Classic Establishment
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18 Restaurants That Are Actually Worth Waiting In Line For
Our favorite spots in SF where waiting is actually worth it.
Classic Establishment
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Hang Ah Tea Room
Hang Ah Tea Room is the oldest dim sum spot in the US, and serves up quick, solid dim sum.
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Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant
Tommy’s Mexican is a Richmond neighborhood icon, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop by.
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Tommy's Joynt
Tommy's Joynt is an iconic hofbrau on the corner of Geary and Van Ness serving brisket, sandwiches, and beer.
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Grubstake Diner
Grubstake is a diner in Polk Gulch that looks like a streetcar, serving straightforward burgers, breakfast plates, shakes, and fries until 4am.
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John's Grill
At John’s Grill in Union Square, you can get into old-school classics like steak and baked potatoes and check out a shrine to The Maltese Falcon.
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Sears Fine Food
For the classic American breakfast (and Swedish pancakes), go to Sears Fine Food in Union Square.
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Anchor Oyster Bar
This seafood spot in the Castro serves great cioppino, oysters, and chowder in an old-school space.
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The Buena Vista
The Buena Vista is a bar and cafe near Ghirardelli Square credited with introducing Irish coffee to the U.S.
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R&G Lounge
R&G Lounge is a Chinatown institution. Head here with a big group to share a spread of Cantonese seafood dishes, like lobster, steamed clams, and the iconic salt and pepper crab.
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Sotto Mare Oysteria and Seafood Restaurant
Sotto Mare is an Italian seafood spot in North Beach serving gigantic bowls of cioppino.
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Kokkari Estiatorio
Kokkari Estiatorio is a FiDi power lunch staple complete with high-backed armchairs, fireplaces, and Greek dishes like lamb chops and saghanaki.
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The Old Clam House
The Old Clam House is a Bayview seafood institution serving perfectly solid fish and chips, clam chowder, and seafood pastas. Clam juice shots are on the house.
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Brazen Head
Brazen Head is a cozy late-night steakhouse in Cow Hollow that looks like an old pub.
SFGuide
25 Classic Restaurants In SF
Eating in the city just wouldn't be the same without these spots.
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Sam Wo Restaurant
Sam Wo has been a Chinatown institution since 1908, and serves everything from BBQ pork noodle rolls and jook to fried rice and chow mein.
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Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ
Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ is the best place for wine, whiskey, and lots of meat with a group.
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Ristorante Allegria
Ristorante Allegria serves fresh pasta in an old bank building that's perfect for big groups.
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Bistro Don Giovanni
Make a reservation at Bistro Don Giovanni to eat excellent homemade pasta with vineyard views.
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Bix
Bix is an old-school American restaurant in Jackson Square that feels like time-traveling back to a 1930s nightclub.
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Red’s Java House
Red’s Java House is a classic SF stop off for a burger and a cold beer on the Embarcadero.
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Gamine
A Cow Hollow French bistro that’ll make you feel like you’re in Paris. Gamine’s got it going on.
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Cheese Board Pizza
Cheese Board Pizza in Berkeley does only one type of pizza every day. It tends to be kind of unusual, but it’s always worth the long wait.
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Sir and Star at The Olema
Sir and Star is one of the best dining experiences in Northern California. Get your ass out to the hunting lodge in Olema.