San Francisco is a food town. From high-end chef-of-the-moment places to neighborhood establishments that have been around for decades, there’s something for everyone – and every wallet.
Here are a few of the places we like… in no particular order.
We’ll be adding more as we think of them.
Pacific Cafe
7000 Geary Blvd (at 34th Avenue)
Pacific Cafe is a throwback to the ’70′s. (And I’ve been eating there since then!) It has some of the best seafood in San Francisco and the prices are great. It’s an old-style neighborhood restaurant that doesn’t take reservations – but they offer complimentary white wine to the folks waiting in line! Unpretentious and always fresh!
Ebisu
1283 – 9th Avenue (at Irving Street)
The best sushi in town! Another neighborhood restaurant, this one is in the Inner Sunset, not far from UCSF. Fresh sushi made before your eyes. You can order a la carte from their extensive sushi menu, or order combos served with Miso soup. They also have great tempura and other Japanese specialties. (Or so I’ve heard. I always pig out on the sushi!)
The Crepevine
624 Irving (between 8th & 9th Avenues)
Great breakfast or anytime crepes. Typically funky. Great food. They’ve become a bit of a bay area chain over the years but still do a good job at putting out the food.
The Slanted Door
(NE corner of The Ferry Building)
This has got to be one of the better worth every penny restaurants in the city! Vietnamese cuisine with a fresh, local flair. The restaurant is in one of the most beautiful buildings in the city – and their food reflects it!
Red’s Java House
The Embarcadero at Pier 32
Here’s the opposite end of the spectrum! Red’s has been around since the 1920′s. It’s a burger shack – literally – that serves perfectly greasy burgers and fries. They also have hot dogs, chili dogs, and a few sandwich items. Cheap beer, coke, or coffee. Who could ask for anything more?!? There are tables out back that hug the water, offering one of the best views in the city. I love it!
Swan Oyster Depot
1517 Polk Street (Between California and Sacramento Streets)
Swan has been selling seafood since 1912, and has had the same owners since 1946. It seems to only get better with time. It’s a tiny place with only about 20 stools and a pretty limited fresh seafood menu, but everything they serve is done right. Be forewarned – it’s cash only! And if you see a line outside – don’t worry. it moves fast.
Barney’s
4138 24th St. (between Diamond and Castro)
Another opposite end of the spectrum – the hamburger spectrum, that is! Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers has grown into a bit of a chain. I’ve only eaten at the 24th Street restaurant – and it’s been tres fabu every visit! They have beef, chicken, turkey, and veggie burgers in more styles and varieties than one person could eat in a lifetime! The only bad thing about Barney’s is trying to choose which one to get.
Sears Fine Food
439 Powell Street (between Sutter and Post)
Around since the ’30s, Sears has been a great place to gather for breakfast since we can remember. It actually closed in 2003 and was re-opened by the folks who own Loris Diner up the street. We haven’t been there in a while, but it was certainly good when we last were.
Original Joe’s
144 Taylor Street (between Turk and Eddy Streets)
Still one of my most favorite places in the city. The neighborhood is a bit shaky at times, but damn, the food is good! Original Joe’s has been around since the 1930′s and the menu hasn’t changed much since then. You can still get sweetbreads or calves liver, along with a dozen different veal dishes. And their Original Joe’s Burger on hollowed out sourdough french bread is gastronomic heaven. Heavy on Italian specialties and ’50′s decor. It’s a great place.
Marcello’s
2100 Taraval Street (at 31st Avenue)
Marcello’s is another throw-back Italian restaurant. It’s not much to look at outside, but in the ’60′s interior, tuxedo-clad waiters serve up some of the best food in town – with some of the best service you’ll find anywhere. It’s the kind of neighborhood restaurant where locals and regulars abound, but within minutes, anyone walking through the door is treated like one of the family. And besides being great food, it’s right down the street from my brother’s house. Conveniently located!
The Stinking Rose
325 Columbus Avenue (between Vallejo and Broadway)
Off to North Beach and the Stinking Rose. It’s a garlic restaurant where you will find 40 Clove Garlic Chicken or whole Dungeness Crab Roasted in Garlic Sauce. It’s fun, it’s funky, and it’s totally San Francisco.
Fog City Diner
1300 Battery Street (at The Embarcadero)
Reasonably touristy, fairly expensive, and so-so service, it’s still a fun place for a what-the-hell lunch. The food is definitely good and the location is pure fun. Too bad they close by 10pm it would be a great place at 3:00am!
John’s Grill
63 Ellis Street (between Stockton and Powell Streets)
Okay – not the greatest food in the city, but it’s been around forever – and was the favorite haunt of writer Dashiell Hammett of Maltese Falcon fame. It’s a definite step back in San Francisco history. You want old San Francisco? This is it.
Celia’s
4019 Judah Street (at 45th Avenue)
I remember Celia’s when it was a small storefront on Judah back in the ’60′s. They kept buying another storefront and expanding. They now take up half the block! Celia’s is an old-school Mexican Restaurant with red vinyl booths and cheesy artwork, but the food continues to please. Portions are huge and there have been few times that I’ve actually cleaned my plate.
Yank Sing
49 Stevenson Street (between 1st and 2nd Streets)
Ah… the Dim Sum lunches we have had at Yank Sing! Definitely one of the best Dim Sum (or Deem Sum as they say!) in a city filled with dim sum! They’re only open at lunch and the place can get really crowded, but they have a take-out window that’s ever so convenient! I love it!
Andy’s
1358 9th Avenue (between Judah and Irving Streets)
Andy’s was my mainstay Chinese Restaurant when I lived up the street on 9th Avenue. When we moved to 28th & Kirkham, it was Andy’s for delivery at least once a week. They no longer have “Andy’s Excellent Chow Mein” on the menu, but if you ask, they’ll make for you special!
Bill’s Place
2315 Clement Street (between 24th and 25th Avenues)
Out in the Richmond district is a great burger place that’s also been around for years. (I seem to gravitate towards burgers… ) Great burgers and friendly service in an old-style environment. There’s even outdoor patio dining on those rare nice San Francisco days. Bacon, cheese, and avocado burger. YUM!! (An ex-brother-in-law of mine was fired from there many moons ago!)
Pompei’s Grotto
340 Jefferson Street
My sister Judy works at Pompei’s as a bartender. The food is fun wharf fare and the cocktails, of course, are fantastic! Stop by and say hi!
Sam Wo
813 Washington Street (at Grant)
Sam Wo has been around forever. It’s one of those places you just won’t find anywhere else. You enter through the kitchen and walk up a narrow flight of stairs to one of two dining floors. The food comes up on a dumbwaiter. The food is plentiful and inexpensive Cantonese fare. No frills whatsoever. It’s an experience.
Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street (between Franklin and Gough)
Zuni Cafe has been around for quite awhile. For a really good reason. The food is spectacular. It started off as a real hole-in-the-wall and has grown both in size and stature. Definitely worth it!
Greens
Fort Mason, Building A
Greens opened in 1979 and immediately raised the bar on vegetarian cooking in the United States. They remain the preeminent vegetarian restaurant. I had the great fortune to work with a woman who worked at Greens when we were both at UCSF. It’s all about respecting the food.
Tommy’s Joynt
1101 Geary (at Van Ness)
Tommy’s Joynt has been around forever. Maybe longer. Haf Brau and bar. What else is there? It’s a no-frills fantastic prices and good, honest food. Great buffalo stew.
Roosevelt Tamale Parlor
2817 24th St (between York and Bryant)
Roosevelt’s has been around for as long as I can remember. It’s had its ups and downs over the years, but has been in an up swing for quite a while, now. Really good food.
The Matterhorn Restaurant
2323 Van Ness (between Green and Vallejo)
Fondue in San Francisco! A fun Swiss restaurant that has been described as “it’s like you’ve entered the “It’s A Small World” version of Switzerland minus the puppets and annoying music. “ And the fondue is great.
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