San Francisco Restaurant Tips by wrldtravler

Restaurant Name: The Stinking Rose

Vampires beware of hungry tourists lining up for all the garlic they can get at this North Beach mainstay.

Favorite Dish: Must try the sauteed garlic cloves with Italian bread.
Any of the pasta dishes are a good bet.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 781-7673
Address: 325 Columbus Ave., SF, CA 94133
Directions: North Beach

Restaurant Name: The Grind

Great Omlettes & Fresh Juices. A perfect place for a healthy breakfast after a night out of drinking.

Favorite Dish: Greek Omlette

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Theme: Breakfast
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 864-0955
Address: 783 Haight Street, SF, CA 94117

Restaurant Name: Kan Zaman

Decent Middle eastern food but there is live belly dancing and hookah's to complete the total middle eastern experience. Seating is on low-lying divans (cushions) and is communal. The food is family style (big portions). It tends to get smokey with all the hookah's and the lighting is dim.
It's ranks high for entertainment value.

Favorite Dish: Apricot Flavor Sheesha (hookah).

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Theme: Middle Eastern
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 751-9656
Address: 1793 Haight Street, SF, CA 94117
Directions: Upper Haight

Restaurant Name: King of Thai Noodle House

There are four to choose from, dotting the SF Bay Area Region. This is by far the best deal in SF, the food is downright yummy and the prices are low.
Don't be dismayed by the seemingly neglected interior. People in the know flock to this hole in the wall for a taste of authentic Thai cuisine.

Favorite Dish: The food is delicious, spicy, aromatic, filling and unbelievably cheap. The pad Thai is deliciously sticky, spicy and sweet, but get adventurous: try one of their famous soup bowls, such as the sliced roasted duck noodle soup, chock-full of herbs, spinach, duck and the noodles of your choice. The fried noodle dishes, mixed with variations of seafood, meat and vegetables, are simple but delicious.

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 752-5198
Address: 639 Clement Street, SF, CA 94118
Directions: Inner Richmond District

Restaurant Name: Cheesecake Factory

The popular franchise brings its eclectic, value-priced menu to Macy's in Union Square.
Though the wait can be long for a table on the terrace, it's the only place to sit if you truly want your money's worth.
Expect a lot of tourists.

Favorite Dish: Exactly as you'd expect: consistent and with a little bit of something for everyone. Look for offerings such as chicken Caesar salad, Thai lettuce wraps and, of course, massive layer cakes and cheesecakes of numerous varieties.

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Theme: American
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 391-4444
Address: 251 Geary Street, Macy's 8th Floor, SF, CA 94102
Directions: Union Square

Restaurant Name: La Rondalla

One of the Mission's busiest and kitschiest sit-down Mexican spots.
With Hunting trophies / pictures and animal heads as the wall decorations, this place just can't be beat. The food comes in healthy portions and the drinks made at the bar are strong.

Favorite Dish: Chimichanga

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Theme: Mexican
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 647-7474
Address: 901 Valencia Street, SF, CA 94110
Directions: Mission District

Restaurant Name: Yuet Lee

Unique seafood and clay-pot dishes prove there's a lot more to Chinese food than chicken with broccoli.This restaurant has some terrific dishes not found at your typical Chinese place. Amazingly light and flavorful sauces complement each dish and leave diners reaching for the rice bowl at meal's end.

Favorite Dish: Sauteed clams with pepper and black bean sauce, crab with silver noodles and satay sauce in a clay pot, or pepper-and-salt-roasted scallops.

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Theme: Seafood
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 982-6020
Address: 1300 Stockton Street, SF, CA 94133
Directions: North Beach / China Town

Restaurant Name: Steps of Rome

Good Italian food with a view. Slow Service.


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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 986-6480
Address: 362 Columbus Ave, SF, CA 94133
Directions: North Beach
Website: http://www.stepsofrometrattoria.citysearch.com

Restaurant Name: House of Nanking

Locals will forever debate its authenticity, but it's hard to go wrong at this busy and absurdly good eatery.
The dinnertime waiting line outside this tiny, greasy, wildly popular hole in the wall starts at 5:30pm; by 6, there's a 90-minute wait for a table with a plastic menu that lists only half of the best dishes served here. While Nanking's food is outstanding and the prices are some of the most reasonable in the city, the service is slow.

Favorite Dish: Succulent duck dumplings perhaps, or tempura-like sesame-battered Nanking scallops in a spicy garlic sauce--all served hot and fresh on shiny metal platters. The sweet, nutty and slightly hot prawn and green onion pancakes with peanut sauce are dizzyingly delicious, as is the Nanking chicken.

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 421-1429
Address: 919 Kearny Street, SF, CA 94133
Directions: North Beach / China Town

Restaurant Name: Kate's Kitchen

Do Bring along a massive apettite if your to do justice to the portions offered at this divine Lower haight breakfast only Restaurant. Closes at 3PM.

Favorite Dish: The Big Man's Breakfast

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Theme: Breakfast
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 626-3984
Address: 471 Haight Street, SF, CA 94117
Directions: Lower Haight