Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Where Are the Arches?
If you're a grease addict, you might need help finding chain restaurants
such as Wendy's and McDonald's, because there are almost none of them
anywhere in town. In many neighborhoods, in fact, there are rules stating
that if a store has more than a few locations anywhere in the country, it
must go through a special permit process to open another here. It's a per-
mit process that the stores almost always fail. But of course, even if it
existed, I wouldn't be listing such industrial food, because you can get
that at home. Interestingly, even the few fast-food counters that do exist
try hard to fit in with the food snobbery that prevails in town; at one
Burger King near the Civic Center, there's a sticker on the soda machine
suggesting pairings for the soft drinks—apparently, Sprite goes best with
Chicken Fries. Isn't that ridiculous?
for ordering styles that will win you entrée (pun intended) to some of those nor-
mally exorbitant gourmet palaces.
MAIN DISHES
I try to give you some sense of prices in each entry, but the
dollar signs preceding each one give you a ballpark range for main dishes at din-
ner (lunch is usually a few bucks cheaper). Sure, some might be higher, some
lower, but most of what each place serves falls into these ranges:
$
$8 and under
$$
$9 to $12
$$$
$13 to $17
$$$$
$18 and up
Yep, that's cheap! In fact, a few are locally adored but nationally anonymous hash-
slingers under fluorescent lights—with amazing, affordable food. It's easy to find
places in San Francisco where prices are $30 a plate and where folks with money
to burn fall over themselves to get in. What you really need help with are locat-
ing the worthwhile no-name spots, the superlative greasy spoons, the beloved
neighborhood purveyors of classic ethnic eats, and the deals on gourmet meals.
Unlike in many cities, it's relatively unusual to find a restaurant, particularly
one dedicated to gourmet or fine dining, where you can sit down for a truly late
meal. Many upscale places cringe at starting a service after 9pm or 10pm. If you
plan to eat that late, call ahead to make sure your chosen establishment still serves
full meals then. The same places that eschew late hours are also less likely to be
open for lunch; for them, dinner is the great masterpiece that takes all day to pre-
pare. Plenty of the more pedestrian kitchens gladly serve until the wee hours.
Important note:
Don't be shocked or angered if your bill includes an extra
charge labeled “healthcare” or something similar. The city recently mandated that
restaurants must provide health benefits to all full-time employees, and some
