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Big Nate's Barbeque - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Barbeque Barbeque [Edit]
1665 Folsom St(between 12th St & United States Highway 101)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 861-4242
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Bay G. said: "Everyone makes mistakes. The question is how you respond to them. I ordered their special - a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato and an egg. After waiting a while, the waitress told me that they were having trouble making the…" read more »
383 reviews for Big Nate's Barbeque
Review Highlights
"the potato salad was damn good too."
(in 109 reviews)
"The Memphis pork is great as well."
(in 47 reviews)
"Also the bbq sauce is delicious."
(in 80 reviews)
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383 reviews in English
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Review from Eric B.
12/28/2011
Big Nate's BBQ was one of the first places I went for BBQ when I lived in San Francisco. The street and storefront was spare, but the Brisket was even better than what my friend Norm's Jewish Mother used to make. The "Kosher" ribs (eaten under a friend's rabbinical supervision) were a close second.
Big Nate of course is former NBA Center Nate Thurman. Last year, Thurmond retired from the BBQ business and handed the reins over to the folks from Fly Bar and Solstice, who took it over but kept the name. No longer. There's another new regime and with a new name. But the smoker won't be cool for long: CatHead's BBQ is reopening at the beginning of the new year, after a quick remodel.
Goodbye Nate and Thank You for the Arthur Bryant-like memories..... -
Review from Victor G.
Oakland, CA
12/27/2011
Nate, it's been a decade of 2 since i've tasted your beef briskets, ribs, and links. it was a couple of memorable eats. since then i've stayed away from meats until recently.
i'm sad that your namesake is following you into retirement.
true, you may not be missed but you will be remembered for those evenings of pure joy licking your ribs and chewing your brisket. it was so exciting and unique! -
Review from Jason H.
San Francisco, CA
11/8/2011
The BBQ food are good and prices are decent. Definitely using this place as a starting point and what to expect from other BBQ joint which I haven't try yet.
Is pretty smokey inside the restaurant, so I only order out.
The 'Beef Brisket' were moist not dry; which was good and 'Pork Ribs' are good.
Overall, not bad for my taste. -
Review from Angela T.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2011
My company catered in Nate's BBQ and as I really wanted to like it, it was probably one of the most disappointing ribs, mac and cheese and bbq chicken I've ever had. The food was really plain and no flavor at all. I think the best dish was the potato salad and the corn bread. It's too bad, I think the whole company wanted to like the food. It was catered in so maybe it tastes a lot better at the restaurant. I've never had bbq ribs that barely had any bbq sauce and the mac and cheese was tasteless nonetheless I probably will think about trying something else if I eat here again.
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Review from Kim K.
9/16/2011
If you are looking for a BBQ joint where you won't - yes, won't- gain weight, this is the spot.
This is a straight up review of the food via catering. I have not been to the restaurant.
The food can all be summed up with the word "Flavorless".
Cornbread was super oily and blah. The coleslaw had a good crispy texture and was fresh, but was also pretty flavorless. The mac and cheese... ugh. The most flavorless mac and cheese I've ever had. Such a sin. The pasta was cooked well but the cheese was just so sad. We tried salt, pepper, and even passed around some siracha hot sauce to try to save it. Nope.
The meat was a combo platter of pork and chicken that just reeked. The rest of the afternoon people were moaning and feeling sickly.
Bland. Yuck. Avoid. -
Review from Don S.
San Francisco, CA
7/31/2011
My employee and I just ordered this for delivery and we both wish we hadn't. The food was mediocre, but not bad enough to warrant a single, lonely star. The service, however, secured their spot in the crap-championships.
I ordered the half-plate of chicken with cole slaw and country beans. The chicken was pretty dry, the beans were okay, and the cole slaw had zero flavor - mostly likely because it didn't arrive. The corn bread was good. A little dry - nothing a bit of butter couldn't fix. I wish they had given us butter.
My employee ordered the links with mac-n-cheese and potato salad. The links were like something from a Hungry Man frozen dinner; dry and artificially smokey (easy on the liquid smoke, Nate). The mac-n-cheese was rubbery and tasted eerily un-cheesy, if that makes sense. The potato salad was - wait for it - nonexistent. They forgot to bring that as well. They did provide the two of us with five forks, though. Golly. Thanks.
We called about the two missing side orders, only to be told that they would not be bringing us the FOOD WE PAID FOR BUT DIDN'T RECEIVE. They instead told us that they'd give us the sides on our next order. I hope you're reading this, owner of Nate's. This is a sure-fire way to piss off your customers and deter them from returning. -
Review from Clarissa S.
San Francisco, CA
8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came in during the middle of the day after doing some grocery shopping around the corner and was excited to sink my teeth into a juicy brisket sammie and some delicious collard greens.
What I got, was a mouthful of smoke flavored sawdust between a cold bun, and waterlogged greens floating about in a sea of onion flavored liquid. The biggest insult was that the food was tepid, and no matter how good the BBQ sauce is, it can't pull a hot mess of a meal like that away from the verge of inedible.
I hoped that my meal was simply a fluke, but sadly, my companion's pulled pork sandwich was just as awful and cold.
I should also mention that while our server was a very friendly bloke, he refused to honor the free cornbread deal I had unlocked when checking in, which I felt was a bit disappointing, but decided to give him the benefit of the doubt since he likely was unaware of the deal. So, just a friendly FYI to those using the mobile Yelp app: you may not be able to cash in on your deal.
Sorry Big Nate's, but I am very sorry to say that judging from my experience and the other negative reviews here, I think there need to be a few quality issues that need to be addressed before I am ready to step foot in your BBQ joint again. -
Review from Michael J.
San Francisco, CA
7/25/2011
In my opinion, the staff at Big Nate's Barbeque functions better when the restaurant is busy. As I write this review it's midsummer, and Big Nate's is jumping (sorry, couldn't resist!). On my most recent visit, a majority of the tables and stools were taken. Customers were picking up to go orders with unerring regularity. The place looked alive. Somehow, the food tasted better, too. My pork ribs were very tender.
One positive development is the placement of containers of the three degrees of sauce, hot, medium and mild, at each table, a nice change from the past practice when the server placed the sauce on your food before you get it. That always seemed a bit random to me.
Big Nate's is my Barbeque fall back position. I'm still searching for my # 1 spot; I know there's better out there. -
Review from Sarkis S.
San Francisco, CA
7/2/2011
Ya... this place is pretty bad, matter of fact... no, not going to go there
I don't think its the cook, just the quality of the meat, there was nothing "beefy" about the brisket... just straight nasty
Service and staff was good, they get the extra star / cool sports photos on the wall, worth the visit, but bring your own food -
Review from ERICA G.
San Francisco, CA
7/16/2011
SF you disappoint me when it comes to BBQ. Big Nate's is my go to spot when I need that BBQ fix. The BBQ is ok but the sides need some work.
I find myself crossing the bridge to Oakland to find some good BBQ... -
Review from Kimya P.
San Francisco, CA
9/2/2011
Delicious. I didn't have any of the sides but the brisket sandwich totally hit the spot; next time I plan on having the pork sandwich.
Only thing is that their hot could be MUCH hotter? I want to taste the spices on my tongue? Even though I ordered it 'hot' it definitely tasted more mild... -
Review from Fareed R.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 7/18/2011
This business is under new ownership since my last review.
I'll give it another try one of these days but until then, I'm adding a star for the sake of fairness. I'm only adding one however because they should have read their reviews before the bought the place, must have known what they were getting into, and never bothered to contact the writers of their one star reviews to inform them of the change in ownership and request a retraction or re-evaluation.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/18/2009
My quest for the best Bay Area BBQ continues....
I got the spare ribs with a side of "mean greens"… Read more »
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Review from Aliza B.
5/20/2011
Horrible experience from start to finish. Ordered online and had to call to find out where my order was 90 minutes later. They claimed it came through while I was on the phone. Right. In compensation for the delay I was offered a few extra side dishes and cornbread.
An hour later the food arrived. Without any extras.
I was also charged more for every single item I ordered. I don't appreciate a bait and switch. If your website has your prices right next to an online order form, I expect to be charged that price.
Adding further insult to injury, I used the Yelp discount code, but after the delivery guy left I realised I was charged full price.
Amateur hour.
So we've established the service is shit, what about the food?
Ribs - Disgusting and dried out. They smelt and tasted overwhelmingly of fake smoke. They tasted like someone had poured a bottle of liquid smoke on them. I washed my hands six times after eating only two pieces and they still smell. That is *not* natural
BBQ Sauce (ordered on the side)- I know this one is a matter of personal taste, but I hated it. It was overly vinegary and the spice just didn't taste right. I desperately wanted to like it so we could eat the ribs which tasted awful on their own. I couldn't...
Country Beans - Sugary. They were ok, nothing special. About on par with canned baked beans.
Mac n Cheese - Tasteless and rubbery. Threw them out after one bite.
Coleslaw - Good. Not great, but acceptable.
Potato Salad - The only thing that was actually great.
Corn Bread - Disgusting. Dried out and stale
Total cost of the meal was $43 + another $30 on ordering a pizza, so we could actually eat dinner...
Avoid this place at all costs. -
Review from Gloria C.
3/6/2011
There was nothing big about the BBQ at Nate's.
I've been to Big Nate's a few times now and I've decided that the BBQ is just O-K. Last time, my friends and I decided to have a BBQ dinner party and I ordered over $100 of BBQ and pretty much tried everything on the menu.
The ribs were a bit dry, brisket was okay, pulled pork was good but not impressive. The mac and cheese was not great that night and cornbread was meh. Oh and the hot links were not hot and also a bit dry. I remember Big Nate's being better in the past but after going to Gorilla and Smokin' Warehouse then coming back to Nate's, it just wasn't the same. Is it rude to compare?Listed in: Who doesn't love BBQ?
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Review from Christy Z.
San Francisco, CA
5/1/2011
Put the order in online for delivery and waited 15-20 minutes for the call back to confirm (site says they'll call back in 10 minutes). They never called, so I called and they were processing the order. It took another 40-45 minutes for delivery. So an hour after I put my order in online, I finally get my food.
I ordered the BBQ Chicken Sandwich with coleslaw on the side. The flavor wasn't bad but it wasn't what I like. The coleslaw was bland. The food didn't really sit well with me and it was so salty that I couldn't get enough to drink all night. -
Review from Vince N.
8/28/2011
good food, a bit strange location.
I've had better, but the food is pretty good when you need some comfort in your tummy.
Definitely worth trying when you are hungry. But I think everything taste good when you are hungry.
I like the potatoe salad and brisket..the mac and cheese, I could do without.
Prices are reasonable and portions are decent. -
Review from john s.
Daly City, CA
10/18/2011
The best BBQ I ever ate. Great atmosphere. Lots of pictures of sports hero's on the wall. I can't believe there is not a picture of Willie T. RIBBS.
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Review from Ed U.
Even I know who Nate Thurmond is. Golden State Warriors. Most rebounds in a quarter. NBA Hall of Fame. He retired in 1977 and decided to open this no-frills rib joint in 1990. Enough history. Do the ribs live up to Nate the Great's legacy? I think the answer depends on how you like your barbecue. If you like lots of sweet sauce drowning a truckload of ribs, then this may be your cup of tea.
Jamie W. and I came here on the way back from grocery shopping. He was smart and ordered just the $8.50 Pulled Pork Sandwich with a side of Country Beans and a Diet Coke (see photo). It was unexceptional yet manageable. I don't know what I was thinking, but I ordered the $17 Two-Way Fast Break Combo of Beef Brisket and Memphis Pork (see photo). It came with two sides, Country Beans and Potato Salad. It was really enough food for a small team of migrant workers.
The most important thing is that the brisket was tender and easy to eat, but the pork was not doing it for me, too dry. I really didn't know how much sauce would be ladled on top, but it was just too overwhelming and sweet for me to enjoy. I tried scraping it off, but it was too little, too late. The sides, served in little plastic cups, were not very satisfying. The beans tasted slightly stale and the potato salad just bland. Both needed something extra to bounce off the sauce. By the way, I tried to cash in my check-in offer of a free corn muffin, but sadly they were out.
FOOD - 3 stars...big portions for big appetites but for Nate's sake, order the sauce on the side
AMBIANCE - 2 stars...not much on decor here
SERVICE - 2.5 stars...friendly enough but a bit slow
TOTAL - 3 stars...Nate the Great = Most rebounds in a quarter, Big Nate's Bar-B-Que = Most rebounds from my stomach -
Review from Patrick R.
Sebastopol, CA
3/3/2011
This place was pretty cool to walk into. They have a couple brick BBQ's behind the counter which i found a little unique. The smell on the inside was FANTASTIC smelled like a good old home fashioned BBQ.
I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with medium BBQ sauce the portion was average and a little pricey. The sandwich was pretty good nothing mind blowing. The sides I decided to go with were the beans and mac and cheese. Beans were pretty tasty but i would stay clear the mac and cheese it didn't have much flavor at all.
The gentleman behind the counter was polite. I told him I had never been there before and asked what I HAD to have. He didnt really suggest anything just said alot of people like the pulled pork so I went with that.
Overall its was OK in my opinion there are better BBQ places in the city. If your in the area might be worth a try if your in a rush. -
Review from Joshua W.
4/14/2011
Hold up, what a minute, STOP THE PRESS!!!! I am originally from Missouri (pronounced Missourah) yes thats right "AH" Anyway, back home in KC we have THE Arthur Bryants BBQ. Having said that, Big Nate's is the west coast equivalent! Been here five years and just know found it.
I had the Beef Brisket sandwhich with medium sauce. THE BOMB! and the potato salad? I'm 99.99999% sure they put sweet pickle relish in it cuz thats what I do with mine and it tasted just as good. Lord have mercy as my friend from Texas would say, "this was slap yo' mamma good!"
The guys behind the counter where having a great time too.....secret must really be in the sauce!
Check it out!!Listed in: Bar-B-Que
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Review from Grenache G.
Daly City, CA
5/30/2011
I'm a big Bar-b-Que buff and I spend many hours burning meat on my own grills.
The food is delicious... it doesn't matter what you order. The guys running the place are great and put a lot of care into making the food and also preparing it for take out. You get a lot of food for the price, so don't let the menu scare you.
Today was my first time eating here and I have driven by this place maybe a 100 times with at least 10 recommendations from various people. I should have taken their advice sooner... it's not every day I eat out, but Big Nates Bar-B-Que is for sure going to be a place i stop by when I want a plate of cooked love! -
Review from Jason B.
1/17/2011
Big Nate! How about bigger portions? You are a man of the 'cue, and I dig your focus on the goods. Your pulled chicken sandwich sandwich has no distracting veggies. There is no fuss. It's just a chicken + bun + pick your side + BBQ sauce slathered delicious mess. As it should be.
There just wasn't much of the chicken, and at your prices, there should be more. Be more generous with your meat, I'll happily be more generous with my stars. -
Review from Foodie D.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 9/27/2011
Tried to place an order online. No call back to confirm, just BS "I tried to call".. I called to confirm 30 minutes later "oh sorry we have a new $20 delivery minimum and no corn on the cob".. THEN POST THAT MINIMUM AT YOUR SITE!! Not too mention I had the brisket DELIVERED a couple weeks ago... fatty and nasty. Going downhill. I guess the universe was protecting me tonight..
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/28/2011
OMG The Rib Slab is awesome! No fat LOTS OF MEAT! My friend and I ordered it the other night with… Read more »
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Review from Rory O.
Burlingame, CA
After receiving an email from Big Nate's asking me to come back in and try the new and improved brisket sandwich and the re-adjusted potato salad, I couldn't wait to get over there and have a taste.
First off, let me say that I was hugely impressed that a business took the time to read my review (and others) and actually made adjustments to the way they do business to satisfy the customer. This is something I find far too lacking in business. Way to go, Big Nate's!
But enough of my blabbering and on to what matters....
You need to go to Big Nate's. You need to go there as soon as you're done reading my review, sending me a glowing compliment, and clicking Useful, Funny, and Cool down below.
Not only is the brisket vastly improved, the potato salad is TO DIE FOR. I can't adequately describe how much I enjoyed this new potato salad. The brisket is moist and tender with a wonderful smoky flavor to it. And the sauce is just as outstanding as it was last time I visited. That sauce is a winner! Seriously good stuff.
Thank you, Big Nate's, for taking the time to see what the people want and not only meeting, but exceeding, expectations. You've got yourself a regular customer.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/25/2010
I finally got around to going back for that pork sandwich and I can attest that it was delicious and… Read more »
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Review from Tasha A.
San Francisco, CA
12/15/2010
Boo! Why is there no good BBQ in SF? I dont get it, and Nates is no exception.
You would think that with all the photos and memories on the walls that Nates would deliver something other than the dry, thin slaps of ribs and seemingly old, shriveled things that were supposed to be links.
So sad, so gassy...
The "mad greens" actually made me pissed. They were served in a small plastic cup, and I'm pretty sure they were microwaved and water was added to make them moist, however 30% of the cup was water.
On to the "hot" sauces. They weren't-at all. Very disappointing. I was happy to see the mild, medium and hot sauces at every table and was looking forward to sampling all. I did, and there was no difference what-so-ever.
Will never be coming back. -
Review from Shane P.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2011
I may get a lot of flack for this review and I don't care. FLACK AWAY!
This place KILLS Memphis Minnie's "gringo" bbq. If you're looking for hot sauce to accompany your pulled pork sandwich, go to MM. You want scalding hot sauce? The kind that even after you've finished your meal, the perimeter of your lips feel like they're on fire? Go to Big Nate's!
Nate's mean greens were simply great without tasting as if they had come out of a can. Mac-n-cheese are of course on the menu as well as peach cobbler and pecan pie. MMMMMMM! -
Review from Tom R.
San Francisco, CA
9/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
In my search for good BBQ in SF I'm leaving no stone unturned.
I have had Nate's a few times but not for years. Big Nate's has a reputation for being inconsistent and mediocre at best and by my experiences I'd agree but I figured I should give them a fresh try so I could give them an honest review.
I ordered the full pork ribs dinner with Mac 'n cheese and mean greens. I was asked what kind of sauce I wanted and requested hot.
First off the greens were delicious, maybe the best I've ever had. Sadly I don't think a BBQ joint can make it on the greens alone.
The Mac 'n cheese was bland, room temperature, gummy, and not even very cheesy.
The ribs were nice and long, sometimes these places cut off the rib tips and sell them separately but Nate's gives you a very good looking rib. Unfortunately they either don't know how to cook them right or they figure that the people that come in won't know any better so why should they bother trying because my ribs were dry and chewy. Also while the sauce was warm the ribs were not.
I didn't think the sauce was very spicy, barely any kick at all, but to be fair I can eat unbelievably hot food so I'm not holding that against them.
I wish someone would open up a great BBQ place in The City! -
Review from Uri K.
San Francisco, CA
1/6/2011
Pretty disappointing food over all. Even in a pinch we wouldn't go back.
Had really high hopes as we are looking for a decent BBQ in the city and keep striking out :-(
3 Stars for service:
People - friendly on phone
Service - on time - said 45 minutes for delivery, took 45 minutes for delivery
1 Star for food
Three Way Combo:
Pork Ribs - Very tough, chewy meat. I had to firmly tear the meat from the bone and spend a good amount of time chewing through it. flavorless - make sure to order sauce on the side or on it
Beef Brisket - Again really tough meat, no real flavor, kinda chewy
Chicken - eh, tastes like chicken but with sauce on it. The chicken was the most tender of the three meats.
Cole Slaw - not too bad actually. A little runny but pretty decent overall
Mac & Cheese - Ugh, no flavor and rubbery, pretty gross. Sadly, Safeway deli has better
Overall - meat is pretty tough and not well seasoned, you need alot of BBQ sauce .
Which brings me to the BBQ sauce - supposedly they make it themselves, but I think they just add honey (and alot of it) to store bought. -
Review from Megan R.
2/21/2011
I was starving from a six hour plane ride with complimentary toddler back massage when I partook of this place. I don't think the fact I was starving changed my point of view of this place, but it really hit the spot.
I ordered the pulled pork sandwich(medium sauce) with a side of mean greens. I will admit I am a pulled pork junkie, I will eat it every chance I get and this is no exception. Big Nate's says it is Memphis style and well I was in Memphis no less than 6 months ago savoring pulled pork there and this is pretty damn close. The pork was juicy and cooked to perfection. The medium sauce was the right amount of spicy and sweet. The greens were my absolute favorite, spicy and tangy. All I can say is YUM! -
Review from MONICA G.
San Francisco, CA
5/18/2011
This is my favorite spot for BBQ. BIG nates was the right name for this place cus the portions and flavor sure are BIG!!! Ive tried almost everything on the menu.
Meat:
Pork Ribs with mild sauce on top- finger lickin GOOOD! meat just falls off the bone
Chicken- so tender and juicy
Beef Brisket- it was ok-not my favorite
Sides:
potato salad- chunky and comforting
mac n cheese- yummy goodness that makes you wanna fall asleep
mean greens- now thats some greens i can eat
corn bread- so tasty i wish i grew up on this
wash it all down with their home made sweet tea and your ready to go into a food coma. Overall gotta give this place 5 stars cus the food is great and the customer service is friendly and prompt. AND you go home smelling like BBQ. -
Review from Mike S.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2011
I really wish I had known about this place sooner. I'm stuck on jury duty at 850 Bryant all week and have been spending lunch breaks just wandering the area. I just happened upon Big Nate's in my wanderings and I am SO glad I did. The portions are huge. The pulled pork is excellent. Apparently they deliver as well. If the rest of the menu is this good they're going to be delivering to my office a lot.
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Review from Scott A.
San Francisco, CA
10/9/2010
I did leave with a full belly, but sadly the food had to get there via my mouth and taste buds. The corn bread was tasteless, as was the mac n' cheese. The meat was decent, but still below average. The dessert, sweet potato pie and peach cobblers were small and also low quality and taste. The sweet tea was also a disappointment.
There is an over use of plastic materials.
I wonder how this place has remained open for 20 years. Seriously. This was some of the worst BBQ food I have had. And my friend wo I ate with concurred.
In my opinion, drive on by. -
Review from Kelly B.
Modesto, CA
7/17/2011
It's ok. Not great. The BBQ chicken is dry. The coleslaw was really good. The Mac and cheese needed more seasoning. The service at the register is really good. I'd go back, but I'd have to try something else.
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Review from Jennifer P.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 1/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Our last experience wasn't a good one, but three months ago the owner sent me a message telling that a lot of the menu items were updated, removed or changed.
While I haven't been in the area lately, my husband stopped by to give it another try when he was out for lunch. He reported back to me that everything was definitely better and that we should go there some time.
We don't go out to eat often and it may be a while till I go personally, so I thought I'd give an updated review based on what he told me about the place.
Thanks Jesse F. for letting us know about the changes you made. Looks like they worked!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/28/2010
Yeah...I was giving Nate's the benefit of the doubt in my earlier review...I think the only decent… Read more »
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Review from Miss B.
San Francisco, CA
12/6/2010
After writing my review, I was contacted by the manager of Big Nate's describing how they take their clients requests/complaints seriously and that they changed their buns to fresh brioche rolls so I should have another go at trying their BBQ.
I am still so surprised and impressed that they took into account the complaints that I had made. I gave them another try and I have to say their rolls are much better and that makes a huge difference in the quality of the sandwich. I will be ordering more pulled chicken sandwiches in the future.
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(OLD REVIEW of 2 stars) I love that they deliver, but I've experienced much better.
I want to like this place, but I hate that a sandwich consists of meat on a cheap stale, white bun. That's it. blah. The sides are okay. Just okay. The sauces are good. I mean there is potential here, they just don't seem to have the right formula yet. -
Review from D.C. P.
San Francisco, CA
4/16/2011
I'm on a quest to find the best BBQ joint in the bay area and unfortunately Big Nate did not end it. Thanks to Groupon (or was it Living Social?) for giving me an awesome deal to try out this place but after my recent visit, I left pretty bummed.
The name alone made me think that they would have good BBQ. BIG NATE just sounds like a place with some big dude in the back with a dirty apron, wiping his sweat with a towel, talking smack to his co-workers,while smoking some meat. When I first stepped into this place it appeared to me like a genuine BBQ joint: A bunch of pics of the owner at cool events, red & white checkered plastic table cloths, uncomfortable plastic chairs, and possibly the original interior paint from when it first opened.
So my first impression was this: Cool restaurant name + genuine BBQ interior decor = good BBQ. I was wrong, so wrong. The hot links had the weirdest texture. They were not firm at all and a bit mushy. They were nothing close to how hot links should taste. The brisket was dry and had no flavor whatsoever. The ribs were a bit moist and slightly fell off the bone. This was probably the best thing that I ate. In my opinion, the one thing that saved everything was their house made sauce. It's sad to say that I had to douse everything with it in order to get some type of flavor with each bite that I took.
My quest continues and it's time to look for another BBQ joint to try... -
Review from Katherine L.
San Francisco, CA
7/15/2011
I LOVE ME SOME BARBECUE!!
My co-worker brought me a plate of Nate's BBQ, said they ordered too much last night, so she nuked me a plate.
I could not BELIEVE HOW FRIGGIN GOOD the brisket was. Tender & smoky. It was smothered in their "hot" sauce, but it was just spicy enough to give it a good kick, not too hot.
And they deliver, too!
NATE, WILL YOU MARRY ME? -
Review from John G.
San Francisco, CA
6/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is hand's down the worst BBQ on the WEST COAST...
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Review from James B.
San Francisco, CA
9/17/2010
If you are on Folsom and want BBQ well Nate's should work.
Otherwise I would not go out of my way. Nothing special.
I had the memphis pork which was smoky but otherwise lacked complexity. 6 bucks, its a pretty small sandwich.
I want to like this place, Is there something that they do well? or is the whole menu sub-par? -
Review from grace a.
San Francisco, CA
10/6/2010
This place is tasty! But, the portions are really off considering the price. The guy was nice but kinda misleading on the size of the chicken plate. My boyfriend was very disappointed at paying 16 dollars for a "full plate" that turned out to have one leg, one wing, and a thigh cut into three pieces. On the menu, it says you can get a whole chicken for 13! Guess you have to know what to get.
My sandwich was kind of cold, but I wasn't unhappy with it. I got the pulled pork special for 8.50, came with a drink and a small side (very small, like a Dixie cup). The sweet tea is awesome!!
I don't think I'd come here again. It's less then a quarter as good as Catfish&Ribs, which is right next to Colma Bart. It's worth going out of my way to get actually good portions and sauce!!!
Nom nom nom...
