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Category: American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Castro"so third time. food ruled. staff excellent. music sweet. love it! went on a weds night, sat at the bar while my bf and friend did their…" read more »
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Parking sucks, usually a bit of a wait to get seated and its far from convenient. Yet with all of that factored in I'd give this place 7 stars if i could. This is the only place I've ever eaten at that gets everything right, every. single. time.
And being that I have super-specific white-trashesque kind of taste, I can't stand places like Chevy's that will take a good simple food and add weird icky crap to it. This is like the anti-Chevy's imo. I've never had the mac and cheese though half the members of our party usually orders it when we go...
I notice this place has been dubbed as bad for a diet which may be the case if they do indeed have some ultra-addictive mac n'chz but for me I've always gone with stuff like the grilled chicken caesar salad and a bunch of appetizers/sides- all of which are ace.
The strawberry lemonade... like...words cannot even describe this shit. It is the stuff dreams are made of. Ugh my mouth waters even now... if you eat here and don't have their lemonade with your meal you might as well be ripping the wings off an angel somewhere.
Good ol' American home cooking done well and DEFINITELY not meant for feeble dieters.
The Flaming (how appropriate, har har) Mac & Cheese was incredible. Creamy Mac & Cheese with a crunchy cheese crust, chunks of chicken breast throughout to entertain the protein lover in you, and a generous sprinkling of (MORE) cheese on top in case you were left wanting more.
Damn Blue, and here I am, trying so hard to resist you.
Once again, I lose the battle.
The Osso Bucco was good too but do yourself a favor and swap out the mashed potatoes for their crunchy tater tots, reminiscent of elementary school free lunches but 10x better.
+ their waiters were hot!
+ probably gay...oh Blue, DAMN YOU.
Not usually a big fan of Mac and Cheese, but after trying the Bacon Blue Mac and Cheese - AWESOME!! I believe they have 4 different varieties.
It has a little crispy topping and is extremely rich.
Been here a few times and have managed to only have the burgers and Mac-n-Cheese. But seriously...Try the Mac-n-Cheese!!!
Halloween Hangover took place here the next morning.
Brunch was good, we both ordered the chorizo scramble. Chorizo sausage was delicious and the fruit was fresh along with the delectable hash browns.
We were tempted to share a mac 'n cheese... (because I love mac 'n cheese and Sriracha, as mentioned in Connie C's review) - but we decided weren't that hungover.
It left me feeling anything but blue.
So good. If I was not an impulse to lose some weight - I'd definitely go back and have a comfort food feast here...
Will definitely be back!
I'm blue DA BA DE DA BA DI DA BA DE DA BA DI DA BA DE DA BA DI
Sorry, I know there was no need for the opening of my review to contain the lyrics to this horrible Eiffel 65 song but when I heard the name of this restaurant for some reason this song popped into my head.
It was a cold and damp Sunday night in San Francisco. My friend and I had just got back to our hotel room from the San Francisco 49ers football game, a game where the 49ers got their behinds kicked 45-10. The only thing I could think of that would comfort us after that horrible loss was some good old comfort food. I'm talking meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, pork chops and applesauce, chicken pot pie, etc. Comfort food is also a one of my favorite styles of cuisine to eat on cold nights.
We walked into this cozy little joint around 7:30 in the evening. Blue only has only about 15 tables or so, all of which were occupied upon our arrival. We only had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated which was fine by me because by the time we were seated we knew exactly what we wanted and we placed out order immediately.
I couldn't make up my mind between their homemade meatloaf or their fiery mac and cheese so I deiced to man up and order both meals.
The meatloaf was great. The loaf was big and thick and was covered in delicious mushroom gravy. The loaf had an amazing taste and was super tender. It also was served with mashed potatoes and steamed carrots, both of which were great.
The fiery mac and cheese was AMAZING. It was super creamy and surprisingly spicy and was topped with crispy bread crumbs and bacon (I added the bacon). This dish totally hit the spot on this disappointing and chilly night.
The inside of Blue is really, really blue. The walls are a light shade of blue and at night (when I was there) they had on dark blue lights on the ceilings and walls.
The service here was wonderful, our waiter was super friendly and very attentive
If you're even in SF on a cold night or if you're in need for some comfort food then check out Blue.
PS- When that song came out I thought it was saying "I'm blue, if I was green I would die, if I was green I would die",
Mm, their chicken burger is so good here. It's really well marinated and juicy, and is just dripping with melty blue cheese, caramelized onions, avocado. Comes with piping hot french fries to mop up the delicious messy goop that spills out of the burger. Mac n' Cheese is also delicious here and there are a few varieties. Small little joint, but I've never had issues getting a table.
Thanks to Connie C. and her raving review about the flaming mac & cheese, I finally knocked another one off the bookmark list! This tiny little joint with a very blue interior (hence the name) was packed during lunch. After being promptly seated within 15-20 minutes, without even looking down at my menu, I put in an order for flaming mac & cheese and chili cheese tots. Yelp's been on point with recommendations lately and these 2 soared to the top of the list. We also added chicken fusilli and spicy calamari to our afternoon feast.
*Flaming Mac & Cheese - What a delicious bowl of ooey gooey goodness! With the the cheese oozing out of the edge underneath a crispy baked crust of bread crumbs, this was definitely the highlight of our meal. The cheese already had quick a kick, so I didn't think the side of Sriracha sauce was necessary. For those who want that extra spiciness, it's an awesome combination of flavors.
*Chili Cheese Tots - Good, but not great. I think the dish had been sitting out for a while before our server brought it to our table. The tots were quite soggy and the chili wasn't piping hot. Quite a disappointment, but who can complain much about chili cheese tots?
*Chicken Fusilli - Barely any chicken pieces, but tons of flavor. For a loaded plate of carbs, I would recommend sticking with the mac & cheese rather than the other pasta dishes.
*Spicy Calamari - LOVED IT! Without an excessive amount of batter and cooked perfectly crisp, this was one of the best calamari dishes I've ever had. Of course my mouth felt like it was set on fire after a few nibbles, but it's probably a good thing I downed about 3 glasses of water in one sitting. Combine this with a spoonful of mac & cheese and you've got yourself quite an explosive treat!
Though all the portions were fairly generous and heavy, we still managed to save room for creme brulee. However, I wish we saved our $6.50. My homemade creme brulee was better than this. The custard was more like pudding and not enough caramelization on top.
Total tab was about $50ish. For the great service, affordable prices, and a few kickass dishes, I'm definitely a fan of this eatery. I'd advise sharing the food family style so you can try a lil bit of everything without feeling totally bloated afterward. After all, sharing IS caring.
After browsing around at Books, Inc., we decided to dine at Blue since I had eaten here before and thought wonderful things about this establishment. As we were making our way to the restaurant, we got harassed by a crazy, homeless man who initially asked us for money which we denied and then decided to verbally assault my friend. He was advising my friend how to dress accordingly (my friend is a Graphic Designer and come on . . . graphic designers KNOW how to dress well). As soon as we got to Blue, we scurried inside.
We shared the tattertots which were crispy and reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite (except they weren't in my pocket!) and I had the Chicken Pot Pie.
Now my Chicken Pot Pie was delicious. If you like chicken, they give you a lot of it in there. Yum Yum.
I'll definitely be coming back here for the mac n' cheese baby. Couple next to us had some and it looked delicious.
What is this 2003? I've been telling everyone how amazing Blue is for a year, but haven't written a Yelp review? That's just craziness.
This is my go-to place every time I'm in the city these days. Diets be damned, when I'm near that mac n' cheese or that cheesy crust on the pot pie, I've just gotta have it. This is modern comfort food to a tee...more than comfort though, this is sheer happiness - nay - elation on a plate. I'm getting butterflies just thinking about that ooey-gooey creamy mac n' cheese.
...Whew. Give me a second. I ned to take a breath before I can go on.
Actually, now I'm just speechless. And can't stop thinking about my next trip to SF just so I can visit Blue.
Any place that serves fiery mac and cheese and tater tots is going to be high on my list of places I like to eat you know...
I was in charge of choosing a place for a group of us to eat. Hazel Q recommended Blue (ha! that rhymes) and after a quick peek at the menu I was ever-so-grateful to her for mentioning it. The 6 of us got there and were seated in a large, diner-ish booth and began ordering straight away.
We started with chili cheese tater tots, plain tots, and baked brie. I'm sure anyone who knows me can see my hand in that order immediately. Being a part-time pescatarian I refrained from the chili cheese tots, but the plain version was served just as I like 'em - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The brie was freaking fantastic. It was served with strawberries and garlic - a heady combination my friends.
I ordered the fiery mac and cheese for my main dish. It was a pot of mac and cheese make with a gargantuan amount of cheese and Sriracha. Whoever made this up is a genius! The cheesy, spicy, noodle-y goodness made it's way around the table so everyone could enjoy it because I'm nice enough to share my delicious choices rather than hoard them. This makes me a good dining companion. ;-)
They have a small beer and wine selection. The service was quite friendly. And the neighborhood is full of great things to do before and after dining here. It is definitely true that Blue is not a place for people counting calories, but if you're looking to splurge on down home goodness then this could very well be your spot.
I thought this place was pretty good, but not that great. It's by no means a bad restaurant at all, but I felt like it was a bit disappointing and I kind of left feeling that I probably wouldn't come back...
We shared a Mac and Cheese plate as an appetizer, which was actually really good - full of flavor and very cheesy - pretty much everything you'd want in a Mac and Cheese plate. I had the Meatloaf dinner, which was okay - the meatloaf was decently seasoned, but didn't really have any seasonings that make it interesting...there was a sauce that went with it, but still didn't really stand-out. The Mashed Potatoes were pretty disappointing - I'm not sure if there wasn't enough butter and/or cream, but it really just tasted like soft potatoes with some salt.
I asked our waitress if I should get the Fried Chicken or Meatloaf and she said both were good...if I go back, I'd definitely try the other dish.
BTW, the bathroom is located behind/past the kitchen so if you have to wash your hands or use the facilities, you have to go past the kitchen and interrupt/get-in-the-way of the cooks...it's very awkward.
They have a section on the menu of just: Mac 'n' Cheese.
Four different macs that come in huge terrines, baked golden brown on top- made for either a really, really hungry person, or for sharing.
If that isn't enough to get in here, allow me to suggest chili tater tots, tuna noodle casserole, chicken fried steak, salmon, pork chops... and a variety of hamburgers. Truly a comfort food lover's paradise. Reasonable too.
Eat here if you're okay with gaining a pound or two at dinner. Don't if you're not. This place is not for those counting calories.
PS- Order beer or wine if you're lookin' to booze. The sangria isn't all that great and it's pricey for so much fruit.
I'm pretty certain that if you eat at Blue often enough, you might have a heart attack. It's one of those so good but so bad for you type of places. It's true what everyone says about the mac 'n' cheese. Flaming is the way to go (is there any other way in the Castro?): cheesy, gooey and spicy goodness in a deep ramekin dish -- it's too much and too heavy to have as your own entree, but perfect for sharing. There was extra Sriracha, so it had a nice amount of spice in it.
You have to start off with some chili cheese tater tots and warm brie and roasted garlic. Did I mention that this place is not good for dieters?
I had the osso bucco, which was a huge, hearty portion. It was drowned in savory tomato herb-olive oil compote, and came with creamy garlic mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli (the only healthy part of the entire meal). My god, the shank was amazingly fall-off-the-bone tender. The sauce was delicious.
Prices are super wallet-friendly ($10 for mac 'n' cheese and $14 for the osso bucco), so I can see how it could be very easy to come back A LOT. Stretchy pants are recommended.
This place is bad ass. I may not understand the US fascination with Mac n Chz, but I know when something tastes good. The Mac with chilli is hot, sultry and oh so good.
I had the opportunity to taste test tata tots (the spelling is probably wrong) with chilli and cheese. This stuff truly rocked my world. Last was my chicken fried steak. Yes, steak cooked like fried chicken. This was truly the piece de resistance; sexy food was up doing her thang again. I would of slapped that fried goodness right into my bare chest and filled my pores with its greasy goodness if it wasn't for the presence of the ladies. Believe it people, Blue is legit. Anything that is easy on the pocket, tasty as hell with decent service to boot, is five stars in my book.
Frankly, eating out in San Francisco scares me. There's just too much on the dining - and drinking - seen. And the last thing I want to do is buy an extra seat on the plane ride back home because FDA regulations tell my fat ass to do so.
So here at Blue, home of chili cheese tator tots, mac 'n' cheese, burgers, and chicken pot pie, I behaved myself ... to an extent.
A quick cab ride from the hotel over to the Castro hood, our party of six snuggled into the diner-esque booth. But unlike most diners with use of the trademark color red, Blue is - you guessed it - blue. A few bottles of California Pinot Grigio started our meal, along with an order of chili cheese tator tots, plain tator tots and the baked brie. The tots were akin to what I've had at Sonic, so nothing quite amazing there. But the Brie? Do it. The slab of gooey warm cheese is served over a platter adorned with fresh strawberries, toasted bread and - my fave - a giant clove of garlic either roasted then sliced and fried over a skillet for a minute or two. The garlic was spreadable on the bread just like buttah.
For the main course, I was a huge bore and reluctantly chose the grilled chicken with steamed broccoli. Yawn. But don't think for one minute my fork didn't make its way over to Hazel Q's chicken pot pie (with cheese!), Tiffany C's spicy hot mac 'n' cheese (made with Sriracha!) and Leon C's chicken fried steak smothered in gravy. It was sheer entertainment watching Leon's fascination with fried foods and cheeses in American culture (He's from the UK). It was even more entertaining to watch him clean his plate spotless. I mean, spotless. Well done, mate.
When all was done and with no room for dessert, our group sat back in a food coma for a few good minutes before heading out to a nearby bar, where I personally only lasted one drink.
For locals or tourists, Blue is a great option for a night of guilt-filled gluttony. Dress is casual, service is friendly and prices are modest.
I've seldom been so excited to dive into carb overload as I was at Blue yesterday: from the fried chicken to the mashed potatoes to the cold hefeweizen I offset dinner with, it's easy to find yourself neck-deep in something delicious here.
They're not attempting to reinvent the wheel here; that's apparent..but fine, as comfort food by its very definition connotes familiarity. Service was effective and regular, and the cheesy, gooey precursor to dinner seemed to find willing accomplices among my group (even if I wasn't exactly one of them). I'd try 'em again as what I had hit the spot. Besides, part of good company is lounging in the right environment, right?
I gave this place a try because the Pasta Pomodoro across the street closed down and I was craving some mac 'n cheese. Pasta Pomodoro has been a guilty pleasure of mine for a while, because I usually shun chain restaurants in SF. So I decided to go local and go Blue, hoping this would be my new spot in the Castro for carb-loaded comfort food.
I have to say, the mac and cheese was great, with perfectly crunchy bread crumbs baked onto the top. If only the side of carrots was nearly as good. Instead most of the carrots in the bowl were undercooked --nearly raw-- with the thinner carrot slices perfectly cooked. My friend said he liked his burger, even though they brought out a different burger than he ordered. We shared an order of tater tots, for nostalgia's sake.
This place had a Castro bar feel to me, with pop/dance music playing, dark lighting, with blue accent lights. The walls were sparsely covered with hanging pieces of wood that had tiny, frail-looking plants attached. Maybe if they had one large plant-wood thing with nice lighting on it, it would work.
So the verdict. I know, I know... how very un-SF of me to say, but in all honesty, I miss my chain restaurant across the street! *gasp*
Nearly two years later, Blue is still a little bit country and a little bit rock n' roll to me. The rock n' roll side comes from the hipster vibe that permeates any eatery in the Castro, especially the ones with young, skinny waiters in tight black t-shirts. The country side is the old-fashioned dishes this place serves at new-fangled prices. There's no getting around the high cost of living in the city, but you can still enjoy the cuisine which wouldn't be out of place at the Iowa State Fair circa 1946. All that's missing is an Arnold Palmer in a tumbler. Oh wait...there it is.
Jamie W. and I came here because I had a faint recollection that I had a good meal here. Looking at my previous review, why yes, I did. This time, we perused the dinner menu. He had the $10.99 Beef Stroganoff (see my photo). Man, when was the last time anybody had beef stroganoff? Hands, please. Anybody? Yeah, I thought so. I think the last time I had it was at Daniel Webster Elementary School in Dallas, Texas, when I saw Judy Nuggins eat her boogers across the table. We broke up after that. Oh, did I mention it was good? Not Judy...the stroganoff, especially with the buttery noodles.
I went for the $13.99 Osso Bucco, which seems like quite a stretch from the rest of the menu (see my photo). Yet, it came with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans, so I was back at the school cafeteria again. The waiter just needed one of those black hairnets the lunch ladies used to wear when they handed us our jello cups. Oh, did I mention this was pretty good, too? The pork shank was tender though a tad clumpy when you pulled at the meat. Hey, that's OK...I'm not that picky. We were both pretty full at meal's end, but we did get up to sing our duet...
I'm a little bit of Memphis and Nashville
With a little bit of Motown in my soul
I don't know if it's good or bad
But I know I love it so
I'm a little bit country...I'm a little bit rock 'n roll!
FOOD - 4 stars...America, love it or leave it!...eat our 'taters, eat our beef...I'm proud to be an American!
AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...and yet it's still a crowded Castro diner
SERVICE - 3.5 stars...awkward as they can be, they keep trying
TOTAL - 4 stars...Donny and Marie would be proud to eat here...if it weren't for all the non-Mormon anti-believers
The onion rings and burgers are EXCELLENT! We didn't try the famous Mac 'n Cheese dishes, but want to go back to, also the breakfast menu looks really good too. The only thing that was a downer was the place is super small and the atmosphere at night is a little too neon for me. But will definitely go back.
It was a long day after taking a cold and windy stroll on the Golden Gate bridge. Our car had failed on our way up a hill as we were driving towards this restaurant. AAA had failed us so we were stranded for almost 2 hours. But then we finally were saved and we went here!!!
The first thing we started off with was the Mac & Cheese with the hot sauce on the side. Soooooo cheesy that it made large webs as we scooped it out of the bowl. So amazing. Wish I could compare this side by side with Elements Kitchen back home.
My friend's Sloppy Joe was tasty with a slight bit of spiciness to it. I'm glad he gave me half of it! My other friend's Chicken Pot Pie was yummy and was perfect for such a cold day. My Beef Stroganoff was not bad but the meat was a little tough to chew. I tried so hard to finish it and came very close. I was already pretty well fed from everyone else's dishes before I even started mine.
I think it's funny how you walk through their kitchen to get to the restroom. It's a bit awkward as you pass by the chefs as they're cooking your meal. Such a small kitchen has such great potential for making such great food.
Ever have a waiter or waitress that confused good looks with good service? That's what I thought was happening when I met a friend for dinner at Blue. He told me that they have good burgers and they do.
My rating is an average of two stars for service and four stars for food.
We arrived around 8:30 pm so the dinner rush was over. My buddy had arrived before me and asked for a beer while he waited for me. It didn't arrive until I ordered my drink as well. Our waiter seemed to think he was doing us a favor by serving us. Once our food was delivered, he never stopped by to refill my iced tea, check if we needed anything , etc. I reluctantly tipped him 10%.
The food on the other hand was quite good. My buddy ordered his burger rare and that's how it came out. This may seem obvious, but many places tend to overcook burgers, perhaps out of fear for food poisoning. Our burgers were juicy, slathered with our respective cheeses and grilled onions. Delicious! The onion rings were hot, crispy enough, but still bursting with onion flavor. Never has a fat bomb tasted so good.
Would I go back? Yep, but I'd rather have a server who focused on good service than looking good. If I'm looking for eye candy, I'll go to Golds.
A showing of Jackie Brown at the Castro was slated for 6 p.m., so an early afternoon dinner was in order. Chicken and waffles? Nah, we should have, but instead we ventured into this Castro hood comfort food place and chowed down.
At 4:30 we were the only people in the joint, which meant everything came out fast. The brie in the brie and roasted garlic appetizer could have been a little more melty, but was otherwise tasty. (The brie was supermarket-style: high in production, low in flavor.) My pork chop was top-notch, though, even if the mashed potatoes were a little bland. Tried my sweetheart's cheeseburger, and it was a hot mess of awesome: yummy and huge.
Don't come here if you are on a diet. Everything on the menu is fattening. Fried chicken, meat loaf, macaroni and cheese--this place is like a warm hug from grandma.
They were out of sparkling wine, which stunk. Got a glass of white instead, which came in a highball glass. Eh, whatever, this place is not about fine dining, it's about stick-to-your-ribedness. The highball glass fits in with the theme nicely. Nothing too fancy, just good food and plenty of it.
(Our server was kinda shoddy, but it can be harder to wait on one table than four sometimes [seriously], so he gets a pass.)
If you want comfort food, come visit Blue. Parking here is always hard, but so worth all the trouble. It's a small little place and it has a cozy feel inside. There are cute little vases on the tables with fresh flowers.
I've been here a few times and my favorite things are the crispy french fries (they are the skinny shoe string fries), the gourmet mac and cheese w/ grilled chicken slices! I had this my first time and have been hooked since! I've also tried the meatloaf (very good), niman pork chop, and grilled chicken and all of those dishes came w/ a side of garlic mashed potatoes and veggies. What a perfect combo!
This place is where I go when I'm having a bad day and just want to eat some straight up comfort food!
After enjoying a wonderful afternoon in Dolores park, the girls and I were toying around with dinner plans. One immediately mentioned Blue and kept talking about it until we ended up there about an hour later. My hopes were high, my anticipation great, and my glands salivating.
Blue did not disappoint.
A brief rundown:
Spicy Calamari - Crispy fried on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. And OMG the Jalapeño Soy dipping sauce is fantastic. (We were dipping the lettuce garnish in it)
Spicy Mac and Cheese - Take two things I enjoy (carbs and cheese) add a balanced dash of spicy spices and more carbs (breadcrumbs), and you have one delicious dish
Monte Cristo - I'm gonna give another OMG here. Perfect mix of sugar, cheese, meat, and bread. As a fellow diner put it, when else do you get to mix a toasted ham sando into strawberry jam?
Finally, to be fair, do not get the country fried steak. The gravy was oily and the "country fried" part was burned. The mashed 'taters and broccoli were good, but I think we can all agree that if the meat's not good you don't care about what you get on the side. Ha.
This is a cute little place. Definitely tight quarters. The day we went was probably one of the hottest days in SF and they had no air-conditioning (well 99% of the time they don't need a/c, so I understand). But it was like a hotbox in there. Very stuffy. I won't hold it against them though because the food was delicious. This is just good ol' comfort food.
I had the spicy mac and cheese and it just hit the spot. It's cheesy, it's spicy! And it has this homemade feel to it. Yum yum yum! I wish that I had some right at this very moment. My friend had the tuna casserole which he said totally hit the spot.
so Blue - thank you! I will be back!
Comfort food is all I can say. Chicken pot pies are great on a cold day. The crust is flaky and the inside is cooked just right. Their spicy mac and cheese with chicken is also one of my favorites. If you like calamari then try it here. So different then what we all are use to. It has a great batter and the red dipping sauce is a must. They also have great burgers and freshly cut fries. Seating is limited but you have to come with your friends! The booths are huge.
Tuna Casserole $9.99
Chicken Pot Pie $13.99
2 Glasses of Wine $16.00
Total including (20%) tip: $50
Too much for too little and mediocre taste. The chicken pot pie crust was decent but a bit moist and chewy and the filling was just bland. The Tuna Casserole was good but not outstanding. Neither dish comes with a side.
The lighting was harsh. Not sure who decided to use flood lights but it was not relaxing and felt a bit like the 3rd degree even after they were dimmed slightly. Also the place was full and very noisy *especially the guy next to us*.
Service was friendly.
It's probably a bad sign when going out to dinner with some friends of mine when our waiter recognizes them from another restaurant(in this case their other restaurant Velvet Cantina). Luckily my friends didn't burn down Velvet Cantina(and apparently loved that restaurant).
Spicy mac and cheese was fabulous. It had a just amount of kick that permeates through one's mouth, yet leaves enough taste buds firing to enjoy the cheesy and noodley bits of it.
The decor's modern and airy. The staff seemed to have picked out a good selection of music. Generally great comfort food in a pleasant setting like this makes me wish I didn't live so far away from here in VA!
Memorial Day Weekend is a very special weekend because 1. we all have the opportunity to honor and appreciate our troops and 2. we all have the opportunity to eat both Sunday brunch AND Monday brunch!!
I planned my entire weekend around this feasting opportunity, scheduling a Sunday stop at my all time fave Brenda's, and finally having the chance to try the highly anticipated Mama's on Monday. But I woke up with a weird feeling on Monday morning, sensing that the brunch Gods were against me. I logged onto the trusty internet and learned that Mama's is closed on Mondays. WTF!?!?!?! Sure, everyone needs a day off, but why does their day off have to be the same as MY day off!?
I went back to the internet in a full on panic, desperate to find deliciousness. I discovered Blue, and the reviews were good. I must say, I disagree. It's not really A-Ok, it's just OK, but not bad enough to be 2 stars, so we'll stick with 3.
My dining companion Jenny W arrived before I did and ordered herself a strawberry lemonade mimosa. When I arrived, the waiter came over to our table, then got frazzled and ran away to do something else, then didn't come back to take my drink order, or our food order, for like 10 minutes. I was so hungry, I ate a delicious chocolate almond croissant Jenny brought me from Bouchon while waiting to even place my brunch order. Not good when you have to bring your own appetizers to a restaurant.
To be fair, the poor guy was the only waiter in the place, which was pretty near full. And being a holiday weekend, chances he was hungover are high, so I'll let it slide. We split the mac n'cheese and the bbq chicken BLT, sans the B. They were both alright. The mac n' cheese was good, but super heavy. I felt gross and fat after 2 bites (don't worry, I still ate it all). The sandwich was pretty blah with weird tasting bbq sauce.
The mimosas were good, but we got nowhere near drunk with the slow service. Also, the door has to stay open otherwise the restaurant gets all smoky from the kitchen, and it was kind of breezy and chilly.
As far as brunch goes, Blue was nowhere near the ranks of Brenda's, my ultimate pinnacle of Brunch-goodness.
Once again, I wish I could give half stars on yelp as this would really only get 2.5 stars.
Came along with my best dining compadre, Patricia P. The only thing I can remember that was delicious were the strawberry mimosas. Mmm, they were quite large (more than a pint) and mostly champagne. I actually got a bit tipsy from 1.5, but then again, that could also be my boot :)
We split the mac n cheese (just the regular) and a bbq chicken sandwich. The bbq sauce was quite weird (which is the norm for SF when it comes to bbq sauce), but the french fries were delicious (think thin, crispy, mcdonalds style).
The mac n cheese was good, but it almost seemed like the cheese was just shredded cheese melted on top. And yes, I agree with Patricia P that it was sooo heavy and I felt absolutely disgusting after two bites (yet we killed the entire plate).
Meh, I'm sure I can find better brunch places in the Castro.
So delicious! I was skeptic because before I knew we were going to 'Blue' I had already made up my mind about going to 'Chow', little did I know that there had been a fire! Anyway, we got pretty good parking and I immediately knew that the blue lighting and comfy atmosphere it'd be love. I ordered the 'fiery' mac n cheese. I really love spicy food so I was worried it wouldn't be hot enough. It was, but I asked for more. The waiter looked at me dumbfounded, but whatevs. So anyway, it was delicious, had enough to take back home for the next day. Also, my friends got the tator tots(!!!), calamari(some of the best, ever, tbh), and the blue cheese mac n cheese. All was so good, like mouth watering good. I'll be sure to come back and enjoy more.
You have officially surpassed the wonder of Home's mac 'n cheese.
You have a portion of your menu devoted to my favorite dish. My taste buds will forever be your slave.
Dude, a place that has an entire freaking mac and cheese *section* on their menu? I am so in. Extra style points for serving wine in a whiskey rocks glass.
Spicy mac and cheese baby...hell yes. Rates very high on the tasty scale. Bonus points for being totally reasonably priced for what you got ($11 for a yummi, filling meal, which culminated in a cheese-gasm). Beer and wine to keep my liver properly trained which is always nice.
Although I enjoyed this place for dinner, the menu clearly screams brunch. Especially one of those brunches to cure a hangover caused by a night of too many techno beats, well rum, and pink feathers. The downer to this may be that the place is really small, and may fill up supafast on the weekends. I'll make it a point to have a rough night, and report back on the results :).
Consistency is always appreciated. Mac & Cheese... mmm...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEREK! :)
I love this place. They make you feel like family!
I was stuck in traffic on the 101. And I thought. Wouldn't it be nice to have some amazing Mac &… Read more »
Um Yum! Maybe everything in the Castro tastes better because the eye candy sweetens the deal, but then again, I'm not subject to most of the eye candy, so that couldn't be why.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that despite TONS of eye candy in the gay capital, this place is still great! When my man friend told me I had to try their blue cheese bacon burger, I was at a loss for thought.
Do I really need to even peruse the menu when I know I can get stinky cheese and bacon on a thick juicy patty? I think not.
Then he told me to get the Mac N Cheese. DONE! And DONE!
What transpired was one of the most mouth-exploding experiences I've had in the Castro... and I've been single before.
Thick, juicy, bigger than my face patty. It's the kind of burger you find yourself grasping for breath inbetween bites, the kind that makes you remember that swallowing is sometimes a full body experience (and again... I've been single before.). This burger lived up to my favorite color: Blue. The best color; definitely one of the best burgers.
You can't go here and not have Mac & Cheese of some sort. That would be criminal. I prefer the Gourmet Mac & Cheese with Chicken, requesting a slightly burnt crust...awesome. For an appetizer the warm brie and garlic is a must-have. The chicken dishes are high on the list as well. All around, good american food with a castro twist.
If you don't expect the same level of attentive service you'd ordinarily get at a full service restaurant, you'll have a good experience. Having to flag down waiter is just a part of the Blue experience to get used to.
Came here with a good friend a few weeks ago and, well, obviously, the place was lit blue, small and quaint. It has very close diner seating that would make it a really tight space for those that care. It's not the most intimate place, for sure.
Surprisingly, for predominantly American fare, they had Osso Bucco with garlic mash, and broccoli on the menu. It was very American style but decent. The pork definitely fell off the bone but the sauce was very tomato based with large chunks of tomato. A really great Osso Bucco comes with a succulent saucey stew and topped with gremolata (mix of parsley, garlic and lemon peel). Even though this is a traditionally Italian dish, my favorite version of Osso Bucco is at Essensia (yes, it's a Peruvian place in Hayes Valley but they do a wicked Peruvian version - Yummy!). Overall, it was definitely a filling meal that didn't leave me hungry and reasonably priced.
For that that really know me, I'm all about restrooms. Care of the restroom is really indicative of the overall care of the restaurant. I mean, call me quirky, but seriously, the bathroom was okay. It was, you guessed it -- blue (duh) and very small. You sit down on the bog and boom, there's the sink that is VERY small. I felt like it was a bathroom in Alice in Wonderland and you HAVE to go through the kitchen. Not cool but whatever. What can you do? Not the most sanitary set up but it works, I guess.
All right, before this gets scatological, I'll end here. Decent place. Nice staff but you can definitely find a better place if you're trying to impress a special someone...
I came back for the mac n' cheese and was handsomely rewarded. It was the most perfect comfort food and came at the best time. I wasn't able to finish the entire dish, but I savored it over the next few days (and it reheats well, for those of you who enjoy to elongate your meals).
Next up: the spicy mac n' cheese.
I've been told there is a trifecta of comfort food eateries within a few blocks in the Castro: Blue,… Read more »
I came back to Blue again after having received a $20 gift certificate from the manager to compensate for the previous time that I visited Blue where I couldn't have a nice conversation due to my neighbors. In anycase, I was excited to have their infamous mac and cheese again. At 6pm on a Friday evening, we didn't have to wait at all for a party of 2.
I fell in love with Monte Cristo's after having Mama's Monte Cristo but the one here at Blue pales in comparison to the one at Mama's. It mostly tastes like a big grilled cheese sandwich. Imagine this: bread, cheese, turkey, bread, cheese, ham, bread. Then grilled nicely and served with their shoestring fries and a side of strawberry jam to dip with. Interesting combination, but I preferred ketchup.
I ordered their Tuna Casserole which was topped off with Ritz crackers! A neat way to get some crunch into the casserole. There were generous portions of tuna in here so if you're not a fan, I don't recommend it. The egg noodles were cooked slightly on the mushy side but that was ok since the bacon off set the mushiness of it. This dish could have been a tad bit more creamy but it was still good nontheless.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT: Flaming Mac and Cheese. Sigh! We ordered a side of Blue's flaming mac and cheese but was presented with their gourmet mac and cheese. We corrected the waiter and he sent it back, and came back with the flaming mac and cheese in less than 5 minutes. I felt like this was coarsely prepared since the cheese was watery and it wasn't how it tasted the first time I visited. I was slightly disappointed since I felt like they rushed this to get it to us since they gave us the wrong thing. Thanks for doing that Blue, but I think I would have been happier if they didn't rush it and prepared it better.
All in all, I still think that Blue makes a mean mac and cheese but I wish they wouldn't rush it if they do get orders wrong!
It was hard to enjoy my dinner after having 5 gay men seated right next to us. They were cute and… Read more »
I don't really know what to say about this place.
Reading the outside menu, it looked promising and appeared to be a better, newer option then Home (a couple blocks away). Always aiming to expand the SF dining experience, I checked this place out with some friends and as the stars say, meh, I've experienced better.
Their much touted mac n' cheese was decent but undercooked in my opinion. It was too wet (if mac n' cheese can be described as too wet) and it lacked a certain kind of crunch on the top. It probably could have sat in the oven a bit longer. For my entree, I had the fried chicken which I swear the menu made no mention of it basically being a fried chicken breast. Slightly disappointed because I was hoping for your typical "fried chicken leg-thigh combo" at this self-professed homestyle comfort food joint. The meal came with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. The chicken cutlet was pretty good for all sakes and purposes but the mashed potatoes were bland and the veggies over-peppered. Food satisfaction rapidly spiraling downward...
Service was slightly above mediocre. As previous Yelps point out, I guess the place hires an all male cast of servers for what I can only assume are selling points to the crowd. While biceps may be a pre-req, effective waiter-ing is not. I just want my damn water filled but they're busy comparing six packs with the other table.
If anything but eating is your thing, I'm sure this place will be great. If you're looking for a good meal, try some place else. Oh, and what is up with bathroom access going through the kitchen??? I expect that from Chinese / Thai places but a "fancy" diner?... oh I meant, cantina. (bah)
$3 Pints $3 Apps
Neighborhood: Mission
$3 & $5 Specials
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
Neighborhood: Castro
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Castro
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Castro
Category: Greek
Neighborhood: Castro
Category: American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Castro
Category: Italian
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