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Categories: Pubs, Breweries, Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: Haight-AshburyMon-Thu. 12:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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This is a place that i always take visitors when they're in town to wow them with the likes of Magnolia. Homemade beer, mustard and sausages!!!
I finally got the try the bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese. oh. my. god. THE BEST!!!
Got the blonde beer and it was decent, i usually like a wheat-esk beer but they were out of it today. My friend got the homemade root beer, also very tasty.
Also switched it up and had the BLT with basil aoili, very good as well.
On a random note as well, i really like the set up of the bathroom. They just have little rooms for the actual bathroom and a big communal sink.
This place is also fun at night and they change menus and make it romantic and fancy!!
Always look forward to the next time i eat at Magnolia...
We originally trekked to the Haight for hookah and for a night full of mischief, when we happened upon Magnolia. I'd been curious about it, given I'd passed by its packed interior a couple times recently. Unsure about which brew to try, I mentioned my love of Duvel, and our server suggested I try the Tweezer Tripel. OMFG. It was heaven, HEAVEN. Tastiest beer I've had in a while. Yum yum beer-gasmic.
Then we indulged our temptations with the "Devils on Horseback": goat-cheese stuffed dates, wrapped in bacon - does it get any better? Bliss.
The decor was beautifully minimalist. Our servers were warm, friendly and approachable. The vibe was cool. I was pleased.
With so many different bars and restaurants in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, it seems to me that there are only really a handful that I'd ever consider droppin' loot on. Maybe I've had bad luck, but it seems like an overwhelming majority of these joints are trying to make a quick tourist buck. Instead of listing every restaurant that I currently approve of in the area, I'll just let you know that I think Magnolia is doing things right.
Owned by the same crew that runs the Alembic, they've been able to capture a similar neighborhood following as their brethren about three blocks to the west. Albeit completely different styles, they've obviously got their hands on the secret sauce for captivating a community.
Magnolia is a great neighborhood pub serving up comfort food and good beer. Some of those hoppy creations are brewed on-site, while others derive from a variety of different Bay Area microbreweries. On the food tip, the do most of the bar bites you'd come to expect, and they do a pretty great brunch. Nothing is bottomless, but they do have chicken and waffles! The best part about their chicken is that it's boneless. You can almost pick up your waffles to create a fried chicken sandwich without having to compete with those pesky bones.
They have a pretty cool patio area outside also, so on a nice day like the ones we've experienced recently during our late summer, it's a beautiful way to spend a lazy Sunday.
This review is a excerpt from my full blog post with pictures on http://www.biteandbooz.... You can follow Bite and Booze on Twitter @biteandbooze.
On the way out of the tasting pavilion I happened upon another brewery that was giving out samples. Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery had a little section set aside to let people try some of their small batch brews. My first thought was what is a San Francisco brewery doing calling itself "Magnolia". It turns out that the brewery has some New Orleans ties in its ownership and brewing lineage and the name, as well as their food, is a tribute to that! I tried the Prescription Pale and the Gris-Gris. Both were fantastic brews that I would love to go back and drink more of.
Yelp cherry? Popped.
This is my first review, so I figured I'd start with the first place I ever went to in SF. Magnolia Pub & Brewery (referred to as Magnolia from here on out) always has solid brews and good eats, but there's two things especially that the world should know about.
1) Three Dollar Tuesdays (formerly Two Dollars Tuesdays). Get a pint of delicious brew for $3? I'm in. Try the Cole Porter, it's the best porter in the city. Better than Anchor.
2) Fried chicken. Once a week this place has fried chicken. Usually on Thursdays. Ask ahead. What makes it better than other places? They de-bone/de-joint the chicken quarters (leaving on the delectable skin) before frying. It's fried chicken quarters that you can easily cut through with a knife, or pick up and tear through with your hands if you're feeling like a caveman. Served on a bed of any number of beans (usually black eyed peas, but they use whatever they got) and with some cohnbread. MmmMMmMmmMmmMMmMmm.
The only downside is that since this was my first SF restaurant (years before I moved to the city), everywhere else I go is a step down. Five big. Bright. Stars.
We were visiting SF from LA and walked by Magnolia. It looked good, so we decided to try it. The food was really good. I had the Butternut Squash & Mushroom foccacia sandwich. It was yummy and came with a side of fries and a pickle. My boyfriend had the grilled chicken sandwich and said it was good. We will check out the beer next time we are in town.
Our corner go to spot for some card-playing, beer drinking or a simple yet satisfying dinner date.
Good, home brewed beers.
4 star food at sort-pricey prices. Love the fried chicken special.
Cool, casual, comfy vibe.
Feels "SF" without too many skinny jeans aka hipsters, Northface zipups aka Russian Hill preps or Burberry headbands aka I wish I was still in college Marina girls.
Magnolia reminds me of the kid in HS who no one really noticed - and then returned from college as… Read more »
I haven't been here in a couple of years and (as a few reviewers have noted) the Magnolia Pub is much changed! The decor is different - there is a new, slightly (to my mind) more efficient, professional feel to the place. (Different to the former, more casual Haight St. hippie/slack quality.) Nevertheless, the service was very friendly - we wandered in late-ish on a Saturday night and the hostess was quick to notice us and get us a table (even though the place was busy and very active.)
The place is vibrant and noisy. The addition of the new "Nopa-like" communal shared table had increased the din in the place. The crazy hippy murals are gone, replaced with a stylish, slightly more subtle motif. The menu is also much changed. The Magnolia beers are still there (fortunately) -- we got a couple of excellent California Kolches -- served in a slightly strange, slim test-tube like glass -- made me feel a bit self-conscious - everyone else had these hardy stouts and ales in big pint glasses! As as been noted, the menu has moved to be much more Southern-oriented. There are still some staples -- we got some very tasty fish & chips. However, the excellent Magnolia chili is no longer on the menu. I substituted with a chorizo sausage with black-eyed peas & fries -- very acceptable!
We stayed a while, got some more kolches & had a rather odd baked alaska dessert (nothing like you'd imagine.) All-in-all, a quite enjoyable evening in an old haunt that has become new again.
Small portions that just don't quite fit the bill -- Taking a walk down Haight this weekend in search of Halloween costumes, we decided to give Magnolia a try for brunch. Turned out not to be a meal really worth repeating.
I ordered the Home-Made Sausage Sandwich, which had good constituent elements. The sausage was tasty, the peppers and sauerkraut were flavorful... but the bun was a disaster. It had already fallen apart before it got to the table. I ended up having to eat the soggy thing with a knife and fork, which ruined the experience for me. Making matters worse, the stout I ordered was not what I considered a good stout. My beer adjectives are not what they should be to write a proper review... but in the words of Diner T "it's missing all the things I appreciate about a stout."
My fellow diners went off the brunch menu -- as the lunch menu offered only one vegetarian friendly option -- going with the donut holes and the crabcakes. The donut holes were good, but tiny. It was not a meal, and really ought not have been advertised as one. Diner T would end up ordering pizza an hour later. The crabcakes were more substantial, but a side of pancakes order at the same time didn't show up until the meal was almost over.
Between bad prep, small portions, and lackluster beer, I just can't recommend this place at this time... but I will probably give it another shot just to make sure it wasn't an off day.
I've been here twice now and have two different experiences. The first time I was totally impressed and had delish food and apps but after having gone recently, I am a little disappointed. I got the hamburger because as I had remembered from the first time, it was one of the best but now, the burger was dry and small (the bun devoured it). It was a really busy Saturday night and I know the cooks were slammed but if they're gong to charge the same price for the burger then it should be the same quality too.
I do have to say that the apps are very good and the devil's on horseback app is awesome! The beer is good as expected at a microbrewery but not the best microbrews I've ever had.
This is super busy on Friday and Saturday nights so be prepared to wait and don't bring too many friends because then you won't be seated forever!
Dear God,
I have tried and tried to like this gastro-pub-thing-place. Even before they changed I tried to like it. I tried Lord, I tried. But alas, soggy fish and chips, basic beer, small portions, expensive prices and a picture of Jerry Garcia watching me eat has proved to me one thing... that if there is a God he or she would have smote this place and it's clientele long ago.
I don't understand, either God doesn't exist or he punishes us mortals with places like Magnolia.
Faithfully,
Ryan
well, I guess that's it. The menu has changed so dramatically- they just can't keep my interest. It went from slightly more sophisticated to cold and impersonal. I'm over it.
I may pop in for the nettle beer around February, but I doubt I'll go besides that.
Back and better than ever?
Looks like Magnolia has undergone some changes. Worth checking out,…
Read more »
Corned beef hash is usually my go-to brunch food but I've had a really hard time finding it since moving to San Francisco. So of course, when I heard that Magnolia had a great corned beef hash I was beyond excited to try it. Unfortunately, it just didn't live up to expectations. Now I know corned beef hash isn't even remotely healthy so I shouldn't be complaining about a little fat but I had entire pieces of meat that were all fat. Yuck. You'd think with all that fat the dish would be flavorful but it just wasn't. Sigh. I hate getting your hopes up and then being dissapointed...especially when it involves corned beef hash!
I did like the vibe of the place. The mimosa was yummy (even if it was a really unnaturally bright orange color...) and the service was very attentive and friendly. I've heard that the corned beef hash is no longer on the menu so I guess I'll have to return to try something else and update!
Here is proof that Jen the Cranky Lowbrow Slob doesn't hate everything upscale. Yes, I liked Magnolia better when it had more of a dirty hippie vibe (though, no, I don't like The Dead) but I still like it now that it's a Gastropub(tm).
Mainly, I've got to like anyplace that takes its beer this seriously. Lots of beer on cask, and they do things like bring in weird gravity kegs from Germany. That's dedication. And the beers are all tasty, tasty, tasty.
However, at $6 a pint (am I crazy, or did they used to have happy hour back in the dirty hippie days?), I'm not gonna stay long, no matter how much I like it. Not gonna pay for their food, either -- it looks tasty enough to be an exception to my "Don't eat at brewpubs unless you have to" rule, but it's way out of my price range. Maybe a few raises from now...
It's been a while, so I don't know when they revamped the menu, but I like it. We started with butternut squash fritters- crunchy, but a little bland without a ton of butter. I had the fish & chips, the wife had the burger. Both were good, but I was still a little hungry after the fish & chips- for $15, the portion wasn't big enough.
To drink, Wife had the mead, I had Cole Porter. A fantastic beer; I homebrew myself, and I love my beer- this was one of the better porters I've ever had. If they can give you a little more value for your buck, I'd give 'em 5 stars.
If you're in the mood for good food without the snobbery. It's Magnolia's all the way. I think it's my fave Restaurant in the city (without getting all fancy).Located right at Masonic and Haight.
This spot is really good for late night eats. They say open until 1am on the weekends. They also do an amazing breakfast. The food & beer here is really really good. If they still have the Brew Sampler hit that up. It gives you 5 beers from the lighest they have to the blackest! It's hands down the best Microbrewery that I have ever been to. This place is pretty well known in the city. So there is always a full house but everyone puts off a really friendly energy.
Sometime last year Magnolia rehauled their interior and their concept. I haven't been back since this overhaul but I hear they haven't lost their edge. From what I've seen of the menu it looks like they raised the prices a tad and edited the menu so it includes more Beer friendly pairing items (charcuterie, sausages, etc.) and is heavily Southern influenced. I think they might have a new chef now because in the last 2 years the menu has become increasingly Southern versus just good New American eats before. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing just something to be aware of if you don't like cornmeal crusted okra or fried chicken sandwiches.
You can take any of the bus lines (6,7 etc.) or the N-Judah Muni to get to Magnolia's. If you are driving it is doable. You just need to find parking in on of the off streets off of Haigth. Also sign up for their e-newsletter if you live anywhere in the city. They have fun themed nights from time to time. A lot of the events focus on Southern Influences (Cajun Crawfish Fry) and Beer Pairing Meals.
Great cask conditioned porter and good ambience, with wood booths and great bar. Hamburger was okay, good bun, good quality meat, but a touch overcooked for medium rare and served with flaccid French fries. But the beer was excellent.
Definitely stop by for the beer, but don't expect too much from the burger.
Need free beers to justify $13 burger...
Is it me, or did Magnolia get rewritten by Dave Eggers too? This place has had a serious "cool" makeover. Stopped in on a Monday night and was pleasantly surprised to find a new (at least to me) dinner menu. I'm not sure why more places don't offer beef jerky as a starter, but Magnolia sure does and it went perfectly with my beer.
Also shared the watermelon salad (fresh, crisp, sweet cubes of melon + salty goat cheese and spicy greens = win!), tomato soup (just meh, tasted like a bowl of hot pasta sauce and it wasn't run through the food mill enough so every mouthful provided a whole different texture experience. weird.) and the pork nuggets. It could be that the name "nugget" conjure's up too much McD's guilty pleasure excitement, because the product we were served was fantastic at first bite but ended up a soggy, grease laden square of pressed together and fried piggy meat after it sat out for a few. I will say that I do think it's a great idea and I'd probably give the crispy cube another shot.
I don't know much about beer other than every now and then a super cold one sounds pretty delicious. The blue bell bitter I ordered perfectly quenched my once in a blue moon thirst for the stuff. And all the other beer drinkers looked pleased with their offerings, so I feel comfortable recommending Magnolia on this merit alone. If you like beer, and you haven't stopped by, go ahead and give it a shot. Chances are you'll find something on the menu that's pretty good too.
3 Stars
To keep it simple...
Products:
Incredible Beer (Cole Porter and Proving Ground IPA how I love the)
Incredible Food (baby back ribs slide off the bone like buttah')
Services:
Bartenders - Snooty and Mean
Servers - Impatient, but with a smile (fake hustle)
Price - Overpriced (yuppy central)
Will I be back? Of course I will, damnitt the beer is delicious.
Stop by here as we were walking through on the 4th of July... Super busy, tiny place. Really warm inside too. didn't have any food, just stopped for a beer. I had an IPA, can't remember which one. It was good, but nothing over the top that I'd go back for.
This'll be a strange brewpub review as I didn't have a beer here...I did eat and enjoyed it.
During happy hour this place is packed with fleece pull-over wearing, Subaru outback driving, black is my favorite color, and I aspire to be the captain of my own yacht peoples.
The food here is great. Oysters and pickles are delicious and the service was pretty good. I'll come back wearing a popped-collar fleece though.
Just had dinner and drinks at Magnolia for the first time in over 2 years and this time, I will be coming back. Read a few of the recent reviews and I can understand the disgruntled regulars and how they must feel to find that Mag has done a 180...BUT, I for one am thrilled with the changes and love the new vibe! To experience a lively atmosphere (on a Monday night), great service, and really yummy and inspired food, all in upper Haight is truly a novelty. I'm loving the change and happy to have a new lover on the street. Upgrade****
I am very impressed with the place overall. great location and ambiance. The food is spectacular. all I have to say is devils on horseback is so good! The beers are pretty tasty as well. I want to go visit magnolia again soon.
I've been here a number of times over the years and the beer and food has always been decent, but last night made me never want to go back. The service was terrible and the food was mediocre and overpriced. Even the beer was not so great.
There was no hostess when I walked in and after having waited a while I went up the bar and asked if I should seat myself and someone said yes. So I did. When i was approached, I was asked to move to another table, with blinding sun in my eyes. Our server was snarky and snobby and wouldn't even ask the kitchen if they could easily and slightly modify the meal. "Who cares what you want? You'll get what I serve and you'll like it," was the attitude. Unfortunately, it wasn't very good.
Won't be going back there again and don't recommend it. The only reason it has two stars is because of okay experiences in the past.
I'm not a beer drinker, but I'm still a fan.
If you can deal with being peddled acid and psychedelic mushrooms every 10 steps, and being verbally assaulted by some of the most aggressive, feculent-smelling panhandlers in San Francisco, Magnolia will assuage your spirit with their delicious burgers and sandwiches, really fabulous salads, and some of the best french fries I've ever had.
B says their beer is pretty great too.
a bit of trivia:
The scariest cab ride I ever took in. my. life. was from Union Square to the upper Haight to get to Magnolia. Literally. I almost cried. And it was still worth it.
Magnolia continue to satisfies me everytime I come here.
Have gone here mostly for brunch but tried it for dinner the other day and was really satisfied with all that was served and devoured!
For brunch, I recommend:
- Magnolia Mimosa.... so good that 5 glasses just go like that
- Blue Bottle Coffee 2 Cup Press Pot... great to wake up to a foggy AM
- Buttermilk Pancakes... just M.E.L.T. in your mouth
- Shrimp and Grits... are good if you're craving some "meaty" things
- Crab Cake Benedict... they do really well too and great sauce
- Pork Belly... I ain't got the balls (very funny!), so tell me if you've had it
- Chicken and Waffles... enuf said, folks!
For dinner, I recommend:
- All the Artisan Cheeses are great for a starter and ask your server if you want to pair your cheese with beer! It actually works.
- Duck Wings are tasty to the last bite
- Pork Nuggerts are highly recommended
- Watermelon Salad is different and in a good way
- Scotch Quail Eggs are the bomb in flavor and texture
- Devils on Horseback are also a great dinner
Final notes:
- Staff are friendly, quick and uber approachable
- Great seating, though if you have a tendency to slouch, stay out of the booths
- Good energy, good crowd
- Beer selection on tap is really commendable so definitely give that a try
- Great place to watch the street crowd and the antics
- The servings are not "Denny's" size. It's small so don't expect a feast fit for a giant
- Good for small groups
- Has a good neighborhood feel with a slight edginess I love
Finished my workout and my workout buddy took me there for Saturday brunch and it was different and… Read more »
I met about 10 friends here for drinks last night after work (Wednesday night) and really enjoyed the place. They have this great community table right when you walk in (Nopa-esque) that we were able to use for our large group. The beer was good and not too heavy (had the Wheat beer). Our waitress was attentive and helpful, especially given what a pain in the butt a party of 10, each paying separately, can be. She helped us round up stools and take over empty portions of the table as they became available.
As I have mentioned in other reviews, I have an obsession with fried okra, and this place does a reeeaaaal good job. Two thumbs up. The rest of the menu was a little pricey for pub food, but better than your average choices of garlic fries and nachos.
Also loved the ambiance. I will go back.
Boring.
I should have known better.
I can't stand the Dead.
I can't stand upper Haight for more than a wasted laugh.
And we can get amazing beer at almost any corner store in this City.
Boo.
If you had played word association with me a week ago, it would have gone like this: "You say MAGNOLIA, I say BEER!" Today it's more like "You say MAGNOLIA, I say REALLY GOOD SALAD, CHEESE AND COFFEE!"
I had been meaning to go to Magnolia for about three years, but never made it because it wasn't that high on my list. This was compounded by the fact that at some point the big Makeover happened and I heard mixed reviews about the result. I guess it sucks that a neighborhood landmark went from a down to earth comfort food joint to something more trendy, but hey - at least it's still there. It's not like it's an Olive Garden now or something.
On to the food. First: beer. Yes, beer is still front and center. I'm not really a beer junkie, but I do enjoy it and even go out of my way to procure said beverage once in a while. I had the Blue Bell Bitter, and I have nothing to say except that I liked it. I wish I could analyze it on a more subtle level, but like I said, I'm not that beer-informed. It's better to be vague than to be a poser.
Next up: salad. Watermelon salad! To die for, really. I'll confess that I'm the kind of person who eats salad out of a martyred sense of obligation. This, though, was so good I may have even consumed half of the plate my friend and I shared. Watermelon, goat cheese, some sort of tasty vinaigrette with a flavor we couldn't pin down. And mint! Perfect.
Then: cheese. Mmmmm, cheese. We were quite happy with our selections: the Stilton, Mt. Tam, and Old Kentucky Tomme. The Stilton was, well, Stilton - deliciously stinky cheese. The Mt. Tam was lovely and buttery, and the Old Kentucky Tomme is a nice, mild goat cheese.
Post-food, we contemplated a caffeine boost and were delighted to find that they serve Blue Bottle coffee from a french press. A great end to an excellent meal.
It may have taken me three years to walk in the door, but I can guarantee it won't be long before I return. Nicely done, Magnolia.
My wife's grandma used to say "the show is in the street", and eating outside, on a sidewalk table at this place certainly proves that. It's Haight St after all. I have waited to review this place because I had only been here once. Well, now I've had dinner and brunch here. The menu choice, in both cases, is fairly eclectic and that suits me just fine.. Enough has been said about that so I won't dwell.
I like the food choice and also really liked my meals. However, both times I have to say, we didn't receive very good service. For dinner, after informing the waitress I was famished, I was told the bratwurst was a very good choice. And, in the end, that's what I got.... "a" bratwurst. Come on. Look at me. Here's a chance to make some money on food. Luckily we drank plenty of happy juice while waiting to be seated and grabbed several of the funky appetizers such as in-house "pork rinds". (No sense paying attention here, they change the menu regularly)
For brunch, the other day, I was told the pork belly was "plenty of food". Uh, it was good, but it was not plenty. We also ordered eggs easy up and had them delivered with the message "They're not easy up. They're easy over, but there they are". I'm not kidding. You can't make that stuff up. No apology, just attitude.
Luckily, by the time we got our food I had time to imbibe a couple of Proving Ground IPA's. Mmm, now you can't screw that one up. And they come in imperial pint glasses. But, I wasn't happy enough to give my usual heavy tip. Sorry, I feel sorry you're having a bad day, but that doesn't mean I'm going to throw money at you to cheer you up.
3 stars. Train the help, and you have 4 or 5 stars easy.
This is a good, unique pub, with good fine dining as well.
I went with my parents and we each had a flight of beers, which were chosen by the waitress, and she did a good job of matching our tastes with the right beers. They have a lot of crazy beers there. There is something for everyone. I loved the Porter and the Stout.
The best palenta I've ever had was at this place.
The place is like decorated like a nice restaurant. Don't expect it to be a bar.
All around, good place for a nice meal and alot of good, unique beer.
Good food, amazing beer.
Maybe the best beer in SanFran. For me, thus far, it is.
Casks were fantastic, IPA's were fantastic, and so were the other styles. This place has true quality brew.
I wish Yelp would have a way for beer connoisseurs to rate the beer (i.e., five-stars at this place!) and filter out the babies who don't know anything about beer and are rating this place poorly because they are bored.
Although I've lived in the Haight for years -- far longer than Magnolia P&B has existed -- my first visit was last Sunday. I won't be going back.
At the server's suggested, I had the cheeseburger. It was far from the best I've had, but at $14.50, it certainly was among the most expensive. The menu said it came dressed with grilled onion, pickle and lettuce. I asked for extra onion and tomato, and the plate came with a single slice of tomato and a small handful of grilled onions (plus a single lettuce leaf and pickle wedge). But the kicker was that they charged an extra $2.00 for "veg upgrade." That's just bogus.
The hipster server was very friendly but average at best. He did not ask me about a drink order, then brought the burger without any condiments. He said he would be back with ketchup, scurrying off as I called out for spicy mustard as well. He came back more than five minutes later with ketchup - but no mustard.
All told, an unsatisfactory experience. On the other hand, if you like overpriced pretension, this could be the place for you.
This is a spot that finds itself among the go-tos when the spankster and I have a hankering for a smackerel of something. And while I enjoy it --- a good if somewhat clamorous ambiance, thoughtful cool and whimsical accouterments (the whiskey-bottle water carafes, the long sink in the WC area, the high booths, the communal table, the mirrored brewery charts), a fine selection of beers, a friendly staff, an ambitious gastropub menu --- I always come away feeling as though the experience was not *quite* as wonderful as I expected. I'm not sure if this has to do with my own high expectations, Magnolia's presentation of their operation, or some other, less obvious quirk. But despite the nagging doubt, it never fails to provide a good time.
The food: ranging from brunch beignets (just OK) to fried chicken (excellent) to sausages (very good), the menu is atypical for a brewpub (frisee salad with fried chicken livers!), and mostly satisfying, though occasionally overreaching.
The beer: always solid, frequently inventive, interesting and creative, though not always (to my taste) remarkable. Others disagree, and I am happy to let them; we all have our tastes to please. But I often find myself enjoying their guest ale more than the house brews.
The service: simple, friendly, appealing.
If you like good, unusual, but not always profound beer, and some good food to join with it, Magnolia will be someplace you will love.
3 fizzy stars.
Very good beers and plenty of wood. If only the weather had been warmer, I would have tried the kolsch. As it was, I contented myself with the Dunkelweizen, the Prescription Pale Ale and the Gallows Hill Porter. The dunkelweizen was decent but a bit more fruity than I prefer (B). The PPA was an excellent, well balanced beer; great for almost any occasion, really (A-). The porter was more delicately nuanced than its name and type would lead one to expect. They have a few of the beers, including this one on cask as well as on draft. I think that the porter benefits from the cask treatment (B).
Friendly service and flexible seating for groups of all sizes (including one), together with the beer, make this a pleasant place to which I would be happy to return on a future visit. I would have loved to spend the entire afternoon here drinking beer, reading, and people-watching if I didn't have other plans.
Oh, and they have a cool semi-communal restroom setup too.
I've had a Yelp account almost as long as I've been going to Magnolia. Why did I never rate this place?
Actually, the first time I came here I wasn't impressed. Back then (almost 10 years ago now) it was more of a traditional brewpub. The food was okay, nothing special. The place was also not particularly busy.
Over the years, they've revamped the menu several times, chefs have come and gone, and completely remodeled the interior. The mediocre coffee was replaced by Blue Bottle in a press pot.
Through all these transitions, I kept coming back and I've been more and more impressed. On this quiet stretch of Upper Haight, Magnolia is now restaurant that people go out of their way to come to.
The service has always been quite good. On the one occasion my companion found a hair in her food, the waitress was extremely apologetic and the kitchen made us a new order in minutes.
The Bay Area's restaurant scene changes rapidly. Magnolia is one place that's kept up with the times, and kept the quality high. And it shows.
Expensive prices and pint-sized portions. A small cheeseburger with one topping should not be $16 at a brewpub. Especially when the fries aren't even hot. That's ridiculous. At this place you're paying for their fancy menus, etc. I don't think I'll return.
Fried chicken night is the only night to go, for me at least. It's $19 a plate, and you get two pieces of chicken along with black-eyed peas and collards. I substituted my peas for some braised carrots because the peas were cooked with ham hocks. I don't touch the swine.
The collards were undercooked, but the carrots were tender and buttery. I was kind of disappointed about the collards, because I do like them, but not when they're tough and grainy. The chicken, however, was finger-lickin' good and I ate until my pants didn't fit (hahahaha, just kidding). We considered sharing a plate, because of the price, but I'm glad we each got our own. Two pieces of chicken really isn't that much.
I had an underwhelming meal here another time, but that was a while ago and I don't really remember what we had, thus no review for that experience. This one made an impression. Hope to get some more chicken at Magnolia in the future.
i really really like this place. this whole time, i always just thought it was some regular local irish pub....looks so discrete from the outside. you walk in, and it takes a few minutes to make you realize that it's actually a pretty hip place. the overall look has this very typical but comfortable, warm bar look. but when you sit down, you realize that many things from the mirrors to menus to napkins and more have these details that you know have been carefully chosen.
the beer is made there, so is super fresh and actually quite tasty. we weren't super starving, so we just ordered some boiled cajun peanutes and one entree to share--the spicy chicken sausages with the dirty rice and cheese grits on the side. the chicken was flavorfully delightful with a nice texture. the rice didn't stand out all that much, but the cheese grits...oh man oh man oh man! i have GOT to figure out what they put in these grits! with a texture that's soft and comforting like pillowy, gooey, cheesy, creamy goodness, i was in love.
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Cole Valley
Category: Breweries
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Category: Pubs
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