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
Review
Chez Panisse Café
You want the Chez Panisse farm-to-table experience, without shelling out $175 per person? The upstairs cafe is the answer.
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Chez Panisse
Chez Panisse is the farm-to-table legend that’s still holding it down. Dinner at the Berkeley institution is lovely, if predictable at times.
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L'Ardoise Bistro
For cozy, classic French, it doesn't get much better than L'Ardoise Bistro in Duboce Triangle.
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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
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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Brazen Head
Brazen Head is a cozy late-night steakhouse in Cow Hollow that looks like an old pub.
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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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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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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.
