Wise Sons Jewish Deli

Hanukkah 2022: The Best Things to Eat and Drink in the San Francisco Bay Area - Eater SF

"Wise Sons offers a variety of Hanukkah dishes including challah, matzo balls, latkes, and roasted brisket, with four-person dinner options and a 12-person pastry box. Orders are available for pickup or delivery." - Paolo Bicchieri

Mission Bagel Shop Katz Closed For Rodent Infestation - Eater SF

"Recently, the city’s bagel landscape has begun to change, with newcomers like Wise Sons Bagel shaking up the scene." - Caleb Pershan

The Union Square Lunch Guide - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"Museum food has a tendency to be about as edible as the art inside, but we’d go to the Wise Sons at the Contemporary Jewish Museum even if we weren’t here to check out an exhibit. They have everything from latkes to matzo ball soup, but if you’re in the mood for something more standard “lunch,” get the pastrami sandwich and load up on spicy mustard. Maybe check to see if your office gets discounted tours on the way out too." - Will Kamensky

Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen Review - Soma - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"Museum food has a tendency to be about as edible as the art inside, but we’d go to the Wise Sons at the Contemporary Jewish Museum even if we weren’t here to check out an exhibit. They have everything from latkes to matzo ball soup, but if you’re in the mood for a more standard “lunch,” get the pastrami sandwich and load up on spicy mustard. Maybe check to see if your office gets discounted tours on the way out. photo credit: Tyler Ball" - Will Kamensky

Great Passover Seder Dinners at SF Restaurants - Eater SF

"What: Wise Sons heads up the Passover seder dinners for the seventh time at the Jewish Contemporary Museum, with a menu red wine braised brisket, gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, and coconut macaroons. There’s also an optional Scribe Winery pairing.Details: Friday March 30 and Saturday March 31, tickets, $75, can be purchased here. At the same time, Wise Sons will offer a $35 pre-fixe at its 24th Street Deli, reservations there are through OpenTable." - Caleb Pershan

Craig Stuart Adams

Google

The Yiddish word "Geshmak" (Delicious) sums up this wonderful San Francisco delicatessen. The fellow next to me recommended the Reuben Sandwich... a good call. My wife ordered the Fried Chicken Schnitzel, and our friend ordered the Pastrami Burger. A great find with a clean and airy outdoor seating area. Next to the Mexican Museum and across the street from Yerba Buena Gardens.

Nicholas Pun

Google

They serve up some pretty good bagels! Got the crunchy spice sandwich on a bialy bagel. Quite the hearty breakfast. The bagel was crisp on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. Service was also quite quick, only had to wait 5 minutes or so (probably helped that it was super quiet on the Friday morning I went) Will definitely be back to try out their sandwiches and a classic bagel with just a spread!

Adi Levinshtein

Google

Tucked away on Mission street, Wise Sons is a tiny hole-in-the-wall Jewish deli packing big flavors. This casual eatery may be small in size but their sandwiches deliver big on taste. I stopped in famished and decided on the hot pastrami Reuben, which proved to be an excellent choice. As soon as I sank my teeth into the soft, griddled rye piled high with thin slices of perfectly spiced and smoked pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing, I knew this was one of the best Reubens I've had in ages. The creamy dressing and melty cheese balanced the acidic bite of the sauerkraut. My mother-in-law could teach them a thing or two about how to properly pickle cucumbers and take them to the next level. But the Reuben itself more than made up for the lackluster pickles.

Melissa Eisner

Google

Came here in desperate need of a deli sandwich and this did not disappoint. Loads of turkey on my Turkey Ruben, great sauce and bread, plus a pickle. Who could ask for anything more. Totally hit the spot!

Danielle

Google

Delicious!! My bagel & lox was fantastic and the Manny's breakfast burrito was out of this world! The great customer service from Vincent and Luis Miguel made my day a bit brighter. Definitely will be back again in the future. Impressed!

Ziyad Edher

Google

Their breakfast bagel sandwiches are incredible! Their eggs are always cooked perfectly. Anything with pastrami or chili crisp is top notch. Try the Yo-semite with crispy pastrami!

Marissa Duenas

Google

I didn't get a chance to eat at a delicatessen when I visited NYC, so I made a point to pay a visit to Wise Sons in the city during a work trip. It was after all, located literally behind the hotel I was staying at and it would have been pathetic if I didn't take advantage of the opportunity. The cheese, the pastrami, the toasted bread. All of it was just amazing and my mouth is watering as I write this review. I wasn't sure if I could go into the museum to access the inside, and figured the inside access was closed due to the window and small awning with the name on it. A lovely and tasty experience, for sure.

Yusi

Google

Just check out the double patty pastrami burger… amazing! I can’t stop eating it. Also, anything with bagel is great here. Coffee is all right.

Jessica N.

Yelp

Stopped by for breakfast and ordered the bodega on everything and added the crispy pastrami. For an extra $3, I would expect a lot more pastrami. Bagel was a little over toasted for my taste. I liked how they cooked the egg. Wish there was more garlic aioli in my sandwich. Also I was annoyed to discover they closed their indoor seating area and now only have outdoor seating available. Overall, a good bagel.

Dale D.

Yelp

Really disappointing latke supreme :( Was supposed to include a latke with smoked salmon, pickled onions, cucumber, radish, microgreens, and sour cream. The latke was similar to a Macdonald hash brown. No sour cream or apple sauce for additional flavor. A lot of wilted arugula. Maybe they were just not on their A game on a Monday morning. Sad experience.

Emma C.

Yelp

I feel like this is an underrated spot - we came here on a Saturday morning after walking through the Yerba Buena gardens across the street and there were only 2 other parties there. My friend and I both got everything bagels and cream cheese. This is probably one of the best bagels that I've had on the west coast. I've been on the hunt to find bagels similar to NY bagels and this comes the closest. The bagel here was super crunchy on the outside and had a ton of seasonings, and it was very soft on the inside. My only complaint is that I ordered extra cream cheese for 50 cents more. However, I think my friend and I both still had the same amount of cream cheese. Overall though, I was pleasantly surprised with our breakfast and would come back again.

Alexander Y.

Yelp

Have wanted to try Wise Sons ever since I moved away from the Bay Area, but I usually hit all my favorite spots before considering it. Well, I decided to make time for it this time around. Ordered the Pastrami Reuben sandwich as that's what I had been wanting to try. Unfortunately, it was just ok. It was sufficient, but fairly unmemorable. Thin slices of pastrami and not particularly juicy. Service was great though, can't complain about that. Another person may find Wise Sons pretty good. But after all the pastrami I've tried, I have way higher standards these days.

Christine S.

Yelp

Simple good food! With beautiful outdoor seating. The walk up window was the only option when I was there in February. The indoor seating was closed.

Angela L.

Yelp

I love this chain. It's the first place I had Matzo ball soup, now I'm hooked. The ppl are always so nice and once I received a free cookie just because! The food is fast and consistently good, the potato salad is perfectly mustardy, and the meat is excellent. Even the turkey is something to go back for.

Juliann C.

Yelp

I love Wise Sons Jewish Deli. I usually get their breakfast bowls and their pastrami sandwich. Sooo delicious. Good, basic, clean food. That's all I want!! This location is usually my main location whenever I visit SF too. It's one my .... I always have to stop here to eat a meal kind of place whenever I am visiting SF. There's always a special place in my hear for Wise Sons!

Mari M.

Yelp

Service was pretty quick and they seemed to have a lot of to-go orders. Got the matzo ball soup and was disappointed. The broth lacked flavor- tasted like super watered down chicken broth. The matzo balls appeared to be seasoned with pepper but not much else. After getting back from nyc last week and having Katz's flavorful matzo ball soup, I was craving more. This place did not satiate my craving. Two stars for the prompt service but I would steer clear if you want the real stuff.

Anthony S.

Yelp

Definitely never returning. I came here this past Sat and while the sandwich was good on day 1, the leftovers on day 2 ruined it. I ate the remainder of the sandwich on Sun and hours later became extremely ill. I don't get food poisoning often but for $18 a sandwich I'd expect to not get it from this place. Best guess is the lettuce was bad bc that's all that came back up. The service was fine, prompt even.

Adam B.

Yelp

Stayed at the Hyatt next door and realized on the last day that we were a stone's throw from Wise Son's. Would've been there every day had I known. Fantastic bagels, bobka, matzo ball soup, and other noshes. Your bubbie would approve!

Rosy P.

Yelp

The cream cheese smear was light (I prefer this but I know most people don't so heads up), the onion wer nicely thinly sliced, and there was a generous amount of capers. The salmon was on the lighter side but I also prefer this. The reason for 3 stars is that the bagel is so salty that it really ruins the meal. For $15 this meal was quite disappointing. The bagel was really rough to chew and with how salty the food was, I had to swallow big ulps of my coffee before and after each bite to make it bearable. The location also does not have a functioning kiosk so plan to order ahead online.

C S.

Yelp

Underrated! Great lunch, quiet and peaceful, with patient and positive staff. Attended an educators' conference at Moscone with thousands in attendance and looking for place for lunch with seating and space for party of six - along with everyone else!! Found this underrated, but super close, lunch spot and enjoyed a great lunch. Portions were good and food was freshly prepared. Enjoyed No 19, Rueben, Club sandwiches, latkes, and Cobb salad. Group was only disappointed we found it on last day in town. We would have loved to try it for breakfast. Don't pass up this gem. I'm putting it on my "not to miss" list when we return in two years.

Barry W.

Yelp

*** I am a little conflicted abt Wise Sons here. *** Location is perfect, especially if you're visiting one of the several nearby museums or hotels that are surrounding this spot. It's very convenient & quick. Hillcrest cobb salad was my fave item ... 5-stars #19 Pastrami on rye was filling, yet ok ... 3-stars Matzo ball soup ... filling, yet no umph ... 3-stars Odd that I found an awesome salad at a Jewish deli but left feeling like I missed something wrt staples? Layered flavor. That's what is missing, so 3.5-stars seems pretty bang on for its current overall rating. *** I'll come again, perhaps I missed something. ***

Karla C.

Yelp

Great bagel place in the city. Reminds me of New York style bagels. I ordered the lox bagel on an everything bagel. We mobile ordered our food before going to the museum. We got a call from Wise Sons telling us that they ran out of everything bagels. They only had onion or sesame bagels. We ordered the lox with the onion bagel. Such a delicious lox bagel. The salmon was delicious. The cream cheese and capers work well together. I said no to onion. Solid lox bagel. Maybe even better if there was tomato. I want to come back and try the rest of the menu.

Ruth C.

Yelp

My smoked trout sandwich was sloppy and salty. Recipe has changed. It's now so salmon colored I asked if I got the right sandwich. The tomato was anemic and flavorless. It's tomato season, so there's no excuse. The saltiness rendered it inedible.

Michal M.

Yelp

Delicious! Pastrami burger was one of the best we've ever had. Bagel and lox also quite tasty. Service at kiosk quick and friendly.

Chris L.

Yelp

What - a five star deli sandwich, I'm telling you it had five star flavor. The pastrami reuban was one of the best I have ever had. Layers of flavor between the rye, the dreasing, the pastrami, the kraut and the cheese - one solid sandwich!

Marissa D.

Yelp

I didn't get a chance to eat at a delicatessen when I visited NYC, so I made a point to pay a visit to Wise Sons in the city during a work trip. It was, after all, located literally behind the hotel I was staying at and it would have been pathetic if I didn't take advantage of the opportunity. The cheese, the pastrami, the toasted bread. All of it was just amazing and my mouth is watering as I write this review. I wasn't sure if I could go into the museum to access the inside and figured the inside access was closed due to the window and small awning with the name on it. A lovely and tasty experience, for sure.

Leung T.

Yelp

This branch is located at the Jewish Community center/museum. There are tables inside and outside. I had the bagel with cream cheese which was delightful. Will have to see what the sandwiches are like next time.

Melissa M.

Yelp

As a NY transplant who lives in the Bay Area, I am always on the hunt for the flavors of home, including a good ol' Jewish deli. Wise Son's does a pretty good job - on this visit, I had the latke supreme: one latke with lox and a hippie salad. The latke was delicious - only, I wish there had been more than one. The lox was fantastic. My only complaint is the salad - it didn't come with dressing, only a lemon wedge, which I guess is the "hippie" part? Even so, the pickled onions, cucumbers, and radishes were a nice accompaniment. I also had a piece of the apricot rugelach - so delicious! A perfect sweet ending to lunch!

GiGi G.

Yelp

The best pastrami Reuben and rugelach I have ever had! The meat is tender and juicy, the bread is crusty and fresh and they are bound together by melted cheese and sauce. Add deli mustard to your liking and crunch on a dill in between. We went with a delicious latke side but you can also add a side salad. End with a sweet and delectable rugelach in your favorite flavor (chocolate, apricot or cinnamon).

Cari A.

Yelp

I've been wanting to try this place for a while. I didn't realize it's actually in the contemporary Jewish museum. If you enter inside, there is a security guard who will take your bag as you walk through one of their scanners. I asked what they are most know for and they said their Reuben and Bagels. I decided to order their classic open faced smoked salmon bagel sandwich ($13.75) and a black cherry drink ($3.50). Pros: -I love the high ceilings and exposed brick -covid polices are followed. There are signs that ask you not to move furniture since everything is physically distanced. No more than 4 people at a table. -quick service! Cons: -n/a

Jessica S.

Yelp

Mannys breakfast burrito was exquisite. My boyfriend and his dad rly rly loved the bodega bagel sandwhich, I had a bite too and it was delicious (esp the aioli) and we also had french toast challah which wasn't challah shaped, but very satisfying and a huge portion

Nils H.

Yelp

The location is great, they don't even make an effort to offer vegan or vegetarian protein options for their sandwiches. If you are a meat eater go. If not, stay away The mushroom Ruben is nice. But with all the protein available now they should update the menu

Mac G.

Yelp

Baby bagel, big flavor I've been in New York for half a decade now so I'm pretty particular about my bagels and I'm pleased to announce these pass the test with a solid A. You order from a window and food takes about 10 minutes so order ahead if you're in a time crunch. Outside there's a few two seater tables and chairs if you happen to catch SF on a good weather day. A good lox bagel should be overflowing with a few capers when you initially crack it in half. Check. Red onions thinly sliced so you don't get those overpowering bites. Check. Cream cheese that's not too hard and generously fills the center hole of the bagel check. Finally, the bagel itself must have flavor. That's why NY is known for the best bagels: we've got good water that gives bagels good flavor. Anyways, the everything bagel here was fantastic with great taste. Only thing you should know is the bagel is tiny. Get two if you're hungry. Maybe about 8 bites total but it's only $13 so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

David K.

Yelp

Disappointing considering all the hype The pastrami was so so. There are better choices than They are trying but seriously it's not good enough for this New York guy

Hamda A.

Yelp

Delicious food! BUT, they get my order wrong pretty often.. not great for people who are vegetarians or have allergies. Especially when mistakes are made with your order. Wish they'd pay a little more attention to what's being ordered..

Zachary G.

Yelp

I came to San Francisco on a work trip to go to config conference 2023 and I stayed at the hotel nearby one of the hotel staff members recommended Wise Sons, Jewish deli, and I had to come check it out. He recommended a pastrami sandwich and to get the fries. Is by far one of the best pastrami sandwiches I ever had the woman who helped me was very nice and the food was delicious. Quick tip though, if you're looking for indoor seating, this place doesn't have any and only seating they have is outside on the patio. If you're looking to get a quick bite, I definitely recommend this place.

Kenny B.

Yelp

Nice cafe attached to the museum. Good selection of food, a little something for everyone or time of day. Service was very friendly and food tasted good.

Matt C.

Yelp

We really liked this museum cafe. Normally there are exorbitant prices at captive audience situations but in this case not at all. I loved my corned beef sandwich and my wife loved her breakfast burrito with pastrami. We would definitely come back here again!

Little D.

Yelp

A Word to the Wise: I've tried every bagel in this town. Wise Sons are my favorite. I stopped by the window to order a toasted bagel with butter. The guy in front of me ordered a breakfast bagel sandwich. He was in and out in 5 minutes. Between him ordering and me stepping up to the window to order, someone placed an order for a dozen or more sandwiches via an online app. 20 minutes later my single toasted bagel was ready. They told me at the window that a large order came in just ahead of me. Multi-tasking is nothing new. You can simultaneously toast a bagel while preparing dozens of sandwiches from a different order. Prioritizing a dozen or more sandwiches from an online order, only to be picked up by a driver for delivery, ahead of a walk up single bagel order is lame. It's just a single bagel! (the best) The bagel (as usual) was damn good, but I wish you could find a way to prioritize basic walk up orders more efficiently. Wise Sons is still the best damn bagel in San Francisco and I'll continue to visit wherever I find them. a dank!

Marjorie U.

Yelp

I love their Matzo Ball soup! The broth was delicious, and the soup was so filling. Perfect for cold weather. The Bagel with Smoked Salmon was also good. Their coffee is a bit weak for my liking also they only have one size.

Alex S.

Yelp

Ordered the club sandwich and it was great. Clean, crisp and loved how they separated the layers like they should be. I ordered from the window facing the street but you can go inside the museum and sit down too.

Bathsheba M.

Yelp

I have always loved the smoked trout sandwich at Wise Sons. So smoky and delicious... Very recently they changed vendors, and the smoked trout is bland and flat-tasting. It is even a different color from the old smoked trout, ie it is now pink, not white. What happened? I am so disappointed.

Pretty M.

Yelp

I liked the bagels and the sandwiches, my favorites are the zaydie and the bodega. It was a nice spot for us to pick up something really quick. I read a few Yelp reviews and saw that a couple of people got rude service, but I'm glad we didn't have any problems. I really want to come back soon.

Jayetha P.

Yelp

Are you having a breakfast bagel craving? This is the place to go! This sandwich is fire and the extra addition of pastrami is what made it amazing. Highly recommend if you're in the area and looking for a quick pick me up bagel.

Brittany S.

Yelp

Shucks! I was hankering for some matzo ball soup and a Reuben and have walked past this spot for years. The time finally arrived! I had little time but but the simple carryout window and friendly staff made placing the order easy peasy. The outdoor dining area here is super cute and lovely to pair with a visit to the Jewish Contemporary Museum. Note that this is a pricy lunch spot- fair warning! However, they have all the goods- pastrami, rugalech, black and white cookies, Reubens, potato salad and on and on. I ordered the downtown lunch special with half matzo ball soup and a half Reuben. Unfortunately, the matzo ball seriously lacked flavor in the broth. It was so meh that I added a pack of their mustard to it hoping to add some pizzazz. The other bummer was my half Reuben ended up being just corned beef on bread and missing all of the other Reuben necessities (womp, womp). Rumor has it, their Reuben is Pretty dynamite. Because the customer service was sweet, I'll give this place another shot down the road.

Ray A.

Yelp

The deli located in the Jewish museum and has an order window so you can enjoy your lunch in the park. They have great choices for sandwiches and breakfast bagels. Havent tried the soups yet, but if they're as good as the sandwiches, they'll hit the lunch hunger spot. They do close at 2 so make sure to head there a little early

June R.

Yelp

We went to the one located outside the Ferry Building at their Farmers Market! There are about 3-4 different bagel vendors inside and outside the Ferry Building. We knew we wanted Lox so Wise Sons had the best price. It was recommended that we order the open faced version because you get a bit more of their delicious lox. They didn't mention the best part - YOU GET YOUR LOX ON TWO TOPS!!! In our case it was on two everything bagel tops!!! Brilliant - whaaaaat???? My husband got his and opened first and when he realized he had two tops he asked me if I got two bottoms!!! OMG it's the little things that make us so happy! It was delicious and perfect! Service was friendly and quick. You get to see them prepare your sandwich which makes them fresh made sandwiches! We loved Wise Sons and our breakfast bagel experience with the two tops!!!

Rachel A.

Yelp

So rude and unprofessional. The lady who took my order, was so disrespectful. She took it so fast and made my sandwich incorrectly. $14 for a bagel. Ridiculous!

Peter B.

Yelp

I ordered the Corned beef Reuben (Again) real good sandwich with an extra whole pickle on the side.The Pastrami's real good but just a bit salty but most Pastrami is. People here are just real nice.

Bob W.

Yelp

I ordered an ice tea but got an iced coffee. I took the time to call and never received the credit promised. Luckily, I got a refund from the app I ordered on. The staff frequently does not follow through or get things wrong, so just double check your orders. Buyer beware. It is just another unfortunate sign of how this city is turning into ****. People don't care, and others who do can definitely tell. Of course, they still want to be tipped. But for what? If you are in the service industry, take some pride in your work. People will appreciate you; otherwise, I will continue leaving one star reviews.

Monroe T.

Yelp

Visited this deli for the first time and I will be back. The Purist was rye bread and a choice of meat,I choose Pastrami and it was outstanding just meat and bread with spicy mustard on the side. Also ordered chocolate babka and it was wonderful too. I ate outside which was beautiful and truly enjoyed my meal. A little hard to find it is attached to the Jewish Museum but once you find it you will be back.

Mark O.

Yelp

Lunch review. Jewish deli sandwich. 4 - Reuben (half pastrami, half corned beef, extra cheese, add crispy pastrami, no sauerkraut) Overall, "I'm a fan."

Pati R.

Yelp

Great service, great eats and great price! I enjoyed how fast the food came out and how soft the bagels were :)

Jarred D.

Yelp

During my visit to the Mission District, I was in a bit of a rush and was looking for something quick. This deli had very quick service and the food was ready in a few minutes! The Matzo Ball Soup was very delicious and filling and the Pastrami Fries were savory and crispy. They had a decent selection of beers, wines, and hard ciders. The interior of the restaurant is very inviting and has a great view of the lively street outside. I highly recommend this place if you're in the area.

Jack R.

Yelp

I love Matzo ball soup and this place has bits of chicken and noodle in the Matzo ball soup. It's a great comfort food to me downtown, and located near the Jewish Museum, it's convenient. Their soup and sandwich (pastrami or your choice) for $14 is a better deal if you're hungry. I think it's a good option for tourists and locals who want a good meal, but aren't really feeling the food trucks near by.

Brad P.

Yelp

Tasty bagel and lox. Was convenient to pick up, good quality and price point. Would get again

Jon J.

Yelp

I ordered on Uber and they rushed my order bread wasn't toasted and it wasn't hot enough. When I get there some girl can't hand me my order because she doesn't "work front desk" and took her time explaining policy when she could of just seen my phone and the order and handed it to me. Then she disappeared while I waited another 5 mins

Hanukkah 2022: The Best Things to Eat and Drink in the San Francisco Bay Area - Eater SF

Mission Bagel Shop Katz Closed For Rodent Infestation - Eater SF

"Recently, the city’s bagel landscape has begun to change, with newcomers like Wise Sons Bagel shaking up the scene." - Caleb Pershan

The Union Square Lunch Guide - San Francisco - The Infatuation

Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen Review - Soma - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"Museum food has a tendency to be about as edible as the art inside, but we’d go to the Wise Sons at the Contemporary Jewish Museum even if we weren’t here to check out an exhibit. They have everything from latkes to matzo ball soup, but if you’re in the mood for a more standard “lunch,” get the pastrami sandwich and load up on spicy mustard. Maybe check to see if your office gets discounted tours on the way out. photo credit: Tyler Ball" - Will Kamensky

Great Passover Seder Dinners at SF Restaurants - Eater SF