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Frankie's Bohemian Cafe

3.5 star rating
based on 182 reviews

Categories: Bars, Burgers, American (Traditional)  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Pacific Heights
1862 Divisadero Street
(between Bush St & Pine St)
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 921-4725
Price Range:
$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Dinner
Music:
Juke Box
Best Nights:
Mon, Wed, Fri
Happy Hour:
Yes
Alcohol:
Beer & Wine Only
Smoking:
No
Coat Check:
No
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182 reviews for Frankie's Bohemian Cafe

Review Highlights   

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"the Smile Burger, the Iron Turkey Burger and the pastas." (in 10 reviews)
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"For pure deliciousness, go with the pork carnitas brambory." (in 33 reviews)
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"i decided on the gilroy burger, topped w/ garlic pesto and blue cheese." (in 9 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Alexandra N.

Elite '09

918

203

Alexandra N.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
10/29/2009

I first came to Frankie's Bohemian Cafe to meet my friend Ting A. for a drink and some conversation. The Cafe is a few blocks away from where I work and a fifteen minute walk from my house, and I pass by the place all the time, but I hadn't been inside. When I walked in, Ting was sitting at the bar, taking her time with a pint and a plate of quesadillas, and chatting with the bartender. I sat down beside her, ordered one of their specialty burgers and a glass of Brut, and prepared myself for a relaxing evening of being a bar fly.

It would have been a perfect night had one of the bartenders not said something to intentionally make me upset. My boyfriend, Ben, was in South Africa at the time visiting his family, and this came up in the conversation I was having with Ting and one of the bartenders. I don't know what the reason was, but he said "You know you're boyfriend is probably cheating on you right now with his ex-girlfriends," and then added something about how his family would never accept me.

WTF?!

I was already three or four glasses of  champagne in at this point and I felt confused and angry. Why would you say something so terrible to a complete stranger?

Great burgers, great location, reasonably priced, but I'll only come here when I know that particular bartender is not working.

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Photo of Phil J.

 

9

22

Phil J.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
10/12/2009

A good friend of mine introduced me to this joint while I was visiting from outta town.  

Good beer.  Good Food.  Good times.

The garlic fries are AMAZING.  Despite the fact that I reeked of garlic for 24 hours, I would fly across the country for these fries ALONE.  Whenever I think of them I begin to salivate.  

It's a nice place to chillax.  The bartender was uber-friendly.  
They had a nice selection of beer.

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Photo of Jean A.

Elite '09

39

121

Jean A.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/28/2009

I love the thrill of life's surprises and this place was surprisingly thrilling.  I stopped in for lunch here last week after another burger craving struck and took over my life.  I wasn't really expecting anything amazing since it seemed like just your typical corner dive-like bar but boy was I in for a treat.  I walked in and I was literally just one of two customers there for lunch.  I was told I could sit anywhere so of course I had to sit on their church-pew looking benches.  I love their wall décor - definitely a place I'd come back for beers at some point.  

I think this place really deserves more lunch business - it's so awesome!  I know it's on the farther end of the Medical center strip but seriously at one point, I was the only customer in there at peak lunch hours.  To my advantage though, the server was really prompt at taking my order and bringing my check (critical service piece for me when you only have 30 minutes to eat).  

I tried their Gilroy Burger (with garlic pesto, blue cheese, and avocados) with their garlic fries.  So its not a juicy grass-fed burger.  But at a mere $11, I could not help but sigh in my head (continuously) about how delectable this meal was.  The garlic fries were well-seasoned, not overpoweringly garlicy (a la Ballpark).  The garlic pesto, blue cheese, and avocados brough enough flavor to it that it wasn't competing with the actual meat patty.  My mouth watered just now writing that out.

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Photo of Alicia N.

 

28

47

Alicia N.

Denver, CO

5 star rating
11/16/2009

Oh, Frankie's how I've missed thee!  There is nothing like the Iron Turkey Burger, and the Bramburys... What would it take to have you open a branch here? This place will always have a soft spot in my heart, as my old 'hood hangout. Great burgers, salads, and many brambury to choose from!  And nothing beats great service, and having everyone know your name. Richie - you and the boys make Frankie's the great it is!

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Photo of Carene B.

 

0

4

Carene B.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
11/14/2009

Frankie's is the place to go when you need someone to bring back the smile to your face..
Great place to have a friendly drink, and their food is delicious & fresh .

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Photo of Yasmin A.

 

4

11

Yasmin A.

San Rafael, CA

2 star rating
10/12/2009

Not so much.
I have been here before and I didn't think the brugers were that great. I returned over the weekend and I revisited my past. If you're looking for a GOOD burger, don't go to Frankies. You're better off going to Pearls either in Mill Valley or the location in the Tenderloin. My only recommendation if you're at Frankies is to have the beer, you cant really go wrong with beer...

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Photo of Sandie S.

Elite '09

192

286

Sandie S.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
8/30/2009

Super cool, friendly, chill vibe, not quite a dive bar, but definitely a very relaxed place. The prices are decent, the bartenders are very nice, and the food here is not bad at all.  Cool decor, I love the hand painted flowers on the bathroom wall!

We stopped here en route to a party last night and had pear cider, which was sweet and refreshing.

It would be a four star place if they served liquor. Beer and wine only.

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Photo of Krista F.

 

44

131

Krista F.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
10/24/2009

It's one thing if you're going to watch a game, but if you're sole purpose is to eat I would pass on this one.  Most of the things that I have ordered from here are bland.  There are some staples where they can't go wrong: fries and anything other appetizer types of food.

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Photo of Danielle S.

Elite '09

184

164

Danielle S.

Mill Valley, CA

5 star rating
7/2/2009

I think I've found god in a mug of Newcastle....but don't get it twisted now, I'm far from religious, just spiritual, but I think I found my god....at Frankie's.

These days, with everyone being overworked, underpaid, and overdramatic, I like to keep it simple. I revel in the pleasure of the small things. There's nothing like a great beer on tap. Usually I find great beer in bottles, and that's fine too, but how about having a shitty ass day at work, long and arduous, where you've almost (just almost) gone postal on the general public with that concealed weapon in your bag you're not supposed to have, and you walk into Frankie's, bitter angry......and then god shows up......in the form of Newcastle Brown Ale. Now Newcastle is my favorite beer, and a favorite of many people I know, and drink with. But Newcastle on TAP? This is causes for a celebration! If you're not a Newcastle fan, there are other delicious options for you as well that are unusual, almost exotic feeling.

"Bartender!" I say, who happens to be witty, sharp tongued and hilarious I might add, "May I have another?" Before half of the second sentence leaves my mouth still tingling with Newcastle (on TAP again, Newcastle on TAP here!!) another freshly poured delicious deep beer shows up right in front of me.

Oh...the simple things in life...but it gets better.

Who doesn't love breakfast for breakfast, and lunch, and dinner? And who doesn't love hashbrowns? I hit the studio, attempting to sweat my ass off religiously in the attempt to keep it fly, but there are a few things that I will break for, and break without conscious thought or guilt. One is doughnuts, and the other is cheesy hashbrowns. Frankie's should be given an award for brilliance, in the fact that they serve up something called a brambory. What is this, you may ask? Well its hashbrowns all mushed together perfectly and crispy and delicious in a pizza-esque manner, smothered with pesto, or cheese, and veggies and chicken. I could feast on this delectable deliciousness for weeks.

I'm so gonna send Frankie's the bill though. What for you may ask? Well the designated driver I'll need from consuming too much delicious Newcastle and the personal trainer I'll need to hire to keep myself lookin' like a fly girl after the consistent brambory consumption.

Go and chill with friends, for once, at a great spot that's not snobby and filled with the Marina-ites that caters to those who love great beer, a killer witty bartender, and "bar food" that is still real food that's even vegetarian friendly that won't cost you next weeks salary like everything else in SF these days.

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Photo of Zack A.

 

1

4

Zack A.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
10/17/2009

Frankies has a laid back atmosphere and friendly workers. The food was very tasty!! But it's the type of food you might feel guilty for eating and that's including the salads. The beer on tap is fresh and the appetizers all look good. We had the Carne Asada Fries, they were hellla cheesy and full of meat. I went Frankie's because I walk by it 3 times a week and every time I do the smell appeals to me. So I tried it out today and was impressed, it's every bit as good as it smells.

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Photo of Blue R.

 

21

51

Blue R.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
7/5/2009

chili cheese fries

HUGE bowl. really. like a serving bowl.

requires (well, far less messy with) fork.

good meaty chili, real melty cheddar, excellent steak fries.

hits the spot when you're shitfaced and about to fall over.

(spell check questioned "melty" but not "shitfaced")

Ha 3darovya!

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Photo of Rebecca D.

Elite '09

88

104

Rebecca D.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
9/3/2009

Pretty decent, everyone is super friendly and its pretty nice environment.  Came here for lunch with a friend cuz I wanted to try something new out, I think that I might need to go back again.  Didn't get a chance to try out the bar, I got a salad which was good and the garlic fries smelled amazing.

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Photo of Amy L.

 

10

30

Amy L.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
7/23/2009

I love the bar atmosphere- fun, chill and just a great place to relax and have a beer.  

Food is surprisingly delicious for bar food, and the bartender is friendly and easygoing.

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Photo of Daniel S.

 

8

26

Daniel S.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
3/7/2009

I ordered the special burger with no onions and garlic fries, and I got a special burger with onions and regular fries.  WTF, mate!?

On the real, though, I've been eating lots of burgers lately, and this was the best I had tried in a while.  My only request would be more hoppy beers on tap!

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Photo of jim b.

 

17

164

jim b.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
5/31/2009

Frankie's has a great vibe. It seems to be a place where certain people go out of their way to frequent: happy, polite, conversable. The beers are consistently bohemian (as in from Bohemia) and served at good temps in great glassware. The menu is very man-friendly, too. I just need to skip a couple of meals because I haven't been hungry enough to order yet.

UPDATE: Got over here the other night with a belly full of hungry and got their burger. While I wouldn't drive across town for it, neither did it disappoint.

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Photo of Cassie L.

 

9

66

Cassie L.

Arcata, CA

5 star rating
8/12/2009

This bar is truly one of my favorites in San Francisco. Yes it's totally relaxed and not as uptight as many of the other bars in the area, and that's what makes it one of my favorites.  The bar stools have the habit of making you comfortable for longer than you intended, and the best bartender in the world (Rich) keeps you entertained.  The food is definetly a notch above typical bar food, but I wouldn't come here if you are on a diet (why would you be at a bar if you ARE on a diet anyways?). The food takes longer, because it's all done to order, the tortilla chips are made by hand:) Yum, yum, yum:)

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Photo of Sascha O.

Elite '09

58

106

Sascha O.

Sausalito, CA

3 star rating
2/26/2009

Errhmmm... I heard great things about this place so hubby and I decided to take up on Ting's offer to have dinner there last Friday.  

I must say I did not expect this place to have so many tables (I was under the impression that this was a full-on bar that happened to serve bar food also.)  Apparently this place is more about bar/casual food along with beer (and some wine.)

Ting's recommends were the burgers, so hubby ordered one with bbq sauce, cheese, and bacon, and I ordered what was called the "Bohemian Burger", which was with bbq sauce, cheese, and mushrooms.  You get to pick how you want the burger done (I swear by medium-rare), and you get to choose from the side of garlic fries, fries, or salad.

I wanted to try to be a little healthier so I opted for salad, with the intention of picking on some of my hubby's fries.  I don't drink beer, so I just had water.

Food came in a timely manner after we ordered.

First impression of the burgers:
Big, Juicy, Home made, Fresh.

More in-depth observation:  
I should have ordered fries if I knew that every burger came with a little bit of lettuce, onions, tomatoes and pickles on the side anyway.  The side salad option only gives you a whole wad of that and really for a salad, nothing special or noteworthy.

Impression after first bite:
?
Afer second and third bite:
Hey, this thing is good, but where are the mushrooms and why do I not taste any bbq sauce?

Afer disecting my burger and comparing the taste to my hubby's burger that also had bbq sauce, mine DEFINITELY didn't have bbq sauce or mushrooms.  Meaning, they got the order completely wronge and gave me a cheeseburger.  The place was starting to get pretty packed, and there was a group of obnoxiously loud (drunk?) ppl sitting across from us so we had a hard time getting the bartender's attention.  

Ultimately we got the busser's attention, told him that I am not tasting any bbq sauce or mushrooms in my Bohemian burger.  He goes, "you want mushrooms?" I said, "Well, yeah, aren't they supposed to be in a "Bohemian Burger"?" He asks again, "You want mushrooms on the side?"

Having hoped that they would sincerely apologize for the mistake and offer to give me a fresh (and correct) Bohemian Burger but realizing that this isn't really getting anywhere, I just sighed and said, "yeah, I guess, give me mushrooms and bbq sauce on the side."

Busser goes in the kitchen, a few minutes later comes back with some sauteed mushrooms and bbq sauce on a little plate.  By this time, my burger is pretty cold, the bottom bun absorbed much of the juice and grease and were soggy, and the top bun was stuck to the cheese that was stuck with the meat and I couldn't take it apart.  So I reluctantly pour the mushrooms and the bbq sauce in between the meat and the soggy bottom bun, pick the burger up uncomfortably, and ate my way through as the sauce and mushrooms kept dripping on to my plate.

I must say, while the ingredients tasted fresh and, should they get the order right, my Bohemian Burger would have been a pretty enjoyable experience...  But I cannot give them more than 3 stars on this one because of their level of service and attentiveness, and the fact that they didn't bother to apologize once for their error and made amends only by bringing out the missing ingredients in a little plate rather than offering to make me a fresh burger.

Plus, the group of loud ppl that were there were so obnoxious, it was rather hard to chat with my hubby and Ting.  I may want to come back here, but ONLY when it's a slow time of the day when we can get an acceptable level of service.

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Photo of Autumn K.

Elite '09

445

832

Autumn K.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
Updated - 1/6/2009

One word: RANCH. As in the dressing. Frankie knows better than to serve me the best fries in the city (as long as they're fresh enough to burn your tongue) without a heaping side of ranch. He also knows better than to let my bowl of the best fries in the city get low or even -gasp!- empty. I've got an appetite for destruction when I walk in here and enemy, thy name is fry. I will devour, destroy, and defile a bowl of these fries like no other. With about half a gallon of ranch dressing, a pound of salt, and a bottle or two of ketchup.

Disgusting? Yes. Delicious? Of course.

**Minus one star for the loud assholes at the bar on game night. God, let me shove my face in peace.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    11/25/2007

    Here's how I operate: 5 days out of the week I eat like a bird, one day of the week (typically, but… Read more »

Photo of Melanie N.

Elite '09

191

283

Melanie N.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
1/11/2009

A cute, little cafe located in an area that doesn't have a great selection of food.  Their brambory is definitely worth trying....probably better shared but it's so good, you need to try it at least once.  They also have ridiculously good garlic fries....just be prepared to reek of garlic for the rest of the day.

They also have a decent selection of beers and you get about a pint and a half in the glasses they serve it in.  The service is alright....they show sports here so if a game is going, the service may be a bit slower than normal.  The decor keeps you mildly entertained...my favorite sign being one that states, 'Beware, this establishment frequented by pick pockets and loose women'.

If you're in the area looking for a drink or a bite to eat, give it a go....they definitely have a following of locals that love it!  I just wouldn't go out of my way to eat here...

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Photo of Stumbalina b.

 

16

152

Stumbalina b.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
2/15/2009

This is a special place. Somehow, I can walk in and eat a pound of fries and drink five beers and leave there feeling like a champ.

Beer & Grease & Happy

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Photo of Monika M.

Elite '09

29

583

Monika M.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
7/15/2009

i love this place. Truly. My heart belongs here.

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Photo of Keane L.

Elite '09

2505

818

Keane L.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
11/11/2008

It's always the days not warranting wandering when we end up at Frankie's Bohemian Cafe.

In braving harsh rain and wind, nothing could be more inviting than huge plates of meats and starches - massive burgers, bowls of garlic fries and savory brambories. Wash it down with an imperial pint and you've found your comfortable shelter, a home away from home.

A safe place from the storm.

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Photo of Ali W.

 

6

23

Ali W.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
4/9/2009

I've driven by this place so many times and never got around to stopping here until the other day I just went for it. It's so cool and funky like I had to check it out.

It was dead empty (Tuesday afternoon at 3 pm) except for one couple in the corner. The atmosphere is cozy and a little dive-y, and the ceilings are painted dark blue with big gold stars. Very friendly place to be.

The bartender greeted us and took our afternoon beer orders - we both ordered draft and I swear it was the biggest beer I've ever seen. In a very good way. We saw the brambories on the menu which I had never heard of, and my friend decided to try one out (Shrimp, onions, mushrooms, and bbq sauce on top of a potato/zucchini pancake). I got the turkey burger with garlic fries. Their bread/dip is so tasty - basically a bowl of olive oil, garlic, and what appeared to be dried basil. My friend's Brambory was amazinggg. Heart attack on a plate, and now most likely the only thing I will ever crave when I happen upon the drunken munchies. My burger was good, though my garlic fries came out regular. Good meat and a really good size. All in all, friendly service, tasty food, and supersize-me beers. I will be back.

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Photo of Chieko H.

 

10

112

Chieko H.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
3/17/2009

This is a typical dive bar. It was perfect for what my friend and I were looking for that night. We wanted a drink, and that was the main purpose of getting dressed and driving out.

We sat at the bar, which was nice, spacious, and very relaxed. Once we sat down, we got a grip of bread and crushed garlic in olive oil. IT was de-licious. We got a couple of glasses each of their house red wine, which was yummy and cheap (if we had went to Fly bar across the street, it would have cost us $11/glass instead of $5.50/glass here).  

I loved how we could just come in in raggy jeans and nasty clothes to hang out; no need to dress up or feel obligated to. We ordered the garlic fries, and they brought out a salad-bowl (the party-platter size) full of garlic fries. No, we didnt finish it.  Yes, it was nice to munch on.

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Photo of M O.

 

0

55

M O.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
1/13/2009

I was introduced to Frankie's Bohemian Cafe by friends, who claim it's never as packed as it was the night we went.

And was it packed. Perhaps it's a sign of the times: instead of restaurants, people are heading to pubs for food and drink.

The hamburgers here are pretty delectable. But be warned: if you get a garlic dish, it's served Gilroy style a.k.a. tons of garlic. I had my burger with a pear cider served  in a glass that could be mistaken for a jacuzzi. It was a lot of cider, but much appreciated.

It was a little loud, though we were right under a speaker. But I'd try the place again. I was told some nights there's a pretty small crowd. So I guess it goes back and forth.

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Elite '09

215

167

Kelly H.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
10/14/2008

The theory of relativity, while hard to understand and densely scientific to some, has some reason to be quoted in this review of Frankie's.  Frankie's Bohemian Cafe in the spacetime continuum in San Francisco is 2 stars.  In say, Bakersfield, California, Frankie's might be a 4 or 5 star place, since the space it takes up would have nothing that great to compete with in it's relativity to other restaurants.  This goes for many places in San Francisco, actually: good places staying alive, but just barely, until one day they finally fold.  Which is why Yelp is so helpful.  I mean, yes, sometimes I'd rather scratch an insect bite for an hour than read the talk threads, or take the time to compliment people on mediocre reviews, but overall, it is a helpful website for people looking for quality food.

Frankie's is nothing special.   It's got Brambory, which is interesting, but it isn't necessarily executed well.  The service is nothing to comment on and the bar only serves beer, and they run out of things quite often.  It isn't worth a stop unless you're on Pine and Divisadero and you're just starved.  In a city full of tasty new restaurants, Frankie's is simply a filler I'm afraid.

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Photo of K C.

 

0

8

K C.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
7/29/2009

The bartender/waiter was nice and the place is cute, but don't order the "veggie" burger. It tasted so bland and felt so heavy going down that I asked after the ingredients. It consists almost entirely of their homemade bread, moistened and ground up with some carrots and spices. So basically the veggie burger is a bread sandwich. An $8.50 bread sandwich, I might add. My stomach felt like I'd consumed a wet sock. They'd be much better off buying some Morningstar patties or getting a better recipe with maybe some beans or soy protein or something other than wet bread. Vegetarians expect a little more effort these days.

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Photo of Cameron K.

Elite '09

55

127

Cameron K.

Glendale, AZ

5 star rating
1/9/2009

Tasty food.
Cheap beer in huge mugs.
Painted ceilings.
Brilliant!

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Photo of Ryan V.

Elite '09

205

181

Ryan V.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/19/2008

I decided to walk in a direction and try someplace new and this is where I ended up. OK - looks like any other bar/pub. I sit down and am greeted by an extremely friendly bartender.

Score number one! Pilsner Urquell on tap. Then, not suspecting anything out of the ordinary, she brings me a huge glass full of my favorite golden delight. This is definitely worth another point.

I ordered the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger because it looked like the most unhealthy thing on the menu, and it ended up being quite good. Try it with the Garlic Fries!

This is a step above most bar and pub food to me. It'll cost you slightly more, but worth it for the nice big glasses of beer and good food.

Also worth noting is that the TV was playing Martha Stewart. Any bar that can shamelessly let Martha make cupcakes on their tube scores extra credit with me!

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Photo of Kelly C.

Elite '09

86

191

Kelly C.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/28/2008

I love Frankie's blue cheese burger and  fries so much I've never had anything else! Besides beer of course.

Great ambiance, and fun decor. Not quite sure what makes it Bohemian, but who cares. Just give me that hamburger!

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Photo of tinna h.

Elite '09

557

611

tinna h.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
7/6/2008

Even on a holiday, I need to eat. Even if I am planning to attend two or more BBQs the same day, I need to eat. Eating is important. After trudging around the neighborhood after WALL-E at the Kabuki [best theater ever!] looking for a place to eat, we finally came across Frankie's with its neon "EAT HERE" sign out front.

Well, don't mind if I do!

Beers were ordered. The pints are ginormous [the way they should be]. A brambory was shared. Crispy potato/zucchini topped with meat, cheese, and goodness. Its looks are deceiving, and I was so glad to have shared this rather than to have conquered one on my own. The garlic fries [for less than $4] are extremely garlicky. Better have some gum/mints laying around, or make a quick trip down the street to Walgreens.

As instructed by the neon sign, I will eat here. Again. Someone needs to send them "AGAIN" in neon.

The brambory would make a perfect hangover cure. Unfortunately, I wasn't hungover until the next afternoon. And then all I could think about was whether or not I had [fill in blank with one of the following: 1) put out, 2) made out, 3) accepted a marriage proposal, 4) all of the above] the previous night or not. :/ AND I was ridiculously dehydrated. No fun.

Fish memory sucks. Frankie's Bohemian Cafe and 4th of July parties do not.

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Photo of James V.

 

0

7

James V.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
7/8/2009

I cannot believe that there is not an option for no stars. After getting our food an hour after we ordered it (there was no one else in the restaurant) I found hair in my salad and my date found one in her quesadilla . When I told the bartender/waiter that there was a hair in our food he took my salad into the back and proceeded to hit on the two inebriated women sitting at the bar and a salad never returned. Need I say more.

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Photo of Juliane N.

Elite '09

524

571

Juliane N.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
5/5/2008

I'm so tired of everything around my work place but Frankie's is pretty damn good when I'm tired of eating burritos, cheese steak, Pete's sandwiches and Blue Fog sandwiches everyday!

This is a great place for grabbing yummy burgers. Burgers are juicy and filled with juicy goodness. They cost around $8 depending on which burger option you choose and it comes with lots of yummy fries. Portions are always big and I get my to go orders pretty fast.

They get pretty packed during Friday and Saturday nights since the food is good and they have a bar!

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Photo of A. S.

 

4

14

A. S.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
6/3/2008

After buying some beers, my buddy's tastes a little off.  Everyone in our group agrees.  

Actual conversation with the bartender:

FRIEND: Excuse me.  I just tried this Harp and it tastes really strange.  Maybe something is wrong.
BARTENDER: You can't be right, it's fine.  Been pouring it all night.
FRIEND:  Sir, I've had a bit of Harp before and something seems weird.  
BARTENDER pours himself a taste of Harp.  "This is fine.  You (customer) are wrong.  Hey Johnny (sitting at end of bar) 'Is there anything wrong with this?'"  Gives Johnny taste.  Embarrasses friend.  
Johnny: "Can't tell."
BARTENDER:  Sorry, you must be mistaken.  There's nothing wrong with the beer.

FRIEND leaves with beer.  Doesn't have a another sip of it.  BARTENDER charges us for beer and doesn't offer to replace it.  After we leave, without leaving a tip, BARTENDER runs outside and asks why.  We tell him why.  He twitches.  He tells us never to come back.  

Deal.

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6

72

Stacy M.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
8/24/2008

My boyfriend and I were scooting by here the other day looking for some food. We noticed this place and decided to stop in and try it out. My boyfriend ordered the Bohemian Burger and fries, and I got the veggie burger and fries. The beer was decently priced and a BIG 'ol glass!! The burgers were gigantic. I couldn't even finish mine. The guy working there was super friendly, too!!

Food - Great!!

Service - EXCELLENT

Atmosphere - very chill little bar

If you like the more chill bars, with good food and great service.... try this place out!!

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2

15

Peter F.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
5/23/2008

This is a neighborhood beer and wine bar that serves food. Pure and simple. Don't go here expecting anything else and you won't be disappointed. We usually go in fairly early 'cause we're older than most of the clientele and I have a lot of respect for my ears. But I've gotta hand it to the staff, they're amiable and fun and that makes it nice.

As for the food:

The owner is Czech and offers a great selection of the Czech specialty called a "brambory" on the two-sided single page menu. Basically, it's a plate sized base of shredded potatoes and zucchinis fried in a pan until crisp on the bottom; kind of like a pizza crust. This is then topped with all sorts of stuff. My favorite is the sausage and meatball and it is truly piled high. I can't finish one by myself.

Another fave is the warm spinach salad. Ask for bacon to be added (no charge) and you'll get four or five crispy strips laid on top. The dressing is really good and tasty. If there are two of you, split the salad and split a brambory and you won't walk away hungry!

I'm picky about hamburgers and I sometimes find their burgers to be good but the buns are only so-so. To me, that takes the edge off the goodness of the burger. On the plus side, if you're dieting, the turkey burger is pretty good. Normally, turkey burgers can be very dry. But they add spinach to theirs which keeps it moist. Great idea!

When you come in at dinner you'll be served bread and a bowl with some olive oil and an island of the most amazingly good garlic paste. Dip your bread in the oil and in the garlic paste and enjoy. The garlic paste is also good spread on other things like the brambory or a burger.

As for the drinks:

Beer is the operative word here with quite a few on tap including some rather unusual ones. Wine isn't really why you go here but they can accommodate the "regular" reds (cab and merlot) and a chard. Beware; they occasionally run out of chardonnay so be flexible.

So it can be noisy and sometimes raucous but the staff is always nice (even when rushed) and the food is good and gruntsy and the price is right. What more can you ask for? If you want more ambience, go eat at Solstice up the street. Your ears will still ring but you'll pay more for the "atmosphere" and atmosphere isn't very filling.

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89

79

Rhett G.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
11/7/2008

For me, Frankies stands as a jewel in an otherwise semi-depressing set of restaurants and bars that I call my neighborhood.

It's beer only, but the Guinness is usually good (and served in larger than regulation mugs), and food portions are HUGE. I recommend the Iron Turkey burger... the only turkey burger I will ever admit to eating. Jumbalaya is good, thought I'm told it tastes nothing like Jumbalaya is supposed to taste. If you are feeling like your digestive system needs a challenge, definetly check out the Southwestern Brambory... when they say Jalapenos, they are not kidding.

Staff is always friendly, and I've spent a few slow sunday afternoons just hanging out at the bar, discussion classic horror movies, listening to obscure bartender selected rock music or even argueing about the merits of this 'digital music nonesense' with some old dude who almost had a panic attack when someone tried to play music off an ipod.

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11

65

Paul K.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
7/7/2008

I am completely stunned by the other reviews commending the burgers at this place.  The burgers were not just bad---they were terrible.  Perhaps the chef was high and switched in cardboard?  Perhaps it was because my medium-rare burger came well done?  Well, no, that couldn't be it, since my friend's burger that came medium-rare also tasted like, well, more pinkish cardboard.

And my coke was incredibly watered-down.

And when we entered, a song was 30 min. long playing, which consisted of one chord strumming repeatedly.  Odd.

I could give 2 stars b/c the food I got on a previous occasion was decent.  But the burger was just so bad that I cannot express my disapproval with anything but one star.

Would come in for a beer, though.

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0

6

Stacy J.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
6/14/2009

True love with the burgers.

Douchebags were all around me, but somehow I still loved the Bartender and my burger enough to suffer through the Yuppie Jerk rambling about what a bitch his fiance was. Not the bars fault, I suppose.

I will go back!

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35

89

Summer C.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
10/21/2008

If you're looking for super greasy food this is your spot.

I've been here a few times mid night when I've realized that I can't remember the last time I ate but it better be soon if I'm going to make it through the night.

The service is decent and you can take your food next door to the fishbowl which is nice.

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