San Francisco Restaurant Tips by Cruiseone2003

Restaurant Name: Naan and Curry

I'm a resident of this fine city of San Francisco. Technically, I live in the Western Addition but by walking across VanNess ave I'm in the TL, or the Tenderloin and I can see City Hall from my living room window. Having said that, one of my newest and favorite restaurants was in the heart of the TL, but has since moved closer to City Hall; Naan n' Curry
New Location: Turk and VanNess, near City Hall
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 775-1349

I have had my share of Indian food and Naan n' Curry has the most unique and tasty I have ever found. They know a good deal when they see it. The staff have always been very welcoming. When you walk in, go to the back of the restaurant to place your order, have a look at the specials and the menu then order. Find a table, get your plate, cutlery, and drinking glass and within minutes your food will be brought to your table. Oh, have a glass of chai tea too, it's free.

Favorite Dish: Ok, this is the only reason why I keep coming back. Chicken Tika Masala, garlic naan and their simple rice. First, they use only quality cubed breast meat that is cooked in the tandoori oven which gives it that beautiful lobster red color then they generously cover it with this rich, creamy, curry sauce that is just sooooo good. Naan is like a big piece of flat bread that is quick baked in the oven, they have several flavors, Garlic is my favorite. Use the Naan to soak up the curry sauce, trust me you don't want to waste a drop of it. Their rice is very tasty, a fluffy basmati lightly spiced perfect for this dish.
I have never had anything else but this dish because I love it that much! My more adventerous friends have tried other dishes and loved all of them. About $9.00 including tax. Suchadeal! They have recently opened another location on O'Farrell between Mason and Jones, perfect for the tourist and late night crowd.

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Theme: Indian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415 775 1349
Address: New Location: Turk and VanNess
Directions: City Hall area, Turk and VanNess, CLosest Muni/BART station, Civic Center

Restaurant Name: Saigon Sandwich

This is another Tenderloin gem that I frequent when I don't feel like making myself anything, or I'm traveling and need to take a sandwich with me and I don't want to spend a lot of money. Saigon Sandwich is owned and operated by a Vietnamese woman who has been in business awhile by making fresh sandwiches that are the best deal in San Francisco.
Tasty Banh Mi (Vietnamese for bread) sandwiches served quickly by young Vietnamese women. The delicious barbecued chicken or Pork sandwich on a fresh baguette roll has coriander, mint, the thinest slices of firey chilis, and strips of lightly pickled vegetables like carrot, it's served warm. There are other French/Vietnamese items on the menu but so far I have only tried the BBQ sandwiches.
Saigon Sandwich is in the Tenderloin on Larkin but near Civic Center BART(about 3 blocks), Civic Center Plaza, the Federal and State Buildings. As you can imagine she gets a lot of business from these places as well as local residents like myself.
There are no tables to dine in, this is strictly take out. Sometimes there is a line but I've never had to wait too long.
Besides making a great tasting sandwich that isn't mass produced (ie. Subway) it is inexpensive and I like the fact that this is a small business.

Favorite Dish: BBQ Pork Sandwich.
Hmmm, how to describe this sandwich. The meat is a good cut of pork, served warm with a nice taste, like it's been cooked for awhile. The thin sliced chilis give it just a bit of a spicy kick but so much that you regret having eaten the chilis. There is also some kind of mayonaise spread she uses on the bread that gives the sandwich a buttery taste. Put it all together and you have one heck of a great tasting sandwich.

Business Hours:
Monday.....7am-5:30pm
Tuesday....7am-5:30pm
Wednesday..7am-5:30pm
Thursday...7am-5:30pm
Friday.....7am-5:30pm
Saturday...7am-5pm
Sunday.....8am-4pm

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Theme: Other
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415 474 5698
Address: 560 Larkin & Eddy
Directions: In the Tenderloin just a short walk up from Civic Center Plaza and two blocks from VanNess.

Restaurant Name: Chow / Park Chow

Chow's is a wonderful restaurant located on Church at Market Streets in San Francisco. Chow's has the feeling of a diner from the past but with updated food. The staff is always upbeat and very knowledgeable about the menu items and glad to assist you with recommendations. No reservations are accepted but you can go next door to the Pilsner for a drink and they will come and get you when your table is ready.

Favorite Dish: I love the Spinach Salad the best even though it's not an entree. It's made with the freshest greens, walnuts, feta, berries, and a light vinaigrette. The Ginger cake is also good, a large serving of cake that sits on warm caramel, topped with whipped cream! Every entree is great!!! I enjoyed the Mahi Mahi special, a nice portion of very fresh grilled Mahi Mahi served with Mac n Cheese but not just any Mac n Cheese, Chow's is made with Truffles and Carmelized Onions and peas in a very light sauce with parmesan cheese;It's very decadent and delicious! I washed it down with a bottle of Stella Artois and a coffee with the Ginger Cake. For the Meat lovers and vegetarians Chow's did not forget about you, plenty to choose from.
Including tax and tip, my bill came to $40. My Mahi Mahi special cost $16 which for good, quality seafood is about what you would pay elsewhere. Chow's has several entrees that are around the $10-$12 range so you could easily eat for less here.

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Theme: American
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 552-2469
Address: 215 Church Street
Directions: Church street just below the Castro, near the Mission, closest Muni station is Church St station, closest BART is Civic Center and then walk or take MUNI up to Church Street.
Website: http://www.chowfoodbar.com/

Restaurant Name: Capri Restaurant

This is another local favorite of mine. I like the place for several reasons, it's just below the Castro on Market street so easy to get to on MUNI (Castro or Church Street Stations, or F Line). The food is consistenly good, they make several pasta dishes and since I like good food at affordable prices they always have a Pasta Special that comes with a Salad (and sometimes a soup). The wait staff are always friendly too. They can even handle small groups with advance notice.

Favorite Dish: I like all of the pasta dishes but if I had to choose one it would have to be the Carbonara, the sauce is just right in my opinion. They do a great garlic bread too, a nice selection of wine as well. I always get the Pasta Special since it's right around the $12 mark, plus or minus a dollar depending on which item, not including drink.

They also make a decent pizza if you don't like pasta, and they can accommodate Vegetarians too, just let them know what you like.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415 552 3000
Address: 2272 Market Street
Directions: Near Noe on Market street, just below the Castro
Website: http://www.caprisf.com/

Restaurant Name: Cheesecake Factory

I like the Cheesecake factory because the menu variety seems to satisfy everyone from the vegetarian to the carnivore; the Union Square Location is a bonus.
They have an awesome bar and make a great martini! You can have appetizers or cheesecake at the bar or dine in one of two dining rooms; one is inside and the other is outside and overlooks Union Square and SF skyscrapers.
The service is friendly and quick, the food is tasty. This place can get very busy especially on a holiday. It's also open late at night. This restaurant is perfect for tourists since it's in Union Square but not so touristy that locals would not like it.

Favorite Dish: So many to choose from but what I have tried so far is the Steak Diane which was very nice. Yesterday's meal (1/6/2008) was the SPICY CRISPY CHICKEN SANDWICH
Crispy Coated Chicken Breast Covered with Melted Cheese and
Either Our Spicy Buffalo Sauce or Chipotle Pepper Mayo.
Served on a Brioche Bun with Fries. You can substitue a salad for the fries at no charge. Washed it down with a nice Sam Adams, tax and tip was $20

Don't forget to save room for the cheesecake!

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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (415) 391-4444
Address: 251 Geary Street,
Directions: Top floor of Macys Department store. Use the Geary St Macy's entrance, take the restaurant's express elevator to the top floor or you can take the escalator within Macy's. Paid Parking is in the lot across the street.
Website: www.thecheesecakefactory.com

Restaurant Name: Hahn's Hibachi

This is yet another "cheap eats" to try in San Francisco. Located on Polk St @ Clay, Hahn's has been in San Francisco for as long as I can remember. They just expanded their location and took over the building next to them doubling their seating capacity; this is good because sometimes there was a short waiting time. This part of Polk St is full of restaurants, Bars (Gay and Straight) and plenty of other establishments, this would be a great place to eat pre bar hopping. What I like about Hahn's is the quality of the food, very fresh, served quickly (never more than a 10 minute wait) they offer take out, and the staff is always friendly. They are pretty affordable too, you can easily get out with a $10 meal.
If you've never had Korean food give it a try, there are basic entree's like Chicken and Beef, also Vegetarian, they can also make it Spicy or mild.

Favorite Dish: The only thing I haver ever eaten at Hahn's is Spicy BBQ chicken that comes with Rice, salad with a light dressing and sprouts (although I don't like sprouts so they always give me more salad and no sprouts). If I'm especially hungry, I like to order their stuffed Jalapenos (with meat) that are battered and fried and served with a dipping sauce that is light and tangy.
By the way, the BBQ chicken can be ordered spicy or mild. Came to $16 without the tip. Subtract $6 without the Jalapenos.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415 776 1095
Address: 1710 Polk St. & Other Locations
Directions: Mid Polk St @ Clay St, Muni Runs up Clay and Polk st, easy to get to, street parking only.
Website: http://www.hahnshibachi.com/

Restaurant Name: Bucca di Beppo

Here's the problem I have had with Buca di Beppo on Howard st. They are rude; you'd think a restaurant that deals with groups would know how to handle groups? Well, this place doesn't and because of the horrible treatment my friends and I got from BDP I swore I would never go there again!
I was given gift certificates from my employer for Chritmas and wanted to take my friends out for dinner. We were told by the host we would have to wait for a table for about 60 minutes one friday evening, which we were ok with. We were told to wait at the bar, no body in the group wanted a drink and there is no other place to wait except out on the street. I said we will walk to the Metreon just a block away, asked the host to call us if the table was going to be ready earlier and we'd be back in 5 minutes. He was not willing to go the extra mile and make a call. We come back 45 minutes later only to find out our table was available 30minutes after we left. Ok, fine, now at this point the Maitre'd should have put us on the top of the waiting list right? He put us at the bottom and said there would be a 90 minute wait. I tried to reason with him, but he wouldn't listen. We left BDP and took our money to another restaurant that knew how to treat a customer and I traded my gift certs in for another company and used them else where too.

Hopefully things have changed at BDP but why take that chance when you have many other great choices to choose from in San Francisco?

Favorite Dish: It's certainly not the Host!

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Theme: Italian

Phone: (415) 543-7673
Address: 855 Howard Street
Directions: SOMA District down the street from Moscone Center
Website: http://www.bucadibeppo.com

Restaurant Name: DELICA rf-1

DELICA rf-1 is another favorite of mine whenever I am near the Ferry Building and want a quick bite. If you love Japanese Bento Boxes and Deli's you'll love this place. You can order just a few items that are priced anywhere from $1.50+, great for take out or eat it there. This is not just another Japanese Restaurant, think of your favorite deli but with a Japanese influence.

The food is beautiful, the flavors are well balanced and taste great.

Favorite Dish: I love the sweet and spicy chicken, roast beef sushi, potato croquette, and the tonkatsu.

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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Ferry Building, Embarcadero st, San Francisco
Directions: At the Ferry Building
Website: http://www.delicarf1.com/

Restaurant Name: Muang Thai, Thai Cuisine

Here's another fave of mine for great tasting food but still won't break the piggy bank. Muan Thai has been a favorite for just about 10 years now, used to go with my friends after attending church at Glide, United Methodist Church which is just one block away (See my "Things to do" page). Anyway, this is a basic restaurant, very clean, the family that owns this place is very friendly and the service is always quick, the food served hot and it's always delicious. This is next to the Hilton on O'Farrell st, just a few blocks from Union square, the area is safe enough.

Favorite Dish: Today I tried the Thai Somosa which were 4 small perfectly fried Somosas (similar to an eggroll) these were stuffed with taro root, red yam, pumpkin and thai herbs in a rice paper and then deep fried, served with a sweet and sour sauce. Sounds a little exotic but quite tasty. $6

For dinner I had my favorite dish, #42, Spicy Sweet Basil made with your choice of ground Chicken, Pork, or beef (I like the chicken). The meat is sauteed with a spicy sauce, garlic, bell peppers and Thai Basil, the combination is really good, make sure you get the steamed rice too! $7

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415 567 1509
Address: 385 Taylor St @ O'Farrell
Directions: Between Ellis st and O'Farrell st, next to the Hilton Hotel on O'Farrell.
They do take out as well.
Open 7 days a week, Sunday - Thursday, 1030a-1100p
Friday and Saturday, 1030a-1200am

Restaurant Name: King of Thai Noodle

King of Thai Noodle is a realitively new restaurant which opened on O'Farrell in Union Square, near Macy's department store. The restaurant is very busy, in the shopping district of Union Square, lots to choose from too. Only downside to this place is they accept cash only, no credit cards.

Favorite Dish: This place makes one of the best Pad Thai's I have ever eaten, not dry, very moist and full of flavor. $8

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415 677 9993
Address: 184 O'Farrell st @ Stockton
Directions: Union Square between Stockton and Grant, open 11a-1am everyday, CASH ONLY