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Butter
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Butter
8.0
A coffee window attached to a kids’ woodworking studio that now turns out house-made donuts daily, including vegan and mochi styles. Flavors rotate (matcha, black sesame, lemon), and lines move quickly in the morning.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mochi Matcha Donut, Old-Fashioned Glazed, Vegan Cardamom Donut
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Rotating mochi and vegan donut program from a community-first café window.
Who should go: Mochi and vegan-donut seekers
When to visit: 8–10am for freshest rotation and shortest queue
What to order: Mochi matcha, vegan cardamom, old-fashioned glazed
Insider tip: Fridays often bring expanded flavors—ask what’s new at the window.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Balboa or nearby side streets is typically available before 9am; fills quickly once the school crowd arrives. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—many patrons come in morning workout or drop-off attire.
Noise level: Low to moderate—mostly outdoor chatter from parents and locals; conversations are easy over coffee.
Weekend wait: N/A – the café closes by early afternoon.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, though donut varieties may sell out by noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – most donut flavors are vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan options: Yes – at least one vegan donut option daily, often more on weekends.
Gluten-free options: Limited – no dedicated gluten-free donuts, though mochi varieties use rice flour with minimal cross-contact risk.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a casual morning meetup spot—grab coffee and donuts for a low-key, relaxed start rather than a sit-down meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes – it’s a walk-up window with limited outdoor seating; no reservations needed.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely—connected to a woodworking studio for children, the vibe is playful and welcoming for families.
Best For
Better for: Creative mochi and vegan donut flavors that rotate weekly—lighter and more inventive than typical neighborhood bakeries.
Skip if: You’re seeking a full café menu or indoor seating; it’s primarily a grab-and-go donut window.
Butter
7.7
Western SoMa nightlife staple serving late-night burgers, tots, and strong cocktails until 2am on weekends. It’s divey, loud, and fast—ideal for an after-club burger fix.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Burger (cheeseburger with fixings), Patty Melt, Tater Tots
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: 2am burgers in a kitschy, long-running SoMa party bar.
Who should go: Post-club crews craving burgers and tots
When to visit: Fri–Sat after 11pm for full late-night scene
What to order: Butter Burger, patty melt, tots
Insider tip: Kitchen gets slammed late—order as soon as you arrive.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only—can be very limited late at night; best to use nearby paid lots on 11th or Folsom.
Dress code: Ultra casual—club attire welcome, but jeans, tees, and sneakers are the norm.
Noise level: Very loud—expect thumping music and bar chatter; not ideal for conversation-heavy nights.
Weekend wait: Order at the bar; kitchen queues get long after midnight, expect 20–40 minutes for food.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—kitchen typically opens in the evenings.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—possible veggie burger or sides like tots and fries.
Vegan options: Minimal—fries/tots may be the only consistent option.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free menu; burgers are bun-based, though lettuce wraps may be improvised.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal unless your date loves dive bars—noise and kitschy vibe are better for groups than romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t taken; seating is bar-style and first-come, first-served.
Is it kid-friendly? No—this is a 21+ nightlife venue with a bar-first focus; not suitable for children.
Best For
Better for: Late-night burger-and-tots runs after nearby clubs, with a more playful, rowdy vibe than polished gastropubs.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, robust vegetarian/vegan options, or a polished sit-down experience.