Recommendations for 'local fare'? (San Francisco: house, restaurants, beach)

[SkiMKE]

Hi All,

I'm an out-of-towner that is organizing a bachelor party in downtown SF. As part of the party, the groom has requested a stop at a restaurant with offerings that are unique to SF. This doesn't have to be fancy or classy - it can be as simple as a unique type of sandwich/burger/burrito/etc. We're open to dives or hole-in-the-wall type places, so please share any thoughts. Thanks in advance!

[mayorhaggar]

Well other than sourdough bread (which you can get anywhere) and a few other things there isn't much food that is really native to California.

Also honestly downtown SF really shuts down after about 5pm on weekdays and there aren't many restaurants that are open since they're mainly lunch places. There are some though but I would check the hours and make sure they are open at the time you want to be there. I would try and go to the areas that are a short walk away like North Beach, Chinatown and South of Market near the Embarcadero.

I believe cioppino (a kind of seafood soup) is a SF specialty, maybe try and find a place in North Beach or Fisherman's Wharf that serves it.

Cioppino - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For a real San Francisco experience I would recommend Red's which is a short walk on the Embarcadero to the south of Market. They serve hamburgers on sourdough rolls which I've never seen anywhere else. Very simple, cheap and tasty, especially with a little hot sauce. Eating one of their burgers with a bottle of Anchor Steam while you look out on the Bay on a sunny day is a real SF treat. Their hours are weird though and they close early so make sure they are open when you'd be there.

Red's Java House - San Francisco, CA

Also I guess you could get clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, there are places in Fisherman's Wharf that does this, also Boudin.

[mdwstrnkid]

How about a stop at the Tadich Grill, the oldest restaurant in San Francisco? You can get some San Francisco classic dishes like the aforementioned cioppino, dungeness crab, and Hangtown Fry.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

Well other than sourdough bread (which you can get anywhere) and a few other things there isn't much food that is really native to California.

What about Rice-a-Roni the San Francisco treat?

[SkiMKE]

Thanks for the great suggestions, guys - extremely helpful!