On the Bridge - Reviews

My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to the unsanitary conditions. If you're looking for a place that serves roach pasta, this is it. The overall experience was terrible, with the restaurant being extremely dirty and unhygienic.

This is a really cool little spot! My favorite part was the atmosphere, which truly reminded me of a place you’d stumble upon in Japan. I had the Loco Moco and a Kawaba Pilsner, and I would recommend both. I really enjoyed my time here!

My experience at this restaurant was just bad. I had to ask for salt and hot sauce, but even with those additions, it didn't make the food better. Unfortunately, nothing could improve the situation. The atmosphere was rated a 2, and the food also received a low score of 2. On a more positive note, the service was rated a 4, and there was no wait time.

My experience at the restaurant was very pleasant. They upgraded my loco moco for the person I was out with. The owner, who is Japanese, is clearly traditional yet adept at navigating American culture while maintaining his Japanese heritage. I was very pleased by the whole visit.

This place felt like a mini rest stop, a sweet escape. The food was flavored and salted just to my liking, and the service was kind. It was a delightful dinner experience.

My experience at the restaurant featured a curry ramen with tofu that was good and the portion was generous. The atmosphere was enhanced by having My Neighbor Totoro playing on the TV, which added a nice touch. However, overall, the place just wasn’t quite my vibe.

My experience at this restaurant was incredibly average, with some notable disappointments. I ordered the chicken katsu curry. While the katsu itself was fine, the curry was unexpectedly dry and contained a lot of meat, which is unusual for what should be a saucy dish. Its texture was akin to BBQ pulled pork, and I suspect it was tomato-based due to its acidity rather than the savory flavor of traditional Japanese curry. Overall, it was an alright dish, but it fell short of my expectations for both flavor and texture. It's possible I visited on an off-day, given other diners' photos. We also tried the loco moco. Having grown up in Hawaii, I was particularly disappointed by the meatloaf-like texture of the patty. It didn't blend well with the rice and seemed to have more soggy breadcrumbs than meat. The service was okay – neither great nor bad. The price was comparable to other average SF restaurants, with the total coming to a little over $30 per person with tip. I didn't feel it was worth the cost and do not plan to return.

My experience at On the Bridge was nothing short of transformative. This restaurant, my favorite in the world, consistently makes me think of them, much like being in love. Their menu showcases incredible creativity and a dedication to educating customers about the nuances of Japanese cuisine. The yoshoku style food is life-changing, and I'm convinced it will turn you into an ambassador for their establishment. Chef Nakamura proudly stated they were the first Yōshoku-style restaurant in San Francisco, and you won't find typical dishes like Chicken Teriyaki or Tempura here. I had the pleasure of speaking with Yolanda, a co-owner, who shared that the food served is what people in Japan eat daily, distinguishing it from sushi, which she humorously noted is for businessmen. Yolanda is also a proud mom of three cats! My three entrées were so memorable they blew my mind all the way to Ocean Beach. The delicious (oishii) meals included: * Chicken Rice Gratin: This dish was super flavorful, tender, and juicy, topped with at least two kinds of melted cheese and onions, all served over a specially flavored Japanese rice. It remained ethereally hot for over 20 minutes. * Chicken Katsu Curry Over Rice with a Sunny Side Up Egg: Yolanda and a KQED Food Japan Town video confirm the curry takes 3 to 4 days to prepare. The chicken katsu was the lightest I've ever had and equally tender. * Unagi: The broiled eel was incredibly buttery and generously portioned, almost the size of a brick sliced in half lengthwise. Located on the 2nd floor West, a stone's throw from Kinokunya Bookstore, On the Bridge is a designated San Francisco Legacy Business, operating for over 30 years since 1992. This rich history contributes to the neighborhood's heritage, alongside establishments like Yasukochi’s Sweet Stop and Tadich Grill. The perfect day was capped off by my favorite movie, Kiki’s Delivery Service, being on – a truly perfect sign! Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly movies and manga. Price per person: $10–20 Recommendation for vegetarians: Highly recommend Service: 5/5 Noise level: Very quiet Parking options: Paid parking lot Reservation: Walk-ins only Wait time: No wait Vegetarian offerings: Vegetarian menu or section Atmosphere: 5/5 Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible business Parking space: Plenty of parking Food: 5/5

I went for a late dinner with a friend, and they kindly let us in despite being somewhat close to closing time. I had the fried chicken curry, and it was quite good. The curry was flavourful with a mild spice and what seemed like pulled pork in it. The fried chicken was tender and the outside was pleasantly crispy. While I wouldn't say it's the best out there, I didn't have any complaints about my visit, so it gets 5 stars, especially with bonus points for having Ghibli playing.

My experience at this restaurant was marred by incredibly rude service, despite the food being just okay. One server was outrageously rude and mean, making offensive comments about my appearance and background. They questioned our status multiple times, even after we stated we were PhD students, and told us to go back to our country, degrading our origin despite us being fully American. I tried to remain polite as it was an older gentleman, but the experience was unacceptable.