Blue Barn Cole Valley — Restaurant in San Francisco

Remember that Seinfeld episode when Elaine wants the "big salad"? Many people eating here are too young to know what I'm talking about (especially the Marina loctions). This is that place, where the salad is the main course. Maybe back in 1997 that was $9, here it's $20 something for that you want. But the salad is main-course-sized and excellent.

Don't get the dressing on the side. Let the professionals mix it in, they're better than us.

Post covid, I can't help but feel like the portions are smaller or stingier with the protein (this location was opened after covid but the experience seems the same for other locations).

The sandwiches are very tasty but too small.

Long story short, this place has really tasty food. But it's priced for SF yups that are wearing yoga pants and high heels at the same time. Great food, but almost too trendy. Clearly their marketing works. I'll keep eating here until salad starting price eclipses $20.

Edit 2025: my normal salad is now around $28 but I'm still going to keep eating it because it's that good. Still only 3 of 5 stars for atmosphere because it is still so trendy now that I think I might be the oldest, least wealthy person to eat there. I am not wearing yoga pants and high heels, but some do....

I went there this past Friday with family afternoon after we walked in the the person behind the counter didn't even welcomed us

, I asked if we could sit the the table for four and he yes in a hesitated way

So we go and sit , almoste 5 minutes waiting for someone to come to take our order no comes to us so I got up talked to the person behind the counter from the room door that was wide open and accessible and asked him if someone is coming to take our order??? He looks at me with an angry 😠 and refused to listen to what I asked him only if I come to the other side and ask him and I did and then in a rude way he tells me

"😠 if you want to order you have to the come to the counter and order and pick up your self when it's ready "

By the way it's fine with me they can run their restaurant the way they want its just that i wish he told me this at the entrance when I asked if I could go and sit in the table for 4 it would have saved my...

A bit of a mixed bag on this one. Been twice and had yummy fresh salads each time, which are a nice option to have in the area!

However a salad will run you about $25 after tax/tip etc. The portion is HUGE but since a salad really doesn’t keep well as leftovers, it just feels wasteful. It also just feels like a steep price for fast-casual where you order at the counter, are given a buzzer, pick up the food from the counter, bus your own dishes etc.

Also the HGTV fake farmhouse decor is so corny and somehow clinical at the same time?? It feel like the place has no personality and makes me want to eat and leave ASAP. Anyway, I’ll still probably go back once in a while when I’m...