Ella's American Kitchen Reviews

Excellent breads, service, and brunch...always has been worth the wait...and you do.

stopped in for a quick lunch. very good cobb salad. window seat was nice, enjoyed the view. would go again

if you want to taste the real American breakfast this is the place for you. Local cute, friendly and attentive, generous portions and very good. Recommended.

My wife and I plan vacations around food, we have eaten all over the country. This place is one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. I am considering moving to San Fran just for Ella's. If you are close, please go there and you will not be disappointed.

awesome breakfast/brunch!

We stay at the Drisco whilst visiting family in SF. Our son walked us over for a quick brunch. It was beyond yummy. When we walked in the array of breads and treats were mouth watering. Our son had the Corned beef hash which was delicious, my husband had a fruit plate and I had a cheese omelet which came with a small fruit bowl. All the plates came with a wonderfully fresh baked buttermilk biscuit. We will definitely be back as it is so close to our hotel, it's good food and they have "take-out". But be aware that they only serve breakfast, lunch and brunch, Ella's does not serve dinner so if you order "to go", get there before they close at 3 pm.

Had an absolutely delicious brunch here with family. No reservations, so we had to wait (expected that in advance) and it was worth it. Wonderful eclectic brunch menu!

My husband and I made only a single visit to Ella's during a visit to the Presidio Heights area of San Francisco. This was enough, however, to make us shy away from another visit. It was not busy on this weekday, so we had no problem being seated at a table. The service, which was appropriately timed, was rather perfunctory with nary a smile to be seen. My husband's order was not delivered correctly . . . . wrong tea and wrong bread accompaniment. Most surprising, however, were the prices. We expect high prices in cities, but this breakfast was a bit over the top. If the food had been exceptional we might have understood, but the food was good but not special.

Wonderful breakfast. Eggs were fabulous. Note can be crowded on weekends with families, but great place to start the day.

We had a late Monday morning brunch here and found that it lives up to all the TA reviews. It seemed a little pricey for what we had, but that was fine as the food was all so good - very good espresso too. Our servers couldn't have been more pleasant, and nothing was too much trouble for them. Even though the place was very busy they were calm and efficient - altogether very professional. My husband had another appointment and had to leave a short time before I was finished. I was told to take my time - there was no rush (even though I'm sure they wanted my table to set up for the lunch crowd). The food was very generous, good quality and well cooked. I'm fairly sure the strawberry conserves that were served with my toast were house-made - so delicious I had to ask for more as my husband ate most of mine too.

This was my second trip here and both times have been wonderful!! Definitely try the omelette or scramble of the day. Fresh ingredients, large portions, all around great place for breakfast in the city!!

Huge amounts of fresh eggs and other breakfast fixings

I've eaten at Ella's over the years and on a recent trip back to the Bay Area, it was nice to find the place was still one to recommend. The food is delicious and the portions are certainly big enough -- I took half my salad home afterward. The menu isn't huge but it's broad, with good options for vegetarians. The service is attentive. While the tables aren't far apart, Ella's doesn't feel cramped. I suspect that's because the restaurant is on a corner and the buildings across the intersection aren't tall. If you have any reason to be in the neighborhood, Ella's is a good bet.

I like the chicken hash with eggs. Their mimosas with blood orange is also very good.

Liked that it was right across the street from the hotel. Very good breakfasts/from eggs, bacon to super origional looking french toast waffle stuff.

This place is always busy, so be prepared to wait for a bit. Breakfasts here are really good-a bit expensive, but this is San Francisco. The chicken hash is very good, as are the egg dishes that we have tried. The baked goods that are served with breakfast are outstanding-try the homemade berry jam!

I’ve been going to Ella’s for over 10 years. It was my go to breakfast/brunch place. Not anymore. They changed ownership and it’s gone way downhill. Food is ok, but service is poor. Very slow. They look like they are struggling. I want them to be successful, but I don’t think I can go there anymore and be frustrated.

best peach pancakes ever

We were at a local street fair and decided to stop in for lunch. Two of us ordered the burgers and I had the chicken sandwich. Burgers tasted fine-although my wife ordered well-done the burger was medium-rare. My chicken sandwich had a good flavor but was partially undercooked/pink raw and not safely consumable. The service was very frenetic and disorganized. We had to prompt the server to serve the 2 Diet Cokes which were languishing on the bar. When my wife asked for a refill, she ultimately got it herself from the bar. We had to take tableware/ napkins from an adjacent empty table. Wouldn’t return based on this visit.

During our stay in the neighborhood we saw the line outside and also heard others say that this was a must try eatery. Pros: 1. Clean 2. Service was fast and friendly Cons: 1. Food was just average. 2. Expensive. There are many other restaurants in the area which are much better than Ella' at lower prices in our opinion. We ate at Sweet Jo' across the street several times. The food was much more tasty and affordable especially the pizza and sandwiches.

We were staying across the street at the Laurel Inn and came here for breakfast twice. The first day it was like walking in to a meal at a day care as it was filled with families with very young kids. Needless to say, it was also very noisy because of that. The food however was very good and my coffee and water were filled constantly. I had eggs and bacon with toast both days. The eggs were cooked well (although maybe 10 seconds longer after they were flipped would have helped) and the bacon was crisp. The second day, without the hordes of kids, was a much calmer meal and a more pleasant experience overall.

Went here midmorning for a business discussion. The main part on left side of entry was too noisy and tables too close together. But they kindly opened the right side for us...we were the only ones and it was perfect for a cappucino and croissants. The rest of the breakfast menu looked quite interesting. Service was friendly and prompt. Parking was a challenge, but not surprising in that area. Will come back for sure to try a full breakfast.

Roomy and comfortable restaurant in a nice location at California and Presidio. We visit Ella's freqently for breakfast when we're in SF and have never been disappointed. Pleasant and professional staff, able to move customers in and out quickly with their efficient service and lots of tables. Fresh and home made meals served efficiently by pleasant staff. One of the best for breakfast and baked goods.

We were sitting next to a couple of male patrons in their 70's and they were talking about how the breakfast menu reminded them of traditional American fares in the 50's. Now, i learned Ella's is been there since the 90's but I can see what they were referring to. My husband ordered their homemade oatmeal and I ordered sunny-side up eggs with fries and fruit. both choices were really good! the coffee was great too.

Although I am a San Franciscan, I had never been to this long popular spot because I rarely eat breakfast out. I ordered a pot of English Breakfast tea. the "pot" held about 8 oz, far too small for a pot, and the tea was Lipton. Really? This is a foodie town. Who serves Lipton tea anymore? I asked for milk with my tea and was given a watery low fat version. The service was odd. They were attentive to the point of intrusive. Every few minutes we were offered coffee refills, only neither of us was drinking coffee. Someone came and inexplicably placed fresh paper napkins on the table periodically, when we didn't ask for or need napkins, except when they over filled the water glasses! My sunny-side up eggs were not sufficiently cooked and had to be sent back. My friend had been to Ellas many years ago and said it used to be much better. Neither of us will return.

gotta get the sticky buns

Excellent food and service! The bakery items are delicious (huge portion - two can easily share on piece of coffee cake or sticky roll) and the breakfast is clean, delicious, and bursting with flavor. Ella's is known for their chicken hash which is very tasty. The salmon scramble is also excellent! Very friendly and efficient wait staff.

A friend and I have eaten here for years. After a two year break, we ate lunch here yesterday The menu was much the same and the food was well prepared. When my friend ordered, she specified that she did not want cheese, but there was cheese on the plate. Although I requested bread when I ordered, none was served until I requested it a second time. I asked for the darker bread, the waiter served a biscuit without mentioning that he knew it was not what I requested.

The food was really good and you got a lot of it, I had the late breakfast scrambled eggs and had them add some things and take some things out it was great. My friend had the special hamburger and he loved it. I would eat there again.

Close to UCSF Conference Center. Very busy at lunch, but extremely accommodating. Staff quick and attentive. Menu offers nice selection. Excellent Cobb salad with chicken. Accommodated special requests from several tables. Enjoyable break.

Food always great. Fast service. Revolving specials so variety along with all time favorites. My husband is in love with their Cobb Salad and even orders it to go when we are in a hurry. Fresh baked breads and great omelets.

Bustling on the weekends, great for weekday lunches. Fresh baked items, nice staff. Would recommend for those who consider themselves foodies and are happy with upscale comfort food.

Change is good sometimes and not so good sometimes. New owners, new staff, not so good. Usually changes should be seamless and go unnoticed. Last weekend, Robert gone, Diane gone. Two dependable service stalwarts replaced by inefficient and enept service. Ahhhh, the good ‘ol days. Wrong order, cold food, no apology. Why screw with the menu with frivolous changes. After a 20+ year relationship with this Cheers type eatery, I dropped the mic.

This cozy restaurant was located just .2 mile from where we were staying and seeing it's good reviews we gave it a try. It's just across the intersection from the Jewish Community Center. We had an early afternoon lunch and enjoyed iced tea and split a Reuben Sandwich with fries. The sandwich was great with a generous portion of corned beef. While we there a French speaking family arrived too late for breakfast but the staff graciously accommodated their requests for eggs, bacon, and potatoes including their lunch items order.

Yummy brunch spot. Would love to go back and sample more of their baked goods. There was about a 30 minute wait at noon on Saturday.

Quick, delicious, healthy, affordable, friendly and attentive. What more could you want? It was a fantastic experience and would go back in a heartbeat.

Is Ella's still there!?

Great food! We ate breakfast and it was great! My cousin lives in San Fran and told us Ella's has the best breakfast in San Fran. Nice atmosphere.

Fresh, homade food. Chicken Hash and pancakes are favorites.

Ella's is probably the best restaurant for breakfast on the west side of the city. It doesn't except reservations and The lines on the weekend can be long, so come early to get a table.

My husband and his groomsman ordered a pizza and brought it back to the hotel, they ended up getting the runs from their pizza :(

We stopped by Ella's because it was close to where we planned to work out. We split a turkey burger and beef burger lunch. The beef was great: fresh, lots of cheddar cheese, grilled bun...wonderful. The turkey burger was fine, but nothing special. The dining area was comfortable with a bit of noise. I could see this place being uneven in quality, with high summits on some occasions and just average plains on others. But as a place to have in your neighborhood...a nice addition to the area.

It offered a great breakfast and dinner. The prices were exceptional and the staff were right on. It was located across the street from the Laurel Inn where we stayed for a few days.

This was our third or fourth visit to Ella's for breakfast. Chicken hash breakfast is their standout, try it with eggs over medium. Portions are almost huge, so go when you're hungry. Crowded on weekends but not so bad on weekdays. Pancakes and fresh-baked (on the premises) breads and pastries are also a specialty. Service is excellent, but you might have a little wait for your food if they're crowded. Also, it can get cold inside, the wind carries the outside air in every time the door is opened. Coffee is about the best you can find. Ownership is changing soon, so no idea how this might affect them in the future.

not worth waiting

We had a lovely brunch experience yesterday at Ella's. They have an omelette and a scrambler special. I had a wonderful open face omelette with avocado, tomatoes, smoked bacon and swiss cheese... The hashbrowns were crispy on the outside and moist on the inside... I also had a refreshing glass of their fresh squeezed orange juice. The food was fresh and tasty. The service was very fast and friendly. I imagine that it might be a lot busier on the weekend... I heard their pecan buns are to die for but I was way too full on my breakfast to stuff more down... I'll have to try next time I'm in the area...

Perfect place to meet friends for breakfast in Pacific Heights. Great selection, the biscuit was wonderful, good price, good quantity.

This is a great place for brunch. It is a neighborhood place and can get crowded. There are lots of breakfast options. The biscuits are large and fresh. The fruit cup is also good. The cinnamon roll looked wonderful with lots of pecans (but I didn't try it).

The only way to go back there would be if I had to choose between that place and an IHop. My eggs Benedict tasted like vinegar, biscuit was awful and heavy, spinach a weird chemical taste. I don't get why was so busy... Maybe I ordered the wrong dish... Staff was really nice but our dish took too long to get ready.

They pitch themselves as serving NeoClassical American cuisine and that pretty much sums it up. Excellent brunch on the weekends - the place is busy and bustling, in a good way, and the portions are ample and the service cheerful. I would recommend the breakfast burrito and the breakfast sandwich, but everything looked pretty good. The only complaint we had was that the coffee was a tad on the bitter side.

Love this place. Make sure to order the pancakes and share. The hash dishes are all delicious!! Blood orange mimosas when in season are a must!! Worth the wait.. Tip put in your name early as possible to get seated.

Well run place to have breakfast before setting out for the day.

My two sons and I had a great breakfast there yesterday. The beef hash and eggs were fantastic as was the pancakes, eggs and bacon my sons ordered. The staff was very attentive and right on time with more water and coffee as needed. The coffee was also perfect. Can’t recommend this place enough.

Great breakfast! Good service! I love this place! Went here a lot around 10 years ago. Needed to go back! Definitely recommend!

Great place for a good breakfast. Homemade granola is super. Very friendly people. A must if you stay in the Laurel Inn where we stayed during our Holiday.

I came to San Francisco on a photo safari mission, and I meticulously planned 3 days to the minute to maximize the number of photos I could take. I found Ella's browsing online for local, non-chain diners that fit into this itinerary. It seemed well-reviewed, and I had never been there in previous visits, so I decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did. I arrived around 7:30am on a weekday, and even at the early hour, the diner was bustling with a number of of other patrons. Even so, I was promptly greeted and shown to a table. After looking over the breakfast menu, I decided on the Brandied Orange French Toast on Honey Oatmeal Bread with a side of bacon and orange tea. After placing my order, the server asked if I wanted all of the french toast. I was a bit perplexed, but he explained that an order of the french toast came with 3 slices, and that since a lot of people had trouble finishing it all, I could order it with fewer slices and he would charge me less. I decided on just 2 slices. The server left to place the order, then returned with a pot of hot water and an orange tea bag. I was pleasantly surprised by this. The menu just indicated "tea", so I assumed I would receive a mug. I definitely appreciated being able to steep my own tea at the table. The food arrived shortly thereafter and smelled amazing - always a good start. I had asked for my bacon to be cooked crisp, and it was done to perfection. I'm picky about how cooked my bacon is, so this definitely earned some points for the kitchen staff. The french toast was flavorful, and neither too soggy or too dry. The server was not kidding about how filling it would be either. I didn't make it all the way through both slices that I did order. All in all, the food was delicious and my seat near the window afforded me a great view of the mist & the passing cars. The service was attentive, but not pushy like they were just trying to free up the table for another party. It was a bit pricey for breakfast, but the delicious food, friendly service, and quaint atmosphere made up for it. I would definitely recommend it to other folks looking for a non-chain breakfast.

Ella's menu changes so their breakfast choices are interesting and not always the same. They offered a folded omelet which is one of my favorites and the eggs benedict looked awesome.

Only went here once even though it was opposite our hotel. Manager friendly but sadly our waiter got our order wrong and forgot our toast and coffee refills which was a shame as they were not busy. I was a little disappointed to be honest as I was looking forward to eating here after reading reviews, we were just unlucky.

What a nice, low-key breakfast stop! It has a solid mix of breakfast choices with exceptional bread. Low carb diet or not, try it! TIP: No charge for parking before 9AM.

I went in at 11:45 on a weekday thinking I would be having lunch, but was given the breakfast menu. I guess I could have waited, as they were not busy and I was not in a hurry, but I saw something on the breakfast menu that caught my eye, so I ordered it. It was corned beef hash and eggs. It was very good. It came with a choice of bread and I chose biscuit, which was perfect. It was huge, like having 2 biscuits in one. The homemade berry jam was a nice touch. It was a very comfortable place, clean and fresh.

Weekend brunch is fine, but don't see what all the fuss is about. Would choose Zazie or Q's over Ella's - shorter wait and less expensive.

I had an appt in the neighborhood Saturday brunch time, with friends we walked in, gave name on waiting list. There was empty bar seating but we had time for a table and got a back window corner table after 15 mins. There seems to be a control with waiting to match the kitchen traffic. Pleasant decor, clean, attentive staff, many coffee/water refills. Omelettes were generous; light/fluffy eggs, lots of potatoes, which is compatible to the cost. I had the short stack of buttermilk pancakes, which was 2 9" wide light but just barely cooked center. Great maple syrup. I was in the area, had time, got street parking close by, so I was lucky this time to try Ellla's.

I have been by this place many times, but never stopped in until yesterday, when I really needed a very good meal. That's exactly what I got, and then some. At the edge of Laurel Heights across from the Jewish Community Center, it's seems very plain from the outside. Inside are two very neat dining rooms. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and will suggest things and make modifications to suit you. The menu features very usual diner fare, such as omelets and scrambles, club sandwiches, tuna melts, a turkey dinner, fried chicken and a variety of salads. What sets it apart is the attention to detail in selecting choice ingredients with distinct flavors. For example, the very crisp french fries taste like fried chicken, the potatoes that are usually soggy elsewhere, are tasty ad crisp. We had a long talk with the chef after lunch and will definitely be back to try many more dishes.

Great brunch but hard to get in.

Fantastic breakfast. The breads were homemade and the combinations of food made for great selection of meals

I ate here last year (2014) and it was very good. Recently went back (2015): We ate here twice in 2 days and both times I wasn't too impressed. We had brunch and breakfast. Both times eggs and sausage were served cold. Found the dishes were lacking flavor. Overall not too impressed with them this time around. We went back a second time as I wanted to give them another shot. Not sure if they have a different cook from a year ago or what happened.

An SF institution now, and I understand there are lines outside the front door on the weekend mornings. The food is good, but I suspect they are resting on thier reputation a little in some cases. Nevertheless, I always stop for breakfast there!

We stopped here early on a Sunday morning and had a great breakfast. Banana pancakes are a treat and omelettes were good too. Reddish orange juice was intriguing. Everyone left feeling satisfied. Portions are large so families with kids might consider doing a little sharing.

Breakfast is large and tasty- the staff is very experienced. Locals know they can get a reliable breakfast here.

We've gone here at least once on every trip to visit family because the breakfasts are so well done. Expect a long wait on weekends, but we were there at 10:30 am on a weekday and there were of tables plenty of open tables.

delicious for brunch

Another great place to have breakfast in San Francisco. This was also recommended by a few friends and the AirBNB. We walked on Presidio Ave & found it! The name of the place is hidden by trees, you really have to look for it. The place is at a corner. It is very clean and the service was awesome. They serve the usual 2 egg breakfast but also some other good things. The food was excellent and price was okay (I find that breakfast in SF is a bit on the high side between 25-35 dollars for two). I would certainly recommend that you go to this place for breakfast. It is a great way to start your day. G

In the 1990s and up till perhaps 2003, this place was fantastic. But then the place was sold to new owners and now the food is utterly mediocre. Huge portions if you are into that kind of thing. The one thing that has not changed are the prices -- fairly high. Definitely not worth it now that the quality is not there!!! I have noticed the lines are getting shorter, perhaps people have noticed the decline.

The ultimate brunch place. Even though there's usually a 45 minute to an-hour-and-a-half wait, it's worth it. Go up the street to Peets, gets some coffee, and socialize with the rest of the folks waiting. Also, make sure you get at least one pancake on the side for everyone. Lunch is good too, but it's not brunch.

Neighborhood joint that has a decent menu and open kitchen but nothing to write home about. The veggie scramble was good...solid.....not fab. Skimpy toast and the coffee was iffy. But again...it was just breakfast. I wanted to try a neighborhood place instead of the usual places for coffee, etc. - it was a one time thing. I wouldn't go back.

Foodie haven. My latte was so creamy and delicious. My fried egg sandwich was so magical, I saved half for the next day! Couples and family friendly.

The best breakfast in SF, busy on the weekends, get there early & sit at the counter.... Their pancakes are epic too... I can't get past the chicken hash, which I MUST order every time we go... They serve lunch too, comfort food, carefully prepared, just go, you won't be sorry

We love coming over to Ella's. The fried egg sandwich is delicious. Any baked good will blow your mind. I highly suggest this whether you are in a couple, a family, or with a group of friends.

This restaurant is conveniently located outside the Presidio. I was a bit reluctant to try a reinterpretation of traditional American fare, but all the flavors worked together. My husband got the flatiron steak and pronounced it the best meal he had experienced in a very long time and I had a fried chicken breast flavored with maple syrup . All the breads were superb and the chicken was scrumptious. It's a quiet, relaxing atmosphere for dining.

We found this via Google Maps, and ended up having an excellent breakfast here! We definitely felt lucky to have found it. Not too pricey, and everything was delicious. Great coffee, too.

I travel frequently and have a hard time getting a non greasy quality breakfast with fruit that isn't 4 days old. This was one of the best ! Bacon was thick and cooked right. Will return!

You MUST order the chicken hash with eggs. So flavorful and so much food! Everything is made fresh. Excellent service and be sure to sit at one of the bar seats overlooking one of the two prep stations.

I've been told over and over again that this place is pretty amazing for B'fast. So when I walked by Ella's the other day at 2.45p and it was EMPTY, for once, I decided I had to dine there. Even though i wasn't That hungry (but really, i can eat pretty much anytime) They happily sat me even though there were closing in 15 mins. +1* for friendly service I looked at the menu and nothing really appealed to me except the Short Stack of Pancakes and Mimosa, so that's exactly what i ordered. After 10 mins, they delivered 2 very-fluffy-but a-tad-burnt pancakes. For being the Only person there, I really wished that the pancakes were not burnt...but they did taste pretty good. However...they also came with nothing but butter and maple syrup. The pancakes were $7.25. At that price, I'd expect...more pancakes? More flavor? Side of Fruits perhaps? Needless to say, I was a little disappointed...Dottie's is MUCH better for the same price point

I’m not sure if it was just the item that I ordered on the menu or everything on the menu. My breakfast was delicious. I ordered an omelette with potatoes and both were awesome. The omelette was a vegetarian omelette with avocado that was out of sight. And, the potatoes tasted like there was a Hispanic spice. But, the manager told me it was just a combination of cumin and other spices. Overall, it was an awesome breakfast.

can be hit or miss; their egg scrambles can be very good.

Believe it or not, I ate here 13 years ago as a teenager and still remembered my breakfast here. I hadn't been back to SF since so I knew I had to go back. It was just as good or even better than I remembered. The portions are very filling. We ordered the chicken hash, one banana pancake, and one french toast. I should've held on the french toast b/c just a pancake had me filled, along with several bites of the chicken hash my wife was eating. The chicken hash was unbelievable. We were a little skeptical at first at even ordering it, but were glad we did! We came on a Friday morning and there was no line or wait. Definitely going back.

I found Ella's breakfast to be pricey and average to below average. The total with tip was $20 per person - not cheap for a cafe atmosphere with nothing really special going on. I had the chicken hash and would certainly never order that again. The accompanying eggs were just OK and the biscuit was dry and doughy (but huge - all the portions were large). Service was good but I think there are better options (especially for the money).

Stumbled upon Ella's with my daughter for lunch. I was especially excited to see chicken pot pie on the menu- there aren't enough restaurants offering this classic dish! Unfortunately, they could not accommodate my order, the day we visited. I went with my second choice, homemade macaroni and cheese. I thought it was delicious, creamy and not too salty. My daughter ordered the fried egg sandwich. She wasn't as impressed with her choice, saying it sounded much better than it tasted. But it was fine, since she was starving. The restaurant was quite clean and our server, Mercedes, was the highlight of our visit: she was friendly, capable and so apologetic to explain the pot pie was unavailable. We plan on returning next time we hit San Fran- I am that fond of chicken pot pies!

The omelettes are probably best. The waffle is kind of small and unimpressive. Warm sticky buns are covered in candied pecans are are quite good.

Breakfast is wonderful for example: homemade biscuts or toast, eggs any style or pancakes, french toast with bacon and country style sausage. The orange juice was freshly squeezed with too much pulp for my taste, but still good. The service is very good the place is clean with a friendly atmosphere.

A quintessential American breakfast experience, with some nice additions to classic menu to keep things interesting. Staff were very pleasant and welcoming. Everything was fairly priced. Apparently dinner is coming soon, I hope not at the expense of their breakfast expertise.

The food was average and the prices were very good considering the fact that we were on the pier. The view was great.

Whenever I'm in the neighborhood I always go to Ella's for breakfast. The menu choices and food quality can always be counted on and despite the fact that they are oftentimes very busy, service is still prompt and one can be in and out of there quickly--feeling refreshed and fully satisfied. I especially LOVE their fried cornmeal and eggs!

We went early morning in a saturday around 9am. We started with a pecan bun bec we had heard so much about it. It was decent. I had pancakes which were delicious and fluffy like I like them. My SO had eggs and a biscuit which wasn't bad. Brunch was decent but wouldn't wait in a long line for it!

You'll be coaxed to wait in line for up to an our on a weekend morning because every time the door opens, the smell of freshly baked bread will remind you what's in store. I'm a fan of the croquette-ish chicken hash, while a friend of mine swears Ella's serve the best ham and eggs. Something of a southern twist going on, but it's not all grits and grease (no offense intended, I love grits and grease). Ella's is modern, homey and traditional all at the same time. Busy and yummy.

It was fine for a quick stop for brunch. Mostly egg dishes, but limited as to preparation. Cobb salad good with grilled chicken, crispy bacon, and adequate avocado.

The food was delicious and the portions were huge. Nice place for lunch with friends. Interesting variety of quiches.

Karen P My husband and I decided to visit Ella's restaurant for lunch. The price was on the high side, the menu was adequate but the meal was disappointing . I ordered the Catfish Po'Boy and the fish was cold. Not just luke warm but cold. My husband had the special of the day, an open face omelette. His meal also was not hot and in addition the potatoes were dried out. We will not be going there again and I would certainly not recommend this place to a friend.

chicken hash..yum!

One could easily just walk by this restaurant not realizing how special it is. Their breakfasts are among the best I have ever had. I am very fussy about my oatmeal and they met the test. The fruit is fresh and delicious. I also had the granola; equally fab.

amazing chicken hash - need i say more?

Fab breakfast, the biscuits are to die for.

nice atmosphere.

Whilst visiting on holiday and staying in the local area, we stumbled along this hidden gem. It is off the beaten tracks but so worthwhile. You get really good portions and the food is hot and tasty and the service was fab. We when 5 times in total and I would have gone again as we just adored the place. It has a real American feel and the food is inexpensive for SF. Well worth the über from central San Fran to experience a full breakfast and let Ella's show you what Americans really do with their eggs....

Went to lunch at 1:00. Took 10 minutes to receive my glass of wine after it was ordered. Another 10 for a salad. The lady next to me received her food ate and left before I got my salad. There wasn't a crowd at all. This is a great spot for breakfast, chicken hash and biscuits are divine, not so much at lunch. Come for breakfast and expect a wait, skip the lunch here.

I used to live in San Francisco & always wanted to try Ella's, but never had the chance. Recently I visited the city & stayed at The Laurel Inn, which is across the street from Ella's. This was a family vacation, so I didn't know if Ella's could accommodate my two kids who are notoriously picky eaters!! Boy, were we ALL pleased!! I had an egg scramble that was the morning special & it was delicious! The wheat toast that came with it was two slices of heaven (not sure if they make the bread on the premises, but it was obviously not your typical store-bought bread). My kids are partial to chocolate chip pancakes, but were ready to accept the regular buttermilk. My husband just happened to ask if they had chocolate chips, & they very happily accommodated our request. My kids were thrilled to say the least! I also recommend the fresh-squeezed blood orange juice - it is really yummy, full of flavor & lots of pulp! I'm so glad I finally had the chance to experience Ella's. We will definitely check it out again on our next trip to San Francisco!

Loved their breakfast, quality food with great ingredients and real maple syrup. A little pricey but it is SF so we expect it.

We've been here for both breakfast and lunch. Yesterday, we stopped in for lunch. I had the Ella Burger, my wife had the turkey burger. Both were very good. My burger was cooked perfectly and came with seasoned fries and some pickle chips that I was told were store-made. My wife's came with a salad. Both were very good. Breakfasts are on the pricey side, and can be inconsistent, sometimes excellent, other times not so much. At lunch yesterday, it was clear that they didn't have enough staff. When we had to leave, getting a check was frustrating. There is a front and rear dining room, and the waiter was apparently spending his time in the one we weren't in. Ultimately, we got up and walked to the counter, and another staff member had to go find him.

We would go here again just for the bread. Try the sourdough rye toast with your breakfast! Superb! The service was slow but the quality of the food certainly made upper it. We were on holiday so weren't in a hurry. We would return again.

Hearty and filling food that is also trendy and contemporary. The Ella's plate provided great value and really tasty fare, especially hash and pancakes

Was faultless, not bad priced and service was great! Would recommend to anyone, was made to feel welcome!

Fun place for breakfast. Large portions and a very friendly staff.

Good brunch spot.

Several years ago I went to San Francisco on a company awarded trip. A friend recommended Ella's for breakfast. We went & thought it was wonderful! I loved it so much that my husband & I went there on our honeymoon. We missed the breakfast hours, but were happy to discover the lunch was excellent as well! I just remembered the restaurant today as I was rocking our new baby girl, Ella. Becka -Franklin, TN.

It's been awhile since we've been here but service is good and food is consistent. Long wait for brunch during the weekends so go early.

After reading about Ella's in an article that talked about the best places for brunch in SF, my husband and I were really excited to try it out. Boy were we disappointed. First off, as soon as we walked in we noticed an off-putting smell. The restaurant was dirty and chaotic. We were seated quickly, at the counter, where I sat at the corner and every person who walked by bumped into me. The food was dry, bland, and needed salt badly. Definitely overpriced for the quality. The only reason I am giving more than 1 star is that the wait staff was friendly and attentive.

Ella's is always a fun place to go for brunch. It's no wonder why it is always packed. There is something for everyone on the menu.

Pancakes with bacon and sweet corn were a real treat. Huge serving too! The hash tastes like home made. Definitely a popular spot in Laurel Heights and we'll be back!

Ella's stands strong as a solid breakfast choice in SF. I went back last week with my family after a 8 year break. It's still wonderful. Had the hash, tried everyone else's plates. All were excellent.

A friend asked me to meet her at Ella's for breakfast, and I was pleasantly surprised. Airy, and open with nice window views of the street. Their menu was creative. Bourbon waffles or something like that...but I had an omelette and fruit, my friend had eggs and hash browns. It was busy, and the waiter seated us in a crowded area between other tables and I wanted a more private conversation so I asked the waiter if we could sit in the other dining room. All the tables there were set, exactly like the main room. He told me, "No that area is closed". It's breakfast, for God's sake! After breakfast, I was leaving and saw that they did in fact, allow another customer to have her breakfast in the more quiet room. It just irritates me when restaurants don't bend and try to accommodate customer requests. I could easily make coffee and eggs at home.

Friend's recommendation was spot on: grandson said bacon was the best he'd ever had. French toast is great, but gets old fast; I'd recommend sharing it & ordering a side.

Tasty food, good but not excessive portions, good variety. Neo-American menu (nothing too exotic).

We had been to this eatery before and were happy but this time was not as good. The biscuits were a bit heavy, the chicken hash was dry and the omelet we ordered with out peppers not only arrived with peppers the waiter claimed they could not be ordered with out. Seems a little odd to me. Maybe we hit them on a bad day, but next time we are headed to another place.

Four of us had breakfast at Ella's. Everyone talked about how good the food was. My first complaint was about how expensive the food was ($8.50 for oatmeal?). My second complaint was about a Healthcare fee on the final bill. Is this the look of things to come? To be fair, I found all of San Francisco expensive by east coast standards. Anyway, it seems like a very popular neighborhood haunt.

Open for breakfast and lunch only. Great flavors and specialty dishes. Almost too must to eat. Close to Monte Cristo B&B.

We went on a Thursday morning thinking it wouldn’t be too busy. We were partially right. We were able to get seated as soon as we arrived. But unfortunately, there was only one waitress serving the entire dining room. We felt so bad for her. She did her best. So service was not the best, but it was totally not her fault. We ordered the Chorizo Scramble and the Chiliquilles. Both were very mediocre. The Country Potatoes were also just so-so. We always know the food is just okay when everyone continues their conversation, and no one comments on how good the food was after the first few bites. The omelettes looked better. Wish we had tried an omelette instead. Nice location. Just don’t expect too much in terms of food quality. Food was not memorable at all.

We got many referrals to Ella's and turned out it was just walking distance from our Pacific Heights hotel. We were not disappointed. We arrived just before 9am and were seated quickly. My husband had the French toast- bread was fresh made and huge slices; chicken hash was very tasty with lots of chicken in it. Fruit plate was fresh, plentiful. Moderate prices for breakfast, but very enjoyable. We'd go again the next time we're in San Francisco!

A friend of ours recommended this place and it exceeded our expectations as NYC brunch snobs. The bloody's are huge, I had the Eggs Benedict, Italian style with a pesto biscuit and other goodies. We got there at 12:30PM and they quoted us 20 minutes and we were sat in 5 minutes. Actually, the food came out a little too fast, which made the whole experience a little shorter than I would have liked. All in all, excellent.

Yummy place for breakfast1

We love Ella's; we just don't love waiting... The food is outstanding. We've been there twice and each time the food has been consistently great. The service, however, is uneven. The crowds just seem to overwhelm the servers. I would love to keep coming back but am put off by both of these problems. The owner, by the way, is a gem. He really tries to keep things going and is very apologetic about any problems that he sees that arise. It's just that the place is too popular!!

This home grown long time neighborhood bistro has served breakfasts (and lunches) for many years and yet keeps up with the times. All ingredients are fresh, incorporating the newest vegetarian and gluten free options (withouit making a fuss about it) and always satisfies the inner person to get off to a good day. There can be a small line to get in on a favored weekend time or day, but it is always an available spot. It's Laurel Village/Heights and you can breathe the air and dine properly for a fair price. The chicken hash is unique, and the Sticky pecan rolls are quite wonderful to take home to relive the meal. You might try the chicken sandwich for a lunch item or browse the menu for other tasty treats. For menu guidance or help in chosing the best of the Sticky buns, consult the manager, Carlos. he makes it right.

Food was good with good portion size. Location made for an easy walk over to the Presidio, but I doubt my wife and I would return unless we were in the neighborhood. Overworked staff resulted in slow turnover and service. The food, while good, was nothing particularly special or different from what you could get elsewhere. If in the area worth visiting, but don't go out of your way to visit.

We indulge at Ella's every month. We love the rotating brunch menu (especially the huevos rancheros) and their coffee. Biscuits are delicious too!

Ella's used to be my go-to breakfast/lunch cafe. Unfortunately, the food has declined to the point that I can't eat there any longer. The last time I had breakfast (last week), my food came out cold and the eggs burnt. When I mentioned it to the server, she was more than happy to order a new plate. However, the cook took offense to the request, came to our table and challenged my cold foo claim. It was surreal. I offered her the option to try the food, but she just said that it could not have happened. Too bad.

All the reviews I read prior to my trip to San Francisco talked about the amazing pancakes at Ella's. I would agree that the pancakes were good; however, the experience was poor. Not having been there before, we totally over-ordered & the waiter didn't bother to tell us that we had ordered enough food for a small army. (Why didn't he figure out that the tip would have been better if he had informed us of that initially!!) In addition, the attitude in the restaurant was very haughty & arrogant. We had to track down the waiter and ask him for everything, and it seemed like every request was an imposition. Not once did he approach us & ask if there was anything we needed--like a refill on drinks, more syrup, etc. There are so many cute, quaint restaurants in San Francisco that serve great breakfasts. Definitely go somewhere else.

Fantabulous breakfast. The menu is always changing and they kick in some interesting flavors and combinations on traditional dished. Great mimosa's, too!!

We stop there because we wanted an american breakfast, and the ella's plate was just great !!!!! We recommand 😋

After our first visit, we decided we'll come back to Ella's for breakfast that really hits the spot. I meant to get healthy yogurt and granola, but the neighboring table was getting served biscuits and egg dishes so we went for it. My eggs were perfectly poached and the biscuit was excellent. Gravy was a chicken gravy, which was good but not the type of sausage-based gravy I would have preferred. We also enjoyed a terrific fried egg with pesto sandwich--a huge sandwich big enough for two, and a wonderful combination of flavors. I'm eager to get back to Ella's to try some of the other dishes we saw being served--all of which looked and smelled great. Fast service and friendly people, too.

Pancakes to die for, everything else is exquisite. Lots of choices, pick anything--it's all wonderful.

During my recent visit to San Francisco, California. I had the pleasure of dinning at one the most wonderful neighborhood restaurant in the city by the Bay. When you go to Ella’s don’t expect white table clothes or fresh flowers on the tables. You are here to experience one of San Francisco best kept secrets. They called their cuisine “neoclassical American Cooking”. On the menu you will find meat loaf, chicken potpie, pot roast, grilled salmon, and a variety of salads and sandwiches. One of my friends had the chicken cob salad, the other had a cheese burger, and I had the chicken potpie. The salad contained: a generous amount of greens, grilled chicken, chunks of blue cheese, bacon, and an array of fresh vegetables. My friend chose blue cheese dressing. The cheese burger was an 8 oz. beef patty cooked to order, topped with cheddar cheese, served on freshly baked bun, and accompanied with lettuce, a slice of tomato, and a pile of French fries. It was reported that the burger was perfectly cooked/juicy, and that the French fries were crispy in the outside and creamy inside. My chicken pot pie was delicious, a generous amount of white chicken meat, perfectly cooked carrots/celery, a creamy sauce, and topped with a flaky and buttery crust. It was served with a small salad, and steamed vegetables. You also get a basket of buttermilk biscuits. Those biscuits are additive. The portions are very generous. We share a slice of their apple pie. It was not the best apple pie we had ever had. The crust was nice and flaky; but the feeling did not compliment the crust. They used ginger to spice the apples and somehow the combination doesn’t work very well. We were very disappointed. If you are in the vicinity of Presidio Blvd and California Street in San Francisco, try this little restaurant you will not be disappointed with the food and the friendly service.

Ella's was right below the house in SFO. It looked appealing from the outside everytime we passed by, as a fine place to grab a bite then when we stepped in for breakfast we were not disappointed. Good quality of food, nice ambience, great service, attentive and sharply dressed wait staff - we came back a couple of times to this place for a hearty start to the day. If you're there you must try the honey oatmeal bread - it was delish!!