Old San Francisco on the water. Can't be beat or replicated. Serving up burgers THERE WAY! This isn't Burger King where you can have it "your" way. read more

Red's Java House is one of those "dive" restaurants that doesn't seem real outside of TV, movies or tourist magazines. The restaurant is located along Embarcadero (in the shadow of the Bay Bridge) and just a short walk from AT&T Park. This is a GREAT place to visit for breakfast and lunch. The food (burgers, sandwiches, breakfast, sides, etc.) is good in a "the way diners used to be" sort of way. It is simple and tasty. While the food is good, the views and ambiance is the real draw of this place. The views of the city, bay, Bay Bridge and AT&T Park are postcard worthy. You really "feel" the real Embarcadero here almost more than any other place. It is just slightly off the beaten (tourist) path elsewhere to make this place ooze with character and nostalgia. The food is really just a delightful plus! I'm happy that this place maintains the "feel" despite the fame that various TV shows and travel magazines have brought it. Fame hasn't changed the place at all. TIPS: Since you can bring food into AT&T Park for baseball games, this is a great place to great some food if you're not interested in the stadium's culinary offerings. Parking is always at a premium in San Francisco, but there are usually some meter spots available along the Embarcadero (and I usually park in front of Pier 26 to Pier 28). Red's is also just a 15 minute walk from the CalTrain station at 4th and King. In addition, the "N" MUNI has a stop (the intersection of the Embarcadero and Brannon) just a block away. read more

Red’s Java House - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California

Ambiance is very casual. Got a burger which is served "Reds Way" (meaning no lettuce or tomatoes.) I have to say I should have ordered something else. The bread was awful and burger didn't have much taste. Others in our large group felt the same way, so it wasn't just me. Like I said, we'll just order something else next time. read more

There burgers are delicious simple but the flavors merry perfectly nice twist with the french bread (very fresh and soft but still crispy) fries where great too Definitely coming back when I'm in the area for a quick bite read more

Been coming here for YEARS!!! Love the cooks and the staff EXCEPT for the NEW woman who works there. She's rude and unprofessional. Asked me for my vaccination card and when presented she said I needed to have the booster. Funny because she did not ask the people behind for their vaccine AT ALL!! Definitely felt discriminated against. Lastly, I've been getting the corned beef hash sandwich again FOR YEARS (I love it) but this new women says they never made that there... again she's new and is running off us regulars! Sad! read more

Love this place. Been living in Sf for twenty years , and just stated coming here. Super friendly staff ... and great food at low prices !!! read more

Red’s Java House - Menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love coming to Red's Java House. It's located in a beautiful area with beautiful views of San Francisco and the Bay Area. The staff is so friendly and they make you want to order even more food than you came in for because you can see the food being cooked right before your eyes! I'm absolutely hooked on their mouthwatering butterflied Double Dog with cheese, onions and garlic paired with their garlic fries! It's just a bite of heaven on earth. Who knew an elevated hot dog could provide such an explosion of flavor. Well, now you know so stop on by and see for yourself because they've got it all! read more

I've been to Red's a few times now and it really is a cool little legendary spot close to the ballpark. I came here with several friends before the start of a Giants game and while they went to the back to get some drinks I ordered a double cheeseburger with fries. The reason why I like this burger so much is that it's on sourdough bread and the cheese is just sticking to it like some sort of miracle food! The fries have also been decent, but nothing to brag about for the most part. The service here is quick and since this place is on the docks it does tend to get a bit messy inside sometimes. Overall, a solid unique burger and one I'll definitely be back for! read more

Red’s Java House - Fries are decent here - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California

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People are nice, burger was meh. Maybe the double burger is better because a single was too much bread for the single patty. The seating out back looks nice for lounging on a nice day. Glad I tried it, not sure I'll come back, only because there are so many other places in the city to try. read more

We are staying nearby and decided to try this place today. Doesn't look like much when you first see it and go in, but has a huge bar in the next room, and then nice patio seating on a deck outside. We got two double cheeseburgers, garlic fries, and an Irish coffee. The burgers were okay, they are served with mustard, pickles, and raw onions. The patties were not juicy and the sourness from the sourdough bread, pickles and mustard is a bit much. The garlic fries were amazing, but the Irish coffee was just coffee with whiskey in it and some whipped cream served in a paper cup. No sugar in it, and not very good tasting. It's a nice place to grab some beers, fries and sit outside to enjoy the view. Not worth the $50+ though. read more

Good cheese burger but no lettuce and tomatoes which I like. If they added that I would be happy!

It is definitely a unique spot - right on Embarcadero but away from the busy parts. Offers great views of the bay. I like their skinny french fries. But if you like the handcut thick rustic fries these are not for you. The idea of using sourdough bread as burger bun is intriguing in theory but my taste buds did not like the application. Their default (not sure if they offer tailored doneness) of the meat patty is WELL DONE. 3.5 stars read more

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Went for breakfast, and it was great! I was a little reticent when I walked up, but it was fast service, I loved the divey atmosphere, and it was delicious. I'd love to come back to try the burger sometime. read more

Best Bay view, it looks more like a road eatry, it's worth a try. Perfect view of the waters, refreshing environment not to forget the meals themselves are mouth watering. read more

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Such a classic place to get a drink and grab some casual food. The bar in the back is a fun spot to relax to have a beer, mixed drink or a glass of wine. Reds is a dive bar that serves diner type, fast food. It's where the locals hang out. It's a great spot before a Giants game too.The cheeseburger on the classic french roll with greesy fries is what they are known for. The french roll for me is dry and the quality of the meat is not top notch. I actually prefer just a regular soft bun. I don't go for the food. you come to Red's for the nostalgia, sun, sitting on the bay and drink or two. read more

This is an institution and as such it gets all sorts of passes. When you visit RJH you're visiting history so leave your expectations at the door and just go with it. Having said that my experience was A-OK but unless it was terrible RJH gets the stars just for the historic value. read more

Leaving three as I do love this little gem , been making it out stop when we come to the city. TODAY, we drove her JUST to grab a cup & walk along the piers , they are supposed to be open until 6 staff inside and orb doors closed at 5:20 ? If I was passing by , or here for other reasons , fine , but when I MAKE IT A POINT to come here for food & drink , PAY for parking , NOT A HAPPY CUST! read more

I love coming here for that simple burger, hot dog, fries, onion rings and a beer or 2. People are nice and service is always good.

The staff is always so damn friendly, I love that. I've been coming here for years when I'm craving black coffee and something greasy (I've nursed many a hangover here). I generally sit inside in the run down, but charming interior, but they also have an outdoor patio/beer garden. You'd think a patio literally on top of the water would be a beautiful spot, but it's not. You pretty much see asphalt as far as the eye can see... Ah well, it's still a fun hole-in-the-wall spot for occasional unhealthy food fun. read more

Yummy in your tummy!!!! I put hot sauce on it all, nice place to hit before a kayaking trip, light and filling at the same. read more

Red’s Java House - SO yum!!! Crab and shrimp Sammich with Louisiana sauce - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love Red's...no pretense of anything but a greasy spoon...and it is one of my faves. This is truly one-of-a-kind!! I had the fish and chips today...with an Anchor beer....hubby got his usual burger. Both were huge, and amazing!! We sat outside...and watched the fog lift from the bay...and all the boats heading out.....stunning. A great start to a wonderful day!!! read more

sunday run and brunch...only two miles down to red's java house...the sun bright and calling...word of good corned beef & hash...rejected!...all out of corned beef & hash...over the counter order...breakfast special with pancakes, eggs and bacon requested....coffee please....second, scrambled eggs with salsa and tortilla...potatoes plenty...self serve coffee canisters...refills fine...taking out to the patio back...feeling guilty of gluttony after such a short run...pancake fluffy and standard...drizzle of syrup and tasting fine...bacon thick and charred crisp...eggs over-easy as requested...potatoes inch cubed and crispy...dip in ketchup and good...tortilla griddled toasty...good wrap for salsa and scrambled eggs....two breakfast meals to share amongst three and three coffee cups roughly $twenty-two total...enjoying san francisco sun, bay bridge and water views...city mornings... saturday breakfast and finding corned beef & hash gratification...shredded moist fresh corned beef quite delicious...great taste and texture...breakfast quite large, but the sandwich version just as good in smaller portion and cheaper pricing... read more

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The fish and chips are perfect. Light batter with moist cod topped off with fries. The cheeseburgers are fantastic with boudin style bread. read more

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Sometimes I just don't get Anthony Bourdain . . . and sometimes, I do. This was one of those times that I feel like he knew better than me. My first impression was that this place looked like a shack and I saw no lines out the door. I will have to admit that given the recent glut of burger bars, I was a bit dismayed at the lack of offerings. What do you mean, you guys have no truffle sauce or aioli mayo that I can put on my burger? But this is where the ultimate joy of burger comes through. I have to admit that I found a zen like experience in eating a burger with no special sauce or gimmick - just meat, cheese, pickles, onions on a sourdough bun. Unpretentious and simple - what a burger used to be before the Foodie craze turned it into an overly flamboyant monstrosity. Not that I don't like that at times. Paired with a beer, I felt the worries of the world melt away and imagined myself back in a time where men could freely watch tv while sticking one hand down the pants. Yup, that's how comforting this burger was. read more

Red’s Java House - Cheeseburger and a beer - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California

I keep saying to out-of-town friends just how beautiful San Francisco is. How cultured. How diverse. How exciting. How pioneering. How cosmopolitan. How laissez faire. But I have never described San Francisco as "down-to-earth." I may now have to hang my head in embarrassment. Thank you for that, Red's Java House! This place is divey, and I don't mean that as an epithet. I say that with something akin to awe. Nowhere else in the Embarcadero Waterfront have I been to that is like Red's Java House. The menu is simple: burgers, fish-and-chips, tuna salad sandwich, and none of the fancy gourmet dishes San Francisco is known for (they do have veggie burgers, though, so yeah, they still give nod to SF's health nut side). My lunch companion and I ordered fish-and-chips and decided to just share since neither of us were truly hungry yet. Did we get disapproving looks or raised eyebrows? Nope, the staff were as cool and pleasant as could be. The fish-and-chips was $9 and it was more than plenty for us (we didn't even finish the chips!). It may not be the best fish-and-chips I have had in San Francisco, but it was quite good. Since it was a glorious San Francisco day, we chose to situate ourselves in their outdoor seating area. The spectacular view of the Bay Bridge whilst watching the birds very closely to make sure they don't snatch our food kept the smiles on our faces. On the other side is a parking lot with nothing of interest to note of. There were business people in their spiffy attire, tourists with their huge cameras, hipsters with their fabulous tattoos, a family with a toddler, and goths with their dark clothing dining there as well. At that very moment, I couldn't help but think: How very San Francisco! San Francisco where the beautiful and the gritty, and all sorts of people coexist -- in a little, down-to-earth dive smack dab in the center of the West Coast's Wall Street. Thank you for that SF moment, Red! read more

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REAL corned beef hash. If that's not enough to give out five stars, I don't know what is. The C. and I spent a lovely Sunday breakfast here before our foraging trip. Funny thing, I never knew there was a restaurant out in those parts. I was most happily enlightened. Sadness came, however, when we left and I forgot to photograph the space heater building (aka Rincon One) rising out of the bridge ramp, the top completely obscured in heavy fog. My description will simply have to do for you. Maybe one day circumstances and weather patterns will repeat itself and I can take it then. 5 stars, all round. read more

Red’s Java House - Wow! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California

Yes... It's a hole in the wall... Yes it is visually unappealing... And yes it is awesome! I had no idea Anthony Bourdain had visited. The only reason I went is that one of my employees told be they had a burger and fries that was good and it was only a 3-minute walk from my office. I was intrigued by the sign in the store that boldly drew a line in the sand. "We don't serve tomatoes or lettuce." However, the question asked of me as I placed my order at the dilapidated counter raised another mystery. "Everything on it?" I responded with an unflinching "Yes." My mind raced...if no tomatoes or lettuce.... What is everything? I asked for extra-crispy fries and they obliged with out hesitation. Soda was served in a can. Nicely chilled. Barq's - It has bite (caffeine for the uninitiated - much needed mid-day)! While I waited for the enigma of the burger's toppings to unfold I made my way to the dock/patio at the back of Red's. The America's Cup is in full swing and they are set up right behind and to the side of Red's. I found a seat with no seagull crap and nested. Patio umbrellas provided some shade but it was a warm day. I entertained my self watching the seagulls and pigeons fight over food scraps and waited for my food to arrive. Finally, with out any fanfare the unassuming burger was laid before me. Not much to look at. Condiments? Toppings??? Not much to speak of. Mystery solved... Chopped onion, pickles and mustard. Two large patties, shoved unceremoniously into a sourdough hoagie roll. Experience??? Unforgettable! Pure. Unpretentious. Protein packed, delight! Everything a man needs in a burger!!! I have found a place in California, where you will be slapped if you request guacamole on your burger. This is a haven for those, like me who can appreciate the simplicity of a few select items prepared from age old traditions of meat and fire!!! I was sure they must prepare the meat themselves. I inquired of the cooks, if this was the case because the meat tasted so fresh. In actuality they buy the patties off premise but fresh...not frozen and that is why they taste so good. Bonuses: fries...extra crispy. Crowds... None. Price... $13.... A little high but this is San Fran! Try the fish and chips!!! I'll tell you about those later! read more

Red’s Java House - On the patio at Red's Java House. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California

A friend had mentioned that Anthony Bourdain recommended Red's Java House so the boyfriend and I headed on over... we are always on the lookout for a good burger. We went on a Saturday afternoon after hitting the farmer's market at the Ferry Building. We waited in a long line when we got there because apparently there was a Giants game that afternoon and everyone was pre-partying. We ordered the double cheeseburger combo to share. The burger patties were rather thick, which I was excited about, but they didn't really have a great amount of flavor. I am a big fan of sourdough, but I thought it was a bit bland. I found the burger to be just OK, nothing to write home about. Another thing I noticed was that the fries tasted as if they were fried in oil that was old and needed to be changed. We enjoyed sitting outside in the back; the sun was shining and the weather was gorgeous. Wish the burger had been more than ok, though. Glad we tried it, but not as great as it should be considering all the hype. read more

Red’s Java House - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California

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After a day walking the pier before the Giants vs. Dodgers game yesterday, we ended up here before the game because.. A) it was right next to where we parked B) the weather was gorgeous so how could you not want to lounge outside? C) when you are having one of the best day ever, it doesn't matter where you are The boyfriend got our drinks (mine a diet soda). We sat and chilled for a short period of time whilst our boy hung out in his stroller w/o making a peep. I kind of forgot what we talked about... I remember him calling those pigeons "turkeys" and commented on some lady's haircut being like Rod Stewart (haha). Oh yeah.. soda refills are $1. Thanks to him, I got that Barfly badge even though I don't drink. read more

Anthony Bourdain said anytime you begin to doubt the wonderfulness of San Francisco, all you gotta do is come here. It's a no-frills place where you can grab a good burger, chili cheese fries, and a beer and enjoy the view. read more

Red’s Java House - This is how Mornings should be - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California

Chili cheese fries is awesome, sandwich and hotdog are less impressive tho. There is lots of bugs in store (hygiene is my biggest concern ) read more

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At Cal football games there is a chant we have when we beat a higher ranked team: Over-rated! Over-rated! That's sort of how I feel about Red's. I always hear people throw it in as one of their favorite burgers in SF. I find that to be a questionable statement but to each their own. Yes, it was on Bourdain and I love No Reservations but the only thing I found to be incredibly tasty at Red's was the fries. I'm definitely willing to check it out again but I was not blown away by my first visit. Was it good? Yes. The best? The jury is still out on that question. read more

One comes to Red's not for the fabulous food, but for hangover dive bar food in a beautiful waterfront joggers-going-by setting. The food costs more than it ought to, but the building, the staff, and the food are all interesting and worth a visit. Perhaps not two visits, but at least the one visit. On a sunny day. With friends. Food: ** Ambiance: **** read more

Pigeons are out of control here! They attack you and your food like a Hitchcock movie scene. Located next to Bay Bridge next to the water, this shack restaurant provides a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy a cheese burger and some beer. If the weather is nice, it's a nice place to bring a out of town guest. PROS: Free parking next to the restaurant. Cheap place to sit outside on a nice day and enjoy a nice cup of beer while soaking in the view. CONS: This hole-in-a-wall with cool retro atmosphere entices me to give a higher rating, but I cannot betray my taste buds. Come on now, close your eyes and tell me if the burger is really any good. read more

Read the article in the Chronicle today. The owner saying nothing changed since she bought it. How about charging way more and serving a crappy product. That's change. She must be watching too much Fox News. It seams like spin is the norm. read more

I dig this place. And I am definitely feeling those sourdough rolls they serve the burgers on. Much more civilized than a bun! read more

I really wish I could have given it more props... but the food was not good. I'm sorry to say, but you come here only for the view... and you're really paying for the view. All that food you see in my photo was around 28 dollars. Mini sandwich which left me wanting to get more food, and my boyfriend's corn beef hash was disappointing for 11ish dollars. I can't even explain what the food tasted like. It was bland. The sausage and egg breakfast sandwich is just as it is - drenched in butter and eh. The corn beef hash was lacking beef, but it had an abundance of onions. The coffee ended up having a ton of coffee grinds in it [of course they aren't known for coffee, I know]. The best part of this breakfast was the location - you sit near the water, look out into the sky and feel at peace. read more

Red’s Java House - Breakfast sandwich and the corn beef hash... - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California

3.5 stars - their A-frame sign noting double cheeseburger and beer special lured us in to grab a bite before heading to the game. It was a hot day and the line was quite long...almost gave up but hubby wanted to try. As expected, the place like others in the surrounding area was packed with Giants fans inside and out. We had plenty time to study the menu on the wall and we decided on the combo: double cheeseburger w/ fries and Lagunitas IPA for $12.95. It is a good deal and plenty food for the two of us. Not sure why the line was so long because our order was ready right away. We grabbed a table near the front door and enjoyed our meal. They serve their burgers on a sourdough roll and it was actually quite good, better than we had expected. The roll helped absorb all the juices from the burger and the chewiness added a nice texture. The burger was juicy and greasy but very satisfying. Fries were crispy and the bottle of IPA was cold. Full bar in the back. read more

Red’s Java House - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California

Red's Java House is a throwback to a time when you didn't have to worry about the face of the animal you were eating, or the number of calories in your daily meal, or before you could review a business on a website for all of humanity to see. Red's is a simple restaurant in a very complex city. There is no pretention about Red's: it is what it is. Many people may walk, drive or bike by Red's without giving it a thought, but they are missing out on a great diner. Walk in, order a burger, fries and a drink, and sit down. The food is not fancy, but it's tasty to the core. And, for a fairly expensive city, the prices aren't too bad. If you're watching a Giants game down the road, come by a little early and eat at Red's. The meal you'll get there is a lot better and cheaper than anything you'll get at AT&T Park. read more

This is a hole in the wall place. I ordered a coffee and it wasn't good at all. Java shouldn't even be part of their name. It's cool that they are on the water, but I think it's time to tear down and rebuild. I don't know if I would eat here. read more

Red’s Java House - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Francisco, California