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ZipPicks Awards

Best French Fries in San Francisco Best Burgers in San Francisco

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Columbus Burgers 7.7
Chinatown
Compact smash-burger counter by Jackson Square turning out fresh-cut fries and late hours for downtown. The fries are straightforward, salty, and reliably crisp, ideal with a bacon cheeseburger and a cold soda.
Must-Try Dishes: Fresh-cut Fries, Signature Smash + fries, Bacon Cheeseburger + fries
Scores:
Value: 8.9 Service: 7.6 Consistency: 7.8 Food Quality: 7.9 Atmosphere: 6.3 Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Straight-ahead fries cooked hot to order at wallet-friendly prices.
Who should go: Office workers and late-night downtown snackers
When to visit: Before noon or after 1:30 pm to avoid rush
What to order: Fresh-cut fries; signature smash; bacon cheeseburger
Insider tip: Ask for extra-crisp fries if you’re walking them back to the office.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited metered street parking nearby; best to walk from nearby garages on Sansome or Battery after 6 pm when rates drop.
Dress code: Casual — workwear, jeans, and sneakers all fit in fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate — mostly takeout traffic with some counter chatter.
Weekend wait: 5–10 minutes for fresh fries; seating limited to quick turnover spots.
Weekday lunch: Usually under 5 minutes unless the office rush hits at noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — fries, grilled cheese, and sides work for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited — fries are fine but no dedicated vegan mains.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated prep area; fries are fried separately but not certified gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date — it’s a small counter setup better suited to casual solo or coworker bites than long sit-downs.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter service only, no reservations needed. Grab a window seat or take your order to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick bites — simple menu and short waits, though limited seating means stroller space is tight.
Best For
Better for: Faster turnaround and lower prices than nearby gourmet burger spots; fries are fresher and more consistent than chain competitors.
Skip if: Skip if you’re after a sit-down meal, cocktails, or more varied toppings — this is a straightforward burger-and-fries stop.

Hours

Monday11am - 11pm
Tuesday11am - 11pm
Wednesday11am - 11pm
Thursday11am - 11pm
Friday11am - 2am
Saturday12pm - 2am
Sunday12pm - 11pm