09/08/09

Awful food and worse service!

by Jeff M

I grew up on the East Coast so I’ve enjoyed really good deli. I’ve lived in Southern California for 35 years and go to San Francisco generally twice a year. I always made David’s my first stop for lunch. But never again. It’s obvious that it has taken a nose dive, and you want to stay far away. My last visit was a real shock.

My wife and I went in, and the first thing I noticed was that the window full of what was once a wide array of delectable baked goods, is now pretty meager looking. We then took a table in the dining room. There was one waiter for the dining room and the counter that you would not call “Flash”. I never had to look at the menu. It was always pastrami sandwich and a knish to share. First thing he told me was that they did not have knishes. I’m Jewish. Jewish delis have knishes. When we ordered the sandwich, I asked the waiter to bring us some kosher dills (pickles).

The sandwich that arrived was inedible. Pastrami is not a lean meat, but this was so fatty, I couldn’t look at it. So I asked the waiter if he would exchange it for an extra lean (as described in the menu) corned beef sandwich. This was not much better. It too was fatty. And seemed like it was heated in a microwave that dried it out before placing it on stale rye.

When he brought the check, I noticed that I was charged $4.95 for an “order of pickles” (what was one, maybe two pickles sliced). Real delis bring you some pickles for the table when you sit down. I asked the waiter if this was right, and he smiled and told me yes. When I went to pay the check, I complained to the lady at the cashier, and she told me she was sorry. Jewish delis have a relative at the cash register. And Asian restaurants have Asians at the cash register. The lady that took my cash was Asian. I’m not making any statement other than I have to believe that the place changed hands.

Now the absolute worst part. Despite the bad meal and being overcharged, I left a $6 tip on a $32 (after tax) meal. Once outside, I heard a tap on the window. I looked at the window, and it was the waiter flipping me the bird! No kidding. I went back in, and he took off out of sight, so I told the cashier, who again acted like I was the problem.

If you go into David’s thinking you’re going into a good Jewish deli, you will have made a big mistake. I too wish I could give negative ratings for the food and service at David’s.

• Pros: Read this review and it might save you.
• Cons: Food, service, location. Nothing is good.

07/22/08

Very overpriced and horrible

by szanona

I went in for some chicken soup to go, to cure a cold. Almost had a heart attack when they charged me $9.99 for barely more than a cup. To top that off it was HORRIBLE. Broth with overcooked noodles and very bland chicken. I would have been better off going to WalGreens and getting a canned soup.

• Cons: expensive

05/18/08

If you like shoes, then you'll love this place because the meat tastes like leather.

by lorihara

Run away, do not eat here; worst deli food ever, and beyond over priced. An insult to its patrons and to good deli food.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Way over priced, awful food.

02/15/08

Real Kosher but beware the bill...

by DonaldMaass

David's is an authentic Kosher deli with an old-fashioned ambiance, like walking into a diner in New York in the 1950's. Potato pancakes with apple sauce, beef bacon, greasy air...it's nostalgic. But we warned, the bill alone could give you a heart attack. Eggs & an omlette with a few add-ons, orange juice, coffee, tea...$34! Before tip. Oy! You'd pay $3.99 at a Waffle House off the highway for the same meal. Food was slow to arrive, too, despite the place being nearly empty at 9am. Sorry, these New Yorkers are used to lightening breakfasts at half the price or less. Not impressed.

12/18/07

Great Blintzes and other yummy treats your Russian, Eastern European, or Jewish Mama or Grandma makes!

by serrafina

This place has the best meat filled blintzes I have ever had (outside of my mom's kitchen of course) and the sandwiches are big, juicy, and "New York" style! If you miss that "east coast" flair for food: big sandwiches (not the subway or quiznos type) and jewish delicacies like Latkes and Matzo Ball Soup then go here! :) And the pastries are AMAZING! They have everything from cakes and tarts to Humantashin cookies!

YUMMMAY!

• Pros: menu, food, quality, quick seating, and service
• Cons: small restaurant and boring ambience but it can take you back to the 1950s a little.

12/18/07

Don't bother

by arloapb

This place is terrible. I paid thirteen dollars for a tiny microwaved pastrami sandwich on a kaiser roll. The tiny potato salad they give me was OK. Don't let David?s take advantage of your wallet. McDonalds would be a better option.

05/11/07

Rip off, keep on walking

by jwest282

Decided to try David's when I first moved here. My boyfriend and I ordered coffee while going over the menu. After looking at the choices and the high price, we decided to finish our coffee and leave. Cost us $6.00, FOR TWO CUPS OF COFFEE!!!! Talk about rip off! I could have had better coffee for a half of the price at Starbuck's! Never again!

• Pros: Nothing
• Cons: Overly priced everything

06/30/06

UNBELIEVABLE RIP-OFF!!

by monica20

I popped in for some quick bagels - figuring it was a Jewish Deli. The bagels were mediocre at best - chewy, out of a plastic bag as if from the grocery store.

Still, I paid $4.95 for a bagel w/c-cheese, and $2.50 for a plain bagel TO GO. WHAT A COMPLETE RIP OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I told the woman behind the counter their prices were crazy, she simply smirked. There are too many good breakfast joints in Union Square to EVER venture into this one.

05/13/06

Outrageously OVERPRICED!!!! STAY AWAY~!!!!!!

by mariganoula

if i wanted a six dollar orange juice, i'd expect champagne in it! enough said! i paid 30 dollars for hash browns, bagel and an orange juice.....blhhhhhhh....crappy crap!

01/20/06

Horrible, simply wretched.

by aquinasthegangsta

It actually irritates me that people go to this place and think this is San Francisco, or that they've stumbled onto a real find or something. An out of town friend of mine heard of this place and wanted me to go with her. So I did. She blanched at the prices but thought that was just "San Francisco." I told her, no, just because we pay $2500 a month in rent for apartments doesn't mean we want to pay $15 for moderately-sized bland sandwiches. If you go here, you are not "in the know" you are a tourist being dunned.

• Pros: .....................
• Cons: Expensive, Bland Food, Expensive