• Banner 1
  • Banner 2
  • Banner 3

Welcome to Wise Sons Jewish Deli

At Wise Sons Jewish Deli, the rich tapestry of Jewish culinary tradition comes to life in the heart of San Francisco’s Hayes Valley. This beloved deli, known for its hand-crafted bagels and hearty sandwiches, captures the essence of comfort food. Every bagel is meticulously proofed and boiled, ensuring a chewy, flavorful crust. Signature dishes like the OG Reuben and the Turkey Club showcase locally-sourced ingredients and have earned a loyal following. With options for vegans and families, along with a welcoming atmosphere, Wise Sons invites everyone to experience the joy of a true Jewish deli, all while enjoying friendly service and community vibes.

Wise Sons Jewish Deli: Reviews & Ratings

Aerin A.
Aerin A.

I ordered my my go to club sandwich with a side of picklebrine hot sauce. I wanted something to munch on during my flight back home from SFO later that day. It never fails to disappoint. One of my top five favorite sandwiches of all time. With tax it's about $20 which is a lot but if you split it into two servings, then it's not so bad. I highly recommend splitting into serving. It is a lot of food. I also ordered a pumpernickel bagel with scallion cream cheese, which was an additional six dollars and while it's no New York bagel it's still pretty good .

Kelsey W.
Kelsey W.

Ordered the Veggie Bagel Sandwich and the Latkes. The veggies used tasted fresh and were plentiful. The everything bagel was well seasoned and very flavorful. The latkes were bigger size than expected and tasted delicious.

Jason F.
Jason F.

The Wise Sons Jewish Deli empire has hit a few bumps in the road this past year, especially with the closure of two of their Bay Area restaurants, but this location in the heart of one of San Francisco's most walkable neighborhoods, they have proven they are not going away anytime soon. Located on Octavia Street in the Hayes Valley neighborhood in San Francisco, this is one of three remaining locations of Wise Sons Jewish Deli that remains in the city. Walking around the Hayes Valley neighborhood on a warm weekend afternoon with street fairs and a number of other activities from neighboring restaurants, I decided to make it my mission to get to this location, as I had been to both of their Oakland locations, one of which has since closed. There is nothing better than a warm bagel sandwich overflowing with cream cheese and plenty of lox and capers and Wise Sons Jewish Deli makes one of the best. This and the fact that the team at Wise Sons Jewish Deli is always fast with the preparation of their meals which makes for easy dining made them an easy choice for a lunchtime meal. This location is one of their smaller locations as they only had a couple of tables around the exterior of their restaurant and a few counters in which people could dine inside. What you won't miss upon visiting their storefront is the stacks upon stacks of bagels that they have ready to order. The menu at Wise Sons Jewish Deli is broken up into sections including Signature Sandwiches, Toasted Bagel Sandwiches, Deli Classics, Sweets & Pastries, Bagels & Schmears, Cold Beverages and Coffee & Tea. Although their bagels are the real star of the show at Wise Sons Jewish Deli, as they are proofed overnight and then boiled in malt syrup to ensure the crust is firm and chewy and then they season and double coat the bagels with various toppings to give them their variety of flavors. Upon my visit, there was something about their OG Reuben that was calling my name. This sandwich is griddled with Russian dressing and served with Swiss cheese & sauerkraut on rye bread. With the options of three meats to choose from, Pastrami, Corned Beef, and Smoked Turkey, I opted to order their Corned Beef which was brined with garlic and a special blend of their signature spices. To pair my meal, I also ordered their potato salad, as I thought that this would provide a nice accompaniment to the savoriness of my sandwich. My bill would be $24.98 before gratuity was added in, which is on the pricier side of a traditional sandwich and side, even by today's standards. It wouldn't take too long for my sandwich and side to be presented to me as my name was called out to pickup. The one thing that I was surprised by most was that my sandwich was so freshly made that the sliced meat, which made up the bulk of my sandwich, was piping, almost scalding to a point where I had to stop eating the sandwich. So, I decided to eat my side of potato salad, which for $4.50 should have been amazing and quite frankly was not, as it was a bit mushy for my taste, despite being seasoned nicely. Once my sandwich cooled off, I had zero regrets ordering their corned beef in place of their signature pastrami as it was both fatty and hearty, which made for a nice overall meal. Of course many more visits to Wise Sons Jewish Deli are in order for me, as I must make it to their three other locations in the city, including the one that started it all in the Mission District, as Wise Sons Jewish Deli has relied so much success in the past, they have merged with local bagel shops just to increase their presence and export the way they mass produce bagels on a daily basis. I can only think that they are still on the way to achieving their goals of bagel domination, as they produce solid chewy bagels which can be turned into hearty sandwiches filled with plenty of locally-sourced ingredients that can make for one satisfying meal anytime you visit.

Patrick O.
Patrick O.

Wednesday 7:15 am arrival. There will be customers early which is a good sign at any bagel shop. It was mostly empty despite a few in person customers but most early work is for take out and delivery services. I was the only person who dined in. The staff helped me place my order which was nice. The digital ordering tablet seemed to be lacking options and it may need programming updates. A few quick taps by staff helped me secure the order I desired. There is a restroom. There is a nice parklet with outdoor seating. Plenty of seating overall in a narrow suite. The bialy is a little crusty so you have to like a crunchy kinda shell bagel. From someone who likes their bagel softer this was a welcome crunch with a toasted bialy and lox, which was a nice change. Crunchy. Even if untoasted it would be firm. Balanced portion of cheese, just enough fish. They have reached a point of great consistency and it's rich but not too rich. Will more volume bring down the price? It was $19+. For a deli breakfast that seems a touch steep.

Location

Welcome to Wise Sons Jewish Deli, a beacon of authentic Jewish culinary tradition nestled in the vibrant Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. Located at 537 Octavia St, this deli is not just a place to grab a quick bite; it’s a celebration of rich flavors and comforting food that warms the heart.

Wise Sons is renowned for its thoughtfully crafted bagels and sandwiches, which are made with a dedication to quality that sets them apart in a bustling food scene. The bagels are proofed overnight, boiled in malt syrup, and seasoned to perfection—creating a chewy yet satisfying crust that's hard to resist. You’ll find a diverse menu that includes not only their signature sandwiches but also deli classics, pastries, and seasonal offerings. It’s easy to see why patrons rave about dishes like the OG Reuben, made with your choice of meats, griddled with Russian dressing, and served alongside fresh sides.

The deli's atmosphere is trendy yet classy, perfect for a casual lunch, quick takeout, or a leisurely meal with friends or family. With options for delivery, takeout, and even catering, Wise Sons accommodates every diner’s needs. The outdoor seating provides a lovely space to enjoy your meal while soaking in the surrounding neighborhood’s charm.

One highlight that customers continuously praise is the versatility of the menu. Vegan options are readily available alongside hearty fare, ensuring that everyone can find something delightful. The reviews speak to the freshness of the ingredients, such as the crisp vegetables in the veggie bagel sandwich and the generous portions that encourage sharing. Although some dishes may venture into the pricier range, patrons often note that the quality justifies the splurge, especially when ordering filling sandwiches that can easily be split into two servings.

In addition to the food, the deli creates an inviting experience with Wi-Fi, a welcoming environment for work or casual meetings, and even dogs allowed outdoor seating to include your furry friends. Whether you’re paying a visit for the first time or are a loyal customer, the charm and flavors at Wise Sons are destined to leave a lasting impression.

So whether you're in the mood for a classic matzo ball soup, a hearty pastrami sandwich, or one of their delectable specialty bagels with schmear, Wise Sons Jewish Deli welcomes you to enjoy a taste of their Jewish deli heritage, right in the heart of San Francisco.