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The Cheese Steak Shop - San Francisco
Photo from The Cheese Steak Shop
The Cheese Steak Shop at a glance
San Francisco Lower Pacific Heights
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 85 of the guests
#2057 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#234 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
6.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
380
Reviews
57.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great cheesesteaks
- Dedicated staff
- Local landmark
Frequently criticized
- Poor cleanliness
- Service delays
- Order errors
The restaurant The Cheese Steak Shop in San Francisco’s vibrant Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood offers a casual dining experience perfect for catching a game. You can enjoy a quick bite in a relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for lunch or dinner.
This popular San Francisco eatery is known for its authentic flavors and friendly vibe, inviting you to settle in and savor your meal while enjoying the sports highlights.
Overview: Introducting The Cheese Steak Shop
The Cheese Steak Shop offers a mixed experience, with many patrons praising its authentic cheesesteaks and the friendly demeanor of specific staff members. However, some visits are marred by concerns over cleanliness and occasional waiting times.
While the food often hits the mark, delivering a satisfying taste, the overall environment and service consistency can be a point of contention. It’s a place where the quality of the main dish shines, but other operational aspects sometimes fall short.
Good
6.3
out of 10
380
Reviews
57.9%
Satisfaction
144
negative
16
neutral
220
positive
The Cheese Steak Shop holds a Restaurant Score of 6.3 out of 10, placing it in the average category. This score is supported by a Customer Satisfaction rate of 57.9%, indicating a mixed reception among its patrons.
With 380 customer comments, including 220 positive and 144 negative, there’s a clear divergence in experiences. Looking closer, Food leads with a score of (6.6), suggesting it’s generally well-received, though not without its issues.
Service follows at (6.1), reflecting a somewhat inconsistent experience. Ambience scores (5.6), indicating room for improvement, while Value at (4.9) suggests many find the pricing less than ideal for what’s offered.
What people like
- Authentic cheesesteaks
- Dedicated staff members
- Historic local landmark
What people don't like
- Significant cleanliness issues
- Frequent service delays
- Order accuracy problems
With a Recommendation Score of 6.5, The Cheese Steak Shop is a place to consider if you prioritize a classic cheesesteak experience above all else. Be prepared for potentially inconsistent service and keep an eye out for cleanliness, as these aspects have drawn criticism.
If you’re seeking a quick, no-frills meal focused on the main dish, it might be worth a visit. However, if overall dining comfort and consistent service are paramount, you might find the experience a bit of a gamble.
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Cheese Steak Shop
Food (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 92% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many customers are quite pleased, with 138 positive remarks highlighting the delicious cheesesteaks and flavorful sandwiches. Patrons often rave about the quality meat, melted cheese, and fresh bread, making for a truly satisfying meal. However, it's not always a perfect bite.
The food scores an average 6.6, and customer satisfaction is a mixed 61.9%. With 74 negative comments, some diners have noted issues like shrinking portions, soggy bread, or lacking flavor, and occasionally found the meat low quality or the cheese congealed.
Food
223
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
74
negative
11
neutral
138
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious cheesesteaks
- Quality meat
- Melted cheese
What people don't like
- Lacking flavor
- Soggy bread
- Low quality meat
Often praised
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was marked by solid food that was pretty damn delicious. However, the food does get soggy pretty quick.
- cheesesteaksAs someone from Philadelphia, I can confidently say this is one of my favorite spots in San Francisco because they are the only place that truly gets cheesesteaks right. While the food is excellent, there are a few areas for improvement.
- sandwichSandwich was hot and juicy and cheesy and flavorful.
- cheesesteakbest cheesesteak I've had in a long time
- FoodFood quality was exceptional
- cheeseWow, it was so delicious and meaty! I can tell that the cheese is also really good. The people were super friendly the entire time.
- curly friesMy experience at this restaurant was very good. I enjoyed the cheese steaks, specifically the classic combo with curly fries. The staff was very attentive.
- steak friessteak fries which were pretty amazing
- cheese steak sandwichMassive, delicious cheese steak sandwiches
- sandwichesI tried 3 differents styles sandwchich and at the and i want more
Frequently criticized
- cheeseWhile the staff was nice and the location convenient, the food itself was a letdown. It was fairly expensive, and the dish had too much sauce and not enough cheese or onion rings. This made for a less than ideal meal.
- meatHowever, the atmosphere was marred by the unsettling sight of a mouse running across the floor. I ordered a classic cheesesteak, and while the roll was good, the meat was a little dry and there wasn't as much cheese as I expected based on the pictures. On a positive note, the steak fries were pretty amazing.
- foodhow nasty their food looked
- hot peppershot peppers they gave me on my sandwich still had the stems on them
- Chili CheesesteakMy Chili Cheesesteak was too sloppy
- breadThe bread is a normal baguette which not appropriate for cheesesteak
- flavorI grew up loving this place, but I'm saddened to see it has lost its flavor, quality, and service. We waited sooo long for our lunch order, yet received horrible sandwiches that were on the cold side, with the cheese congealed instead of melted.
- loaded steak friesthe loaded steak fries were undercooked
- sandwichpaid $22 for a sandwich that tasted like soup
- sandwich sizetheir sandwich shrink in size because the half was only 2in long
If you're in the mood for a classic cheesesteak with generous toppings, this spot often delivers a satisfying meal. Just be aware that consistency can be a bit of a gamble, with some experiences falling short on flavor or portion size.
Service (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 55% of the guests
When it comes to service, theres definitely a bright side! Many customers rave about the friendly and efficient staff, often highlighting individuals like Lisette and Michael C for their excellent service and creating a truly personable dining experience. With 48 positive remarks among 87 total, it shows a good number of folks had a great time.
However, the service isnt without its hiccups, leading to a 6.1 score and 55.2% customer satisfaction, which is a bit of a mixed bag. Some experiences mention frustrating waiting times, issues with online orders, and rigid policy enforcement. The card reader issues also pop up in the 38 negative comments, suggesting areas for improvement.
Service
87
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
38
negative
1
neutral
48
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Efficient service
- Personable experience
What people don't like
- Long waits
- Order errors
- Payment issues
Often praised
- service5 star service. Michael C. took excellent care of us
- staffMy wife and I shared the king with mushrooms and peppers. The staff are really nice too!
- ServiceService were also great
- LizetteI would love to give my hats off to Lizette!
- peopleThe people who work at the Cheese Steak Shop are wonderful, helpful and friendly.
- service staffthe service staff was very appropriate and efficient
- GMThe GM is a real cool guy
- LisetteLisette, who greeted me with a smile
- MichaelMichael who was running the register is the same familiar face
- Michael CShoutout to my man Michael C though. I can tell he's really giving it his all and is passionate for his job.
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to the terrible service. The staff member, Angel Ogendo (or whatever his name is, as he refused to give it), gave my food order to a random person.
- waiting time20 mins wasted waiting for one classic cheese steak and still waiting
- staffstaff is often understaffed, which puts a lot of stress
- ordershave all the orders screwed up
- 40 minutestold me my order would take 40 minutes
- 45 minutesMy experience with the online order was very disappointing. It took over 45 minutes to receive my order, and to make matters worse, I didn't even get the whole order. This was not the same experience as I've had before, and I will not be back!
- Gratuity screenIf you go, be sure to order ahead for "carryout"---this is one of those places which tries to guilt customers into leaving a tip. This is a 100% self-service restaurant -- there is ABSOLUTELY no excuse for a "Gratuity" screen to pop up when paying.
- card readercard reader does not have a "No Tip" option
- cash paymentthey can’t except cash
- coupon systemnow it's new owners there so they don't do it
If youre looking for a friendly face and efficient service, youll likely be pleased, especially if you catch the right staff members. However, be prepared for potential longer waits or minor order issues, particularly during busy times or with online orders. It's a bit of a gamble, but often worth it for the good interactions.
Ambience (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.6 putting it squarely in the average range, and customer satisfaction sitting at a 52% mixed rating. Out of 50 total comments, 26 were positive, highlighting a few bright spots. Guests often praised the unique atmosphere and vibe, appreciating the history of San Francisco art and the sports memorabilia that give the place character.
Many found the facilities clean and the overall environment pleasant. However, 22 negative comments point to some serious concerns. Several patrons reported a filthy store and even mentioned rat feces on the dining room floor, along with a persistent dirty mop smell.
The bathroom was frequently described as filthy, and there were alarming reports of a rodent problem, with some even seeing a mouse or rats running around. These issues clearly detract from the overall experience.
Ambience
50
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
22
negative
2
neutral
26
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unique historic atmosphere
- Good sports memorabilia
- Clean facilities
What people don't like
- Filthy store
- Rat feces visible
- Rodent problem
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was also great
- AtmosphereAtmosphere were also great
- environmentThe environment was overall I great experience!
- Hall of Famethere is a Hall of Fame
- San Francisco landmark eateryIt's a San Francisco landmark eatery that quietly remains hidden.
- ambiancethe food, ambiance, taste and smell, took me right back
- cleanlinessCleanliness, excellent service
- diversity of the clienteleI love the diversity of the clientele.... from upscale San Franciscan's and retirees to nurses, doctors, and contractors...
- facilitiesthe facilities were clean and well stocked
- history of San Francisco artkept some of, the history of San Francisco art up
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereLoud but tasty
- parkingAlso no parking there so that can be tough
- bathroombathroom is frequently filthy
- black decorthe black just makes it feel more cramped
- chairsall chairs were on top of the tables
- condimentsCondiments were left out without being cleaned
- dining room floorOn 3/10/2023 at 1: 30 PM, I walked into an absolutely FILTHY STORE! The amount of rat feces visible on the dining room floor makes me question how bad it is in the kitchen. I do not recommend eating here; it was disgusting!
- dirty mop smellThe dirty mop smell is a turn off
- floor matsWe arrived at this establishment on March 22, 2023, at 8: 00 PM, and initially thought they were closed, despite their posted hours of 10 AM to 9 PM. Upon entering, the place was filthy; chairs were stacked on tables, floor mats were rolled up, and trash bins were pulled out of their stations. We approached the counter and were told we could still eat in, but were reminded of the 9 PM closing time.
- inside of the restaurantThe inside of the restaurant was tired looking and not particularly clean.
If youre looking for a place with a unique, historic vibe and dont mind potentially overlooking some cleanliness issues, you might find something to enjoy. However, if hygiene is a top priority, you might want to consider other options, as the reported rodent and cleanliness problems are significant dealbreakers for many.
Value (4.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
When it comes to value, its a bit of a mixed bag, but there are definitely some bright spots! With a score of 4.9, it lands squarely in the average range, and customer satisfaction sits at a 40% mixed level. Out of 20 customer comments, 8 lean positive, with many feeling its worth the money and praising fair prices or reasonable price per person for the food.
However, the value proposition isnt universally loved, with 10 negative comments expressing concern. Many feel the price is too high, with specific mentions of paying $22 for a sandwich and finding the meal price not worth it. Some customers believe its become overpriced for the portion sizes and overall offering.
Value
20
Reviews
40%
Satisfaction
10
negative
2
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Food is overpriced
- Portions too small
- Not worth cost
Often praised
- pricesCheaper prices and u compared with another sandwchich brands
- Price per personPrice per person was reasonable
- Worth the moneyWorth the money
- moneythe food was well worth the money
- price per personMy experience at the restaurant was pretty average. I found the zesty veggie sandwich to be filling and light on the pocket. However, I'd advise caution with the hot peppers, as they are really spicy.
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant has changed. It has become overpriced for what you get. In the past, they offered size options, and the 'king' size was essentially two sandwiches, leaving you feeling super full.
- $22 for a sandwichpaid $22 for a sandwich that tasted like soup
- meal priceEverything was cooked fine, but I felt totally unsatisfied with both meals. Considering a meal is close to $25, I'd recommend taking your money and going somewhere that is actually worth it.
- pricesprices are up everywhere
- worth itsomewhere worth it
If youre looking for a quick bite and dont mind potentially paying a bit more for a tasty sandwich, it might be worth a try. However, if you're on a tight budget or expect generous portions for the price, you might find yourself feeling a bit disappointed.
How are the prices at The Cheese Steak Shop?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 85 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests find themselves spending right in this sweet spot, with the majority of prices clustering around this average.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 85 most recent reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a solid mid-range experience without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Cheese Steak Shop
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Good Food, Service Hiccups
My experience at the restaurant was primarily positive due to the food quality. The Classic Philly tasted good, and so did the curly fries. However, the payment process presented a challenge.
Their card reader lacks a "No Tip" option, requiring a manual entry of 0 via the custom tip setting. This led to an awkward interaction with a mustachioed staff member who displayed attitude when I fumbled with the monitor. Despite this service issue, the overall food quality made it a worthwhile visit.
- Classic Philly8
- curly fries8
- food is good9
- card reader3
- custom tip3
- mustachioed guy2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
A Long-Standing SF Gem
It's hard to believe that more people are not familiar with this eatery. This place has been at the same location (Dividadero between Sutter & Bush) since I first was introduced to the foot-long Philly Cheese Steak sandwich with mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet peppers & hot sauce, back in 1987. I topped it off with a large cup of Dr. Pepper, light on the ice.
You can also have fries with your sandwich. They have an interesting menu and different add-ons. The chefs and cashiers are respectable and down to earth.
The place is always clean and there is always a sports game on the TVs. It's a tradition for me to go at least once a week. I have my teenage son and his teammates frequenting the establishment. Trust me, you must try it and don't believe the old anecdote "if you've tasted one, you've tasted them all!
" No, I promise you, I'm a sandwich addict, and I've had some outstanding PCS sandwiches and some not so outstanding PCS sandwiches, but this shop sets the bar. Don't believe me? Give it a try for yourself.
- foot-long Philly Cheese Steak sandwich10
- mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet peppers & hot sauce9
- Dr. Pepper8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Philly Cheesesteak and Crispy Fries
I had a late lunch and ordered the large classic Philly cheesesteak combo. My experience was excellent! The cheesesteak was incredibly delicious, featuring sweet and spicy peppers, perfectly melty cheese, and a generous amount of steak.
The curly fries were also a highlight, being satisfyingly crispy and well-seasoned. The portions were large, making it a very filling meal. I had no complaints about my experience here!
- cheesesteak10
- curly fries9
- portions8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
6
Overpriced Sandwich, Still Tasty
My experience at this restaurant has changed. It has become overpriced for what you get. In the past, they offered size options, and the 'king' size was essentially two sandwiches, leaving you feeling super full.
Now, you only get one sandwich. While the sandwich is super tasty, it's significantly smaller, and the price just doesn't add up. I ended up paying around $25 for a sandwich, a small portion of fries, and a soda.
The atmosphere and food were rated a 5, but the value proposition has diminished.
- sandwich8
- atmosphere10
- food10
- price2
- sandwich size3
- fries4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Legit Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia
As someone who isn't a native Philadelphian but lived there for a decade and has had both my kids grow up there, I've experienced my fair share of cheesesteaks. This place is legit.
- cheesesteaks9
What The Cheese Steak Shop offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Counter service
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is The Cheese Steak Shop in San Francisco accessible and suitable for families?
Yes, you’ll find wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms for your convenience. For families, the restaurant offers a kids’ menu, high chairs, and is generally considered good for kids, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What service options and parking are available at The Cheese Steak Shop?
You can choose from no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, or dine-in service. Parking can usually be difficult to find, but paid street parking and a paid parking garage are available nearby for your convenience.
What is the overall customer sentiment regarding The Cheese Steak Shop?
The Cheese Steak Shop has a Restaurant Score of 6.3 and a Customer Satisfaction of 57.9%, indicating a generally mixed customer experience. While Food scores (6.6) and Service (6.1) are average, Ambience (5.6) and Value (4.9) show areas needing attention.
Are the cheesesteaks at The Cheese Steak Shop well-regarded?
Yes, many customers praise the food, specifically highlighting the cheesesteaks as authentic, delicious, and satisfying. It’s often cited as a strong point, despite some mentions of sogginess or dry meat.
What are common complaints about The Cheese Steak Shop?
Frequent complaints revolve around service issues like long waiting times and order inaccuracies. Additionally, ambience concerns, particularly regarding cleanliness and the overall state of the dining area, are often mentioned negatively.