Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Newkirk’s – San Francisco
Newkirk's - San Francisco
Photo from Newkirk’s
Newkirk's at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 81 of the guests
#338 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#59 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
580
Reviews
85.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great sandwiches
- Warm service
- Cool vibe
Frequently criticized
- Pricey items
- Worn interior
- Long waits
Overview: Introducting Newkirk's
Newkirk’s offers a compelling experience, particularly for those seeking satisfying meals with genuinely friendly service. Many appreciate the quality of their sandwiches and the welcoming vibe that makes the space enjoyable.
It’s a spot where the culinary offerings often leave a lasting positive impression. However, guests should be aware that while the food shines, the ambiance might not be the primary draw for everyone, with some finding the venue needing updates.
Additionally, the price point for certain items has been a point of discussion, suggesting a mixed perception of overall worth.
Excellent
8.3
out of 10
580
Reviews
85.2%
Satisfaction
56
negative
30
neutral
494
positive
Newkirk’s generally earns high marks, reflected in its strong Restaurant Score of 8.3 and a robust Customer Satisfaction of 85.2%. This indicates a largely positive dining experience for many.
The feedback, drawn from 580 customer opinions, with 494 positive and 56 negative, paints a clear picture of what patrons appreciate most. The Food (8.5) and Service (8.5) are clearly standout aspects, consistently receiving high praise.
The Ambience (8.1) also contributes positively to the overall experience. However, the Value (5.1) score suggests that some customers feel the pricing could be more aligned with the portions or offerings, presenting a notable area for consideration.
What people like
- Exceptional sandwiches
- Friendly, attentive service
- Unique, relaxed vibe
What people don't like
- High prices
- Dated venue
- Potential wait times
Newkirk’s is a solid choice, particularly if you prioritize quality sandwiches and genuinely good service over a pristine dining environment. With a strong 8.7 recommendation score, it’s clear many find the experience worthwhile despite a few drawbacks.
If you’re seeking a quick, delicious meal with a friendly face and don’t mind a no-frills setting or potentially higher prices, Newkirk’s is certainly worth a visit. Just be prepared for possible waits during busy periods.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Newkirk's
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
Alright, lets talk food! This spot truly shines, boasting a fantastic score of 8.5 and a solid 88.8% customer satisfaction. With 366 positive comments out of 412, many rave about the delicious and fantastic sandwiches, often highlighting the perfect roll, crispy bacon, and amazing homemade hot sauce.
Its clear theyre nailing the flavor game! However, its not entirely without a few hiccups. While only 27 comments were negative, some folks mentioned concerns about portion size, a less-than-ideal bread to egg ratio in certain breakfast items, or finding some dishes a bit bland.
A few also noted issues with the bun or too much bread, suggesting some room for improvement in consistency.
Food
412
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
27
negative
19
neutral
366
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, fantastic sandwiches
- Perfect rolls
- Homemade hot sauces
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Bland taste
- Bread to egg ratio
Often praised
- sandwichesMy experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly positive, primarily due to the amazing sandwiches and house-made hot sauce. The only challenge was deciding which sandwich to order, as they are all incredibly delicious.
- breakfast sandwichesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, particularly for breakfast. I found the best breakfast sandwiches in the city, with a special mention for those served on the poppy Kaiser roll. My personal favorite is the PEC (pastrami egg cheese).
- foodThe food is consistently terrific
- sandwichMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I always try to make a trip here when I’m in town because it offers the best sandwich in SF. The food quality, service, and atmosphere were all top-notch, contributing to an excellent overall dining experience.
- BECGood coffee and BEC (gotta get the habanero and jalapeno sauces!)
- breakfast sandwichThis is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood, conveniently located across the street from San Francisco General Hospital. It's a great place to grab a filling breakfast sandwich or a sandwich for lunch. We were greeted warmly by the worker, and our sandwiches to go were made promptly.
- coffeeMy experience at this restaurant was exceptionally good. I had exceptionally well done coffee and sandwiches, with a special mention for the hash brown breakfast sandwich. The coffee was of super high quality and perfectly made, and the sandwich was wonderful.
- cheesesteakI recently discovered this place thanks to a coworker who raved about their excellent sandwiches. I tried the cheesesteak and it was the best cheesesteak I’ve had in SF – absolutely perfect! I will definitely be returning.
- FoodFood:5
- baconMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their Green Salad with Bacon. I found it to be super addicting, with amazing bacon and an amazing sauce. I even added the little hot sauces on the side, which made the salad bomb.
Frequently criticized
- coffeeFor food, I'd give 4 stars; for price, 3 stars; for service, 5 stars; and for the venue, 2 stars. The fried egg sandwich with pastrami was good, but the coffee needs work (Ritual coffee is overrated, and that’s all they have). The price was a little high for a breakfast sandwich at $10 and $4 for black coffee 🤨.
- portion sizeA little small compared to how cheesesteak used to be
- Italian sandwichmost mediocre sandwich place
- avocadosavocados were slightly brown
- bacon egg cheesebacon egg cheese: didn’t like at all
- bagelBagel was not New York City level taste at all
- bread to egg ratioa lot of bread to egg ratio
- breakfast sandosOn the positive side, the staff was extremely nice. It's a decent option, but I believe better breakfast sandos exist in the city. The hash brown sando was pictured.
- breakfast sandwich" However, I "just thought it’d be a little more interesting. " The sandwich was described as "a little bland" with "not much to it, " noting a "lot of bread to egg ratio. " On a positive note, the "hot sauce" was "pretty good though!
- buntoo much bun
If you're craving truly delicious sandwiches with standout rolls and incredible homemade hot sauces, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some portions might feel a tad small, and a few items could use a flavor boost.
Service (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot really shines! With a good score of 8.5 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 84.6%, its clear most folks are leaving happy. Out of 78 comments, a whopping 66 praise the friendly staff, awesome people, and timely service, highlighting the great hospitality you can expect.
However, its not entirely without its bumps. A few of the 9 negative comments mention concerns like micro aggressions, slow service, and long wait times, especially during the lunch rush. While these are fewer in number, they're worth noting for those peak hours.
Service
78
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
9
negative
3
neutral
66
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Great hospitality
- Fast service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Micro aggressions
Often praised
- serviceThe price was a little high for a breakfast sandwich at $10 and $4 for black coffee 🤨. The service was SUPER GOOD, but the venue needs total work/remodeling. I didn’t want to sit in there for long as it felt dirty and run down.
- staffThey were a bit overpriced, and unfortunately, the coffee was burnt. On the positive side, the staff was extremely nice. It's a decent option, but I believe better breakfast sandos exist in the city.
- ServiceService:5
- ownerMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The owner is very chill, and they always have a great music selection. I really enjoy the space.
- awesome peoplethey are awesome people
- cashierThe cashier was friendly
- coming every weekendcan’t help coming every weekend
- customer serviceIt was everything I hoped it would be. I experienced excellent food, fantastic customer service, and a great experience. 5 stars 🌟
- dudes working thereDudes working there are pretty cool.
- empathythe woman's empathy was a bright light
Frequently criticized
- servicevery slow service
- close on Sundaydon’t close on Sunday
- lunch rushThe lunch rush can be heavy
- managerWasn’t even spoken to or acknowledged by manager
- micro aggressionsMicro aggressions a plenty
- paying customeras if I wasn’t a paying customer
- wait in linehave to wait in line
- wait timesMy experience at this restaurant was defined by truly GREAT sandwiches, some of the best I've ever had. However, be prepared for long wait times, especially during peak lunch hours, where you might wait 30-45 minutes. I highly recommend ordering ahead to avoid this.
Overall, youre likely to encounter genuinely friendly people and great service here, making it a solid choice for a pleasant experience. Just be mindful of potential wait times during busy periods, and consider ordering ahead if youre in a rush.
Ambience (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot really shines! With a fantastic 84.4% customer satisfaction and a solid score of 8.1, its clear most folks love the atmosphere. Many of the 54 positive comments rave about the cool atmosphere, great vibe, and cleanliness, often mentioning the fun pinball machine and excellent music selection that adds to the overall experience.
However, its not entirely perfect, as a few of the 5 negative comments point out some areas for improvement. Some found the seating a bit limited, while others mentioned the place feeling sticky or even cold. A couple of reviews even suggested the venue felt dirty or run down, impacting the overall atmosphere for a small number of guests.
Ambience
64
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
5
negative
5
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Clean and inviting
- Fun pinball, music
What people don't like
- Limited seating
- Sticky surfaces
- Felt dirty/cold
Often praised
- atmosphereI always try to make a trip here when I’m in town because it offers the best sandwich in SF. The food quality, service, and atmosphere were all top-notch, contributing to an excellent overall dining experience.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placeNice place for lunch or breakfast
- experienceIt was everything I hoped it would be. I experienced excellent food, fantastic customer service, and a great experience. 5 stars 🌟
- locationI definitely recommend checking this place out. The service is great and the location is super convenient.
- pinballbring quarters for pinball
- spaceThe owner is very chill, and they always have a great music selection. I really enjoy the space. They are not cheap on the meat inside the food you get here, and the eggs taste fresh.
- vibeGreat vibe, old San Francisco hip and fun
- Noise levelNoise level:Very quiet
- advertisingpainted in a window I see CHEESESTEAK SANDWICHES!!! So, great advertising!
Frequently criticized
- ambianceyou wouldn't come here for the ambiance
- atmosphereonly giving it three stars for atmosphere because it was really cold in there
- limited seatingLimited seating inside.
- placeThe place was a bit sticky
- venuethe venue needs total work/remodeling. I didn’t want to sit in there for long as it felt dirty and run down
If youre looking for a place with a generally great vibe, good music, and a fun pinball machine, youll likely enjoy the atmosphere here. While a few minor issues like limited seating or occasional cleanliness concerns pop up, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive and worth checking out for its unique charm.
Value (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
When it comes to value, some customers found things to cheer about, noting great price and reasonable price for certain items. With 8 positive remarks among 26 total, a few diners felt their meals were priced fairly and appropriately, especially for sandwiches. While the overall score for value sits at an average 5.1, there are moments where the pricing hits just right.
However, the conversation around value leans heavily negative, with 15 critical remarks. Many felt items were simply overpriced, questioning the value for money, especially concerning breakfast sandwich and drip coffee prices. Customer satisfaction is a poor 30.8%, indicating a widespread feeling that the cost often didn't match the size or overall offering, leaving many unable to justify the price.
Value
26
Reviews
30%
Satisfaction
15
negative
3
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable pricing
What people don't like
- Overpriced items
- Poor value
- Small portions
Often praised
- pricebreakfast sandwiches at a great price!
- great priceAnd did I mention the great price?
- priced fairlythat was priced fairly
- pricesThe prices are fair
- reasonable priceat a reasonable price
- reasonably pricedvery reasonably priced sandwiches
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at the restaurant involved trying the Horse on the Roof with their coffee. While it was on the more expensive side for breakfast sandwiches, both the sandwich and the coffee were really good. I would definitely go back!
- overpricedit was pretty overpriced
- BECSPK on kaiserTEN DOLLARS for one egg
- Italian comboat $15 it needs to be larger or be unique
- black coffeeThe fried egg sandwich with pastrami was good, but the coffee needs work (Ritual coffee is overrated, and that’s all they have). The price was a little high for a breakfast sandwich at $10 and $4 for black coffee 🤨. The service was SUPER GOOD, but the venue needs total work/remodeling.
- breakfast sandwichThe fried egg sandwich with pastrami was good, but the coffee needs work (Ritual coffee is overrated, and that’s all they have). The price was a little high for a breakfast sandwich at $10 and $4 for black coffee 🤨. The service was SUPER GOOD, but the venue needs total work/remodeling.
- drip coffeeI wonder since when drip coffee charges $5.5 with no refills
- pricesthe prices are at the higher end
- sizeIt's a nice place for lunch or breakfast. While the sandwiches were tasty, they were a bit pricey for the size. I would recommend this place.
- valuethe value just wasn't there for me
If youre looking for a bargain, this might be a mixed bag; while some find the pricing fair, a significant number of customers feel its overpriced for what you receive. Go in with tempered expectations on cost, especially for certain menu items, to avoid disappointment.
How are the prices at Newkirk's?
You’re looking at roughly 16 per person – reported by 81 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests find themselves spending right in this sweet spot, with the vast majority of prices clustering around the $11–$20 range. It’s pretty consistent, with only a few venturing outside this main bracket.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 81 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Newkirk's
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Hash Brown Sandwich & Great Green Sauce
I really enjoyed my experience here, especially the Hash Brown sandwich. The bread was nice. I'm looking forward to trying the BEC and cheesesteak next time.
I love the green sauce flavour here.
- Hash Brown sandwich8
- bread7
- green sauce flavour9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
10
Best Breakfast Sandwiches in Town!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, particularly for breakfast. I found the best breakfast sandwiches in the city, with a special mention for those served on the poppy Kaiser roll. My personal favorite is the PEC (pastrami egg cheese).
The bread was incredibly soft and fresh, the eggs were perfectly cooked, and the proteins were done well. I was also impressed that they ferment their own hot sauces. I highly recommend this place!
- breakfast sandwiches10
- poppy Kaiser roll9
- PEC10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Overpriced with Poor Service
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The price was higher than advertised, as I paid $20 for a sandwich that was listed at $15. I also encountered microaggressions throughout my visit.
The manager, standing behind the counter, completely ignored me and continued their conversation as if I were invisible, despite me being a paying customer. This lack of acknowledgment and the overpricing made for a very negative experience.
- price2
- sandwich2
- micro aggressions1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Exceptional Rolls and Tangy Hot Sauce
My experience at this kaiser roll and sandwich shop was fantastic! The rolls were perfectly baked, offering a delightful contrast of crispy exterior and a soft, airy interior. Each sandwich felt like it was handcrafted with care, using quality ingredients.
The standout element was undoubtedly their fermented hot sauce, which provided a unique, tangy heat that truly elevated every bite. The depth of flavor from the fermentation was remarkable and unlike anything I've tasted before. This spot consistently delivers on flavor, freshness, and creativity, making it a great choice for lunch or any sandwich craving.
- rolls10
- sandwich9
- quality ingredients9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Authentic East Coast Deli Experience!
I truly hope this place survives. It's rare to find a genuine East Coast deli, and this establishment excels at everything. Keep up the fantastic work!
- East Coast deli10
- food10
- service10
What Newkirk's offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Beer
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
How does Newkirk's rate overall?
Newkirk’s holds a strong **Restaurant Score** of **8.3** with **Customer Satisfaction** at **85.2%**. Its **Food** (8.5), **Service** (8.5), and **Ambience** (8.1) are highly rated, though **Value** (5.1) is seen as average.
What kind of food is Newkirk's known for?
Newkirk’s is highly regarded for its **sandwiches**, especially **breakfast sandwiches** and **cheesesteaks**. Many customers also praise the quality of their **coffee**.
What are some common concerns at Newkirk's?
Some customers note that prices can be high, particularly for coffee and certain sandwiches. The physical venue is also mentioned as needing updates, and there can be long wait times during busy periods.