If you're in the mood for some great comfort food, I say you need to come here. A nice warm bowl of chili con carne on a cold day is perfect. I love that their breakfast menu is 24 hours because sometimes I just want a Joe's special for dinner. Everything is always seasoned well, fresh ingredients, and tastes amazing. The service here is also great. A lot of servers who have been there for a long time and recognize the regulars. I love a place where you feel comfortable and welcomed. The service is always fast and efficient. The portions here are also generous! I love to share a salad and ballpark cheesesteak! I can't wait to come back for my next meal! read more

Classic late night American diner, lots of food options!! Ana banana, our sever, was such a vibe!!

Food is fantastic with large portions and generous amounts of fresh foods. The ambiance is second to none. Best spot in Union Square for a fast and friendly food. read more

Pinecrest diner is open 24-hrs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and serve breakfast all day. We had the pinecrest breakfast, fried chicken dinner, tuna salad and chicken scallopini. Portions were large and service was friendly and fast. It's nice to have comfort food in a local diner in SF. read more

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I love old school diners in this place doesn't disappoint. I was seated immediately as it was 9 o'clock on a Friday morning and I ordered two eggs over easy bacon which came with hashbrowns and toast. I got sourdough and drizzled yolk all over the toast. it was busy and I can see why the food was really good. Service was great and the prices were good for San Francisco. Ambience is about what you expect from a diner, normal utilitarian dining. I will be back as it's right across the street from my hostel and I recommend you swing on in and get some old-school type meal at three in the morning. They're open 24 hours a day. read more

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I'm on the hunt for the best biscuits and gravy in town. This place was an easy check off since it's 3 blocks from home for me. Went for dinner. They have lots of variations of biscuits and gravy so I thought I'd try the moose. Omg the moose is massive and I never thought I'd say this but there was too much bacon. Don't let the picture deceive you. Dare I say this was too much bacon?? The gravy was nice and salty and the biscuits were soft. S/o for the Pinecrest special. No notes. Exactly what he was looking for. Staff was friendly and told us to pick wherever we wanted to sit. I can see why this place is always busy. Good vibes and overall decent diner. read more

Pinecrest Diner - Pinterest special - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We came here on a rainy night and really enjoyed the diner ambiance. We commented how diners like these are hard to find these days. For the table, we ordered the mozzarella sticks. Each of us also ordered the cheeseburger and fries, veggie burger and fries with chili cheese sauce, and a grilled cheese and fries. We also ordered a root beer float, ice cream sundae, and a chocolate milkshake. Everyone enjoyed their desserts and said that it was great. The food though is more of a hit or miss. My vegetarian burger had very little flavor so it was difficult for me to actually finish it. The chili cheese on the fries tasted canned and didn't have a ton of flavor. The grilled cheese and cheese burger were standard. The fries were good though as were the mozzarella sticks. Overall, the food was very affordable coming in at around $95 before tip. It was a good place with diner vibes but the service was a little slow and lacking. They checked in on us one during our whole time there. And good thing we weren't in a rush since no one ran our card for quite a while. Overall though, we appreciate this place and happy to see it is doing pretty well. read more

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Solid diner, a bit too popular for its own good, but had a great breakfast here and always happy to support the diner cause. At 815am on a Sunday we had a line of about 15 people ahead of us to get in, but happily most of them wanted tables and we were happy to eat at the counter which, as big guys, was happily big enough for us to fit comfortably. So our wait was maybe 10-15 minutes total, spent pleasantly talking to other Deadheads on the line after last night's show in Golden Gate Park. I had the corned beef hash and eggs, with the eggs poached, and it was great. Service was great, the people are nice, and wow do they work hard. Vibe wise, it's a diner, and I love diners so well, it was great. read more

I like this place. The atmosphere in here is really good. A vibe if you believe in that. At least it is at 9 at night. The service was maybe a little on the slow side but only when I was ready to leave otherwise exactly what you want in a diner. I think the host was just busy and I was the only one at the counter. The food, good portions. I didn't actually finish. If there was one thing I would change, I wouldn't get the corn beef hash. Having not been here before I was hoping it would by the chopped kind. But it was the processed. Still tasty but not what I was hoping for. The stand out was actually the toast. The sourdough toast was great. I could eat a meal of just that. I would say this is a 4.5 out of 5 if I had a different main. Next time I'm back I'll be trying something else. Also sitting at the counter, 5 feet from the grill, recommend read more

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Very traditional diner cafe with wrap around service counter. I stopped in for a quick to go bagel sandwich with egg and cheese. The server was friendly and helpful. It was early about 7:00 AM and one other customer was sitting at the bar. I had a nice cup of coffee while I waited. The bagel itself was soft and chewy and the sandwich was yummy and big enough for two people. Hit the spot for a quick to go breakfast . I loved the traditional old vibe and all the usual breakfast items. Honestly, I didn't get a great look at the menu since the bagel sandwich was what I wanted. It could be made with bacon, too. Union Square area of San Francisco. read more

Delightful ambiance, delicious breakfast fare especially if you're a fan of Country Fried Steak. The service is generally delightful unless it's particularly busy, but I find it very kind regardless of circumstance. Upon entering, you might have to wait a little bit by the door before being seated, out of the way of the service station. Once you're seated, they'll ask you for any drink preferences and then leave you to make your entree decisions. A different server will then take your order. I honestly recommend any breakfast fare (I'm particularly fond of the Mighty Moose for eating and having delicious leftovers but I've also gotten their fullstack with bananas AND chocolate chips which was perfect too). I haven't tried any of their dinner items yet but look forward to trying it. They're very good at refilling coffee as well. If you're lucky, there's a very sweet server that I enjoy meeting. I hope you get to meet them too! read more

We paid $64 for breakfast for two, and unfortunately the experience was disappointing. The food arrived cold, and the atmosphere was uncomfortable because customers waiting in line were standing halfway inside the restaurant, constantly leaving the door open. The space simply doesn't seem designed to handle the queue that way. We politely asked the waitress if we could move to another table, but she laughed at the request. We also asked if the door could be kept closed, and although she responded, it felt like the bare minimum effort was made. Overall, the service and atmosphere did not match the price we paid. read more

Pinecrest Diner - What we paid for a cold and uncomfortable breakfast. - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great little diner, with wonderful food. Staff is friendly and quick. The Chicken Fried Steak was tender, hash browns were crispy and the eggs were cooked perfectly. read more

Pinecrest Diner - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

Nestled right in the edge of Union Square, this old time diner is still open 24 hours! There's not a ton of seating but that's pretty normal in the city. Huevos Rancheros Homemade salsa over two eggs any style, black beans, avocado, corn tortillas and sour cream. Hash browns and toast not included. Good thing that it's served in a skillet because it's quite watery because of the frijoles and salsa liquid. The flavors and blends are wonderful, however, and they toast the corn tortillas perfectly. It is a dish that isn't easy to eat - I had to cut up the tortillas to avoid looking too much like a Neanderthal while eating. Corned Beef Hash On the mushy side, and salty as expected. A little guilty pleasure on the side. Tuna sandwich Albacore white tuna salad with celery, red onions and mayonnaise. It's fresh and refreshing with the crispy little celery bits. Love the crunch toasty bread. Goes down easy. Next time I'm trying the Hangover - hash browns topped with homemade chili and eggs. That's all read more

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We walked out. The waiter was too overwhelmed to do his job. We went to the Jack n the Box across the street. I can actually review the food there but not at stuoid Pinecresr. read more

Arriving at Pinecrest, the overall experience started off on the wrong foot. It took the staff nearly 10 minutes to acknowledge and seat me, and when I politely asked about being seated, the hostess with long hair came across with an unwelcoming attitude. Shortly after sitting down, I felt rushed to order before I even had a chance to settle in comfortably. I ordered the cheese bacon burger with a side of onion rings. Unfortunately, the burger was extremely dry and lacked flavor -- honestly, I've had better burgers from fast food places. The onion rings were decent, but nothing memorable. What really stood out in a negative way was the service. When I asked for a side of ranch after my food arrived, I was told I needed to request it before placing the order, which didn't make much sense. I genuinely hate leaving negative reviews for local businesses because I know how hard it can be to run one, and I really wish Pinecrest would make some improvements. Better customer service and a more welcoming attitude would make a huge difference. Sadly, the service alone is enough to keep me from returning. read more

I walked into pinecresr slightly after 3 am since my body clock on my travels had me awake on central time zone . Carrying a plastic hotel brand water bottle and comfy after a hot shower in casual khaki slacks and gray hoody , I walked into a diner not too actively busy . My vibe sensed a very heavy profiling by the Man welcoming walk ins even to the point where he asked if there was vodka in my water bottle . I confronted him on his blatant profiling To which all I received back was his prescription that I was entitled . The man in question went over to a table with a couple getting settled in for some hearty breakfast . Yes I was denied ordering with one individuals blatant twisted act of profiling As though I just got off my cardboard piece on Turk street . I truly hope the owner ( s) of Pinecresr read this cause this behavior is not productive to profits and a brands image via word of mouth . I went back to my hotel and shared this with the staff I'm very familiar with since I'm in the cCITY weekly on business . read more

Very nice service with a smile. Pancakes were bomb. Had to ask first more butter. Yum yum yummy. read more

Pinecrest Diner - Hot chocolate - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

I was up in The City to meet with some friends who were in town for some industry seminars, and we were recommended this place. It was fine. That's really all there is to it. The reality is there aren't too many places in the Union Square area of San Francisco that are to die for. As far as being a no frills breakfast place, there's nothing wrong with Pinecrest and I can't complain. I ordered the New York steak and eggs. I cleaned my plate because that's what I do. If someone messes up on eggs? You can visually tell. The steak was nothing to write home about. It's typical frozen meat, and I couldn't make out any seasoning. It has a nice chew to it but no fatty flavors that make steaks delicious. But hey, I'm not at a steakhouse. Pinecrest is a solid place to have a networking breakfast, and that's all there is to it. The service was fine and the ambiance is what you expect out of a midrange diner. read more

Pinecrest Diner - New York Steak and 2 Eggs - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

On a Sunday afternoon, I really wanted dim sum. But, I'm a sucker for a diner, so I stopped in. It was actually decently busy. Rustic and dark toned, humble, the inside reminded me of a country diner somewhere in the woods. Id isn't interact much with the service, but they were kind. You will hear a lot of clanging from kitchen utensils and busser bins. I saw they had a chicken and waffle, and so, as I have been on a chicken and waffle quest, I had to try it. Im used to Mel's diner waffle having goodies cooked inside. I guess for been spoiled lol. This was a simple and humble presentation-- but probably the most volume of chicken I've had yet in the city. Though, I wouldn't say the chicken is the upper ranks of quality as some of the others I've had. I do like a more crispy waffle, and this one was on the softer side, nothing too special. I'd say a 2.8-3/5 all around at $30.10 for a Diet Coke and the chicken and waffle, seemed a bit pricey for a quality. But that's the city! A little diner with average eats, good for a quick bite if you're nearby and have a hankering for an average diner experience. read more

Pinecrest Diner - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Bz bz diner spot, gr8 to pop in and sit at the bar. Service is quick & friendly. Food is good enough to satisfy. read more

Pinecrest Diner - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

Following a work event our team was looking for a substantial dinner. Our jetlag had us feeling like it was late night which is part of the reason we were drawn to a 24 hour diner (it was really only 7:45pm). Pinecrest was busy when we arrived but after a short wait, we were taken to one of the big booths toward the back of the restaurant. It was a long time (probably 8 minutes) before a server came to our table. We made sure we had all of our orders ready. My colleagues got breakfast plates and I got a hot dog with chili and asked them to add cheese. You would have thought I asked them to add liver pate and caviar. The server said she'd have to ask the kitchen if they could do that. So I just said never mind. Food came out and and the hot dog was ginormous and it was loaded with chili. You definitely aren't going to be able to eat this with your hands. Honestly, it was too much. AND the chili had beans. I realize I wasn't in North Carolina hot dog chili doesn't have beans. I realize why adding chili was an extra $6 because there is basically an entire bowl of chili poured on to the hot dog. Here's the thing though, by the time you're halfway through this monster hot dog and loads of chili, the rest of it is cold. I'm not a slow eater or anything but it's definitely a downside of such a huge dish. All that for a $21 hot dog and it's just 3 stars from me. The breakfast plates looked awesome and that's probably the route I would take if I return to Pinecrest Diner. read more

Pinecrest Diner - Exterior - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We were staying across the street at Hotel G and got hungry, so we thought we would give Pinecrest a chance. Simple no-frills diner that was packed (always a good sign). The service was fast and the portions were generous. The food was really good, and surprisingly the onion rings were great the next day. Good place to stop for a simple meal anytime of day. read more

Pinecrest Diner - Club sandwich with fries - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Oooooh my god, Ana Banana was absolutely amazing! We were really upset when our reservation got canceled on us, but we decided to give this place a shot. My husband wasn't thrilled about this last-minute option, but we ended up super happy. Ana Banana, as she calls herself, took great care of us, really attentive and friendly. It seems like everyone knows her and likes her, which just adds to the warm, welcoming vibe of the place. We ordered the New York steak and prawns, plus the country fried steak, and the gravy was out of this world. We're so thankful we found this spot and an incredible server like Ana Banana. The place got busy out of nowhere, but they still got our food out to us really fast. We'll definitely be coming back to visit our new friend Ana Banana soon! read more

Food is good for late night dinning. This diner is open 24 hrs therefore it does get crowded after 10 pm. The breakfast s probably the best. The ambiance is a 60s diner vibe read more

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What a cool diner to visit in down in Union Square. It's small, but on the corner, so you can't miss it. The staff were welcoming. The menu has great options to try. On one visit, I had turkey burger with sweet potato fries. The burger was moist and well seasoned. On a second visit, I had the hangover, which was packed with all kinds of goodness. Every layer of this dish was flavorful and savory. The salsa and jalapeño are the perfect touch to give this dish a kick. I definitely recommend trying this place out if you are in the area. read more

Pinecrest Diner - Turkey burger - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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A solid choice for a late breakfast! Pancakes, Light buttery, Fluffy. Hashbrowns, Crispy on the outside, Soft on the inside. I got the country fried stake with eggs. Everything came out hot with no complaints. They had good coffee. Diner feel with good food. Generous portions. Fast service even with the breakfast rush. read more

Stopped by Pinecrest Diner for a quick lunch with Ray, Dan, and Joanna on the afternoon of Thursday, October 17, 2024. This was my first time at the eatery. Ray picked me up to meet up with Dan and Joanna who waited for us at a booth table. We arrived around 12:15 PM to a pretty packed place. Luckily, we walked from the Hilton Union Square, so didn't need to look for parking. The diner does not have a private lot, so customers are at the mercy of the availability of metered street parking. This venue is located in an area of San Francisco that has gone downhill bigtime, so park at your own risk. The décor is old-school diner with booths and counter seating with a front row view of the cooks slinging diner classics. At the time of our visit, the place appeared fairly clean. Dan ordered a plate from the BREAKFAST menu, Ray had a BURGER or something from the HOT SANDWICHES section, and Joanna went with the SCHWARTZ HOT DOG ($16.70). My lunch consisted of an ICED TEA ($4.95) and TUNA SALAD ($16.95). My salad was not bad and the French fries from Ray and Joanna's plates were nicely golden, crispy, and tasty. The plastic disposable ramekin used for my salad dressing was a bit tacky, though. Service was meh. Definitely not deserving of more than a standard tip since they seemed to be a bit forgetful, and we had to constantly flag down a server for assistance. They were busy, yeah, but they really should be used to the peak time during lunch hours. Heads-up - their sign says that they are "OPEN 24 HOURS;" however, their website specifies that those hours are only for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday of each week. They are open 7am - 11pm on the other nights of the week. Still, those are some good hours. read more

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My wife and I stayed at the Clift Hotel and took in the city vibe late - into the early morning hours. Craving some late night eats we entered the PineCrest Diner a block down from our hotel. It did not disappoint! Great service, big cozy booths to slide into and all the comfort food you could hope for. A blast back in time we'll worth the ride ! read more

Great service in a pinch. This place is open 24 hours a day on Fridays and Saturdays. Was wandering around for a place to get food since I usually wake up at around 430am. They have lots of breakfast options - what a comprehensive menu. And Morena, the lovely lady that served me was such a doll. Their prices are seemingly pre-pandemic so it's hard to believe that they're a block away from Union Square. read more

This place is nice if it's not crowded. The line for a table is difficult to understand since they keep trying to move people so no one blocks the street or doorway. I think it's a people not following instructions thing, though. It sometimes takes a while to be seated. The food is great for a grill and there is a variety of choices. The bathrooms are downstairs and I'm not sure if they are ada accessable since it's not obvious from the seating area. It's great that it's open 24 hours, though. Especially since it's near the theaters. read more

Pinecrest Diner - Small green salad - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a nice diner, with a good selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. The seats at the counter are a bit close together and close to the counter, so it could be more comfortable. I got a burger and fries. They were ready quickly. A bonus of sitting at the counter is a good view of the cooks working. The staff were friendly and helpful, but also very busy. read more

Pinecrest Diner - Mushroom and Swiss burger, cheese fries - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've lived in San Francisco since 2009 and have never been to this place; now I understand why! Pretty generic diner menu with very mediocre dishes. And they must go super heavy on the salt since I was quite thirsty for like 4 hours after, even more so than when I down a big bowl of pho. Schwartz Hot Dog w/ Chili: It's a good way to taste their chili with an appropriate pairing. And there is indeed lots of chili! So much so that there's really no way to eat this with your hands, so just skip to a knife and fork. The hot dog is thick, more like a sausage. Not too much bread. Some shredded cheese in the mix. A solid diner choice. Chicken Piccata: Not pounded that thin and the coating was barely there too. Didn't have a strong piccata flavor (lemon, butter, capers). And there was weird salsa-like toppings on top. Strange pairing choice with baked potatoes and steamed veggies. Very overpriced for what it was. Onion Rings: Initially they forgot that I had substituted onions rings for my fries, so they I had to remind them. Not sure if they were rushed or if this is the normal state, but the onion rings were pretty bad. Mushy batter, just out of the frier, not even crispy. read more

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Great place in San Francisco. Always a line and worth it! Breakfast is the best! I try to eat here in every trip to San Francisco....

Pinterest Diner is straight out of the 80s - vinyl booths, huge menu, and no-frills service. It's casual, comfortable, and exactly what one would expect from a classic diner. We stopped in for lunch and went for a combo platter (swapped the mozzarella sticks for fries), a bowl of chili, and the carbonara pasta. Everything came out hot, fresh, and hit the spot. And yes, they've got milkshakes and wine on the menu - a win for both kids and parents! read more

Decent 24-hour diner. It gets very crowded so service is slow. They really should hire more servers. Food is ok, but overpriced.

When I think about San Francisco, my memories don't really conjure up a bustling diner scene, outside of the classic (and kind of overhyped) Mel's, of course . But as a quintessential part of any Americana culinary map there are definitely more than a decent handful of indie diners sprinkled throughout the city; and Pinecrest is among the better of the bunch that I've been to. There is nothing unexpected here. This isn't elevated brunch or fancy fusion, it's straight up 60s style nostalgia-laden greasy spoon dishes well-executed with speed 24 hours a day (Wed-Sat, at least). Chicken fried steak and eggs is one of my favorite old school diner dishes and Pinecrest hits the mark on everything I'm looking for. I like my gravy on the side so I can preserve the crispness of the steak, and the salty, buttery bounty of food did not fail to deliver exactly what I hoped for. The French toast is also really good -- perfectly fluffy and eggy, these are two dishes that I have had dozens of times and can cross off the list at Pinecrest as being nailed with no notes. I also took the mozzarella sticks for a spin and they totally got the job done but were the least exciting thing I tried. I think 3.5 stars is actually perfect for this place but I am going to round up because it's the best I've had in the area and deserves praise for keeping quality up while being so close to one of the busiest tourist-trap hubs in this special city. read more

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Update: manager replied to my previous comment when I complained about the service I received, it was dismissed And honestly, the manager's reply focusing on the awning instead of my actual experience just confirms that they are the problem! One thing the manager argued about was that the hours were updated on Google. I included a photo of what hours are listed as their operating hours. It's called having integrity - now im not surprised why my service was horrible! read more

Pinecrest Diner - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

Mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, onion rings were perfectly seasoned and delicious. Staff moves fast and cooks are super busy. Inside is old school SF. Outside, panhandlers, gritty sidewalks and the smell of pee. We'll be back ! read more

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Good fried chicken, well seasoned and really crispy. Breast was a tad dry. Honestly best side salad I have had. Burger was ok, ordered medium and came out well done with taste of carbon lingering but at 11:45pm I'm not complaining. Nice service and quaint establishment. Chili has beans just FYI, wanted all beef chili cheese fries but again, not bad read more

Pinecrest Diner - Fried chicken - Diners Near Me - San Francisco, California

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