Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [108]
2223 Market St. (btw. Sanchez and Noe sts.). 415/431-0692. www.2223restaurant.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $4.75–$11 brunch, $9–$20 dinner. AE, DC, MC, V. Sun–Thurs 5:30–9:30pm; Fri–Sat 5:30–11pm; Sun brunch 10am–2:30pm. Bus: 8, 22, 24, or 37. Streetcar: F, K, L, or M.
Inexpensive
Café Flore CALIFORNIAN Because of its large and lively patio overlooking a busy section of Market Street, Café Flore is the top sunny-day meet-me-for-coffee spot within the Castro community. And boy is the people-watching good here—leather-wrapped bears, drag queens, trannies (Dad, is that you?), gym bunnies, and other anti-establishment types saunter down Market Street in full glory. As for dining at the cafe, here’s how it works: You order drinks and desserts inside at the bar, then find a seat indoors or outside on the patio or sidewalk, and claim a spot. Next, go to the kitchen counter (there are no waiters), place your meal order and get a number, and the food will be delivered to your table. Many of the menu items are composed of mostly organic ingredients and include a succulent version of roasted chicken over rice, Niman Ranch hamburgers, soups, salads, and pastas. Breeders are always welcome as long as they behave, and breakfast is served until 3pm.
2298 Market St. (at Noe St.). 415/621-8579. www.cafeflore.com. Reservations not accepted. American breakfast $5.95; main courses $4.50–$10. MC, V. Sun–Thurs 7am–1am; Fri–Sat 7am–2am (kitchen closes at 10pm). Metro: F.
Chow ★ AMERICAN Chow claims to serve American cuisine, but the management must be thinking of today’s America, because the menu is not exactly meatloaf and apple pie. And that’s just fine for eclectic and cost-conscious diners. After all, what’s not to like about starting with a Cobb salad before moving on to Thai-style noodles with steak, chicken, peanuts, and spicy lime-chili garlic broth, or cioppino? Better yet, everything except the fish of the day costs under $15, especially the budget-wise daily sandwich specials, which range from meatball with mozzarella (Sun) to grilled tuna with Asian-style slaw, pickled ginger, and a wasabi mayonnaise (Mon); both come with salad, soup, or fries. Although the food and prices alone would be a good argument for coming here, beer on tap, a great inexpensive wine selection, and the fun, tavernlike environment clinch the deal. A second location, Park Chow, is at 1240 Ninth Ave. ( 415/665-9912). You can’t make reservations unless you have a party of eight or more, but if you’re headed their way, you can call ahead to place your name on the wait list (recommended).
215 Church St. (near Market St.). 415/552-2469. www.chowfoodbar.com. Reservations not accepted except for parties of 8 or more. Main courses $7–$15. DISC, MC, V. Sun–Thurs 8am–11pm; Fri–Sat 8am–midnight. Bus: 8, 22, or 37. Streetcar: F, J, K, L, or M.
Ike’s Place ★ CAFE/VEGETARIAN From an inconspicuous doorway in the Castro emerges drippy, warm, and deee-licious sandwiches filled with hand-shredded ingredients that you have to taste to believe. The line often snakes around the block for this little shop started up by native San Franciscan Ike Shehadeh, but the wait is worth it (sometimes up to 2 hr., due to its online following). All sandwiches come with Dirty Sauce, Ike’s house garlic- and herb-laden aioli, which is spread over your choice of unbaked roll once you place your order, the roll is baked and then respread with sauce. Well over 200 different sandwiches are offered on the menu with meats taking up the goodly portion. Turkey and chicken are hand-shredded, meatball sandwiches are hot and messy, and even vegan selections sound tasty. Personal favorites so far are Name of the Girl I’m Dating and the Montana to Rice. Ike’s is also popular with vegetarians and vegans