Kate's Kitchen Reviews

It is really hard to choose what to eat at Kate's because everything on the menu looks amazing. My fiancee, Jill, and I have just returned from 1.5 years in Beijing and when our friend, Leslie, suggested we eat at Kate's, we were excited and couldn't wait. It took a bit of time to get seated, since it was Saturday around brunch, but that was fine as they staff kept updating us and letting us know how long it would take. When we sat down, I realized that I knew our waitress, Erin, and that we have danced salsa together before I moved away. She remembered me and welcomed us back to the bay. The food was simply amazing and we had the pomegranate mimosas which were fantastic. Without question we will be going back...once I do a couple of 5 mile runs to burn off the fat. We cleared off our plates and could not have been more pleased with everything from the food, to the decor, to the staff being so attentive, to the friendly atmosphere of everyone dining there this morning. Someone was having the birthday brunch and so the whole crowd started singing together. Very cute!

We visited Kate's Kitchen after finding them on Scoutmob. They were offering free hushpuppies that day. They were perfect with the jelly. The place was very much a nod to a Southern style breakfast. The breakfast sandwich was served on a toasted sesame seed bun and with breakfast potatoes. It was quite tasty. And there some great street art and Victorian architecture in the same block - worth a look!

On a recent trip to San Fran, we found Kate's Kitchen. Our breakfast was so delicious, we decided to return a second time before we left. The corned beef hash is homemade and is the best I ever had!! Great fresh squeezed juices and yummy pancakes. Our server Irene deserves a special mention.....she is very outgoing and a great asset to the restaurant. We will definitely return on our next visit.

It's open late for a breakfast place which is perfect for me. The pancake stacks are delicious. This recent trip I ordered the corned beef hash and was not disappointed at all. Also, had to have a short stack of blueberry pancakes. Wait staff is friendly but can get a bit overwhelmed when it busy.

I am very picky. I got the french toast orgasm-french toast covered in yogurt, granola and honey. Oh my gosh-the name isn't kidding. It was so good-better than I had even imagined it would be. My picky kids loved their meal-as did my husband! We ate around 10:30 am, didn't even think to eat again until dinner tonight. I will definitely go back next time we visit SF!

I've been going to Kate's Kitchen for years, but there are several problems, that I see, that have persisted. 1) Not enough syrup! The pancakes and French toast are huge, and they give you this little drip of sap for the whole plate, and extra syrup is $1. 2) The home fries are good, but they are always only half-cooked; the hash browns are cut too thin so they just soak up the oil, too salty. Gotta step up your spud quality! 3) The French toast doesn't soak long enough in the batter...so you bit in, get a nice flavor, and then by the end you just taste white bread. OTHERWISE: the pancakes are unbeatable, and I am always sated there. Bottomless coffee, fresh juices, gluten-free and vegetarian options, I will guarantee you that you will find something you enjoy and feel good about.

My friend and I fell upon this cafe by accident. We were walking along Haight street and had had no breakfast so we thought it look quant. What a good choice we made. I have 4 pieces of French toast, granola, yogurt and syrup and a cup of tea. It came to $11 dollars wow. It was HUGE portion. And so tasty, I couldn't believe it. San Francsico can be expensive. But this was the best value ever. Such a nice place, and very friendly staff. We met a lovely couple who lived near by they were Jenny and Antiono. They are regulars there and share their portions. We chattered with them for quite a while. We ended given them our email address and telling them to come to Wales and they had an invite to my friends and my home. It's easy to find. A must try you won't need dinner it kept us going for hours as we had so much walking and sight seeing to do. Good luck. Make sure you are hungry before you sit down and order. Not a large place but very inviting.

We visited this restaurant/cafe probably 3-4 times during out 5 day stay in San Francisco! Although I love trying new places to eat, I kept wanting to revisit Kate's Kitchen because of it's unique menu - Definitely try the French Toast Orgy... it was too much to eat for two people!! So very filling, and healthy with all the oats. On another day, we could not finish the 4 stack of pancakes we ordered for the two of us...it was cornmeal pancakes, and deliciously stacked with Strawberries and bananas. Friendly staff, it seemed like it was a favourite for locals! I liked the huge mural on the wall too...very SF-esque in total. Definitely visit for some great great brekky foods if you are in the Haight-area!

During a recent week long stay in SF, we ate breakfast here twice, and the breakfast is fabulous. There are some creative twists on standard breakfast fare, and everything that we had was outstanding. I loved the coffee which has a touch of chicory. Having gone to school for eight years in New Orleans, I recognized the flavor immediately. The service both mornings was outstanding. Each waitress was cheerful, helpful, and welcoming. If you find yourself in the Lower Haight neighborhood, and are looking for a breakfast spot, I don't think that you can do any better.

It never fails: when locals are willing to wait some time for a table, it's certainly a good option. I came to Kate's Kitchen by recommendation of an AirB&B apartment owner, and I was more than pleased about the breakfast experience. Pancakes are awesome!

i like Kate's it has been there a long time, when you go most places you get terrible corn beef hash but this place makes their own from scratch shape like fennel and they call it fennel hash. the cornmeal buttermilk pancakes are good i like the peach ginger which they did not have this time

I had been here before with friends, and was able to finally take my wife this morning. Their food is plentiful and wonderful, a destination worth seeking in the Haight!

I love this place though i need to find out how to get here without a car. The servings of oatmeal you could swim in. i had never had hushpuppies before an oh was i in for a treat simply heaven! I also loved the artwork.

lemon curd pancakes. Yum!

We had dinner at Delfina last night! Fantastic! We had no reservation, walked in and we sat at a high top! Great. Iew of the place! Great bar area and fun place to be, The food was outstanding and service the best. All staff so friendly and everyone serves, no waiting for water refill and food arrived hot and no waiting. A must for anyone visiting San Fran!!!!!

Very helpful staff, food was amazing with loads of gluten-free options!!! We went for breakfast and had the gf pancakes (honey butter and jam!) and eggs wrapped in hash brown (Mindy’s Hash Brown on the menu), and can thoroughly recommend both.

Independent little diner in the Lower Haight neighborhood of San Francisco. Warm, homey atmosphere with friendly service and a budget friendly menu.

Old stomping grounds- get their early or wait in long line. Great food, great coffee, great people.

We visited Kate's Kitchen after a gap of two years for brunch. The place was almost empty because of some noisy road repairs in front .We went for veggy omelette with French toast and Coffee.The food was tasty but the overall standard of cleanliness has come down.Service as usual was good

My daughters and their families live in San Fran, so we are here often. I kid you not when I say that the best breakfast you could ever have is at Kate's Kitchen in the Lower Haight neighborhood. This is a small restaurant, and on busy days there is a line outside. The tables have red and white checkered table cloths, and the decor is ecclectic and sparse. However, the breakfasts of pancakes of every kind, French toast, egg concoctions, omelets, and thick sliced bacon and garlicky sausage patties are to die for. Your eyes will bulge when they lay the platter of food in front of you, and your belly will bulge when you are done. I went there today with my daughter and grandson, and for awhile, we were the only English speakers in the place. We heard French, German, and other languages. The world has found its way here, and so should you.

The cornmeal buttermilk pancakes here are the best. Top 'em off with strawberries and banana or lemon custard. Yum! Homey funky fun place with very reasonable prices and large portions.

We visited at a busy time but the food took a while to come and the fries had loads of burnt bits in it overall ok but not great

We love getting breakfast at Kate's Kitchen. There is never a wait during the week, and maybe a 15-minute wait on the weekends for a table for two. The food is definitely worth it! Very generous portions, interesting menu options like the bacon-cheddar pancakes or french toast orgy with yogurt and fruit. My only complaint is that you always have to ask for coffee refills.

I haven't been here in probably over 3+ years and was hopeful. Though the interior has had a bit of an "updo", it's still really loud, due in part to the layout of the dish area / washing station and the kitchen. Tables are right on top of each other. They still have the Big Board over the kitchen which speaks to Pancakes, French Toast and Scrambles. I ordered the Banana Walnut Pancakes and sadly they were pretty cool (not hot) and the butter wouldn't even melt. Plus I asked for extra butter from the get go and got "1 pat" then had to ask for extra. They did give 2 little plastic cups of real maple syrup, but that barely scratched the surfaces. Plus the pancakes were "cornmeal", which is not my preference. Maybe all their pancakes are now "cornmeal", but just with other toppings. NOTE: Just read they serve Cornmeal Buttermilk Pancakes (more cornmeal than buttermilk)! So not fluffy at all. And flavorless due to the bulk of the batter being cornmeal. I also ordered a side of bacon $4.00 and had 2 overly crisp, cool slices. Very odd pricing on the pancakes - $8.50 for a SS, plus $2.50 for the banana and walnuts. Friend had a Roasted Chicken Club. She ordered fries, but got house potatoes instead, they don't have fries. Wish they had told us that. The potatoes looked good, but were completely flavorless. Also my experience in the past. Plus they never asked her what kind of bread and if she wanted it toasted or not. Another minus! We both paid in cash, so no issue w/added tips as recent reviews have indicated. Overall I have had a lot better, sorry.

You really feel at home when at Kate's. The waitress and the environment are familiar and nice! The food is just regular, though. You may also wait a while for being served, but the live music keeps you company!

Friendly place for big breakfasts. Good pancakes and waffles as well as usual egg dishes. Prices are reasonable.

Fantastic food, friendly service We needed a quick bite before heading to airport and were not disappointed

I had breakfast here with friends, one of which was gluten free, and the food was great. Generous portions, friendly staff at an affordable price. My gluten free was impressed with the gluten-less biscuits. I would definitely go back.

the spicy chicken sandwich was very good as was the homemade lemon spritzer, casual atmosphere, good service, take the bus from Haight /Ashbury

Wow!! We love this place. Came back every morning on our trip to San Francisco. Big plates!!! Good price! Coffee as much as you can drink. The granola with fruits and the pancakes with whatever you like are extremely good! Definitely go to this place!

If I knew I'd have one meal left before I died, I'd go here for the French Toast Orgy. A pile of delicious orange spice french toast topped with granola, yogurt, fruit and honey has powered many of my long San Francisco hikes without the usual food coma following a huge breakfast. The coffee is delightful, and they now even serve mimosas. Years ago, my hubby and I stumbled on this place, and it's been a favorite ever since. The service is quick, friendly and efficient. They move you through breakfast without rushing you, while still being aware of the usual line outside. I never worry about a wait being oppressive. Highly recommended.

I was on a business trip from London to SF and found this gem in Lower Haight. Staff is super friendly and welcoming and the food is excellent. Seriously probably the best pancakes I've ever had. Looking forward to coming back!

I can't remember what other kinds of foods this restaurant offers, but the 5 of us had brunch when we were there. Tasty dishes, all of them. Reasonable prices. Super friendly wait-staff.

We were staying at the Casa Loma Hotel, and discovered Kate's on our third day. The interior is very cute, small and with a lot of wood. We had a modest egg sandwich on a hamburger bun with fries. I say modest, considering the guy behind us was working his way through an enormous mountain of food. Be sure to take a fresh fruit juice! The coffee wasn't great, but we didn't really care. The waitress was correct, but it seemed like she had a bit of an off day.

Another little spot for a great breakfast! Their homemade corned beef hash looks like a New England stew with big chunk of carrots, potatoes, and generous corned beef... All nicely seasoned and heaped on a platter covered with eggs to order. I had the eggs Benedict with a twist.. Served with carmelized onions and wild mushrooms along with the poached eggs and Hollandais sauce. Absolutely delicious combination. (I would have liked the onions a bit more carmelized and a little more Hollanda sauce). It was also served with freshly made home fries. With coffee, breakfast for two was about $35 but well worth it.

When I lived in Duboce Triangle, I used to frequent this place because of their pancakes because they were the best I ever tasted. When I visited in Sept. 2011, the flap jacks tasted better than ever. They definitely do not skimp on any ingredients and the servings can keep you going all day. Try to come before 9:30AM (earlier on weekends) for there will be a wait list at the door. Very popular with the locals. I always ask for an extra portion of maple syrups. Also, the corn bread puffs(?) are also quite delicious. Can't wait for October/November when the Pumpkin Pancakes will be served. I think I will plan another visit.

A bit crowded but fun and lively for morning fare. Located in a safe area of The Haight, you will be comfortable walking around. clean. very popular with locals. I didnt care for the corned beef hash at all, so be prepared for out of the ordinary.

Fantastic cole slaw with excellent Chicken Cobb sandwich. Great for breakfast too. Kate's has a long history in the neighborhood. Friendly staff and owner. Try to figure out the slogans on the walls and enjoy the map.

Delicious food, generous portions, fair price. Aunt El's homemade sausage patties are delicious! My nephew had the corned beef hash and that was good. Chunks - not diced up pieces - of corned beef and potatoes. Carrots too. Service was attentive and friendly.

I took the texas fries with eggs, simply the best breakfast of my whole life! The place is clean and cosy, the service is very good.

Three words: "French Toast Orgy." You haven't lived til you've tried one.

We returned after 4 years to our favorite restaurant at Lower Haights - Kate's Kitchen . Last time , we were here on our wedding anniversary to start the day on a high note! This deceptive place in a comparatively quiet street , transforms you to great gastronomic heights once you experience it - Tasty food , giant portions , good service and 'value for money' - a combination of all , makes this 'the place to go ' in San Francisco. This time we went for the famous French Toast Orgy along with a single stack of the jumbo pancake with some good black coffee. They have good omlette options both for non vegetarians and vegetarians also. Great Experience, overall . Will come back again!

Love, love, love Kate's Kitchen! This is my Go-To breakfast spot in SF. I go here every time I am in the city. From the outside, it doesn't look like much but once inside, you get that warm, home feel. Like you are eating at your families place. It's small and intimate but the wait is usually not long and the food is sooo good. The portions are huge, the jam is homemade and the juice is fresh squeezed. the staff makes it even better, they are friendly and attentive. I recommend Kate's to anyone visiting SF and I always bring my friends and family here.

Just read my last review in 2022, sadly not much has changed IMO. Grateful they have been able to keep their prices somewhat reasonable. Petty impersonal service. Ordered the Roast Chicken Club, not toasted with a "side of mayo" and house potatoes. Even though it says "fries" on the menu, they don't have fries. Same issue in 2022. Sandwich arrived, "all the mayo" was on the side, so it was dry. Had to order more mayo. Needed a fair amount of salt and pepper as it was quite bland. Though the chicken was a breast and quite plentiful, spilling over the bread. Once again, taters were inedible and I wasn't the only one who left them on my plate. Never saw my server again until I waved her down for my receipt. This is going to be my last trip here, sadly.

We tried this place for breakfast. I kind of like omelettes and English muffins for breakfast. This place had neither but the pancakes were recommended so we tried them. I guess there is no accounting for taste because three out of four of us did not like these pancakes. They were very different from what we usually have. We also tried the yogurt honey and granola dish which we found too sweet. The coffee was too strong. I will say that the wait staff was very friendly and helpful but we would not go back here.

Only a short stay in San Francisco but made sure I popped by Katie's Kitchen every morning to fill me up with delicious food before each day started! A fantastic menu, very varied, something there for everyone, small bites & heavy 'pig out' dishes, everything fresh & the staff were both friendly & welcoming. I visited from 8am when the place wasn't so busy. Service was quick & the general atmosphere was perfect!

First breakfast ever in San Francisco and we weren't dissapointed! The fruit orgy was great and everything just seemed real fresh! Friendly waitress who was with us the moment we walked through the door! Perfect local cafe!

This restaurant is a fun and funky place to enjoy a unique but fantastic breakfast. Lots of vegan/veggie options as well. Very small place, so there may be a wait.

Stopped at this small, lively spot for a Sunday breakfast. Our group of four were fortunate to arrive early enough to get a table immediately - when we left (quite full) there was already a line out the door. I had an order of their popular French toast, covered with yogurt, fruit, and granola. It was delicious, and so large that I had no desire for lunch later on, so it essentially served as a Sunday brunch! The price was very reasonable for what you get. I should add that the service was above and beyond the norm. Our server was very friendly, answered our questions immediately, and didn't hesitate when one in our party asked for a slight change from what was on the menu. Eat here, you're ready to spend an active day in the city!

Amazing Bruch in Haight A .... We stumbled on this place, and were very happy with the choice. nice bustling atmosphere, full tables, and a cute menu with huge portions. great bacon, huge pancakes ... its all good !!!

When we stayed in the lower Haight this week while in town on business. We were not sure where to eat breakfast but stumbled on this small but very popular café. What a find! Unlike some café breakfasts with predictable mush, Kate's was full of fresh, in-house made options. I hard a difficult time deciding. Lots of fresh fruit on French toast or pancakes, eggs every which way. I opted but a childhood favorite- biscuits and sausage gravy (they had vegetarian gravy as well.) Biscuits had a little green onion and cheese in htem- were HUGE and so perfect. Partner got eggs with gluten-free biscuit which he raved about as well. Will definitely go here again. Sorry, but Haight Ashbury area is now a total tourist trap and we had a very disappointing breakfast there. Kate's was packed with neighborhood families and a few visitors like us. Wait staff was spot-on, friendly and maneuvered the small space with expertise! Staff seemed happy and greeted many return customers warmly. This is the way to wake up!

I had the short stack of the blue corn pancakes, they were so good! Be super hungry if you decide to go with the full stack, the pancakes aren't heavy so it's possible to finish it they are that good! My husband had the pumpkin/chocolate chip french toast and he really enjoyed all of it!

We go to Kate's Kitchen every time we go to San Francisco. No matter how far from the Haight, it's a must do! Why? The decor is cute but nothing special. The space is rather small and there's always a long waiting list. But Kate's Kitchen serves the BEST PANCAKES EVER! And I'm a pancake snob, let me tell you. I never order pancakes at a restaurant, because I know that they're never going to be as good as the ones I make at home. Why get disappointed? Helen's though are GOOD. They're never disappointing, it's like seeing the Goonies again after 20 years an thinking, meh, I should have kept the memories. They're excellent pancakes! And if you're worried you'll get fat from eating pancakes, then you should walk to Kate's Kitchen. The Haight is a beautiful street! After many visits to Kate's Kitchen I finally figured out what makes their pancakes so good. It's not the buttermilk, it's the cornmeal. Huh? Yes, the cornmeal. Now I make mine with yogurt, milk, grind oatmeal, cornmeal and kale. Kale? Yes, yummy! It makes the pancakes look like witch's food.

We were staying round the corner on Laussat Street and looking for a breaķfast spot when we stumbled across Kate's Kitchen. Lovely idiosyncratic interior and food to match - epic corned beef hash full of all sorts of veggies, the huge and gorgeous french toast orgy and also the novelty for us as Brits of pumpkin French toast. One very happy family and we didn't need to eat until dinner!

Great food, just interesting enough for breakfast. Traditional options, healthy options, traditional options served in healthy ways (e.g. French toast with yogurt, granola & fruit). Friendly, welcoming servers... Interested in their customers. Freshly made juices, vegetarian & gluten free options. Saw solo diners, casual business meeting and families, all eating happily.

Breakfast was poor and overpriced. The potatoes were very peppery, eggs overcooked. the ambiance is awful and they pack you in like cattle.

Thought we were in for a simple home-style breakfast at Kate's. Little did we know we'd be treated like misbehaving children. We ordered their veggie scramble with a bowl of fruit to share. The scramble was nice but the fruit was lousy. There was sliced banana, which was just right, but the remainder was mushy melon and strawberries, wrinkly blueberries, and overripe pineapple. When the waitress dropped the check off (unbidden), I told her that the fruit was not fit to have been served and that I didn't want to pay for it. I feel that it would be better to say, "Sorry, we can't serve a nice bowl of fruit." In any case, she returned 5 minutes later, told me I should have mentioned it earlier and they could have prepared another serving, but that the chef had checked the fruit and except for the melons, deemed it just fine. Whoa! First of all, she never came by to check whether everything was satisfactory during the meal. Second, the chef thought that the fruit was fine, so clearly there is a problem. Third, the waitress tells the customer how to behave, when she has been neglectful (but even if she hadn't been...). To top it all off, the trip to the bathroom (which needs a hard scour, if not a full renovation) takes one through the kitchen past the chefs.

We went here because out UBER drive recommended it. We also found a groupon too. The place was not clean. There were fruit flies bothering us while we ate. Burger was okay. Fried chicken was okay. The staff was very friendly and attentive

SUPERB

We found Kate's Kitchen just by chance, walking around Haight Street. It could not have been a better choice: The food was superb. Big portions, a fair price, very good, courteous service and a friendly atmosphere. We had the pancakes of our lives, cornmeal buttermilk pancakes with lemon curd and fruit. The waiters were always on top of it, making sure we had plenty of coffee at all times. Make sure you go early in the day because it gets busy. We would definitely recommend this place to whoever goes to San Francisco and enjoys a whole-hearted meal.

The food was delicious and the portions very big. The waiters were really nice even if they were busy with a lot of customers. We would definetely come back again. We came here twice during our USA trip!

I was sitting in Kate's noticing the looks on folks looking in the window trying to decide to come in. Go in! Foods great. Excellent service. San Francisco throw back neighborhood; kind of seedy but shopping worthy. Up towards the park it gets less seedy but Kate's is in the middle of it. I had the hash. Excellent! Big food here! I saw that french toast yogurt thing. It was huge. Maybe share something - the hash. The hash was one of those country hash things with chunks of vegetables and corned beef. It was all grilled so it had a char on it. I'm a hash fan so I've had many. This was real good. Google maps did an excellent job getting us here on the bus.

Clean. Food was good. Waitress was nice and efficient. Went for breakfast. Wife had Farmer's breakfast, I had pancakes. Real butter and real maple syrup. Good experience.

1st visit Nice place with helpful service. Food is delicious and meal is huge. I had biscuits (2pieces) and sausage gravy (full bowl).

Had granola and eggs. Granola portion was huge and pretty good quality, but poached eggs on the side tasted just vinegar. Quite cheap though. I can’t say about other dishes, it could be that I just made the wrong choice

Kate's on Haight off of Market, great breakfast hole in the wall, i like it way way better than Mama's the one in the books for breakfast in SF. The cornmeal buttermilk pancake with ginger peach topping is great. But the Fennel or something like that hash which is their Cornbeef hash is the way to go, or better get one of each and share them. Obviously you need poached eggs or eggs over easy over the hash to get that yoke.

Cute cafe' for snack or meal. I lived in this area when it was the Fillmore (a black neighborhood) before gentrification & the name changed to the Lower Haight by real estate agents to appeal more to whites.

This place is fab, it's where the locals go, which I love as hate following the tourist traps...the place was packed at 9:30am in a Saturday, this is a good sign and we thankfully didn't have to wait for a table. The drinks available are great, lovely juices homemade with stunning flavour, I had the beauty, which was strawberries, blueberries and apple, just lovely. We had full breakfast with pancakes and it was so tasty and fresh, really good quality, loved it. Cost was $28 for two which is a great price for the quality of food we had, well worth getting off the beaten track to visit, enjoy.

Good yum tasty tucker, good portions sizes, priced well for SF ,friendly staff and cool decor to match. When in SF next would definitely go back.

Nice spot but small so expect to wait a bit during peak times, great menu and super friendly service. I probably would have give four stars but...I ordered the veggie scramble special which was pretty tasty until I found a pretty long hair in it. Completely ruined my meal. My husband liked his Blt but the soup was a bit tasteless.

We headed out for breakfast and found Kate's on Haight. We waited since we were a party of three, but it was well worth it. The food was delicious with something for everyone. Meat or veggie selections, as well as fresh juices. We enjoyed the carrot. Serving sizes are huge. Be prepared for food coma later.

I was looking for somewhere to have breakfast near my hotel, saw Kate’s Kitchen (which was packed with customers) so I decided to give it a try and was very happy with my decision to dine there. The dishes were reasonably priced, the portions huge, the service excellent and the food quite tasty especially the bacon. Overall, I was very pleased with everything about this restaurant and if the opportunity would have arisen I would have dined there again.

They are giant! Just the best ever tasted, REALLY soft, made with corn flour which adds an amazing and unique flavor to the whole recipe ; the staff is super kind and attentive, welcoming you with a big smile ! Definitely recommend

We were brought here for breakfast by our daughter, who has lived in SF for two years. Kate's Kitchen is one of her favorite home-cookin' comfort food haunts. We enjoyed it so much that we made Kate's a regular spot for breakfast (although they have lots more than breakfast). I mention two items for particular praise: the Flannel Shirt New England Hash was a total surprise when it arrived: large chunks of corned beef along with fried potatoes, carrots, and celery and was served with a couple of eggs and toast. Home made jam is generously given to patrons in a large glass jam jar with directions to "help yourself." The other delightfully odd item I ordered was pancakes with cheddar cheese and bacon. The precooked bacon was in the pancake batter and shredded cheddar strands nicely complemented the maple syrup and savory bacon flavors. They have a traditional breakfast offering of eggs, potatoes and toast, as well as granola and other items. Service is genuinely friendly and speedy... once the place actually opens. As visitors from the East Coast, we found that 8:30 AM is kind of late for a diner to open, particularly so when you have yet to have coffee. We were cheerfully asked to wait outside one Sunday morning for twenty minutes or so, which I found a little too laid back in a big city. But having eaten there before, we made the adjustment because the food is so good. I would recommend anybody to enjoy Kate's Kitchen.

Homey interior, but crowded. Uniquely delicious menu items. I enjoyed the French Toast Orgy (yes...that's really what it's called!) French toast, yogurt, granola & fresh fruit...it's a large plate, but works so well together. The waitress had a great personality, and gave great recommendations! Parking was easy to find.

French toast is yummy although a bit overwhelming. but totally worth the carbs! lol. perfect for sharing. (check out the photo!) Friendly staff. Great location with graffiti walls across the street. Laid back atmosphere. It seems like more locals go here. Was not crowded at all when we were there. Vegetarian friendly. Lots of organic food to choose from! Prices are very reasonable. There were plenty of options for vegetarian so I ordered more than I could finish! I was there 4 months ago so I sort of forgot the rest. All I remember is that I had a pleasant experience and will definitely go back! Recommended.

it's all about the hushpuppies with pooh butter.

We visited Kate's Kitchen on one of the last days of our honeymoon. The service was amazing, I can't remember the guy who served us's name but he was just fantastic. I went for the pancakes with lemon curd, bananas and strawberries and I feel like it's actually changed my life. Now I know that sounds completely mental but lemon curd on a breakfast is just revolutionary. I now have it one my porridge quite often! My husband enjoyed his breakfast too (although it maybe didn't change his life as much as mine did), the coffee was great and the general atmosphere in the cafe was lovely! They also have the most spectacular mural of a USA map on the wall and other interesting artwork to look at. I loved it, I would definitely go back, and I'd recommend to anyone! (I have also told an American style breakfast diner we go to sometimes here in Sheffield (UK) about the lemon curd thing)

I first ate at Kate's about 7 years ago. They have a great menu! I love the pancakes with fresh fruit and granola. You could share something here. the portions are really big.

Steak and eggs at this local eatery are top-notch. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is casual. The chef makes it just perfect—the steaks are cut into strips, very juicy with onions, and the eggs are done right. It’s a classic and tasteful meal with a very reasonable price for San Francisco!

Ate breakfast here twice on a recent visit to San Francisco. As other reviewers have said, the breakfasts really are great. Home-made, tasty food, generous portions - all absolutely delicious. Only one negative - the queue at the weekend!

My go to breakfast spot in the neighborhood. Everything is solid and reasonably priced. The owner Hasan is very friendly and my dog loves getting his bacon scraps. It can get very busy on weekends, I highly recommend visiting on a weekday

We went here for brunch, the portions were massive, the staff friendly and to top it off it was good value. The location is a bit random, it's just a bit away from Haight/Ashbury, probably about a 10 minute walk but there are some nice shops around, it's right next door to the weed shop if that helps! It was very clean and tidy, the food was freshly made and the art work was cool. Pop down there for a good hangover cure, fresh coffee and OJ on tap. We would visit again.....

This place was recommended to us in a San Fran guide book so we tried it. We caught a taxi here. Be prepared to wait for a table, they are very popular. They do fit you in tight but not too tight and it adds to the feel of the place. Plenty of choice but watch the portions, they are massive! Me and my boyfriend ordered one corn beef hash between us and it was plenty. My Mum just wanted toast, not on the menu, and they sorted it. My Mum said the fruit jam was amazing, and she is fussy! My Dad jet about managed a breakfast. The orange juice is lovely, freshly squeezed. We liked this place and would recommend it

i don't get it...

Flanched Flarney Garney! Fruit! Granola! Chris Isaak!

Enjoyed a hearty and tasty breakfast with eggs, bacon and all. Friendly wait staff and handy location.

This is my go to restaurant for a very tasty and filling brunch. Great eggs, crisp bacon and hot coffee

Had brunch at Kate's kitchen Sunday morning around 11 pm. There was a line but it took about 10 minutes to get in. I ordered the French Toast Orgy and large freshly squeezed orange juice. The food is good, hearty big plates and reasonably priced. My dish was a big plate with few french toasts covered in a mountain of granola, yogurt and fresh fruit, very tasty and filling. My main complain is that their "freshly squeezed orange juice" seemed to be bottled orange juice, in both taste, texture and appearance. I tried to see if they have a juice machine in the bar or kitchen and i couldn't find. If they sell bottled orange juice they should only write "Orange juice", writing "freshly squeezed orange juice" and serviced commercial bottled orange juice just seems misleading and false advertisement for me. Overall the food was good, go enjoy it but order something else to drink...

honest freshly cooked with good ingredients. breakfast is really good, service is very friendly and quick. prices are good

Trawled TA for recommendations and this looked like a good fit. Not far from our accommodation - we weren’t disappointed. Exactly as described and nothing not to like. We would go back tomorrow but we’ve got a house rule not to re-visit and try something new each time.

Let me first say, this was my favorite breakfast in the city, and one of my top places to re visit! This is a CASH only restaurant!! That being said, it's affordable, (7-10 bucks get's you a lot of food). I would recommend splitting, if you don't want to over eat, because I know I did. I got a special omlete/hashbrown combination. It was massive, layers of flavors and by itself was a great meal. Of course, the fatty in me wanted the biscuit and not toast, and I had to try their special gravy. Let me say, just the biscuit is one of the best mixes of breakfast and savory combinations I've had. Eat it plain, with butter, with gravy, I don't care as it goes with everything on the table. The gravy is a show stopper. It was a light sausage mushroom heavenly gravy. It was complex, and yet simple like a gravy should be. I'm glad I only got a small monkey bowl side (you can get more....but don't, you'll over eat). All in all my total was $11 and some change b/c of the added side gravy, and I would have gladly paid more. The service was spot on. Our waitress...we called her Kate and had lots of laughs with her (her name wasn't Kate). The entire dining room was filled with locals as all of the servers knew the customers, and they all made us feel welcome!

A nice job tent. Where there are plenty of choices. Healthy, fresh and you always get something extra to try. Everything equally delicious!!! Super friendly staff.

Breakfast was great - was difficult to choose just one thing. Staff super friendly - owner not only helped us understand SF bus fares but also corralled some customers to help us too.

Nice place good service, great food, not too busy, but I missed the morning rush, delicious pancakes, could easily get fat if I lived near this place

Oh, how I wish there was a Kate's Kitchen where I live. We were staying in the Hayes area during our SF visit and discovered this unpretentious warm friendly spot. We returned two more times during our time in SF. Irene, our server, is wonderful - she's warm, friendly, relaxed. And the food ... how do I begin? Their cornmeal pancakes are exceptional, and what's even better, you can order so many variations, such as strawberry/banana/lemon curd. Their French Toast Orgy is, well, orgiastic. Their homemade corned beef hash is the best - big chunks of corned beef, potatoes, carrots, onions. Unfortunately, I ordered it during our third visit, and, unlike our first visit, much of it was burnt. That aside, I can't say enough positive about this eatery. I can't imagine a better breakfast place in SF. And talk about reasonably priced! Irene told us it's mobbed on the weekend, and our 3 visits were weekday mornings and we never had to wait. Did I mention that I love this place?

Great ambiance, food and service! My daughter and I both enjoyed the neighborhood and would definitely go again to sample more menu options!

We had breakfast once at Kate's Kitchen during our stay in San Francisco and really enjoyed it. We had pancakes and french toast with fresh fruit - both were excellent! The portions are huge, so a small stack of pancakes is enough - even if you are hungry. Very authentic place offering organic food we would definitively come back to!

Great little breakfast spot. Food was amazing. Customer service was great. The seating is super tight. Expect a waiting list to get in.

This was highlighted on “Check please” and so we thought we’d try it out. No perfect day like a Friday before a holiday to get a seat immediately on arrival ~11ish. I did like the fine grated hash browns. However, we found everything too greasy & overdone. But the space was cool and the wall map was awesome.

No reservations but timed it right for a group of five. Best suited for two’s and four’s with a few seats at the counter. Not a big place. Tight quarters. Got our seats after waiting outside as there is literally no room to stay while waiting as the fire code mandates the exit not be blocked. Thus if it is really cold or hot (not likely if SF) or raining this may be an issue for you. Once seated it took a bit of time to get at least a cup of coffee or tea. Got our order in and then drinks. Food was plentiful and I loved the corned beef hash( not out of a can definitely. Potatoes flavoring was really good; had onions, bell peppers and carrots. Others reviewed this and they were correct, it was very good. Did have to ask for coffee refills. Had a minor spill and had to ask for napkins. Three of us had left overs to take home. Two in one box and the other in the second. A lot of head nodding to confirm which two in our box. Failed. Noise level for conversation was on the edge of being too noisy until several groups left. The ambiance is not white linen but rather a local diner with plastic table clothes. Reminded me of the local family diner frequented by the locals where “everybody knows your name”. There is takeout. One area of concern was the bathroom is located in back and one must cut through the kitchen. I had on Merrell hiking shoes and the floor was really slick - be careful not to slip -. My wife noticed that there was bacon and potatoes as well as some other food to be cooking sitting on the counter; not in the refrigerator pending use. Worrisome? Probably okay if used quickly. Would I come back. If I was in the neighborhood, I might but remember there so many restaurants to choose from. $85 for five with non-alcoholic drinks plus leftovers.

My second review for Kate's. I really, really want to Love this local business, but each time, for me, it's slipped in its quality. This is after many breakfast entrees and lunch entrees. I see a lot of RAVE reviews, which is great. Today I needed to order a meal to go. Place was really quiet, say 5 tables, gal was really nice. She always is. I had an AARP Reward Points Coupon thing. Thats a whole other story, no need to go into that. I showed the coupon to the gal before I ordered. She checked w/her boss and said it was o.k. It was 20% off "maximum discount of $25.00". I read this to be the entire order could not be more than $25.00 to get the discount. She read it differently, in that I had to spend $25.00. Whatever, I still needed to order a meal to go. So I was unable to use the coupon (in her opinion). I tried to give it to other customers, but their orders were greater than $25.00 ~ again, whatever. So I ordered the M&M Sandwich (Meatloaf Spiraled with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, served with Lettuce, tomato and grilled onion, served hot or cold) $11.50 out the door. I asked the sandwich or rather the meatloaf be hot and the bread not toasted. I also asked for the sandwich to be cut in half. The meatloaf was hot (but there was no sign or taste of any spiraling garlic mashed potatoes, in fact it was very, very bland). The bread was not toasted as requested, but there was 1 slice of some limp tomato and 1 sliver of lettuce, also wilted. Nothing else on the sourdough bread. Guess I should have asked, but just thought there might be "something on the bread". Slab of meatloaf was plentiful, but really almost too much or too thick for the bread, that we had to eat it with a knife and fork. It was also laid "on top of the taters", lending even more limpness to the sandwich. All in all, I was really quite disappointed. Sadly this might be my last attempt to enjoy a meal from this reputable, independently owned breakfast eatery. I stopped going on the weekend due to the bus person throwing dishes in to the bus bin. It's a small place and can get quite noisy, with the added slinging dishes, I will now go some place else.

Went here for a late breakfast on a non busy weekday morning. The food was excellent! The service was very friendly. The only downside I saw was that there was too selection that it is hard to decide which meal to order as well as the potential for this place to be packed on the weekends.

Our group of five went here for breakfast/brunch for the first time. All of us were thrilled with our meals. Food was delicious and plentiful, prices were very reasonable, and service was efficient and friendly (despite the fact that the place was packed). Only downside was the high noise level, which I guess was unavoidable given the small size of the restaurant and the number of diners. Note: We arrived at 10:30 on a Sunday morning and were seated very quickly. By the time we were done, though, there was a significant line of people outside waiting to get in. Understandable!

Love this place!!! A San Francisco must eat! If you visit the city, and skip this gem, you have issues!

I really wanted to like this place because it looks like it's been there forever and I was craving a hearty home-cooked breakfast. But sadly it fell well short of my expectations. The biggest issue I had was that everything was under-seasoned, not a lick of salt on anything which rendered it all very bland and boring. Second, I ordered my eggs 'over easy' but they gave me two eggs poached in a separate bowl, very odd! My breakfast was served with a ton of potatoes too which would have been great if they weren't so bland as well. The service was very nice and attentive though, that was a plus, I just was not a fan of the food.

Kate's Kitchen, located on Haight near Fillmore, is a great find. Seems like a little place for locals, very friendly staff and HUGE portions for a good price. I had the French Toast Orgy, which will make your head spin when your waiter sits it on the table...it's orange spiced french toast (fabulous) with a huge mound of yogurt and fruit on top...and that is doused in granola. It took quite awhile to eat and I needed my boyfriend's help to get through it all! My boyfriend also had great things to say about his meal...forget the exact name of it, I think it may have been the Farmer's breakfast. I've read other reviews saying this restaurant gets quite crowded...I went on a Monday around 10 am and there weren't too many people in there, so perhaps you're better off going on a weekday as opposed to weekend. It's definitely one of the most memorable meals I had during my week-long vacation in California.

Found this little cafe by chance. The best sandwich we have ever tasted. Reasonably priced. Staff were exceptionally friendly. Well recommended

Nice to have this little gem in my neighborhood. I do find, best to go "early" as it gets really busy and the noise level is off the charts. Popped in yesterday as I was feeling a "breakfast out" might be in order. Decided on the California Oatmeal which was "more than plentiful" and reasonably priced @ $8.00. Sadly, the oatmeal came only "luke warm" and I asked the server if I might get a new order. I did put a little milk on it and she said, the milk is really cold, this is probably what happened. Well, I think the bowl was cold to begin with and then yes, the tiny bit of milk I put on it may have added to the temperature factor. Thankfully the 2nd bowl came piping hot, I could see the steam and it was full of delicious Strawberries and Bananas but the promised Walnuts were almost non existent. The texture was a lot like cream of wheat... not very oatmeal like. Plus it had absolutely no flavor. The maple syrup helped, but not much. I did ask for a side of Cinnamon, which did help. I will stick to the other breakfast options moving forward.

We went as a group of 6, so there was a short wait (not a lot of seating). The food was excellent, with almost everyone trying something different, and no one disappointed.

Hippies, lamps and Bubble & Squeak! Bacon & Cheddar Cornmeal Pancakes, Red Beans & Rice, Biscuits & Gravy all in hearty portions. Place Rocks especially when your head rolls from the night before!

Kate's is always one of my favorite stops when touring through the Haight on visits to San Francisco. As others have noted, it is extrordinarily popular on weekends. Be prepared to wait on Saturdays and Sundays for their bountiful breakfasts. On weekdays, you can usually walk in and get a table right away. I love Kate's Bacon Cheddar Corncakes- a huge stack of cakes that can last you well through lunch and straight into dinner. Its a winnner along with a side order of their homemade sausage. Kate's is one of those places that, even when traveling alone, I tend to end up sharing pleasant conversations with other people from the neighborhood. Maybe that's what keeps bringing me back to Kate's...no, its the Bacon Cheddar Corn Cakes

While visiting San Francisco, a local recommended this place and we really liked it. Both the Hash and Pumpkin French Toast were excellent. They even served real maple syrup. The Hash serving was large enough to take leftovers back to the apartment for the next morning. We enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and our server. I recommend going during the week rather than on the weekends when it gets real busy (waiting line out the door) and the small space gets a bit noisy. We ate there twice and enjoyed it both times. It is a place the locals seem to like. Also, the prices were very reasonable...especially for San Francisco.