The San Francisco food cheat sheet
The dish to eat
A huge steamed flour tortilla wrapped around grilled meat, rice, beans, salsa, cheese, crema and guacamole, then foiled.
Best at La Taqueria, Mission Street at 25th. Get: Carne asada burrito, 'dorado' style (crisped on the griddle), no rice
Five places, and what to order
- New Lun Ting Cafeinstitution · ChinatownGet: The marinated pork chop rice plate special
- Wes Burger 'N' Morecounter · MissionGet: Smashburger and deluxe tots; late-night pimento grilled cheese
- Hog Island Oyster Co.for fresh seafood at a counter · Embarcadero (Ferry Building)Get: Raw and grilled oysters at the bar
- Boudin Bakery & Café Bistrofor sourdough clam chowder · Fisherman's WharfGet: Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl
- Zuni Caféfor roast chicken and bread salad · Mid-MarketGet: Whole roast chicken for two with warm bread salad
The market
Open-air farmers market. California produce, artisan foods, prepared stalls
The line worth it
Get: The Sicilian sashimi, a crab back, and oysters
Expect: Often 1 to 2 hours. Beat it: Be in line before opening on a weekday.
In season this November
Wild mushrooms · Persimmons · Dungeness crab
How it works here
Tip: Tip 18-22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two a drink at the bar.
Book: Book the hot places on Resy or OpenTable, often the day tables drop (2-4 weeks out); counters and slices are walk-in.
When locals eat: Lunch noon-2pm, dinner 6-9pm; it gets late only in the big cities.