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Louis'
Categories: Restaurants Diners Restaurants American (Traditional) Diners, American (Traditional) [Edit]
902 Point Lobos Ave(between Merrie Way & Upper Great Hwy)
San Francisco, CA 94121
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
(415) 387-6330
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6:30 am - 6 pm
Fri-Sun 6:30 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Touristy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
252 reviews for Louis'
Review Highlights
"Beautiful view of the cliffs and Sutro Baths."
(in 43 reviews)
"...a diner beats any view from the Beach Chalet or Cliff House."
(in 39 reviews)
"Great view, great food, great service."
(in 28 reviews)
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252 reviews in English
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Review from Mayra L.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2011
After spending the afternoon showing a friend Sutro Baths, I decided to check out Louis' after hearing good things about it from friends. We walked up the path from Sutro Baths to the restaurant and got a table next to a window fairly quickly (within 10 minutes).
The food is typical diner food, for a slightly more expensive price. The burgers where about 8$, and they had the typical salads, burgers, sandwiches. The waitress was the perfect kind- attentive, but also stayed away most the time. We got to enjoy our meal and talk without having someone up in our faces refilling out waters.
The food was okay. nothing special, but not bad. The cheeseburger and fries were good, the Greek salad looked pretty delicious and the milkshakes were creamy and thick, just like they should be.
The most undeniable thing about Louis's is the view, which looks down at the ruins.
There's something very mythical about watching the sunset over the ocean and ruins while sipping a strawberry milkshake. -
Review from Gabriel R.
San Francisco, CA
2/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
This has been a favorite place of mine since I moved to San Francisco six years ago. It's a great place to go before or after a hike at Land's End or down to Ocean Beach.
They've recently completed a remodel and the exterior looks great. The staff is and always has been super nice and quick to help. I hate saying this because I love this place so much but I sometimes get the feeling that the food isn't exactly home made. I'll leave it at that...
What this place lacks in high end food it sure makes up for with a view that will take your breath away. Maybe that's the secret: Keep them staring out the windows and they won't even know what they're eatin'.
It's still a place I will always go to and I wish I could give a 3.5 rating here. -
Review from niffer l.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2011
What someone else said about crappy seating service. I arrived with a friend and two hungry kids. Was told it would be a 20-25 minute wait, so my friend went outside with the kiddos to kill time. On the list ahead of me was a party of two, and after us (party of four) was another party of two. A four-top and a two-top open up at the same time. What does the 16-year-old hostess with braces do? She put the party of two at the four-top, skipped over us, and seated the party of two after us, at the two-top. I asked her why she didn't put the party of two ahead of us at the two-top, so we could be seated, and she had absolutely no response.
Our waiter was chill, but responsive, but good-god the food is expensive. Really? $1.25 for EACH additional omelette ingredient (but seasonal spinach is $1.75). The place has a great view, but give me a break. If the food was exceptional, I might be okay with the prices, but it's basic diner food. (Wanted to, but didn't get the $5.25 side of bacon. $5.25 for a side of bacon?!? WTH? It's not even organic.) The potatoes were dry toasted little cubes that had absolutely no flavor. And no kids menu? Really? Yeah, so my five-year-old had to order a $10 hamburger.
Meh, bleh. I'm bummed, because I wanted it to be better. Next time, we'll pack a lunch and sit outside overlooking the Sutro Baths.
(Hey, if someone at Louis' is reading this, you might want to check the trends on your customer reviews--they're taking a dive like a pelican into the ocean!) -
Review from Annie F.
San Francisco, CA
1/27/2012
$30.00 for two plates with fried eggs, obviously frozen potato cubes and a paltry , overcooked veggie omelet? My friend and I went there for brunch on a week day recently, had to wait for a booth seat and were served with less than enthusiastic attitudes. I observed the "tourists" there being overcharged for steak and eggs, etc. Louis' recently renovated (guess they changed up the Formica flooring). Anyhow, unless you want to pay far too much for sub-par food and a view that you can get from The Cliff house and pay only a few bucks more, don't waste your time. Also, they don't take Credit/Debit cards but have a usurer's ATM machine there.
Long time SF resident tired of being overcharged for crap.... -
Review from patrick t.
Long Beach, CA
11/28/2011
One of the best breakfast places in San Francisco that I've ever been to. Not only do they have a wide selection of plates, but all the ingredients seem fresh and organic. I stuck with my usual two eggs, ham steak, potatoes, and toast breakfast, but I kept eying the various eggs benedict offerings they had.
I can completely see why this place is such an institution in the neighborhood as I would be a repeat offended if I lived any closer. I'm definitely looking forward to coming back to sample the rest of their menu. -
Review from carlos l.
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ok diner food, ok prices and service. Unbeatable view, my eyes were stuck on the sutro bath ruins during sunset so concentrating on eating was difficult.
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Review from Anthony A.
San Francisco, CA
11/8/2011
Louis' is like an ignored step-child of the Cliff House, with views that are just as pretty. The food here is cheaper and not as fancy as the Cliff House. I ate here years ago and planned on coming back just to see if the place is consistent. I like the cheesy chili omelet because it is huge. Freakishly huge.
Remember, this place is cash only. -
Review from Jenny T.
Worst quality food and service of any diner I've ever been to. Ever.
I don't expect stellar service at a diner but the servers kept us waiting over 15 minutes before they took our order.. and they weren't even busy or doing anything else! Just standing around chatting. I motioned for them to indicate we were ready to order, but the staff just looked at us, smiled, then continued chatting with each other. I had to ask at least 3 times before they gave me a straw. I had to request extra condiments that I wanted several times before they brought it to the table. Basically, you have to remind them again and again that you want something, wait a good 10 minutes, remind them AGAIN.. and then you'll get it.
As for the food, well, it's crap. Worst spinach salad of my life. Stale leaves, flavorless vinaigrette, old pieces of bacon. My sister had the steak and eggs and was miserable. Driest, nastiest piece of steak ever. Seriously. I'm complaining because I'm telling you the truth.
Customers are basically just paying for the view.
I may as well have dined at the Cliffhouse. I thought I was saving money by dining at Louis' but I really just threw money away and wasted my time. -
Review from Stu S.
San Francisco, CA
10/14/2011
I remember this place as a kid when Playland at the Beach and The Sutro Baths were thriving and the whole area was hopping with food and amusement spots. It's a place you dive by more than visit and murmur, we shold try Louis' again, it's been too long, but you never do. My best friend was visiting from Chicago and my lover from Boise and we were out and about playing tourists and decided to grab lunch there on a recent, sunny, midweek October afternoon. We were seated at the counter which was fine and I chose to have their 'Frenchburger' which almost universally means a half pound patty on some kind of a french roll. Louis' didn't deviate from the norm and soon enough I had a white oval platter with a toasted open face french roll crowned by a decent size patty covered in melting cheese. a pile of crinkle cut fries and some so so lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle.
The place has been there more than 70 years and isn't fancy or even swell, but it's not inexpensive either. Like most San Franciscans, I don't expect much out what I call tourist trap restaurants and this is no exception for me, so no expectations translates into no great disappointments either. From the counter where we were seated the only view is the slit peering into the kitchen or the derrieres of the many busy waitresses, not an all bad experience but not as sweet as seal rock and the wide open Pacific Ocean on a fine, sunny October day. Most of the menu is classic diner food and gives the feel and appearance of coming from cans and frozen packages, or an uninspired kitchen, but it is fine grub for the throngs of hungry tourists who clamor for a seat in this long standing tourist trap. It's fun and interesting. -
Review from Eyva Kid C.
San Francisco, CA
9/21/2011
I would definitely give the view five stars because it IS pretty wonderful.
I had been trampling around the old Sutro Bath ruins for about four hours, taking tons of various angle pics when I realized my blood sugar was low. That, and it was FREEZING out, so I thought that a hearty bowl of clam chowder sounded good.
I forged my way up the embankment to Louis', looked over at the Cliff House, contemplated the walk over there and then just decided to grab something at Louis since I was so close. I think I should have made the walk to Cliff House.
It was approximately 4pm on a shitty, overcast, freezing cold Friday, so there weren't many people around. I chose a booth with a good view, although it was dirty. The waitress was okay, nothing extraordinary, although she wasn't very good at her job.
To my dismay, they only had Manhattan Clam Chowder, which has a tomato base. I was hoping for a creamy New England, but oh well. It's a good sized bowl and comes with a clump of sourdough and some butter.
The soup tasted like a salty tin can. NOT IMPRESSED. I forced it down and then thought that a piece of cheesecake might get that taste out of my mouth. The waitress comes back over and I tell her these exact words: "I think I'm gonna try a piece of cheesecake. Does that come with a topping?"
She says yes, strawberry or chocolate syrup. I then tell her "Strawberry sounds good, I'm thinking I'm gonna do that."
So I sit and wait for my cheesecake. And wait. And wait. And then wait some more. She finally comes back over and asks me if I would like anything else. I said "yeah, the cheesecake."
It was good cheesecake, but their service blows ass. The wait staff act as though they don't want to be there. Perhaps it was just that day, who knows. They ARE a bit pricey for a diner and for the quality of food they serve.
I honestly don't think Louis would be proud to have his name on the place these days. Go for the view, just don't get the chowder. I saw some people enjoying a French dip, perhaps that's a better choice? -
Review from KD M.
San Francisco, CA
8/30/2011
One star for the view and another for the service.
Another co-worker dinner adventure! We were waiting for this place to open up again so we could finally try it. The place has a pretty sweet view of the Sutro Baths and part of the seagull shit stained rocks aka Seal Rocks.
The menu is pretty typical. You got your omelettes, salads, etc etc and my co-worker suggested we both get steaks. I was down for big slab o' meat so that's what we went with. It comes with either salad or soup. I got the soup (Manhattan clam chowder, the tomato based one!) and he got the salad. The chowder was salty as HAYYYYLLL. I practically diluted it with my water. My co-worker's salad was just...a salad with minimal dressing, overflowing on a tiny coffee saucer they used as the plate. No biggie. It was rather fun watching him poke at tomatoes as they rolled off the small plate.
Here comes the worst part aka the entree/steak. Absolutely flavorless. Ok, maybe we're supposed to season it ourselves because that's how some people like to do but still! Also, we ordered it medium rare and it came out well done like REALLY well done, rougher than alligator skin, accompanied by standard frozen and cooked right of the bag crinkle cut fries. Oh well, at least they got the grill marks on the steak right.
Our server was nice and also really apologetic when we told him about the steaks. He offered to have it exchanged for us but that would be a hassle anyway. Its not his fault that the cook sucks lol;
I see some good reviews here so I'm willing to try it again but be warned: DON'T GET THE STEAK!! -
Review from Michelle N.
San Francisco, CA
11/23/2011
I had lunch at Louis' last weekend and the service was awful. My grandfather ate at Louis' for decades and loved the waitresses there who treated him like he was at his second home. What happened to those friendly waitresses? The current young staff act like they could care less about the customers.
We were with young children who were starving and they sat a party before us after my friend told the hostess we would be fine at a table of four because her todder could sit on her lap. Even though there were tons of people waiting she kept sitting parties of two instead of being strategic to get the larger parties in seats who had been waiting longer.
When a table did open up i asked if we could get the kids who were fussing and complaining how hungrey they were into seats. One of the rude waiters said that they will let us know when the table is ready. I said i understood but we had been waiting so long with hungrey children and he said rudely if i could just wait 30 seconds they would clean the table. There were three wait staff behind the counter more worried about trying to confront me than getting the tables cleaned and people seated. Needless to say we waited at least another 10 minutes before we were seated.
BTW, while we were waiting there was another customer there that had also been waiting while they seated people without thought and she was about to lose it.
The only reason we continued to wait and deal with these awful people was because the kids had their hearts set on pancakes and waffles. Well when we sat down the waitress said they don't serve those at lunch. After we finished our meals we saw the table next to us being served waffles!
Unfortunately i left an 8 percent tip which i have never done before. I wish i left a penny because that is all they deserved. I worked in the restaurant biz for 5 years and i never saw such a culture of bad service. I blame the management because if they were present and didn't put up with this the culture would be different. When i waited tables if a server didn't average 15% then they would be put on notice and fired if it didn't improve. I would be surprised if this wait staff gets anywhere close to a 10% average.
The family owners need to get back involved in the biz and get those friendly waitresses back from the good old days and kick these young jerks to the curb. -
Review from Adam O.
Alameda, CA
10/15/2011
A greasy spoon with a view.
The most interesting thing on the menu was the history of the establishment. Terrific view of the ocean and sutro baths but this is not a place to go if you want to set your taste buds on fire. Staff were pleasant and the food was good but unremarkable. I had the eggs Benedict which was ok but eggs were requested poached soft but arrived over done.
If you like drinking wine out of tiny screw top bottles then this is for you!
Not a bad place to go if you want breakkie by the ocean before yo go walk Lincoln park ( which I recommend) -
Review from GEL C.
San Jose, CA
10/14/2011
Love the view! Service is horrible. I've been here 3 times. Twice dressed up professionally after work and once on my day off where I look like a street kid. Regardless of how I dress I should receive the same service and here I DID NOT! I will never return to this place, unless I need to sneak in to go pee after a hike or spending time at the beach.
Veggie burger and greek salad are AMAZING but the burger comes with gross fries that come straight from the freezer and look like something that was served to me in elementary school lunch. Gross...
The only plus to this place is the view, and reading about the Sutro history on the menu.
Eff this place...
CASH Only, but they have an ATM inside
Seating is limited. If you go at a busy time you could wait up to 30 mins -
Review from Jon H.
CA
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Solid coveted 5 stars. The view is unbeatable and the fact that you can have a malt milkshake at 8am is a throwback to 24/7 Diners. This is the real deal. Eggs Benny plus pancakes and you're set. If you're like me and you're a big dude, then I recommend sitting at the tables and not the booth. The booths are made for little elven people. You know the Christmas-y kind.
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Review from Eric B.
5/28/2011
The scenic joynt was founded over 73 years ago by Louis Hontalas, a Greek immigrant who opened the place on Point Lobos Avenue during the Great Depression to help make ends meet. They recently beat out three other bidders for a new 10-year lease on the property, according to the National Park Service, which owns the land.
You don't expect to find a cool retro place diner with such a magnificent view. Well maybe the old Burger King at the Presidio came close. My breakfast was basic, but good and the wait on the day I came was reasonable. Plenty of parking is available just up the hill. I also enjoyed coming early enough to avoid the Cliff House tourist bus traffic. I'll be back after they reopen after their renovations are complete. -
Review from Vivek A.
San Francisco, CA
11/29/2011
Food is pretty good, though not exceptional and a tad pricey. The real reason to come here is for the ocean views and the amazing location. It's a treat to drive out to Louie's and a great place to take out-of-towners. There can often be a wait, however. This restaurant has been around for more than 6 or 7 decades I think, and is right next to the Sutro Baths ruins...so quite an interesting place. Definitely a fave for my brunch list.
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Review from David S.
San Francisco, CA
8/15/2011 4 photos
They've just re-opened after a year and a half of remodeling, and we came here for the first time for a Sunday dinner (Aug 14) and were not disappointed. Even tho the place was pretty full, we were seated within 5 min. and orders taken right away by pleasant friendly servers.
I had the Louie Salad & sparkling wine and my friend had the chili burger, fries, and a shake. (see pics) The food was awesome and so was the view of the ocean and the Sutro Ruins. Such a nice place to eat, relax, and take in the view. A bit pricey, but just consider the location.Listed in: IS DINNER READY YET?
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Review from Mary T.
San Francisco, CA
11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Beautiful day by Ocean Beach (one star) Slow service. Minimal selection on salad dressing. Burgers we sloppily put together. Shrimp cocktail more like bay shrimp in ketchup. To top it off, cash only! Needless to say, We will never come back
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Review from maia j.
San Francisco, CA
11/3/2011
I would love to love this place. I am a neighbor and can see them from my front window. but alas.Here is a list of my gripes:
1) greasy spoon diner food. for some this is a plus. The potatoes were squares that felt reheated from last night. The omelet was grainy and runny.Yes, they were free range eggs. Oviously they were running on my plate.
Did I mention that the plain omelet starts at 8.95 add $1 for cheese, 1.25 for mushrooms and 1.50 for bacon. add that up and that is expensive for mediocre at best food. no bueno.
Check this morning for 1 omelet, one short stack and 2 coffees? plus tip? $30. I dont mind paying $30 bucks, but it has to be good.
2) I know it is a family run business, but please keep your business problems private. I heard the apparent owner, or person running the shift whining about how some staff member was in no shape to work and that she has to be written up. Really? If I am I overpaying for the stunning view, at least let me be in peace. and not hear the petty dramas.
3)Yes, the view is stunning... but in no way justifies the price. In the future I will just get a cup of coffee and walk the bluffs.
As a neighbor, i waited a long time for the new renovated Louis'. I didn't like it before but tried it again just to see the improvement. Prices are higher and the food is no better.
I just hope that the new warming hut that is going in next door will force them to reinspect their menu.
Ultimately, the biggest issue I have is the fact that there is so much potential for this place and they just dont reach any of it. I would love the family to really own the cuisine of San Francisco. They could really do great food, charge double and still fill the place everyday. -
Review from Erika G.
Updated - 7/5/2011 1 photo
So excited that they are reopening soon.... my cutting high school days were spent here. Took now DH here on our second date.
From Thomas Hontalas
Hey Sunsetters,
On behalf of my family, I would like to officially announce the reopening date of our restaurant, Louis' - Wednesday, August 3, 2011. After 8 long months of delays, frustration and a lot of money spent, we are almost good to go!!! We will be open daily from 6:30AM - 9:00PM. Please come by to visit and have a great meal. We look forward to seeing and serving you real soon!!! Check us out on our new website - http://Louisf.com.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/5/2008
I have been coming to Louie's for years. Breakfast only for me. Come early early on the weekends… Read more »
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Review from Bill B.
Winter Park, FL
8/31/2011
Hey, the view is 5 stars!
This is a throw-back to days gone by, one of the reasons I love this place. It is a favorite of mine for breakfast. Get there early, you'd never know it was a tourist-heavy spot later in the day. IN fact, all I've ever had here is breakfast, but it is great to watch the ocean and relax prior tot he start of the day.
the food is pricey, but I'm sure they have big overhead, or at least that's how I justify the prices I pay.
Check it out...I think you'll like it. -
Review from Bianca G.
San Francisco, CA
11/11/2011
I really like this place. The view is great, but it's just a little diner (which is why I love it). The prices have gone up a bit, but they are actually using more organic foods, local produce and (more) humanely raised meats. Obviously, the prices are going to go up if the quality of the ingredients go up.
The food will not change your life, it's a step up from Denny's so it's not high end dining. I go here because I like how old school it is. I like the throwback waitstaff, I like the view and I like that I can get eggs and toast and potatoes without french feta and arugula and tapinade and and roasted beets and whatever else breakfast places try to throw in your food in SF. Sometimes I want a pretentious breakfast and sometimes I want scrambled eggs in a diner.
I have only gone for a weekday breakfast because I don't want to wait for a table in a diner and I am less into diner food for dinner. But it hits the spot on occasion. It's a 3 star place that I am giving 4 stars due to view and history. -
Review from kamel p.
San Francisco, CA
4/3/2011
I hate that they are currently closed for renovations! This is my favorite place to get breakfast in the entire city.
The wait times are long, the meals are a tad pricey and flies always hover over us at our tables. They are cash only with a high fee ATM inside. But the food is heavenly! So they get five stars.
If your food rocks, nothing else matters.
Oh and parking is easy peasy and free. Plus the views are amazing no matter where you sit. Finally, the staff is always super friendly!
I miss this place. I wish they'd re-open already. I want breakfast! -
Review from Kim K.
San Francisco, CA
10/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great view, great food, great service......LONG wait.
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Review from Matt J.
San Francisco, CA
10/12/2011
The food is nothing to write home about here, standard diner fare. Just a cut above Denny's. But of course, you come here for the view. It's almost worth it.
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Review from Charna G.
San Francisco, CA
10/5/2011
Stellar view. Great location. Average, but over-priced food could have been more palatable if our server hadn't been such a dud. She did nothing terrible, but it was clear she wasn't into serving our table. We were four women celebrating one of our birthdays. Maybe it was the silly hats we were wearing, maybe she thought a party of women wouldn't tip, maybe she was just having a bad day. Whatever, she had the power to make our experience a great one and she chose not to do that. My advice to her -- quit this day job and get soemthing that suits your bland personality.
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Review from Sukhraj B.
Lake Forest, CA
11/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
After the SF marathon, I was cold and starving. We drove for what felt like ages and finally arrived at this hill top cafe. I wasn't thrilled about parking midway and having to tackle yet another hill considering I had just run a marathon with nothing but steep hills but it is what it is.
Louis' is a tiny diner. The view of the ocean will take your breath away. The hostess was friendly and understood my pain. She got us seated right away and quickly brought some water. That was very much appreciated. I was thirsty. She also brought us some hot chocolate and coffee. The hot chocolate was great; the coffee not so much but I needed the caffeine to stay awake and drank about 6 cups.
For breakfast I ordered the French Toast with a side of eggs. It wasn't gourmet french toast but I loved the powdered sugar and I was so hungry I ate it all within about 10 minutes and then sat for the next hour watching my BF eat his meal and taking occasional glances at the ocean and watching the waves as they came in.Listed in: Breaking the Fast, I left my heart in San…
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Review from ERIKA W.
San Jose, CA
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
We were seated rather quickly but the wait is longer if you want a window seat. Our coffee and water were always filled and the food was absolutely delicious. The english muffin tasted homemade! Great experience and the prices were very reasonable as well!
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Review from Amy L.
8/28/2010
Let's be honest: You go here for the view, not the food.
Because the food is pretty crappy. It's super-processed, came-off-a-semi-from-some-factory-in-the-Midwest diner fare that's mediocre and seriously over-priced. The hot chocolate comes from a packet (probably Swiss Miss or something like that) and the whipped creme on top is from a cannister and is highly processed-tasting. The burgers are too thin to be actual handmade patties, they probably arrived to the diner frozen, and no matter how you order it, it'll come to your table medium-well.
And how about everything but the food? The booths are crowded and cramped. The service isn't exactly friendly.
But you didn't come here for the food. You came here for the view. And it doesn't disappoint! But honestly? You can get a much better meal at the Beach Chalet right down the street with a similarly spectacular view for only a few bucks more. Or if you are okay with crappy food, stop at Jack in the Box on the way to the beach, eat it on a bench with the same great view, and take a walk by Sutro Baths afterwards. But don't bother clogging your arteries at Louis'.Listed in: Committed to Mediocrity!!!
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Review from Felipe F.
Berkeley, CA
8/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
A hidden gem. One of my favorite places to stop for a quick bite on a work break. The view is wonderful, so wonderful in fact that you kind of feel like you're on a mini vacation, a tourist in your own backyard so to speak. The staff is super friendly, polite, and oblige you with most of your requests. The food is American, and always cooked to your liking. Price is a little high, but I imagine that someone has to pay for the view the place is sitting on. Great place to take out-of-town guests.
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Review from Anna T.
Antioch, CA
4/13/2011
We've only been here twice, but I'm looking forward to our next SF day trip so we can visit again. My only complaint is that they close too early! I can't think of a better, more affordable, casual place to watch the sunset over the ocean with my sweetie. We typically don't go to diners, we're more sushi or Italian or French food people. But after a day of walking around the city or the zoo or the beach, sometimes you just want a great bowl of chowder (without the hassle of the Wharf) and a cheeseburger or fish & chips!
Open - Open - Open! -
Review from Patricia H.
CA
6/19/2010
Million dollar view this Saturday around 5PM - just fantastic. Everything else? Completely mediocre.
Restaurant is half empty, but we have to wait 10 minutes til they can accommodate our party of four. Place is totally run down and needs a good mopping - pickle slices on the floor, napkins all over, etc.
Menu is very basic, and I would stick to the basic stuff.. Don't come in here looking for seafood unless you want breaded prawns ala Costco!
The four of us had:
Bacon and eggs: $9.95 - WTF???
Bacon cheeseburger served with frozen fries barely warm - $9;95
Cup of clam chowder - clearly out of a can - $4.95
Cup of minestrone - again, out of a can- $4.95
No crackers or bread offered with the soup and my dad's order of bacon and eggs was taken by another server and brought to her customer,, so he had to wait for his order a good ten minutes after we had ours. Not cool, especially since they didn't discount or offer us something in return for the error.
$43.85 for party of four. Far too expensive for very mediocre food. Maybe it's time to give the lease to someone who will produce something far more palatable.
Final word on this: fuck that shit. -
Review from Ranger A.
San Francisco, CA
8/26/2011
My first visit since their remoldeling. Took a few friends who are visiting from back east. We all ordered breakfast items even though it was lunch time. Come to think of it, think I have never had anything but breakfast here. They did a nice job on the remodeling, and are now accessible. Food was good, views are always amazing, and staff was, as always, friendly. Not the cheapest place, but the views make it worth every penny. Welcome back to a San Francisco classif.
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Review from Vijay P.
Morgan Hill, CA
9/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I've never written a review about Louis' since it a regular place for me when I'm up in SF. This is a no frills diner, and just the way I like it. The prices are reasonable, but considering the location the view is more than worth the price of admission.
The breakfast portion is ample, and everything comes served with an english muffin, unless you specify differently. I have yet to try the lunch menu, because I've always loved the breakfast. A definite breakfast place, if you're a native San Franciscan... -
Review from Alyssa G.
7/14/2010
This restaurant is tough to review. On one hand they have the best location, having the best view ever of the Pacific Ocean, atop a cliff in Point Lobos. Amazing sunset views, a path down to go walking by the beach, I mean let's face it: it is breathtaking.
And boy do you pay for it! $2.35 for an unsweetened iced tea is shocking. $5 for a side plate of fries. Ridiculous.
The wait staff are odd; in the sense that they are attentive, but we were served by 4 different people. And they're not all dressed as servers? I didn't get that, for a minute I thought some guy had just taken my friend's glass and walked away with it, only to return with a refill 30 seconds later.
Go for the view, not the food.
And, they're basically cash only. -
Review from gabz c.
San Francisco, CA
8/26/2011
gotta love Louis'! been coming here for years. Good food & great view. hike around sutro baths or other nearby trials and finish off here for breakfast or lunch. sometimes a bit of a wait but well worth it! i'm so glad they're not going anywhere any time sooon!
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Review from colleen d.
Placentia, CA
7/11/2010
This place was pretty packed when we went in, probably because it's the only nearby place to have lunch besides the Cliff House when you're hiking around Sutro. The wait for a table was well worth it though. The tuna melts we ordered were delicious, the view from the booth was picturesque, and the service was great. The place had a small town feel. The waitresses were really friendly, the atmosphere was casual, and the food was welcome comfort after a long day of exploring. There were a lot of hikers coming in to use the bathroom, which was right next to our booth, but they weren't too distracting and the staff was cool with it.
An unexpected side note to our visit was the presence of Robin Williams (yes, the actor), who was paying his bill as we were waiting to be seated. He seemed really comfortable and relaxed, the staff seemed really comfortable and relaxed, and my impression of the restaurant as a friendly down-home place was confirmed. I would defininely go back here on any visit to San Francisco. -
Review from mnm N.
Riverside, CA
8/10/2011
This place is great for breakfast. The apple smoked chicken sausage was awesome!
We only had to wait about 10 minutes to get a seat (it is a small place)
but we got to sit right by the window and had a great view! -
Review from Sylvia Y.
Oakland, CA
7/1/2010
Seriously, my SF must.
I still remember the first time my uncle brought us here, back in the early 90's. We sat by the windows, had their burgers and fries. It was the best meal ever.
I go back every time I am in the city, and I've brought many friends while I lived in the bay. The wait can be ridiculous from time to time, but I never complain, by the time you are sitting by the windows, you realize why everyone took their sweet time eating their food.
Their food is simple. Their tables and chairs are little outdated, but their service is very good, and looking at the photos on the walls can make the time to by so much faster.
Don't bring credit cards unless you want to use their atm machine at a fee.
I think I come back for the memories, their food takes me back to my childhood. Their service is still the same, don't be afraid to be seated next to strangers. That's the charming thing about this place.Listed in: sf must try
