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oChef » The Broken Record – San Francisco
The Broken Record - San Francisco
Photo from The Broken Record
The Broken Record at a glance
San Francisco Crocker-Amazon
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 4 of the guests
#906 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#66 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
187
Reviews
81.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Amazing kitchen
- Affordable drinks
- Lively atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- Atmosphere concerns
- Parking difficulty
The bar and pub The Broken Record invites you to experience a local favorite in San Francisco’s vibrant Crocker-Amazon neighborhood. This welcoming spot offers a classic bar and pub atmosphere where you can unwind and enjoy a variety of drinks and food.
Whether you’re looking for a casual evening out or a place to gather with friends, you’ll find a comfortable setting here.
Overview: Introducting The Broken Record
The Broken Record offers a lively spot where many appreciate its amazing kitchen and the overall great vibe. Guests often find the food to be a solid choice, especially for a casual setting, complemented by a decent whiskey selection and local brews.
However, some experiences point to occasional issues with bad attitude from staff, and the atmosphere can sometimes be described as a grimey SF bar or even smelled funky. Despite these points, the cheap drinks are a consistent draw.
Good
7.7
out of 10
187
Reviews
81.3%
Satisfaction
15
negative
20
neutral
152
positive
The Broken Record generally earns a solid 7.7 overall, with customer satisfaction sitting at a healthy 81.3%. This indicates a largely positive experience for most patrons, supported by 152 positive remarks against only 15 negative ones out of 187 total observations.
Digging deeper, the Food (8) and Value (8.2) stand out as particularly strong points, consistently receiving high marks. The Ambience (7.7) also contributes positively to the experience, though Service (6.7) shows room for improvement, being the lowest-scoring aspect among the main categories.
What people like
- Amazing kitchen offerings
- Excellent value drinks
- Lively, local atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Occasional atmosphere issues
- Limited parking options
With a strong 8.1 recommendation score, The Broken Record is a solid choice if you’re seeking a casual spot with good food and excellent value on drinks. It’s particularly well-suited for those who appreciate a lively, local atmosphere.
While service can be a bit inconsistent and the ambiance might not appeal to everyone, its strengths in the kitchen and affordability make it worth considering for a relaxed outing. Manage expectations for service, and you’ll likely have a good time.
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Broken Record
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 82% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place truly shines! With a solid score of 8 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 83.1%, its clear guests are loving whats on offer. Out of 89 comments, 74 rave about the delicious offerings, particularly highlighting the burgers, fish tacos, BBQ options, and cocktails, often describing the amazing food as a true standout.
However, not every dish hit the mark for everyone. Only 3 comments out of 89 expressed disappointment, with specific mentions of the brisket being tough and lacking flavor. There were also a few remarks about drinks poorly made and a general feeling that the food wasn't as good as it used to be.
Food
89
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
3
negative
12
neutral
74
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious burgers
- Amazing fish tacos
- Great drinks selection
What people don't like
- Tough brisket
Often praised
- foodThe friends made, the time shared, and the fun experiences all around make it a great place. It's a fantastic neighborhood dive bar with an amazing kitchen and fabulous food. They also offer good local brews, darts, a backyard patio, and fun times all around.
- fish tacosIt's now run by a young couple with a yummy small, well-executed menu. I highly recommend the mouth-watering Tri tip tacos, Carne Asada fries, fish tacos, and taquitos. You won't be disappointed with the food.
- menumenu is small but worth coming back to
- bar foodSolid bar food, which is great.
- beerA nice selection of beer
- drinksknowledgeable about the drinks
- kitchenan amazing kitchen
- whiskey selectionthe whiskey selection is decent
- BBQgrab some BBQ
- BBQ optionssome great BBQ options
Frequently criticized
- brisketthe brisket was tough and not much flavor
- drinksdrinks poorly made
- foodFood is nothing near the same
If youre looking for genuinely delicious food, especially their highly praised burgers and fish tacos, youre likely in for a treat. While a few specific items might occasionally miss the mark, the overall culinary experience is overwhelmingly positive and well worth trying.
Service (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
When it comes to service, its a bit of a mixed bag here, with a score of 6.7 and customer satisfaction sitting at 59.4%. Based on 32 customer comments, with 19 positive remarks, many folks praised the friendly and knowledgeable staff, especially the bartenders and the chef. Youll often find super nice people and helpful services, making for a pleasant experience.
However, with 8 negative remarks, some experiences weren't as smooth. There were instances of slow service, bartenders being less than professional, and even a few mentions of bad attitudes or preferential treatment. It seems the service can sometimes take a hit, leaving some customers feeling overlooked or frustrated.
Service
32
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
8
negative
5
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, knowledgeable staff
- Helpful bartenders
- Super nice people
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Bad attitudes
- Preferential treatment
Often praised
- bartenderThe bartender was friendly and knowledgeable
- bartendersthe bartenders are very friendly
- WiFiMy experience was made wonderful by the barman, who was so kind and happy to help out a traveller with WiFi and warmth.
- barkeepsKnowledgeable barkeeps Christine, Bret, Liz and Johnny pour fresh IPA's
- barmanWonderful Barman, so kind & happy to help out a traveller
- card for foodYou can use your card for food
- chefIt is so sad to know they are closing on Oct 15. The chef in the always-has-been-amazing kitchen at the back told us how this has been the one constant for the past 15 years of his life and how he built the outdoor terrace in the backyard (and not knowing he could) during the pandemie. We had what was still left -- salmon sushi, wings and fries -- and beer & cider on draft, and toasted a farewell to an SF institution.
- cookthe cook in the back restaurant was very cool and kind guy
- hostLiz is a great host
- kitchen staffamazing new kitchen staff in the back
Frequently criticized
- serviceno one there cared to want to want to be hospitable
- bad attitudethe server's bad attitude and choice to scold us
- bartendersbartenders were COMPLETELY sloshed
- guy behind the counterthe guy behind the counter just took my order, handed me my number and walked off
- preferential treatmentfriends at the actual bar were clearly getting preferential treatment
If youre looking for a place with potentially great staff and a lively atmosphere, its worth a try. Just be prepared that service can be inconsistent, so you might encounter some delays or less-than-stellar attitudes on occasion.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 76% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot really shines! With a good score of 7.7 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 90.2%, its clear most folks love the atmosphere. Many of the 55 positive remarks praise its "dive bar" charm, "great patio, " and "cool vibes, " often highlighting the "pool table" and "darts" for fun times.
However, a few of the 4 negative comments mention it "smelled funky" and describe it as a "grimey SF bar, " suggesting it might not be for everyone. While these are minor points compared to the overwhelming positives, its worth noting if you prefer a pristine environment.
Ambience
61
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
55
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great patio space
- Fun dive bar vibes
- Play pool and darts
What people don't like
- Can smell funky
- Grimey bar feel
Often praised
- pool tableMy go-to spot while living in Ingleside, I always enjoy playing pool at the overly competitive bar pool table. Afterwards, I take the drinks out back to enjoy some smokes and conversation with the fellas.
- atmosphereI was impressed by the great whiskey selection and the great soul food. The fantastic atmosphere made the spot feel really special. I would absolutely eat and drink here again when I'm in the city.
- dive barMy experience was at an awesome kinda dive bar. I enjoyed the great beer and whiskey selection.
- good timesremember the good times we've had here
- localsLots of locals
- vibereally great vibe
- all kinds of peopleAll kinds of people up in this joint
- ambienceGreat ambience
- back areahead on to the back area
- back patioa nice little back patio
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereit doesn't look like much
- grimey SF barExcellent grub in the back of a grimey SF bar
- parkingseeing to find parking
- smelled funkyAlso smelled funky
If youre looking for a laid-back, authentic dive bar experience with a lively patio and games, youll likely have a blast. But if youre sensitive to a bit of grit or occasional funkiness, you might want to set your expectations accordingly. Its definitely a spot for those who appreciate a genuine neighborhood feel.
Value (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 10% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! Guests are raving about how prices are very nice for both booze and food, with many highlighting the great cheap drinks and even mentioning everything's half the price. With a solid score of 8.2 and a customer satisfaction of 80%, its clear people feel theyre getting a good deal, especially with 4 positive remarks out of 5 total.
Interestingly, there are no negative comments or concerns regarding the value here. It seems customers are consistently pleased with what they pay, indicating a strong positive perception across the board.
Value
5
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Cheap drinks
What people don't like
Often praised
- cheap drinkscheap drinks
- great cheap drinksGreat cheap drinks
- priceEverything's half the price
- pricesPrices are very nice for both booze and food.
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place where your money goes further, especially for drinks and food, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. You can expect to leave feeling satisfied with both the quality and the cost, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious diners.
How are the prices at The Broken Record?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 4 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Pub in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the individual prices, we see a pretty wide spread. Some guests found budget-friendly options, while others opted for a more premium experience, rather than all prices clustering around that average. Since we only have 4 reviews, this is a good indication, but more data would give us an even clearer picture.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 4 reviews. This data is limited, but it gives us a good indication of the price points.
How this Bar & Pub’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Bar & Pub in San Francisco, the pricing feels quite fair. We think it offers a good mix for different budgets, which is always a plus for guests.
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Broken Record
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Sad to see this gem go!
I loved this little gem of a hole in the wall bar 🍻 in the Lower Mission. It's closing soon. Their food was amazing and so was their beer!
So sad to see it go. 😥
- food9
- beer9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Farewell to an SF Institution
It is so sad to know they are closing on Oct 15. The chef in the always-has-been-amazing kitchen at the back told us how this has been the one constant for the past 15 years of his life and how he built the outdoor terrace in the backyard (and not knowing he could) during the pandemie. We had what was still left -- salmon sushi, wings and fries -- and beer & cider on draft, and toasted a farewell to an SF institution.
Without places like this, it's not SF anymore. Thank you for all the delicious drinks and dishes over the years - we will miss you and we will forever remember the good times we've had here.
- salmon sushi8
- wings8
- fries8
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Dive Bar with Amazing Food
My experience at this place was fantastic! It's my favorite dive bar this side of the city. They had amazing food, great cheap drinks, and the people were super nice.
It's a great place to hang out.
- amazing food9
- great cheap drinks8
- super nice people9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Intriguing Soul Food with a Full Bar
D. D. D.
VISITED (GUY FIERI) DRIVE-INS / DINER'S & DIVE'S. THEIR WHISKEY / BEER BAR / RESTAURANT. INTRIGUING SOUL FOOD MENU.
ITEMS SUCH AS OXTAIL POLENTA / POTATO SKINS / PRAWN POOR BOY WITH CRAB MAYO. / ROCKIES HOT WINGS / ROCKIES KOREAN BBQ WINGS / CRAB MACARONI / MEAT BALL SANDWICH. FRIED BREAD PUDDING W/ HOMEMADE ICECREAM.
FULL BAR ALSO HAS FANCY COCKTAILS / SUCH AS THE BLUE HAWAIIAN. MONDAY THRU THURSDAY 4PM TO 12PM. FRIDAY- SATURDAY 4PM TO 2PM.
SUNDAY 2PM TO 12PM. TRIVIA: WE WILL CALL TO FIND OUT IF THEIR PRAWN SANDWICH IS STILL ON THE MENU. 😎
- Oxtail Polenta5
- Potato Skins5
- Prawn Poor Boy5
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Host, Beer, and Vibes
My experience was great! Liz was an excellent host and bartender. The beer on draft was fantastic, and the vibes were perfect for a cash-only dive bar.
I will definitely be back.
- host10
- bartender10
- beer on draft9
What The Broken Record offers
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Food
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Seating
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
FAQs
What kind of drinks and food can you enjoy at The Broken Record?
At The Broken Record, you’ll find a comprehensive selection of beverages including hard liquor, a variety of beers, and expertly mixed cocktails. Complementing the drinks, a range of food options is also available, ensuring you have everything you need for a satisfying visit.
What service and dining options does The Broken Record provide?
The Broken Record offers flexible service options for your convenience. You can choose to enjoy your visit with comfortable dine-in seating, opt for quick and easy takeout, or relax outdoors with their available outdoor seating. Seating is provided for all guests.
How does The Broken Record score overall?
The Broken Record holds a good overall score of **7.7**, with **Food** (8), **Value** (8.2), and **Ambience** (7.7) performing well. **Service** (6.7) is rated good but is the lowest-scoring aspect.
What are the main draws at The Broken Record?
Patrons frequently praise the amazing kitchen for its bar food and BBQ options , alongside the cheap drinks and great vibe that make for a lively, local experience.
Are there any common complaints about The Broken Record?
Some guests have noted inconsistent service with occasional bad attitude from staff. The atmosphere can sometimes be described as a grimey SF bar or smelled funky , and parking can be a challenge.