Highlights
- Live music
- Great beer selection
- Sports
oChef » Rudi’s – San Francisco
Rudi’s - San Francisco
Photo from Rudi’s
Rudi’s at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 19 of the guests
#1966 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#229 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
6.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
152
Reviews
63.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Tasty food
- Lively atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Mandatory charge
- High prices
The restaurant Rudi’s Sports Bar & Restaurant, located in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District, offers you a fantastic spot to unwind. As a full-service restaurant, you’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying live music.
Whether you’re catching a game or just looking for a great meal, this Mission District gem provides a welcoming experience. You can expect a lively environment with plenty to keep you entertained.
Overview: Introducting Rudi’s
Rudi’s offers a lively atmosphere and generally satisfying food, making it a decent spot for a casual outing. Many appreciate the Pittsburgh nostalgia and good energy that fills the space, often enhanced by friendly staff and a great happy hour .
However, potential visitors should be aware of some notable drawbacks. Concerns frequently arise regarding high prices and a mandatory 25% tip , which can impact the overall value.
There are also mentions of inconsistent service and specific policies, such as issues with tap water .
Good
6.5
out of 10
152
Reviews
63.2%
Satisfaction
52
negative
4
neutral
96
positive
Rudi’s achieves an overall Restaurant Score of 6.5, placing it in the average category. Customer Satisfaction stands at 63.2%, indicating a mixed reception among patrons.
These figures are drawn from 152 customer opinions, with 96 positive remarks balancing 52 negative ones. Looking closer at the specifics, the Ambience (8.2) and Food (7.7) are clearly strong points, earning good scores.
However, Service (5.7) is perceived as average, and Value (3.3) falls into the poor category, suggesting that while the experience can be enjoyable, the cost-to-benefit ratio is a significant consideration for many.
What people like
- Tasty bar food
- Lively atmosphere
- Good happy hour
What people don't like
- Mandatory service charge
- High prices
- Water policy issues
If you’re seeking a bar with a vibrant atmosphere and solid bar food, Rudi’s could be a suitable choice, especially if you can take advantage of their happy hour. The Recommendation Score of 6.7 suggests it’s worth considering for its strengths in ambiance and food quality.
However, be prepared for potential issues with pricing and service policies, particularly the mandatory service charge and water availability. It’s a place that might hit the mark for some, but others may find the value proposition challenging.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Rudi’s
Food (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
The food here generally hits the spot, earning a good 7.7 score and a 78% customer satisfaction. Many of the 39 positive remarks out of 50 total rave about the famous sandwiches, especially the Buffalo wings, cheeseburger, and delicious fries with Old Bay seasoning. It seems like a solid choice for a tasty meal.
However, there are 7 negative comments to consider. Some diners have noted a decline in the quality of the Pittsburgh style sandwich, specifically mentioning issues with the bread no longer being fresh, oily slaw, and less lean steak. A few even brought up concerns about cultural appropriation regarding this dish.
Food
50
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
7
negative
4
neutral
39
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Famous sandwiches shine
- Excellent Buffalo wings
- Delicious Old Bay fries
What people don't like
- Pittsburgh sandwich degraded
- Bread quality declined
- Oily slaw noted
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was positive. I found it to be a good bar with tasty food and friendly staff. It's especially good if you are a football fan.
- sandwichesMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, offering the same fantastic sandwiches I enjoyed at Giordano Bros. The establishment boasts a good selection of beer and the staff were friendly.
- buffalo wingsI can thoroughly recommend the buffalo wings
- drinksamazing drinks
- friesthe fries are tossed in Old Bay seasoning
- Buffalo wingsThe Buffalo wings were excellent
- FoodFood:5
- Old Bay seasoningtossed in Old Bay seasoning now. Delicious!
- Pittsburgh sandwichof course the Pittsburgh sandwich
- Rudi'sIt’s the same, except better
Frequently criticized
- Pgh style sandwichPgh style sandwich and it was not even close
- Pittsburgh style sandwichThe quality of the Pittsburgh style sandwich has degraded
- breadthe bread is no longer fresh and soaking everything up
- cultural appropriationSome people would call this cultural appropriation
- foodMy issue was with the food
- slawThe wings are now 2-3x the price they were not too long ago. The quality of the Pittsburgh style sandwich has degraded; the bread is no longer fresh and soaking up the ingredients, the slaw is really oily, and the steak is not as lean. The staff is mostly on their phones with club music bumping for an empty bar, which used to be packed with Sat/Sun football fans.
- steakThe wings are now 2-3x the price they were not too long ago. The quality of the Pittsburgh style sandwich has degraded; the bread is no longer fresh and soaking up the ingredients, the slaw is really oily, and the steak is not as lean. The staff is mostly on their phones with club music bumping for an empty bar, which used to be packed with Sat/Sun football fans.
If you're looking for tasty wings, a great cheeseburger, or unique sandwiches (other than the Pittsburgh style, perhaps), this spot is worth a try. Just be aware that some feel the quality of their famous Pittsburgh sandwich has slipped, so you might want to explore other menu items.
Service (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 78% of the guests
When it comes to service, theres definitely a bright side! Many of the 27 positive opinions out of 49 total experiences praise the friendly staff, great bartenders like DezLee and Steve, and even the owners kindness. Guests often felt satisfied and appreciated the excellent service, making friends with the team.
However, the service isnt without its challenges, contributing to an average score of 5.7 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 55.1%. Some of the 22 negative experiences mention staff on phones, long waits for drinks, and issues with tap water. There were also serious concerns about racial profiling and an owner being hostile or unprofessional'.
Service
49
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
22
negative
0
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Great bartenders
- Kind owner
What people don't like
- Racial profiling
- Hostile owner
- Inattentive staff
Often praised
- bartenderIt appeared they were regulars watching the Pittsburgh Penguins game, suggesting it's a big Pittsburgh fan bar. My bartender was really nice and provided great service. They have a great happy hour from 4: 00 to 6: 00 with half off beers and appetizers.
- serviceThe service was excellent
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was positive. I found it to be a good bar with tasty food and friendly staff. It's especially good if you are a football fan.
- ownerthe owner was nothing but pure kindness
- staff and ownerPersonable experienced staff and owner
- Rudihe’s hilarious
- ServiceService:5
- The CookI did meet The Cook
- barpeopleLuna and Steve are great barpeople
- bartender DezLeegreat bartender name DezLee on sunday and monday
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the service. While the bar itself is quite nice and offers a great selection of craft beer on draft, the service was terrible. There's a mandatory 25% tip included on all orders, yet I had to wave down the server multiple times and even get up to talk to them just to order a beer.
- tap waterMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the service. Despite ordering a round of 4 beers and 4 shots, the staff refused to give me a tap water. Their excuse was, “if we gave one person water we’d have to give everyone water.
- Racial Profilingexperienced the worst "Racial Profiling"
- bartenderone bartender and one waitress
- glass of waterThey will not give you a glass of water
- loyal customersunprofessional in regards to how he's treating his loyal customers
- ownerThe owner is very weird about water and mean
- owner RudiOwner, Rudi. Rudi was very hostile and disrespectful
- policyRudi's Sports Bar & Restaurant policy to charge customer's upfront
- quality checkNo quality check on food
Overall, the service here seems to be a bit of a gamble. If you catch them on a good day, you might enjoy friendly staff and great bartenders. But be prepared for potential waits, water issues, and some serious concerns about professionalism, especially if you value consistent, attentive service.
Ambience (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8.2 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 90.3%, guests rave about the vibrant atmosphere. Many appreciate it as one of the more hockey friendly bars, boasting large TVs for sports, and a fantastic good energy that makes everyone feel at home.
Plus, the addition of live mic and euchre nights adds to the fun, as noted in 28 positive remarks out of 31 total. However, not everything is perfect. A few of the 3 negative comments mention concerns about club music playing when the bar is empty, which some feel detracts from the desired yinzer bar vibe.
Theres also a note about a new policy requiring bottled water, which one guest found to be a disappointing environmental action.
Ambience
31
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great sports atmosphere
- Lively, fun events
- Awesome overall vibe
What people don't like
- Loud club music
- No tap water
- Lost local feel
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere is awesome!
- barThe bar itself is quite nice
- funMy experience at Rudi's in San Francisco was awesome! We had the time of our lives and it was so fun. We will definitely be back for Open Mic.
- placeI love this place and really happy it’s coming back!
- Pittsburgh nostalgiaPittsburgh nostalgia on the walls too!
- PlayStation 5have a PlayStation 5 available for customers to play
- ambiancethe overall ambiance is on point.
- euchre nightseuchre nights too! 💪🏼
- good energylots of good energy
- good timealways a good time after you get a drink
Frequently criticized
- club musicThe quality of the Pittsburgh style sandwich has degraded; the bread is no longer fresh and soaking up the ingredients, the slaw is really oily, and the steak is not as lean. The staff is mostly on their phones with club music bumping for an empty bar, which used to be packed with Sat/Sun football fans. Other than the paraphernalia and the sandwich, this really isn't a yinzer bar anymore.
- environmental actionMy experience at this restaurant was marked by great vibes, but I was frustrated that they wouldn't serve tap water, even upon request. They were implementing a new rule that required purchasing bottled water, which is a disappointing environmental action from a local SF business.
- yinzer barthis really isn’t a yinzer bar anymore
If you're looking for a lively spot with great sports viewing, fun events, and a generally awesome vibe, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that the music choice might not always hit the mark for everyone, and you might need to buy bottled water.
Value (3.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
When we talk about value, it's a bit of a head-scratcher. While customer satisfaction is an excellent 9.1, the overall score for value sits at a poor 3.3. Based on 22 comments, with only 2 positive remarks, the main upsides are a well-regarded happy hour offering half-off beers and appetizers, and some guests even appreciate the 25% service charge as a way to support staff.
However, the overwhelming sentiment, with 20 negative remarks, points to significant concerns. Many find the food prices high, and the mandatory 25% tip or service fee is a major sticking point. Other issues include expensive draft beers, mixed drinks, and unexpected extra charges like bottled water, making the overall experience feel pricey.
Value
22
Reviews
9%
Satisfaction
20
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour
- Supports staff
What people don't like
- Pay mandatory tip
- High prices overall
- Unexpected extra charges
Often praised
- happy hourgreat happy hour from 4:00 to 6:00 with half off beers and appetizers
- service charge25% service charge on everything to pay the staff which I think is great
Frequently criticized
- service feefelt more like a service fee than an added gratuity
- 25% tipIt’s ok though…the reason for 3 stars is this. They have a 25% tip that is mandatory and added on. This tip gets divided up to the kitchen, bartenders, servers….
- FoodFood is fairly pricey as well
- advance paymentAnd owner Rudi. We were unexpectedly forced to pay before ordering our food, after already paying for our drinks. Steve R.
- bottled waterhad to purchase bottled water
- draft beersDraft beers are already priced high for the brand of beer served
- expensiveVery expensive
- extra chargescharge you an extra $2 for a mix drink
- food pricesFood prices are a little high
- glassesthey also come in like 12 oz glasses I'm pretty sure
If you're looking for a great happy hour, you might find some value here. However, be prepared for potentially high food and drink prices, and definitely factor in the mandatory 25% service charge before you go.
How are the prices at Rudi’s?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 19 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.
Looking at what people usually spend, most diners are paying between 11 – 30 $, with a few opting for slightly cheaper or more premium experiences.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 19 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good mid-range option without breaking the bank, and the slight spread in prices means there’s likely something for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Rudi’s
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Oakland Staple - Delivers What It Promises
My experience at this Oakland staple was excellent. It's conveniently located just a block away from Pixar studios. I believe this restaurant sets the standard for what dining experiences should be because they deliver exactly what they advertise, ensuring no one is misguided or experiences disappointment.
Overall, I was quite happy after eating here. Thank you.
- deliver exactly what they advertise10
- quite happy9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Pittsburgh Style Sandwich
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. The service was fine and the place was clean. However, my main issue was with the food.
I ordered the Pgh style sandwich, and it was not even close to authentic. It's disappointing when a restaurant claims to offer a specific regional style of food but doesn't get it right, especially for $20. Some might even consider this cultural appropriation.
I suggest removing the sandwich from the menu, similar to how the pierogies were removed, and taking down the Pittsburgh memorabilia from the walls. This was very upsetting, especially considering how long Giordano's used to get it correct.
- service7
- place8
- food2
- Pgh style sandwich1
- cultural appropriation2
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Top Notch Drinks, Food, and Service!
My first visit to this restaurant was a pleasant surprise. Although it wasn't busy, it should have been, given the top-notch drinks and food. The bartender, Steve, was fabulous, making me a new regular.
The experience was excellent across the board, with Service, Atmosphere, and Food all receiving a perfect score.
- drinks10
- food10
- bartender10
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Happy Hour Pricing Disappointing
I used to love this bar, but my recent experience was disappointing. While the service, atmosphere, and food were rated positively (1/5), the pricing for mixed drinks during happy hour was a major letdown. I was charged an extra $2 for a mix drink, making a Jack and Coke $12 even with happy hour pricing.
This lack of transparency with extra charges is unexpected.
- mixed drink2
- happy hour pricing3
- extra charges2
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Refused Tap Water with Large Order
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the service. Despite ordering a round of 4 beers and 4 shots, the staff refused to give me a tap water. Their excuse was, “if we gave one person water we’d have to give everyone water.
” This seemed like an unreasonable response given the size of our order.
- tap water1
What Rudi’s offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and entertainment can you expect at Rudi’s Sports Bar & Restaurant?
At Rudi’s Sports Bar & Restaurant, you’ll find a casual and welcoming atmosphere. You can enjoy live music, catch your favorite sports, and choose from a great beer selection. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxed outing in the Mission District.
What service and accessibility options are available at Rudi’s Sports Bar & Restaurant?
Rudi’s Sports Bar & Restaurant offers convenient service options including outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and delivery. You’ll also find excellent accessibility with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
How does Rudi's generally rate with customers?
Rudi’s holds a 6.5 overall score, with Customer Satisfaction at 63.2%. While Ambience (8.2) and Food (7.7) are well-regarded, Service (5.7) is average, and Value (3.3) is a notable concern.
What can I expect from the atmosphere and food at Rudi's?
You can anticipate a lively and fun atmosphere, with many appreciating the Pittsburgh nostalgia and good energy . The food, including fantastic sandwiches and excellent buffalo wings , is generally well-received.
Are there any common concerns visitors have about Rudi's?
Some patrons express concerns about the value , citing high prices for food and drinks, and a mandatory 25% tip . There are also mentions of issues with tap water availability and inconsistent service .