Highlights
- Fireplace
- Rooftop seating
oChef » Memphis Minnie’s – San Francisco
Memphis Minnie's - San Francisco
Photo from Memphis Minnie’s
Memphis Minnie's at a glance
San Francisco Lower Haight
- 🍖 Barbecue Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 95 of the guests
#1679 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#12 Barbecue Restaurant out of 17 in San Francisco
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
626
Reviews
67.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great service
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Food inconsistency
- Ambiance issues
The restaurant, Memphis Minnie’s BBQ Joint, is a standout Barbecue Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Lower Haight neighborhood. You’ll discover a truly authentic barbecue experience here, complete with a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Imagine enjoying delicious smoked meats under the open sky, as this spot boasts fantastic rooftop seating. It’s a trendy destination where you can unwind and savor classic flavors.
Overview: Introducting Memphis Minnie's
Memphis Minnie’s offers a mixed experience, where the warmth of its service often shines through, making guests feel genuinely cared for. While the food has its standout moments, particularly with certain meats, there are also areas where consistency could be improved, affecting the overall dining impression.
Patrons generally find the menu to be reasonably priced, offering good value for the portions received. However, some changes to the atmosphere have been noted, which might alter the familiar charm for returning visitors.
Good
7
out of 10
626
Reviews
67.9%
Satisfaction
176
negative
25
neutral
425
positive
Memphis Minnie’s registers a solid Restaurant Score of 7, placing it firmly in the good category, complemented by a Customer Satisfaction rate of 67.9%, which indicates a mixed but generally positive reception. This assessment is drawn from 626 customer remarks, with 425 positive and 176 negative observations.
The restaurant’s strongest suit is undoubtedly its Service (8.0), frequently described as exceptional. The Food (6.9) generally performs well, though with some variability, and the Ambience (6.6) holds a decent standing.
Value (5.4) is perceived as average, with opinions split between affordability and concerns over portion-to-price ratios.
What people like
- Exceptional service
- Flavorful brisket
- Reasonable pricing
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Atmosphere changes
- Problematic order taking
For those seeking a friendly dining experience with notable service and specific BBQ highlights like the brisket, Memphis Minnie’s is worth considering. The Recommendation Score of 7.1 suggests a generally positive inclination from past diners, indicating it delivers a satisfying meal for many.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in food quality and recent changes to the dining environment. If you prioritize exceptional service and specific well-prepared dishes over a perfectly consistent menu or a particular ambiance, Memphis Minnie’s could be a good fit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Memphis Minnie's
Food (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
The food here generally hits the spot, earning a good 6.9 score, with many guests raving about the delicious brisket, flavorful ribs, and generous portions. Out of 432 comments, a solid 291 were positive, frequently praising the homemade sauces and delicious sides like mac and cheese. However, customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 67.4%, with 126 negative remarks pointing to inconsistent food quality and issues with bland, dry sides.
Some found the meat to be dry or cold, and others noted a lack of flavor in certain dishes.
Food
432
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
126
negative
15
neutral
291
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious brisket
- Flavorful ribs
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Bland, dry sides
- Dry, cold meat
Often praised
- foodFrom the sauces to the food, sides, and even the dessert menu, everything is made with immense care and flavor!!!
- brisketBrisket never (rarely) fails...always seasoned well with a lot of smoke flavor!!
- ribsThe meats were outstanding; the brisket was smoky and tender. While I didn't get to try the ribs myself, the team raved about them, and the chicken was flavorful and well-cooked. The portions were generous, and we will definitely be back for both catering and individual visits.
- BBQIt turns out I just hadn't found it. Memphis Minnie's isn't the best BBQ I've ever had, but it's the best in the Bay Area for sure. My go-to is the ribs, and they also offer actual sweet tea and pecan pie.
- saucesI truly felt the American spirit in the meat here. The selection of sauces was also diverse, including mustard, BBQ sauce, and two others, along with pepper. Highly recommended when you visit San Francisco!
- sidesFrom the sauces to the food, sides, and even the dessert menu, everything is made with immense care and flavor!!!
- FoodFood:5
- beef brisketI ordered beef brisket with 2 sides. It was delicious.
- fried chicken sandwichThe fried chicken sandwich is the best around
- meatI truly felt the American spirit in the meat here
Frequently criticized
- foodfood isn’t nothing special
- greensGreens=sweet? That’s undeard of and very new to me, which resulted in not tasty
- brisketI must say, stay away. I've never had brisket jerky before, nor have I ever had slim jim sausage as BBQ. I wish I would've opened my food while I was there so I could've gotten my refund 😫.
- ribsThe brisket, sausage, mac and cheese, and cornbread were all very good. However, the ribs were a significant letdown; they were not good and I would not order them again. While I enjoy the other food and do return, the ribs are a point of improvement.
- meathad half the meat it use to before the new ownership
- sidesThe yams were also disgusting with no flavor at all. The meat was well-cooked, but the sides here are so horrible.
- mac n cheeseMac n cheese will make u cry in a bad way.
- portionsI'd give them an A for being better than the last BBQ place I visited. However, the portions were small, and the mac and cheese and potato salad could use improvement, lacking seasoning and mayo respectively. The muffin was too dry.
- beansThe beans were unseasoned and not cooked enough
- mac and cheesetray of mac and cheese and it was disgusting
If you're craving classic BBQ, especially brisket and ribs, this spot is definitely worth a try, as many find it delicious and satisfying. Just be aware that some sides and overall consistency might be a bit of a gamble.
Service (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
The service at this spot generally hits the mark, earning a good score of 8 and leaving 78% of customers feeling satisfied. Based on 78 positive remarks out of 100 total, guests frequently rave about the efficient staff, helpful and proactive attitudes, and often highlight the impeccable service provided by the owner and team. However, it's not always a perfect experience.
With 17 negative remarks, some patrons encountered issues with a specific lady who takes orders, leading to order inaccuracies and communication problems, occasionally involving rudeness from the owner or new owners.
Service
100
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
17
negative
5
neutral
78
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Helpful owner
What people don't like
- Order accuracy issues
- Rude staff
- Communication problems
Often praised
- serviceThe level of service provided by the staff was exceptional
- staffEven better was the service; we weren't treated like tourists but like family. The entire staff was helpful and nice, but our waiter truly stood out, making us feel spoiled and cared for. He showed my 4-year-old son so much kindness that he will remember the experience forever, and my 16-year-old daughter said our visit was the highlight of her day.
- ServiceService:5
- ownerthe owner actually wound up serving us for the most part and I believe his wife was the other person to help us out, both of whom were very friendly and informative
- Excellent serviceExcellent service though it wasn't busy
- Postmates deliverieslast three meals delivered by Postmates made no need for after-dinner romantic company
- acknowledged immediatelywe were acknowledged immediately
- best-in-industry servicewith best-in-industry service
- catering orderamazing help with a last minute catering order
- conversationNot mentioned the conversation and service.
Frequently criticized
- servicehe wasn't too friendly to me so my service is wasn't that great
- EnglishThe worst part is the lady who takes your order (one of the new owners). She never gets your order right and even starts yelling at you, when she's the one who can't understand English and has a heavy Korean accent that is hard to understand. I'd rather order from the cooks.
- ServiceService:2
- experienceMy experience at this restaurant was horrible
- lady who takes your orderSome days it's good, some days not as good. The worst part is the lady who takes your order (one of the new owners). She never gets your order right and even starts yelling at you, when she's the one who can't understand English and has a heavy Korean accent that is hard to understand.
- missing sides2 sides weren't even in our takeout
- new ownersnew owners don’t know what they are doing
- orderThe worst part is the lady who takes your order (one of the new owners). She never gets your order right and even starts yelling at you, when she's the one who can't understand English and has a heavy Korean accent that is hard to understand. I'd rather order from the cooks.
- order by phoneI experimented by sending other people to order, and they also had the lady mess up their order and communication difficulties. Oh yeah, don't bother ordering by phone, it makes it worse. At least if you order in person, there's a chance the cooks/workers will hear you and correct the order.
- ownerOwner was very rude and racist
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly and efficient service, youll likely be pleased. Just be aware that a few experiences mention specific staff members causing order mix-ups or communication issues, which could be a dealbreaker for some.
Ambience (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
When it comes to atmosphere, this spot has some real charm! Many guests loved the atmosphere and decor, calling it a charming restaurant with a kid-friendly vibe, especially after a recent interior remodel. With 40 positive remarks out of 63 total, theres definitely a good feeling, contributing to a solid 6.6 score and a 63.5% customer satisfaction.
However, not everyone was swept away. Some found the parking to be a real hassle, and concerns were raised about a filthy floor and a cramped dining room. A few even noted zero customers, suggesting the vibe isnt always bustling.
These 20 negative comments show there's room for improvement.
Ambience
63
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
20
negative
3
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Charming atmosphere
- Kid-friendly environment
- Recent interior remodel
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Cramped dining space
- Unclean floors
Often praised
- atmosphereThe service was excellent, rated a 5 out of 5, and the food was also rated a 5. The atmosphere was rated a 4, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk. The meal type was dinner.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- placethis place is permanently closed. It will be missed.
- AromasAromas were solid
- BBQ restaurantNice place if you like BBQ food
- Disney music videosDisney music videos on the tv
- Parking optionsFree street parking
- atmosphere and decorThe atmosphere and decor were lovely
- charming restaurantA charming and mouthwatering restaurant
- dine inThe dine in ok hokey but charming
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe food is still good, but the new owners have really screwed up the atmosphere. They took down all the cool stuff, including the kids' drawings, and put up a wall.
- parkingFinding parking has always been an issue in that area.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- San Francisco vibeMy experience at this restaurant is that it's no longer the place depicted in photos. It seems they've traded their most precious ingredient, southern style soul with that San Francisco vibe, to survive the pandemic. It has now become very "chique".
- customers insideI would really not recommend this place. I should have known by it being no customers inside.
- dining roomdining room a bit cramped
- eating spaceI definitely want to eat here again. The only downside was the small eating space inside, but the staff managed it well for us. I wish the city would help clean up the streets and support business owners to make the outside as great as the businesses and their owners are.
- filthy floorFilthy floor restaraunt.
- glass shelvesreplacing the glass shelves
- kid friendlyNot too kid friendly
If youre looking for a charming, recently updated spot and dont mind potential parking challenges, it could be a pleasant experience. Just be aware that the overall vibe can be a bit mixed, so manage your expectations.
Value (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
When it comes to value, many guests find things quite appealing, with a customer satisfaction of 51.6%. They often praise the affordability of the menu and note items are priced well, offering reasonable prices for generous portions. Some even called it a great deal for the price vs.
Quality, making it a decent option for a meal. However, the score of 5.4 suggests there's room for improvement. Out of 31 comments, 13 voiced concerns that prices were overpriced, especially on food delivery apps.
Others mentioned small for inflated prices and portions being cut, making the experience feel pricey and not worth the cost.
Value
31
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
13
negative
2
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable menu options
- Good portion value
- Fair price-quality
What people don't like
- Overpriced items
- Inflated app prices
- Small portions, high price
Often praised
- priceI ordered the ribs and wings. The portions were huge, the meal was delicious, and the price was reasonable. The service was very good, and they were so considerate to give us toothpicks.
- pricesprices are enough to not scare anyone away
- Priced wellPriced well for a sit-down restaurant
- affordability of the menuthe affordability of the menu
- comfortable priceswith comfortable prices too
- dinnerIt's a generous portion that comes with three types of meat, two sides, and a piece of cornbread. It's a great value for dinner.
- great dealif not, a great deal
- mealfor a $60 meal I left a $20 tip
- menuThe menu is still really reasonably priced
- price vs. qualitygood price vs. quality
Frequently criticized
- priceFood is overpriced for quality
- pricesI'll NEVER EAT HERE AGAIN. PS, the portions are small for inflated prices.
- $65paid $65 for a tray of mac and cheese
- Pricewe spent well over 150.00 on food
- barely scraping buyBarely scraping buy with Uber eats.
- sandwich priceA $5 dollar nasty sandwich for $15
- spend my moneyI will never spend my money with them again
If youre looking for a good deal, you might find some "reasonable prices" here, especially for generous portions. However, be wary of potential "overpriced" items, particularly if ordering through apps, as some felt the value wasnt there. It's a bit of a gamble, so check the menu carefully.
How are the prices at Memphis Minnie's?
You’re looking at roughly 29 per person – reported by 95 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Barbecue Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While most folks spend in this sweet spot, there’s a nice mix of options, from more budget-friendly bites to a few premium splurges.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 95 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Barbecue Restaurant in San Francisco. It hits that sweet spot where you get good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Memphis Minnie's
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
1
A Neighborhood Gem Will Be Missed
As a neighbor and patron, I can share that this place is permanently closed. It will be missed.
- place9
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Colleagues
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Consistently Great Flavors and Service
My co-worker and I visit this restaurant frequently. Our experience has always been consistently good, with flavors and service that never disappoint. The food is always delicious, and the atmosphere is pleasant.
We highly recommend it for its reliability and quality.
- flavors9
- service9
- food9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
2
Dry Brisket and Disappointing Sides
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing, primarily due to the food. The brisket was the driest I've ever had, tougher than an overcooked steak, and tasted like smoked jerky. I even found Dickey's to be better.
The mac n cheese was so bad it would make you cry, and the collard greens had too much vinegar and a mushy, baby food-like consistency.
- brisket1
- mac n cheese2
- collard greens1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Excellent BBQ, Worth the Visit
My experience at this restaurant was excellent, particularly the BBQ. I highly recommend trying it on Wednesdays when the Reuben special is available. Although I no longer live in the neighborhood, this place holds a special place in my heart, and I cherish every opportunity to visit.
The current owner has done an excellent job carrying on the legacy of the local BBQ legend, Bob Kantor, in The City. The atmosphere and service were both top-notch, rated 5 out of 5.
- BBQ9
- Reuben special9
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Fantastic Fried Chicken Sandwich!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic. I can’t recommend it enough. The fried chicken sandwich is the best around.
- fried chicken sandwich10
What Memphis Minnie's offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Is Memphis Minnie's BBQ Joint accessible for all guests?
Yes, Memphis Minnie’s BBQ Joint ensures accessibility with a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, making it welcoming for everyone.
Can you make reservations and what dining options are available at Memphis Minnie's BBQ Joint?
Yes, Memphis Minnie’s BBQ Joint accepts reservations. You can enjoy lunch, dinner, or dessert, with options for outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and even no-contact delivery.
How is Memphis Minnie's generally rated by customers?
Memphis Minnie’s holds a Restaurant Score of 7, indicating a good overall experience, and a Customer Satisfaction rate of 67.9%. Its Service (8.0) is highly praised, while Food (6.9) and Ambience (6.6) are decent, and Value (5.4) is considered average.
What aspects do customers particularly enjoy at Memphis Minnie's?
Many customers highlight the exceptional service, noting staff attentiveness and friendliness. The brisket is frequently mentioned for its smoky flavor and tenderness, and the menu is often seen as reasonably priced, offering good affordability.
Are there any common concerns or areas for improvement at Memphis Minnie's?
Some patrons have noted inconsistencies in food quality, particularly with items like ribs and certain sides. Changes to the atmosphere have also been a point of discussion, and there are specific complaints regarding issues with order accuracy from certain staff members.