The Most Scrumptious American in San Francisco

Hometown Heroes

★★★★☆ 4 (281) • $$

"This place is poppin! For a Tuesday its a great place to have a drink. Be prepared to stand as there's not much seating. Drinks are good. There's food to order on the side. Street parking. Service is good. It's loud in here as the DJ is turning it up. Not bad for a TUESDAY"

1428 Haight Patio Cafe & Crepery

★★★★☆ 4.2 (529) • $$

"Favorite of mine for brunch or lunch! The pet friendly patio is a plus and the food is consistently satisfying."

Punjab Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (277) • $

"Omg. Let me just say the chicken pho is THE BEST pho ive EVER tasted in all my pho-cking life lol! The flavor is perfect not salty, not bland, not over powering in STAR ANISE. This so well balanced! I grew up on 24th street and this is the first time ive seen and heard about this place. The only thing, no music when I went and it was so quiet i felt like i was in the library lol. I will definitivamente be back for more pho! I moved to EPA but i will drive out here when I have a pho craving!"

Macondray

★★★★☆ 4.3 (205) • $$

"Macondray on Polk is an absolute gem! Nestled in one of San Francisco's cutest neighborhoods, this spot effortlessly combines great decor, fantastic music vibes, and an inviting ambiance. The aesthetic is modern yet cozy, with dim lighting and thoughtful decor that makes it feel intimate but lively.Their menu of small plates and seafood-centric dishes is perfectly crafted for sharing, allowing you to sample a little of everything. Each dish is a work of art, with flavors that are both bold and sophisticated--standouts included the oysters and a uniquely prepared ceviche. As for the libations, they have a mixologist-level bar setup, and every drink is crafted with an evident passion for detail. Their cocktail list is creative, featuring both classics and unique twists, perfectly complementing the fresh seafood and flavorful bites.Whether you're meeting up with friends or going for a date night, Macondray is a top choice for a memorable experience. Great food, drinks, and vibes all around!"

Curveball Slider Truck

★★★★☆ 4 (124) • $$

"Very decent size for sliders. The burgers were thick and juicy. Fries were good. Order came out pretty quickly."

Pied Piper San Francisco

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (413) • $$$

"One of the few places to have a late meal in downtown San Francisco. A brief yet good variety of dinner options as well as good drink selections. Old world ambience and vibe. I had mussels n rye manhattan. Rye was refreshing and mussels flavorful."

Taffi’s Cafe

★★★★★ 4.7 (12)

"Service was so attentive and responsive. I came in for a late lunch and ordered the Reuben sandwich. Solid Reuben nothing to write home about but solid. Looking forward to trying their breakfast items. The space isn't huge so I bet they'll have lines for brunch on weekends."

Rustic House Oyster Bar and Grill - Los Altos

★★★★☆ 4 (706) • $$

"Rustic House Oyster Bar & Grill Los Altos CA Wed 1/22/25After meetings galore & hard work!Bringing my engineers to my local spot! Downtown LA Grey's neck of the woods! On Main St in my downtown are Rustic House' goods!©HAPPY Harmonious High-calibre Hilarious Honest-to-goodness Humorous Hallelujah Humpday Wonderful Winey Wednes-Day Night! HHHHHHHHWWWDN!Casual dining at its best! Let's sit down and have them take care of the rest!Here at Rustic House Oyster Bar & Grill! This is my turf! The food is plentiful, the drinks are tasty, the staff is friendly, the bar is inviting, here is where it goes!To begin with, my MACALLAN 12 Yr Double Cask Single Malt Scotch!Thank you bartender Rob!This Macallan is perfect balance of 100% Sherry seasoned American and European Oak, a great marriage of 2 wood types. Smooth, Sweet and balanced! A new classic!On to the food. We've got the apps!CRISPY CALAMARI, finger licking YummerZ!Fresh tubes & tentacles, lightly battered and fried! Served with house made chipotle mignonette & house made chipotle mayo!Succulento, I tell ya!From Artisan Pizzas, Gluten Free Crust avail!CHIPOTLE SHRIMP PIZZA, Mmm! Shrimp, chipotle peppers, onions, bell peppers, goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, cilantro and lemon juice topped with parmesan cheese!Quite unique! That chipotle pizza is rather unusual, with prawns and white-sauce base, just the right combination of flavors and tastes! Rustic House is known for tasty creations, extensive menu of starters & apps, signature dishes & salads, classic steaks with a twist, and of course ~ raw & grilled oysters!Worth noting, Steamed Mussels or Clams: White wine, shallots, garlic, scallions and butter, mouthwatering bowl of goodness!I'll leave you to partake from the menu all by yourself! You can't go wrong with any dish!La presentazione di questo piatto è davvero allettante!The presentation is truly alluring!*Off they go through the troubled tideThe yacht rolling madly from side to sideThey're tossed about till that fine young oysterFinds that it's time he should quit his cloisterUp comes the oyster![ Review #820 w 4 pics Jan 23, 2025 ]MACALLAN 12 Yr Double Cask Single Malt Scotch! At the Bar!Thank U Rob! Exceptional Macallan Double Cask Single Malt!@Rustic House! Los Altos CA Wed 1/22/25CHIPOTLE SHRIMP PIZZA! Shrimp~chipotle~onion~bells~goat cheese~cilantro~lemon~parmesan!CRISPY CALAMARI~lightly battered & fried! Housemade chipotle mignonette & mayo!@Rustic House Oyster Bar & Grill Los Altos CA Wed 1/22/25"

Wayfare Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

"I was in San Francisco for the day with my brother and came to Wayfare Tavern for some delicious eats. My brother has been here before and raved about their popovers and fried chicken. We sat at the chefs table and got to watch the talented chefs prepare in the kitchen. We munched on some popovers (which is bread) while we sipped on our cocktails. We both ordered the espresso martini. We didn't want to stuff ourselves with a big meal so we shared an order of their famous organic fried chicken, Mac and cheese and deviled eggs. Oh and an order of Cesar salad with a crispy slice of bread on top with an anchovy. I'm not a big fried chicken person but I will make an exception just this once. I don't know what batter they used for the fried chicken , but it was so nice and crispy. The meat was flavorful and tender inside and to my surprise, not greasy at all!! It was the best fried chicken I've ever had! I'll come back just for the fried chicken alone. Everything we had was tasty and the service was great! Our waiter checked on us frequently and made sure our drinks and popovers were replenished. So if you're ever in downtown San Francisco, make your way over to Wayfare. Here's my ranking: Service: 10/10Ambiance: 10/10-- love the dark wood, dim lighting , the deer taxidermy mount above the fireplace in the main dining area. Very British vibes. Food: 10/10"

Nickies

★★★★☆ 3.9 (449) • $$

"Sigh I hate to leave this review bc I absolutely love going to trivia nights here even though my team always does terrible. I came here with a few friends last week for trivia night and got the worst food poisoning of my life. We ordered chili cheese fries, wings that came with celery and carrots, and fried cauliflower. Everything tasted fine but later that evening, I began to feel queasy and started throwing up from 3am - 10am. The food poisoning has lasted a week and I even had to go to the ER at one point for stomach pain. I initially thought it was the chili cheese fries that got me but apparently everyone ate that. By process of elimination, we think it was actually the carrots and celery, since I ate most of it and the only other person who ate a few felt a bit nauseous. Tldr: I still love the vibes of nickies and trivia is p great. I have come to trivia here a few times and this is my first time dying so hence the 3 stars instead of 1. I'll still come back for trivia but probably just won't order food and will get a beer instead"

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$

"So I've always passed by this place growing up on the way to the shopping center. Since working in the area, I've been ordering from this place a lot! The food is always well packaged for take-out. It's so well-seasoned, with excellent flavors. The jerk chicken is so good, and I love the plantains too! The rice with the beans is yummy and balances the seasonings of the chicken. I've also tried the corn fritters which were good too. The mac cheese was okay to me. So glad that this is in the area! It makes for a good meal."

Tower Burger

★★★★☆ 3.7 (402) • $$

"I'm writing this review as I'm devouring my medium well bacon cheddar burger (w/ extra sauce) and their deliciously crispy, almost toasty fries. Called an order in for takeout on my lunch break, and the woman who answered was very efficient but very friendly. Said it would be ready in 5 minutes and sure enough -- it was. Came inside to pick up my food and was greeted by a nice gentlemen, immediate smile, and just overall genuineness. The place wasn't too packed, but it's 12:30 on a Tuesday in a sleepier part of The City. I could see this place going real big. HANDS DOWN, best burger and fries I've ever had. The bun was buttery, burger cooked nicely (I don't usually like medium but I forgot to ask for well done and I'm so glad I didn't -- SOOOO juicy), bacon was thick and flavorful, and their secret sauce.... HOOOO BOY their secret sauce... it was garlicky, peppery, and sweet all at once. AH?? just overall a delicious experience. i'm in love and will definitely be coming back again."

West Bay Restaurant & Bar

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (37) • $$

"It was the best of times it was the worse of times here in Burlingame California. While we started our vacation on a good note we ended stranded on a bad note. My husband and I had a long day from being stranded in San Francisco CA by United Airlines. We were happy at least to make the of our meal vouchers. After having a nice Korean meal down the stripe of Burlingame's little downtown area, we got to settle in for a night cap at the West Bay Restaurant bar. It was late into the evening with just a few customers watching the Giant's baseball game. We got seated right away at the booth and ordered two desserts and two drinks. My husband got a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and I got a Vodka Fresh. It was one of those nights where some sweet treats and a vodka fresh was going to make the night feel calmer and better. I had their pear tartlet and my husband had their lemon sorbet it was refreshing and mine was sweet and a little rich with the tart shell being very much like pastry crust. It was good can't complain. Our server was I believe also the host he was nice and took our order when we were ready and gave us our check when we were done. We took our time having our night caps and went back upstairs to our hotel room to enjoy the rest of the evening before sleepy time, the end."

B & J 1/4 Lb Burgers

★★★★☆ 3.7 (103) • $

"I personally never been inside of the this restaurant but when my boyfriend buys me the breakfast from here and let me tell you... The food is smacking and affordable! You get hash brown, bacon, eggs and bread for $12 and the portion is big! You don't get that price anywhere! Those who on a budget and need a good breakfast, this is the place to go!"

Sam's Grill & Seafood Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.7 (490) • $$$

"I love everything about this classic SF restaurant and patronize it weekly (sometimes daily!).The staff are professional and welcoming, the seafood is fresh and prepared well, and the old-school classic ambiance is nicely intact.Looking for a place for a special meeting or date? A business lunch with colleagues or clients? A one-martini (or 3?) lunch - this would be the place.Adjacent to the Grill is the Tavern, open 7 days for a more casual menu and ambiance. I love them both."

Original Joe's Westlake

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$

"Came here for a family get together and overall had a good experience. Food was good satisfying comfort food with big portions. It was super busy and it was difficult to hear conversation, so I would suggest they get some sound absorption panels for their walls."

Harrington's Bar & Grill

★★★☆☆ 3 (367) • $$

"Such a fun bar - great vibes, excellent service and the food is insanely good for being bar food. Don't let the reviews deter you they are from before the re-opening. Love this place."

Cafe Rain Tree

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (298) • $$

"The salmon breakfast dish was so delicious and fresh. The service was top notch. I was surprised how many times I passed by here and never enter this place. I am glad I finally enter this restaurant. A good dining experience."

Café Capistrano

★★★★☆ 4.3 (559) • $$

"I have eating at Cafe Capistrano ever since he was over by opl in Princeton. Although all his food is always fresh and delicious, I get the same thing every time I go there.... The chicken fajitas! I get extra tortillas and extra cabbage and eat absolutely everything on my plate every time. They are delicious. His unique blend of spices on the chicken and vegetables are unique and absolutely amazing. They are the best plate of fajitas I've ever eaten anywhere and would highly recommend them to anyone who loves fajitas."

Ketch Harbor Pub

★★★★☆ 4.1 (205) • $$

"We've been here three times in the last two months thought I'd finally write a review! My husband and I love it here. The food and drinks are delicious! Our server was Jerry, our bartender Emily, they are super friendly and attentive! We will definitely make it a point to stop by whenever we are in town!"

Mama Mia Pizza

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (35) • $$

"The pizza is good but their service is terrible. I ordered delivery which took an hour to arrive, but I received the wrong pizza. When I called back they said they would send me the correct pizza but I had to return the incorrect pizza. I told them I couldn't do that because I was eating the incorrect pizza because I was hungry and didn't want to wait another hour for the right pizza.They ended up sending me the right pizza much later, rather than give me a refund. But what I don't understand is why they would request me to send back the original pizza? I mean, what could you possibly do with a pizza that was already delivered to someone and would have been sitting there for an hour before the driver came back to replace it with the new pizza? If I was eating in the restaurant maybe I would understand, but this makes me think that they reuse the pizzas they accidentally make incorrectly which is gross. Either that or they just don't want me to get 2 pizzas for the price of one, even if one of the pizzas isn't what I wanted?On top of that, speaking to whoever was on the phone was really difficult because she didn't speak English well. I hate to be that person but she made no effort to accommodate for her lack of English. She frequently spoke over me as I was trying to explain what my problem was, to the point that it took me several tried before she finally stopped trying to guess what my problem was and understood what I was saying to her.The only reason they are getting 2 stars is because I really did enjoy the pizza once I actually got it..."

Wok-In Cafeteria

★★★★☆ 3.9 (75) • $

"Why am I just finding this place? I had a delicious lunch. Great service, excellent prices and plenty of choices. Watched the nice person make my lunch from scratch. Huge dining area. Had a wave of nostalgia as I walked in. South China cafe in the Castro, Mariposa cafe in Dogpatch and so many others that have slowly disappeared but Wok-in is still here. I will be back. I look forward to the breakfast and lunch buffets."

House of Prime Rib

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$

"First time at HOPR and we had a great experience. We had our reservations booked 9 months in advance. I suggest arriving about 20 mins early to find parking. Street parking was limited on Sunday evening so you may need to park a bit further or do valet. We were served bread and butter right as we were seated. I was told to not fill up on the appetizers but I couldn't resist. The warm bread and butter combo was so good! Salad was great as well and had the perfect amount of dressing. I love that you also get a table side performance too. My husband and I both ordered the King Henry Cut, medium and medium rare. We got both of ours seared but it ended up being overcooked, which we should've took into consideration when ordering. If you plan on getting it seared, I recommend getting it one level down. The meat was still very tender and seasoned perfectly. All the sides complimented the meal. The creamed spinach was a bit too salty in my opinion. I personally liked the corn more. Half spinach and half corn is an extra $2.Our server was Ben and he was friendly but service could've been a bit better. He seemed really busy and didn't check up on us that often. I overheard him explaining to another table the ingredients for the salad and asked if they were celebrating a special occasion but he didn't do that for our table. My husband also finished his slice and wanted to order a second but he never stopped by nor did he ask when he did. Only offered us dessert but we were too full by then. We got our sides and leftovers packed. Be sure to take the bone with you if you ordered the King Henry cut! Although pricey, this place is a good treat for special occasions and worth trying at least once."

Marvin Gardens

★★★★☆ 3.5 (223) • $$

"Checked out this neighborhood bar on a Friday night & had a BLAST!!Fiancée and I walked here for date night. The bar with its dark wood is beautiful, warm, and intimate. You immediately feel comfortable walking in. We sat at the bar top and noticed friendly interactions btw the staff and regulars. Drinks were delicious!! I ordered a standard vodka soda and could tell I got a little extra vodka in there. We tried a couple of cocktails on their menu, which were delicious, well made and strong. Our awesome bartender made it less sweet per my request and offered to adjust it if it wasn't too my liking.The service and staff are AMAZING!! I forgot the personable feel & interactions of a neighborhood bar. She was attentive, funny, and genuine. The good vibes also attracts the best patrons. Definitely want to return. Food was solid - 8/10. We ordered calamari, burger, and fish & chips. Food came out fast & were huge portions! Would definitely eat here again!"

True Laurel

★★★★☆ 4.2 (446) • $$

"Had a really nice time at True Laurel! I've been wanting to try their cocktails and famous patty melt for the longest time and it definitely lived up to the hype! We got there around 3:20 and were told they were doing a switch over between menus which was fine by us to wait till 4pm for their dinner menu. They were not super crowded which was really nice that we could just walk in. We got two cocktails, one gin based "Grandma's to blame" the one in the tea cup, and one quinine cobbler (the one with pomegranates). They were both lovely and loved how clean and clear the ice cube was too in the gin cocktail. We then waited till 4pm and got the patty melt which was delicious. Starting at 4pm is when they take reservations and we saw more parties enter and the music volume went up too. The only reason for a 4 star rating is that there were lots of staff but maybe because it was the changing of shifts, our drinks got missed the first time we ordered and we were waiting around for a while for it, I definitely enjoyed the quieter vibe around 3pm and will definitely be back!"

PoBoys Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.5 (294) • $$

"If you're craving a taste of Southern Cajun cuisine, this spot is definitely worth a visit! From the moment I walked in, the friendly staff made me feel right at home, and the charming NOLA-inspired decor added a touch of authenticity to the experience.I tried the shrimp po' boy, and it was absolutely amazing! The shrimp were fresh and perfectly seasoned, delivering that classic Cajun flavor that hits just right. Every bite was a delightful combination of textures and spices, making it a standout dish.On the other hand, the gumbo didn't quite meet my expectations. The flavoring seemed a bit off, though I couldn't pinpoint exactly what was missing. It might have been a one-off, as the rest of the menu seemed promising.Overall, this place offers a welcoming atmosphere and some delicious Cajun dishes. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try, especially if you're a fan of po' boys!"

Astra

★★★★☆ 4 (22)

"This is the restaurant at the St Regis. As you would expect, the service is absolutely impeccable. The ambiance is classy and comfortable. I just had breakfast here, the eggs were very good but I am not a fan of the cheese on the hash browns. I don't think I have seen that elsewhere."

Toast Eatery

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (381) • $$

"Ate late lunch today about 2 pm. Parking is street meters max of 2 hours. Cafe not crowded at 2 pm so we got seated immediately. Service was excellent for one waitress. Bagel with smoked salmon was very good, bagel was lightly toasted. Chicken steak was good, crisp, not a slice of beef but ground meat. Hash brown nicely brown and crisp. Eggs were good scrambled or any style. Choice of toast was wheat and toasted. Ambiance within restaurant was clean and bright. Very good place for breakfast. At this writing, 5 stars out of 5."

Araujo's Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (352) • $

"2.5 stars.If you live in San Bruno, you most likely have heard of Araujo's and have had their food at least once. When we first moved to the city, the eatery was one of our regular go-to neighbourhood restaurants, hitting them up practically on a monthly basis.Located on San Bruno Avenue, the brightly yellow-coloured venue is easy to find, even at night with its neon lights. Free parking is available in their tiny lot for about half a dozen automobiles as well as on the streets. Inside, table and booth seating are available in a split dining room with vibrantly painted walls. The space is usually fairly clean, but not pristine. Araujo's extensive menu offers an array of options for BREAKFAST (FROM THE GRIDDLE, EGGS & MORE, ARAUJO'S SPECIAL OMELETTES), LUNCH (standard Mexican handhelds like BURRITOS, TACOS AND MORE, HAMBURGERS, SANDWICHES), DINNER (Mexican and American mains including COMBINATIONS), SIDE ORDERS, & BEVERAGES. I highly recommend the NACHOS El GRANDE with CHICKEN MEXICANO for its deliciousness and generous serving (it's big enough for two to share). Their ground beef crispy tacos are pretty good, too. The FLAUTAS are nice sizes and crispy, but the diced (not shredded) beef can be dry. DJ finds the VEGETARIAN BURRITO as disappointing because of its lack of exciting contents - only veggie is lettuce. They claim to be "The House of the Original California Fries." Coming from San Diego where carne asada fries are prevalent, I'm not too sure about Araujo's claim to fame.Since Covid, gone are their 24/7 hours and deliveries. Honestly, their convenient hours and deliveries (one of their delivery girls was really awesome) were part of the reason why we were frequent customers. Quality of service has plummeted significantly since re-opening after the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, unfortunately. When you call, you deal with abruptness, occasional rudeness, and rigidness. To boot, they won't send the order to the kitchen until you show up to pay, so, basically, there's no reason at all to call your order in. They also charge a credit card fee if you don't pay in cash, a bad sign of cheapness. Extremely disappointing.Due to the diminishing quality in customer service, our monthly Araujo's meals have dwindled from monthly to semi-annually to annually, if that."

Christie's

★★★★☆ 3.9 (865) • $$

"I feel bad that it's taken me 2+ years to write this review. This is our default go-to brunch spot when we are not feeling like venturing out to SF on the weekends. In my opinion, Christie's beats out the other brunch options in the downtown Burlingame area both in terms of quality and quantity. Not to mention the wait time during peak Saturday morning is much shorter than the alternatives.The best item hands down is the Monterey Omelette with Hollandaise sauce. This massive omelette is filled to the brim with chicken sausage, artichoke and mushrooms. The star of the show is the hollandaise sauce, which is usually my favorite part of eggs Benedict. But since omelette is usually my favorite thing to eat at a brunch, this dish just brings together the best of both worlds.Most of the patrons here seem to know the owners. Those human connections give this place a warm small community vibe despite of being located in a fairly large suburb area."

RH Rooftop Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (299)

"Beautiful store and restaurant! I enjoyed brunch here at RH. I would definitely come back. Our favorite dish was the pancakes with butter. These pancakes were thin, buttery, and crispy. They look plain but they were good!The kale salad was ok; we added salmon to it. Would have tasted better with more dressing. Also, the kale was hard to scoop so having a serving spoon or fork with it would be nice."

Sandyy M American Food

★★★★★ 4.5 (14)

"Was walking around the Excelsior and stumbled upon this newly opened place. Not going to lie, but at first it seem a little intimidating. I wasn't sure if it was open to the public. Although it had signs of "grand opening" and had holiday decorations you can see from the sidewalk, I was confused if it was a restaurant, catering business or if it was for private dining/ meeting space - Then it stared to rain.So I ended up walking in and saw that they had breakfast and dinner menus on their TV monitors. They have a good amount of breakfast and dinner selections. Since it was sprinkling outside, my eyes went straight to the soup. Caldo.The server and the chef (he had a chef coat on) we're both pleasant. The lady server does not really speak English but she was very pleasant and even pulled out her phone to type and use Google translate. Much appreciated.Honestly, I can't really give them a food review since this is the first time I went and only had soup. I mean, how can you really mess up Caldo de Res? Serving was a good, big bowl, came with some arroz and warm corn tortillas, seems they make their own.I'll definitely come back and try other items very soon. Note: this used to be Burger King and The Chicken Wings place."

Chick N Coop

★★★★☆ 3.6 (122) • $$

"Loved it would come back! The ambiance takes us back to the past, owners and servers were excellent. This is a "don't judge a book by its cover". Would recommend and keep coming back. The chicken is a must! Got chicken, rice and corn. Rice was also flavorful. Make sure to let them know what kind of sauce you want, they usually give bbq sauce but if you want normal gravy, just tell them. Also there is an option of having the sauce on top of the chicken or any protein you choose, or place them in the side."

Sweet Maple

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"Came here for brunch with my friends and it reminded me of Berkeley Social Club! It has a wide variety of fusion foods and so many options. It was busy when we went so make sure you are in the list for the reservation when you arrive. We got the millionaires bacon - comes with 4 diff flavors. Personally I just wanted to try it because it seems like this is what they are known for. Good, but too sweet to my taste. I like my bacon more savory than carmelized, but good none the less. The omurice was good- very buttery and the mochi matcha waffle was amazing!The best thing though was the dirty ube latte. So good, you have to get!!I gave this place a 5 star because of our waitress! She was so nice to us and gave us a free drink because it was my birthday :) Thank you M!!"

Blossom & Bourbon

★★★★☆ 4.2 (413) • $$$

"Great food and wonderful service!I tried the Margherita pizza and it was amazing. The crust has a chewy texture, which i enjoyed. For dessert, we ordered the milk and cookies. The vanilla Gelato milkshake was so good. It was very thick, so I had to use a spoon. The cookies were ok.I noticed there were a few workers that just kept walking around, and they always refilled our water cups. Overall, I highly recommend!"