restaurant was exceptional, particularly with their tomato soup, which I can confidently say is the best I've ever had. As a soup enthusiast who has tried them worldwide, this one has earned the #1 spot! My husband also enjoyed his excellent fish tacos.
The restaurant's location, right across from the Holiday Inn Express, makes it very convenient. The service and food both received a perfect 5/5, and the atmosphere was also rated highly at 5/5.
- tomato soup10
- fish tacos9
- convenient location8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
7
Good for Sports, Mixed Food Experience
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The burger was well-cooked and packed with flavor, and the onion bacon jam was incredible, especially with the added egg. However, the flatbread was quite disappointing, described as having a flavorless pizza sauce.
Despite the food inconsistency, the atmosphere was great for watching sports, earning a high rating there. Overall, it's a good spot for sports viewing, but the food quality can be hit or miss.
- burger8
- onion bacon jam10
- atmosphere10
- flatbread3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
6
Average Bar Fare with Decent Service
My experience at this restaurant, which I'd describe as an average bar next to a hotel, was decent. I opted for the Short Rib Ragu, which was tasty but ultimately not memorable. The guys seated next to me ordered wings and a pizza, which seemed like typical bar fare.
The service was good, rated at a 4, and the food received a 4 as well. The atmosphere was rated 3. I experienced no wait time and dined alone.
The price range was $20–30 per person for dinner.
- Short Rib Ragu6
- wings and a pizza5
- service7
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
3
Disappointing Lemonade and High Price
We ordered a Caesar salad with chicken and a hamburger. We also got a Sprite and a lemonade, which was horrible. The total bill was over $70.
- Caesar salad6
- hamburger6
- lemonade2
- total bill3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Bartender and Italian Recommendations
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic, largely due to the bartender, Josh. He provided quality drinks and offered great recommendations for Italian food. I highly recommend giving this man a raise!
- Josh10
- quality drinks9
- Italian recommendations9
What Brick & Beam offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Kids' menu
- Has changing table(s)
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Hard liquor
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Private dining room
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Pets
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Brick & Beam wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Brick & Beam is fully wheelchair accessible, offering an accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms to ensure a comfortable experience for all guests.
Does Brick & Beam offer options for specific dietary needs?
Absolutely! Brick & Beam caters to various dietary preferences with both vegan and vegetarian options available on their menu, alongside a diverse selection of small plates.
How does Brick & Beam generally rate?
Brick & Beam holds an overall score of 6.2, indicating an average experience. While Food (6.7) and Ambience (7.5) are often well-received, Service (5.2) is inconsistent, and Value (3.3) is a notable concern.
What do customers appreciate most about Brick & Beam?
Many guests appreciate the pleasant atmosphere and the quality of dishes like the Steak Frites, clam chowder, and fish and chips. Some staff members, particularly bartenders, are noted for being knowledgeable and attentive.
What are common complaints about Brick & Beam?
Frequent concerns include inconsistent service, with some experiences of rudeness or being ignored. Guests also often find the prices high for the overall experience, leading to poor value perceptions, and some mention crowded seating.