Kennedy's Rest Manor

Pros

• The food and atmosphere were incredible.
• Guests had an amazing experience with a perfect location and inviting atmosphere, along with outstanding service from Elliot.
• The restaurant's extended hours were a big plus, and the food was delicious with a mix of traditional and modern Indian dishes.
• Kennedy's is highly recommended for superb service and delightful cuisine, with special thanks to Elliot for making the visit memorable.
• The samosas were exceptional, prompting a return visit.
• The bar-restaurant fusion offers great food and good service.
• The reviewer considered it the best chaat in SF, with favorites like Dahi Papdi chaat and chole, plus a fun arcade.
• The place has ship-inspired vibes and reasonably priced food, with the mixed grill plate being a standout.
• The ordering process is simple, and staff like Peter are courteous and knowledgeable.
• The venue provides pool tables, dart boards, arcade games, a large back patio, and a jukebox, making it a fun spot.

Cons

• The restaurant is permanently closed.
• One reviewer described the venue as dirty and unsafe, with mice, a leaking roof, and a flooded floor that made it look like a haunted house.
• The Indian food was described as the worst in years, with terrible service, and hot water could not be provided.
• The restrooms were extremely dirty, the food mediocre, and the service non-existent.
• The reviewer reported repeated ordering problems, claiming they were screwed over three times.
• There was about an hour-long wait for food.
• Dishes, including biryani, were not flavorful or flavorless, and the overall food quality was criticized as not fresh with terrible customer support.

Review

The collection of reviews paints Kennedy's Indian Curry House in San Francisco as a wildly mixed bag: a venue that can feel both informal and charmingly underdesigned, with food that many praise and a service record that ranges from standout to chaotic. Several comments point to the place's ambiguous status, with notes that it might be permanently closed, while others recount recent visits as if nothing had changed. Across the board, however, there's a sense that this spot operates as a dual identity - an Indian restaurant that sits inside a lively bar atmosphere, complete with casual vibes, a little arcade, and a back patio called "The Porch."

Food is a dominant theme, and for many, the dishes deliver on flavor even when the experience elsewhere is inconsistent. A recurring compliment is the authenticity and warmth of the spicing, with samosas described as exceptional and a general sense that many Indian staples are solidly prepared. One reviewer highlights a blend of traditional and modern Indian dishes, praising the masala sauce as spicy and savory and noting the presence of South Indian flavors on the menu. Another reviewer extols the samosas and a few standout items like tandoori tofu and chicken tikka, even if other elements of the meal - such as a biryani perceived as not fully flavorful - don't always meet the same high bar. There's also praise for specific items like chaat, with one reviewer claiming it to be the best in San Francisco, if not the entire Bay Area, and noting favorites like Dahi Papdi chaat and chole. A few visitors even remark that the food's quality makes up for the unconventional setting, and some celebrate the shrimp wrap and other inventive hybrids that the bar-restaurant mashup can accommodate.

The atmosphere and concept receive plenty of attention as well. Several accounts emphasize a laid-back, non-pretentious vibe - "chill," unassuming, and not overly concerned with decor. The space is described as a traditional Indian place embedded in an Irish pub environment, a fusion some find intriguing and others find odd. People talk about a few entertaining features: a handful of pool tables, dart boards, an arcade, a knockout machine, a grab machine, and a back patio that's large enough to host gatherings or private parties. The d?cor itself gets mixed reactions - some reviewers enjoy the quirky maritime touches, like beams rumored to be from old ships, while others note the outside looks worn and dated but insist the kitchen remains clean and the people are friendly. The bar's extended hours - open until midnight with the kitchen closing at around 11 PM - are repeatedly highlighted as a big plus for those who want late-night bites with a drink.

Service figures prominently in many impressions, for better and worse. A few reviews single out standout staff members, especially a server named Elliot who is praised for outstanding service, humor, and a welcoming, homey feel. Another reviewer points to a server named Eric who was described as kind and accommodating, contributing to a positive impression even when the restaurant wasn't packed. Yet not all experiences are smooth. There are many mentions of long waits for food, including anecdotes of an hour-long wait or longer, missed pickup times, and a sense that some orders were mishandled or not recorded properly. Several reviewers complain of inconsistent or poor service, sometimes paired with other issues like dirty tables, a drunk server late at night, or general mismanagement. A few reviews describe bad experiences with takeout orders - no record of orders, delays of 20 to 30 minutes past promised times, and even outright cancellations after dubious excuses. In short, the service narrative swings from "excellent and attentive" to "disorganized and frustrating," often depending on the visit and perhaps the time of night.

There are stark contrasts in some reviews that read almost like two different restaurants in one. On the positive side, diners celebrate the value, the breadth of offerings, and the sense of a casual, convivial space where you can order a pint and curry in the same visit. Some praise the overall experience as "unreal for the price," with people fond of the quirky setup - an Indian kitchen that can still accommodate pizza or pub fare, and an ambiance that encourages hanging out with friends. The location near Pier 39 and the possibility of renting out the back room or entire venue for a party are also highlighted as appealing options for groups looking for something a little different. Others center on the surprisingly strong flavors and portions for the price, and there are plenty of comments about the samosas and various curries sparking repeat visits.

The more negative threads are equally vivid. Several reviewers describe a deterioration in food quality or a clearly inconsistent experience: reports of extremely dirty restrooms, leaky roofs during rain that left floors as "a swimming pool," and even references to the place feeling haunted or rundown. Some declare the food not fresh, flavors lacking, and customer service non-existent or seriously lacking. There are also explicitly harsh warnings to avoid the place due to these issues, including feedback about ongoing takeout chaos, rude or underperforming staff, and overall disappointment despite moments of aromatic, well-spiced dishes. A few accounts are almost heartbreaking in their detail of failed orders, long waits, and the sense that the restaurant simply isn't living up to its potential.

Taken together, the reviews portray a venue with significant character and substantial potential. Kennedy's Indian Curry House is described as a casual, mood-friendly spot that can deliver excellent Indian fare in a relaxed pub setting, especially when you happen to catch a night with good service and a strong batch of samosas or a flavorful curry. At the same time, the same place is portrayed as chaotic and inconsistent on other nights, with reports of long waits, messy conditions, and mismanagement in the takeout and front-of-house experience. For someone seeking an affordable, laid-back night out with the option to grab a drink, listen to music, and sample a range of Indian flavors - perhaps with a side of arcade games or a private back-room gathering - Kennedy's offers a compelling, if uneven, proposition. If you're curious, it seems worth a visit to judge the current mood for yourself - especially if you're drawn to samosas, chaat, and the idea of a late-night curry in a pub-like setting.

This area of San Francisco, California, offers a convenient and vibrant urban lifestyle with easy access to essential services such as pharmacies, parks, cafes, theaters, restaurants, physicians, transportation options, and hospitals. The proximity to multiple pharmacies ensures that medication needs are easily met. Beautiful parks like Alta Plaza Park and Lafayette Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. There are also a variety of cafes and restaurants nearby for dining out or grabbing a quick bite to eat. Access to healthcare providers like One Medical and Golden Gate OBGYN is readily available, as well as the Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center for more specialized care if needed. Overall, this area provides a mix of amenities and services suitable for senior living in a bustling city environment.

Pharmacies

• Kaiser Permanente Main Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)

Parks

• Alta Plaza Park (0.5 miles)
• Presidio of San Francisco (0.8 miles)
• Lafayette Park (1 miles)
• The Panhandle (1.1 miles)
• Allyne Park (1.2 miles)
• Mountain Lake Park (1.3 miles)
• Marina Green (1.3 miles)

Cafes

• Blue Bottle Coffee (0.7 miles)
• Jane The Bakery (0.7 miles)
• The Mill (0.9 miles)
• Balboa Cafe (0.9 miles)
• Sightglass Coffee (1.2 miles)
• Cafe Réveille (1.4 miles)
• Equator Coffees & Teas (1.4 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Kabuki 8 (0.7 miles)
• Alamo Square (1.1 miles)
• AMC Metreon 16 (2.3 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse New Mission (2.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Arsicault Bakery (0.8 miles)
• House Of Prime Rib42 (1.3 miles)
• Salt & Straw (1.3 miles)
• A Mano (1.4 miles)
• Hi Tops (1.7 miles)
• The Buena Vista01 (1.9 miles)
• Dragon Beaux (2 miles)

Physicians

• One Medical (1.6 miles)
• Golden Gate OBGYN (2.5 miles)
• Noe Valley Pediatrics (2.7 miles)

Transportation

• San Francisco Caltrain Station (2.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center (2.9 miles)