Universal Cafe

i was really impressed. the food was a good twist on standards, albeit the menu was limited for brunch. the fruit smoothies were good too, and the eggs loose which is a rare but simple treat to implement in a restaurant. i went to foreign cinema which is in the same neighborhood...the food at foreign was definitely better (by a small margin), but the cost of universal made it more of an every weekend brunch joint. the only issue was the insane wait.

Pros: tasty brunch, good twist on standard fares, good prices

Cons: long waits, cruddy neighborhood with nothing else around

Posted 01/19/08

I have lived in the 'hood for five years and been a loyal customer of Universal all that time. Today's brunch experience changed that. An "intimate space", huh? Not at brunch it isn't. OK, in all fairness, a gentrification has been brewing in the neighborhood and it seems that Universal is feeling that effect. Brunch at Universal is a most unpleasant experience. I used to go and hop a seat at the bar, order my food and chit-chat with the two friendly wait staff there. No longer. It's find the list, sign your name, hope someone calls you and then squeeze yourself into a spot too small to eat. The cafe seems to have no realization of their own space constraints. They cram far too many people into too small a space. Today I sat at the bar and the space was so tight that I could not lift my fork to my mouth to eat my $20 brunch without bumping my neighbor and either spilliing her coffee or loosing my eggs to my paper napkin'd lap. Loose the fancy flower arrangement folks or find another place for your juice on the counter. Folks need space to eat. One thing about Universal, the food is good. But, as good as it is, it is still just french toast, eggs, bacon, fruit and coffee... brunch, folks....all served in an atmosphere as comfortable as a seat in any New York diner costing half the price. The noise level in the place is reminiscent of that too. The staff at Universal is totally over-worked. They have little time to recognize you and your needs much less be pleasant. The only time I saw the wait staff was to order, get my food and receive my check. And that totalled only a few seconds...yes, seconds. It would be nice if your coffee could be presented to you in as pleasant and fast a manner as your check. So, if your thing is a eating $11 eggs in cramped quarters with a "casually chic" crowd, have at it. I'm gonna walk a few blocks to Reds and save my money, my nerves and my good mood.

Posted 05/12/07

I was impressed with the food here. The service was good. Though, the location itself is not where I would like to be for dinner. I would recommend for Brunch on Sunday.

Pros: Brunch

Cons: Location

Posted 10/24/06

Great food in a fun environment. They use the best, freshest ingredients. Eaten here twice - first time for brunch and second time for dinner. Food and service was great both times. Looking forward to my next dining experience here.

Pros: food, service

Posted 08/23/06

I use to be able to go here and get food to-go. It was on my list of fav neighborhood places. Tonight I went, and they turned me away. Said they were not taking to-go orders as they were too busy. Very disappointing, especially to local regulars who liked to visit the place.

Pros: interesting menu

Cons: getting too busy

Posted 08/23/06

I love spots like this!!
You will have to plan on finding this spot, and it will be time well spent. Grat brunch menu and wonderful staff. i was very impressed with the experience, and you will be also!!

Pros: Atmospher service food

Cons: atmosphere

Posted 07/16/06

Why do these restaurants hire these people and where do they come from? Waited two hours to be sat for brunch when we were already comfortably seated at an outside table just waiting for someone to ask if we would like to eat where we were, but no. Even though others were eating at other outside tables, I guess we had to wait for a inside table. When we finally were acknowledged we received some of the worst service ever from people whose brains must have been in the scrambled eggs. The food is bland and uneventful. I really liked the sound of this place and the area its in. Its too bad. I'll never go back, I'd recommend you do the same.

Pros: I dont know...nothing

Cons: everything

Posted 05/14/06

I had a vegetarian pasta dish that was terrible and only tasted of butter. The wait staff approched us several times to ask if we had finished eating. The bus boy actually took my plate away while the fork was in my mouth. We were given the check immediately. A few minutes later, while we were enjoying what was left of a great bottle of wine, the owner approached us and asked if we would like a complementary glass of wine at the bar. I told him that we we were finishing the bottle we ordered, and that we did not want any more wine. We took this as a cue that our table was needed for other customers. This was after dining for 1.5 hours. We left immediately. Other customers who arrived prior to us, were still enjoying drinks and conversation. Will not return. The bill was over $100.

Posted 03/15/06

this chic little spot never fails my wife and me. easy parking, DELICIOUS food, and reasonable prices. service is always friendly albeit casual and the wine list offers lots of options from high brow to table wine. if you're looking for really good fare in a relaxed atmosphere this is the place. one of SF's best kept secrets.

Posted 11/26/05

The food was just plain awful. I ordered a salmon hash that turned out to be a plate of dry, cold and tasteless unidentified bits of food. And the server was even worse. No greeting, no help, nothing. When I asked for a (missing) fork he me gave such a look I thought he was going to beat me up or something. It took many tries to get water. No thank you, no good bye. Stay away form this place.

Cons: Bad food, Bad service

Posted 07/11/05

Big windows make for an airy, sunny feel, and the minimalist interior is stylish yet simple. The menu, which focuses on organic choices, changes frequently. I've been there numerous times for brunch and had both the duck confit hash (excellent) and the granola with fruit and yogurt (also tasty). Service is always reliable and friendly and even when it's packed, it's not too loud.

Posted 03/16/05

After leaving La Suite with the worst service ever, we headed to the Universal Cafe where the extremely attentive and friendly wait-staff saved our evening. The food was delicious & the atmosphere comfortable and inviting. A++!

Posted 10/29/04

Darn Good! Consistent, great value, service with a smile. It all makes sense. If you're indecisive, get the chicken, you can't go wrong here.

Posted 04/04/04

This was a very satisfying restaurant. I have been going to the Universal for about 7 years and have never had a meal I was not crazy for. Miavale's review did not make sense - he/she only gave the Universal Cafe a "6", even though she really liked the food. To deduct 4 points for "so-so" service seems a bit harsh, to say the least!

Posted 11/12/03

I love this restaurent - it is consistently good, but it appears that the waiter may have issues. If you can deal with the sassiness, go for it

Posted 05/21/03

I finally checked this restaurant out after countless of stellar reviews. I wholeheartedly agree with them. It was a terrific dining experience. The restaurant was cozy yet stylish, staff was attentive and warm, and the food was reasonably priced and best of all, delicious! The grilled squid salad was generously portioned for an appetizer. The spagehetti and meatballs (only offered for a few more weeks)and pan fried petrole sole are not too be missed. If you have a sweet tooth, get the maple syrup tart!

Posted 11/06/02

great, elegant, reasonably priced breakfast. very relaxed with delicious bacon! :)

Posted 10/28/02

Whenever a friend asks where they should take visiting family or friends, I invariably suggest Universal Cafe. It's small, industrial, sleek, loud, cozy, with great solid food that highlight the individual ingredients rather than obscuring them by crowding dishes with too many flavors- it is everything one should expect at a San Francisco restaurant. At the price range of $15-$25 for entrees, this place is hard to beat. In fact, this is the best mid-priced restaurant I've found (along with Watergate). For meat lovers, their mainstay Tenderloin with Gorgonzola mashed potatoes is always deliciously reliable. Their chicken livers are outstanding, and their rotating flatbreads are always the perfect appetizer to share. Parking is also great in the Mission/Potrero Corridor.

Posted 08/14/02

Universal Cafe is one of my all time favorites. It's a splurge yet casual dining experience, with kind waitstaff and comforting food. They have something for everyone and their menu, from sunday brunch to late night dinner is one of the best.

Posted 07/06/02

I had no problem getting a reservation same day on a saturday night. Food was very good and the atmosphere was perfect. Parking around the restaraunt was easy - highly recommend this place if you're looking for a hassle free night out.

Posted 06/16/02

I went to Universal after reading these reviews and have gone back since. I have had great meals every time, excellent as a matter of fact, service was great. I guess They haven't been in since Peter Ericson the new Chef took over a year and Half ago. Very talented.

Pros: Great Food

Cons: A bit Noisy

Posted 05/27/02