Big Nate's Bar-B-Que

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1665 Folsom St (at at 13th St.)
San Francisco, CA 94103

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(415) 861-4242
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Reviews
( 9 )
( 14 )
( 4 )
( 8 )
( 6 )

Best

Excellent for lunch with their $8.75 memphis pork sandwich!\r \r I've been eating here close to 15 years. It's a good value, the cole slaw is good, so go for that, not the potat...

Worst

What's more personal than barbecue? So, if someone says they love Nate's, that's fine with me. Live and let live. But, FOR ME, Nate's is quite weak. For ribs, I'd say Brothers...

Excellent for lunch 11/9/2009

Excellent for lunch with their $8.75 memphis pork sandwich!\r \r I've been eating here close to 15 years. It's a good value, the cole slaw is good, so go for that, not the potato sald. Never got sick from this place either so that's a plus.\r more
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That's what Sundays are all about! 9/11/2009

Really good food and always good service. Can be a bit busy specially on game days, but I personally never a bad experience here. Try their memphis pork, or the combination plate of a little bit of everything, a game on the tube, and you have a match made in heaven. That's what Sundays are all about! more
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Okay 4/28/2009

Everything in this place is all right. Good food, nice ambience, and the staff are friendly too. I love the ribs and the sauce. Very yummy. Good job. :D more
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Not as good as I thought.... 3/25/2009

I wouldn't recommend it if you are going here thinking this are the best ribs in San Francisco. The meat from the pork ribs was hard and the hot sauce not that good. The side items I have to say were good compared to the ribs. If you want good ribs don't go there, unless you want to find out for yourself. more
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Very disappointed in 'Big Nate' 9/1/2008

It was Labor Day and the family decided to get barbeque from 'Big Nate's"" barbeque joint. For $15.00 you'd think we'd have a mess of barbeque to chomp on. Not the case here, there was only enough for two people. We were also disappointed to have to eat ribs that were tough and fatty, and links that tasted like sawdust (cooked too done). So in essence the ribs weren't cooked enough and the linnks were cooked too much! This was the worst Labor Day feast I've ever had. I don't think we'll be frequenting 'Big Nate's' any time in the near future. Pros: Not crowded at all. Cons: The ribs are too fatty and tough to eat, and the links are cooked too done. more
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Awesome brisket 11/26/2007

I make a point of getting over to Big Nate's every time I visit the area. If you are going at lunch time, are hungry and tempted to go with the lunch portion, do yourself a favor and step up to the dinner. While the lunch menu will soothe your urge for bbq, it will probably leave you unfulfilled and wanting more. The seating is limited so I try to go 30 minutes before or after the general lunch crowd. Big Nate's is closer to great Texas bbq than anything else that I have found in the city. Pros: Great bbq Cons: Limited seating more
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Alright food, hot delivery boys. 8/12/2007

The food is great. Not phenomonally great but damn good. Plus, it's the only BBQ I'll get delivered. You know why? The delivery boys are always hot (make sure you look good when you answer the door). I always get the chicken extra spicy. That's the best way to eat it from Nate's. The delivery service is backed up on weekends and fridays but it's worth the wait. Very filling and satisfying food. And keep those boys coming! Where do they get these fine imports? Pros: Satisfying BBQ--hot delivery boys Cons: So good it's a little upsetting on the stomach more
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good bbq tradition 7/4/2007

we had a last minute party for the 4 th of july here at work and big nates came through in a big and tasty way . there are 7 of us here and we all loved it. this is the second year in a row that we have orderd big nates on the 4th of july, and now its a tradition for us here. thanks big nate. Pros: they deliver and good sauce meat is cooked well Cons: kind of pricey more
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Worst BBQ You Will Find 6/3/2007

I had high hopes for this place. I was in the mood for some pork ribs, being from the south, as is my significant other. The food was the most forgettable barbecue I've ever experienced. Hey, I realize I'm not in the South, but I expected something better than this. I paid $35 for a lunch for two, and it was just terrible. The service was fine, and the help friendly. Too bad the food was so bad. You would do much better at a Safeway Deli or MacDonald's, and those are two of my least favorite food emporiums. The corn muffins were a cruel joke, the potato salad unforgettable, the ribs tough, the beef brisket laughable cubes swimming in a barbecue soup. Someone here just doesn't ""get"" it. Should have gone out of business years ago. Pros: Parking Cons: Everything Else more
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Best BBQ in the city so far... let me know if you find a better place. 3/24/2007

BBQ was really good in my opinion. Its hard to find this type of BBQ food in the city and they didn't disappoint. The other sides were just OK, but hey, its a BBQ place not a sides place. Prices are a little more than what you want to spend for a lunch, but its ok to splurge once in a while! more
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OK BBQ 10/30/2006

I wanted to like this place since it's close, delivers and it's BBQ. Had the 3 point combo delivered. The delivery service was fine, quick and food was still very hot. The pork ribs were good, soft enough but not quite falling off the bone. Also got the brisket and memphis pork. The 3 items were packed in the same container, and I just couldn't tell which was brisket and which was pork until biting into it. The sides were average, but I'm more into the Q anyway. I'll try it again to see if the chicken or links are better, but just wasn't sold on the other items. more
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Nasty Nates 10/22/2006

Burnt chicken, it did fall off the bones but was dry and sauce lacked flavour. Brisket was chewey as hell, overcooked. I didn't go near the ribs. Sides sucked. Nasty Nate's. I wish Brother in Laws was open more consistentley.\r \r NASTY Cons: NASTY more
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BBQ and Basketball 10/22/2006

You can't go wrong with this fun little BBQ joint. First of all, you can smell this place from like 2 blocks away. There's nothing like walking into this place and seeing all the pictures of the famous people who are pictured with Big Nate. The food is so good and the sauce on the food is tangy and spicy. The corn bread is fairly good too. This is a special place with great food and great service. Check out all the pictures if you can and don't forget to grab tons of napkins! \r FYI, everytime I've gone I've run into BIG NATE himself. Pros: food, fun atomsphere, good service Cons: small parking lot, can't resist the smell of the food 2 blocks away more
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BIG Nate's...BIG Disappointment! 9/23/2006

I feel bad writing this, because I'm a huge Warriors fan...GO Warriors! However, the BBQ at Nates is very BAD! It's sad because it has the potential to be legendary. People who don't know what good BBQ is, think this is what BBQ should taste like. And what does Nate's taste like? Severely undercooked and rubbery to start. They slather everything in way too much sauce, to make up for the chewy texture of the meat. It's almost like they rush the delicate, low and slow process of making melt in your mouth BBQ, in order to turn a quick buck. The menu is way overpriced by the way. Pass on Nates and head to either Memphis Minnies or Ma Pinkies in San Mateo for a much more authentic BBQ experience. Pros: Nate Working The Cash Register. Cons: Chewy "Dog Meat" BBQ, Everything Is Drowned In Sauce, Over-Priced! more
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Good Bar-B-Q, lousy sides dishes 8/1/2006

While their bar-b-q is very good, it's not the best. It's decent for SF. I agree w/ sbgirl, some of the best bar-b-q can be found in the south! But Big Nate's has a great smoky taste. I only wish they would improve on thier side dishes. The potatoe salad could use some work (little mustard, relish, boiled eggs). The beans, when I had them, were a bit too wartery and under seasoned, So was the greens. Where was the ham hocks? Still, if you're craving bar-b-q I'd recommend this place. The brisket is juicy and flavorful. Get your sides else where! more
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Did not have to get up off my couch 7/19/2006

Not only is Big Nate one of the greatest defensive basketball players ever, and a really nice guy to boot if you are lucky enough to run into him at the restaurant, but with delivery you are able to get good bbq at your house an hour after you order. Great for when you are feeling lazy and what bbq at home by only picking up the phone and answering the door. more
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Great BBQ with delivery 7/18/2006

Best BBQ without leaving the comfort of my home! Big Nate has a website that you can order from. Great smoky barbeque, but the sides dishes are soso. But the people there are nice and friendly (even over the phone!) and we will definitely order again!!! Pros: Delivery to your door!!! Cons: soso side dishes more
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Solid BBQ 6/14/2006

I was born & raised in the southern states - so it's fair to say I've had some good BBQ over the years. BBQ & Cajun/Creole restaurants is something you just don't find in SF in either quantity or quality. I've lived here for 7 years and never tried any of the BBQ joints as I feared they'd never live up to my expectations of truly good BBQ. Big Nates is fairly good for a BBQ joint in the city - solid but not the best I've ever had. Agree with other reviews the side dishes are lacking in taste which is a shame. The BBQ will hit the spot if you have a craving but nothing will match the good joints in the south. Disappointed the ribs didn't quite fall off the bone, but nice smoky taste. Pros: Quick service, solid BBQ Cons: Side dishes lack in taste. more
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San Francisco's best Barbecue 3/17/2006

I have tried a number of places around the San Francisco and I find it really hard to find a good bareque place. Big Nates is by far the best I have had. The meats were great, the sauce was finger licking good, and the free home delivery on the weekends. Whats not to like????????? May I make a suggestion get the three meats team meal combo it is a great dinner for two!!! Pros: Sauce, Home Delivery, Meats more
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Don't bother with delivery 12/1/2005

Took an hour and a half and the food was cold when it got here. Quality was craptacular. Don't ignore the other reviews...ths place sucks. more
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Menu for Big Nate's Bar-B-Que


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Owned by NBA Hall of Famer Nate Thurmond, this eatery holds a couple of tables for those who can't take their barbecue back to the office, but most orders are for takeout or...

  • 9/8/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Tuesday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Wednesday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Thursday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Friday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Sunday 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: SoMa, Central East, SoMa (South of Market)
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