Wise Sons Jewish Deli Hayes Valley — Restaurant in San Francisco

I would never think to give Wise Sons a 2-star overall rating, because I've been going to the Hayes Valley location since they opened about 7 years ago.

About 3 weeks ago after having not been in for awhile, I came in for coffee and realized there was a serious ventilation issue. The entire place was unusually warm and the smell was very oily. I left with a strong smell of oil on both my coat and hair.

I gave it a week before going back and discovered the same heat and strong smells, made even more intense by the fact that they were busy and actively making breakfast sandwiches, baking etc.

I figured it would've fixed by the next week, so I waited again and it was just as bad. This smell is of both food and cooking oil. It is so strong that I can't even wait inside the cafe while my coffee is being made. I leave with my clothes and hair completely soaked in the oil smell in less than 5 minutes time.

I am a food and wine professional, so I'll admit that my sense of smell is heightened compared to most people, but because of this I am absolutely sure that the condition of bad ventilation that Wise Sons in Hayes Valley is experiencing is unsanitary and incredibly unhealthy for their staff to work in. I feel terrible that its been almost a month and there has been no improvement in the situation.

I will be boycotting all Wise Sons locations until the owner takes care of this unsanitary ventilation issue and starts respecting their employees again. This was never an issue until recently. I wonder what...

I tried their lox sandwich, and it played a game of hide-and-seek with my taste buds – not bad, but those capers were like salty ninjas trying to take over the sandwich! Apparently, they opted for the discount capers, the rebels of flavor.

The latte was so cold; I thought it was auditioning for a role in a winter wonderland movie. Maybe I should've asked them to turn up the heat, or at least give the latte a cozy blanket.

This deli claims to be Jewish, but it's more confused than a chameleon at a paint store. The food selection is on a world tour, and the music is rocking a sombrero – it's a Mexican fiesta in a Jewish deli. Talk about a cultural remix!

The garbage bins were living their best life – inside, outside, everywhere! The staff was on a vacation of not caring, and communication was as limited as a dictionary in a kindergarten. "Next" and "your order is ready" were the only hits on their playlist.

The bathroom remodel was like a DIY project gone wrong. It's got the charm of a paperless office, and the Dyson blower is catering exclusively to customers with a height requirement of a 6-year-old. Shortcuts taken, and now the bathroom is a comedy of errors.

I adore bagels, but this place? It's a bagel's worst nightmare. I'd rather have a staring contest with an empty plate than revisit this deli. Especially at $30+ for a bagel...

I gotta agree with the person who wrote that this Wise Son isn’t really run that well, let me explain myself, i came into this store with high expectations the guy behind the counter was super friendly because when i was going to sign the receipt (i payed with a debit card) the pen i was given didn’t have ink so he just gave me another plus i accidentally ripped the receipt & he gladly printed a new one for me to sign, up to this point everything was fine, but then i started noticing that the guy doing the bagels didn’t know where the things were in the kitchen, & i guess the manager/owner was telling him where the stuff was, by know it had been like 10-15 mins since i ordered my bagel, plus there was a line starting to form, Overrall i was disappointed the bagel was too small for the price i paid, & the berry shmear was too sweet for me. I think i’ll just go to the their other store located in the Fillmore, i have a feeling that one is run better...