Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great coffee
oChef » Universal – San Francisco
Universal - San Francisco
Photo from Universal
Universal at a glance
San Francisco Bernal Heights
- 🌽 Guatemalan Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 57 of the guests
#1788 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#2 Guatemalan Restaurant out of 4 in San Francisco
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
230
Reviews
63.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Guatemalan food
- Fresh bakery
- Good atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- High prices
- Hygiene issues
The restaurant, a vibrant Guatemalan eatery, invites you to explore its unique flavors right in the heart of San Francisco’s charming Bernal Heights neighborhood. At Universal Bakery on Mission, you’ll discover a casual yet trendy spot renowned for its great dessert selections.
Whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a leisurely meal, this establishment offers a delightful culinary journey. You can enjoy healthy options and small plates, perfect for any time of day.
Overview: Introducting Universal
Universal offers a culinary experience where the food often shines, particularly its authentic Guatemalan offerings and fresh bakery items. Many appreciate the inviting atmosphere and the effort put into crafting delightful breakfast options like the Pan con todo.
However, some recent changes have led to concerns regarding staff attentiveness and consistency. While the flavors can be quite satisfying, especially the Guatemalan food and freshly baked bread, there are notable drawbacks.
Issues with service attitude and hygiene have been mentioned, with some finding the staff less engaging than desired. These points suggest a mixed experience for visitors.
Good
6.8
out of 10
230
Reviews
63.9%
Satisfaction
68
negative
15
neutral
147
positive
Universal garners a restaurant score of 6.8, indicating a generally good experience, though not without its areas for improvement. Customer satisfaction stands at 63.9%, placing it in the mixed category.
This suggests that while many patrons leave content, a significant portion encounters aspects that could be better, reflecting a balanced sentiment across 230 customer observations. The Food (7.8) is clearly a strong point, frequently praised for its quality and authenticity.
The Ambience (6.6) also contributes positively to the overall visit. However, Service (5.1) appears to be an area needing attention, and Value (3.4) is a notable concern, with many finding prices on the higher side.
This breakdown highlights where Universal excels and where it faces challenges.
What people like
- Authentic Guatemalan food
- Fresh bakery items
- Inviting atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service attitude
- High prices
- Hygiene concerns
If you’re seeking authentic Guatemalan flavors and fresh bakery goods, Universal is certainly worth considering. The food quality often stands out, making it a good choice for a satisfying meal.
Just be prepared for a potentially inconsistent service experience and be mindful of the pricing. With a recommendation score of 7.3, Universal leans towards being a place to try, especially if its culinary strengths align with your preferences.
It’s a spot that delivers on taste, but managing expectations regarding service and cost will ensure a more enjoyable visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Universal
Food (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at 78.3%, its clear many diners are enjoying their meals. Out of 138 total comments, a whopping 108 were positive, frequently praising the "Authentic Guatemalan food, " "fresh baked goods, " and "delicious breakfast sandwiches.
" Expect a taste of home if youre craving traditional flavors! However, not every bite is perfect, with 22 negative remarks pointing out some areas for improvement. Some patrons found small portion sizes and occasional issues with stale bread, while others noted a lack of flavor in certain dishes.
It seems consistency can be a slight concern, but these are relatively minor points compared to the overall positive feedback.
Food
138
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
22
negative
8
neutral
108
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Guatemalan food
- Fresh baked goods
- Delicious breakfast sandwiches
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Stale bread issues
- Lack of flavor
Often praised
- foodI love the food, but the girls preparing it are very silly and don't pay attention 😡😡😡. Nothing is like before when the old staff was working.
- bread(My new favorite!) You can order a breakfast sandwich with spicy, herb sausage (longaniza) or marinated pork (adobada) as well 😘 La joya de la área de la Bahía con sus desayunos ricos, atmosphera bendecido, y rico ambiente de trabajadores y trabajadoras amables. En este lugar el cafe, el pan, el sazón y las alabanzas de Danilo Montero nunca falta. Que Dios suiga bendiciendo este negocio.
- Guatemalan foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed great Guatemalan food, especially the best empanadas, champurradas, and French bread. I also tried the breakfast plate with sausage, and it was really good.
- Pan con todothe Pan con todo is Quite possibly the best breakfast sandwich
- arroz con lecheatole and arroz con leche 10/10
- bakeryHere you will find all kinds of typical Guatemalan food. There is also a bakery where they make our delicious Guatemalan bread. I highly recommend it.
- breakfast sandwichDid I mention you can also order fried chicken and potatoes? (My new favorite!) You can order a breakfast sandwich with spicy, herb sausage (longaniza) or marinated pork (adobada) as well 😘 La joya de la área de la Bahía con sus desayunos ricos, atmosphera bendecido, y rico ambiente de trabajadores y trabajadoras amables. En este lugar el cafe, el pan, el sazón y las alabanzas de Danilo Montero nunca falta.
- conchasConchas are constantly coming out of the kitchen still warm.
- freshEverything is consistently fresh
- pan con todopersonally love the pan con todo
Frequently criticized
- breadHowever, I observed that the lady who handles payments does not remove her dirty gloves. She uses the same gloves to handle money and then cleans, and with those same gloves, she touches the bread without using spatulas to pick it up. This action is very unhygienic and poses a contamination risk to customers.
- flavorthe flavor is not worth the wait
- French breadel francés y el pan dulce estaban un poco duros
- Pepian de resen el Pepian de res y mucha verdura .. gran decepción
- beef empanadaI was disappointed when I tried the beef empanada; it had no flavor. The cabbage seemed like it was just boiled, they didn't even add a little salt.
- breadsI paid $40. 50 for three breads with everything + plantain (they didn't include the plantain), 3 coffees, and three breads at $0. 90 each.
- cabbageI was disappointed when I tried the beef empanada; it had no flavor. The cabbage seemed like it was just boiled, they didn't even add a little salt.
- champurradaschampurradas stale all crumbles
- champurradoFor my taste, the eggs we ordered with onion and tomato were very sweet, I don't know why? And the champurrado was nothing like it, it's pure masa. The service, atmosphere, and food all received a 3 out of 5.
- eggsFor my taste, the eggs we ordered with onion and tomato were very sweet, I don't know why? And the champurrado was nothing like it, it's pure masa.
If you're looking for authentic Guatemalan flavors, especially for breakfast or baked goods, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some dishes might have smaller portions or occasional flavor inconsistencies, but the overall experience is quite positive.
Service (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to service, it's a bit of a mixed bag! Out of 55 opinions, 24 positive comments highlight the friendly and helpful staff, with special shout-outs to attentive cashiers and individuals like Carlos. Many appreciate the quick service, showing a genuine effort from some team members, contributing to an overall average 5.1 score.
However, service can be inconsistent, reflected in the 43.6% customer satisfaction and 28 negative comments. Issues range from rude staff behavior and poor customer treatment to a negligent cook and unsanitary practices, like handling food with dirty gloves. Some experiences also mention long waits and staff with a bad attitude, indicating significant room for improvement.
Service
55
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
28
negative
3
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Attentive servers
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Rude staff behavior
- Poor customer treatment
- Unsanitary glove use
Often praised
- serviceThe service was also awesome
- staffI highly recommend it, giving it a 10/10. The service was very quick and the staff were so kind. It's one of the best places to get breakfast in San Francisco.
- customer servicenever had issues customer service wise
- CarlosCarlos was really kind and catered to us
- cashiersThe cashiers and the person who took my phone order was nice
- effortWell worth the extra effort on your part
- friendly staffStaff are very friendly & helpful
- helpful staffStaff are very friendly & helpful
- old staffI love the food, but the girls preparing it are very silly and don't pay attention 😡😡😡. Nothing is like before when the old staff was working. Now, many times they even overcharge me.
- ownersThe owners are very nice
Frequently criticized
- employeesemployees do not want to work
- staffstaff came from behind the counter sat down with the one having staff on her break with her Blue Gloves on that she was serving with touched her face , went back to serving food with the same gloves
- English-speaking staffonly once been helped by someone who spoke English
- asking for somethingI asked for something and she gave it to me with a bad attitude
- attentionI love the food, but the girls preparing it are very silly and don't pay attention 😡😡😡. Nothing is like before when the old staff was working.
- availabilitySince the owner passed away, this place has gone downhill. Every time I go, they never have what I order. I believe the owner used to keep things in control, but his sons seem very lazy.
- cashierGrumpy big lady with blonde hair at the register super dry ,rude character, and just not approachable
- cookI waited almost an hour for a takeout order that I had already placed by phone. The cook is very negligent.
- customer serviceemployees could do better with the customer service
- customer treatmentJust because they have a solid clientele doesn't give them the right to behave the way they do with people. 2 stars for the bread, but for customer treatment, a 0! Sad because they are my people, but what can you do?
Service here is a bit of a gamble; you might encounter genuinely kind and helpful staff, or you could face rudeness and inefficiency. If you're willing to take that chance for the food, be prepared for a potentially mixed experience on the service front.
Ambience (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot has a lot going for it! Many folks rave about the overall place and its atmosphere, describing it as amazing and even a perfect 5/5. Customers appreciate the tables and space, noting its clean and comfortable whether youre dining solo or with a group. With 13 positive comments out of 23 total, its clear the ambiance leaves a good impression, contributing to an average score of 6.6.
However, its not all sunshine and roses, as the customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 56.5%. Some guests found the location to be a bit out of the way, and the parking space can be a challenge. There are also mentions of the place getting crowded, which can affect the seating arrangement and overall comfort.
These 7 negative observations suggest there's room for improvement in accessibility and managing peak times.
Ambience
23
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
7
negative
3
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Clean environment
- Ample seating
What people don't like
- Can get crowded
- Difficult parking
- Inconvenient location
Often praised
- atmosphereDid I mention you can also order fried chicken and potatoes? (My new favorite!) You can order a breakfast sandwich with spicy, herb sausage (longaniza) or marinated pork (adobada) as well 😘 La joya de la área de la Bahía con sus desayunos ricos, atmosphera bendecido, y rico ambiente de trabajadores y trabajadoras amables. En este lugar el cafe, el pan, el sazón y las alabanzas de Danilo Montero nunca falta.
- amazing placeAmazing amazing place
- placeThe place is very clean!
- restaurantI especially enjoyed the atol, the pan with frijoles, and the sandwich con todo. I love the restaurant.
- tables and spaceLots of tables and space for a group or eating solo.
- this placeLove this place so much!
Frequently criticized
- cleaningshe was cleaning
- contamination riskdanger of contamination
- crowdedCan get quite crowded
- glovesThe food is very good, and the bread too. However, I observed that the lady who handles payments does not remove her dirty gloves. She uses the same gloves to handle money and then cleans, and with those same gloves, she touches the bread without using spatulas to pick it up.
- locationonly one and it is on the other side of town
- parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- seating arrangementThe food seasoning was good, but the person serving the food was very rude and discriminatory. I had my little dog with me, and she sent me to sit at the entrance under the sun. That's not good.
If youre looking for a place with a generally pleasant and spacious atmosphere, this spot is worth checking out. Just be prepared for potential crowds and a bit of a hunt for parking, especially if youre visiting during busy hours or if the location isn't ideal for you.
Value (3.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
While a couple of diners mentioned decent prices and felt the price of the food is fair, especially for the area, the overall sentiment for value is quite low. The score sits at a poor 3.4, and customer satisfaction is a mere 14.3%, indicating significant room for improvement. These positive remarks come from only 2 comments.
On the flip side, the majority of feedback, coming from 11 out of 14 total comments, points to significant concerns. Many found the prices generally high, with some feeling overpriced or surprised by the total bill. Specific complaints included charges for extra salsa and additions like plantains.
Value
14
Reviews
14%
Satisfaction
11
negative
1
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair food price
What people don't like
- High prices
- Overpriced items
- Extra charges
Often praised
- decent pricesDecent prices for being San Francisco
- price of the foodthe price of the food is fair
Frequently criticized
- priceEsta caro de lo normal
- pricesthe prices are very high
- extra salsacobren $0.75 por pedir extra salsa
- overchargeNothing is like before when the old staff was working. Now, many times they even overcharge me. Everything has changed 😩😩.
- overpricedover priced
- plantain additionfor just 4 slices of plantain in each breakfast, they charged $9.10
- price of the pirujosthe price of the pirujos have subido
- tamal priceun tamal $6.50!
- total billmuy rico todo pero page $98!!
If youre sensitive to pricing and extra charges, you might find the value here disappointing. While a few items might seem fair, the general consensus suggests you should prepare for a higher-than-expected bill, especially with add-ons. Its probably best to manage your expectations on cost before visiting.
How are the prices at Universal?
You’re looking at roughly 24 per person – reported by 57 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Guatemalan Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average hovers around 24$, it’s interesting to see that most guests actually spend less, often in the 1 – 20 $ range. This suggests a nice mix of more budget-friendly options alongside some premium choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 57 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the variety of price points available, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Guatemalan restaurant in San Francisco. It offers flexibility for different budgets, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Universal
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Hidden Gem with Delicious Food!
This restaurant is truly a hidden gem in the community. Everything is made fresh. The staff are very friendly & helpful.
They offer decent prices for being in San Francisco. It was deliciously good!
- fresh food10
- friendly staff10
- helpful staff10
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Rude Service Ruins Good Bread
Lately, they have become very rude, impolite, and arrogant. Just because they have a solid clientele doesn't give them the right to behave the way they do with people. 2 stars for the bread, but for customer treatment, a 0!
Sad because they are my people, but what can you do? 🤷♀️
- bread7
- customer treatment1
- staff behavior1
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Best Breakfast Sandwich in the Bay Area!
I don’t say this lightly: the Pan con todo is Quite possibly the best breakfast sandwich in all of the Bay Area. Support local! You won’t regret it.
- Pan con todo10
- breakfast sandwich10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Sweet Eggs and Watery Champurrado
For my taste, the eggs we ordered with onion and tomato were very sweet, I don't know why? And the champurrado was nothing like it, it's pure masa. The service, atmosphere, and food all received a 3 out of 5.
- eggs2
- champurrado2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
9
Incredible Food, Worth the Wait!
The line was out of the door for over an hour, which is the best indicator of a successful diner/bakery. I absolutely love the Bolillo and the Frijoles Negro con Queso Fresco. The grilled Pollo Adobo Asada was 10 stars!
- Bolillo10
- Frijoles Negro con Queso Fresco10
- Pollo Adobo Asada10
What Universal offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What can you expect from the menu and atmosphere at Universal Bakery on Mission?
At Universal Bakery on Mission, you can savor authentic Guatemalan cuisine, including healthy options, small plates, and excellent coffee. The atmosphere is casual and trendy, making it a comfortable spot for any meal. You’ll find it perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed dining experience.
What service and accessibility options are available at Universal Bakery on Mission?
Universal Bakery on Mission offers convenient dine-in, takeout, and delivery services. The establishment is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring an accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. Families will appreciate that it’s good for kids and provides high chairs.
What kind of food can I expect at Universal?
Universal is known for its authentic Guatemalan food, with many customers praising breakfast items like the Pan con todo and fresh bakery goods, including bread and conchas. Some specific dishes like empanadas and arroz con leche also receive positive mentions.
What are the main concerns customers have about Universal?
Customers frequently express concerns about inconsistent service, with some reporting issues with staff attitude, attentiveness, and even hygiene practices. Additionally, many find the prices to be high, with some feeling they are overcharged for certain items.
How does Universal generally score with customers?
Universal holds a restaurant score of 6.8, with customer satisfaction at 63.9%. The Food scores well at (7.8), and Ambience is moderate (6.6). However, Service (5.1) and Value (3.4) are areas that customers indicate need improvement.