Bi-Rite Creamery

»Not overhyped

I'd never wait in a long line to go there, but their ice cream is excellent and for once, the Mission hipsters are right... (by ditchpudding, created June 21, 2010)

»Overhyped

I live in the neighborhood and have become accustomed (which is not to say accepting) of the long lines of people queuing up for BiRite ice cream,snaking around the corner and generally taking over 18th and Dolores. I've purchased their product a number of times (most recently a "special one-day-only" rhubarb ice cream that was really nothing special at all) and I remain thoroughly puzzled by its...+READ I live in the neighborhood and have become accustomed (which is not to say accepting) of the long lines of people queuing up for BiRite ice cream,snaking around the corner and generally taking over 18th and Dolores. I've purchased their product a number of times (most recently a "special one-day-only" rhubarb ice cream that was really nothing special at all) and I remain thoroughly puzzled by its popularity. Having tried their product well over a dozen times, I've never had an experience that blows me away (as opposed to rivals Humphry Slocombe, where I've been wowed by a number of their creative ice cream creations).
And speaking of blows, the new soft serve they have started serving is not nearly as satisfying as the cones you can get for a third of the price at pretty much any fast food drive-through. My friends and I ordered the balsamic strawberry a few nights ago and all swore we were eating vanilla -- not good!
I would have to disagree with balabanian and insist that BiRite Creamery simply does not live up to the hype.-COLLAPSE (by macca36, created June 10, 2010)

On a saturday night circa 10pm, the line was *very* long (30 mins?), but the seating gods smiled on us because seats opened up right after we paid. It was probably especially bad because this was either the first or second Saturday they had reopened after the remodel. I think it was the first Saturday, so there was a lot of pent up demand.

There's a fixed bench along the wall, and little tables...+READ On a saturday night circa 10pm, the line was *very* long (30 mins?), but the seating gods smiled on us because seats opened up right after we paid. It was probably especially bad because this was either the first or second Saturday they had reopened after the remodel. I think it was the first Saturday, so there was a lot of pent up demand.

There's a fixed bench along the wall, and little tables spaced apart attached to the floor in front of the bench. The bench probably seats 10, maybe a bit more. I don't think you'd feel rushed unless you wouldn't be keen on all the hustle and bustle. It does sound like what you're after then is a soda fountain-type place. I've never been to the East Bay ice cream shops, but please report back if you do!

ETA: come to think of it, check please said hayes street grill is supposed to have a good sundae - and unless it's during the seating for people going to the opera/ballet/symphony, you can probably sit there as long as you want.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (26 Replies) (by artemis, created April 22, 2010)

»I'll be back!

I only tried one thing - and believe me that was hard with flavor choices like creme fraiche and strawberry balsamic staring me in the face. But I only have one stomach and it was stuffed after lunch. I settled on the salted butter caramel ice cream and was rewarded with a sweet and creamy cone tempered with a sophisticated edge of bitterness. Just perfect! (by thebubblygirl, created November 15, 2009)

»Delicious

Finally went here after 2 years of hearing rave reviews of it, and it completely lived up to all the advance billing- the salted caramel is really the single best ice cream flavor i've ever tasted, made me want to try all the others, and some of the great sundae options too. (by balabanian, created September 8, 2009)