Old Bus Tavern

Sensational cooking, cocktails and beer made from fresh seasonal ingredients served in a casual environment with trendy décor and a wonderful waitstaff! The menu features new exciting twists on old favorites and it is always changing. It’s one of those places where you can close your eyes, point to anything on the menu and end up loving the dish. Flavors, textures and presentation are consistently on point.
My favorite dishes so far include: quail eggs, crudo, pickles, spaetzle, burger, caviar.
Drinks: OBT (new age margarita) and whatever the server/​bartender recommends.
Old Bus Tavern is the perfect place to take friends, family or a hot date.
Another awesome thing about dining here is that you don’t have to worry about tipping because it is included in the prices on the menu, which I find to be incredibly reasonable especially considering the high quality of cooking. I love Old Bus Tavern and can’t wait to go back for more!

My buddy and I had our third beer club night at Old Bus Tavern. I hadn’t heard of this place but my friend had. I was excited to check it out as it got good reviews. We went around 8pm on a Tuesday and it was relatively full (especially the bar). We were able to get a seat though. They serve a bunch of alcohol not just beer. We stuck to the beer though. I got Old Bus’ Thin Wheat Duke which was a light wheat beer but with a really good flavor. I then got the Woudfour Berlinger Weisse. That also had a great flavor and was a tiny bit sour.
Overall a great experience which got me thinking about getting some food next time.

My mind was blown last night. What an amazing restaurant with great vibes, great drinks and even better food. Everything was creative and tasty. The four course dinner was actually a bargain for the quality and types of dishes that were served.
Some of the dishes we had that stood out the most were the quail eggs over fried onions, foie gras pâté that was dusted with chocolate, espresso and fried parsnips, beef tartare (with an excellent flare using fermented greens that were very bright, punchy and tasty), black cod that was melt in your mouth good (not too mention the whipped potatoes that were unlike any potato i have ever had), and the bavette steak.
To be honest, every dish stood out. But my favorite, hands down, was the fried onion with quail egg. Its amazing. Maybe this place just speaks to me with the gastropub feel that shies away from the now normal edison light bulb filled industrial brewpub. House made beer, a great guest tap list, great cocktails, high on mescal, and amazing food. The ambiance was refreshing as well. Super friendly staff. Perfect place.

Everything is out-​of-​this-​world good. Deserving special note –the chili, buckwheat cornbread, and bavette steak.

I had tried some of their beer at Brews On The Bay and really liked it, so stopped in for dinner with some friends. I saw the menu online, so I knew what prices to expect (and when you factor in that tax and tip is included in the menu price, it seems pretty reasonable).
We started with quail eggs and foie gras. I only had a small bite of the foie gras, but the quail eggs were delicious, if not a little small (5 eggs for $ 10). I should’ve gotten the hint here, but went on ignorantly…
For my main I got the «Egg and Rice Cake» with Pork Belly ($ 28). I was wondering why pork belly wasn’t in the main description of the dish, and when it came, I understood. The dish was beautiful, but consisted of one small slice of pork belly, one egg, and a ball of deep-​fried rice (I had been expecting a korean-​style rice cake, not deep-​fried rice). The flavor and presentation was really good, but after finishing this $ 28 entrée (had tip and tax not been included, this is more like a $ 20 entrée elsewhere), I was still starving. So I paid my bill and went next door to Pizza Hacker and got a pizza.
Granted, if I had done my research I would’ve seen that portions are small, and the «Tavern» in the name isn’t really indicative of the food here. This is more of a nice date night /​celebration restaurant, where you expect to drop $ 50/​person on food. Not a neighborhood pub to grab some food more casually, which is pretty disappointing. I’ll be back for the beer, but will grab a burrito nearby first.

First off I have to say that the 2 stars is just for the food. The staff, bartender, and servers were all 5-​star in my book.
I really wanted to like the food here but it was so underwhelming. Out of the appetizers, my favorite was the chicken liver and beet pâté. I liked the flavor of it — had a combination of sweet and savory. The other one was the pickled quail eggs over flash fried onions, which were meh. There was an order of beer pickles which tasted just like salt. For my main, I had the trout. I was expecting the flesh to be firm and a serving of least a half a trout, but the serving was really tiny and the flesh was rather mushy. It had this weird tangy/​savory white sauce that came with it — I didn’t enjoy it.

I was excited to dine here after all the great reviews but unfortunately, the food didn’t really stand out. We ordered the oysters, beer pickles, quail eggs, and the beet & chicken liver mousse to start off.
The oysters were flavored with too much hot sauce, so it overpowered the oysters taste. The quail eggs were ok, but the fried onions really too over for taste and was much better. My friends were weirded out with the color of the beet and chicken liver mousse. The mousse was pink in color due to the beets. I thought it was ok, but my friends could not eat it.
My main was the trout dish. The trout was cooked medium rare with a lot of foam sauce over it. I think the trout would have stood out, if the foam sauce was not all over the dish, but more on the side. The sauce overpowered the dish unfortunately.
On the plus side, our server was great. He was able to explain the dishes when inquired and very attentive throughout the night. High Fives to him and the the staff!

This place is the epitome of pretentious hipster bullshit. The beer menu is unappealing, the food menu is precious, the hard liquor selection is precious yet underwhelming, and the décor is designed to be inhospitable.
We wandered in early on a Thursday night, and I was immediately struck by how cold and unwelcoming the décor was. At the back, there is brewing equipment, at the front there are frosty fluorescent lights, and working the bar are apathetic, flannel-​clad hipsters who would rather choke to death on their IPAs than pay attention to the customers. When we walked in, there were literally no other customers, yet, once we had ordered our initial drinks, it was nigh-​impossible to get the attention of anyone else working there. And there were plenty of other people working: pale, bearded guys in untucked button-​down shirts by the handful and one woman, who was the only person keeping an eye on us. You could tell she wanted to be hospitable but felt aggrieved by the total apathy of her co-​workers. Once we’d ordered our initial drinks, there was not the least interest by any of the staff in our continued existence, and it was clear they were far more interested in the technical workings of the bar than in any of the few customers.
Apart from the decidedly lackluster service, the defining characteristics of Old Bus are the unappetizing beer menu, the pretentious food, and the uninspiring liquor. The beer selection is a brewer’s dream, meaning things that no normal human would want to drink: sours, herbal infusions, a chili beer, and other things that most people actually don’t want to consume. The food is overpriced ($ 17 for a bowl of chili!) not particularly appetizing (radish leaf pancake), and not really what most people are looking to pair with their beer. Finally, the liquor selection has some standouts (Fortaleza tequila) but is otherwise limp and unappealing.
Basically, this place wants to be a «neighborhood brewpub,» but it winds up being cold, unfriendly, and unappealing. On the plus side, customers are unlikely to be afflicted by either the noise of other patrons or the unwelcome attentions of the staff.

I was once told that plans were made to be broken. Yeah, and that’s exactly what happened when I decided to come here for ONE pre-​drink before planning to head over to Mi Lindo Peru for dinner across the street.
Started off the night with a strong mescal drink called Floating Decimal. Loved it because it has that smokiness of the Mexican liquor. Moved on to one of their home brewed saison beers and ended the libations night on a high note with the Shady Grove. Shady Grove is most likely one of my favorite cocktails ever and I’d liken it to a desserty drink with that smokiness of mescal in it. Wish I started the night drinking three of those instead.
My friend and I perused the menu while drinking our drinks and decided to abandon plan A and just dive into the creative tapas dishes of OBT. Wow, not one single regret.
The quail eggs on the bed of fried onions was a surprising starter which the right flavors and textures blending together. The 45 day dry aged beef carpaccio was next and I’ll be honest that I’ve had better. I think it could use more creative garnishes than arugula and cauliflower and add more lemon juice on it. The last dish was the duck barley pasta which is divine. But for $ 30, I was a little sad faced that they couldn’t give a more generous portion. I also don’t think all the ingredients of the pasta are listed because it’s so good, it’s gotta be a secret recipe. Ended the chow down with a chocolate dessert which left a good impression of the restaurant.
This restaurant is out the way where I live and work, but it’ll be well worth the trek. Restaurant gets busy quick so recommend getting there before 6pm. Would not be surprised if this place gets written up in the papers. What a fortuitous find for me!

Just the name alone, the Old Bus Tavern evokes an image of a musty dive bar filled with degenerates with missing teeth. Imagine if Kate Upton was named Gertrude Squatpump (yes, this is an actual last name!), I bet dudes would be less inclined to say her name while shining their pole.
Ok, the gastropub’s name is not bad at all but my point is that the Old Bus Tavern is nothing like I imagined it to be. The artisan cocktails are beautifully crafted, the food tastes as gorgeous as it looks, and the staff is wonderful.
We stopped by the Old Bus Tavern for apps and drinks over the weekend and it was pretty packed when we arrived at 6:45 pm. We were able to snag some seats at the brewery section and was welcomed by our awesome server, Denise.
The menu changes regularly. That night, there was oysters ($ 4 each), beer pickles ($ 6), quail eggs ($ 8), shallot soup ($ 12), buckwheat cornbread ($ 8), carpaccio ($ 15), crudo ($ 15), king salmon ($ 32), spätzle ($ 18), pasta ($ 28) and chili ($ 16). Desserts were $ 12. Portions were small and the prices seemed high but tax and service were included in all the pricing.
We shared the following:
*Quail Eggs, Fried Onion, Hot Paprika ($ 8):
*Salmon Crudo, Delicata, Hemp Seed ($ 15):
*45-​Day Dry Aged Beef Carpaccio, Cauliflower Salad ($ 15):
At first glance of the food pics, the price-​to-​portion seems out of whack but the quality and technique is unparalleled. The taste and presentation brought me back to my dinner at Saison (chef is from Saison) though memories of that dinner bill still me hyperventilate when I think about it. The quail eggs were nicely presented as a bird’s nest. The crunchy fried onions were a good contrast against the slightly set liquid gold center. The salmon was incredibly fresh and silky, and we yearned for another order. That Carpaccio though… it melted like beef butter. Those apps were such a phuckin’ tease so we can’t wait to come back for a full meal.
Not to be outdone by the food, the cocktails were equally as fantastic.
I had three:
*Floating Decimal: Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, Watermelon, Lime ($ 12):
*Fruit of the Loom: Pisco, Niabell Grape, Lime, Egg White ($ 12):
*Tutti Fruitti: Pisco shot + Sour Saison ($ 12):
Both the Floating Decimal and Fruit of the Loom were well balanced but I like the Fruit of the Loom better because I like the creaminess of the egg white foam. I’m not a beer gal but I had to get a taste of the beer since they brew their own in-​house. The Sour Saison was crisp, refreshing, and pleasantly sour.
The staff was on-​point and everyone was so very nice. Denise told us she’s only been there a week but she really knew the menu which was impressive. I’m usually weary of all tax and service inclusive restaurants because some totally slack on service (ahem Aster) but not here. Other restaurants could learn a thing or two from the staff at Old Bus Tavern.
Aside from the bar and brewery seating, there’s only 6 – 7 tables so get here early because they don’t accept reservations.
The only thing that sucks is the parking and there’s no nearby parking lot.
Can’t wait to come back to lock lips with the Old Bus Tavern’s burger with housemade bacon. Yep, I think I’m going to have burger wet dreams for the rest of the week…*wipes drool from corner of mouth*

My new favorite staple!
From the creative cocktails to the delicious treats to the rad décor and friendly owners, OBT is a home run. Favorite staple foods include their burger (served all day Sundays and late night) & the spaetzl but they also regularly mix it up on the food front so no matter how often you go, there is always something new and delicious on the menu. I love that OBT serves food late night (SF doesn’t have enough of this and it’s a game changer)
The home brewed beer is a must — especially the LBS (Lemon Basil Saison) or if you like whiskey (who doesn’t) go for the Whistle Stop which is an amazing combination of both! The bartender is friendly and knows his stuff — he whips up beautiful cocktails that are perfectly balanced.
I also have to note that I really appreciate a place that includes tax + tips in their pricing and lets us know they pay their staff a living wage — a trend I hope more SF restaurants + bars will pick up on.
The best part of this place is that the friendly, laid back atmosphere paired with world class cuisine and drinks really makes it a place you can go for any occasion — whether it’s a date or a night out with friends or a family dinner — I would even go solo and sit at the bar. I might just have to go back Sunday for one of those burgers & an LBS…

OBT has become my new neighborhood spot. I’ve frequented at least a dozen times since their doors opened. If that doesn’t scream «I LOVE THIS PLACE.» I don’t know what will… but here it goes:
The cocktails are truly delicious. Ryan the bartender (we’re on a first-​name basis) knows his stuff. I know the mission is chock full of hip drink menus, but OBT really pulls through. You’re in for a treat if you love mezcal, because they are on it. Their self-​title «OBT» cocktail – a spicy margarita – is a must. The drinks are also an array of beautiful colors, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to instagram.
The food is unique and the menu rotates. Their chef flexes his skills right next to the bar so you can see the food magic happen before you devour it. Must haves are the potato wedges, the burger (only served late night, but omg, obt), onion spaetzle and hamachi crudo. They also have specials sometimes, like short ribs for two? I’ll eat the damn thing myself.
The geniuses who run the place make their own beer IN HOUSE and are super friendly and present. Get the lemon basil saison! I get a warm, fuzzy feeling from the overall experience… though that could just be the drinks.

Well… I thought I was hipster enough to eat here. I realized that was definitely not true when I had the option to order «leaves» off the menu.
Food wise– actually super good. It’s European style (seems to be becoming a thing in SF?) so tax and tip are included in the menu price. We tried the Peppers for an appetizer which were interesting but still good. According to the waiter, you have a 1 in 10 chance of getting one of the green, hot peppers. Of course I did and was wincing for all of 2 minutes. Undeterred, we finished the plate.
We also had the Spaetzle to share. WONDERFUL. It’s a kind of noodle that is thick and yummy and I would only come back here just to eat this dish again.
The environment is pretty cool. Seems to be New Mexico themed or something so lots of tapestries on the wall and lot of drink options with Mezcal. They have what looks like a brewery set up, and I regret not trying one of their beers. I tried the Sierra Blanca cocktail instead which I would only recommend to those who also like the taste of Lysol. It did get better as I was drinking it but I think that’s because it was so strong.
I should probably give this place 4 stars, but there was just something about our experience here which makes me think I probably won’t visit again. I do recommend trying it once though, as it is pretty cool and the food is good. Like I said, I don’t own enough flannel to really fit in here.

Amazing homemade beer. Great cocktails. Great staff. Good food.
Love the vibe inside. It’s small, so get there early to grab a table.
Love that they have service included in the pricing.
Wish the food menu expands a little. My only issue is that the chili wasn’t as good as it looked.
I’ll be back for more though!

So glad to have found this little gem below our Airbnb spot for the weekend. The food was great and the drinks, including the house brewed beer, were delicious!
We ordered the squid a la plancha which was delicately pan-​fried and chili which was extremely spicy.
Also, I loved that the price includes gratuity and tax. Hopefully it means that even the dishwasher gets a higher wage.

Drink 5++
«Kerby Lane» cocktail was great!
Food 3
«Pickled Quail Eggs» Egg tastes sour… hmm interesting. but not for my taste.
Ambiance 5
Service 4
Price 5

OK, I really want to deduct a star since it’s on the noisy side, but I just can’t do it. This warmly lit and charming gastropub is an amazing addition to the city’s culinary scene. The food is extraordinary and the drinks are absolutely delicious. They brew their own beer and it’s amazing too. Enough superlatives? I don’t think so.
Our server, James, was helpful and friendly and genuine and good recommendations were all spot on. Love this place and looking forward to coming back soon.

I haven’t written a review in some time but my recent trip to Old Bus Tavern on Saturday night calls for it. Great service, tasty food and great beer. One reviewer mentioned the prices of the dishes but failed to mention that the price of each dish includes both service and tax.
Menu Highlights: Beer Pickles, Squid a la Plancha Halibut Crudo and Chili all were delicious.
To Drink: Old Bus Tavern — Lemon Basil Saison was unique and super tasty.
My only recommendation is related to acoustics. Some acoustic panels or drapery would improve the very high noise level.
Other than that, keep up the good work and welcome to the neighborhood.

It’s so heartbreaking to really love everything about a restaurant except the food.
I’ve tasted food that was too sweet, too salty, too bitter – Old Bus Tavern has got to be the first place I’ve been to that had too much umami.
We’d tried their chili a couple of times when they were doing their pop-​up at PizzaHacker, and were excited that they were opening a place in the neighborhood. We finally went in tonight, and really enjoyed our time at the bar. The in-​house brewed rye pale ale is fantastic, and we enjoyed another IPA brought in from elsewhere. The bartenders were engaging, and we were looking forward to our dinner. In fact, the entire staff was great.
We were seated below the gorgeous Navajo blankets and beside the brew tanks – perfect atmosphere combining industrial and homespun. The crowd seemed to be having a good time, the music was perfect, and we thought this was by far the best ambience of any restaurant along this stretch of Mission (and there are a lot of restaurants).
The trouble started as we looked at the menu. This is basically a small-​plates menu, but with entrée prices. $ 8 for a piece of cornbread? That disproportionate price set the mood as we went down the menu. This price point might have been OK, if the flavors had risen to match. However, in each dish, there was something just a little bit off. I had been really looking forward to the chili, but when the tiny portion arrived with a doll-​sized spoon, I thought I’d been sent down the rabbit hole, where logic and proportion go awry. The taste, too, was just off. Too much chili powder (?), lime zest (?), and coriander (?). It didn’t compare favorably at all with the chili I’d had at the pop-​up.
My companion ordered the potato dumplings, a large bowl with a middling-​sized heap of food, all for $ 28. Again, the flavors weren’t horrible, but the levels were problematic. Not salty, exactly… but just too much umami. Maybe the strategy is to pack lots and lots of intense flavor onto a vintage hipster grandma flowery plate or bowl so that the outrageous price can be justified.
Oh…that $ 8 cornbread? Not terrible, and with an interesting toasted corn taste possibly from a mashed 99-​cent bag of corn nuts. But… $ 8.
Old Bus Tavern was packed this Friday night with the kind of crowd that dressed from the Sundance catalog and seemed like they had twigs in their hair, even if they didn’t actually have twigs in their hair. Maybe this is the crowd that enjoys going through the looking glass when they eat, but I don’t see how this menu is sustainable. But this is San Francisco in 2015… anything is possible.

Old bus tavern rocks. My friends and I are finishing a road trip from Oregon and two of them got me on the Unilocal train so now I’m paying more attention to everything that makes up a restaurant, and OBT crushes it. The décor and the people that run it make you feel at home. Everyone is so friendly. But the beer and the food are what makes it 5 star.
I am a vegetarian. HIGHLY recommend it to others like me– get the chilled eggplant soup! Heavenly. And I got two of the rye so serious pale ales. 5 star all around.