Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
oChef » Papa Johns – San Francisco
Papa Johns - San Francisco
Photo from Papa Johns
Papa Johns at a glance
San Francisco Lower Nob Hill
- 🍕 Pizzeria
€€
Price per Person 31 – 40 €
mentioned by 40 of the guests
#2382 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#114 Pizzeria out of 115 in San Francisco
Poor
3.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
228
Reviews
26.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious pizza
- Garlic breadsticks
- Attentive service
Frequently criticized
- Poor value
- Inconsistent service
- Parking issues
The restaurant, a popular pizzeria in San Francisco’s vibrant Lower Nob Hill neighborhood, offers you a reliable spot for delicious meals. Whether you’re craving a quick bite or need late-night food, Papa Johns Pizza has you covered.
You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a relaxed dining experience, making it an ideal choice for dinner or lunch. This spot ensures you can easily grab your favorite pizza whenever the craving strikes.
Overview: Introducting Papa Johns
Papa Johns offers a mixed experience, with many finding the pizza itself quite satisfying, often praised for its balance and toppings. However, some guests have expressed concerns regarding the overall value, feeling that the pricing doesn’t always align with what’s received.
While the service can be a standout, with staff often described as welcoming and efficient, there are instances where it falls short. The ambience generally receives positive remarks, though practical issues like parking can sometimes detract from the visit.
Poor
3.8
out of 10
228
Reviews
26.8%
Satisfaction
149
negative
18
neutral
61
positive
Papa Johns registers an overall Restaurant Score of 3.8, placing it in the average category, leaning towards needing improvement. Customer Satisfaction stands at 26.8%, indicating a poor level of contentment among patrons.
This assessment is drawn from 228 customer opinions, with 61 positive remarks contrasting with 149 negative observations. Diving deeper, the Ambience (5.3) is its strongest aspect, often noted for a pleasant atmosphere.
Food (4.1) is considered average, with some positive comments balanced by criticisms of quality. Both Service (3.5) and Value (3.2) fall into the lower range, suggesting these areas frequently disappoint, particularly the perceived cost-effectiveness.
What people like
- Delicious pizza offerings
- Irresistible garlic breadsticks
- Attentive and welcoming service
What people don't like
- Poor value for money
- Inconsistent service delivery
- Challenging parking situation
Papa Johns presents a mixed bag; while some find their pizza and specific sides quite enjoyable, the overall experience is often hampered by concerns over value and service consistency. With a Recommendation Score of 3.9, it suggests a cautious approach.
If you’re seeking a quick pizza fix and prioritize certain menu items, it might be worth a try. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and consider the value proposition carefully, especially if parking is a concern.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Pizzeria
9.3
out of 10
out of 10
34
100%
- $$
- Cow Hollow
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Pizzeria
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
186
96.2%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Pizzeria
8.9
out of 10
out of 10
498
95.6%
- $$
- Russian Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Pizzeria
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
263
88.6%
- $$
- Polk Gulch
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Pizzeria
8.5
out of 10
out of 10
549
88.3%
- $$
- Transbay
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Pizzeria
8.4
out of 10
out of 10
164
84.8%
- $$
- Silver Terrace
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Papa Johns
Food (4.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
When it comes to the food, its a bit of a mixed bag, leaning towards disappointment, with a score of 4.1 and customer satisfaction sitting at a poor 28.4%. Out of 102 total remarks, 29 were positive, highlighting some bright spots. Diners enjoyed the pizza, especially specific items like Papas Smashed Pepperoni Pizza, and praised the garlic knots and Garlic Breadsticks for their buttery goodness.
The cheese bread and garlic sauce also received appreciation. However, the majority of feedback, with 63 negative remarks, points to significant issues. Many found the pizza to be of poor quality, often arriving cold, burnt, or greasy.
Complaints frequently mentioned the crust being too thin or undercooked, and some pizzas lacked sufficient sauce or cheese, leading to a disappointing experience.
Food
102
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
63
negative
10
neutral
29
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Garlic Breadsticks irresistible
- Cheese bread delicious
- Diverse flavor options
What people don't like
- Pizza quality poor
- Arrives cold/burnt
- Crust often bad
Often praised
- foodThe food was absolutely fantastic
- pizzaThe pizza had the perfect balance of a crispy crust, gooey cheese, and generous toppings
- Papa John'sMy experience at this Papa John's was exceptional. I believe it's one of the best Papa John's in the Bay. The cheese bread was particularly delicious.
- FoodFood:5
- Garlic BreadsticksPapa John’s Garlic Breadsticks are simply irresistible!
- Papa's Smashed Pepperoni PizzaI'll definitely be back on Tuesdays! The Papa's Smashed Pepperoni Pizza was a standout. The atmosphere and service were both excellent, rated 5/5.
- Philly PadillaThat philly Padilla what ever is called be Poppin
- Tuesday specialslearned about the Tuesday specials
- buttery goodnessMy experience at Papa John's was highlighted by their Garlic Breadsticks, which are simply irresistible! Each bite delivers a heavenly mix of buttery goodness and a perfect hint of garlic, making them an absolute standout on the menu. Truly, they are the crown jewel of Papa John's offerings, complemented only by their decadent dessert selections.
- cheeseCheese is good
Frequently criticized
- pizzaMy recent experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I used to manage a PJ’s about a decade ago, and it takes more effort to create a bad pie than a good one. The place was filled with employees, so perhaps it was training day or something.
- food qualitypizza with this poor of quality
- FoodFood:1
- pepperonipepperoni and the dough were rubbery
- pepperoni pizzaborderline burnt. Sorry girl but how do we mess up a pepperoni pizza?
- Garlic Knotsasked for Garlic Knots to be lite- cooked, but they refused
- New pizzawas also so thin it might as well been pizza sauce with cheese on a limp cracker.
- Papa John'sPapa John is nasty
- breadMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. When my pizza arrived, I was shocked to find that half of it was just bread. There was no sauce, no cheese, nothing on that half.
- cheeseWhen my pizza arrived, I was shocked to find that half of it was just bread. There was no sauce, no cheese, nothing on that half. It was a complete letdown.
If you're considering the food here, be prepared for a gamble. While some specific items might hit the spot, the overall quality is inconsistent and often disappointing. You might want to explore other options if consistent, high-quality food is your priority.
Service (3.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 77% of the guests
Despite an overall poor score of 3.5 and customer satisfaction at a low 25%, there are glimmers of excellent service. Many customers praised helpful managers and friendly staff for resolving order issues and making them feel welcome. Shout-outs also went to professional delivery drivers, quick delivery, and the convenience of being open late, as noted in 24 positive remarks.
However, the majority of feedback, with 68 negative comments, points to significant issues. Many reported rude service and a generally bad attitude from staff and customer service representatives. Complaints ranged from dismissive phone interactions and hung-up calls to disrespectful behavior from delivery drivers and even unhelpful managers, indicating a clear need for improvement.
Service
96
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
68
negative
4
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Helpful managers
- Friendly staff
- Quick delivery
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Poor customer service
- Dismissive phone calls
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by good and fast service. They are also open late, which is very convenient for anyone needing to buy food late in the day.
- staffThe staff here truly make you feel welcome and valued
- customer serviceThey made me a whole new pizza for free. Really great customer service.
- CarlosCarlos is outstanding. He is consistently kind and professional
- ServiceService:5
- deliveryI had placed a pizza order from a different establishment, and they bailed last minute. I frantically called this Papa John's and they accommodated my large request so QUICKLY and it all arrived with no troubles. My large event would have been a disaster if it wasn't for this Papa John's!
- delivery driverThe delivery driver was very nice and professional.
- delivery personWe had pizza delivered. The delivery person was very friendly. The pizzas were reasonably flavorful but were full of oil.
- efficiency and speedefficiency and rapidez no pedido e na entrega
- hospitalitygreeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality
Frequently criticized
- servicea bit disappointed with the service because the staff was really rushed
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was quite negative. I almost had a fight with the staff, which was a disgrace for the business. Based on this interaction, I would say this place would not be a good place to take out.
- deliverywaited for them when he said that it was on its way for over 45 minutes before I went back upstairs, and realized they weren’t gonna come.
- ordercanceled my order because the street was blocked
- ServiceService:1
- delivery orderAfter a mistake was made on my delivery order, the manager was very understanding and cool. They made me a whole new pizza for free.
- managerHe does not work ethically. He is shameless and not polite.
- notificationhow come they did not call me back to inform me
- Customer ServiceI had to call Customer Service
- DoorDash IDthey block did my doordash id
If you're considering this place, be aware that service is a real mixed bag, leaning heavily towards the negative. While some have had great experiences with helpful staff and quick delivery, many others faced rude and unprofessional interactions. Proceed with caution, especially if good customer service is a top priority for you.
Ambience (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
When it comes to the overall vibe, there are definitely some bright spots. Based on 5 positive comments, many customers appreciated the atmosphere, with some even giving it a solid 4 or 5 out of 5. The good location also frequently comes up as a plus, adding to the pleasant experience. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows.
With 4 negative comments, some found the atmosphere lacking, even rating it a 1. Concerns about the place in general and the parking situation, described as a joke with no parking', also weigh down the experience, contributing to an average score of 5.3 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 55.6%.
Ambience
9
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good atmosphere
- Good location
What people don't like
- Poor atmosphere
- No parking
Often praised
- atmosphereThe service and atmosphere were also very good
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- good locationgood location
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- parkingParking is a joke. There's no parking.
- placeIf you support delivery drivers, never order from this place, NEVER. Based on other reviews, it seems like it's not a good place at all.
If you're looking for a spot with a generally pleasant vibe and a good location, you might find something to like here. Just be prepared for a potentially average atmosphere and definitely plan ahead for parking, as that seems to be a real headache for some.
Value (3.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few customers have found some bright spots, noting reasonable prices and even describing it as excellent value for money for certain items. Some positive comments mention that prices used to be quite decent, suggesting that good deals might still be found if youre lucky. However, the overall sentiment for value is quite challenging, with a low score of 3.2 and customer satisfaction at a mere 14.3%, based on 21 customer comments (3 positive vs. 14 negative).
Many feel its over priced and a waste of money, citing issues like price gouging and the refusal to accept corp discounts or coupons.
Value
21
Reviews
14%
Satisfaction
14
negative
4
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Excellent value
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- No discounts accepted
- Obvious price gouging
Often praised
- excellent value for moneyExcelente custo benefício
- pricePrice is very reasonable
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant used to be great, with decent pizza at good prices. However, recently, the ingredients taste old and the overall quality has gone down.
Frequently criticized
- priceover priced for what you receive
- price gougingobvious price gouging
- waste of moneyit was trash, waste of money
- chargescharged me the amount of $53.66 four times
- conveniencepaid 50 bucks for a convenience that I did not even get
- corp discountsdoesn't accept any corp discounts
- couponsdoesn't accept any coupons
- gift cardwould have cut that card up
- suggested pricingMy experience at this Papa John's location was disappointing due to their pricing practices. This location does not accept any corp discounts or coupons or suggested pricing issued by the Papa John's company. When I called the manager to inquire, he stated that San Francisco charges 4% more sales tax.
If youre on the hunt for a great deal, this spot might leave you feeling disappointed, as many customers found the pricing steep and felt they didnt get their money's worth. Be prepared for potential issues with discounts and overall cost-effectiveness.
How are the prices at Papa Johns?
You’re looking at roughly 34 per person – reported by 40 diners. That puts it in the 31 – 40 € category. For a Pizzeria, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 34, the spending actually spreads out quite a bit. Many diners spend less, in the 1 – 30 € range, but there’s also a good number who go for a more premium experience, spending 41 € or more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 40 reviews.
Comparing this Pizzeria’s value for money against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Pizzeria, especially since there are options for different budgets. Its a good spot if youre looking for quality without necessarily breaking the bank, but also offers choices if you want to splurge a little.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Papa Johns
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Great Service and Late Hours
My experience at this restaurant was marked by good and fast service. They are also open late, which is very convenient for anyone needing to buy food late in the day.
- service9
- open late9
Service Intent
- Delivery
Visit Type
- Delivery
1
Rude Staff Ruined Delivery Pickup
I was at this restaurant to pick up a food delivery order for Uber Eats. The guy at the front desk, wearing big glasses, asked for the passenger's name. After I provided it, he asked for it again.
I showed him the passenger's name and order ID on my phone multiple times, but he kept insisting I show him the name. He was incredibly rude and disrespectful. I believe this employee is detrimental to the business.
He eventually told me to "get out of here! "
- guy at front desk1
- rude and disrespectful1
- employee1
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
10
Outstanding Service and Quality Pizza
My experience at this Papa John's was outstanding. Carlos provided consistently kind and professional service. The pizzas were always of excellent quality.
The service was reliable and satisfying every time, making it clear why this location is always in high demand. I highly recommend experiencing this Papa John's.
- Carlos10
- pizzas9
- service9
Service Intent
- Delivery
Visit Type
- Delivery
1
Terrible burnt pizza, inedible
I had a delivery yesterday that was the most burnt over cooked pizza I have had. Papa John's is nasty; I could not even eat it. It was not edible.
- pizza1
- Papa John's1
Service Intent
- Delivery
Visit Type
- Delivery
1
Pizza Bag, Scooter, No Pizza!
My experience was quite perplexing. I have a pizza bag and a scooter, but it doesn't even give me pizza. The service, atmosphere, and food were all rated a 1.
- pizza bag1
- scooter1
- pizza1
What Papa Johns offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Catering
- Dessert
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at Papa Johns?
You can enjoy dinner, lunch, or even catering services. They also offer dessert options to complete your meal, providing flexibility for various occasions.
What service options does Papa Johns provide?
For your convenience, Papa Johns offers no-contact delivery, takeout, and standard delivery services, ensuring you can get your pizza how you prefer, safely and easily.
How does Papa Johns generally perform according to customer feedback?
Papa Johns holds an overall Restaurant Score of 3.8, indicating an average performance that leans towards needing improvement. The Ambience (5.3) is its strongest point, while Food (4.1) is average. Service (3.5) and Value (3.2) are areas where customers frequently express dissatisfaction.
What do customers particularly enjoy about the food at Papa Johns?
Many customers appreciate the pizza for its balance and toppings, with specific praise for items like the Papa’s Smashed Pepperoni Pizza. The Garlic Breadsticks are frequently highlighted as an irresistible and delicious offering.
What are the main frustrations customers experience at Papa Johns?
Key frustrations include the perceived poor value for money, with some feeling prices are too high and discounts are not honored. Inconsistent service, including issues with staff and delivery, and difficulties with parking are also common complaints.