House of Prime Rib

Goodness. When I walked into this place, I knew my mouth was in for one heck of a ride. The entree comes with this deliciour salad (romaine, beets, bleu cheese...with raspberry vinagrette) freshly tossed at your table. Then they have this delicious corn bread and sourdough basket you can't resist. The plate of prime rib and creamed spinach is heavenly with an extra serving if you have that appetite. And lastly, their baked potato is icing on top of the cake loaded with sour cream, bacon, green onion..you know the works. I walked out of this restaurant with the biggest smile and slept very well that night. Very nice wine list also. :)

Cons: Parking (but hello...you are in San Francisco) WALK!

Posted 06/30/07

What would you expect from a restaurant called House Of Prime Rib? That's right, prime rib. And House Of Prime Rib delivers huge servings of delicous prime rib. The restaurant is a bit on the pricey side but you get what you pay for, the food is great and the service is really good. One warning, though - everyone at your table better like prime rib because this place doesn't offer much else. I believe the only other menu item was a fish item which I did not see on one table in the dining room.

Pros: Great Prime Rib, Very Good Service

Cons: Nothing but prime rib, no parking

Posted 05/28/07

My girlfriend and I decided to dine at The House of Prime Rib one evening. We made reservations at 9:00 and we were seated promptly. It was our third time dining here and it gets better every time. The service is wonderful and our waitress was very kind and friendly. She was on top of everything including refilling our drinks and checking up on our food. The food was good and the portion was big just the way I like it. I would definitely recommend this place to friends and family and I'm definitely come back when I'm craving for Prime Rib.

Pros: Food and Service.

Cons: No parking available

Posted 03/23/07

What happened to the House of Prime Rib that I use to know?!? Service was BAD and the food was a disappointment =( All I have to say is... what a waste of time and $$$!!!!

Posted 03/08/07

Dining here inspired me to write my first review. The martini's and bartender were good (the shaker on the side is a nice addition) and the service was decent. However, the food was not. What a waste of money!! First off, who on earth needs that much food; what a waste when there are a few homeless and hungry men right outside. All of the sides were edible but nothing special at all, and the meat was like something you could get at Sizzler. Bobo's or Harris' nearby are MUCH MUCH better choices...next time I'll do a walk in at one of those establishments and wait the hour rather than take a reservation here.

Posted 02/16/07

Great setting, service, and of course, great prime rib. I personally also think that the value's great also for the amount of food you're getting. Definitely would recommend making reservations. My friends from out of town are always dying to try this place. It hasn't disapointed me so far.

Posted 02/15/07

I read the reviews before making the choice to eat here. I am glad I did. The food was great and the service was excellent. I went on a friday night with a party of four with a reservation and there was no problem getting our table. We brought our own bottle of wine and they took care of it for us (corkage fee $20). After we finished our wine, the waiter suggested another wine and it complimented the meal perfectly. The salad was outstanding.

Pros: Great meal, great service

Cons: none

Posted 02/11/07

Although wait times can be lengthy - the food is great! Salads, vegs, and steak/prime rib - can't beat it. Just know that you'll have to wait for a table - but the full bar service makes it fly by. Great atmosphere- highly recommended.

Pros: Great atmosphere - full bar - tvs to watch football - food is outstanding

Cons: Long wait, Parking (although there is valet)

Posted 01/10/07

Tender prime rib and traditional side choices. Very good food and friendly service. Our waiter kept us on time to make our theater event! Do make reservations as it gets very busy!

Pros: Quick seating with reservations, excellent food

Posted 12/26/06

This is my favorite place to eat while in the city. Reservations are highly recommended and highly useful. But on the several "the spur of the moment, let's see if we can get in" visits we've made, we've yet to be turned away...albiet we have waited an hour once. If you have reservations, arrive 10 minutes prior and enjoy prompt service and a delicious drink in their bar by the fire. Once you are seated, you will be treated to warm and courteous service, delicious food and hearty (yet LOUD) ambience. Just be sure you love prime rib. I think there is a fish of the day, too. That's it for choices -- and when you do prime rib as good as House of Prime Rib does it, nothing else is needed. Well, the salad, breadsticks, potatoe with all the fixings, traditional yorkshire pudding, and (yum!) creamed spinach are needed because they're all part of the package.

Also, the valet is always extremely prompt, respectful and courteous. Worth it to take advantage of the door to door service, especially when the bay fog has it's characteristic chill.

For the review before mine, regarding the complimentary second serving: I could never imagine being able to finish the first slice, but even so...who expects to get a freebie like that? If that was the case, they'd send everyone home with extra slices and that wouldn't make sense.

Pros: Excellent food and service; convenient on Van Ness; sociable and festive (although noisy) surroundings.

Cons: Loud, crowded -- reservations necessary (although they do try to get you in).

Posted 11/17/06

Overall my dining experience was a good one, but there was one major flaw: YOU CAN'T TAKE HOME YOUR (Complimentary) SECOND SLICE! They never mentioned that to us, until we asked to have it boxed up. Bad move on their part and a great example of miscommunication, which could cost them repeat diners.

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When you eat at HPR you don't have to think about much...just the cut of beef you want to eat. 3 cuts (House Cut, English Cut and the King Henry VIII Cut) earn you the right to have a second cut if you can finish the first...on the house. Cool, right? Not so fast!

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Being the frugal gourmet I am, I was determined to eat my first cut (House Cut), which had to be at least 16oz, so that I could take home another juicy slice, along with my mashed potatoes, spinach, Yorkshire pudding and bread, for leftovers.

- -

The server asked if I wanted another slice, I said yes and he took away my entire plate with all my sides still on it. He returned with another small slice of beef and a small side of mashed potatoes and spinach. I was happy because I was going to eat a bite and get the rest boxed up.

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I asked for a box and only then did he say, "You can't take home seconds, not even the sides." (But he took my original sides away...I wanted those to take home!) He also told another table that wanted to take home seconds, "We don't do that. Everyone would do that then."

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Here's the problem...they don't mention this on their menu. They do mention however, that if you'd like a second cut of beef, you can have it. If I would've known that, I would've enjoyed my meal a bit more and not force fed myself...maybe that's what I get right? In any case they should inform their customers up front, who are paying a pretty penny.

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Pros: Booth in the Beefeater Room, End Piece of Beef, Mashed Potatoes

Cons: Seasoning Salt in Salad, Brown n Serve Bread, YOU CAN'T TAKE HOME SECONDS!

Posted 09/21/06

I travel a great deal and everytime I go overseas there is never a good Prime Rib place. I have tried Lawry, Mortons, Smith and Wollensky, Ruths and none of them even comes close to HPR. Me and my buddy had to wait 2.5 hours last night because we didn't have reservation and it was still worth the wait. The meal comes with salad, sides(creme spinach, bread pudding, baked potatoes) which is unbelieveable good. The Prime Rib was mouth wateringly tender and so delicious that I finished every morsel of my KING CUT! I think I would like to eat here everyday for the entire time I am back in SF. Although it would create a big problem for my waistline.:-)
This is the BEST place for beef in SF, bar none. Just make sure you have a reservation so you only have to wait 30 minutes instead of the 2.5 hours we had to endure. BTW, our server, a lady from Sonoma was extremely friendly and provided excellent service. This place is heaven.

Posted 09/10/06

I went to this restaurant many times already. I think their service is great but they are always busy so everytime I went there I have to wait at least 10 minutes. The prime rib is delicious and I definity will go there again!

Pros: service, prime rib (food)

Cons: parking and long wait

Posted 09/07/06

Food is always great! We've been going to this San Francisco landmark for 30 years. We have yet to be disapointed! The staff is always friendly, old San Francisco...and the food is always good! All we can say, is that we have traveled around the world, and are always happy to come home to the House of Prime Rib!

Pros: Prime Rib, Creamed Spinich...and always hot sour dough bread & butter!

Cons: Small bathrooms

Posted 09/07/06

I can't rave about this place enough. It's an old-school, classy steak house that serves great food at a reasonable price. Their menu says it all... Prime Rib. It's what they're good at and what they stick with, simplicity. Not a combination place that tries to cater to everyone (ie. seafood/steakhouse)... this place is just steak. You choose your portion and how you'd like it cooked and the rest just comes with the meal! Table-side salad prep, potatoes to order, creamed spinach, etc. Sure it's crowded and loud and you have to make reservations... but that's what we keep coming back for! The wine list is pretty good, the martini's are cold and crisp and the beer hits the spot. Come in hungry and leave with your little red "take home bag"! Enjoy!

Posted 08/30/06

If you are craving for red meat, then head towards House of Prime Rib!!! Great price for a huge chunk of meat and when you are done and still hungry, ask for seconds!!! We had to wait for our table but the bartender was really nice and attentive. This is a great place if you just want to chow down with friends, but make sure you make a reservation or else you could wait for more than 1 hour!!!

Pros: Great prime rib, big servings

Cons: Too loud, need to make reservation ahead of time if you don't want to wait

Posted 07/19/06

When paying $32 per meal, I would expect people would consider dressing a little nicer. I was surprised the last 2 times I have been there to see shorts, tennis shoes, jeans, sweatshirts-almost a "Denny's" type atmosphere. And the noise level made it difficult to carry on a conversation. If the staff dresses appropriately, why can't the clientele follow? You could wear jeans and shorts everday?

Pros: delicious food

Cons: too loud, poorly dressed people in what is considered one of San Francisco's finest. Disrespectful customers

Posted 07/18/06

Absolutely loved this place. I wasn't to thrilled to go when it was first suggested (even though I love red meat!), but I am glad I ended up there for dinner! It definitely isn't a romantic or quiet type of place. It always seems to be crowded and everyone is loud. It's a fun atmosphere, and the food makes up for any shortcomings! Delicious...baked potato with all the bacon I want...need I say more!

I even at the yummy creamed spinach!

Pros: Food--plenty of it!

Cons: Boisterous!

Posted 06/29/06

The right restaurant won again. This place just never stops. THE BEST PRIME RIB EVER! Another birthday celebration at the HoPR where we found that they have creamed corn now. Nice addition in case you're not a spinach fan. A few of us who were able to finish our huge portions got seconds. I read someone complaining about the free second slice. The way I understood it, if you can eat all of your dinner in the first place, bless you. You can have more just because they don't want anyone leaving hungry. It just seemed to be an abuse of the courtesy to ask for it just so you can take it home, call me crazy. At $29 for a complete dinner including your salad, potatoes and everything else, it's by far the best deal in the City. Make reservations or be patient. The place gets packed.

Pros: What's not to like

Cons: Parking, but they have valet

Posted 06/25/06

If you like Prime Rib, a good choice for the food. Don't go for a relaxing dinner though. Restaurant is crowded and noisy. Recent visit was ruined by a very large, very noisy, birthday party group seated right in the center of the dining room. Table conversation was impossible over the noise generated by this party.
Service was OK, not great.

Posted 06/16/06

Once again, another birthday, another great dinner. Friendly and attentive service, awesome prime rib and salad. Pretty packed for a Tuesday, but where else can you go for a dinner like this? I wouldn't celebrate anywhere else. Now if they could only make the bathrooms just a little bit bigger . . .

Pros: Leaving Full, great value

Cons: Need either reservations or a little patience

Posted 06/14/06

Service was slow. Prime rib was good. Side dishes were too salty and the desserts were way too sweet. We had to ask for utensils when dessert showed up.

Pros: Good prime rib

Cons: side dishes, desserts, unfriendly parking attendant

Posted 06/12/06

Prime rib was excellent, service inside the restaurant was excellent. Our evening ended on a sour note when my husband tried to tip the valet parking attendant as we are accustomed to this in our state. The valet became very irritated and yelled at my husband for insulting him. This truly ruined our experience.

Posted 06/11/06

I love prime rib, and when I graduated from an artschool in SF here is where I went for my graduation dinner. It's elegant, the hostess and wait staff are accomodating, and most important the prime rib and horseradish were of the highest imaginable quality! It's worth the expense!

Pros: Prime Rib

Cons: Parking

Posted 06/09/06

Promptly seated with great service, we were immediately impressed by the comfortable surroundings and the obvious popularity of the place for large groups. Our main course was much better than expected and we were not rushed through dinner. The only concern would be the salad. It was presented fait accompli with way too much dressing resulting in a soggy salad. The restaurant should make it a policy to always announce that the salad seasoning contains MSG.

Posted 06/08/06

The House of Prime Rib is great at what it does - Prime Rib! The atmosphere is lively and comfortable but still upscale. Service is always great - friendly, attentive and not pretentious. The roll around serving cart and spinning salads make for a fun American dining experience that delivers great food with panache, not pomp.

Pros: Great Prime Rib, Top-notch Service, Fun & Upscale

Posted 04/14/06

the prime rib was tasty and service was good. i would go back again.

Posted 04/04/06

We've been in USA few times and went to diffrent restraurents,nowhere is better than this one!

Posted 03/03/06

We'd heard all about it, but had never tried it until this past Saturday. We had reservations for 6, but wound up bringing 9 as soon as everyone heard where we were going for dinner. We showed up late and the place was jamming. The Prime Rib was the best I've ever had (so was the creamed spinach). Salad was very tasty and the nice touch of chilled forks. Our server, staff and management did a fantastic job delivering thorough and attentive service. They also did an incredible job accommodating us considering that our party grew and we were late. I though we were going out to a restaurant for dinner, this turned out to be a real experience. We'll be going back!

Pros: Prime Rib, Service, Attitude of Staff

Cons: Parking, Small Bathrooms

Posted 02/12/06

This is the place when you want to have a prime rib with best value.

Pros: Quality, Quantity, Service

Posted 02/11/06

First off, the food is great and always has been. It's the service that's heading south.

We went with a group of 7 with a 9pm reservation. We were seated at 9:45 (the excuse was that a table ahead of us was taking a long time to wrap up, but it was painfully obvious that they were trying to get us to buy more drinks in the bar. We ordered quickly and waited a further 30 minutes for our salads, then another 45 minutes for our meals. Our actual steaks came at 11:05 pm. During our wait at least three other tables were seated, ordered, ate, paid and left. When we finally begged for our food, it came quickly but the wait staff and manager were completely unapologetic. I won't go back, expecially considering that Harris' is just up the street.

Pros: Excellent prime rib., Nice atmosphere.

Cons: Terrible service, Terrible service, Terrible service

Posted 02/08/06

If you love prime rib you will love this place. I will say that this is one of the better steak places in town. Being tha it is SF, thre are 10 steak houses that are super fancy with steaks over 50 bucks, so I am obviosly not counting these places. As far as food goes you cant go wrong. I have been to places like Ruth Cris etc, and House of Prime Rib has steak on this level or better in my opinion. Plus, seconds on steak. Cant beat that. The one thing is parking can be a nightmare and service is lukewarm at best.

Pros: prime rib

Cons: average service

Posted 01/18/06

We found HPR, everything that we had read and heard. We had a 5:00 reversation, was sited on time, John our waiter, was very professional and friendly. Our food was great! We had to ask for a "dogging bag", as it all we could do eat our house cut. Will go back again. Price was expected, with all that came with the meal. Hope you will have the same fun, that we did. Cheers: A HPR fan, for life!

Pros: great food, parking good, staff, professional

Posted 01/07/06

The Prime Rib is absolutely WOMDERFUL!!! I've had Lawry's and other places that try to compete with The House as I like to know the place as, but nothing even comes close. I've been eating here for 20+ years and it's still great.

Posted 11/30/05

I always call to reserve and arrive late, TRAFFIC. They are always couteous and pleasant. I don't know about the high class cuz I'm always in jeans and a t-shirt, my daily attire. But as of service, I think they do their best. As crowded as the place is, they try very hard and do a very good job. I have been eating there for over 10 years, east coast, mid-west, canada and hong kong, I haven't been able to find a restaurant with prime rib as close. I've been to Ruth Chris, and yeah, their tables are spread much more apart, their service a little more attentive, and their prices much higher. But what else can I say, House of Prime Rib is part of San Fran, and I am still taking all my visitors there, so that tells all.

Pros: , Good Pricing, Still have matches

Cons: Bathrooms too small

Posted 10/14/05

I have been going to the House of Prime Rib for 30 years and must say the wait staff 's attitude over the years have gone down hill. Yet I still go back for the wonderful meal, although there horseradish has no bite, the rest is excellent. I just give the wait staff there deserved tip and if they feel shorted well maybe they will change the attitued next time. I realize they are very busy as there is never a slow night at HPR but you knew this when you were gainfully employed by the establishment, and for people that depend on tips they are not acting like it. I worked in a restaurant for many years and all I can say is if they want a tip - LOSE THE TUDE. Over all though the food is great.

Pros: food, value

Cons: rude staff, parking, noisy

Posted 10/13/05

The prime rib was quite enjoyable and I would surely go back. The wait staff was outstanding. My only complaint was the awful, diluted, weird tasting salad. It tasted like watered down thousand island dressing and there was so much of it that it wilted the lettuce very quickly. Creamed spinach was good, baked potato was your average but I wasn't into the Yorkshire pudding, which was like a dry egg crepe. The tables were close together and with a full house, it was VERY loud. I would still go back for the prime rib though.

Pros: Prime rib

Cons: salad, loud, tables close together

Posted 10/08/05

We were there for my birthday celebration - waitress Revecca was attentive and charming. Our meal was super! I would recommend this place to anyone that wants a wonderful meal in a great atmosphere. It's worth the expenser and we will definitely return.

Posted 10/03/05

This is definitely the spot for good prime rib. I always get the house cut, ala carte style since I don't have salad. Rarely a dissapoint here and always leave very full.

Posted 09/07/05

A group of us (we were 11) decided to try this place out for a birthday celebration. As soon as I walked in, I realized this wasn't going to be the sophisticated, upscale dinner I expected, but decided to give it a chance. Even though our reservation was for 10 people, we were told that it was fine and it would only be a few minutes. After waiting an hour, and treated very rudely by the host, we asked to speak to the manager. We were then told that they had a table ready for us but had a "rule" that only 10 people could sit at it, and because we were now 11, that it had become problematic. Give me a break! We left, and will never return.

Pros: none

Posted 09/05/05

Don't go here expecting to find anything but prime rib, but if you love prime rib, then this is the place for you. In a throwback to the 50's they have a prime rib cart that comes to your table, your meal is served before your eyes....not to mention they provide a great salad. This place is worth every penny, don't come here without a reservation. Plan to show up, have a cocktail, be escorted to your table, order wine, get your salad and bread (if you are lucky they have cornbread), then the cart will come by......ENJOY!!! If you are a lover of prime rib you won't be disappointed!

Pros: Prime Rib, Service is Great, Great Value

Cons: Reservations, A little noisy

Posted 08/29/05

Ive been going to HoPR now for 10+ years and its still my favorite SF restaurant. True, parking's non-existent, the host/hostess can be snobbish, and there's always a wait - even with reservations, but the food's well worth it. After the first bite of the salad, youll have forgotten the hour circling Van Ness and waiting in the lounge. BTW, valet parking. At $7, its cheaper than most city restaurants.

I always order the House Cut medium rare. It's served pinkish red and soaked in au jus. Ask for it with bone to doggy-bag for your doggy. Many are loyal to the English (thin) cut. They claim the taste is more pronounced. Regardless, the meat's served with creamed spinach or HUGE baked potato, Yorkshire pudding, and 3 choices of horseradish.

If you still have room, end the meal with sorbet. Its a nice way to cleanse the palate.

Pros: Delicious food, Efficient service

Cons: Long wait time, Lack of parking

Posted 08/22/05

I've been coming here for over 6 years now and they still are serving up the best prime rib. Only under $30 for a full prime rib dinner, with the best quality ingredients. This place is a must.

Pros: Prime rib, salad, price

Cons: parking

Posted 07/26/05

We've been going to the HoPR for years now and it's been consistently the best food, value, service and experience. The Prime Rib is as tender as ever, same wonderful salad tossed tableside, more than reasonable wine list and great service. It looks like they've done a little upgrading with the decor. I actually read someone expecting 3rds or 4ths!!?! They give you a small second helping of beef, mashed and spinach FOR FREE!!! Tell me another place in SF that does that! Citysearch readers: good voting, the best steakhouse won again.

Pros: Consistently Great, Service

Cons: Parking,, Use Valet

Posted 07/12/05

Food, service, even parking was fine. However, I was a little bit disappointed, because I thought people can get second, third even fourth slices. Apprently, people can only have a second slice. Other than that, it was worth of the trip.

Pros: service, food, atmosphere

Cons: seating

Posted 06/26/05

Went there for the first time to celebrate a birthday. There were 9 of us and the noise level was awful. No one could talk. The tables were so close together that the servers had to walk around the room in order to serve. The salad was very disappointing. It seem wet and not very appetizing. Because of the overcrowding, it felt like the food was being thrown at us instead of being served. Will not spend the money or time there again.

Pros: Service

Cons: Noise, food, crowding

Posted 06/22/05

don't even think about going there if you don't have a reservation. even when you do have a reservation, the wait is still over 30 minutes. most of the time around 1 hour... that's probably my only complaint about the place, long waits and loud dining room. the food on the other hand, is perfect, everytime.

Pros: great food, reasonable price, consistency

Cons: long wait, loud, hard to find parking

Posted 06/08/05

All I have to say is that they make the best prime rib!!! They bring the prime rib out in in a cart and carve it in front of you. Not only is the prime rib excellent, the salad is superb. The dressing on the salad is so delicious. The meal also comes with great bread, spinach, mashed or baked potato and yorkshire pudding. If you happen to finish your prime rib, you can get seconds. Oh, did I mention that this complete meal is under $30. If you have not had the prime rib here, you're missing out. I recommend making reservations because it is near impossible to get a table on the weekends.

Pros: Prime Rib, Salad, Value

Cons: Parking, Reservations Needed

Posted 04/22/05