Les Moules ! Les Moules!! Le Moules!!! I tried Thai inspired Moules this time and it was incredible! Thank you for the recommendation (forgot our waiters name but he was awesome) We were just there for the mussels, wife ordered poulette, daughter got mariniere.....I also got a warm goat cheese salad and a beer as well! They also boast some of the absolute best French fries in the city, and plain or how ever you dip them ...incredible No food wasted, nothing to bring home, truly perfect dining experience! 5/5 . read more

There's not too much that can go wrong with a burger. The portions for the fries were huge and the flavor was great on the burger. I didn't have that big of an appetite to try much else for appetizers or entrees. Maybe next time. The desserts are extremely sweet, more than I am used to. The things that knocked down some stars are weird particles in my beer that I noticed towards the end. My friend had the same beer with nothing. I've also had this beer many many times and there shouldn't be anything in it. There's also a lot of flies outside in the booths so it makes eating a bit annoying when you have to constantly swat around. The servers check up on you almost a little too much. By that I mean a different person coming up to the table to ask if you're done and when you say no, 5 min later, another comes up to ask the same thing. It felt like it was being rushed. read more

Chez Maman West - Caramelized Apple Tartetatin - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Walked in on a Saturday afternoon around 2:40 in the afternoon. They told us to come back in 20 minutes because they had just ended serving brunch and would be switching to the dinner menu. The place is in a cute neighborhood with a park nearby. We sat outdoors because the weather was so nice and sunny. Service was quick and the waiters were really attentive and came to fill up my water a couple times. Our food also came out pretty quickly. I got the pan seared petrale Sole entree and my friend got the duck. I really enjoyed the sole and ordered it because i wanted something light and our waiter said this was his favorite dish. It was tangy, fresh and buttery with a cauliflower puree that tasted really nutty. I would definitely get this again. The portion was pretty small but I did want something light. The duck dish seemed to be more hefty and my friend enjoyed it. She took half to go. read more

Chez Maman West - Pan seared petrale sole Meuniere - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

I loved this place! The ambiance is lovely and the service is great. We started with a viognier wine and then the mussels. These were perfectly cooked and the white wine, garlic and lemon juice (with butter of course) was delightful. You have to pair this with fries! And Acme bread. The crepe was delicious. Perhaps it was very rich. I also tried the salmon crepe and this was very fresh and delicious. The capers paired perfectly. Overall, ambiance and service were great. read more

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Love this gem in Hayes Valley, especially when there's no wait list. Table on the sidewalk is great for people watching. All food is good but I'm especially fond of the burger. Comes on ciabatta bun with everything on the side. Delicious. Service is fun and attentive. read more

Chez Maman West - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This is a charming cozy place to get delicious food before or after a show. It's location is a walking distance to the ballet, the symphony, or the theater. They do not take reservations. You can add your name to a whiteboard when you get there. We got there late afternoon on a weekday before the rush and got seated by the window. The French Onion Soup was rich and I was glad I shared it with my daughter. The Moule Marinieri was delicious. It's a generous serving of fresh mussels steamed in a savory broth of white wine, butter, shallots, garlic, lemon juice and parsley. One has to have this with frites which they make really well here and is served with aioli. If you are down for more carbs, get their Acme French baguette to soak up the delightful marinieri broth! We decided to share the Grilled New York Prime Steak and asked our waiter if we can substitute the side of fries for brussel sprouts and he said he would. Unfortunately, the order still came with fries and by that time the place was hopping and we could not get our waiter's attention. We did not want the steak to get cold so we just started sharing the dish. The sumptious perfectly seasoned tender steak made up for the abundance of frites LOL. One other thing that was missing were two smaller plates since our waiter knew we were sharing the steak. Anyway, my daughter and I made do. Food was great and we were too full to get dessert. It was perfect that we were walking to the theater after our meal. I will certainly be back for a delightful meal in this charming neighborhood close to the theater. read more

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Was super excited to try the dishes here, but was slightly let down given the prices. The beef tartare was by far my favorite dish. I got the soup of the day (cream of artichoke) but it was extremely salty so I had trouble finishing it. The mussels I was excited for, but they turned out to have quite small meat and grit inside them. The service was very sweet though. We waited around 30 min walking in on a Tuesday night with a party of 5. read more

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This cute restaurant is located in Hayes Valley and the pure aesthetics is what drew me here! I always wanted a similar experience from my last visit to France minus the traveling. I was fortunate to come here on Friday night as a walk-in. My server was friendly. The menu was not extensive so I had to do research to figure out what I wanted. A lot of people here seem to love their French Onion Soup, Escargot, and Mussels with White Wine Sauce. I got the Petrale Sole Menuiere and it was seasoned well. I think the amount of food can be enough, but maybe not for some people. Complimentary bread would be nice. Love the homey and cozy vibe overall, but unsure if I would come back here since it is quite expensive. read more

Chez Maman West - Pan seared petrale sole Meuniere :) - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

Another exceptional meal at my favorite Hayes Valley eatery. Was treated to a Birthday lunch today. Shout out to our server who was exceptional. My friend had the bill, so I'm sorry I did not note his name. Starter - Endive Salad-$17 , which we split. - Endives, pears, walnuts, Roquefort cheese, caramel balsamic vinaigrette. Super fresh & refreshing w/just the right balance of ingredients. Though I would have liked a wee bit more dressing. Not complaining though. We each had the Pork Chop entree-$28 Pork chop, Brussels sprouts, bacon, apple cider mustard sauce (don't believe this was our sauce today) Perfectly cooked for the both of us and the best flavor, sitting on top and surrounded by Brussel Sprouts with a delectably rich, buttery, not watery brown gravy. Wish I'd ordered bread to soak up all that goodness. Such healthy portions, we both took half home. Only issue, food was not hot enough. But I hate to make a fuss when I'm being treated to a meal. We DID save room for dessert, which I seldom do, but it was worth it as well. Affogato-$13 - Double shot of expresso with choice of French vanilla or rum raisin gelato, which my friend loved, served beautifully. Crepe-$12 - Tatin Roasted caramelized apples with chantilly It also was huge and de-lish. I would go back just for this and maybe an Americano. Reasonably priced; plentiful portions; exceptional service; charming atmosphere; great for a mid week meal. read more

Small restaurant with outdoor heated seating. Everything we ordered was just delicious. Service was fine, the server allowed us to eat and enjoy our meal without rushing us or overly checking in. Overall, a lovely place to lunch. I'm looking forward to returning to try a few more dishes on the menu. No complaints! read more

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Perfectly prepared, served, and attended to bistrot. Had delicious escargots Bourgogne and a pear salad with a glass of Viogner and was delighted. Asked for a second glass of wine and it arrived promptly- unlike many places that lollygag to even get you your first glass before your meal arrives. read more

Delicious like always. Nice to sit in the outdoor seating. The bussers were super attentive. Made sure we had everything we needed. read more

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We were going to a show in the city near there so we found this place. We didn't have a reservation and it wasn't that busy so the hostess sat us down right away. The hostess was really nice. Our waiter came over right away and brought us water and asked if we needed anything. The place is really small inside so seating is limited. They did have outside seating so that was nice. We ordered some a couple glasses of wine (Malbec, Pinot Noir) which both were pretty good. For our appetizer we tried the onion soup to split. It came out pretty quick and it was delicious. It wasn't too hot to eat which sometimes can happen with soups. The flavor was on point, plenty of cheese, and bread inside. For our entrees we ordered the mushrooms crepe and the duck. The duck was so tender, great flavor, the sauce was out of this world with flavor, the green beans were cooked perfect and not too soft, and the potatoes au gratin I believe was cooked well. The whole dish had nothing but flavor in it. The mushroom crepe was delicious as well. It was cooked well, the mushrooms had great flavor to it and the cheese was a perfect blend to the dish. For our dessert we had the tart. The tart dough was fluffy and light. The fruit just melted in your mouth. The only thing it really needed was vanilla ice cream, it came with whipped cream which was light and good but ice cream would put it overboard. The service was outstanding the whole night as well. We'll definitely be back for more. read more

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Visited the place for a lunch on a weekday. The restaurant got seats both indoor and outdoor. They were pretty busy for a weekday. The smoked salmon paninis was greatly flavored. The smoked salmon is buttery and well seasoned, it is not overly salty. The caramelized onions adds a great crunch and flavor, along with the capers and herbs. I asked for dairy free, but the panini still tasted great. The salad on the side makes it a great addition, a perfect meal choice. The service was great, the staff were friendly and attentive. A great place for a quick lunch. read more

Chez Maman West - Smoked Salmon Panini - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

I always always get the burger at Chez Maman and eat way too much butter and bread every single time but this visit we tried the sole and the hachis parmentier and both were incredible The hachis parmentier is basically a French shepherd pie which I would have known maybe if I spoke French so I was very pleasantly surprised It was so good I was just shoveling it in my mouth while burning but I could not stop it was that delicious I love that this location is right in the heart of Hayes Valley and when you sit outside you get that little touch of European dining where you can people watch and enjoy your meal Chez Maman never misses read more

Chez Maman West - hachis parmentier - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This place has all the makings of a true French bistro, down to the patio seating out front, French food staples, and glasses of water with no ice (how European!). Chez Maman West is definitely the smaller of the locations, with its more roomy sister location being in Potrero Hill. To give you an idea, indoor seating is limited to bar seating or small tables where you're practically finding yourself double dating with a nearby table. Luckily there are tiny patio tables out front, and larger parklet seating outside. It was a bit chilly, so we opted to sit at the bar. The long bar table allowed us to fit more dishes than the standard tiny tables indoors, so I definitely recommend bar seating if indoors! Our server/bartender was so sweet, I wish I caught his name! Escargots de Bourgogne ($17) --- 4/5 stars Always a must at a French bistro! You can't go wrong with snails covered in herbs and butter! My only critique is that it could use a tad more salt. Our server brought out free bread and butter for us (so sweet!) insisting that it paired well with the snails. Boy, was he right! We used the bread to mop up the herb butter from the snails for a perfect bite. French onion soup ($14) --- 3/5 stars Soup covered in cheese, what's not to love? This was accidentally ordered by our server who pressed the wrong button, so he comped us this soup. I wish the onions were more caramelized and rendered down to their natural sweetness but overall it was ok. I looked around and it seems like this is one of their most popular appetizers. Glad I got to try it though! Grilled New York Prime Steak (12 oz) ($50) --- 4/5 stars I asked for my steak to be medium rare and it was cooked to perfection! The green peppercorn sauce is a must to pair with the steak, however I wish they had other sauce offerings like perhaps an herby/Entrecote sauce. Fries were perfectly crisp and paired well with the aioli. Pork chop ($28) --- 5/5 stars So succulent and juicy! The pork chop tasted perfect by itself but even better with the slightly sweet apple cider mustard sauce. Loved the brussel sprouts and veggies that soaked up the sauce well! I'd recommend this place as a cute little date spot, but also as a cute solo dining spot. I noticed a few solo diners sitting at the bar/patio reading a book with light bites/drinks. What a vibe! read more

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Great place to stop by before a show at the Bill Graham. The escargot along with a nice glass of wine is my go to guilty pleasure. read more

Chez Maman West - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

We dropped in for lunch on most and there was both seating inside and out. Despite it being a nice day we decided to sit inside since we had a few bags with us. Our waitress took our order and made a few recommendations. We ordered the Moulles Poulette, Escargot, and the Petrale Sole, as well as a side of truffle fries. The food was great but I resuscitation loved the sole with the cauliflower puree and the roasted broccoflower which really tied the dishes texture. read more

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We went here for dinner before attending a performance at SF Jazz. We had the Porkchop, the gelato with Hazelnut dessert, and the Duck breast. Really good service and an enjoyable night for all. read more

Horrendous service. Zero communication between service and the kitchen. We were 2/3 finished with our appetizer steak tartare when a server brought out our entrées. He stood there waiting for us to make room on the tiny table. I mentioned the lack of space, and the fact that we weren't yet done with the starter, and he suggested that we replate the steak tartare onto smaller plates ourselves. He stood there and watched as we hurriedly did so. Wait staff stand around and chat with each other while tables need assistance. People add themselves to the waitlist. Waters are not refilled even when empty. Brusque service here is definitely not worth the food, there are so many other delicious places that will serve in a friendly and professional manner. read more

Chez Maman West - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Literally cannot say enough good things about this establishment. The service is A1 every single time I come, and the crepes are also why I come back so often. I feel like they have the best crepes I've ever tasted, I'll stand by that. I've tried a lot of stuff from here and you can't go wrong, everything is really good. They are all so kind as well. Such a gem! Inside seating is a little tight, but they have outside seating as well. read more

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Chez maman is a SF staple cute French bistro. I've been here a few times and the food and vibes are always immaculate. I do prefer the East location as it has better views and feels less cramped. The French onion soup here is delicious and comforting, with scrumptious melted cheese and great caramelization on the onions. The mussels were a bit unimpressive. While the flavour of the broth was good, it was quite salty and the size of the mussels is rather small. For the price of the dish, you expect to be wow'd but it was more eh. The fries are decent and a nice accompaniment but nothing extraordinary. I have had the burger on a previous visit and that was delicious. I am not a big fan of the cramped interior, as the tables are small and stacked close to each other making it hard to eat. read more

Chez Maman West - Mussels Style: Marinière (Garlic, shallots, white wine, lemon juice, parsley) - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

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we came here on a Sunday after Thanksgiving weekend to have brunch with friends. we were waiting outside for a little bit and got seated right away for a table of seven people. Everyone inside was very friendly. It was a small shop but felt very cozy and warm. we were really hungry so we ordered lot of entrées, appetizers, and things to share. The highlight was definitely the mussels and I liked the mariniere, which is the original. we also ordered a side of bread on top of the bread that came with the meal in order to dip it in the sauce from the mussels read more

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This is a quaint little restaurant located in the Civic center area. They don't take reservations so you just walk in and hope for the best. Thankfully it was just my husband and I so we got seated quickly, but a group of 5 had to wait quite a bit. The restaurant is quite tiny so be prepared to be seated fairly close to other parties. Our server was nice and not overtly pushy, which we liked. The menu was not very extensive but there are lots of options for appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, salads, mussels, and dessert. We started with a red blend and their German Reisling. For an appetizer, we got the French onion soup to share. For entrees, my husband got the pork chop on a bed of mustard sauce, pear, bacon and grilled broccoli and I got the hachis parmentier, which was basically the French version of a shepherds pie. The drinks were decent and exactly what we expected to have, so that was nice. The French onion soup was the highlight of our meal. It was perfect - warm, the right amount of onions, the perfect amount of cheese and absolutely delicious. The portion is quite big, so it is probably a good idea to share this. We loved it and will come back here just for the soup. The entrees were a 50-50. The pork chop was very good. It was perfectly cooked, not too dry, not too chewy. The mustard based sauce added a lot of flavor to the meat. The pear, bacon and broccoli were a great accompaniment. My husband enjoyed his plate thoroughly. The hachis parmentier wasn't as good. It needed an oomph factor, which it did not have. The minced meat was good but I kept hoping for more peas, onions, tomatoes, spice, just something more. The top layer was a thick layer of cheese and mashed potatoes. The potatoes needed seasoning and the meat didn't have enough of its own to help the potatoes. The cheese made it very filling and after a while, quite greasy. So all in all, this dish fell flat. I had to ask for salt, pepper and chili flakes to bring some flavor to the plate and did not finish it. We decided to forego dessert because we planned to go elsewhere but the dessert menu did not look super appetizing anyway. The whole meal cost close to $100 which would have been fine based on the soup and the pork chop, but I know we overpaid because of the hachis parmentier. I would recommend coming here, just don't order the hachis! read more

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Wasn't the biggest fan of this place, I had the pork chop and it was pretty dry. The french onion soup was good though. And their outside seating is pretty cute with lights and heating. read more

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3.5 stars Continues to be a trusty, affordable neighborhood spot that doesn't blow me away. I've now tried the burger, which will not be a repeat order for me. I don't love the ciabatta roll as a bun - it's too big relative to the burger patty (so some bites you're basically just eating bread) - and generally found the burger undersalted / bland. My usual go-to is a crepe, and I've now also tried the mushroom and l'orientale. The mushroom one was way too creamy for me, but the l'orientale might be my favorite of their crepes. read more

No reservation allowed per phone call, seats you once all parties are present. Cramped interior but cozy feeling. The mussels to share were phenomenal in taste. The mac and cheese was average, and beef tartare was flavorful but nothing to wow me. Quick service! read more

Chez Maman West - Truffle Chez Maman Mac & Cheese and Beef Tartare - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

Love the neighborhood vibe here. Busy walk up restaurant-no reservations here but lots of room to get seated quickly. My daughter just lives down the street so she is a regular. Where to start? Lots of fun cocktails and selections of beer and wine. We shared a number of plates but the hit was the filet. Also, mussels and steak frites! Excellent salads with the goat cheese arugula winning top prize. Staff was exceptional and our entrees etc came quickly. They know how to please here! read more

Chez Maman West - Interior of Chez Maman. Quite intimate. - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

Service is amazing now. The staff has been there many years now. The mussels provenciales (french style) with garlic and tomatoes ,and másaman style are delicious Great wine options as well. read more

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Suggested by the doorman at Smugglers Cove. Scrumptious French onion soup, perhaps the best we have ever had. Crepe with salmon and spinach was delicious. The mussels with bacon in a cream sauce were perhaps the best I've had, essentially mussels drowned in a bacon chowder. The frites were splendid. read more

Chez Maman West - French onion soup - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Food meh. Onion soup was not overly salty which was a plus. Ordered the chicken. Lacked seasoning. The mash and gravy were great with fresh herb but they were lukewarm at best. Excellent wait staff. Disappointed but would try again read more

Chez Maman West - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

We went out for dinner last Thursday evening with my husband, our two-year-old daughter, and two friends. The restaurant doesn't take reservations, so you write your name on a board at the entrance. We arrived around 5:45 PM and requested a table indoors (it was full at the time), but they wouldn't seat us until our entire party had arrived. I'm not a fan of that policy--especially when you're waiting with a toddler. Thankfully, the wait was only a few minutes. Each of us ordered our own dish without sharing: I had the salmon, my husband chose another fish entrée, while our friends ordered mac & cheese and a tartare. I also got a side of vegetables, which came in a large portion--tasty but a bit heavy on the garlic. Overall, the food was just okay--nothing particularly memorable. They don't offer a kids' menu or any child-friendly extras like coloring pages, though they do provide high chairs. Service was fine. read more

Chez Maman West - Salmon - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

I walked in with a girlfriend on a Friday night for a girls night out. I wish we came a bit earlier because there was a wait for a table inside and the space is considerably small. We settled on a table outside and enjoyed a good meal. My Thai mussels and fries were good and my friend ordered her usual- the hamburger. We loved the crepe for dinner along with our drinks throughout our meal. Overall, the food is great and I would come back and try more of the menu- especially the french onion soup, escargot, and other entrees. There was an incident where a homeless man on the street kept bothering the tables outside, but we appreciated how quickly and appropriately the hostess addressed the situation. Will definitely arrive earlier for an inside table next time. read more

Chez Maman West - Crepe with Nutella and Banana - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Everything here is great. The Chez Maman burger is amazing. It comes on a ciabatta bun which is interesting, but holds the meat juices well. The lettuce, tomato and caramelized onions come separately but its a nice accommodation for people who don't want all the ingredients. I subbed the fries with the burger with their truffle fries, and the truffle fries are truly addictive. They have a real intense truffle flavor to them and are nice and small so they have a great crispiness! The garlic sauce it came with was also very addictive. We also ordered the Les Mouse Poulette which was divine. The mussels were fresh and not stinky at all, and sauce was delicious. We also ordered the roasted brussel sprouts which were great already, but dipping them in the Poulette sauce was a flavor bomb! We ended up dipping the brussel sprouts and the fries in the Poulette sauce. I highly recommend giving it a try! I also got to taste the French onion soup and it was phenomenal. Definitely a must order. For dessert we ordered the crepe Tatin which had roasted caramelized apples. It was pretty sweet and had lots of cinnamon in it, but it was a great treat at the end. We also ordered an affogato which was great. I don't enjoy coffee but my partner did! I got a taste of the ice cream in the affogato and somehow it was super stretchy! It's super creamy and delicious. I also tried the pain perdu and it was very decadent but quite sweet for my taste. Still very good. The hostess was also very nice and remembered me after I left to run an errand while waiting. They're very attentive to if you have enough water as well, and anyone is willing to take your order or clear your table even if they aren't your server! Overall, fantastic value and food here. read more

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This place was so good! Small indoor space but plenty of outdoor space. Quick service and delicious food! French onion soup: 10/10 One of the best I've had. Delicious cheese and not too salty. Mac and cheese: 9/10 Delicious flavor and actually had the flavor of the cheese and wasn't just cream. The crispy top was nice too. Truffle fries: 9/10 Yum! Warm and crispy with delicious aioli. Niçoise Salad: 9/10 Huge salad and delicious. Very great flavors and fresh ingredients. Should be shared if it's a starter because of the size. The olive tapenade was super tasty. CROQUE MONSIEUR: 9.5/10 Delicious! Perfectly cheesy. PETRALE SOLE MEUNIERE: 9/10 Very light and flakey. Not overdone with any sauce. Delicate dish. WARM CHOCOLATE FONDANT: 8/10 This was good but points off for not coming with whipped cream or ice cream. The chocolate cake is dense and needs something to cut it. It also came out flat, and you can tell it's not fresh. The crème that does come with it was just a few strokes of sauce. Disappointing way to end the meal. read more

Chez Maman West - Chez Maman Mac and Cheese - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

This was my last San Francisco treat . It's not really hidden but right on the corner always wanted to go here but now I have . So the menu to me looks great which is always a start . So I tried the French onion soup . I always do to see who has the best . It was very cheesy and nice not very beefy . I also ordered a panini the pistou was tomato cheese and prosciutto . Nice cheesy and filling with a side salad . Service was nice . Looked like a house favorite which is one of mine too seemed to be beef tartare everyone was ordering it . They also serve escargot another fave so I must return to try . The only hold up which was no one's fault was the construction super loud outside but they did their very best during that time . read more

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Came here for brunch with a friend, and we enjoyed our experience. Important note about brunch: they do not serve crepes! We came for the crepes, so that was a little disappointing, and I don't quite understand why crepes aren't a brunch thing, but the food we ended up ordering was still yummy! I ordered the Angus Burger with Fries ($20), and it was really tasty! The burger was large and cooked well. The ciabatta bun was good for what it was, though all in all, I think a brioche bun would have been a better complement -- didn't take away from me eating the whole thing! The fries were the type of fries you'd see in cartoons. They were thin, hot, crisp, and easy to just keep popping back :) The burger also came with aioli, a salad, cold caramelized onions, and a couple of delicious slices of tomato (like, the tomato, was really good). My friend ordered the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes ($14), and they were lovely, large, and fluffy! I tried a bite and really liked the texture, though I wish there was more lemon-y flavor. The service was kind. The interior was a lot smaller and more quaint than I expected from walking past the outside so many times. It was cute, but I would recommend eating outside if that's available. read more

Chez Maman West - Burger and Pancakes - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

I realized my original review was from 2021, and after recently coming back I wanted to update this place to a 5/5! This time around I tried all new dishes, primarily the mussels, and I realized I've been sleeping on this place. The mussels were SO good, and I can't wait to try all the different versions in future visits! Definitely a classic no-frills option if you're in the mood for French food. read more

Chez Maman West - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This is a fantastic little French restaurant in Hayes Valley. They have indoor and outdoor seating available, and the food is consistent and delicious. The wait usually isn't too long, even though it has been busy both times I visited. read more

Chez Maman West - Organic Half Roasted Chicken - French Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Mom would be proud of what the team behind Chez Maman West has built. This beloved local French bistro has enjoyed so much success over the years that it expanded with a second location in Potrero Hill, firmly establishing Chez Maman as the go-to spot for casual, affordable French dining in San Francisco. Chez Mamam, which basically means "in mom's house" in French is located on the corner of Gough and Hayes Streets Chez Mamam West brings out the best of what the Hayes Valley neighborhood has to offer with locals and nonresidents eager to bring their appetites who are looking for something outside of the traditional box. I've personally had my eye on Chez Maman West ever since I walked through the Hayes Valley neighborhood years ago and felt the welcoming vibes of the area with a lot of people walking around and taking in all of the businesses that make up the multitude of streets that make up the area. Of course, with a large crowd waiting for a table at Chez Maman West made this a place to visit, and I would finally get that chance on a recent weeknight visit before a group of friends and I visited the nearby Orpheum Theatre for a show. Chez Maman West does not take reservations as it is to sign yourself on their white board and determine if you want to sit inside or outside in front of their restaurant on their parklet built on Gough Street. We chose the latter when the host at Chez Maman West told us that we could be seated without our entire party present as one person was running late. The menu at Chez Maman West is separated into categories including Appetizers, Salads, Paninis, their signature Burgers, Entrées, Crepes, Moules or Mussels, Sides, and Assiette de Fromage or Plates of Cheese. We wanted to complete our meal in about an hour, and so we forwent any beverages upon this visit and stuck with foods from various sections of their menu. I personally wasn't too hungry as I knew we were going to get filling meals and many of them were sharable. I ordered their French Onion Soup and a side of their Truffle Fries. Others in our dining party ordered their Croque Mademoiselle which comes with smoked salmon and an egg prepared sunny-side up; Provençale Les Moules which came with cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, shallots, bell peppers, olives and heavy cream, which was recommended to be served with French Fries; Caesar Salad which was topped with parmesan cheese, croutons, and anchovies and grilled chicken at an extra cost; and a side of their Brussel Sprouts in addition to another bowl of their French Onion Soup. It wouldn't be too long for our food to come out, in the meantime we tried to take in the vibes of what is one of San Francisco's trendiest neighborhoods. My French Onion soup was a rich and hearty as expected with the perfect ratio of gruyère cheese, sliced onions, and french bread pieces, and I felt right in only ordering this for my meal this visit, as it was a heavy dish that when paired with their wonderful truffle fries my meal was complete. I was able to sample other dishes from what my dining mates ordered and their Croque Mademoiselle was a nicely toasted sandwich with equal parts cheese, salmon and egg; and both the mussels and Brussel Sprouts were nicely prepared. Our total bill was $140.09 which was with tax and the city's employee health care mandate added in, but before gratuity, which was actually quite reasonable considering the amount of food we received upon this visit. By ordering many of the French staples, we got a solid sense of what Chez Maman West has to offer. The food isn't overly showy, it's honest, comforting, and captures a unique slice of French cuisine that's surprisingly hard to find elsewhere in the city. It's the kind of comfort food that quietly wins you over. Mom's face and heart is no doubt beaming. read more

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