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oChef » Pizza Express – San Francisco
Pizza Express - San Francisco
Photo from Pizza Express
Pizza Express at a glance
San Francisco Bernal Heights
- 🍕 Pizzeria
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 18 of the guests
#1037 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#38 Pizzeria out of 115 in San Francisco
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
251
Reviews
74.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Pizza Quality
- Customer Service
- Good Value
Frequently criticized
- Outdated Dining
- Service Timing
- Unclear Pricing
The restaurant, Pizza Express, is a popular pizzeria nestled in the vibrant Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. You’ll find a casual and trendy spot perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Known for its delicious pizzas, it also stands out with a variety of thoughtful vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something tasty for everyone. Whether you’re grabbing lunch, dinner, or even dessert, you’re in for a treat.
Overview: Introducting Pizza Express
Pizza Express consistently delivers on its core offering, with many praising the quality of its pizza and the use of fresh ingredients. Guests often highlight the friendly customer service, making for a generally pleasant experience.
However, some aspects could use attention. The ambience is noted by a few as needing an update, and there are occasional concerns regarding waiting time for orders.
While the food is a strong point, some found the crust too thick or toppings dry.
Good
7.6
out of 10
251
Reviews
74.9%
Satisfaction
52
negative
11
neutral
188
positive
Overall, Pizza Express earns a solid Restaurant Score of 7.6, reflecting a generally good dining experience. This is supported by a Customer Satisfaction rate of 74.9%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
These figures are drawn from 251 customer observations, with a clear majority of 188 positive remarks outweighing 52 negative ones. The standout performer is Food (8), which customers consistently rate highly for its quality.
Service (7.2) also receives good marks, with staff often noted for their attentiveness. While still average, Ambience (6.6) and Value (6.4) suggest areas where improvements could further elevate the overall experience.
What people like
- Excellent Pizza Quality
- Attentive Customer Service
- Good Value for Money
What people don't like
- Outdated Dining Area
- Inconsistent Service Timing
- Unclear Pricing
Pizza Express, with a Recommendation Score of 7.9, is a solid choice if you’re primarily seeking quality pizza and appreciate friendly service. It’s a place that consistently delivers on its core product, making it a reliable option for a casual meal.
However, be mindful of potential service delays and the somewhat dated dining area. If these aspects are less critical for you, especially for takeout or a quick bite, Pizza Express remains a worthwhile visit for its well-regarded food.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Pizza Express
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place generally hits the spot, boasting a good score of 8 and a strong 81.1% customer satisfaction. Many of the 129 positive remarks out of 159 total opinions celebrate the BEST PIZZA with its thin crust and fresh ingredients, often highlighting the delicious ranch and balanced flavors. However, not every experience is perfect, with 27 critical comments pointing out some areas for improvement.
Concerns include artificial mozzarella, dry crust, and food arriving cold. A few also mentioned issues like too much cheese or bland sauce, suggesting occasional inconsistencies in quality.
Food
159
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
27
negative
3
neutral
129
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious pizza
- Fresh ingredients
- Crispy crust
What people don't like
- Food arrived cold
- Chewy crust
- Bland sauce
Often praised
- pizzaAs I sit on my couch eating leftovers, I figured I should write a review. Because that is the best thing about Pizza Express, their pizza makes the best leftovers, so always get a large. This place was recommended to me by an SF native as one of the best pizza places in Bernal Heights and was later told by my roommate, who is a foodie, that this is her go-to pizza restaurant as well.
- crustThe chicken was juicy, and all the toppings were in good proportion (my size portion). The crust was thick and crispy, perfect, not greasy. It was HELLA GOOD!
- foodService received a 4, indicating a good overall experience with the staff. The food, however, was a perfect 5, highlighting its exceptional quality.
- fresh ingredientsimpressed by the fresh ingredients used
- best pizzabest pizza on this side of San Francisco
- cookedperfectly cooked
- pepperoniyou can taste the pepperoni while eating it
- ranchtheir ranch is perfect
- ranch dressingtheir ranch dressing is OMG FABULOUS!!!
- slicesI've been going here since I was little and it's the best pizza. The slices are really huge and everything is always fresh. I love this place.
Frequently criticized
- pizzaMy experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly negative. I ordered pizza, which turned out to be the worst pizza ever. To make matters worse, my order was placed a long time ago, and I still had to wait for an additional half an hour on a Monday, which was incredibly inconvenient.
- crustI waited over an hour, and it was cold. The crust was really chewy, and not crispy, and delicious like it usually is. Hopefully, this is not the new norm for their pizza crust.
- 2 liters of sugar waterThey justified the higher cost by forcing a "deal" where you receive a 2-liter bottle of Coke or other soda. I came here for pizza, not 2 liters of sugar water.
- CrustI really wish their pizza was better since it's in such a convenient location. Crust is too thick and bread-y for my tastes and the toppings I've tried were dry and not great.
- artificial mozzarellaartificial mozzarella that looks and tastes like melted white plastic
- bbq onn itno bbq onn it only on the side
- breadthe bread was also dry
- cheeseWay too much cheese
- chickenchicken be dry no bbq onn it
- dessertsthe desserts are FROZEN! like hard!
If you're in the mood for a delicious pizza with fresh ingredients and a great crust, this spot is definitely worth checking out. While most experiences are positive, be aware that some customers have encountered issues like cold food or a chewy crust.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at 70.9%, it's clear many appreciate the effort. Based on 55 comments, with 39 positive remarks, patrons often praise the delivery service, employees, and staff for their service speed and friendly demeanor, making for a pleasant experience.
However, not everyone has had a perfect run. The 14 negative comments highlight some areas for improvement. Concerns include instances where they mess up my order, frustrating wait time and delivery time issues, and occasionally an attitude to the customer that left a sour taste.
It seems consistency can be a challenge.
Service
55
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
14
negative
2
neutral
39
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Fast, reliable delivery
- Excellent customer service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Incorrect orders
- Poor staff attitude
Often praised
- serviceThere are no high chairs, so my 2-year-old was constantly getting off and running through the very narrow path where the tables and entrance are. Overall, the service was excellent! Dessert could have been better if not frozen, but I will eat there again!
- customer servicecustomer service with each and every employee was outstanding
- staffThe staff is great and always there to meet my needs
- deliveryGreat pizza for delivery or sit down.
- ServiceService was Great!
- DeliveryThe Cortland Special and Bernal Special are my favorites. Delivery is not too bad; they called one time to say they were running a bit late, which was understandable since they called ahead. All my other deliveries were on time or sooner.
- JorgeJorge, uno de los cocineros y cajero a su vez, te hace sentir en casa
- Pizza ExpressAnother favorite is the BBQ ribs! Thank you for staying open during these hard times!
- Pizza Express customerMy experience at this restaurant has been consistently positive. It's always my favorite pizza place, and I've been a faithful Pizza Express customer since I was 5. The food quality and overall experience have kept me coming back for years.
- checkout personThe check out person as always very nice!
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceThe pizza was bland and lacked flavor, with barely any sauce. It was also very disappointing that the girl at the register was dry and lacked friendly customer service. My husband and I wanted to try this place in the past, but sorry to say we will not be returning, on top of the pizza and salad being overpriced.
- waiting timeI was disappointed in their pizza tonight. I waited over an hour, and it was cold. The crust was really chewy, and not crispy, and delicious like it usually is.
- attitude to the customerworst of it was the the attitude to the customer
- deliveryworst delivery ever!!
- delivery timepizza arrived after almost 3 hours!
- employeesEmployees are terrible they just say yes
- mess up my orderthey always mess up my order
- orderthey don’t take order correctly at all
- serviceThe chicken was dry and had no BBQ sauce on it, only on the side, which is not how it's supposed to be. The bread was also dry, and the service wasn’t great. 😞
- wait timeWait time was close to an hour
Overall, you can expect a good service experience here, especially with friendly staff and efficient delivery. While there are occasional hiccups with order accuracy and wait times, the positives generally outweigh the negatives, making it worth a try for a pleasant interaction.
Ambience (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
The atmosphere here often hits a nostalgic note, with many customers cherishing the tradition and childhood memories it evokes. Folks also appreciate the general cleanliness, including the restroom, and love the unique touch of seeing them making pizza right through the window. However, the vibe isn't universally loved.
Out of 20 observations, with 11 positive and 6 negative, the customer satisfaction is a 55% mixed bag, and the score hovers at an 6.6 average. Some feel the interior needs a good update and point out the lack of high chairs, which can be tough for families, along with small tables and a narrow path.
Ambience
20
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
6
negative
3
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean atmosphere
- Visible pizza making
- Nostalgic tradition
What people don't like
- Outdated interior
- No high chairs
- Small seating area
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- childhood memoriesbeen a fan since I was a child
- cleanlinessFresh and clean
- making pizzaLoved how you can see them thru the window making pizza
- placeThe place is super clean
- restroomThe restaurant has about 4 small tables inside that can seat only 10 people total. There is a restroom that's very clean; on my last trip, there were no toilet seat covers and no changing table. I ordered an xlarge pizza, half Salami and half Salami mushroom and olives, along with a 2-liter Hawaiian Punch, all for $36.
- sit-downGreat pizza for delivery or sit down.
- traditionEvery time I visit the city where I grew up in Bernal Heights, I have to grab a meal here. It's a tradition that brings back fond memories and consistently delivers a great experience.
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe restaurant needs an upgrade I know it's expensive they make good money on
- convenient locationI will be back for sure. I really wish their pizza was better since it's in such a convenient location. Crust is too thick and bread-y for my tastes and the toppings I've tried were dry and not great.
- high chairsThey have paper plates and plastic utensils, napkins, parmesan, and peppers. There are no high chairs, so my 2-year-old was constantly getting off and running through the very narrow path where the tables and entrance are. Overall, the service was excellent!
- large tablehardly a big enough table to sit and eat a whole pizza
- needs a good updatethe interior which needs a good update
- restaurant upgradethe restaurant needs an upgrade I know it's expensive they make good money on
If youre after a quick, nostalgic bite and dont mind a no-frills setting, this place could be a charming stop. However, if you're bringing little ones or expecting a modern, spacious dining experience, you might find it a bit challenging.
Value (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has some real fans! Many customers rave about the reasonable prices and affordable cost, often calling it a great deal or even the best deal in town. With 9 positive opinions out of 17 total, it seems many feel they get good value for the money here, contributing to an average score of 6.4.
However, not everyone is convinced, as customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 52.9%. Some diners encountered issues like unclear pricing on the menu or felt certain items, like the pizza and salad or cake, were overpriced. There were even mentions of prices posted being drastically different from what was charged, and some found a forced deal unappealing, leading to 5 negative opinions.
Value
17
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
5
negative
3
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great value
- Best deal
What people don't like
- Unclear pricing
- Overpriced items
- Price discrepancies
Often praised
- pricesI didn't actually eat here, but based on my observation, the clearly marked prices and the availability of slices to go would make a lot of sense for this area. It's especially relevant given the lack of other fast-casual food options, particularly late at night.
- PricesYou have to ask for toppings and utensils ahead of time since it's SF and we are all about conserving =). Prices are on spot as well, comparable to other pizza places.
- costcost to eat here is very reasonable and affordable
- dealthe best deal in town
- priceBest in the area for the price and service
- reasonably pricedreasonably priced and delicious pizza.
- splurgecome here and splurge. You'll be glad you did
- value for the moneya great value for the money
Frequently criticized
- cakethe cake is $3.99 each!
- dealforcing a "deal" where you get a 2 liter coke
- entire menuthe entire menu had no prices and looks like the prices were blacked out
- pizza and saladIt was also very disappointing that the girl at the register was dry and lacked friendly customer service. My husband and I wanted to try this place in the past, but sorry to say we will not be returning, on top of the pizza and salad being overpriced. Please don’t waste your money.
- prices postedPrices posted are drastically less expensive than actually charged
If you're looking for generally reasonable prices and a good deal, this place might be worth a shot. However, be sure to double-check the menu for clear pricing and confirm costs before ordering, as some items might feel overpriced or have unexpected charges.
How are the prices at Pizza Express?
You’re looking at roughly 23 per person – reported by 18 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Pizzeria, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most diners are spending in that $21–$30 range, right around the average. While there are some more budget-friendly options, a few guests have also gone for a much pricier experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 18 reviews.
See how this Pizzeria’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
We think this pricing feels pretty fair for a Pizzeria in San Francisco. It offers a good middle ground, not too cheap, not overly expensive.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Pizza Express
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
10
Amazing Pizza and Quick Delivery!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I absolutely loved the pizza; it's the best I've had in SF. The delivery was also really quick.
My favorite dish is the calzone with pesto and bacon, and their ranch is perfect. The food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect score of 5.
- pizza10
- delivery9
- calzone with pesto and bacon10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Pizza Express is my go-to
I'm always on the lookout for a great pizza in San Francisco. While North Beach is good, I'll stick with Pizza Express. My experience there was positive, and I found it to be a reliable choice for pizza.
- pizza8
- Pizza Express9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
10
Delicious Pizza, Long-Time Favorite!
I've been coming here for years, since middle school, and I'm now 29! PROPS TO THE CHEF TODAY! The crust is crisp and yet fluffy, and the overall pizza is delicious.
I ordered two smalls: one basic pepperoni with red sauce and a chicken with pesto sauce. It was a 10 out of 10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ experience. The checkout person was, as always, very nice!
- crust10
- pizza10
- checkout person10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Hidden Gem with Amazing Pizza
The place looks like an absolute hole in the wall, but they do make a good pizza. My experience was primarily focused on the food, which was excellent. The atmosphere was rated a 3, suggesting it's decent but not a standout feature.
Service received a 4, indicating a good overall experience with the staff. The food, however, was a perfect 5, highlighting its exceptional quality.
- pizza9
- food10
- atmosphere6
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Awesome Pizza and Delivery!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had awesome pizza and calzones. What really stood out was their own delivery service, which means no extra fees from predatory delivery apps.
It's a great way to enjoy their food without overpaying. The recommended dishes were Pepperoni and Sausage. The food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect 5/5 rating, and the price per person for dinner was between $20–30.
- pizza10
- calzones10
- delivery service10
What Pizza Express offers
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining options and atmosphere can you expect at Pizza Express?
At Pizza Express, you can enjoy a casual and trendy atmosphere, perfect for any meal. You’ll find dining options available for lunch, dinner, and even dessert. It’s also a great spot if you’re looking for a quick bite or a family-friendly outing, as it’s good for kids.
Does Pizza Express cater to specific dietary preferences and offer convenient service options?
Absolutely! Pizza Express prides itself on offering a diverse menu, including excellent vegan and vegetarian options to suit various dietary needs. For your convenience, you can choose from dine-in, delivery, or even no-contact delivery, making it easy to enjoy their delicious food.
What is the overall rating for Pizza Express and what are its strongest aspects?
Pizza Express holds a Restaurant Score of 7.6 and a Customer Satisfaction of 74.9%. Its strongest aspect is Food (8), followed by Service (7.2), while Ambience (6.6) and Value (6.4) are considered average.
What do customers particularly enjoy about the food at Pizza Express?
Many customers praise the pizza itself, highlighting its fresh ingredients, perfectly cooked nature, and crispy crust. The ranch dressing also receives specific positive mentions.
Are there any common concerns about the dining experience at Pizza Express?
Some patrons note that the ambience could use an upgrade, mentioning the small space and lack of amenities like high chairs. There are also occasional reports of long waiting time for orders and delivery.