Sears Fine Foods

For the prices charged, a vast ripoff. Plus, we had a waitress who had to be pushing 75 who was simply awful. She disappeared for long periods. I got up and grabbed the nearby coffee pot to get a refill -- and she was right there to say I was not permitted to do it. Of course, she wasn't there to do it! A pedestrian place with bad service.

Pros: Powell St. Location

Cons: Service was a joke

Posted 10/28/09

this place is good for business travel - i like it for dinner
when im by myself. it's near the hotels, the food is very good, the martinis are big and you can sit at the counter, where the staff will chat you up, bring you samples and make you feel right at home.

Pros: good food, nice dining for one -friendly waitstaff

Cons: tad pricey

Posted 08/18/09

Like many others, went here after reading the reviews and getting a recommendation. Walked right in on a Thursday morning. Seated promptly and greeted timely. Had the swedish pancakes which weren't all that special, but were good. My wife had an omlette that was good. Hash browns were tasty but nothing special. Server was attentive and ready with coffee/water refills. Overall, though, couldn't say this was an earth-shaking experience and certainly didn't live up to the hype. Perhaps other menu items are more inspiring, but it's average based on this experience.

Pros: Great historical setting, convenient to Union Sq

Cons: Over-priced, Over-hyped

Posted 02/21/09

I usually are not much of a breakfast eater, but was walking by Sears and low and behold there was not a line at all to get into the dining room which is very rare, so I went in and had the best pancakes every. I have never eaten any other meals here as there is alway a long line, as it is right in the middle of the hotel district and lost of tourist eat there

Posted 02/07/09

I did a seach for 'best breakfast san francisco' and Sears popped up. I headed over there with my wife. I don't know why I bothered. It was *fine*. But nowhere near 'best'. Witness an example: The Strawberry Smoothie was actually made with that strawberry milkshake powder. Rubbish! The orange juice looked straight out of a packet too. I ended up with a very safe ham omlete that was marginally better than what I could have made myself.

We went there at 7am on a Sunday and got a seat immediately. Go later and prepare to queue out the door. As for me, I'll not be back -- I'll be better served by the hundreds of diners on every street corner. If you're heading there, I recommend you think twice and set expectations to zero.

Pros: Serves food

Cons: Huge, huge tourist trap

Posted 09/06/08

We arrived shortly before 10:30am, and the line was out the door. After about a 10 minute wait, we were seated. Our waiter promptly took our orders, and the food took about 15 minutes - fast, considering how busy it was. I ordered the 18 Swedish Pancakes with bacon, and my husband got the sourdough french toast, also with bacon, and a chocolate milk. Everything was amazing. The pancakes were delicious, his french toast was just as good, and the bacon was thick, tasty, and cooked perfectly. We couldn't have asked for anything better. Our ticket was about $35, and it was well worth it. I'd recommend this place to anyone.

Posted 08/12/08

There was a line outside the door so I thought the place must be good, right? I sat at the counter and while the service was bad, and the next time as well (I had to give it another chance), it was understandable because it was crazy. However, the food was mediocre at best. The small pancakes weren't that great and the omlette I had the next week was really bad. Bacon bad. Potatos bad. Everything bad.

Posted 05/28/08

My wife and I ate here twice during a weekend trip on the basis of a friend's recommendation. The place pretty much always has a line out the door for breakfast, but it moves pretty fast. We were seated inside both times within 30 minutes. Sears is famous for serving 18 silver dollar pancakes with their special recipe, as well as having other solid choices for breakfast. The pancakes are quite good, especially with a little butter and real maple syrup that they bring them out with. We also had some sourdough french toast with fresh strawberry compote, a side of home fries and a waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. The french toast was good, and the berries were a nice touch. The home fries were actually kind of insipid and not impressive, but the waffle was also very good. The waffle had a healthy amount of fresh and large strawberries with it, as well as a large cup of fresh whipped cream to use at your discretion. Overall, the restaurant is very good, but it is nothing revolutionary. It is quite loud and always packed for breakfast and a little pricey, but the food is very good and it makes a solid choice for a good breakfast.

Pros: Tasty breakfast with good portions and fresh produce

Cons: Very loud, crowded and always a wait for breakfast

Posted 05/26/08

We went here last Sunday and had an unsatisfactory breakfast. Our waitress from Mongolia was rude, I tried to order one pancake as I had in the past and she said "no". I explained that two weeks ago I had ordered just one, her answer remained the same. I asked her to check with the manager but she said she already knew what the manager would say, then she told me that she would bring me one but charge me for a full order because that is what the waiter must have done before. Not very nice at all. I paid $9.00 for one pancake. My husband's bacon was undercooked and she left it on another table on the way back to the kitchen. Not very customer service oriented at all. Total tourist trap.

Cons: Overpriced

Posted 05/18/08

My Husband and I had had a tough week in SF and decided to go get some comfort food, and man was it comforting. WE both ordered the french toast, bacon, sausage and the hashbrowns with (2) coffee's. The total tab was $37.00 and well worth it but the portions are sooo big you should split with whomever you are eating with one breakfast is plenty for 2 people. Service was prompt and the food was quick, we were there on a Wednesday about 10:00 am. I have tried to go there on the weekends before and it was a 2 hour wait.

Rock solid place to eat for a southern breakfast in the big city.

Pros: Food, service, ambience

Cons: zero parking, long wait on the weekends

Posted 04/18/08

My girlfriend and I went in for breakfast this past sunday morning. Although the place was packed, seating was prompt. The food was not bland, and the service was pretty quick. I guess its hard to mess up breakfast.

Pros: Hasbrowns and pancakes

Cons: Parking, take the cable car.

Posted 04/15/08

My boyfriend and I were visiting the city and went here for Sunday breakfast. We had to wait about 20 minutes, outside. We loved the food and coffee- but the service was very bad. Our server didn't ask us if we needed anything, or if we liked our food. We had to ask her for more water and coffee multiple times. It seemed like the restaurant was understaffed. I would definitively go back again, even though the service was bad.

Pros: Food, Ambience

Cons: Service

Posted 12/01/07

I?m not sure what all the hype is about with this place. We were visiting for a few days and thought we?d try Sears on a Tuesday morning after we read all the fantastic reviews online. The wait was about 15 mins, which wasn?t a big deal. The restaurant itself is cute, historic. However, the waitress was far from friendly. The pancakes were just that, pancakes, not sure why they are ?world famous?? and my omelet was nothing special. The hash browns were a joke; they didn?t even taste or look like fresh potatoes, more like the frozen bagged kind you can pick up at the grocery store. The toast was rubbery and cold, so cold that the butter wasn?t even melted, and other elements of our breakfast were cold as well. We didn?t even bother saying anything because it was obvious they wanted us out of there as fast as possible, we had the check on our table about 5 seconds after she set down our food and were never asked how everything tasted. Definitely not a place you?ll feel welcome? and I?ve had a better breakfast at home.

Pros: downtown

Cons: food and service

Posted 09/24/07

This place isn't just for pancakes. The dinner menu is good too. The fish ( I don't remember if it was sea bass or swordfish) was really good. The wine list is nice and reasonably priced. Service was good as well. The restaurant itself is cute. It is decorated with vintage posters and antiques.

Posted 03/12/07

Tried this place for the first time this morning -- the pancakes are well-made, but not heavenly or to die for. The sausages and hash browns were more pleasant surprises - tasty, and cooked just right. My friend and I are big eaters, but by the time we got to the last of our 18 pancakes, it felt heavy, and the flavor had gotten kinda old in our mouths. All in all, this is a "been there, done that" place for me -- feel no urge to go back. I certainly don't feel that the food was worth a long wait either, so if you really want to try it, I suggest you go early and avoid standing in line.

Pros: Pancakes are well done, but not supreme

Posted 01/13/07

What a treat! We were seat promptly, coffee was ok, and the pancakes were awesome!!! Have the 18 swedish pancakes with the lingonberries. Cannot be beaten! It will keep you full through a day of walking, shopping and enjoying the views.

Pros: Pancakes!

Cons: Coffee :-(

Posted 01/06/07

The Sydney Amber was much more than I could eat, though I didn't want to stop. These pancakes are some of the fluffiest and tasty around. You may want to schedule a late lunch after breakfast at Sear's because you will be full. Great energy before a day of bike riding or physical activity.

Pros: service, location, food

Posted 10/31/06

This is a great breakfast place with a really cozy feel inside. Don't be scared off by the long line out front in the mornings; it moves quickly and the wait is worth it anyway. I had eggs benedict and my husband ordered a special which came with pancakes, eggs, sausage, etc. Everything was delicious, delivered quickly and piping hot, and the service friendly. The only thing I didn't like is that they charged us $3 or $4 each for the cheap, Denny's or 7-11 variety coffee they serve. The refills are free, but I'd have much rather gone to a different cafe and paid the same price for decent coffee. The rest of their food was very reasonably priced, however.

Pros: Delicious pancakes, cozy atmosphere

Cons: Bad coffee

Posted 10/05/06

Several staff members at the Marriott suggested Sears as "the place to go for pancakes" and they were right. There was a line, but it moved quickly. The reason it moved quickly is because the service was incredible. The pancakes were light, the orange juice was freshly squeezed, the bacon was crispy, the eggs were tasty. No complaints here. A great meal in a local favorite establishment.

Posted 09/30/06

Get here early, as you might have to wait awhile to get a table - but honestly, the wait is WELL worth it! Probably the best pancakes I've ever had - they even sell their famous pancake batter to go, which I bought to take back home to Seattle with me! Service was great too! Highly recommend SFF for Breakfast - or for any time of the day!

Pros: Great food, great service!

Cons: Wait can be awhile!

Posted 08/30/06

As a fourth generation San Franciscan, I have many happy memories of going to Sears after spending a day shopping with my Mother on Union Square. The waitresses were always so nice to us. The food was delicious. I especially enjoyed the bacon and eggs, and the Swedish pancakes. It was a fun place to go because we always saw people we knew along with hoardes of tourists.

After I became an adult I still loved going to Sears. It was a destination after a trip to 450 Sutter for a dental cleaning or a place to grab a lunch with the friendly waitresses after shopping at Gumps. (The real family owned Gumps, not the new chain store that purchased it).

Sears will be greatly missed by native San Franciscans as well as the tourists. We will miss Sears.

Pros: Great Food, Excellent Service, Terrific Value

Cons: Crowded at lunch

Posted 08/10/06

What an idiot I am for not looking harder for the baby pancakes on the menu. After all, the sign outside says they are the "Home of the baby pancake" (or something like that). I think it might be worth the 2.5 hour drive I would have to make in order to try them. That being said, I had a wonderful and entertaining breakfast. The food and the service were both great. I sat at the counter and the strangers I met added to the experience. I went in on a lark and am sorry I didn't try it sooner. I'll definitely be back!

Pros: food, service

Cons: will get crowded

Posted 11/21/05

No wonder there is a line out the door! But no one cares. The Swedish pancakes are served with lingonberry jam...Fuggettaboutit! It's a good thing we did a lot of walking after eating here. Many other tasty offerings on the rather large menu. Fast and friendly service too.

Pros: great food, fast service, friendly servers

Cons: waiting for a table

Posted 06/25/05

Great place to pick up some food if your in a group or family and members have picky eating styles (yes, that would be me). They really do serve more than just pancakes. Also, our waitress was very kind, accomodating, and checked up on us a lot. Overall good experience.

Pros: Well priced, Warm staff, Accomodating

Cons: Could get crowded

Posted 06/13/05

Usually I'm hesitant to eat around Union Square: the food is generally overpriced and targeted for the tourists. However, Sears does NOT fall into this category. A San Francisco classic, Sears is the best place for full breakfast before a day of sightseeing or shopping, if you're in the area. The Swedish pancakes are plentyful and excellent with just a touch of syrup (really stuff they serve, nothing from a plastic bottle) and butter. The breakfast sides are just as good: try the thick bacon. Here you'll be cared for. If you want a quick breakfast on the cheap, this is not for you. But if you're willing to drop a few bucks, sit down, and start the day off right, Sears (no relation to the chain) is perfect.

Pros: Breakfast, Service, Reasonable Prices

Posted 05/21/05

On my first trip to San Francisco as a flight attendant the captain led all of the newbies on our crew to Sears for breakfast. It was a fitting beginning to a day that started my love affair with that city. Twenty-eight years later Sears is still a must do on any visit to the city by the bay. Great food and plenty of it! Also great crowds so get there early!
On my first visit I was most impressed with the golden waffles smothered in fresh strawberries and the aplles baked in pastry. They still deifne my memories of the place.

Pros: good food, good portions, good price

Cons: crowds, crowds, crowds

Posted 07/19/03

I looked up on the Internet for breakfast in San Francisco and Sears Fine Dining popped up. I saw the 'don't bother review' but also so a couple of good reviews, and world famous enticed me to try the restaurant. I won't be back, it was a try it and move on tourist experience, even tho' I have lived her for 21 years. We did have a wait to get in which made me think it would be worth it. But the $ size pancakes were nothing famous and the strawberries were frozen, not fresh. The next day at work I asked if anyone had ever heard of the world famous restaurant and no one had.

Pros: touristy, old San Francisco

Cons: crowded, food not the greatest

Posted 03/09/03

This was the best breakfast place! The pancakes were great and the fruit was soo good. I love this place.

Posted 02/04/03

Sears has been recommended by various guidebooks for a number of years, but has grown a bit long in the tooth. It's worth a visit if you desire worn out carpeting and booths; uniformed waitresses who have worked there for more than 20 years; their 'famous' dollar-sized pancakes. However, I don't see any reason to go more than once for the diner experience... You can find better breakfasts at Dottie's True Blue, a few blocks west, on Jones St.

Pros: dollar pancakes, location

Posted 12/27/02

Yuck! Awful service, and plain, unappetizing dishes.

I'm a local (for 4 years now), so I just had to try this popular breakfast spot. The only thing that stopped me before was the huge tourist filled lines. With the long lines, I figured, "It's gotta be good, right?"

Wrong. I tried it twice. The last time I ordered their "World Famous French Toast." I asked for sliced banana on it and cinnamon. The waitress came out with a bowl of banana slices and no cinnamon. "Sorry sir, the french toast only comes with strawberry preserves." And those preserves were truly disgusting (pale, pink strawberries in sugar water). Not to mention the tasteless French Toast.

The whole experience was awful. And I'm not even going to get into the dirty mugs, and old coffee cream that we had to ask to be replaced.

Pros: cheap

Cons: bad service, bad food, long lines

Posted 09/28/02

Try Sears for the pancakes. Even after consuming 18 dollar-sized cakes, I wanted more! The line out the door on Saturday morning tells you how popular this place is. The inside is done up in pinks, with cloth linens instead of paper. Waitstaff is friendly and efficient, and the counter has a group of regulars who are fun to listen to.

Pros: Good prices, Good service

Cons: Breakfast/lunch only

Posted 09/10/02

Overall we had a pleasant dining experience. There were plenty of choices including many variations of all the typical breakfast favorites... Service was prompt and friendly. Clientele consists mostly of tourists, but the occasional friendly local wanders in to chat. The atmosphere is somewhat disappointing, not at all a diner feel. The food was good and reasonably priced (but it is a cash only place) but the toilets leave something to be desired.

Pros: fast, good portions

Cons: cash only, only one bathroom

Posted 07/06/02