Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Wise Sons – San Francisco
Wise Sons - San Francisco
Photo from Wise Sons
Wise Sons at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🥪 Deli
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 63 of the guests
#1917 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#16 Deli out of 18 in San Francisco
Good
6.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
504
Reviews
61.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Deli classics
- Charming ambiance
- Lunch value
Frequently criticized
- Food inconsistency
- High prices
- Service issues
The restaurant Wise Sons is a beloved deli in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District. When you’re craving classic comfort food, this spot delivers an authentic taste experience.
You can enjoy your meal right there with dine-in service, grab it to go with convenient takeout, or have it brought directly to you via delivery. It’s a perfect choice for a casual and satisfying meal in the heart of the city.
Overview: Introducting Wise Sons
Wise Sons offers a taste of classic deli fare, where many find the food thoughtfully prepared and certain dishes like the pastrami and matzo ball soup truly shine. There’s a definite appreciation for the Jewish deli vibe, creating a welcoming and homey atmosphere for patrons.
However, not all experiences are consistently positive. Some customers have noted a slipping quality in certain items, and the overall perception of value can be a point of contention, with some finding prices on the higher side.
Good
6.6
out of 10
504
Reviews
61.9%
Satisfaction
157
negative
35
neutral
312
positive
Wise Sons achieves an overall Restaurant Score of 6.6, indicating a generally positive reception, though customer satisfaction sits at 61.9%, placing it in the mixed range. This assessment is drawn from 504 customer opinions, with 312 positive remarks against 157 negative ones.
Looking closer, Food (7) and Ambience (7.3) are well-regarded, contributing significantly to the positive sentiment. Service (6.2) is perceived as average, with experiences varying.
The most challenging area appears to be Value (3.7), which customers frequently highlight as a concern.
What people like
- Flavorful deli classics
- Charming deli atmosphere
- Specific lunch value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- High overall pricing
- Service can be inconsistent
If you’re seeking a comforting deli experience with well-executed classics like pastrami and matzo ball soup, Wise Sons is worth considering. The charming atmosphere adds to the appeal, making it a pleasant spot for a meal, especially if you catch one of their valued lunch specials.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in food quality and the pricing, which some find steep. With a Recommendation Score of 6.9, it suggests a place that many enjoy, but it might not be a universal fit for every budget or expectation.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Deli
8.9
out of 10
out of 10
303
94.7%
- $$
- Outer Mission
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Deli
8.6
out of 10
out of 10
92
95.7%
- $$
- Potrero Terrace
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Deli
8.4
out of 10
out of 10
108
89.8%
- $$
- Potrero Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Deli
8.1
out of 10
out of 10
262
86.6%
- $$
- North Beach
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Deli
8.1
out of 10
out of 10
355
83.1%
- $$
- Chinatown
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Deli
8
out of 10
out of 10
278
83.1%
- $$
- Hayes Valley
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Wise Sons
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, there's a lot to love, with a good score of 7 and 203 positive remarks. Many rave about the delicious pastrami, fresh bagels, and classic Reubens. The Matzo Ball Soup also gets a lot of love, often described as a comforting hug in a bowl, alongside other deli favorites.
While many enjoy the food, customer satisfaction is a bit mixed at 67.7%, with 74 negative comments. Some found the food too salty or the bagels cold and hard. Others were disappointed by tiny bagels or small portions, especially for the price, noting a decline in overall quality.
Food
300
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
74
negative
23
neutral
203
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious pastrami
- Fresh, chewy bagels
- Great deli sandwiches
What people don't like
- Salty food
- Cold, hard bagels
- Small portions
Often praised
- foodAll the food thoughtfully prepared
- bagelsI ordered a bagel and was dismayed to find it was cold, hard, and dry. This is a stark contrast to how the bagels used to be served fresh. I suspect they may have been trying to get rid of older stock, but for a $10 bagel, I expected much more.
- pastramipastrami was still very delicious
- FoodIt's currently the best valued lunch meal in the city, and I sincerely hope they don’t ever get rid of this. The food was excellent, and the overall experience, including service and atmosphere, was top-notch.
- bagelThis is definitely a top tier option
- burgerMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic, especially with the pastrami burger on rye. It's definitely my favorite burger so far. Yum yum yummy, good for my tummy!
- coffeeHot coffee.
- latkesThe best latkes hands down
- matzo ball souptheir matzo ball soup—it’s like a warm hug in a bowl!
- pastrami sandwichTheir pastrami sandwich is a masterpiece—thick, juicy, and bursting with flavor
Frequently criticized
- bagelbagel with toppings, that meant it was covered in nasty burnt bits
- qualityI love this place, but the quality has been slipping recently. My last two delivery orders arrived with issues: one was completely the wrong sandwich, and the other was missing paid-for add-ons.
- bagelsThe bagels are VERY salty
- breadthe bread itself was just very basic and not very toasted
- foodthe food was pretty disappointing
- latkasThe latkas are now mashed potato griddle cakes that were almost deep fried, instead of shaved potato latkas, which is the traditional way of making them.
- pastramimake their own pastrami, I do have doubts
- sandwichesbring back sandwiches even colder
- French toastEverything seemed to be not cooked quite right. The French toast was soggy in the center, and the eggs were sitting in a bath of uncooked eggs.
- New York delicatessensI question if this is due to it being takeout, as you can't return it once it arrives, or if there are supply issues with turkey meat. Having lived in Manhattan for seven years, this turkey club felt like a joke and a slap in the face to the New York delicatessens known for their incredible and generous food. I hope this feedback leads to a change in their ways, though I suspect it might go unnoticed.
If you're craving classic deli favorites like pastrami and bagels, this spot often delivers on flavor. However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in portion sizes or bagel quality, which can sometimes lead to disappointment.
Service (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
When it comes to service, theres definitely a bright side! Many customers rave about the friendly staff and excellent service, often describing it as quick and responsive and helpful. With 58 positive remarks out of 107 total, its clear that many have had great experiences, feeling well taken care of by the team.
However, the overall picture is a bit mixed, with a score of 6.2 (average) and customer satisfaction at 54.2% (mixed). There are 41 negative comments pointing to significant customer service issues, including reports of rude staff and frustrating waiting times. Some experiences suggest the service can be quite slow at times.
Service
107
Reviews
54%
Satisfaction
41
negative
8
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Responsive help
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Slow service
- Customer issues
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by great food and excellent service. I highly recommend their matzoh ball soup.
- staffWhat makes this deli stand out is the blend of authenticity and approachability. The staff are welcoming and genuinely passionate about the food they serve. Plus, the vibe is cozy and nostalgic, with just the right touch of modern flair.
- ServiceService:5
- CocoCoco has taken great care of me
- AlexMy experience at Wise was excellent. Alex was extremely helpful fulfilling my order when the card readers went down. Wise has a great selection of bagels and sandwiches and is my goto bagel shop when I'm in San Francisco.
- IsabelleIsabelle pulled this restaurant out of the fire
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- brunch setupset up the entire brunch to perfection
- cateringthrilled that we hired Wise Sons to cater our brunch
- community supportThey are giving back to the Community
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was a significant letdown
- waiting timewaiting at the bench right in front of the register for 20 minutes
- customer serviceserious customer service issues
- staffIt's always rude staff but this is what finally does it
- FOH staffliterally no FOH staff doing anything
- ID and vaccine cardREQUIRED to show ID and vaccine card in order to eat inside!
- cheap mentalityKeep up this cheap mentality
- clerkThe clerk behind the counter was rude
- customer selectioncustomers selection is really there. If you are not the type of customer that will like to have
- delivery ordersLast two delivery orders arrived with issue
If you're looking for a place with genuinely friendly and quick service, you might be in luck, as many customers have had great experiences. However, be prepared for the possibility of encountering slow service or less-than-stellar customer interactions, which could dampen your visit.
Ambience (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
Overall, the ambience here is quite good, scoring a solid 7.3 with a strong customer satisfaction of 75.9%. Many folks (41 positive opinions out of 54 total) loved the cozy, homey vibe, clean interior, and pleasant decor. The natural light and cool Jewish deli atmosphere really make it a welcoming spot, often described as having a decorated simplicity.
However, some feedback (11 negative opinions) pointed out a few snags. A common complaint was the music being too loud, and finding parking can be a hassle. A few felt the dine-in experience lacked warmth, suggesting it's better for takeout, and some found the overall atmosphere not great.
Ambience
54
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
11
negative
2
neutral
41
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, cozy atmosphere
- Pleasant decor
- Jewish deli vibe
What people don't like
- Loud music
- Difficult parking
- Lacking dine-in warmth
Often praised
- atmospherelove the open atmosphere of the Saturday farmer's market
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- cleanWell made and clean
- insideThe inside is cute and homey
- shopshop is beautiful, tidy
- Jewish deli vibeI had one of the best pastrami sandwiches I've ever tasted. The place has a cool old school Jewish deli vibe that I really enjoyed. The food, in general, was great.
- ambianceenjoying the ambiance always feels like a warm hug
- decorThe decor inside is nice
- decorated simplicitybrilliant in its decorated simplicity
- deliA very nice deli
Frequently criticized
- musicmusic is way way too loud
- parkingfinding parking so plan ahead
- atmosphereNot anything near a great atmosphere
- bagstheir “eat something. You look skinny.” bags are very offensive
- dine-inDine-in is definitely second to take-out
- dine-in experiencelacking warmth for a dine-in experience
- indoor diningcanceled indoor dining
- placeit’s a shell of its former self
If youre looking for a clean, cozy spot with a great vibe, youll likely enjoy the atmosphere here. Just be prepared for potentially loud music and plan your parking ahead of time, especially if you're hoping for a quiet dine-in experience.
Value (3.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
While the overall sentiment around value is quite low, with a score of just 3.7 and customer satisfaction at a mere 23.3%, some diners did find bright spots. A few appreciated the price per person being quite affordable, highlighting a best valued lunch meal that felt worth every penny. With 10 positive remarks, some even noted prices far below the Bay Area average, offering good value for money comfort food.
However, the majority of feedback, with 31 negative comments, points to significant issues. Many felt items were expensive or overpriced, citing scam behavior with upcharged 20% items on delivery apps. Customers were often sticker shocked by the price of bagels and sandwiches, feeling they paid too much for what they received.
Value
43
Reviews
23%
Satisfaction
31
negative
2
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Best valued lunch
- Affordable per person
- Worth every penny
What people don't like
- Overpriced items
- Delivery app upcharge
- Sticker shock prices
Often praised
- price per personThe food, rated at a 3, was average. The price per person was quite affordable, ranging from $1–$10.
- pricesprices far below the Bay Area average
- Price per personPrice per person:$1–10
- best valued lunch mealMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic, primarily due to the pastrami burger lunch special. It's currently the best valued lunch meal in the city, and I sincerely hope they don’t ever get rid of this. The food was excellent, and the overall experience, including service and atmosphere, was top-notch.
- priceI particularly enjoyed their everything bagels and poppy bagels, which were quite delicious, crunchy, and well-made. The shmears were also good and reasonably priced.
- price tagit better be for the price tag
- value for moneygood value for money comfort food
- worth every pennyit was worth every penny
Frequently criticized
- priceprice of a 6 oz corned beef sandwich to be excessive at $20
- $10 bagelexpect much more for a $10 bagel
- $18 on a bagelIt’s actually really hard to find a good bagel in SF. This is definitely a top tier option, though it does pain me to spend $18 on a bagel. I personally have no fresh baked options in Daly City (as far as I’ve seen) so I didn’t mind driving 13 minutes to Wise Sons to give them a try.
- $20+for $20+
- Lox Bagel$16+ for ONE Lox Bagel is by far the most expensive
- bagel with cream cheese$5 for a bagel with cream cheese
- cashThey don’t accept cash “for safety reasons”.
- cookie$3 for a cookie
- expensiveit seems expensive
- foodthe food here is absurdly overpriced.
If youre watching your wallet, this spot might be a tough sell, as many found the prices "expensive" and felt "sticker shocked. " While a few specific deals offer "value for money, " prepare for potential disappointment if youre expecting affordability across the board.
How are the prices at Wise Sons?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 63 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 guests find themselves in this $11–$20 range, though there’s a nice spread, with some enjoying lighter, cheaper options and a few opting for a slightly more premium experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 63 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar places in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Deli in San Francisco. It offers a good balance for those looking for quality without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Wise Sons
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Pastrami, Great Service & Atmosphere
My experience at the restaurant was very positive. The pastrami was delicious, though I felt it could have had a bit more meat compared to a classic New York–style deli sandwich. The service and atmosphere were both excellent, rated 5 out of 5.
- pastrami8
- meat6
- service10
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Exceptional Catering for Our Post-Wedding Brunch
Our post-wedding brunch catered by WiseSons at our home exceeded all expectations. The two assigned staff, Zane and Vincent, were punctual, meticulously set up the entire brunch, and ensured everything ran exceptionally smoothly. They handled all the tidying and replenishing, allowing us to be fully present with our 70 guests.
They went above and beyond, even creating a spontaneous guacamole for our vegan guests when a cream cheese order was missed, after first offering to buy some. We appreciated their provision of their own waste and composting, and their departure left the kitchen spotless, with everything stored away. We enjoyed delicious Wise Sons leftovers the next day.
We are thrilled with our choice to hire Wise Sons for our brunch and would highly recommend them.
- staff10
- brunch setup10
- smooth running10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
2
Disappointing decline of a former favorite
My experience at this restaurant was one of disappointment. I hadn't visited in 7-8 years, and it's now a shell of its former self. This spot used to be really, really good, and I was pretty disappointed to see how much it has changed.
- spot9
- place2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Awesome Bagels at the Farmer's Market!
My experience at Wise's stand in the Marin County Farmer's Market was great! The bagels are awesome. They recently acquired new bagel machines, and it truly shows.
The poppy seeds are fantastic, and the plain bagels have the perfect crunchy exterior and soft interior. The cream cheese is also good, and I suspect it's better than what's offered by larger bagel chains. The staff was consistently friendly and not pretentious, unlike some other niche food vendors at the market.
I highly recommend checking them out for yourselves. Cheers Wise Sons!
- bagels10
- poppy seeds9
- plain bagels10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
10
Authentic NY Bagels Outside NYC!
As someone from NY, I can confirm these bagels are the real thing! They are seriously the best I've ever had outside of NYC.
- bagels10
What Wise Sons offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Service Options
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
FAQs
Is Wise Sons Jewish Deli accessible for all guests?
Yes, Wise Sons ensures a comfortable experience for everyone. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms, making it easy for you to navigate and enjoy your visit without any concerns.
What dining and service options are available at Wise Sons Jewish Deli?
At Wise Sons, you have several convenient ways to enjoy your meal. You can choose to dine-in and soak in the atmosphere, opt for quick takeout if you’re on the go, or have your delicious order delivered right to your doorstep.
How do customers rate Wise Sons overall?
Wise Sons holds a 6.6 overall score with 61.9% customer satisfaction. While Food (7) and Ambience (7.3) are generally well-regarded, Service (6.2) is average, and Value (3.7) is a notable concern.
What do patrons enjoy most about Wise Sons?
Many appreciate the thoughtfully prepared food, especially the delicious pastrami and comforting matzo ball soup. The ‘old school Jewish deli vibe’ and homey atmosphere also receive positive remarks, with some finding specific lunch options to be a great value.
What are some common criticisms of Wise Sons?
Recurring concerns include inconsistent food quality, such as salty bagels or soggy French toast, and the perception of high prices for items like bagels and sandwiches. Some also report inconsistent service experiences, including rude staff or long waiting times.