Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
places choose to raise the extra expense that way instead of folding it into the cost
of the meal.
UNION SQUARE
Because it's such a draw for tourists, Union Square is not the cheapest place to
find food. Places gouge, cooking standards lag, and you're left with a lot of pricey
tourist traps, pubs serving standard fare not worth our notice here, and corporate
joints such as the Cheesecake Factory. It's not like you can't eat cheaply here—but
it's not where the most worthwhile tables are. There are some exceptions, of
course, and I've listed them below.
$
The ever-busy
King of Thai Noodle
5
(184 O'Farrell St., at Powell;
%
415/
677
-
9991; daily 11am-1am; cash only)
attracts a fair number of Asian shoppers
not only for its affordable prices but for its authenticity. The look could be gen-
erously called “contemporary,” if Home Depot-style fixtures are contemporary,
but the cooking is solid and traditional, and prices are uniformly under $8—not
so common. The pad Thai, always a test of a Thai place, automatically comes with
shrimp (like the Thais themselves eat it), isn't too sweet, and has a nice twinge of
spice to it. Trays of sauces are laid out on every table if you'd like your flavors even
hotter or sweeter. If the tables fill up, there's a long counter at the side for more
casual eating.
$-$$
Another good Thai option near Union Square, this one popular with fam-
ilies with kids,
Thai Stick
9
(698 Post St., at Jones;
%
415/928
-
7730; www.
thaisticksf.com; daily 11am-1am; MC, V)
hits the spot (and without high prices—
it's just $8-$10 for the standard Thai dishes). It's not common to find a Thai
place that has
larb,
a spicy blend of ground chicken, lime, mint, and chilies, so
take this chance to try some (but make sure you've got plenty of water on hand).
It's also not too common to find a Thai place where kids are a prime customer,
but each time here, I've seen several families eating happily. The pumpkin curry
is another popular specialty.
$$-$$$
Major points are awarded to
Indonesia Restaurant
(678-680 Post St.,
at Jones;
%
415/474
-
4026; daily 11:30am-2:30pm and 5-10pm; MC, V)
for the
food, which hews closely to traditional recipes from its namesake country—rich,
meaty, and big on the spice. Many dishes are served family-style (the better to
sample more flavors). Carnivores will be pleased, since many of the options are
thick stews or otherwise meat-based. Management puts on a show of service, so
it wouldn't be a bad place to take your sweetie for something different, but don't
expect flashiness—a low-rent slide show playing on a laptop in the window serves
as the major advertisement to passersby and the space is cavernous and simple. I
particularly enjoyed the
ayam kalasan
(fried, honey-marinated half-chicken). The
lunch special is a strong value, buying portions of two entrees along with rice and
steamed mixed vegetables with peanut sauce—all for just $8.50.
$$-$$$
A few doors away,
Borobudur
(700 Post St., at Jones;
%
415/775
-
1512;
www.borobudursf.com; Mon-Thurs 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm, Sun
1-10pm; MC, V)
is another Indonesian place that eases up a bit on the spice, which
