Universal Cafe
San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 821-4608
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Bryant Street
- Specialties:
- Brunch
- Hours:
- Tue-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, Tue-Thu, Sun 5:30pm-9:30pm, Fri, Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm
Message from Universal Cafe
Intimate modern space. New American cuisine. Dinners, weekend brunch.
- Brunch
- Dinner
- Fresh, inventive dishes
Paid advertisement by Universal Cafe.
Editorial Review for Universal Cafe – by Marin Preske
In Short
This longstanding Mission eatery echoes the industrial feel of its out-of-the-way locale in a warm and sleek way. Art-lined walls and an open kitchen balance cool steel fixtures and track lighting. The dining room can get noisy as 30-somethings slip into tightly spaced tables. The service is relaxed, but adequate. The kitchen's inspired menu offers a seasonal selection of rustic dishes.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Where to SitWhen dining solo, just grab a stool and eat at the bar--you'll get a front-row view of the kitchen.
What to DrinkThe modest wine list offers a diverse array of selections--from Chile to Sonoma--plus seven by-the-glass offerings.
Know Before You GoThe restaurant offers a weekend brunch that's perfect for lazy afternoons.
User Reviews for Universal Cafe
01/20/2008 Posted by monkies
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
05/13/2007 Posted by liquidsound
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.
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