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oChef » Sweet Basil – San Francisco
Sweet Basil - San Francisco
Photo from Sweet Basil
Sweet Basil at a glance
San Francisco Bernal Heights
- 🌶️ Thai Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 14 of the guests
#2047 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#42 Thai Restaurant out of 46 in San Francisco
Good
6.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
251
Reviews
63.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- pleasant ambiance
- friendly service
- affordable lunch
Frequently criticized
- inconsistent food
- small portions
- parking issues
The restaurant, a delightful Thai Restaurant in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood, invites you to experience its cozy atmosphere. At Sweet Basil, you’ll discover a menu rich with healthy, vegan, and vegetarian options, perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely dinner.
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine offers a welcoming environment for everyone, including families with kids.
Overview: Introducting Sweet Basil
Sweet Basil offers a dining experience where the ambience often receives praise for its pleasant feel and decor. Many appreciate the staff for their friendly demeanor and efficient service, making for a generally smooth visit.
However, opinions on the food can be quite varied, with some finding dishes delicious while others report issues like small portions or unexpected flavors. The value proposition also sees mixed reactions, with some finding it affordable and others feeling the price doesn’t match the offering.
Good
6.4
out of 10
251
Reviews
63.3%
Satisfaction
80
negative
12
neutral
159
positive
Overall, Sweet Basil registers a 6.4 score, placing it squarely in the average category. Customer satisfaction stands at a mixed 63.3%, indicating that while many patrons leave content, a notable portion has reservations.
This assessment is drawn from 251 customer remarks, with 159 positive observations balancing against 80 negative ones. Diving deeper, Ambience scores highest at (6.9), suggesting a generally pleasant setting.
The Food (6.5) also lands in the average range, despite being the most frequently discussed aspect. Service (6.1) follows suit, while Value (5.8) is perceived as slightly lower, indicating some concerns about pricing relative to the offering.
What people like
- Pleasant ambiance
- Friendly, quick service
- Affordable lunch options
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Small portions
- Parking difficulties
With a recommendation score of 6.5, Sweet Basil presents itself as a place with potential, particularly if you’re seeking a pleasant atmosphere and friendly service. It could be a good option for a casual meal, especially if you catch one of their affordable lunch specials.
However, be mindful that the food quality can be inconsistent, and portions might be smaller than expected. If you prioritize a consistent culinary experience above all else, you might want to manage your expectations or explore other options.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Sweet Basil
Food (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.5 indicating its generally average to good, but customer satisfaction sitting at 64.3%, suggesting some mixed feelings. Out of 157 customer remarks, 101 were positive, often praising the tasty Thai cuisine, food quality, and generous portions. Many found dishes like Green Curry and Pad Thai flavorful and satisfying, with good presentation and refreshing Thai iced tea.
However, 50 remarks pointed to areas needing improvement. Some found curries watery or lacking flavor, with small portions being a recurring concern. Issues like ketchup in Pad Thai, inconsistent spice levels, and undercooked ingredients were also mentioned, indicating that while some dishes shine, consistency can be an issue.
Food
157
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
50
negative
6
neutral
101
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Tasty Thai cuisine
- Good food quality
- Flavorful curries
What people don't like
- Watery curries
- Small portions
- Inconsistent flavor
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was truly outstanding! The staff goes to great lengths to prepare very tasty, very beautiful food. In a town with many Thai options, this place truly stands out.
- Pad ThaiPad Thai are a couple of my favorites
- Green Curryand the Green Curry.
- Thai foodbest Thai food I've had in a while
- Thai iced teai love love the Thai iced tea for $2
- curryMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially considering the great price, particularly for their current $12 lunch special entrees. I thoroughly enjoyed the delicious pad see ew, curry, and pad woonsen. The thai iced tea was also very refreshing.
- fried noodleshow good the curry and fried noodles are
- pad thaiWe ordered pad thai... Very tasty.
- riceBest thing was the rice
- vegan optionslot of vegan options to choose from
Frequently criticized
- Pad ThaiMy experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. The Pad Thai had ketchup in it, which was unexpected and not to my taste. The soup was over salted, making it unpleasant to eat.
- curryWithout any added meats, and surprisingly, rice wasn't included with the entrees, the total came to just over $80. The portions were incredibly small, the entrees were watery, and the curry had an odd taste. I won't be returning.
- chickenMy experience was a lonely Christmas night with takeout that was far from ideal. The potatoes were undercooked, the curry soup was watery, and there was an abundance of raw sliced onion with absent chicken. This was the 1st and last time ordering here.
- entrees1of2 entrees was completely wrong
- food qualityQuality was not as good as other options in the area
- Pad KrapowThe “Pad Krapow” is not really that at all.
- Pad Thai noodlesdry ass Pad Thai unflavored noodles
- Thai spicyif you ask for it 'thai spicy (a 5 on their scale) it's really, really spicy
- beefThe beef is not minced, doesn’t come with rice, extremely watery, full of onions and bell peppers and barely any beef.
- canned pineapplerice with a bit of canned pineapple
If you're looking for a casual Thai meal and are willing to navigate a potentially inconsistent experience, you might find some tasty dishes here. However, be mindful of the mixed feedback on portion sizes and flavor consistency, especially with curries and Pad Thai.
Service (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
Many customers have highlighted the quick service and friendly staff, with some appreciating the chef coming out to greet them or an easy order process. With 29 positive remarks out of 48 total, it seems a good number of guests had a pleasant experience. However, the overall service score sits at an 6.1, placing it in the average range, and customer satisfaction is a 60.4% mixed bag.
Some guests faced issues like slow service, rude staff, wrong orders, or ignored special requests, as noted in 16 negative comments.
Service
48
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
16
negative
3
neutral
29
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Easy ordering
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Rude staff
- Wrong orders
Often praised
- serviceWe've generally had better luck with the stir fries and fried noodles than the curries, which lack a bit of punch. The service is quick and friendly, and the décor is nice. It's a really nice spot!
- staffThe staff is very friendly.
- ServiceService:5
- chefChef came out and greeted us
- delivery speedfood came pretty fast
- enjoyed their jobEveryone seems to enjoy their job.
- getting a tablegetting a table was no problem
- order processEasy order process.
- order readyhave your order ready in 15 minutes
- serverFriendly server
Frequently criticized
- serviceservice was unhelpful and uninspiring
- attitudeThe waitress always had an attitude
- blocking methey are blocking / black listing me from this restaurant
- customertreat a costumer like they aren't valued
- deliveryShe did not leave the food at the door
- emailI emailed them and no response
- managertheir manager insinuates that we are an idiot
- napkinsNo napkins tho
- order was wrongSome of order was wrong
- phoneI called and no answer
If youre looking for quick service and friendly faces, you might be in luck, but be prepared for a potentially mixed experience. While many enjoy the staff, theres a chance of encountering slow service or order hiccups, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
Looking for a pleasant spot? Guests often rave about the cozy dining environment, describing it as a peaceful space with beautiful interior space and décor. With a solid score of 6.9 and customer satisfaction at 72.7%, it seems many find the overall ambiance quite good, based on 16 positive remarks.
However, not everyone is completely charmed. Some found the decor to be a bit awkward or cheap, and a few wished for outdoor seating. The biggest concern, mentioned in 5 negative comments, seems to be the challenging parking situation nearby, which can be a major issue.
Ambience
22
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy dining environment
- Beautiful interior decor
- Peaceful atmosphere
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- No outdoor seating
- Awkward decor
Often praised
- atmosphereservice and atmosphere. Will be back!
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- ambiancenice ambiance
- beautiful interior spaceit's a beautiful interior space, too
- big group celebrationBest place for big group celebration
- cute little placeCute little place with great food
- decorThe veggie curry was absolutely amazing. We also experienced great service and enjoyed the nice decor.
- dining environmenta chill dining environment
- décorthe décor is nice
- environmentNice environment.
Frequently criticized
- parkingA major issue was the parking situation. DO NOT PARK BEHIND THE BUILDING IN THE MARKED SPOTS. Google Maps lists a public parking lot for the restaurant, but it is NOT public.
- decordecor was likely intended to come across as sleek modern, but in the brief time I spent inside picking up the food, I experienced it as awkward combination of cheap and gaudy.
- outdoor seatingWish they had outdoor seating
- placeThis place needs to be shut down by the health board.
Overall, if youre seeking a generally pleasant and cozy atmosphere, this place is worth a visit. Just be prepared for a potential scavenger hunt for parking, and dont expect outdoor seating. It's a good spot for a chill meal, but the parking might test your patience.
Value (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to value, many customers find some real gems here! With 13 positive opinions out of 24 total, folks often praise the affordable prices, lunch special deals, and even sweet deals on happy hour beer. While the overall score for value sits at an average 5.8, you can definitely find a budget-friendly date option, making it a decent choice for those looking to save a buck.
However, its not all sunshine and savings. There are 9 negative opinions, and customer satisfaction is a rather mixed 54.2%. Some guests have been caught off guard by outdated website prices or felt the overall price was too high for what they received.
Concerns about forced gratuity' also pop up, suggesting some unexpected costs.
Value
24
Reviews
54%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great lunch specials
- Sweet deals available
What people don't like
- Outdated website prices
- Unexpected high costs
- Forced gratuity
Often praised
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was that it's a great lunch spot with affordable prices. I ordered the red curry, requesting it "spicy, " but it didn't have a lot of heat.
- priceI was very surprised to see all the really poor reviews for this place, as it's my go-to spot. It’s cheaper than other most other Thai places nearby, and it’s delicious. The food is great, and I've always had a good experience here.
- $15AND its only $15
- affordableVery affordable, even with drinks
- budget-friendly datebudget friendly date
- cheap quality take outPerfect for cheap quality take out
- happy hour beerhappy hour beer's at a great place
- lunch speciallunch special, which included a main dish and a drink, was an incredible steal
- sweet dealsThey also have sweet deals
Frequently criticized
- pricewings of love for $15 and this is what I got
- $1515 bucks for six crab ragoons
- $17I payed $17 and change
- changedriver really didn't have more than $4 change
- forced gratuityWasn’t happy about the forced gratuity
- website pricesPrices on the website are really old!
If youre savvy and look for their lunch special or sweet deals, you can find good value here. However, be mindful of potential price discrepancies, especially online, and check for any forced gratuity' to avoid surprises.
How are the prices at Sweet Basil?
You’re looking at roughly 32 per person – reported by 14 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Thai Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 32, its interesting to see that diners spending habits are quite varied. We’ve got folks spending in the $11–$20 and $21–$30 ranges, but also a few venturing into the $41–$50 and even $71–$80 brackets. This suggests a menu with options for different budgets, not just a single price point.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 14 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Thai restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers flexibility for different budgets while maintaining a solid mid-range average.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Sweet Basil
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Excellent Food, Service, and Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I ordered the Pad Thai and my girlfriend got the Pad See Ew. We also got a side of peanut sauce.
The food quality was excellent, as was the service and atmosphere. We will definitely be back!
- Pad Thai9
- Pad See Ew9
- peanut sauce9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Amazing Pad Kee Mao and Thai Iced Tea
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The lunch special, which included a main dish and a drink, was an incredible steal. I particularly enjoyed the pad kee mao, which had a delightful kick to it.
To complement the meal, the Thai iced tea was wonderfully refreshing.
- lunch special10
- pad kee mao9
- Thai iced tea8
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Experience, Small Portions, High Price
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The prices listed on the website were outdated. We ordered two sautéed dishes (entrees), one curry with brown rice, and one fresh roll.
Without any added meats, and surprisingly, rice wasn't included with the entrees, the total came to just over $80. The portions were incredibly small, the entrees were watery, and the curry had an odd taste. I won't be returning.
- website prices2
- sautéed dishes3
- curry3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Thai Lunch Special!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially considering the great price, particularly for their current $12 lunch special entrees. I thoroughly enjoyed the delicious pad see ew, curry, and pad woonsen. The thai iced tea was also very refreshing.
The friendly server and the chill dining environment made for a very pleasant meal.
- price9
- pad see ew10
- curry9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Scam! Wings nothing like expected.
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. I ordered the wings of love for $15, and what I received was nothing like the Foster City location. I would avoid this place at all costs; it's a scam!
- wings of love1
- price1
What Sweet Basil offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What kind of dining experience and service options can you expect at Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine?
At Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine, you can enjoy a cozy, casual, and quiet atmosphere perfect for lunch or dinner. They offer convenient service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, and dine-in, with table service available. Reservations are also accepted for your planning convenience.
Does Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine cater to specific dietary needs or offer accessibility features?
Yes, Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine provides a variety of healthy, vegan, and vegetarian options to suit different dietary preferences. For accessibility, the restaurant features a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for all guests.
How does Sweet Basil generally perform?
Sweet Basil holds an overall score of **6.4** with mixed customer satisfaction at **63.3%**. While **Ambience** (6.9) is a strong point, **Food** (6.5) and **Service** (6.1) are average, and **Value** (5.8) is a bit lower.
What can I expect from the food at Sweet Basil?
Opinions on the food are varied; some find it very tasty with good vegan options, but others report issues like inconsistent quality, small portions, or unexpected flavors in dishes like Pad Thai or curry.
Is Sweet Basil considered good value for money?
Many find Sweet Basil to offer affordable prices, especially for lunch specials. However, some customers have expressed concerns about pricing for certain items, small portions, or outdated website prices.