What kind of hole in the wall in this???? and other San Rafael, CA Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Royal Frankfurter

Ok, first of all, I'm a vegetarian, so I am NOT including this place in my recommendations because I eat here. So WHY, do you ask, am I featuring this?

Our local paper, the Marin Independent Journal, ran an article on the best hotdog joints in Marin County. (Bet you were expecting the best escargot joints, or maybe, the best caviar and champagne joints). But, no, it was the best hotdog joints.

Royal Frankfurter ranked Numero Uno. Of course, I immediately had to take my hot dog loving teenagers there. They ordered the plain and simple dogs, and said they were absolutely delicious. The dogs were great, but I think, what really did it for them, were the delicious and light buns. So light, they practically melted in your mouth.

Favorite Dish: We bought the standard hot dogs, but you can also buy bratwurst and other types of hot dogs. I'm sorry I can't list them. I'm a vegetarian, I don't pay attention to this stuff, ok? Trust me, there are several varieties, and you can put all kinds of different mustards on them.

Anyway, if my kids said they was great, they're great. They eat me out of house and home, but they are still my Persnickity Teens.

If it helps any, my son, an avid baseball fan, said, the hot dogs here are better than Dodger Dogs. That might mean something to you Southern Californians. No disrepect. I used to live there.

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Theme: American
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415-456-5485
Address: 811 4th Street, San Rafael

Restaurant Name: Hahn's Hibachi

My family dragged me here after insisting I would have no problem finding vegetarian items on the menu. They were right!

This restaurant serves delicious barbecued foods, sizzling plates, and tempura. You will not leave hungry. For $8.95, you will get a huge plate of grilled meats or tofu, rice, and veggies. Even my 16 year old son couldn't clean his plate, and took the rest home and ate it for lunch. THAT is a lot of food!

The grilled tofu and veggies were fabulous! I will defintiely come back here!


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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415-482-9798
Address: 816 Fourth Street, Suite A
Website: http://www.hahnshibachi.com/San_Rafael_Hahns.html

Restaurant Name: Orchid Thai

Well, this isn't quite in San Rafael, but it's close. It's just over the border to the west in San Anselmo. The food is delicious and fresh -- the owners are friendly and perfect hosts.

Favorite Dish: The favorite dishes of the Persnickity Teens are (in order of preference):

chicken satay with peanut sauce
beef satay with peanut sauce
deep fried calamari
crispy salmon in seaweed

Recommended dishes for vegetarians:

Fried sweet potatoes
Vegetarian pad thai
Vegetables in a curry sauce

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415-457-9470
Address: 726 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo

Restaurant Name: Mulberry Street Pizzeria

Being in the 'burbs in California means eating at the strip malls. California has way too many of them. But we work with what we have, and a restaurant in a strip mall doesn't mean it's not good.

Mulberry Street Pizzeria proves that a strip mall restaurant can be great. This restaurant has that true authentic strip mall decor on the outside, but inside the food is delicious.

Favorite Dish: Mushroom pizza is the best.

Delicious pastas.

Ted Rowe, owner and operator of Mulberry Street, knows his wines. He frequently features lesser known wines and they are all good. Go with Ted's recommendation of the day.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 472-7272
Address: 101 Smith Ranch Road
Directions: Exit off 101 at Smith Ranch Road, go east 1 block.

Restaurant Name: Sonoma Taco Shop

This place is VERY popular with the locals, and the food is pretty good (albeit a bit on the tame side as far as spiciness goes). You order at the cash register, but this is not Fast Food. (It IS quick food.)

My kids love this place, and eating here means I get an evening off from cooking, so we're frequent patrons. Sonoma Taco also has six kinds of salsa and good chips, a big hit with the kids.

Favorite Dish: Favorite for me is the cheese enchilada. The others in the family like the fajitas, soft tacos, burritos, all the meat dishes.

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Theme: Mexican
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415-479-9066
Address: In Northgate I shopping plaza near Safeway
Directions: Take Terra Linda/Freitas Parkway exit off 101, head west. Turn into Safeway shopping center.