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oChef » Reem’s California – San Francisco
Reem's California - San Francisco
Photo from Reem’s California
Reem's California at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 56 of the guests
#1420 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#159 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
560
Reviews
71.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Good ambiance
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Poor value
- Small portions
- Hidden fees
The restaurant Reem’s California is a vibrant spot in San Francisco’s Mission District, where you can discover a diverse menu with healthy, vegan, and halal options. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, this casual and trendy eatery has you covered.
For a true taste of the neighborhood, Reem’s California Mission offers a unique culinary journey.
Overview: Introducting Reem's California
Reem’s California offers a culinary experience centered around its well-regarded food. Guests often praise the friendly staff and the generally pleasant ambiance, describing it as a cute, bright space that feels welcoming.
However, some visitors have noted concerns regarding the overall value, citing small portions for the price. There have also been occasional remarks about service efficiency and unexpected additional charges.
Good
7.3
out of 10
560
Reviews
71.4%
Satisfaction
128
negative
32
neutral
400
positive
Reem’s California generally earns a good overall score of 7.3, with customer satisfaction also landing in the good range at 71.4%. This assessment is drawn from a substantial 560 customer remarks, comprising 400 positive and 128 negative observations.
The Food (7.9) stands out as a clear strength, frequently highlighted by patrons. The Ambience (7.8) also contributes positively to the experience, often described as inviting.
However, Service (6.2) appears to be a more mixed bag, while Value (3.1) is consistently identified as an area needing significant attention.
What people like
- Delicious fresh food
- Pleasant bright ambiance
- Friendly attentive staff
What people don't like
- Poor value for money
- Small portion sizes
- Unexpected service charges
If you prioritize well-prepared food and a pleasant setting, Reem’s California is worth considering. The culinary offerings are a definite draw, and the atmosphere generally contributes to an enjoyable visit.
However, be mindful of the pricing and portion sizes, which some find disproportionate. With a solid recommendation score of 7.5, it’s a place to try if you’re prepared for these trade-offs.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Reem's California
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, diners are generally thrilled, with a good score of 7.9 and a good customer satisfaction of 80.5%. Many of the 302 positive comments rave about delicious items like the shakshuka, fresh bread, and authentic mana'eesh. The falafel also gets a lot of love for its flavor and freshness.
However, not everyone leaves completely satisfied, as seen in 52 negative remarks. Some guests felt the portion sizes were too small for the price, and a few noted a lack of flavor in certain dishes. There were also concerns about the quality of some items, particularly the pita, which occasionally disappointed.
Food
375
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
52
negative
21
neutral
302
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious mana'eesh
- Freshly baked bread
- Flavorful shakshuka
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Inconsistent flavor
- Pita quality issues
Often praised
- foodThis is a very sweet restaurant. The lady at the counter was honestly so sweet, and the food tasted amazing! There was a bit of a long wait for a salad, even though not many people were there, but it was worth it.
- Pali Caliwe ordered the Lahm Bi Ajeen, Pali Cali, El Corniche & Za'atar flatbreads
- falafelknow a Mediterranean place is good from their falafel
- FoodFood:5
- flatbreadPair with a flatbread of your choice. đź‘Ś
- lemonadeThe lemonade was tart with a little sweetness
- muhammaraThe muhammara & baga ganoush are fantastic
- pastriesthe pastries are so good
- shakshukaThe shakshuka was great. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the sauce + bread were really great.
- vegetarian optionsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially for vegetarians. I was impressed by the lovely variety of vegetarian options available. Everything tasted freshly made, and it was evident that they care about their ingredients and their workers.
Frequently criticized
- portionsvery high for small portions
- falafel wrapThe Pali-Cali was nothing special; for $21, I expected chicken but received arugula, pickled onions, and a marinated chicken flavor on flatbread. The falafel wrap was too simple, and while the falafel itself was excellent, the combination with other ingredients felt dry and boring. Adding more tahini would improve it.
- foodThe food was average and costly
- pitaevery pita you have in the rest of your life will seem sad
- pita breadwish we received more then one pita bread for it
- portion sizeI found it to be a good place to try out mid eastern taste. However, the portion size is kinda small for the price, which was a bit disappointing. Additionally, the seating is very limited, so reservations are recommended.
- 'akawye cheesethey barely put 3akawye cheese
- Arabic breakfastthe worst Arabic breakfast I’ve ever had
- Cheese man’ousheCheese man’oushe: desabrido and boring
- Man2oucheyou get it old and full of oils. It tastes few days old!
Overall, if you're looking for flavorful Middle Eastern cuisine with many standout dishes, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some find the portions a bit small, but the quality and taste often make up for it.
Service (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot seems to offer a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.2 indicating an average experience and customer satisfaction sitting at a 53.7% mixed level. Based on 82 customer observations, many appreciate the friendly staff and warm service, often highlighting great service from attentive employees who offer good recommendations. The worker owned ethos and community support also resonate positively, with some appreciating the efficient order ahead and pickup options.
However, a significant number of customers (31 negative mentions) encountered slow service and issues like an unpleasant hostess. Some found the expectation to bus your own tables and clean up frustrating, alongside concerns about limited flatware and confusing tipping options. There are also strong negative remarks about perceived discriminatory practices from the staff.
Service
82
Reviews
53%
Satisfaction
31
negative
7
neutral
44
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, warm staff
- Efficient online ordering
- Community-focused ethos
What people don't like
- Slow, negligible service
- Self-service expectations
- Discriminatory practices
Often praised
- staffThe staff is super friendly, diligent and attentive
- ServiceService:5
- serviceservice is attentive and friendly
- friendly staffVery friendly staff
- always deliversalways delivers
- amazing chefsMy experience at this restaurant was truly the best! Reem and her entire team are amazing chefs and community members. They are always supporting the community and bringing folks together over the most delicious food and drink 🫶🏼🙏🏼.
- bicycle coopworker owned, bicycle coop
- community membersamazing community members
- ethosadmire their ethos of paying the staff a fair living wage
- gentleman who helpedthe gentleman who helped me was very nice
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was below average
- 25 minutesafter waiting almost 25 minutes I asked the food runner
- appThe food was good, but not great. A significant issue arose with the service charge; a 20% gratuity was automatically added to the bill when ordering through the app. When I inquired, I was told it was posted on the window, but I couldn't find this sign among the other postings.
- basic dutyTaking my order from the window is a basic duty
- bus your own tablesYou bus your own tables here
- businessdon’t spend your money in places that don’t appreciate your business.
- business practicesthis goes to show they way they do business.
- clean your tableclean your table yourself
- discriminatory practicesstill discriminating against vaxxed and unvaxxed
- dishes and silverwarethey took all of our dishes and silverware without asking
If you value a friendly, community-focused vibe and dont mind a potentially self-service approach, you might find the service acceptable. However, be prepared for possible delays or inconsistencies, and be aware of some strong negative feedback regarding certain practices. Its a place with clear pros and cons in its service delivery.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
The ambiance here generally hits the mark, earning a 7.8 score and a solid 84.7% customer satisfaction. With 50 positive remarks out of 59 total, guests frequently praise the cute, bright space, welcoming atmosphere, and plenty of outdoor seating, often noting its lively energy and rustic charm, cleanliness, and great music. However, a few of the 8 negative comments point to some minor issues.
Some found the seating uncomfortable or limited, while others mentioned a persistent high-pitched sound or loud musician. A few also felt the place lacked certain Arabic vibes or gave off unwelcoming vibes.
Ambience
59
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
50
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cute, bright space
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Plenty outdoor seating
What people don't like
- Loud, high-pitched sound
- Uncomfortable, small tables
- Unwelcoming vibes felt
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere feel much safer and chilled out
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceThe ambiance was great
- musicGreat music and atmosphere
- ambiencegood ambience
- beautiful visionsurrounding your food with a beautiful vision and happy employees
- bright spaceI would visit again with an Inkind App discount, but otherwise, it's simply overpriced and not worth it. On a positive note, the space is very cute, bright, and offers a great view of Mission Street. We also found free parking a block away on Shotwell.
- bringing folks togetherReem and her entire team are amazing chefs and community members. They are always supporting the community and bringing folks together over the most delicious food and drink 🫶🏼🙏🏼.
- cafeThe cafe is overall cute
- casual atmosphereVery good food served in a casual atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Arabic vibesyou don’t feel the Arabic vibes in the restaurant
- dining experiencevery underwhelming dining experience
- high pitched soundhigh pitched sound persistently coming from the kitchen area
- musicianthe musician was loud
- parkingSomewhat difficult to find parking
- seatingHowever, the portion size is kinda small for the price, which was a bit disappointing. Additionally, the seating is very limited, so reservations are recommended.
- tablesthe tables are pretty small and uncomfortable
- unwelcoming vibesBig unwelcoming vibes
Overall, if youre looking for a cute, welcoming spot with good outdoor options and a lively feel, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that seating might be a bit snug, and there could be some background noise, but its generally a pleasant experience.
Value (3.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, its a bit of a head-scratcher here! While customer satisfaction is an impressive 9.1 (excellent), the overall score for value sits at a rather low 3.1 (poor). Some folks did appreciate finding the food affordable and even snagging some free parking, which is always a plus.
These positive sentiments, though few, highlight that some diners found aspects of their experience to be budget-friendly. However, the overwhelming sentiment, based on 37 negative opinions out of 44 total, points to significant concerns about the price. Many felt the portion sizes were too small for the cost, and theres a lot of chatter about various surcharges, especially the Worker Resilience Charge, which often led to feelings of the meal being overpriced and a lack of transparency regarding these added fees.
It seems these extra costs really impacted the perceived value.
Value
44
Reviews
9%
Satisfaction
37
negative
3
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Food affordable
- Free parking available
What people don't like
- High prices
- Worker Resilience Charge
- Small portion sizes
- Lack of transparency
Often praised
- Worker's Resilience ChargeReem’s dedication to her team continues with the 20% Worker’s Resilience Charge on each purchase.
- affordableThe restaurant is affordable
- foodThe food was super affordable
- free parkingwe did find free parking a block away
Frequently criticized
- priceI found it to be a good place to try out mid eastern taste. However, the portion size is kinda small for the price, which was a bit disappointing. Additionally, the seating is very limited, so reservations are recommended.
- service chargeenforce 20% on top of the bill for no reason
- 20% feeautomatic 20% fee added
- Employee Resilience Feecharge a 20% "Employee Resilience Fee"
- Worker Resilience ChargeI was not informed about an additional 21% added to my bill for takeout. This included a 20% "Worker Resilience Charge" and a 1% "Zero Food Print" charge. The most absurd part was being asked to tip on the total bill, which already included these significant upcharges, without any prior clear notification.
- Zero Food Print chargeI was not informed about an additional 21% added to my bill for takeout. This included a 20% "Worker Resilience Charge" and a 1% "Zero Food Print" charge. The most absurd part was being asked to tip on the total bill, which already included these significant upcharges, without any prior clear notification.
- add-on chargedidn't appreciate learning about the add-on charge
- billing issueMy experience at this restaurant was marred by a significant billing issue. They double charged my credit card, presenting two different amounts on the same day.
- carbon offset feeThere was also a nominal carbon offset fee… also odd
- credit cardMy experience at this restaurant was marred by a significant billing issue. They double charged my credit card, presenting two different amounts on the same day. This is not an acceptable way to manage business, especially during difficult times.
This spot presents a real dilemma: while many customers leave happy overall, the value proposition is a major sticking point. If youre sensitive to extra charges and portion sizes relative to price, you might find it disappointing; otherwise, the excellent customer satisfaction suggests theres still something to love.
How are the prices at Reem's California?
You’re looking at roughly 26 $ per person – reported by 56 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests tend to spend right in that sweet spot, with prices clustering nicely around the $21–$30 range. So, while there are a few cheaper and pricier options, the core experience is definitely mid-range.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 56 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Restaurant, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good mid-range option without breaking the bank, which is often a sweet spot for diners.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Reem's California
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Arab Food Outside Grandma's!
I rarely write reviews, but this experience was exceptional. The Arab food was the best I've had outside of my grandmother's home, with everything tasting incredibly authentic and delicious. The atmosphere was fantastic, complemented by great music.
They also offer incredible drinks and souvenirs for purchase. If it were possible, I would give more than 5 stars.
- Arab food10
- authentic10
- delicious10
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Reem's Mission: Nostalgic Kuwaiti Comfort Food
Whenever I feel nostalgic and miss Kuwait, I go to Reem's Mission. The atmosphere and music are great. I’ve dined in and ordered take out, and they always deliver.
My go-to is the Falafel Wrap, and The Pali Cali is delicious. I ordered the Cheese Man'oushe with and without cheese, and I love both. The Chocolate Chip Halawa Cookie is to die for – definitely don't skip it!
The Cardamom Cold Brew Coffee offers a classic Arabic coffee with a new twist. This place consistently delivers a great experience.
- atmosphere10
- music10
- Falafel Wrap10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
10
Absolutely Love This Place!
I can’t describe how much I love the food here and what this place represents ❤️ Thank you, Chef Reem!
- food10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Cozy Mediterranean Gem in the Mission
My experience at this cozy Mediterranean spot in San Francisco’s Mission District was wonderful. The restaurant beautifully blends rustic charm with vibrant flavors. I enjoyed their delicious mezze, perfectly cooked wood-fired kebabs, and fresh seafood.
The local wines and craft cocktails were excellent pairings. The warm service and lively energy made it a fantastic choice for a casual night out, and I can see why it's a favorite for celebrations.
- mezze8
- wood-fired kebabs9
- fresh seafood8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
7
Solid place, but pricey salad
My experience at this restaurant was mostly positive, with the food and atmosphere being solid. However, I found the pricing for the small watermelon and feta salad to be excessive, feeling like day time theft. Despite this, the overall experience was good.
- place9
- watermelon and feta salad2
- price1
What Reem's California offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Has changing table(s)
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Organic dishes
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dietary options does Reem's California Mission offer?
Reem’s California Mission in San Francisco’s Mission District provides a wide array of choices to suit various dietary needs. You’ll find healthy options, vegan options, organic dishes, and halal food, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone.
What are the service and dining options available at Reem's California Mission?
At Reem’s California Mission, you have several convenient service options including delivery, no-contact delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, and dine-in. You can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dessert, with seating available, and even outdoor seating for a pleasant experience.
How does Reem's California rate overall?
Reem’s California holds a good overall score of **7.3**. Its **Food** (7.9) and **Ambience** (7.8) are highly rated, while **Service** (6.2) is average, and **Value** (3.1) is a notable concern.
What do customers appreciate most about Reem's California?
Patrons frequently praise the delicious and fresh food, including excellent vegetarian options, along with the pleasant, bright atmosphere and friendly staff.
What are the common criticisms regarding Reem's California?
Key concerns often revolve around the perceived poor value for money, small portion sizes, and unexpected additional charges like the “Worker’s Resilience Charge.”