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oChef » Wise Sons – San Francisco
Wise Sons - San Francisco
Photo from Wise Sons
Wise Sons at a glance
San Francisco Alamo Square
- 🥪 Deli
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 24 of the guests
#2162 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#18 Deli out of 18 in San Francisco
Average
6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
296
Reviews
53.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly staff
- Quality baked goods
- Pleasant ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Long waits
- High cost
- Inconsistent food
The restaurant Wise Sons, a popular Deli in San Francisco, invites you to experience its offerings in the vibrant Alamo Square neighborhood. You’ll find this spot at 1520 Fillmore St, ready to serve you a taste of its unique culinary style.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a satisfying meal, this San Francisco Deli is a great choice for you.
Overview: Introducting Wise Sons
Wise Sons offers a mixed experience, with many appreciating its classic bagels and other menu items like chocolate babka. The friendly staff often receives praise for their helpfulness, contributing to a generally pleasant visit.
However, some guests have noted concerns regarding waiting time for orders, and the overall value proposition can be a point of contention. The atmosphere, while often described as pleasant, sometimes has practical drawbacks.
Average
6
out of 10
296
Reviews
53.4%
Satisfaction
122
negative
16
neutral
158
positive
Wise Sons holds an overall 6 out of 10, placing it squarely in the average category. Customer feedback, gathered from 296 opinions, shows a 53.4% satisfaction rate, indicating a mixed bag of experiences.
While many find aspects to enjoy, there’s also a notable portion of guests who leave feeling less impressed. Diving deeper, Service (6.6) and Food (6.2) are the stronger points, often described positively by 158 patrons.
However, the Ambience (5.7) receives a slightly lower average, and Value (3.6) stands out as a clear area for improvement, drawing 122 critical remarks. This suggests that while the core offerings are decent, the pricing structure is a significant concern for many.
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quality bagels & babka
- Pleasant atmosphere
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- High prices
- Inconsistent food quality
With a recommendation score of 6, Wise Sons presents itself as a decent option, particularly if you’re in the mood for a classic bagel or a well-regarded babka. It’s a place that can satisfy, but it’s wise to manage your expectations regarding speed and overall cost.
If you prioritize friendly service and a generally pleasant setting over quick turnaround and budget-friendly pricing, it might be worth a visit. However, if you’re sensitive to waiting or looking for exceptional value, you might find yourself a bit disappointed.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Wise Sons
Food (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place offers a somewhat positive, yet mixed, experience. With a score of 6.2 and customer satisfaction at 57.1%, its clear there are some hits and misses. Based on 113 positive comments out of 198 total, many customers rave about the chewy bagels, tasty food, and fresh ingredients, often describing them as delicious.
However, theres definitely room for improvement. With 76 negative comments, some patrons encountered rock hard bagels or even rancid sesame seeds. Other concerns include bland flavors, overpriced portions, and a general feeling that the food was underwhelming or stale.
Food
198
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
76
negative
9
neutral
113
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious bagels
- Fresh ingredients
- Tasty sandwiches
What people don't like
- Stale bagels
- Bland food
- Overpriced portions
Often praised
- bagelsTo add to the issues, my egg sandwich came out cold, and the bagels are tiny. On a positive note, I previously loved this place for its good coffee and good bagels. The East Coast Veggie was awesome, even good after a night out.
- foodfood if it doesn't make me feel tired or have digestion issues
- chocolate babkaa chocolate babka worthy of a Seinfeld reference
- coffeeThis is a charming spot for delicious bagels and more. The coffee had an excellent, rustic taste. I hope to return there soon.
- FoodFood:5
- sandwichesthese sandwiches will keep you coming back for more because they can't be beat
- bagelMy experience at this restaurant involved a chewy everything bagel with veggie spread, salted cucumbers, and capers, costing just under $6. It was a consistently executed bagel from an S. F.
- fillingsWe also enjoyed the Crunchy spice on an everything bagel ($9. 25), with generous fillings and well-flavored chili crisp that wasn't too garlicky.
- food qualitythe food quality speaks over the normal/fair customer service
- loxThe lox was pretty well done and fresh.
Frequently criticized
- bagelsthe bagels taste like they were made several days ago
- bagelThe bagel was clearly numerous days old and stale beyond belief.
- foodthe food just doesn't deliver
- soupIt was very disappointing. I’ve had Wise Sons Matzo ball soup at the Mission location and it was great, but the soup I was served today at Fillmore was pretty bad. It was very bland, had no flavor, and was overall just very watery and plain.
- bagel sandwichcoworker to prepare it. (I ordered a bagel sandwich)
- coffeeThey were out of coffee
- matzo ball soupthe worst matzo ball soup I’ve had
- qualityThe aesthetic was deceiving, as the bagels were dense and not toasted, even when I requested it. The spreads were inconsistent and felt expensive for the quality offered.
- Cobb saladthe Cobb salad was bad with zero sauce
- Jewish bagelhoping for a good Jewish bagel
If youre in the mood for a potentially delicious bagel or sandwich with fresh ingredients, this spot could be worth a try. However, be prepared for a mixed experience, as some find the food inconsistent, bland, or even stale. Its a bit of a gamble, so go in with balanced expectations.
Service (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag. While the overall score of 6.6 suggests its leaning towards good, customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 58.7%. Many guests rave about the friendly, attentive staff and excellent customer service, often noting fast service and helpful interactions.
Out of 46 total opinions, 27 were positive, highlighting how staff are often described as lovely, polite, and quick to resolve issues, even with new management stepping in. However, the experience isnt always smooth sailing. There are 15 negative opinions, frequently pointing to significant waiting times and slow service, especially for orders.
Issues with self-serve iPad registers and unhelpful cashiers also pop up, making some visits disappointing and leading to lengthy delays for food.
Service
46
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
15
negative
4
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Helpful management
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Register issues
Often praised
- serviceAlways good service, quick to come out
- staffthe staff was uniformly relaxed and friendly and HELPFUL
- ServiceService:5
- customer serviceprovided excellent customer service
- carry outI got carry out
- friendly, attentive staffa friendly, attentive staff
- managera manager called me the next day
- new managerIf I could live on bagels, I would! The staff are lovely, and the new manager was so accommodating when I made a mistake with my order. She rectified it without any hesitation!
- order mistakeshe rectified it without any hesitation
- ownerthe owner reached out
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was disappointing
- waiting timeMy experience at the restaurant was marked by a significant wait time. I waited over 30 minutes for a bagel after placing my order. This lengthy delay led to other guests abandoning their orders.
- ServiceService:2
- bagel spreadcashier kept repeating a completely different spread
- cashierthe cashier looked at me like I offended his mom
- foodfood came out at different times
- order onlineorder online I had to wait an extra 30 minutes
- registerperson at the register helping me out - grab a bagel with no gloves
- self-serve iPad registersthese self-serve iPad registers have got to go!
- take too longit took too long for someone to come around
If you catch them on a good day, you'll likely enjoy friendly and efficient service. But be prepared for potential long waits, especially during busy times, which could make your visit less enjoyable.
Ambience (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
The ambience here gets some love, with many appreciating the comfortable and pleasant atmosphere, often highlighting the nice window seating for people-watching. Its considered a great addition to the neighborhood, and some even loved the imagery and photos on the wall. Based on 23 comments, with 13 leaning positive, the overall score for ambience sits at an average 5.7, indicating a decent, if not spectacular, appreciation.
However, its not all sunshine. Some find the aesthetic deceiving, and there are concerns about it being too crowded or the eating area feeling very tight. A recurring issue is the cold wind from a broken front door, and the lack of a trash can also comes up.
These points, from 9 negative remarks, contribute to customer satisfaction being a mixed 56.5%, suggesting there's definitely room for improvement.
Ambience
23
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
9
negative
1
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Comfortable atmosphere
- Nice window seating
- Good neighborhood spot
What people don't like
- Can be crowded
- Cold drafts
- No trash can
Often praised
- atmosphereThey have the imagery and the atmosphere down
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- bathroomwhen I went to the bathroom it was looking stunning
- imageryThey have the imagery and the atmosphere down
- neighborhoodGreat addition to the neighborhood
- photos on the wallLoved looking at all of the photos on the wall, too.
- placeI unfortunately couldn't take any photos, but I can tell everyone that this is actually a very nice place, especially for to-go orders, which is what I did that day. The people that work there are very nice and very polite, which I really loved.
- pleasant atmospherea pleasant atmosphere
- window seatingThere is nice window seating so you could watch the hustle and bustle of the city
Frequently criticized
- aestheticThe aesthetic is decieving
- always closedThe place is always closed.
- cold airIt pains me to update my rating from 4 stars to 2 stars because the place is not well run. The front door is broken, and if you choose to sit inside, you'll be blasted with cold air. There's no trash can in the restaurant, and only one bottle of hot sauce was available for the entire establishment.
- cold windgust of cold wind in the winter if you dine indoors
- crowdedToo crowded
- eating areaIt's very tight in the eating area.
- front doorIt pains me to update my rating from 4 stars to 2 stars because the place is not well run. The front door is broken, and if you choose to sit inside, you'll be blasted with cold air. There's no trash can in the restaurant, and only one bottle of hot sauce was available for the entire establishment.
- germsWho wants germs?
- trash canNo trash can in the restaurant
So, if youre looking for a comfortable spot with good window views and dont mind a potentially tight squeeze or a draft, it might be worth a visit. Just be aware that the overall vibe is a bit of a mixed bag, so manage your expectations.
Value (3.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
While the overall sentiment around value is tough, a few customers did find some bright spots. Some appreciated the chocolate babka as worth the price and noted that there are affordable options available. A particularly positive experience even involved being refunded an entire purchase, showing some flexibility.
These 5 positive remarks offer a glimpse of potential value. However, the general consensus, reflected in a 3.6 score and a very low 17.2% customer satisfaction, points to significant concerns. Many felt items like bagel and cream cheese were overpriced, especially for a plain schmear.
The policy of not accepting cash payment also drew strong criticism, with some calling it illegal. With 22 negative comments out of 29, it's clear value is a major sticking point.
Value
29
Reviews
17%
Satisfaction
22
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Chocolate babka good
- Affordable options available
- Full refund offered
What people don't like
- Items often overpriced
- No cash payment
- Poor quality for price
Often praised
- affordable optionsthey do have some affordable options
- chocolate babkaworth the high 4$/slice
- pricenot a bad price for SF
- pricesPrices for a simple bagel and spread and super cheap
- refundedrefunded us our entire purchase
Frequently criticized
- priceI don't understand the hype surrounding these bagels. They were, in my opinion, the worst bagels I've had, particularly for the price. While the restaurant has appealing imagery and atmosphere, the food simply doesn't live up to expectations.
- babka$15 babka should be fresh and delicious
- bagel and cream cheesesteep to charge $5 for a bagel and cream cheese
- bagel costhow much a simple bagel costs
- cash paymentthey won't accept cash
- coffeeA local tip suggested visiting around 3: 05 pm, near closing time, where purchasing one bagel might result in receiving several for free if they had leftovers. The only significant drawback was the ridiculously expensive coffee, priced at $3. 50 for a small cup, which felt excessive compared to other establishments.
- illegalI believe that’s illegal
- illegal practiceIllegal in San Francisco
- plain schmearan extra $2 for a thin layer of plain schmear
- pricesOther than the prices
If you're considering a visit, be prepared for prices that many customers found quite steep, especially for basic items. While there might be a few affordable options or a standout chocolate babka, the overall value proposition is a significant concern. You might want to weigh the cost against your your expectations for quality.
How are the prices at Wise Sons?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 24 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Deli, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most folks spend in that $11–$20 sweet spot, but there are also quite a few who go for lighter, cheaper bites, and some who splurge a bit more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 24 reviews.
How this Deli’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Given its a Deli in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. Youre getting good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Wise Sons
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Delicious Schnitzel and Burritos!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The Schnitzel sandwich was DAMN yummy 😋😋, and the breakfast burritos were also excellent. The service was always good and quick to come out, with good quality food.
- Schnitzel sandwich10
- breakfast burritos9
- service9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Bagels with Cream Cheese!
My experience at the restaurant was great! I had delicious bagels. The cream cheese salmon with homemade chili sauce or mustard on top was truly super.
The atmosphere and service were both rated a 4, and the food also received a 4. It was a pleasant lunch experience with no wait time and indoor dining.
- bagels9
- cream cheese salmon10
- homemade chili sauce9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Great Lunch Spot with Tasty Food!
I was in the area looking for a place to sit down and enjoy a lunch, which wasn’t easy to find. This place had tasty food, a pleasant atmosphere, and a friendly, attentive staff.
- tasty food9
- pleasant atmosphere8
- friendly, attentive staff9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Delicious Sandwiches, Worth Multiple Visits
Our first stop on our first day in SF led us to discover sandwiches that were so good, we made a total of 3 visits throughout our trip. It’s the genuine article!
- sandwiches10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Overpriced and Disappointing Jewish Deli
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I found the food to be overpriced, and the service was extremely slow. While you can get a decent Ruben, it's significantly overpriced, and I'd recommend ordering ahead.
Their bagels are not like Boichek; they are baked hard and nothing like a traditional East Coast bagel. The restaurant used to be amazing at making Rubens and pastrami-based items, but they've since expanded their menu into what I consider an abomination of a Jewish deli, far from a classic NY deli. It's a sorry state of affairs for what was once a great staple.
- Ruben5
- food3
- service2
- bagels3
What Wise Sons offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
FAQs
What service options are available at Wise Sons Jewish Deli in San Francisco?
When you visit Wise Sons Jewish Deli in San Francisco’s Alamo Square, you have convenient service options. You can choose to enjoy your meal with a comfortable dine-in experience or opt for delivery to your location, bringing their delicious food right to you.
What payment methods can you use at Wise Sons Jewish Deli?
At Wise Sons Jewish Deli, paying for your delicious meal is easy and flexible. You can use major credit cards, debit cards, and even NFC mobile payments for a quick and secure transaction, ensuring a smooth experience every time you visit.
What is the overall rating for Wise Sons, and how do its different aspects score?
Wise Sons has an overall score of **6** out of 10, indicating an average experience. **Service** (6.6) and **Food** (6.2) are its stronger points, while **Ambience** (5.7) is average, and **Value** (3.6) is a notable area for improvement.
What do customers generally like about Wise Sons' food?
Many customers appreciate the **bagels**, often described as chewy and well-executed, along with the **chocolate babka** and **sandwiches**. The **coffee** also receives positive remarks for its taste.
Are there any common complaints about the service or pricing at Wise Sons?
Yes, some customers have experienced **long waiting times** for orders and found the **prices** to be on the higher side, particularly for items like coffee and bagels with schmear. There are also mentions of issues with **cash payment** acceptance.