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lamejun Feb 24, 2011 04:42 AM

Best places for locals to eat

I'm visiting San Francisco for 4 days in April and would love to know the best casual places the locals like to eat at. I'm also looking for recommendations for must eats in the city. I won't have a car, so will be limited to public transportation.

Thanks.

  1. Robert Lauriston Feb 25, 2011 10:42 AM

    Here's the list I keep on my phone for when I can't think of where to go.

    Angkor Borei (lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., dinner only Sun.)
    Bodega Bistro (lunch and dinner, 7 days)
    Burmese Kitchen aka Larkin Express (lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner till 8:30 Tues.-Sat.)
    Jai Yun (dinner by reservation only)
    Helmand Palace (dinner only, 7 days)
    Incanto (dinner only, Wed.-Mon.)
    La Ciccia (dinnner only, Tues.-Sun.)
    Lers Ros (lunch through dinner, 7 days)
    Maykadeh (lunch through dinner, 7 days)
    Memphis Minnie's (lunch through dinner, Tues.-Sun.)
    Mochica (lunch and dinner, Wed.-Mon.)
    Nopalito (lunch through dinner, 7 days)
    Poc-Chuc (lunch through dinner Mon.-Tues. and Thurs.-Sat., lunch only Sun.)
    Sebo (Tues.-Sat. dinner only; izakaya menu Sunday?)
    Thai House Express Larkin St. (lunch through dinner, seven days)
    Zuni Cafe (lunch through dinner, Tues.-Sun.)

    -----
    Zuni Cafe
    1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

    La Ciccia
    291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

    Angkor-Borei Restaurant
    3471 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

    Jai Yun
    680 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94111

    Larkin Express Burmese Kitchen
    452 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102

    Bodega Bistro
    607 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109

    Maykadeh Persian Cuisine
    470 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133

    Thai House Express
    901 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109

    Memphis Minnie's BBQ
    576 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

    Mochica
    937 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

    Helmand Palace
    2424 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109

    Lers Ros Thai
    730 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA

    1. t
      Thomas Nash Feb 25, 2011 09:23 AM

      Can't resist replying to this with a list of 10 (actually 11) casual restaurants on our rotation which we regularly go to and which never disappoint (us) and often impress. Generally they are near public transportation, particularly if you are willing to walk for a bit..

      Pizzeria Delfina (18th St)
      Beijing Restaurant (Ocean and Alemany -- public transportation??)
      Spices II
      Nopalito
      Chow's (Church St.)
      Memphis Minnie
      Esperpento
      Pauline's
      Little Star (Valencia)
      Good Frikin Chicken
      Rosamunde sausages you bring to Toronado next door on Haight St, a bar with a huge variety of beer.

      For one don't miss somewhat upscale (still quite casual) dinner, consider advance reservations at Delfina Restaurant, Canteen, or Zuni.

      If you go to a selection of these in your 4 days, you will get a real sense of how wonderful the casual, non-touristy, SF food scene is like.

      -----
      Zuni Cafe
      1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

      Spices II
      291 6th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118

      Canteen
      817 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109

      Delfina Restaurant
      3621 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

      Memphis Minnie's BBQ
      576 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

      Pauline's Pizza
      260 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

      Little Star Pizza Valencia
      400 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

      Chow
      215 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94114

      Pizzeria Delfina
      3611 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

      Toronado Pub
      547 Haight St, San Francisco, CA

      Rosamunde Sausage Grill
      545 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

      Beijing Restaurant
      1801 Alemany Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94112

      Nopalito
      306 Broderick St, San Francisco, CA

      Pizzeria Delfina
      2406 California St, San Francisco, CA 94115

      Esperpento Restaurant
      3295 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94110

      Good Frikin Chicken (Goood Frikin’ Chicken)
      10 29th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

      Commonwealth
      2224 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

      3 Replies
      1. re: Thomas Nash
        Robert Lauriston Feb 25, 2011 10:37 AM

        Beijing is 2-3 blocks from a J Church stop and 5-6 blocks from Balboa Park BART.

        I'd go to Old Jerusalem over Goood Frikin' Chicken. Or Truly Mediterranean, though that's a hole in the wall with very limited seating.

        1. re: Robert Lauriston
          s
          SteveG Feb 25, 2011 11:12 AM

          Edit to remove post. All these years I've conflated La Mediterranee with Truly Mediterranean. Whoops. La Mediterranee: not great. I end up there too often when a friend wants to go there for brunch.

        2. re: Thomas Nash
          Civil Bear Feb 25, 2011 12:19 PM

          Thomas, I you haven't already, hit up Inkas across the street the next time you have a hankering for GFF. You wont be disappointed!

          -----
          Inkas Restaurant
          3299 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

        3. w
          whiner Feb 25, 2011 06:22 AM

          My casual favorites are L'Osteria del Forno, Troya (though that might be difficult to get to) and Helmand Palace. I would say Ame is the must-eat these days.

          -----
          L'Osteria del Forno
          519 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

          Helmand Palace
          2424 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109

          Troya
          349 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94118

          1. d
            dontcallitfrisco Feb 24, 2011 06:58 PM

            I like the hand-pulled noodles at San Dong House http://www.examiner.com/wine-in-san-francisco/oodles-of-noodles-at-sang-dong-house-review and Cafe Zitouna serves some great Moroccan and Tunisian food http://www.examiner.com/wine-in-san-f.... Both are pretty cheap.

            1. wolfe Feb 24, 2011 06:28 AM

              Here's a start.
              http://www.chow.com/lists/1591

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