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The Butcher Shop by Niku Steakhouse

57 Division St, San Francisco, CA 94103
$$
Steakhouse

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Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)

The Butcher Shop by Niku Steakhouse 7.7
Design District / Showplace Square ✓ Verified
Modern butcher counter from the Niku team serving lunch-only burgers and fries alongside premium wagyu cuts to go. A swift, meat-centric option for working lunches near Showplace Square.
Must-Try Dishes: Butcher’s Burger, Smash Burger, Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.4 Service: 7.2 Consistency: 7.6 Food Quality: 7.8 Atmosphere: 6.4 Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Lunch-hour burgers from a wagyu-focused butcher next to Niku.
Who should go: Meat lovers on a schedule
When to visit: Tue–Sat 11am–1pm to beat the rush
What to order: Butcher’s Burger; Smash Burger; fries
Insider tip: Order ahead online for fast pickup; retail steaks sell out weekends.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited street parking on Showplace Square; metered spots can be competitive around lunch hours. No valet or dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual; office attire and jeans are both fine—no need to dress up.
Noise level: Low to moderate—counter-service setup with limited seating makes it easy to hold a quick conversation.
Weekend wait: Closed at dinner; lunch-only operation.
Weekday lunch: Typically 5–10 minutes at peak; faster if you order ahead online.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Extremely limited—fries and occasional sides only.
Vegan options: No dedicated options; not recommended for vegan diners.
Gluten-free options: Burgers can be served without the bun, but no separate gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s more of a casual butcher counter with limited seating, better for a solo or team lunch than a date setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Walk up or order ahead online for quick pickup.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly—seating is limited, menu is meat-heavy, and there aren’t amenities for children.
Best For
Better for: A quick, high-quality burger made with butcher-grade meat—faster and more casual than Niku Steakhouse next door.
Skip if: You want a sit-down, full-service steakhouse experience or plant-forward menu variety.
The Butcher Shop by Niku Steakhouse 8.5
SoMa / Design District
High-end butcher counter turning out limited-hour burgers built from premium beef. It’s a takeout-only play with steakhouse-level product, ideal for a splurge lunch.
Must-Try Dishes: Butcher’s Burger, Smash Burger, Fries with kewpie-ponzu mayo
Scores:
Value: 7.6 Service: 8 Consistency: 8.8 Food Quality: 9.2 Atmosphere: 6.9 Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Steakhouse-grade patties served from a butcher counter at lunch.
Who should go: Burger obsessives chasing top-tier beef
When to visit: Tue–Sat lunch hours; sells out on busy days
What to order: Butcher’s Burger, Smash Burger, fries
Insider tip: Order early online; limited burger window and quantities.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the Design District can be tight at midday; limited metered spots are available on 10th and Division. No valet or dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual – office attire and jeans are fine; no formal dress expectations for this counter-service setup.
Noise level: Low – primarily a takeout counter with little indoor seating, so conversation is easy if you wait inside.
Weekend wait: Not applicable – the butcher shop only serves burgers at lunch hours Tue–Sat.
Weekday lunch: Can be 10–20 minutes at peak noon rush; sell-outs happen by early afternoon on busy days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: No dedicated vegetarian burgers; menu is beef-focused with fries as the only vegetarian item.
Vegan options: No vegan burger or sides beyond fries.
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free buns advertised; you could order patties without a bun, but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s counter-service and takeout-focused, better for grabbing a premium burger together casually than a sit-down date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no reservations; it’s takeout-only with a couple of standing counters. Expect to eat elsewhere.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who love burgers, but note there’s no seating or kids’ menu. Best for a quick grab-and-go rather than a family outing.
Best For
Better for: Unmatched beef quality at lunch—steakhouse-grade patties that outshine typical burger shops.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal, vegetarian/vegan options, or dinner service.