Delancey Street Restaurant stands out as more than just a place to eat in San Francisco; it’s a vital training school of the Delancey Street Foundation, the nation’s largest self-help residential organization dedicated to rebuilding lives. Much like immigrants once arrived at Ellis Island and ventured onto New York’s Delancey Street seeking new beginnings, the Foundation welcomes individuals from all walks of life, offering a community of last resort and a path to transformation.
For four decades, Delancey Street has provided comprehensive support to thousands of residents without any cost to them or taxpayers. This remarkable feat is sustained through social enterprises like this very street restaurant, which serves as a hands-on training ground for residents and a financial engine for the Foundation. Every tip is considered a donation, and all restaurant profits, after covering food expenses, directly fund the housing, sustenance, and comprehensive skills training needed for residents to achieve successful, drug-free, and crime-free lives within mainstream society.
Since its inception, Delancey Street has embodied the enduring values of American tradition: a strong sense of community, a powerful work ethic, and a shared commitment to hard work and self-belief. Discipline, dignity, self-respect, and service to others are at the heart of their ethos. This heritage is reflected in the restaurant’s cuisine – familiar, comforting, and home-style food that evokes cherished family memories. The daily changing menu is a celebration of diversity, blending recipes from residents’ diverse ethnic and regional backgrounds with classic American dishes. Many recipes are treasured family heirlooms, emphasizing both unique cultural flavors and the beautiful fusion of traditions.
The restaurant’s excellence is also a testament to the extraordinary support from San Francisco’s culinary community. Owners, chefs, and waitstaff from the city’s finest dining establishments have generously volunteered their expertise to train residents in cooking, management, and service. The restaurant itself, from design to construction and operation, is entirely a Delancey Street resident endeavor. Gratitude is extended to Allegro, Alejandro’s, Perry’s, Postrio, Roti, Square One, Tommy Toys, and Washington Square Bar & Grill restaurants, as well as Backen Arrigoni and Ross architectural firm, for their invaluable contributions. The successes are shared achievements, while any shortcomings are solely attributed to the learning process.
Since opening its doors in 1991, Delancey Street Restaurant has garnered enthusiastic praise from press outlets, television programs, and, most importantly, its loyal customer base. Repeat diners form the core of its business. Recognitions include being named one of “San Francisco’s Delicious Dozen” by Jim Wood in Image Magazine, a “toque” award from Gault Milleu’s The Best of San Francisco, 2 stars from San Francisco Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer, and Zagat’s “Friendliest Restaurant in San Francisco” title upon opening. Positive reviews from local newspapers and inclusions in numerous restaurant guidebooks, Richard Saul Wurman’s Access San Francisco, and international guides from Germany, Japan, and Brazil further solidify its reputation. The restaurant received the 2013 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor and has been featured on TV shows like CNN and The Food Network’s “Best of…” series.
The restaurant boasts a variety of inviting spaces to suit any occasion or group size. The OUTDOOR PATIO, as Frisko Magazine notes, “provides a breathtaking view of the waterfront and Bay Bridge.”
Patricia Unterman in the San Francisco Chronicle describes the expansive DINING ROOM as “a handsome and wonderful space. Hand-crafted woodwork, brass, and copper accents, sophisticated lighting, and tasteful furnishings create an inviting American bistro ambiance. The immaculate dining room exudes warmth.”
For solo diners, the COPPER BAR, handcrafted by residents, offers a front-row seat to the culinary action, where chefs prepare rotisserie chicken and grill ribs with signature barbecue sauce on an Italian rotisserie. Notably, the BBQ ribs and chicken were featured on The Food Network‘s “Best of BBQ” series. Larger parties can enjoy the PRIVATE DINING ROOMS. The BOARDROOM, accommodating up to 40 guests, presents a refined setting with copper fixtures, wainscoting, cherry wood tables, and Dugald Stermer’s original wildlife portraits, overlooking the Bay and a private garden. The SOUTHWESTERN ROOM, seating up to 24, showcases handcrafted pine tables and chairs, a Taos-style “pie chest,” and benches, all created by Delancey Street residents at their Santa Fe ranch. Native American sculptures, weavings, pottery, and drums, alongside New Mexican art, enhance this unique space. For grand events, THE PRIVATE CLUB on the 3rd floor is also available. (For catering inquiries, please visit the Catering section).
Delancey Street Restaurant welcomes guests from 11 am to 11 pm daily, except Mondays. Sunday brunch is served from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Private dining menus and special event planning services are readily available. The aim is for every guest to feel genuinely at home and enjoy their meal. Feedback is always welcomed to enhance the dining experience further.
