Frjtz
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
193 reviews
Neighborhood: Cole Valley
"Sorry, Gil, but I love this place. It's got your San Francisco-crepery essentials: chalkboard menus, savory and sweet crepes, woodsy…" read more »
16 Reviews for Frjtz
I did not go in. I walked by and first thought was "wow, they're open." Second: "man, they completely re-did the interior."
then "It's really clean."
followed by "Sterile, more like it."
"Nothing like the fun place that reminded us of Mad Magda's"
finally -- "They killed the chi."
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Unlike most, I never had much of an emotional attachment to the old Frjtz, as funky-cute as it was. This new one is an interesting departure aesthetically speaking. The new digs have some interesting design elements, but the white-on-white gives the place an unfinished look that clashes with the organic feel provided by all the planter boxes.
However, food-wise, the place is pretty much the same, and that's not a good thing. Other than the fries (which are crispy, meaty, and nicely salted), the rest of the menu stinks. The sandwiches look like they came out of a college dorm toaster oven, and arrive generally dry and overly salty... and certainly overpriced for what they are. The crepes are small and take way too long to arrive at the table, even when the place is slow.
Although I think Frjtz made some interesting strides in trying to become more of a full-fledged restaurant, they still have quite a way to go.
I went wanting to be open-minded, disregarding all the other jaded Yelpers who long for the past.
Unfortunately, it really is kind of a bummer. For me, the issue is not so much the new modern look as much as it being uncomfortable. So many hard wood benches, so many backless stools, so many lumpy pillows that don't quite work. The music used to be better (or worked better somehow) too, it felt kind of like a tinny techno beat that kind of droned on and on.
Also, the chicken in my crepe was so dry and had no hint of rosemary.
Service was busy, and people working were nice, but it was just too slow. I went in at 1:15pm so not even the very busiest time, and it was nearly 30 minutes to get my crepe. It's not terrifically bad, but people who got there after me got their crepes before me too.
Oh well. :(
Man, I really don't want to hate on this place...I'd give it 4 stars if I had never, errr I mean frequented often, the old Frjtz. Bottom line...nice place, great design and flow, just lacks the soul. This would be like trying to come up with reasons why you should marry a really hot chick.
Standing on its own it is very passable. The use of the old tables and patio mosaics is awesome. the addition of the plant box installations is nifty as well. I assume they are trying to make up for the new sans-patio space...it is a neat substitute but doesn't fulfill me.
The food is damn tasty. Fries...done very well with great dips. Good beer on tap. Decent crepes and salads. Better than average arty sandwiches.
New design: clean, airy, inviting. Funny enough exactly the opposite of before and for some reason creates an aversion from me liking it. Quite frankly, when the lights are all blaring, it is a tad bit on the cafeteria tip..Scandinavian tip though (Yes, I know the ideological base is in Flanders and not Scandinavian but you'll see).
It is just missing the intangibles. I used to spend an afternoon biking or trekking around the city and as the fog would start making its entrance around 3pm I would inevitably crave a Chimay and a large Frjtz and a table of good friends. Those times, and the memories of those, warm me now as they did on those late afternoons under the chilly fog. It had soul. It had warmth. It had depth. I eagerly awaited the reopening and now feel like I've lost a tangible part of of the essence of San Francisco.
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good fries.
kinda pricey.
nice dips.
try the jalapeno ketchup and pesto mayo.
****ANOTHER BIASED REVIEW********
Stopped into Frjtz after filling my head with unforgettable tunes; READ: High School Musical..and seriously..I can not get these songs out of my head..."We're all in this together.."...and on and on!..Some cast members and myself sauntered down Hayes to only find ourselves the only patrons in Frjtz..Which by the reviews seems like the newest Frjtz in the Frjtz empire..Honestly..I just wanted to see how many time I could type Frjtz...
As soon as I entered this labirynth of a restaurant, I was floored by the decor. Stark white walls and tables contrasted by neon green, foamie stools. Brightly colored tiled Pop-Art and the oddest collection of "animal" heads I've ever seen! There are also the strangest window boxes toward the back of the restaurant that reminded me of a reptiles home..Odd, but it worked.
The menu is printed on a large board behind the deli counter where you place your order...Belgian fries served in a Soda Fountain glass, crepes with fillings as far as they eyes can see and salaDs a-plenty. You tell the cashier what you want, take your table placard and grab a seat...
As we were here in between dinner and lunch, I opted for a small nosh of a salad...A rather bland salad, but it was fresh and crisp..those in my party opted for heartier offerings; Spinach Crepes, Ham and Cheese open faced sandwich and a Salmon Salad...Everything looked and smelled wonderful!
Now..onto the biased part of my review..Seeing as I had just witnessed what could quite possibly be the corniest musical ever, I needed something to take the edge off...and as soon as I stepped up to the cashier, I noticed the draft beers..I only noticed Hoeegarden and Stella...I asked for a Hoeegarden and was told that they didn't have that.."Well, I'll take.."..and I was cut off..The gentleman poured me a Stella and then proceeded to inform me that this Frjtz has yet to procure their liquor license and offered my a FREE BEER...I do hope that the liquor license police aren't reading this..For I'd hate to get anyone into trouble..But I do want to say THANK YOU...THANK YOU SO MUCH..If only you knew how much I love getting free hooch..I mean..that is the only reason I joined Yelp!
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Wow, they managed to suck out all the charm of the old location, revealing the fries for what they truly are: overpriced and unremarkable.
The new environs are cavernous dipped in sterile with a hint of Pinkberry playbook.
+1 for Belgian beers though.
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The fries are good but the place smells like grease. No matter how many ghost chairs and plastic wall hangings you put up, grease is grease and you don't want to smell of it. They sort of screw you over on the fries -- the large is the same as the small.
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Frjtz: a lament.
It became a long-standing tradition amongst my group of Symphonically-inclined friends to make a bee-line for the old hole-in-the-wall Frjtz after our Saturday concerts. Its unmistakable charm was almost claustrophobic but the outdoor patio offered a breath of fresh air seemingly larger than its 10-table space should afford, even if the heaters were temperamental and the un-hosted wait-time for tables could be long (apparently the sight of five burly men in tuxedos hovering with intent near nearly-done tables isn't very intimidating).
The new Frjtz, however, is so keen to distance itself from its old self that it has become a complete antithesis. Dark and cozy is out, spacious and stark fluorescent white is in. The outdoor patio is replaced with cut-out trees, terrariums and garden chairs - a narrow skylight serves in lieu of a starry canopy. Even the prices, once reasonable, seem to have grown to fill the new space.
The only thing that hasn't changed dramatically is the food and beer, and that's new Frjtz's only saving grace. The fries are hearty and the extensive selection of dipping sauces will stall the indecisive. Their crepes, too, are filling and tasty and can be enjoyed with a beer from a small selection of popular Belgian brews.
Sadly, the dull atmosphere dulls the senses too, as evidenced by the rapid dwindling of our post-concert group. Once the food and drink were gone, so were we - no more midnight sprints to the parking lot before it closes. I don't know if they kept the blacklight bathroom with its neon toilet seat, but I doubt I shall return to find out. Too bad, Frjtz - I think you've had your chips.
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frjtz re-opened in hayes valley! and it's still mediocre!
seriously though, the new space is nice, but if you're gonna make an effort towards improving something, how about addressing the quality of food? i could get a better crepe at the crepe house and the garlic fries at double decker stomp your soggy spuds. las estrellas is horrible, so would you consider using your space to bring in some quality mexican food to hayes valley?
Feels like I am eating at the Ikea cafeteria.
I never liked the food at the last place. I went for the coziness and the beer. Now all that's left is the beer.
Tips for owners: Lower the lights, don't play dance music, trim the menu.
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Wacky pre-opening party on April 11, 2008. Friltz restaurant: wacky decor with interesting antlers; everything stark white except for some bright neon green sponge stools. Lots of wacky drunk girls and boys, and a very wacky Santiago (the owner), wearing leopard bikini briefs and a red cape prancing around on Rollerblades wielding a big silver sword. Lots of delicious Mojitos. There is a back room, and a back back room.
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The food is still the same. Decent portions but still very overpriced. The decor is terrible. I knew they were going with a theme similar to the one in the mission, but its so bland and unfinished. The plants on the walls, the foam cube chairs, the plastic tables, the white wash everywhere. All of this really detracts from the ambiance. Never mind comparing it to the old location next door. Even if I didn't know about the way it used to be (which was awesome) I would say the environment in this new Frjtz is terrible.
Is the "Clockwork Orange"-style decor of this new incarnation of Frjtz "hip and modern" or "cold and sterile"? Only you can decide, dear reader.... One thing's for certain: if you were a patron of the former incarnation of Frjtz, which had a decidedly "cozy" vibe to it, the decor of the new location will take some getting used to.
As for the food & drink: truth be told, I prefer skinny french fries to the thick fries they serve at Frjtz, so I can only be counted as a moderate fan of their namesake food item. However, they've got a decent selection of crepes and Belgian ales, and that's enough to win a few points in my book.
The new Frjtz on Hayes is exactly like the old one, except for the fact that it is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. I miss the old Frjtz space.
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am glad to hear the food and drinks are the same. that's their main draw. so many dipping sauces to choose from, including wasabi. parking is a problem in his 'hood. have to check out the new frjtz!
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