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Caesar's Italian Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
2299 Powell StSan Francisco, CA 94102
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
(415) 989-6000
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Wed-Sat 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Sun 1:30 pm - 9:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
201 reviews for Caesar's Italian Restaurant
Review Highlights
"The 7 course meal reminds me of the big family dinners."
(in 31 reviews)
"It's the best in family style and fabulous for parties."
(in 12 reviews)
"...of rigatoni in a delicious meat sauce comes with every fish..."
(in 30 reviews)
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201 reviews in English
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Review from Silly P.
Orange, CA
1/30/2012
I often visit San Francisco on a whim and like to walk the city.
This past weekend I was out with family looking for something unique and interesting - and let me tell you... we found it at Caesar's.
We weren't necessarily dressed for the mood and ambiance that Caesar's Restaurant lends for, but the staff was warm and lovely.
Our waiter Mark, was intelligent, witty, funny and lighthearted.
We wanted the bartender to make a special type of drink and to our delight, it far exceeded our expectations.
The prices are suitable, yet the food is phenomenal.
I would make sure I found Caesar's again when I'm in town.
The setting is romantic, family oriented and charming.
I would recommend it to anyone!
Enjoy =) -
Review from Amanda H.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2012
Had a family birthday party for 21 diners at Caesar's this past Sunday and it could not have been better. 3 generations from a 11 month old to the 70 year old birthday boy.
We had an open bar before lunch followed by the 7 course dinner at one long table in the main dining room. The spacing of the courses was perfect giving time to visit with others between courses. Everyone enjoyed their meal which was ordered off the menu not banquet style. The food and restaurant is old style Italian American which is a plus for most of us who grew up in the city. Spumoni ice cream-yum yum.
Luigi (part owner) could not have been more accommodating. The servers anticipated all our needs.
We also have lunch at Caesars about once or twice a month. -
Review from Holly M.
San Ramon, CA
12/10/2011
I've seen all sorts of good reviews for this place and it didn't look too expensive, so I figured it would be a good place to take a group of people for a friend's birthday.
We went in at 7:30 and service was so slow that we didn't leave until after 10. A couple of people did order the 7 course meal so that may have been what slowed service down, but the restaurant wasn't remotely busy at the time - there were maybe two or three other tables there. The server himself was all right but tended to disappear for long stretches of time, and was not all that attentive. One person in our group kept trying to order things and got continuously passed over.
The food was subpar. The appetizers were the best thing that came out and got our hopes up for the food, but it was all downhill from there. Linguine with clams in white sauce was all right except for the gritty sand from clams that weren't well cleaned. They brought out this free pasta dish that had a "meat sauce" that was terrible and nobody at the table ate. Unfortunately, it looked - and I suspect tasted - much like Fancy Feast.
That's fine for free pasta, whatever, but unfortunately it's ended up being the same sauce on one of our group's entrees. Entrees were lukewarm and all the pasta (free and the entrees) was completely overcooked which is one of my biggest pet peeves. An Italian place should know how to cook pasta.
The portions were large but nobody wanted to take any leftovers home, and it was getting so late into the night that even the people who ordered the seven course meal just waved off a couple courses so we could leave.
I'm very disappointed that we chose this restaurant for a special occasion. The prices aren't high but the food just isn't worth it anyway. -
Review from Ray G.
Manhattan Beach, CA
1/30/2012 1 photo
Had spaghetti and meatballs after the 49er game on Sunday. It was ok...meat sauce was a little weak, meatballs were ok and pasta was pasta. I was hungry so I didn't complain. I loved their dinner salad with their own blue cheese dressing with chucks of blue cheese. They do play good background music and they do have white tablecloths. I guess perhaps next time I will try a different dish.
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Review from melita s.
San Francisco, CA
1/29/2012
This place is gross. This is what happens when you try a restaurant in North Beach without heeding reviews. It's like a cafeteria in an old person's home. The soup, pasta and cioppino were all bad. And it really did feel like you were dining in a retirement home. Definitely not worth a return visit.
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Review from William H.
Santa Monica, CA
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for Christmas Eve lunch and absolutely loved this true San Francisco Establishment. The Dover Sole was out of this world, as were the penne with meat sauce. They have a $10 off with foursquare check-in when using Amex! Will definitely be going back!
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Review from Katie R.
Berkeley, CA
11/16/2011
So noisy I couldn't hear the people at my table, food tasted alright but was not worth the price... and it made me sick later.
Puking penne =/= no fun. -
Review from Camster N.
San Francisco, CA
10/22/2011
If you're looking for a restaurant that feels straight out of the sopranos, seek no further! This place screams Italian and it feels like the mafia will roll in any minute. No joke!
The food is average and the portions are HUGE. If big portions are your thing, you should definitely try this place. -
Review from Donna R.
San Francisco, CA
12/18/2011
A group of us, all Italians, were to Caesar's for a Christmas dinner last week. We had a 6:30 reservation, and the place was not too busy when we arrived. The service was excellent, the decor a bit over-the top (Xmas!), and the food was very good. It is not fancy, but well-prepared, classic Italian. Most of us had the fish which was delicious. It came with pasta, and some of our party ordered salads. We also asked for some platters of antipasto to share. I wouldn't recommend the tiramisu, but the cheesecake was yummy. A great, memorable evening!
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Review from cara l.
Burlingame, CA
12/20/2011
Love their sauce.. Is a great place the owner even came out to greet us. Gave us an extra plate of pasta with their amazing sauce. Just love the atmosphere , the service and authentic Italian food
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Review from K P.
Van Nuys, CA
11/29/2011 Seated via OpenTable
I was a bit upset when we walked in and found the dinner rates a bit on the expensive side. But it was too late and too cold outside to look for another restaurant then. The waiter was quite elderly and his slow pace added to my chagrin.
He brought out a plate of pasta much before the main entree (they give pasta a side).
As I watched the pasta getting cold, I had pretty much made up my mind to give a bad review then. But as I took the first bite of my sauteed shrimp my resolve melted. As I devoured my dish as well as my husbands eggplant parmigiana, I was hardly upset about my bill or the waiter,
The food is extremely good. You can safely try out any of their dishes. We were a group of 8 people and noone complained about their dish.
I took off one star for the poor lighting, the ambience wasnt great and the food though tasty is definitely pricey. $20-$25 for an entree is more than anyone would want to pay. -
Review from Jeanne C.
San Francisco, CA
10/17/2011
Borderline touristy since it's right near the wharf, but I have to say, based on food alone-- my delicious lasagna -- deserves 4 stars. They obviously know how to make Italian food!
They also gave our parge party of 12 a free small plate of pasta each, since the food was taking too long. So nice of them!
This place is inexpensive. Good for families. -
Review from Michael D.
San Francisco, CA
11/25/2011
Odds are if you've grown up as an Italian American in the Bay Area, you've been to Caesar's. Institutional status, however, does not immunize a restaurant against serving substandard food. Third World Offensive up in this place.
Listed in: Darwinian Dining
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Review from Ann L.
8/7/2011
For my 1900 review I'm writing about Caesar's Italian Restaurant - old school place that's been in SF for a long time, first time eating there. It was on KQED Check Please.
It's on OpenTable so booked a table just a few days before eating there. No problem with that. Called to say I was running late & lady said it was fine. I got my 100 pts - cool.
Valet parking in front of Caesar's is $6. There is Public parking in the North Point parking lot - not sure if it's free or pay.
FREE tap water - small glasses.
FREE bread w/ butter - boring, cold bread. Nothing special about it.
I picked Baked Lasagna seven course dinner $26. Seven course dinner includes: salad (Italian dressing), assorted antipasti, vegetable soup, pasta meat sauce, entree, coffee or tea & dessert (vanilla, chocolate, sherbet or Spumoni ice cream).
Salad - some iceberg lettuce w/ carrots, beets, & bowl of beans. Average.
Antipasti - some salami, eggplant, mushrooms, potatoes, pickled veggies - ok
Vegetable soup - The waiter pours it tableside into your bowl. Boring cucumbers, zucchini, red broth. Blah.
Pasta meat sauce - about 1/2c of pasta w/ meat sauce - average.
Baked lasagna - one big square w/ tomato-meat sauce. Just ok. Not a lot of cheese inside, same boring meat sauce as the other pasta dish.
I picked Spumoni - green ice cream w/ fruits & nuts. I liked it.
I picked Tea - Superior Classic Tea Orange Pekoe tea bag w/ slice of lemon & some hot water. ok.
B. got Al La Carte fried seafood platter w/ some potatoes & green beans. He said it was ok 3/5.
Women's bathroom: On the left of the one dining room. 2 toilets/1 sink.
Overall, just an ok place. Good enough for tourist. Gets noisy & slow service when busy.Listed in: Check Please Bay Area
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Review from H B.
San Francisco, CA
12/14/2011
Love this place! So the ambiance isn't great, service is questionable sometimes, but you can't beat the food! I'm married to an Italian man from Milan and he and his family LOVE this place. I figure if a bunch of Italians love it, it can't be half bad.
If you can get past the bad parking and the marginal service, you are guaranteed to have a five-star meal! -
Review from Taylor C.
San Francisco, CA
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Caesar's reminds me a girl who stumbles along when trying to wear high heels: part of the place feels like its going for the classy vibe but there's enough evidence to suggest that really isn't the case. Indeed the whole restaurant is caught between classy and thrifty. The attire and serving etiquette add to the experience, but the atmosphere suggests otherwise. The place is exceptionally loud (dont count on any intimate conversations), the atmosphere is a bit drab and the amenities don't seem quite high quality enough to qualify as fancy. The menu prices are a bit on the steep side and the food was just slightly above average (I had a pretty good veal with ho hum potatoes and salad). Part of me wishes this place would embrace one identity or the other; its too expensive to justify its more thrifty environment and a slightly lower price point would be more in line with the product being offered
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Review from Barbara C.
Albany, CA
11/11/2011
every time my family visits they want to come here, and every time my uncle says "we don't come here for the food, we come here for the tradition" haha. I have had some really good meals here but the food is not consistent and the service is either really nice or lousy. last year before ordering my aunt asked if we could get separate checks for the 2 families and the server told her that if she wants split checks the macdonalds down the street could help her, and the other night our server was a gem. one thing that cracks me up is that they serve everyone a starter pasta with meat sauce before there entre which mostly are pasta.
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Review from vee z.
San Francisco, CA
8/27/2011
The rating really should be a 3.5 star.
Food is EXCELLENTE! Super fresh and flavorful fried calamari was perfect for starters. Their pasta is fresh and cooked perfectly and the sauces are exquisite. My husband said that his fettucini alfredo was THE best he ever had and you'd believe it if you saw how clean his plate was after he devoured every last piece of pasta. My mom ordered the New York steak since she's not such a pasta fan and being the critic that she is, I was surprised that she said her dish was cooked perfectly.
Now the downside. The ambiance was not really there. It was really dim/dark, which is normal lighting for a nice, classy restaurant. However, it wasn't dark enough to not see that the area looked like it could've been a cafeteria in an elderly home. Something about laminate floors topped with chandeliers just don't do it for me. The furniture was just a little too drab for my liking.
The food took a while to get to our table, and we noticed it was the same for our neighbors as well. It took about 20+ minutes for an order of calamari and another 30-40 minutes for our entrees which equals to about an hour of waiting.
Our maitre d' was very nice but he failed to check up on us during our long wait. My dad and husband had run out of martini's and couldn't even find him to waive him down for a refill.
Although the food was fantastic, the long wait was enough for us to say we probably won't come back. They definitely need to even out the number of maitre d's/waiters verses bus boys. Our plates were always cleaned off the table promptly but the food and drinks took forever to come. -
Review from Googie G.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 11/19/2011
I come to Caesar's now and then to sit at the bar have a glass of chianti and an antipasta plate (very good) and listen to the cool jukebox (sinatra,martin,bennett and so many more of a certain era). I went there this week for my anniversary and had a fabulous meal (keep in mind this is a old school restaurant where waiters still wear the tuxedo type outfits but nothing stuffy about this place). The meal went on and on a number of courses all delicious. Angelo, our waiter ,was nothing but cool and of course Luigi is such a gem for this restaurant. The folks who come in are all customers who have been coming to this place since it opened (1956 or there abouts). Yet, there is a younger clientele emerging and I hear at night it is jumping!
I also have to mention their hostess Gracie has been there forever and is great. She has been at other Fisherman Wharf restaurants but has maintained a position as hostess for Caesar's for years.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/28/2011
I was taken here for my bday a month ago and really enjoyed the ambiance, the food, the waitstaff so… Read more »
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Review from John G.
Walnut Creek, CA
6/22/2011
I agree with what others have said about the dining experience thing and it being best for large groups. The staff was very nice, and the food was good (but not great). We got the 7 course meal and could have lived without the antpasti for the extra cost. The servers and the old-world charm of the place make it someplace nice to go to once for a special occasion - maybe twice. That's about the best I can say.
If you are looking for culinary flair or high end food, you can do better for the price. The experience is the value-added part of the whole thing. -
Review from Kara H.
San Francisco, CA
6/12/2011
You have to understand. This is about the experience of dining here... You have to be with a group of people celebrating something. We went there with a group of people some time ago and the experience was very different. A few days ago hungry and the in 'hood we stopped by and it just wasn't the same.
The seven course dinner is nice and an experience, but , like many things, so much better, experienced with friends. Really, it;s more mundane than anything. Just some nice Italian waiters and some history? I liked the ritual of the courses and the company of course.
Although the last experience was less than stellar, no Italian waiter this time etc., it was nice. Most of the tables in the restaurant were families celebrating special events. Perhaps we should keep it that way.
There are better experiences for couple out on the town. -
Review from Daniel G.
Folsom, CA
8/8/2011
I recently celebrated my %* birthday with family and friends. I have been coming to Caesar's since about the time they opened. I have great memories associated with this restaurant. Guess what, it hasn't really changed. My unusual grandmother (I called her the "Last of the Flappers") NEVER cooked a meal, but always took us out. Caesar's was the most frequent. She would look at the menu and pointedly exclaim: "I think I'll have the chicken."
We had reservations for six (taken by the friendly and competent Grace). We were seated as requested on a busy Sat. night. The charming host, Luigi, had been trained by our first waiter, Tilio. Luigi performed in the best Tilio tradition. Our waiter was Ian. Ian was competent and was a welcome participant to our banter.
We had the TRADITIONAL 7 course dinner. The sald was crisp, the minnestrone light, and the meat ravioloi tasty. The assorted antipasti were lots of fun to share. My entree was the sole meuniere. It was delicious, but twice as much as I could eat. We had been sailing all day, so it was a challenge for the busboy to keep refilling our water glasses. He did so most successfully. This experience will add to my legion of fond Caesar memories. It was special to introduce my son and his special lady to Caesar's to continue the tradition.
Tip: park at Safeway at 350 Bay St. if you can walk a couple of blocks. -
Review from Rogelio V.
Daly City, CA
10/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good food, good service. If your in fishermans wharf area make sure you dine here at least once.
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Review from Suzana U.
New York, NY
6/4/2011
Okay I have to be honest, I didn't really go to the restaurant but I tried their pasta and it was amazing!
I went to SF on a work trip (Pow wow 2011 May) and they were one of the vendors doing samples and they had the best pasta! It was sooo good that I went several times to their location to get more pasta. (guilty pleasure)
The event was amazing, they closed the Alcatraz just for our trade show and it was a beautiful, chilli experience. But once I am back in SF I will be back!!! -
Review from Rebekah T.
San Francisco, CA
I love Caesar's Italian Restaurant!! This place is Old School. I've been coming here since I was a little girl. This place is still the BEST Family Style Italian Restaurant in San Francisco. If you are missing some Italian home cooking, you have to come here.
The 7 course meal reminds me of the big family dinners. You get more than you can handle, but look forward to the next dish. I try so hard to make it to the entree, but by that time - I'm usually full.
I think I wasn't thinking straight when I decided to go all 7 rounds, but I wanted to impress the big guy with a big Italian Dinner without the family dinner, lol. Are you ready? Manga, Manga!!
1.) House Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing
2.) Antipasto Dishes: three bean salad, calamari, salami, potato salad, grilled eggplant. They bring out tons of dishes, pretty quickly the table is covered with them.
3.) Vegetable Minestrone Soup, my fave - reminds me of my grandma's. Ask for Parmesan, it's necessary.
4.) Pasta, a side order of Rigatoni with Meat Sauce. I almost couldn't make it through at this point, but I had help. :
5.) Your Main Entree with it's sides! At this point I'm full but ordered the Meat Lasagna. Laine ordered the Chicken Parmesan, the special of the Day. That was good too. My Lasagna was very good, creamy and the meat sauce is really tasty. I was already stuffed and took the rest to go. The Lasagna was really great the next day. :)
6.) Once you have made it through, you are rewarded with scoops of ice cream. Pick from Raspberry Sherbet, Vanilla, Chocolate or Spumoni.
7.) And Coffee. We were not really in the mood for coffee, but I always remember the after dinner coffee in my family. I think it's to balance the Food Coma you fall into.
All of the Family Style Dinners are based on your main entree, from about $25. to $35 per person. Incredible value if you consider the amount of food served. :) -
Review from Bill K.
Brentwood, CA
12/20/2011
I've been going with my large family for 20 years. The quality has gotten so bad that we don't go there anymore. It breaks our hearts as well as the children's because it was so much a part of their childhood. The people and the place is the best there is but the food is an absolute joke. Caesar's you need to clean up you act and start making food like you did in the 90's when Johnny was there. Please do something, there is no place like yours in the City but I can't continue to pay for dog food. Step up!
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Review from Leah E.
San Francisco, CA
1/3/2011 10 photos
New Year's is about celebrating the old, welcoming the new and cherishing the family.
Caesar's is an old institution that opened its doors to San Franciscans in 1956. If it is traditional Italian cuisine you want and the famed San Francisco dish, Cioppino, Caesar's is the place to go. http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I was finally able to try Caesar's when fiance's sister and her husband took us to dinner here for fiance's birthday. The future brother in law is second generation Italian. Caesar's is his Italian parents and "nonna's" (Italian for grandmother) restaurant of choice for family get togethers.
Fiance's sis whispered as we were sitting down, "you come here for the food and ambiance, not for the service." Sure enough, Caesar's is packed and loud with multi-generational families--mostly Italians but diverse enough with Asians and other non-Italian families. "Godfather "would have been happy to bring his la famiglia here.
If you want to practice your Italian, this is the place to do it. The place was loud with Italian dialects spoken all around us. Fiance's sis pointed out the staff who are from the old country who barely speak English but has been working at Caesar's for decades. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Caesar's is indeed old-school from the decor, immigrant restaurant staff and traditional Italian cuisine. http://www.yelp.com/bi... The waiters wear black and white tux. http://www.yelp.com/bi... http://www.yelp.com/bi...
As much as I wanted to try the Cioppino, they were not serving it that night. Future in-laws suggested that we go for the $35 Seven Course dinner. And for $35 per person, you will get plenty of delicious fare to get you stuffed:
1st Course: SALAD of lettuce, tomato and onionwith Italian dressing.
2nd Course: ANTIPASTI of calamari salad, garbanzo bean salad, grilled eggplant (caponata), cured ham, etc.
*The dishes were fresh and delicious. Future bro-in-law's told us his nonna made these dishes for the family every Sunday. I could dine on these small dishes alone! I could not stop eating the garbanzo bean salad, caponata and calamari salad.
3rd Course: A small dish of PASTA WITH MEAT SAUCE.
*I ate around the meat sauce since I am a pescetarian. I would say that the sauce was very flavorful and definitely NOT Chef Boyardee's!
4th Course: A delicious bowl of lite MINESTRONE SOUP.
5th Course: Choice of main dish.
*Fiance chose GRILLED LAMB CHOPS which he requested as well-done. It came to him medium rare. He said it was still delicious, not gamey and very tender. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
*I had the GRILLED SEAFOOD PLATTER. My meal came with a skewer of plump prawns and very tender scallops with spinach and potatoes. As simple as my meal was, it was surprisingly very good! I had to take half of it home since I got stuffed from eating the antipasti,salad and soup. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
6th Course: SPUMONI.
*You get to choose from their dessert menu but the spumoni was a great way to end this nice Italian dinner.
7th Course: COFFEE
OVERALL:
Service was polite and not so bad. This was a leisurely dinner and you might have to flag your server down once in a while. They leave you alone but not forget about you. You will still get your water refilled and your dishes on time.
They even gave my fiance an amaretti flavored cheesecake with a candle in it for his birthday dessert. Rich and delish!
I have traveled to Italy and have had the pleasure to eat well in Rome and the Umbrian region. Caesar's is indeed authentic, traditional and old school. The dishes are not as delicious as what I had in Italy but at Caesar's it is about tradition. The dishes were simple, fresh and light--not the heavy, cheesy, Italian-American that is standard in the US.
On our way out, fiance's sis spotted BUGIE COOKIES for sale at the counter. She said their nonna made these Italian sweets. I grabbed a couple of boxes for $6 each and gave one to her as a thank you present for the nice dinner treat. Bugies I found out later are fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar. Delicious but not diet food! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Thanks future sis-in-law and future bro-in-law for a delicious dinner.
3.5 Stars rounding up to 4 for a venue that values family tradition. -
Review from Athena S.
4/14/2011
Family favorite for years. Last weekend was our most recent celebration.
Caesar's is Papa approved (which in itself is a challenge). What do older Mediterranean men enjoy?
Generous portions, well prepared food, ample space on the table, attentive service, fair prices, simple parking, stiff drinks and a reason to return. Check (x8)
What more?
A must try is the scalone (mix of scallops and abalone, lightly battered, absolutely divine)- make sure you get the 7 course.
When I see someone a 1 or 2 stars here, it's baffling 9uh hmm, Ahmad A.) He's trippin. We've dined and lunched here since my Grandma was alive (pre '95) and never once had a complaint lest it was something very minor and handled promptly.
Thank you for years of excellence, Caesar's. Until next time.... -
Review from Ahmad A.
Berkeley, CA
4/8/2011
Pretty bad restaurant. Came here with some visitors from out of town and we all left thoroughly impressed with how poor this place was. Perhaps if we got sloshed at the bar up front we might have thought differently. Only redeeming quality was the really good waiter we had - if he could be cloned and transplanted into other restaurants the world would be a better place. It probably helped that he reminded me of a character from MacGyver.
First off, how can one be out of eggplant parmesan? Well, if you're this place you tell the customer that the price of eggplant parmesan has recently tripled and that you can't keep up. I mean, you're trying to keep costs simple at $15. All that eggplant, mozzarella, parmesan, maybe some bay leafs or herbs and some sauce... yeah... tripled in cost, right. I'm sure that cost increase is why the item is on your menu after not being served there for weeks.
Second, of the six people at our table I was the only one who enjoyed their dish. I got the Sweetbreads (it's neck) and it was listed as one of the specialties of the restaurant. Now, for me this was an entirely new venture-I've never had neck before. It's a bit chewy in parts as I'm assuming that was tendon/cartilage I was chomping down on every other bite. The sauce that it was served in was actually really good.
The little plate of pasta that comes before your meat/entree dish is served is pretty decent and I heard the soup was nice too. Too bad the main courses were a let down for most of the people at my table.
The other people at my table ordered chicken parmesan and other pasta/veggie dishes that they were not worth taking home in a to-go box. We didn't try any of the desserts.
Like I said at the beginning, the service was awesome - so maybe we just were there on an off night. I wouldn't try this place again as this isn't too far from all the Italian restaurants in North Beach where I would rather have taken our guests. -
Review from Aruna S.
San Francisco, CA
8/3/2011
Very disappointed. In short: overcooked pasta. I am no cook but I think I can make better sauce than the one I had there. The only upside is that one of the waiters looked like my friend's twin brother and the other - like Mario.
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Review from Sue G.
San Francisco, CA
6/15/2011
I am giving this restaurant 2 stars only because the waiter was so great. The food..........not so much.
I ordered grilled fish, and I got fried, oily, and salty fish. The bread was a bit stale, and the only thing that was actually good on my plate were the vegetables.
I know Caesar's is old San Francisco, so go for the ambience,but don't expect too much, and you will not be disappointed. -
Review from Jaclyn B.
Burleson, TX
8/4/2011
Plain and simple, this place was pretty average. I played it safe with Spaghetti and Meatballs and my boyfriend had the Ravioli with meatballs. The Ravioli was stuffed with veal and topped with a meat sauce and two giant meatballs. My spaghetti also had two giant meatballs and it just lacked overall flavor. Pretty bland really. We started our meal with a tomato and mozzarella salad and that was about the best part of the meal. There were a whopping 3 pieces of sliced tomato and 3 pieces of mozzarella for $6.50. Domestic beers were $5 and imports $5.50. The place wasn't terrible just really underwhelming.
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Review from Kevin D.
Fremont, CA
10/17/2010
This place is a big deal in my family. As actually Italians from Italy, this is one of the few places to find the 7-course Italian dinner, done correctly.
We had my baptism party here. - 1984
my parents had their rehearsal dinner here - 1981
my parents 25th wedding anniversary party - 2006
We had my grandfather's 80th birthday party here - 2009
and there ares so many more I can't remember.
Outside the sign says "Si parla Italiano" (We speak Italian) and they really do. The food is always tremendous. My grandmother who is from Sicily always loves the food here. The olives, salami and everything are not the same stuff from safeway. I don't know where they get it, but I can't find anyone who can cure olives like that. No matter what you order, pasta, meat, whatever. It is always fantastic.
And to tell you what kind of service they have. They helped my mother plan the party for my grandfather. They knew exactly who to get for music. (Who else knows the phone number for a freelance accordion player!?) They knew.
Also, for my grandparent's wedding anniversary one year, without even saying hello - the manger recognized us and brought out a bottle of complimentary champagne and cannolis. Thats not just good service thats people who aim to do right and really care.
And NO I don't work here or know the owners.Listed in: The most amazing s**t…
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Review from Jonathan F.
San Francisco, CA
12/26/2010
I joined my coworkers for a holiday dinner on Dec. 21 at Caesar's and it was outstanding. We all had a wonderful time and being there at the restaurant brought back many happy memories.
Caesar's is a family restaurant that has been there for decades. I remember going to Caesar's when I was a little kid. It was always good, food was delicious and service outstanding.
Caesar's is old school Italian American food. If you are looking for something more fancy or upscale, look for it some place else.
Yet if you want a simple meal with basic quality and good service at an affordable price in a down-to-earth yet pleasant ambiance, then Caesar's is the place for you.
It can get busy. Yet the staff is always helpful and happy to see everyone. Look for the specials for the day. They often can be the best meal deal for your money. -
Review from Jared M.
Manhattan, NY
9/29/2010
Im a bit perplexed by the generally positive reviews. I have been wanting to try Caesars since I live a block away, so I finally got takeout last night. I ordered the veal marsala.
The veal was average, I would say comparable to a very good supermaket prepared veal.
The side pasta was an absolute joke. It was pasta with some bland meat sauce on it, I wouldnt really even call it sauce as it was basically just a little meat put on it.
The fries on the side were good, but, really, who serves fries with authentic italian??
I wont be coming back and Im wondering if the good reviews are mainly tourists who were trapped into it and thought it was great because its in North Beach so they assume its "authentic."
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Review from Paula H.
San Francisco, CA
12/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
I really wanted just an Italian "joint" like the ones I remember from my young adulthood in Boston. I loved the Italian Kitchen in Boston's North End that had the best pasta and pizza- and so cheap. The place had red-checked oilcloth tables and old chianti bottles serving as candle-holders.From the outside, Caesar's looks like that kind of place. The exterior of the building is old and frowsy- a shit brown stucco with electrical wiring hanging off it. No windows. The paint on the door a hundred layers deep.
But it's a wanna-be tony North Beach restaurant with waiters in livery and white linen table cloths. Pretentious- that's what I mean to say. Not to mention pricey. I had a veal scallopini and it was just OK.
It's not really in North Beach, either, although it's close. It's really more in the wharf area, off by itself. -
Review from jud a.
San Francisco, CA
5/24/2011
Do not go here. The food was so bad. My friend had Ravioli and and she said the Ravioli in a can tasted better. I bought the spaghetti with meatballs home to a friend and he said it was really bad. The meat sauce is light brown and smelled like dog food.
Go to North Beach -
Review from David E.
Aliso Viejo, CA
8/10/2011
This place has that casual East Coast, small town, family-run, Italian restaurant feel. We enter in the bar and there is a hyped up child playing on the floor. The older gent behind the bar seems annoyed with it. We sit at the bar and order a bowl of vanilla ice cream and a cannolo.
The cannolo has bright colored maraschino cherries in each end, a smooth cream, powdered sugar (on the shell) and is made to order. There is a decent amount of "tang" with that nice cream cheese taste being clearly present. The shell tastes nice and is crisp. There were only 3 chocolate chips inside but chocolate isn't of paramount importance to me. Overall, I find the cream to be quite tasty. -
Review from Erin S.
Santa Rosa, CA
11/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
I have been coming here for years. There is no other restaurant that is more welcoming from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.
As someone whose perspective of Italian food growing up was olive garden. I had a real awakening when I was introduced to my fiances Italian family cooking.
Caesar's completely satisfies even them. Everything I have had here is wonderful. My favorite is always the crab coppiano, which ends up being completely crab, mussels, clams and some broth. Not overly soupy like most places, but just meat.
They always bring out little plates of complimentary pasta as you wait. Really there is no way to ever leave still hungry. I would suggest the 7 course meal that is around $30...crazy I know.
The servers are very friendly and make sure that you are enjoying everything. The chef even comes out and greets you.
I love Caesar's! -
Review from Ed r.
Palo Alto, CA
12/15/2010
Old school Italian restaurant in a charming way. Went there for a company holiday party. Was impressed as they served 75 people a 4 course meal at once with only few hiccups. Had the steak but could have chosen better.
I'd go back if I was in the area and wanted a no-nonsense meal.
