Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
111
Tadich Grill
AMERICAN/SEAFOOD People come to the Tadich Grill as much for
the history as for the food. Businesspeople and tourists alike appreciate the clubby, tradi-
tional feel of S an Francisco's oldest r estaurant, which star ted life in a differ ent location
more than 150 years ago. The long bar, dark wood interior, and gruff waiters may seem
intimidating to little ones, so settle the family into one of the many cozy booths to better
enjoy the old-time feel. S tick to uncomplicated and traditional dishes, such as shrimp
Louie, grilled fish of the day , clam chowder, or creamed spinach, and y ou will eat w ell.
The Tadich doesn't take reservations, so be prepared to stand in line.
240 California St. (bt w. Front and Batt ery sts).
&
415/391-1849.
Boosters. Reservations not ac cepted.
Main courses $15-$34. MC, V. Mon-Fri 11am-9:30pm; Sat 11:30am-9:30pm. Muni: F-Market streetcar to
Front St. or no. 1-California or no. 41-Union bus to California St.
INEXPENSIVE
Blondie's Pizza
PIZZA The staff her e cuts and sells huge w edges of thick-cr usted
pizzas slathered with tomato sauce, cheese, and v arious toppings at a constant pace. A t
$3.50 a slice, you can feed an army and still hav e change left over for a cable car ticket.
You can order pepperoni, but if you ask for carrots and broccoli, you've even got yourself
a healthy meal. You won't find tables her e, but the benches at U nion Square are just 2
blocks away.
63 P owell St. (bt w. Ellis and M arket sts).
&
415/982-6168.
P izza $3.50-$3.75 per slic e. AE, MC, V
accepted on orders over $30; otherwise, cash only. Mon-Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 10am-8pm. Muni: Powell-
Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car to Ellis St.
Dottie's True Blue Cafe
AMERICAN/BREAKFAST The best meal to hav e here is
breakfast (some locals and tourists claim it 's the best in to wn), but the place is so small
that you'll have to wait—unless y ou have a family of early risers. The big por tions of
house-made br eads, cornmeal pancakes, F rench toast, eggs, gourmet sausages, fr esh
orange juice, and cheer y trim make the wait w ell wor th it. The lunch menu featur es
hearty salads, sandwiches, and burgers.
522 Jones St. (bt w. Gear y and O 'Farrell sts.).
&
415/885-2767.
Boosters. Reser vations not ac cepted.
Main courses $6-$13. DISC, MC, V. Wed-Mon 7:30am-3pm. Muni: Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car
to Union Sq., and then walk 3 blocks west on Geary to Jones and turn left.
5
Sears Fine Food
AMERICAN/BREAKF AST Although no longer independently
owned (they were bought by Lori's Diner International), Sears Fine Food still makes an
effort to maintain its original charm—complete with tile floors, 1930s-style light fix-
tures, and old photographs decorating the walls. I t's the per fect spot for br eakfast or
lunch, with Reubens, burgers, and fish sandwiches among the classics y ou'll find on the
lunch menu, all under $10. I won 't recommend Sears for dinner, since entr ees start at
$14, pushing this into the moderate price categor y—not where a diner belongs—and,
for that price, y ou can have a more interesting meal elsewhere. The real reason to bring
the kids to S ears is their “ World Famous 18 S wedish Pancakes,” dollar-coin-sized pan-
cakes allegedly still made with Hilbur Sear's 1938 recipe and served hot with butter and
maple syrup at any time of day for $8.95. You can also order other breakfast items daily
until 3pm.
439 Powell St. (at Sutt er St.).
&
415/986-0700.
w ww.searsfinefood.com. K ids items on menu . H igh-
chairs, boosters. Reservations for dinner only . Main courses $8-$12 br eakfast, $7-$10 lunch, $14-$29
dinner. V, MC, AE, DISC. Daily 6:30am-10pm. Muni: 2, 3, 4 buses , Powell cable car lines.
