Rusty Ladle

Soups were still tasty, sandwiches were …ok, but they really need to make a change to the slow production. From ordering to getting our food, it took 24 minutes. Mind blown. Suggestions: 1. Get a bigger or add another panini grill. Move the ice machine somewhere else to make room for the sandwich making area. 2. Have people pick up their own order from the window and take it to their parklet seat, instead of the staff walking the length of the restaurant just to take the tray to their seats. Waste of valuable time. Or, cut the counter near the front so that it has one of those flip up counter and allows a person to go through. This is my 2nd time eating there, and the experience was so different. Staff was still nice, but they need to make a change to serve customers faster. I didn’t expect to take almost half an hour to get soup.

Overall the food was okay, certain dishes disappointed me more than others. The service was okay, they took my order and served me my food within a reasonable time frame. The atmosphere is by far my favorite part of this establishment. The indoor seating gave a cozy, diner feel and the outdoor seating included a beautiful view of the ocean. I wouldn’t come again for the food as the tomato soup was a bit watery,acidic, and honestly tasted like tomato juice more than tomato soup. The schmelty was one of the better dishes I tried. It was a bit melty, the chorizo was a bit bland （and hard), and the bread was mildly soft. La maginifca is a one and done sandwich. It was quite sour and I only tasted the olives. I could not taste the meat and the cheese was lukewarm at best. To be honest it was more of an olive sandwich more than a “maginifca” sandwich. Overall, I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here again but if I want soup and a view of the ocean I might come here.

The perfect place if you want soups. Very difficult to find such gems. Loved this place and atmosphere. We ordered the potato leek, tomato and the chicken soup. All 3 were great. They also have sandwiches which looked super tempting.

Cozy, Delicious, and Super Satisfying Rusty Ladle SF totally hit the spot. We had their clam chowder and a sample of their tomato soup plus the inside out schmelty sandwich, and it was everything I wanted — warm, comforting, and packed with flavor. The chowder was just the right amount of richness, and the sandwich was perfectly toasted and satisfying. The place has a chill, welcoming vibe, and the staff was friendly and helpful. It’s the kind of place that feels like a local gem. I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in the mood for a cozy, delicious meal.

ABSOLUTELY amazing, a must with the rain season. I think their clam chowder is my favorite in the Bay and also they will let you try their soups. They also rotate a couple of offerings daily/ weekly

Small space but very fast and friendly service. Best grilled cheese sandwich with crusty cheese edges. and the $4 cup soup was a perfect match. Would love to come back.

I loved this cozy place - soup and the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had! Also a very reasonably priced meal, I’ll definitely be back. Ate on the outdoor patio, food was served promptly and with no fuss.

Honestly such an amazing spot. Service was amazing, they let you try the soups, food was spectacular, beers on tap. Owner was there washing dishes and bussing tables, made a point to be friendly to us. They offered us more soup refills. Atmosphere was very homie local vibes. We just moved here and really needed this meal. Thanks Rusty Ladel!

Warm, cozy, friendly and delicious! Finally made it in after watching the construction process/progress both online and in person. We had the clam chowder and (vegan) split pea and the mortadella sandwich. All were delicious - and to quote my husband "despite the pea soup being vegan". :) We're excited to try more of their specialty soups, it's an exciting option with "soup season" upon us. The staff are all friendly, helpful and gracious and it was our pleasure to chat with them.

I loved everything about this place. My friend wanted soup after a long walk at the Dunes, and I was skeptical about finding a soup restaurant. And yet, here we found ourselves. 1) super friendly & helpful staff 2) delicious tomato soup 3) insanely good grilled cheese "inside out" sandwich. I live on the opposite side of The City, but I'll definitely be back.

Definitely was fun to do a soup flight! Taste of each was ok to us. Expected a lot more flavor and hotter temperature. Each soup needed a little more flavor and heat. Kind of bland and barely warm. Shmelty was tasty, had good bread choice. Place is neat, small but bar seating is cute. Had a cute bathroom decor too. Service is kind and welcoming!

Again, I absolutely loved this place. The vibe is so friendly, welcoming, laid-back. We were offered free samples again to try different soups on their menu! I tried the clam chowder this time - it was less creamy than I was expecting, but still comforting and delicious. My partner got the hot dog and loved it. The bread was a step-up from usual hot-dogs, dog had a good crunch and paired well with toppings. i love this spot!

This place is so cute! I'm a huge soup connoisseur so this hit in all the right ways. I took a quick Lyft here after walking several miles in Golden Gate Park since I saw it on Yelp first thing in the morning. They have a variety of soups, I had the clam chowder in the restaurant and took the others to go for my husband. Their version of the grilled cheese is delicious but not too much cheese on the inside. I think mine was different than the others in the photos so we'll have to come back to try again Their bud cheladas are $3 so that's a reason in and of itself to come. Service is good. It's an order at the cash register then take a seat at the bar. I think it would function WAY better to have service at your own seat, because who only Wants one beer? You'd have to order and pay then to the cash register again for any more drinks or additional food.

The staff here is so friendly and our food came out so yummy and hot. We got the Bodega Bay chowder which was amazing and had fresh clams. The schmelty was also soo good and the cheese crust was melty gooey and had crisp ends. I love the outdoor seating and how close it is to the beach.

Took a stroll on a windy foggy day on Ocean Beach aka Sunset Dunes and needed some warmth, so we walked about 6 blocks east on Lawton Street to land at the penny-laden counter at Rusty Ladle, Their Bodega Bay clam chowder was chockful of goodness but is less heavy than the New England ones. The Schmelty is an out -of-this-world grilled double cheese sandwich - my daughter had it with 1/2 cup tomato soup, which kept her nice and toasty. Real flowers in vases line the counter, a nice touch to this friendly place w/ very reasonably priced foods. The bathroom is also very clean & more seated tables are available outside.

I never considered myself a "soup sycophant" until I read the SF Chronicle article about this spot last April and recognized I might be one. Whether it's menudo or pozole, ramen or pho, bisque or gazpacho, yes, I naturally gravitate toward soups. Color me a sycophant because I ventured out on the N-Judah to the way Outer Sunset to try it. It's on the same block as Andytown and next to an art gallery owned by chef John Lindsey who owns this place. I arrived around 2PM thinking I might miss their lunch rush. All the outdoor picnic tables were occupied, but they looked more like neighborhood residents than actual customers. The counter inside was empty, so I perused their brief menu - four soups and two sandwiches. Normally I'm a clam chowder guy, but it was the classic combination of tomato soup and grilled cheese that drew me in. Probably inspired by the toddlers from the school next door, I felt a need for a school lunch and ordered the $9.75 Schmelty described as an inside out grilled cheese sandwich. Indeed I saw the staffer load up my sammie onto a press with cheddar and mozzarella on both sides of the bread (Photo 8). It was a bit much for me, but it was satisfying and nostalgic. For $4, I got the half-cup of Tomato Soup drizzled with their housemade basil cream (Photo 7). That was just the chaser I needed for all that cheese because it was thick, warm, and just enough. I'd like to come back and try the other soups. They even offer sake and snickerdoodles. Wouldn't that make for a well-balanced meal? OK, maybe not. FOOD - 4 stars...the soup was aces, the grilled cheese was cheesy for sure AMBIANCE - 4 stars...old school diner vibe fits the neighborhood SERVICE - 4 stars...friendly crew TOTAL - 4 stars...yes, I am a soup sycophant...do I need help? RELATED - Exploring the Sunset? Here's a collection of places l've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2El8elJ

I love clam chowder, and this place dishes out a great one with tons of clams with overtones of black pepper. Be forewarned that this is a thinner consistency than your typical "New England" style which this doesn't claim to be. It comes with fresh bacon bits (on the side for takeout) and a couple of packs of the finest Soup crackers from Westminster. Quality stuff. The service was friendly too for my take out order. Ambiance? Inside you'll find that familiar reclaimed wood aesthetic. Bar-like counter seating strongly reminiscent of a drinking establishment, but soup instead of alcohol!

Decided to try this place after seeing an Instagram reel (had my doubts cause it was an Instagram reel) but honestly pretty solid food. Got the clam chowder and inside out grilled cheese. Clam chowder (4/5) A little too watery in texture for me. I like it when chowders are thick and stick to the spoon but this one was a little more soup like. The clams were overall clean but I did have so sand in one of my spoons of chowder. Inside out grilled cheese (5/5) Really cool concept to have the cheese on the outside. Made it really crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Will try this with the tomato bisque next time! Quick service, ordered in person and my food was ready in 10 minutes. Could walk over to andytown next door and grab a drink.

I have been wanting to try this place for awhile. I thought it might be another overpriced hipster spot, but I was wrong. I had the clam chowder and the La Magnifica sandwich. Both were excellent! I look forward to returning and trying other items. The service was friendly and the food came out quickly. The bonus part is that they are dog friendly. Thanks for the great experience!

A friend introduced me to Rusty Ladle and I was not disappointed. Their soups are killer and worth the drive over. I was 'bowled' over by the soup quality and perfect temperature. Oyster crackers on the house and there is seating on the counter, select indoor tables and outdoor seating options. Service was friendly and fast. All good stuff on a cool summer SF day!!!

LOVED THIS PLACE! Staff were so nice and the food was even better! The grilled cheese and the clam chowder are a MUST! I will definitely be back and it's worth a drive from the other side of the city to get here!

We went here after a fun, foggy day at the zoo and had wonderful tomato soup and grilled cheese (the KimChee grilled cheese was sooo good)! Reasonably prove and packed full of flavor. Small area, can only be seated at the counter but we went after lunch so it was perfect timing for us! Everyone was so kind. Highly recommend

tldr neighborhood joint serving up classic and rotational soups and more for a decent price and counter seating friend and i ordered clam chowder, tomato basil, a magnifica sandwich, and bonus free snickerdoodle. they are great - u can sample as many soups as u like esp cool since they have a rotational menu with new special soups but me and my friend just stuck to the classics on their menu clam chowder (3.75/5) a bit on the watery side but was satisfyingly warm + well seasoned. clams seem fresh along with all the other ingredients! i tasted some sand in the soup which was a meh so would suggest they clean their clams a bit better tomato basil (4/5) hard to mess up this one but it was nicely balanced tomato flavor with a dash of cream that made it the perfect dipping vessel for the sando magnifica sando (4/5) we also got the magnifica toasted which is technically not allowed but super tasty if u can do that - couldn't really taste the truffle but ingredients were fresh and olives went nicely with the mortadella + cheese. suggest dipping this with the tomato soup for the perfect bite free snickerdoodle (4.5/5) waiter gave us a free cookie and it was super tasty! sweet but also had a bite and chewy on the inside. appreciated that. service was wonderful, staff talked us thru the menu and water is self service at the counter. the soup counter is cute with pennies all around and bathroom was clean. overall, it was a bit pricey but i would come back if i was in the mood for soup and near the water on a cold day! food 3.75/5 service 4/5 ambiance 4/5 value 3.75/5

In my soupy happy place at Rusty Lable. If you are a fan of a good soup this worth all the pennies in the world (they have a penny counter!). While eating in the second time we saw the chef washing and taking all the fresh vegetables for the next pot of soup. Perfect for the winter and honestly any time of year. If you eat in they give you a small (dipping size) side of tomato soup with your sandwich. All the staff are friendly and prompt with ordering. If you order soup with the sandwiches you'll have to wait a bit, but enjoy the fun atmosphere and your friendly counter neighbors.

Fabulous Bodega Bay Clam Chowder - brothy with delicious flavors - adding bacon bits and oyster crackers. The richness of Perfect Pozole garnished with crisp greens. La Magnifica - Schiacciata bread with Mortadella, Provolone, Olive Salad and Truffle Oil. Total satisfaction in every bite! Friendly service is charming! Place your order as you enter ...find counter seating ...watch the action and devour the goodness! ...say hello to John!

A day of excitement in the city led to the discovery of a charming eatery. The service was superb. With outdoor seating and our soup providing a comforting treat on a chilly San Francisco day

The schmelty is a must for grilled cheese lovers. The burnt cheesy exterior was perfection. It was rich and greasy, one was more than enough to split between two people, with sides of soup. We tried the tomato and the gumbo which were not bad, but the schmelty was definitely the standout.

We were first in line waiting to get in. You order, pay, find a seat at the penny counter and wait for the food. We enjoyed our bowls of chowder and schmelty cheese sandwich. Seating is pretty limited and that's why we showed up 1145 on a Saturday morning. Place is only open Thursday to Sunday, noon to 8. Hope it will open more days soon. I think some of the specials rotate but the chowder is a constant. We will definitely be back. It beats a lot of touristy joints around town. Love that this is a neighborhood place!

Ultimate comfort food spot. All of their soups are delicious and you can really taste the ingredients. The owner is super friendly and gave us a few samples to try, the creamy cauliflower was my favorite! So creamy and cheesy but not overly greasy, and just the right amount of cauliflower flavor. The sandwiches are both out of this world. The olive tapenade on the La Magnifica was fantastic, and it's the perfect sandwich not too greasy like other places. Everyone that works here are super friendly, will definitely be coming back!

You walk in to a clean, welcoming, and well lit counter seating area. Either you order in or take out; everyone order at the register. A regular changing menu is posted up front. If dining in, there's oyster crackers to munch on while you wait for your order to arrive. All the food is always consistent-filling, delicious, and comforting. An overall great neighborhood spot. We look forward to our next visit.

Was walking around and noticed an open air seating option. I needed a break, as I just had a rough couple of days and needed to decompress and journal. I brought my iPad because it was light, and bought a cup of coffee from the coffee shop down the street to gather my thoughts. A worker came up to me and rudely and very loudly told me there were no laptops allowed. I had just sat down and had not noticed the very unnoticeable sign behind a picnic bench maybe twenty feet away from me. Again-- hard to see if you're not exactly paying attention and just trying to sit down to have a cup of coffee. He was not only rude, brought unwanted attention to me as the other patrons turned to look, but also made me feel completely uncomfortable and upset. Please try to be better, don't be rude and approach people in a less combative way. Good luck with the soup, I guess ( I asked him if he worked there and he said he did. He was wearing a white graphic tee, a backwards hat, and hiking converse shoes. Oily hair, and terrible vibes ) Can you spot the barely there sign?

My new favorite place! Who doesn't love hot soup out in the Sunset? Soup was great ... as was the inside out crispy grilled cheese. To top it off ... family run and *great* service. We will be back. Thank you !

Very good soup in a unique setting. The restaurant feels unfinished, physically and conceptually. I believe one or two soups are always available, and one or two others change frequently, partially based on how well they sell relative to one another. The serving size isn't large, but it's not skimpy either. You can order bread separately, and their bread is pretty good, but it would be nice if all the soups came with bread. They do have all the oyster crackers you could possibly want, so you can thicken your soup that way as well, and it's free! The pennies in the countertop are neat, and I like that everyone's sitting on these stools, but the place feels like it's under construction even though I'm pretty sure it's not. It's hard for me to put my finger on it, but the entire operation just feels temporary, and this takes away from its attraction as a cozy place to warm up on cold, foggy San Francisco nights. It's owned and run by the artist who owns the gallery-studio space next door. He's a nice guy and seemed genuinely happy to chat us up after we had finished our soup. I would definitely come back, but I also want a little bit more of something.

You can't beat this place! Fantastic soup, amazing grilled cheese. The owner is the sweetest guy. He is a local artist who is so talented and a few years ago decided to open a soup spot. Well why did it take so long to open? Artist / business / perfectionism need I say more? Well the hard work sure paid off, I think he pretty much built the entire place by himself with the help of his daughter sorting pennies. This is an absolute don't miss spot, especially on a cold sunset day. Only downside is it's a bit small so either be prepared to wait a few mins or take it to go.

Local soup spot with amazing soups and a darn good schmelty (inside out grilled cheese). Great beer choices and friendly service. They had clam chowder, black bean, tomato and chicken noodle today. Come check it out if you're in the area.

Top notch comfort food in San Francisco, best grilled cheese sandwich and soup combo ever! A unique style with robust flavors. Every thing made fresh from scratch. Enough choices of soup to satisfy every family member, and a good variety of hot sauce if that's your thing. Great ambience with grooving music, gold spoons and penny countertops. Service was excellent, clean restrooms and restaurant, they also have kind employees and a timely delivery of food.

My husband and I had been planning to come here for the past two weeks. We were looking for a solid soup place and I think we found it! It's a long spot with counter seating. There were quite a few patrons and more coming and going. We ordered some quarts to go, along with 2 La Magnifica sandwiches, and a few Schiacciata Bread slices. My husband asked if I wanted the Snickerdoodle and I thought about it, said no, and the owner gave me a cookie anyway! That was super nice of him. It was soft on the inside and a little crisp on the edges, exactly how I like my cookies. I had one La Magnifica, and I must've glanced over the 'olive salad' ingredient because I don't really love olives and it was strong for me. My BIL liked it though. I'm just a simple grilled cheese girly. The tomato soup was good, especially with the basil cream. The clam chowder was the star! It was thinner than others and had a lot of seafood and flavor. It tasted great paired with the Schiacciata bread or oyster crackers. The bacon is a nice touch too. Definitely check them out and grab a sticker on your way out!

This is one of those places I want to have succeed but don't want it to get so popular that it is hard to get in! They opened in November 2024. The chef used to work at Zuni Cafe and Hayes St. Grill. The homemade soups are fresh and satisfying but that grilled cheese sandwich! Wow! They put cheese on the outside and it is crispy with special bread and various add-ons (we chose house made kimchi). The chef was making fresh snickerdoodles but we left before they were done. Indoor bar with a cool patina penny counter, or outside seating that looks nice too.

I stopped by for the first time on Saturday and got some tomato soup. gumbo and clam chowder - all to go. We loved all of them. The tomato soup is very nice on its own, but was really great when I added the cream they gave us on the side. The gumbo was enhanced by the rice provided on the side as well. I heard that the clam chowder was wonderful, especially with the bacon provided on the side. I didn't get any of that soup but will have to return to try that one and any others on the menu. The owner was nice enough to ask what my favorite soups are and seemed interested in exploring at least one of them for his menu. Great little spot.

I continue to go back for a couple of reasons. First the soup is just so good and second because they consistently have additional offerings. Each time I've been here I've been able to get something different. I've really enjoyed every different soup I've had.

I've been waiting for a good soup place on the West Side for a long time. This place seems like it's starting off strong. I ordered the Irish Stew and All Things Green Paprikash soups. Both delicious, hearty and surprising. At the last minute, I noticed their special...can't remember the name...but it was a bread thing with pesto, mozz, sausage and tomatoes. A kind of lasagne in a cup. I got three bowls of that to go. I have fans at home of anything vaguely lasagne. Everything was a hit with the home team. Great service and good value. On the way home, some idiot ran the stop at 46th and Lawton and my bag of soups toppled over. Shout out to the handled bag that I grabbed for the save.. for it stayed intact. Shout out to the soup containers! They didn't leak a drop.

I just had a really good lunch here. The grilled cheese sandwich and the clam chowder were both delicious, the staff is very friendly, and it's a nice environment. I will definitely be coming back.

Cute place and it smells wonderful. The staff is really nice. They give samples of the soup! And they give back to the community-offering deals to SNAP recipients!!! We ate at the counter, but there is outdoor seating. Limited menu, but good choices. I had the tomato soup, which I found a bit acidic until they added the basil cream; really perfects it. My husband and son had the clam chowder and really liked it. I thought it could have used a little crème fresh, but I like my chowder thicker. We all had their inside out grilled cheese--the shmelty . So delicious. My husband and I split one, then bought another! My son had one with turkey chorizo and loved it. The bread they use is from the andytown bakery next door-a cross between ciabatta and focaccia-perfect-crispy with cheese on the outside and just soft enough on the inside.

These are the kinds of places in The Sunset I love the most. The food is amazing (had some chicken soup and a grilled cheese) and the people who work there are super friendly. It feels like a local hole in the wall in the best possible way. Since all reviews should be balanced with a negative to go with any positive... This place is gonna make me super fat.

The grilled cheese and tomato soup was super good! I definitely recommend trying this place out when you get a chance!

Came here around 3pm on a Sunday and they only had one sando on the menu and one cup of chowder left. The sandwich was fresh and tasty, but definitely something that could be made at home - nothing super special. The chowder was pretty delicious, though. I'd be curious to try some of their other menu items but likely wouldn't come back knowing they could have a limited menu again. Perhaps it was a fluke given we went on Mothers Day, but I don't think I'd risk it in the future. The other sandos do look pretty delicious, though!!

Our first time here, we tried a few sandwiches and soups to-go. Service was friendly and its a cozy little spot. They source their yummy bread from the next door Andytown Coffee. The stand out tonight was the Smelty sandwich (pro tip- add the homemade kimchee) and the Tomato soup. This combo hit the spot on a cold night. The Clam Chowder was also pretty good. My wife usually prefers clam chowder but tonight preferred the tomato, she was hoping the clam chowder would be thicker/creamier. Overall, it's great to have Rusty Ladle in the neighborhood, we're looking forward to coming back soon (that French onion oxtail they posted on IG looked amazing, hope it goes back on the menu!).

Service was excellent and the grilled cheese OMG delish. And the clam chowder was divine.

I gotta say, I had my doubts about a soup place in the neighborhood. We waited for it to open and it was worth the wait. Best clam chowder I've ever had! Let me disclaim to each their own first. This is not your Safeway style thick white glob. If you're looking for that rich clam flavor with chunks of clam, search no more. The clam chowder is their flagship, but I've also tried their gumbo (smokey and spicy) and curry spinach lentil. They don't disappoint. And let me tell you about their bread. You just can't have a soup without proper bread. It's delightful! Do they make this in house? I've never seen heard about schiacciata. It's light and chewy. I'd eat that by itself! The folks there are very nice. It's got that local neighborhood feel of being welcoming. And somehow, they manage to keep changing up the amazing soups week to week... definitely keeps us coming back!

Keep coming back for more! It's so fun to try the rotating flavors every week and chat with everyone in here. The jambalaya might be a new favorite of mine, I loved it. I usually see John (owner), Wes, or Gigi working when I go in and they all make it that much better- always kind and fun environment. Will continue to be a regular here

Had the clam chowder which is aptly named & tastes just like those from Bodega Bay! The Schmelty sandwich with turkey chorizo is absolutely delicious! The restaurant is so cute and nicely designed. The owner is super nice! It's next to an Andytown coffeehouse and there were jazz musicians playing outdoors the day I went. Was recently in SF Chronicle as one of the top 25 new places to try!

If 0 is an available rating, I would select that!!! Service was at best "Rusty" (borderline racism). The soup was far from spectacular. Did not deserve my patronage.

I've been several times and have always had a good experience- I personally really like the rotating menu. The chowder and tomato soup (regulars on the menu) are really yummy if I don't feel like trying one of the weekly soups. However, I did go a few weeks ago and tried the split pea and barley soup and it was legit the best soup I've ever had in my life. I've had both sandwiches and they're both really yummy too. This cute restaurant is perfect for the location and is really excellent when the fog rolls in over the water on a (supposedly) summer day in Fogust.

Just had an amazing meal served by a friendly & courteous staff. Had the clam chowder & schmelty with house-made turkey chorizo. It was a fun & filling meal!

The food is delicious and the people who work there are friendly and inviting! The different soups and sandwiches are also great. A fun and cozy place!

Holy cow, happened upon this new spot next to my fav coffee in SF. Clam Chowder was devine. My friends and I shared both sandwiches available, both delicious, but that grilled cheese is life changing. If there were 500 stars I would rate 500. Service was also friendly and fast. 100% recommend.

I discovered an amazing soup restaurant in the Outer Sunset. I have now been multiple times and every soup I have tried from pumpkin miso to clam chowder has been delicious. The staff is very friendly and accommodating and I met the owners John and his wife Kristen who are delightful. I highly recommend Rusty Ladle especially on those cold San Francisco days. They also have a wonderful outside patio when the weather is nice. I would give 6 stars if I could.