Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
136
2317 Chestnut St. (btw. Scott and Divisadero sts.).
&
415/346-8494.
www.mamacitasf.com. Kids menu,
highchairs, boosters. Reservations accepted. Main courses $10-$18; k ids' menu $6-$8. AE, MC, V. Sun-
Wed 5:30-10pm; Thurs-Sat 5:30-10:30pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton bus to Scott St.
INEXPENSIVE
In addition to the options belo w, y ou can find an Amici 's East Coast P izzeria in this
neighborhood (p. 124).
Dragon Well
Finds
CHINESE Dragon Well was established with the idea of serv-
ing light, fresh, flavorful, and reliably good Chinese food. It has succeeded. This is defi-
nitely west coast Chinese, the Tex-Mex of Asian food, but it's the best rendition of it I've
had. Traditional favorites like pork-filled pot stickers (a big hit with my kids) and cashew
chicken are exceptionally well executed, and the tea-smoked duck, ser ved in a bun with
plum sauce, is not to be missed. Owned b y a friendly and talented local mom, D ragon
Well is pr obably the fav orite takeout destination for most local families. The interior
decor—spacious and airy, in keeping with the light and healthful food—makes D ragon
Well an inviting place to eat in as w ell. I'm confident everyone in your family will enjoy
his or her meal at D ragon Well.
2142 Chestnut St. (bt w. Steiner and P ierce sts.).
&
415/474-6888.
www.dragonwell.com. Highchairs,
boosters. M ain c ourses $7.50-$8.50 lunch; $8-$12 dinner . MC, V. Daily 11:30am-10pm. Muni: No .
30-Stockton bus to Steiner St.
The Grove
AMERICAN/BREAKFAST On weekends, families r egularly hit the
Grove for lunch. With a wooded interior , an eclectic assor tment of tables and chairs,
windows that open up like terrace doors, lots of plants, and plenty of outdoor seating,
it's simply one of the most agr eeable places to hang out on a sunny day . The menu is
equally pleasing, with breakfast options like hot oatmeal with brown sugar and fruit or a
breakfast burrito with guacamole and sour cream. Lunch options include fresh salads and
unique sandwiches, like the C uban por k or the tur key with chipotle may o. Kids will
enjoy the cheese quesadilla or the homemade macar oni and cheese. Another location is
in the Pacific Heights neighborhood.
2250 Chestnut St. (at Alma St., bt w. Scott and Pierce sts.).
&
415/474-4843.
Pacific Heights: 2016 F ill-
more St. (btw. California and Pine sts.)
&
415/474-1419.
Highchairs, boosters. Main courses $7-$10. AE,
DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 7am-11pm; Sat-Sun 8am-11pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton bus to Scott St.
Mel's Drive-in
HAMBURGERS The original Mel's was opened in 1947 onVan Ness
Avenue by Mel Weiss. It was demolished 25 y ears later, but not befor e George Lucas
filmed
American Graffiti
there. In 1985 Mel's son Steven opened a ne w Mel's on Lom-
bard Street but kept the old 1950s theme, complete with booths, chr ome, and tabletop
jukeboxes. He eventually opened thr ee more San Francisco locations and a smattering
elsewhere in the state. The food is nothing to write home about, but under-10s love this
place—uniformed waitresses deliver their meals in car dboard Cadillacs, they can select
'50s tunes on the jukebox, and they get balloons just for stopping by. The menu includes
all the typical diner options: blue-plate specials, chicken potpie, salads, humongous des-
serts, and all-day br eakfast. Among other M el's locations ar e those in the S oMa and
Richmond neighborhoods.
2165 Lombard St. (at Steiner St.).
&
415/921-2867.
Sun-Wed 6am-1am; Thurs 6am-2am; Fri-Sat 24 hr.
SoMa: 801 Mission St. (at 4th St.; 3 blocks south of Union S q.).
&
415/227-0793.
Hours: same as Lombard
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