Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Kasa – San Francisco
Kasa - San Francisco
Photo from Kasa
Kasa at a glance
San Francisco Polk Gulch
- 🍛 Indian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 104 of the guests
#2049 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#58 Indian Restaurant out of 63 in San Francisco
Good
6.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
572
Reviews
59.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Efficient service
- Tasty snacks
Frequently criticized
- Inauthentic food
- Poor value
The restaurant Kasa, an Indian Restaurant located in San Francisco’s vibrant Polk Gulch neighborhood, offers a delightful culinary experience. You’ll find a welcoming, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
One standout feature you’ll appreciate is their great tea selection, complementing their diverse menu.
Overview: Introducting Kasa
Kasa offers a mixed experience, often praised for its efficient service and some standout items like samosas and Thali plates. Many find the staff friendly and the ordering process smooth, contributing to a pleasant visit.
However, the overall food quality can be inconsistent, with some finding it inauthentic or reheated. While the ambience is generally seen as clean and quiet, some aspects like the chai receive conflicting feedback, being both lauded and criticized for its flavor and price.
The value proposition also appears to be a point of contention for a segment of diners.
Good
6.3
out of 10
572
Reviews
59.1%
Satisfaction
190
negative
44
neutral
338
positive
Kasa registers an overall Restaurant Score of 6.3, placing it in the average category, while Customer Satisfaction stands at 59.1%, indicating a mixed reception among its patrons. This assessment is drawn from a substantial 572 customer opinions, offering a broad perspective on the dining experience.
Digging deeper, Service (7.3) emerges as a clear strength, with many positive remarks highlighting the attentive staff. The Ambience (6.8) also garners a good score, often noted for its comfortable setting.
However, Food (6.1), despite being the most discussed aspect, receives a moderate score, suggesting room for improvement. The Value (3.4) score is notably low, indicating that many customers feel the pricing doesn’t align with the overall offering.
What people like
- Friendly, efficient service
- Delicious samosas
- Generous Thali portions
What people don't like
- Inauthentic Indian food
- Poor overall value
- Inconsistent chai quality
Kasa presents itself as a convenient option for Indian fare, particularly if you prioritize quick service and a generally pleasant atmosphere. With a Recommendation Score of 6.3, it’s a place that might satisfy a casual craving, but perhaps not for a special occasion or those seeking a truly authentic culinary journey.
If you’re looking for a no-frills meal with reliable service and enjoy items like samosas or Thali plates, Kasa could be a decent choice. However, those seeking exceptional value or consistently high-quality, authentic Indian cuisine might find it falls short.
Manage your expectations, especially regarding the overall food experience and pricing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Kasa
Food (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
The food here presents a bit of a mixed experience, landing an average score of 6.1 with 56.3% customer satisfaction. Many diners, however, absolutely rave about delicious items like the chicken tikka masala, flavorful kati rolls, and perfectly cooked samosas. The authentic chai also gets a lot of love, with 218 positive remarks highlighting fresh, well-prepared dishes.
On the flip side, 132 negative comments point to some significant inconsistencies. Concerns frequently mention the use of tortillas instead of traditional roti, a general lack of flavor or spices in some dishes, and complaints about stale or frozen food. Some also felt portion sizes were disappointingly small for the price.
Food
387
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
132
negative
37
neutral
218
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious flavors
- Authentic chai
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Inconsistent quality
- Poor roti/naan
- Lack of flavor
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was characterized by a basic and informal atmosphere. The food was good, and the service was efficient. You order at the counter.
- chaibest chai in SF I will keep it at a cold weather and having it with Parle -G made it taste better
- Indian foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed delicious, quick, and healthy Indian food, conveniently served in a roti or naan. The chai was excellent 👌.
- chicken tikka masalaI always get the Naan stop flavor (#3 combo) with chicken tikka masala. It includes a mango lassi, chicken tikka masala wrapped in a naan roll, and a samosa. So yummy!
- portionsI highly recommend not skipping the samosas and house chutneys; they were delicious. The thali plate offered great variety and generous portions. While the space is more functional than cozy, the food was consistently satisfying.
- samosasThe samosas were savior as they tasted reasonably well
- SamosaVery good with a crispy exterior and a pillowy potato interior
- Thali platesI absolutely love Kasa! The Thali plates are so delicious and quite generous. I recently used Kasa to cater a work meeting with the Thali buffet.
- lamblamb and chicken tikka masala were tasty
- mango lassiI always get the Naan stop flavor (#3 combo) with chicken tikka masala. It includes a mango lassi, chicken tikka masala wrapped in a naan roll, and a samosa. So yummy!
Frequently criticized
- foodWhile this place has a good ambience, it was an inaccurate representation of Indian food. The food definitely requires improvement.
- Indian foodMy experience at this restaurant was the worst Indian food experience ever. I strongly advise against visiting, as everything tasted like it was 3-4 days old and had simply been reheated.
- chaiThe chai was overpriced and lacked any real flavor or spice. It didn’t taste fresh or authentic at all, which was super disappointing since I had driven out of my way just for that comforting cup. The samosa was very oily and just okay — not worth going out of your way for either.
- food qualityEven the Masala Chai was disappointing, tasting like chai powder mixed with hot water. The atmosphere was great, and the service was good, but the food quality was a letdown.
- paneerbig pieces of paneer, which lacked taste
- saladEven the salad looked stale and completely off
- naanThey then hung up the phone, showing a complete lack of consideration. Furthermore, I noticed their naan contains egg, which, as a chef myself, I find unnecessary for a good naan. I cannot recommend this restaurant.
- ricethe rice was hard and undercooked
- FoodFood:1
- Kati rollThe only thing I would suggest for the owners to do is add the option to upgrade the Kati Roll Box into a Super Kati Roll Box. My friend ordered the Kati roll box and the Kati roll was disappointingly small. If given the option to upgrade the Kati to “super, ” she would have gladly upgraded.
If you're looking for quick, convenient Indian food with some standout dishes like chicken tikka masala and authentic chai, it might be worth a try. Just be aware that some experiences point to inconsistent quality and flavor, so manage your expectations.
Service (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a 7.3 score, indicating good performance, and a solid 74.3% customer satisfaction, many guests rave about the experience. Based on 78 positive opinions out of 105 total, terms like friendly cashier, quick service, customer service, and staff frequently pop up, highlighting the helpful and efficient interactions.
However, it's not all smooth sailing. There are 24 negative opinions, with some guests encountering rude on the phone interactions, unprofessional behavior from staff, and issues with online service. A few experiences point to staff being unhelpful or untrained, creating some bumps in the road for certain visitors.
Service
105
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
24
negative
3
neutral
78
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Quick service
- Easy ordering experience
What people don't like
- Rude staff interactions
- Poor online service
- Untrained employees
Often praised
- serviceI recently used Kasa to cater a work meeting with the Thali buffet. The service was great, the food was as good as always, and overall the ordering & pickup experience were easier than ever.
- ServiceEven the Masala Chai was disappointing, tasting like chai powder mixed with hot water. The atmosphere was great, and the service was good, but the food quality was a letdown.
- staffKasa is my go-to for fast, casual Indian food. The staff is so nice! I always get the Naan stop flavor (#3 combo) with chicken tikka masala.
- customer serviceThe customer service is amazing.
- communicationI have a lot of picky eaters, and it was enjoyed by all! There were no hitches with the delivery; they were highly communicative, from the prompt confirmation to when the food would arrive (on time). I never once had to worry about the status of my order.
- community supportespecially love that they support the community
- employeesThe employees will ask what your order is regardless so they can get started, which is nice
- ownerowner ? was super friendly and sweet
- AbdullahStaff are amazing especially Abdullah.
- Kasa teamKasa team is very responsive and took care of errors
Frequently criticized
- serviceOverall, the food quality and service were poor
- staffMy experience at the restaurant was marred by the ambience. The staff was blasting two different tracks in two different languages from two different speakers the whole time, which was absolutely annoying.
- ServiceService:1
- behaviorsuper unprofessional behaviour
- cut the callthey cut the call within a minute
- deliveryneither worked. Picked “hand to me” and received an email showing a picture left outside my door
- employee trainingMy experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. The owner was not present, and the employee was not trained, which was evident as the store was empty. The food was already prepared, and there was no tandoor available.
- feedbackThere was no one in the store responsible to ask about the food or take feedback
- inform before orderingThen I asked u people should inform before ordering
- mess up your orderThey will mess up your order
Overall, you can expect a generally positive service experience here, often marked by friendly and quick interactions. While most visits are smooth, be aware that some guests have reported occasional issues with staff rudeness or online ordering. It's likely worth a try for the efficient service, but keep an eye out for potential inconsistencies.
Ambience (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! With a good score of 6.8 and a good customer satisfaction of 70.9%, many guests rave about the overall atmosphere, clean place, pretty interiors, and great vibe. Out of 55 total comments, 39 were positive, highlighting a lively and welcoming environment.
However, its not all sunshine and roses. A few of the 13 negative remarks pointed out issues like dirty tables, a lacking atmosphere, and decor that felt a bit run down. While the overall sentiment is positive, theres clearly some room for improvement in maintaining a consistently pristine and vibrant setting.
Ambience
55
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
13
negative
3
neutral
39
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Clean place
- Lively vibe
What people don't like
- Dirty tables
- Lacking atmosphere
- Run down decor
Often praised
- AtmosphereThe atmosphere was quiet, easy to talk
- atmosphereThe employees were so sweet and truly went above and beyond to make my visit exceptional. The service was outstanding, and the overall atmosphere contributed to a wonderful dining experience.
- locationGood place from where to walk up to Castro and visit the surroundings
- ambiencethis place has a good ambience
- Great experienceGreat experience
- bright warm windowed cafein a bright warm windowed cafe
- clean placeFresh food and clean place
- cleanlinesshow clean and busy it looked inside
- convenient spota convenient spot along Polk st.
- decorthe decor. Lovely owner
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- Indian vibesNo way it has a Indian vibes
- ambienceambience. The staff was blasting two different tracks
- atmosphereand the atmosphere was also lacking
- cleanlinessit’s pretty dirty in there
- dirty tablesdirty tables
- environmentthe decor was pretty run down and doesn't represent India
- memorable experiencesThe food was ok but not good. I would say this restaurant is good for convenient and quick food fare but not for more memorable experiences.
- paper cupserved it in a paper cup which kind of ruined the taste a little bit
- public bathroomsNot much else can be said about the free colorful snack and the pappadum. Unfortunately, they are not allowing customers to use their bathroom as of December 2021. 🔸🔸TLDR🔸🔸 Fast, convenient, and serve yourself service.
If youre looking for a place with a generally pleasant and lively atmosphere, youll likely enjoy the ambience here. While a few minor cleanliness issues pop up, the overall good vibe makes it a solid choice for a casual outing.
Value (3.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has a bit of a mixed bag, though leaning heavily towards the needs improvement side. A few folks found certain items like the naan to be inexpensive and a good quantity for the price, making them feel it was worth the extra cost. These positive sentiments, though few, highlight that some aspects of the pricing can be appealing.
However, the overall picture for value is quite challenging, with a score of just 3.4 and customer satisfaction at a low 12%. Many customers felt the restaurant was pricy, especially for the portion size, and that the price simply didnt justify the taste. With 21 negative comments compared to just 3 positive ones out of 25 total, theres a clear sentiment that the food/price ratio is poor, compounded by concerns about hidden junk fees and false advertisements.
Value
25
Reviews
12%
Satisfaction
21
negative
1
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good quantity
- Naan worth extra
What people don't like
- High prices
- Small portions
- Hidden fees
Often praised
- inexpensiveInexpensive
- naanwhich was $2 extra but sooooo worth it
- quantity for the priceGood quantity for the price
Frequently criticized
- pricethe price which was $6 per person, which is expensive
- PricyPricy and not upto the mark
- chaiThe chai was overpriced
- combo platethe combo plate was on the pricier side
- dinner for twoI spent $80 on dinner for two that was not enjoyable
- extra chargehide a 4% extra charge
- false advertisementsall false advertisements around
- food/price ratiothe food/price ratio is poor
- junk feecharging a hidden 4% junk fee
- moneyafter spending so much of money
If youre looking for great value, this might not be your best bet, as many find it overpriced with small portions and hidden charges. However, if youre willing to overlook the cost for specific items like their naan, you might find a small silver lining.
How are the prices at Kasa?
You’re looking at roughly 23 per person – reported by 104 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For an Indian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average hovers around 23, it’s interesting to see that a good number of guests spend a bit less, in the $11–$20 range, suggesting there are some great value options available alongside the more typical mid-range dishes.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 104 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for an Indian Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance, with options for both those looking for a quick, affordable bite and those wanting a more substantial mid-range meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kasa
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Terrible Service and Undercooked Food
My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. The service was the worst I've ever encountered. The staff member at the counter was rude and failed to address me initially.
When I inquired about the specific type of lentil, he repeatedly stated it was 'daal' without providing a clear answer, showing a lack of knowledge. The food was also disappointing; the roti was uncooked, and they inexplicably added egg to the naan, which is highly unusual for an Indian restaurant. I cannot recommend this place and suggest looking for better restaurants elsewhere.
- service1
- staff member1
- lentil2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Indian Food & Excellent Chai
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed delicious, quick, and healthy Indian food, conveniently served in a roti or naan. The chai was excellent 👌.
The atmosphere was quiet and conducive to easy conversation, and the service was top-notch.
- Indian food9
- chai10
- Service10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
3
Hidden Fees Ruin Food Experience
While I have no complaints about the food itself, I must update my previous review. I've discovered that the restaurant has been charging a hidden 4% junk fee on all orders, disguising it as 'tax'. Although restaurants can decide to implement fees, it's unacceptable and potentially illegal to conceal an extra charge and label it as tax.
This fee is not advertised on their website or during the ordering process. I even attempted to contact them about this issue, but received no response.
- food8
- junk fee2
- tax2
- extra charge2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
1
Bitterly Disappointed Lunch Experience
We went for lunch hoping for a good meal based on positive reviews, but we were bitterly disappointed. We ordered the aloo tiki chaat, and they served a frozen tikki that seemed cold and not properly cooked. The roti kati was soggy, and the cauliflower inside was completely bland.
We couldn’t even eat and ended up leaving the food behind. I would advise others to save your time and health.
- aloo tiki chaat1
- roti kati1
- food quality1
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Online Service Too Slow
I don’t know why this restaurant makes online orders too late every time. Make online service fast.
- online service2
What Kasa offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining options are available at Kasa Indian Eatery?
At Kasa Indian Eatery, you can enjoy a variety of dining options including lunch, dinner, and dessert. They offer convenient counter service and comfortable seating for dine-in meals. For those on the go, takeout and delivery services are also available, alongside catering for your events.
Does Kasa Indian Eatery cater to specific dietary needs?
Yes, Kasa Indian Eatery is committed to offering diverse choices. You’ll find a range of healthy options, alongside dedicated vegan, vegetarian, and halal food selections to accommodate various dietary preferences.
What is the overall customer sentiment regarding Kasa?
Kasa has a mixed customer sentiment, with a Customer Satisfaction of 59.1%. While many appreciate certain aspects, there are also significant areas where customers feel it falls short.
How does Kasa score across different aspects of the dining experience?
Kasa has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.3. Service is a strong point with a score of 7.3, and Ambience also fares well at 6.8. However, Food scores moderately at 6.1, and Value is a notable area for improvement with a score of 3.4.
Are there any specific food items that customers particularly enjoy or dislike at Kasa?
Customers often praise the samosas for being delicious and the Thali plates for their generous portions. However, some opinions suggest that the Indian food can be inauthentic or reheated, and the chai receives mixed reviews regarding its flavor and price.