29106 Sun May 02 11:45:43 -0700 2004 15 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 122620 After years of working at Market and 4th (and picking up lunches from Madeleine, Tu Lan, Mikaku, and King of Thai), my office moved to Market and Fremont. Where should I go for take-out within a block or two of that new location? Looking for all types of food (lunches, snacks, sweets), so long as it's very good, reasonably fast, and nearby. Sun May 02 11:45:43 -0700 2004 0 david kaplan 1 122711 Let me know if you find anything. I work at the same intersection, and I'm underwhelmed. Mon May 03 14:04:17 -0700 2004 122620 0 Morgan 2 122721 Actually, that's not a very helpful answer. It's only about four blocks to the Ferry Building, which has lots of places (though if you're like me, you don't have time to go dowh there every day, and it's not cheap). Palapas (Mexican) is just a block away. Sweet Max's, Baja Express, Lee's, Subway, etc. Nothing that sets my heart racing, anyway. Mon May 03 15:00:25 -0700 2004 122711 0 Morgan 3 122766 Sweet Max's for matzoh ball soup (a full meal with bread and pickles for $3.25) Noah's Bagels for sandwiches (tuna... mmmm...) that come with potato salad and a pickle; upstairs seating is there (though not immediately visible and it's ultra-warm. Cafe Madeleine (California and Battery) Rincon Center (Mission btwn Spear and Steuart) for Yank Sing 2 Go (also located at 71 Stevenson btwn 1st and 2nd) and Caffe Focaccia Mon May 03 21:01:09 -0700 2004 122721 0 katya 3 122832 I work just the other side of Market (50 California) and walk by Market and Fremont every day on the way to/from the Transbay Terminal. I was hoping someone would have some suggestions that would counter my impression that it's a culinary wasteland, but it doesn't look like it. While all those places are adequate, I agree with Morgan's assessment that none of them set my heart racing. Of course one of the problems is that after eight years, I'm completely bored with all the options. The best food is in the Ferry Building, but it's too expensive for more than an occasional treat (at least on my budget) and not very quick once you factor in the roundtrip walk and the crowds there. A couple of other alternatives to deli food are Oasis Grill on Drumm at Sacramento, which has decent Middle Eastern food (the falafel wrap has several fans here), and a branch of Chili Up in Sacramento Alley (the extension of Sacramento behind the Hyatt Regency), which has several different kinds of "gourmet chili" -- some of which are pretty good (if nontraditional) and at least make for a nice change of pace. Many years ago I occasionally hit the Shaklee cafeteria with a friend -- anyone been there recently? Tue May 04 13:31:06 -0700 2004 122721 0 Ruth Lafler 4 122837 There's an Anderson/Grain d'Or on the east side of First Street just south of Market. I've always liked their sandwiches (favorites are chicken salad, chicken avocado, turkey with fresh mozarella, vegetarian, all on Pain d'Campagne or "PDC"). On the same block but the other side of the street and closer to Mission is a branch of El Faro. It's a little on the expensive side for a grubby taqueria. I've only tried it once, can't remember what I had (probably al pastor), and wasn't especially impressed with whatever it was. But it's gotta be better than the nightmares that are Palapas and Baja Fresh. A bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado sandwich from Lee's for about $3 is hard to beat. On Mission between, I think, Main and Beal is a building that houses both a SF Soup Company and Bistro Burger. The soup company turns out some pretty decent soups, though I'd stay away from the sandwiches. Bistro Burger annoys me: their toppings are top notch and delicious and the fries aren't half bad for frozen variety fries, but they manage to take Niman Ranch beef and make it utterly bland. I also like Chili Up, though I've only been to the Crocker Galleria location. Not fantastic but satisfying. Tue May 04 14:22:30 -0700 2004 122832 0 nja 5 122841 El Faro makes a passable chile verde (or sometimes rojo). Tue May 04 14:55:23 -0700 2004 122837 0 Robert Lauriston 4 122839 Hey, I didn't realize there were several of us in this neighborhood! We should have a lunch chow sometime. Tue May 04 14:34:54 -0700 2004 122832 0 Morgan 5 122891 Yeah, but where? (vbg) Tue May 04 19:08:05 -0700 2004 122839 0 Ruth Lafler 6 122901 Good point! Tue May 04 19:42:59 -0700 2004 122891 0 Morgan 1 122782 Sorry, I don't have any lunch insights for you. But, before it slips from memory, could you tell us what you like at Mikaku? Thanks. Mon May 03 23:19:41 -0700 2004 122620 0 Melanie Wong 2 122807 I regularly ordered the sushi lunch special from Mikaku. I found the fish to be fresh and the service quick. Their mackarel (both saba and aji) were especially good -- fatty and rich without being excessively fishy. In the evenings, they often had their own homemade soba, which was wheaty and just the right amount chewy. But I don't think they offer that at lunchtime. Tue May 04 09:10:32 -0700 2004 122782 0 david kaplan 3 122986 Home-made soba! What's the address? Wed May 05 16:33:29 -0700 2004 122807 0 phast phil 4 123192 323 Grant: on the west side of Grant, maybe a block or two north of the big Banana Republic store Fri May 07 18:07:43 -0700 2004 122986 0 david kaplan 1 123528 burritos in the alley, first one south of market between 1st and 2nd - called Si' Senor. there is also a yank sing in the same alley. belden lane is surprisingly close by if you just walk straight up bush street. for italian -cafe venue on montgomery and bush and there is a pasta paradiso on i think spear. Wed May 12 02:45:55 -0700 2004 122620 0 ed 1 123530 Have you tried the sushi/soba truck on Bush between Montgomery and Sansome? Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/28333#118273 Wed May 12 10:55:49 -0700 2004 122620 0 Melanie Wong