09/13/09

Nothing's changed...

by nohe812

since the last review back in September 2007. That review described almost the same experience we had today. The service was slow, although it was just after the lunch rush and the dining room had emptied out. The kitchen got our burger patties confused. And the waitresses seemed frazzled, distracted, rushed, tired,...what I don't expect from a full staffed restaurant. I used to love Barney's and missed it when I moved away (Barney's in LA just isn't the same). Having just moved back, I was so excited for my first Barney's burger back home. I was sorely disappointed, and am now questioning if I will ever return. I'm giving it three stars because I have a soft spot for the Barney's of yesterday.

This place is truly a shadow of its former self. Bring back the days of praised cooking and atmosphere!

• Pros: Big portions
• Cons: Declining quality and service

09/03/07

Disaster on 24th Street

by hfk

The sign said "please wait to be seated" but a confused staff member handed us three menus and said "sit anywhere." That was our first clue. We wove through the myriad of poorly behaved children and dirty, un-bussed tables to find a corner where the music wasn't too obnoxious. This had once been a great place for burgers and salads so we gave it the benefit of the doubt. In hindsight - we should have come up with a plan B while we waited 10 minutes for water - no waitress in sight. When she did show up she was rushed. Burgers, salads and curly fries - all standards at this restaurant - so we thought our order would be a snap. Nearly 20 minutes later, some cold fries were delivered. When we pointed this out we were told, "the kitchen just made them" - and there was no offer to fix the situation. Another 10 minutes and the food arrives. The salad was pretty but not made as requested. The burgers were overcooked and somewhat room temperature. It's hard to tell if the kitchen staff doesn't care or if the service is just poor - or both. We elected to get up and leave our uneaten meals for the busboy - who was obviously still on break. We found an alternate eating establishment and I would recommend that you save yourself the aggravation we experienced and do the same.

• Pros: great place for loud children, food on the floor, disgruntled service
• Cons: bad place to go to eat

04/30/07

Decline in Burger and chicken sandwich quality lately

by armandoahinojosa

I had been going to Barney's for years. My last 3 times in 2005-6 were real disappointments though. My requested medium rare / medium burger came in at well done, dry and crumbly, not moist meat. Even after sending it back (something I've only done 1 other time in the last 5 years) it came back almost inedible.

I tried switching to the chicken breast sandwich the next time and the experience was unfortunately even worse. The breast was dry and tasteless.

So by luck I went into the 24th Street Cafe (aka Joe's cafe) at 3853 24th St., cross street Vicksburg looking for a burger and found burger heaven. The owner (Joe or his staff) will cook the Niman Ranch hamburger medium rare, medium, however you like! And the chicken breast sandwich has always been moist and tender. I have been going back once a week for over a year now and every time the thick cut fries are crispy on the outside, hot on the inside, the lettuce green and cool, the milk cold and the service always friendly, (especially when Joe and his wife or daughter are working.

If you want a consistent excellent, fresh burger or chicken breast go here! The phone numbers is 415-282-1213 and is in the middle of the 24th street shopping district. bon appetite!

• Pros: close to 24th street. Usually no wait.
• Cons: Dry burgers and chicken sandwiches. not always responsive wait staff.

Enormous beef, chicken and veggie burgers with inventive twists make this casual mini-chain a California favorite.

by Gina Goff

In Short
Burgers -- of both the all-beef and meatless variety -- are the name of the game at this highly-trafficked neighborhood eatery. Plain interiors with walls proudly decked in local dining awards take a backseat to huge flame-broiled patties. Destination-themed sandwiches, like the Milano with roasted eggplant, zucchini and tomato pesto sauce and the Baja chicken with avocado, bacon and salsa, are served a la carte. Side orders include deep-fried veggies and steak-cut fries.

10/31/06

Original not the best?

by rsak

My first Barney's was the one in LA, and I've been there way too many times to count. The Barney's up here just aren't the same. The menu is the same, but there is something about how it's prepared here. And I've never, ever had good service at a Barney's in the Bay Area. I know Barney's started here, but it's just not what I'm used to...

• Pros: Curly fries
• Cons: Not my Barney's

09/24/06

Very, very good burger

by foodielover

I'm not a hamburger enthusiast, but the burger meat here is very, very good. It's overwhelming to find 24 beef burger choices alone. And, there's chicken, vegan & turkey burgers to chose from or salads & sandwiches. The pesto burger was served on a wide baguette w/pesto sauce, a thin slice of pickle and Thousand Island dressing on the side. We ordered "skinny" fries on the side, it was unsalted & crispy. It is so nice to be able to eat where the food is not drenched in salt and you can actually taste the food. My beef burger came exactly medium rare. There is a front patio extensively shaded by trees where you can dine outside, or inside. Lots of families w/small kids and residential couples dine here. Looking forward to returning here in the future and sampling other burgers along w/their milkshakes or rootbeer (IBC) float. The beef burgers are reasonably priced between $6.96-$7.50. The most expensive items were the chicken burgers at $7.95. If you like burgers, go no where else.

• Pros: Very good beef burgers
• Cons: Parking is difficult

04/23/06

FUN PLACE....

by franlyfood

i have to say i was surprised I liked it. The food was good, but more seemd to go into the burger. I love the atmospher. good place to go if you want to relax

• Pros: burger, service, location
• Cons: none, none, none

02/26/06

yummie

by queenbeesf

great burgers they have such a large selection and love the basket of fries!

• Pros: prices, good burgers, basket of fries
• Cons: no parking, small dining area

08/26/05

The Best Burgers--hands down

by logeil

Everywhere i've gone to try "the best burger", has disappointed. They're all good, but only Barney's is amazing. My boyfriend and I will drive from the mission all the way over there, look for parking for 20 min and still it's worth it agree that it's worth it. The pesto cheeseburger is awesome and their curly fries are irresistable.

• Pros: food
• Cons: parking, atmosphere

04/28/05

Solid burger, iffy place

by cyberdoggie

If you live nearby and you're in the mood for a tasty, moist burger, then you have found the place. Parking is somewhat difficult, the atmosphere is completely uninspired, but on a warm day when you can sit out in the patio and have a beer and burger this is THE place to hang out. It's the kind of food that's filling after a day of cleaning, biking, or working in the yard. An almost infinite array of burgers. Good fries to.