Nute's — Restaurant in San Francisco

Had a really disappointing experience at Nute’s on Friday 12/1/2023, because of the service and the food.

TLDR - you’ll wait way longer than you’re told by the waitstaff, and their broth is salty AF.

Upon arriving at Nute’s around 7pm, we were told it’d be a 30 minute wait to seat 3 people. We got our name on the wait list and stood outside to wait for our table. After 45 minutes, we weren’t too bothered since we could tell it was busy. Once 60 minutes had gone by, we went inside to check on our place on the waitlist and we still had multiple people in front of us. After another 15 minutes, we began asking the staff when we would be seated. They told us that they didn’t have a table for 3 available, and immediately after this, a group of 4 was seated ahead of us even though they were behind us on the waitlist. By 8:45 we asked to be seated at any table, even if we had to squeeze two people onto a bench to fit and we were finally seated.

Since we ordered immediately upon being seated, 3 tonkotsu ramen bowls, we didn’t wait too long before being served.

The broth of this ramen was SO incredibly salty. We were all so hungry that we just ate it anyway, and because we paid $18 per bowl, but damn - this was so disappointing. I couldn’t eat mine all and didn’t bother taking it home.

Knowing what I know now, I won’t be coming here again. Maybe Nute’s has other food options that are better than what we had, but I’m not willing to wait for almost 2 hours when...

Waitress Candy told us to hurry up so that other people can be seated. We were seated at a two person table and ordering on a continuous basis. We were not done nor idle. We were just enjoying their food.

I told her I was offended by her comment she replied "It's a small place and we have other people waiting." I looked at the people waiting and the customers seated around us and not one was of color. In fact, two separate couples next to us were not eating or ordering just talking and I remembered them at their table before we were seated and still at their table after we left. I would hate to think that was her reason to rush us out but it sure felt like it.

I tried to voice my dissatisfaction, feeling discriminated and the idle couples still at their tables to the owner but she was too busy or ignored me. Another cook kept repeating "Don't say that!" as I tired to get the owner's attention.

This place is not interested in any one other than caucasian customers.. how sad they made me feel... I too make six figures and know how to tip 25% of the bill for good food...

Fantastic Thai and Japanese noodles in a cozy atmosphere with friendly service. We had the Pad See-Ew and Khao Soi Gai and both were fantastic.

Only downside is they don't accept reservations, and the waitlist can be quite long. We went on a Saturday night at 9pm and still had to wait 20 minutes. Doesn't seem like they'll call you either, so you have to wait at the restaurant for a spot to open. And since the restaurant is tiny, this really means waiting outside. Minus one star for this inefficient system.

I love that Nute's does not have the "SF Healthy Mandate" surcharge so many restaurants do these days. Perhaps they raised their prices, but that's exactly the right approach. Plus one star for this customer-friendly approach, rather than following the trend of their peer restaurants and adding hidden and deceptive fees to the bill. I strongly support increasing pay and benefits for restaurant workers, but would prefer it be done in a transparent and honest way - just like Nute's has...