raffy
Sep 29, 01, 8:21 pm
Bay Area residents face sticker shock in everything from housing to gas prices. But there are still bargains to be had -- especially when eating out.
We found more than 100 great deals in dining from Martinez to Half Moon Bay and everywhere in between -- including almost 50 places in San Francisco.
Some of our favorite cheap-eats places, like tiny L'Osteria del Forno in North Beach, raised their prices in the past year, but they're still a bargain for the quality of food. However, when we saw that Fuzio's prices went up as much as $2, we took it out of the list. You can have better food for the same price -- or less -- at Chow or Pasta Pomodoro.
And despite rising prices, we didn't raise our bargain cutoff point this year. It's still $10, which means most entree prices have to fall under that. We made a few exceptions for restaurants that include salad, soup or another side dish in the price. Prices listed are usually based on dinner; lunch prices are frequently lower.
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SAN FRANCISCO
ALICE'S RESTAURANT
This Chinese place is just two blocks from another restaurant that looks suspiciously similar in decor, menu design and offerings, but the two vehemently deny any connection. Alice's in Noe Valley serves very good, filling Hunan and Mandarin cuisine. The quaint decor is achieved with soft track lighting and nice touches including pink tablecloths, dainty tea cups and lacquered chopsticks. Lunch is a real bargain -- most entrees are $4.25 and come with rice and soup.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Coconut curry prawns, mu shu pork, hoisin string beans
Prices: $5.75-$9.75
Parking: Street (moderately difficult)
Vitals: 1599 Sanchez St. (at 29th Street); (415) 282-8999. Lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
BRISAS DE ACAPULCO
One of the draws to this Outer Mission restaurant is its late-night hours: open until 3 a.m. on weekends. The other draw is the reasonably priced Mexican-Salvadoran food. Customers can enjoy an assortment of pupusas, enchiladas and more in a cheery, if somewhat utilitarian, atmosphere.
Cuisine: Mexican, Salvadoran
Specialties: Pupusas, ceviche, chorizo enchiladas
Prices: $2.95-$24.95 (for seafood paella for two)
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 3137 Mission St. (near Cesar Chavez Street); (415) 826-1496. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations accepted. Cash only.
BURMA SUPER STAR
This small Inner Richmond restaurant of fers Chinese as well as Burmese dishes, but the Burmese offerings are the specialties and are well-marked on the menu. Enjoy an astringent lemongrass soup and fragrant ginger salad in the simple dining room adorned with a trellis covered with silk plants.
Cuisine: Burmese, Chinese
Specialties: Lemongrass soup, mango salad, ginger salad
Prices: $5.50-$8.95
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 309 Clement St. (between Fourth and Fifth avenues); (415) 387-2147. Open lunch through dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
CAPP'S CORNER
Dinner at this North Beach landmark costs slightly more than the $10 cutoff mark for this article, but Capp's is one of the only places left in the Bay Area where a full meal is served for one price. Pasta dinners come with bread and butter, minestrone, green salad and spumoni; meat main courses also come with pasta.
Cuisine: Italian
Specialties: Roast leg of lamb, osso buco
Prices: $13-$15 for full meals
Parking: Street (difficult); lots nearby
Vitals: 1600 Powell St. (at Green Street); (415) 989-2589. Lunch weekdays, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
CHAVA'S
There may be plenty of places in the Mission serving hand-pressed tortillas, but they don't have the charm of Chava's. This wood- paneled shack decorated with soccer posters is known for its chile verde, chicken mole and, on weekends, menudo.
Cuisine: Mexican
Specialties: Hand-pressed tortillas, chile verde, menudo
Prices: $4.95-$9.95
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 3248 18th St. (at Shotwell Street); (415) 552-9387. Open breakfast through dinner daily. Beer. Cash only. No reservations.
CHOW
Tony Gulisano opened this restaurant more than three years ago, and he's continued to hold the line on prices. Where else can you get filling spaghetti and old-fashioned tomato- sauced meatballs for $6.95? The interior features a bar for single diners and tables crowded into a space that's both homey and happening -- a perfect mix for the Upper Market/ Castro clientele.
Cuisine: Italian
Specialties: Roast chicken, short ribs, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, fire-roasted mussels, homemade pies
Prices: $4.95-$9.95
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 215 Church St. (near Market Street); (415) 552-2469. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
CITRUS CLUB
This long, narrow restaurant in the Haight offers one of the best deals around for Asian noodles. Sit down to a huge bowl of Vietnamese-style beef noodle soup or steaming soba noodles with vegetables. Those who don't want soup can enjoy egg noodles tossed with peanut sauce or splurge on one of the wok-tossed noodles with shrimp for a little more than $7.
Cuisine: Asian noodles
Specialties: Vietnamese-style beef and chicken noodle soups
Prices: $3.75-$7.50
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 1790 Haight St. (near Shrader Street); (415) 387-6366. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
CORIYA HOT POT CITY
Here's a perfect place for a party or casual get-together. Customers gather raw meat and vegetables from a buffet and then head to their seats and cook everything tableside. Food can be grilled or braised in the hot pots. The price includes everything, and diners can go back as often as they like, but there's a $3 additional charge for uneaten food.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Taiwanese-style hot pot
Prices: $11.99 weekdays, $12.99 weekends
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 852 Clement St. (at 10th Avenue); (415) 387-7888. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted. Also at 99 Skyline Plaza, Daly City, and 3288 Pierce St., Richmond. At those locations, hours may differ, and prices are $1 higher.
ERIC'S
Located on a prime corner in Noe Valley, Eric's serves abundant portions of great Hunan and Mandarin fare. Look for some out-of- the-ordinary additions, such as mango to a signature prawn dish or a chiffonade of crispy seaweed to a plate of Shanghai chicken and pine nuts. Colorful orchids, greenery and a carved wooden altar liven the otherwise plain space, which is always packed with hungry customers.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Shanghai chicken, Eric's cakes
Parking: Street (difficult)
Prices: $6.25-$9.95
Vitals: 1500 Church St. (at 27th Street); (415) 282-0919. Lunch weekdays, dinner daily. Beer and wine. Credit cards accepted. No reservations.
FIREWOOD
This small chain featuring pizza, salad, chicken and pasta started in the Castro and has expanded to the Metreon (also good) and into the basement of the old I. Magnin building on Union Square (not so good). The Castro branch is still the best. Order at the counter; the food is brought to the table. It's a cut above what you'd expect for the price.
Cuisine: Italian-California
Specialties: Rotisserie chicken, thin-crusted pizza (try the arugula and prosciutto)
Prices: $6.25-$7.95
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 4248 18th St. (near Diamond Street); (415) 252-0999. Lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
GOURMET CAROUSEL
They say location can make or break a restaurant. In the case of Gourmet Carousel, being one of the few Chinese restaurants in Pacific Heights doesn't hurt. The dark red- themed room is frequently packed with families ordering from the extensive list of great Cantonese and Mandarin cuisines, served in large portions.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Crystal fried prawns, pea sprouts with garlic, whole steamed fish, fried quail
Parking: Street (difficult)
Prices: $4.95-$10
Vitals: 1559 Franklin St. (at Pine Street); (415) 771-2044. Lunch weekdays, dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Beer and wine. Credit cards accepted. Reservations for parties of 10 or more.
HERBIVORE
Bargains aren't only for meat eaters. This Mission District restaurant serves all vegetarian fare in stylish surroundings. Customers can go for the ubiquitous veggie burger or branch out into shawerma made with seitan or a number of noodle dishes. Squeezed-to-order juices are not to be missed.
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Specialties: Fresh-squeezed juices, noodle dishes, veggie burger
Prices: $5.25-$9.75
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 983 Valencia St. (near 21st Street); (415) 826-5657. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Reservations accepted for parties of six or more. Beer and wine. Credit cards accepted.
JAKARTA
While the prices hover right around the bargain cutoff point ($10), this Inner Richmond restaurant offers the best Indonesian food around. The setting is simple, with nice touches including lots of Javanese woodwork. Order anything with the delicious peanut sauce.
Cuisine: Indonesian
Specialties: Gado-gado, Javanese fried chicken
Prices: $6.95-$12.45
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 615 Balboa St. (near Seventh Avenue); (415) 387-5225. Dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
JOE'S CABLE CAR RESTAURANT
The wonderful burgers at this brightly lit restaurant are not only hand-formed, the meat is also ground daily in-house. The extra effort pays off with juicy burgers full of flavor, sold in three sizes.
Cuisine: American
Specialties: Burgers, milk shakes
Prices: $2.25-$9.95
Parking: Free lot
Vitals: 4320 Mission St. (at Silver Avenue); (415) 334-6699. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
JUST WON TON
Plump, succulent wontons reign at this bare-bones restaurant. Enjoy them in a steaming bowl of soup with or without noodles. For those who want something more, the restaurant also serves delicious braised noodle dishes and rice plates.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Wontons, noodle dishes
Prices: $3.35-$6.75
Parking: Street (fairly easy)
Vitals: 1241 Vicente St. (between 23rd and 24th avenues); (415) 681-2999. Open lunch through dinner Tuesday-Sunday. No alcohol or reservations. Credit cards accepted.
KAM PO
It only takes a glance in the window at the crispy-skinned duck or the red pork to know the specialty at this Chinatown restaurant. Many people get the Chinese roasted meats to take home, but there's also seating in the no-nonsense dining room.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Roasted pork, duck, jook
Prices: $1.50-$4.50
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 801 Broadway (at Powell Street); (415) 982-3516. Open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. No liquor, reservations or credit cards.
KHAN TOKE THAI HOUSE
This stylish Thai restaurant also has found a place in our Top 100 guide, not only for its bargain prices and good food but for its design as well. Diners remove their shoes at the door and are led into a room that looks like a Thai temple, with peaked ceilings, wood paneling and low, hand-carved tables. There's also a
good wine list.
Cuisine: Thai
Specialties: Thai crepes, satay, curry prawns, duck salad, chicken with green curry
Prices: $5.95-$11.95
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 5937 Geary Blvd. (near 24rd Avenue); (415) 668-6654. Dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations for four or more. Credit cards accepted.
KING OF THAI NOODLE
Bargain noodles are available late into the night at the two locations of this popular Clement Street restaurant. Some like the brighter, more spacious new location between Fourth and Fifth avenues, but die-hards like the grit of the original space a little farther up Clement. Either way, customers can feast on an array of stir-fried or noodle soups for just a few bucks.
Cuisine: Thai
Specialties: Noodles
Prices: $3.75-$5.50
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 639 Clement St. (near Seventh Avenue); (415) 752-5198. Open lunch through dinner daily. No alcohol, reservations or credit cards.
LA MEDITERRANEE
Bargain-priced Middle Eastern food isn't limited to take-away falafel and shawerma. At the three locations of La Mediterranee, diners can share a meze plate, dig into kebabs or sample pomegranate-marinated chicken drumsticks, all in pleasant -- if loud -- surroundings.
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Specialties: Hummus, kebabs, braised chicken
Prices: $7.50-$8.75
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 2210 Fillmore St. (between Clay and Sacramento streets); (415) 921-2956. Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted. Also locations at 288 Noe St. (near Market Street), San Francisco, (415) 431-7210; and 2936 College Ave. (near Ashby Avenue), Berkeley, (510) 540-7773.
LA TAQUERIA
Of all the taquerias in the Bay Area, this Mission District restaurant is the best. It's been in business more than 25 years, and the interior is feeling its age, but the food is as good as ever, particularly the carnitas. A fresh, fat burrito filled with the meat of your choice, beans and great salsa is just $4; tacos are only $2.50.
Cuisine: Mexican
Specialties: Beef tacos, carnitas burrito, fruit drinks (such as cantaloupe and tangerine)
Prices: $2.50-$4
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 2889 Mission St. (at 25th Street); (415) 285-7117. Lunch through dinner daily. Beer only. No reservations or credit cards accepted.
LA VIE
The food of southern Vietnam is featured at this modest neighborhood spot in the Richmond. The service is good, and the wait staff is ready with suggestions for those in a quandary about what to order.
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Specialties: Roast crab, steamed sea bass with black bean sauce, flaming beef and prawns, beef vinegar fondue
Prices: $7.25-$12.95 Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 5830 Geary Blvd. (near 22nd Avenue); (415) 668-8080. Lunch Saturday-Sunday, dinner daily. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
LITTLE THAI
This neighborhood restaurant moved into slightly larger quarters at Polk and Broadway. It was always popular, but now the crowds line up for Thai fare that's done better than at most places. The downstairs dining room and mezzanine are pleasant, but it's the food that stars.
Cuisine: Thai
Specialties: Minced chicken with basil, coconut chicken soup, bacon-wrapped prawns, green papaya salad, Thai lamb chops, spring rolls
Prices: $5.95-$8.95
Parking: Valet at dinner
Vitals: 2065 Polk St. (at Broadway); (415) 771-5544. Lunch Tuesday-Saturday, dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
L`OSTERIA DEL FORNO
Of all the Italian restaurants in North Beach, L'Osteria del Forno seems the most authentic -- from the smell of fresh-baked focaccia upon entering to the cash-only policy at the end of the meal. The tables are crowded together, and the minute kitchen doesn't even have a stovetop, so everything is roasted or baked. The food is some of the best around, even though prices have increased a couple of dollars over the past year.
Cuisine: Italian
Specialties: Focaccia, pork braised in milk, pasta al forno, crepes Prices: $7-$11
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 519 Columbus Ave. (between Union and Green streets); (415) 982-1124. Open lunch through dinner Wednesday-Monday. Beer and wine. No reservations or credit cards accepted.
LUCKY CREATION
This Chinatown restaurant seems like a Chinese diner, with tables packed close together -- at times actually abutting the neighbor's. The vegetarian food is first-rate. There are many dishes here that aren't available at other places, and many items are priced at less than $5.
Cuisine: Chinese vegetarian
Specialties: Gluten puffs with mushrooms, deep-fried taro fish, vegetables in taro basket, pan-fried noodles, shredded mushrooms in bean curd roll
Prices: $4.40-$6.50
Parking: Street (difficult), some lots nearby
Vitals: 854 Washington St. (between Grant Avenue and Stockton Street); (415) 989-0818. Open lunch through dinner Thursday-Tuesday. Beer and wine. Reservations accepted. Cash only.
MALEE
Mix and match from two extensive menus -- one Thai, one Vietnamese -- at this new Lombard Street restaurant. While the location may be unattractive (it's attached to a motel), the decor is warm and the food is terrific. Chef-owner Malee Johnson, who hails from Honolulu, adds some island twists to the menu.
Cuisine: Thai and Vietnamese Specialties: Thai and Vietnamese pupu (appetizer) platters, Vietnamese clay pot dishes, barbecued shrimp, fresh mango with sticky rice.
Prices: $6.95-$9.95
Parking: Lot and street
Vitals: 1450 Lombard St. (near Van Ness Avenue); (415) 345-9001. Lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
MANDALAY
One of the city's first Burmese restaurants, Mandalay has been going strong for more than 15 years. The food, served in a modest interior filled with folk art, is a good introduction to the wonders of this culture that mixes flavors from China, Thailand and India.
Cuisine: Burmese
Specialties: Ginger or tea salad, curried lamb, mango chicken, Rangoon beef, fish chowder with glass noodles
Prices: $4.95-$7.95
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 4344 California St. (near Sixth Avenue); (415) 386-3895. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
MIFUNE
This Japanese noodle restaurant -- done in dark wood with bright red accents -- has become so popular that the owners opened a second place called Mifune Don in another part of Japan Center. The menus are almost identical. Although some seafood noodle dishes can cost as much as $12, the majority range from $4 to $6.
Cuisine: Japanese (noodles)
Specialties: Udon and soba noodles with various toppings
Prices: $4-$14.50 (for complete dinners)
Parking: Validated parking at Japantown garage
Vitals: 1737 Post St. (in Japan Center); (415) 922-0337. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted. Mifune Don is at 22 Peace Plaza, (415) 346-1993.
MO'S
Customers can hear the pat-pat-pat of ground beef being hand-formed into burgers over the din of music at this diner-style institution. The 7-ounce burger is nicely charred over hot volcanic rocks and served on a soft bun with mayonnaise, onions, lettuce and tomatoes -- all for $4.95. For a little more, add skin-on fries or a variety of toppings, from barbecue sauce, bacon and cheddar cheese to Monterey Jack cheese and avocado. Those who can't handle the guilt of a hamburger can dig into a turkey burger, garden burger or grilled chicken sandwich.
Cuisine: American
Specialties: Hamburgers, skin-on fries, milk shakes
Prices: $4.95-$8
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 1322 Grant Ave. (near Vallejo Street); (415) 788-3779. Lunch and dinner daily, breakfast weekends. Beer and wine. Reservations for parities of eight or more. Credit cards accepted. Also at 772 Folsom St. (near Fourth Street, in Yerba Buena Center), (415) 957-3779.
PARK CHOW
The robust Italian menu is much the same as at the original Chow on Church Street. However, this location has a little bigger -- space, a romantic fireplace tucked away in the corner, and an upstairs room that will seat 25 for a private party.
Cuisine: Italian
Specialties: Spaghetti and meatballs, salads, desserts
Prices: $4.95-$9.95
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 1240 Ninth Ave. (between Irving Street and Lincoln Way); (415) 665-9912. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
PASTA POMODORO
With numerous locations throughout the Bay Area, this pasta chain is still tops. Customers can dive into plates of pasta, split an appetizer, salad or side dish, and still not spend more than $10. No one will feel cheated by portions or by the quality of the food.
Cuisine: Italian
Specialties: Penne puttanesca, gnocchi Bolognese, Caesar salad, tiramisu
Prices: $5.50-$8.95
Parking: Varies by location.
Vitals: Locations throughout the Bay Area. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
PHO HOA-HIEP II
For pho in San Francisco, this location on Irving is one of the best and cheapest. The decor is bright but bland, and the fragrant soup is terrific. A medium-size bowl is more than ample for one person.
Cuisine: Vietnamese soup
Specialties: Pho
Prices: $3.95-$4.50
Parking: Street (sometimes difficult)
Vitals: 1833 Irving St. (between 19th and 20th avenues); (415) 664-0469. Open 10 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily. No alcohol or reservations. Credit cards accepted.
PRIMO PATIO CAFE
Owners Chris and Noel Kelton have been serving what Noel calls ``global tropical'' cuisine for seven years at this SoMa spot. The arrival of Pacific Bell Park and the dot-com onslaught has business booming. The added bonus of this no-frills cafe is alfresco dining in the back. Entrees come with black beans, rice and vegetables, making the food even more of a bargain.
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Caribbean
Specialties: Snapper sandwich, grilled lamb pita, anything with jerk marinade
Prices: $2.75-$8.25
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 214 Townsend St. (near Third Street); (415) 957-1129. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations for four or more. Cash only.
ROOSEVELT TAMALE PARLOR
Beer signs on the wall and a bare-bones interior give character to this Mission District restaurant, which has been under the same ownership since 1922. The menu consists of large portions of popular foods: enchiladas, tamales, tacos, beans and rice.
Cuisine: Mexican
Specialties: Combination plates, enchilada Vera Cruz, pork or chicken tamales
Prices: $6-$9.25
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 2817 24th St. (between Bryant and York streets); (415) 550-9213. Open lunch through dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Beer only. Reservations for five or more. Cash only.
SAIGON SAIGON
This inexpensive Vietnamese restaurant in the hot Valencia corridor has a pleasant ambience, with large windows overlooking the street and a hand-painted ceiling. The food is excellent for the price.
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Specialties: Lemongrass prawns, lamb or beef; fresh mahi mahi with coconut and black pepper sauce; fried quail with greens; spicy mussels; crab in black pepper sauce; barbecued lamb skewers
Prices: $4.25-$10.95
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 1132 Valencia St. (between 22nd and 23rd streets); (415) 206-9635. Lunch weekdays, dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations for large parties. Credit cards accepted.
SAIGON SANDWICHES
We don't know anywhere else where one can get banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) or any other sandwich for about $2. This sliver of a shop in the Tenderloin turns them out from morning to night, packed with house-roasted chicken or pork, shredded carrots, cilantro and jalapenos.
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Specialties: Roast chicken and pork sandwiches
Prices: $1.70-$2.10
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 560 Larkin St. (near Eddy Street); (415) 474-5698. Open 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday. No credit cards, alcohol or reservations.
SAN MIGUEL
Many restaurants in the Mission serve Mexican or Salvadoran food, but not many specialize in Guatemalan. This 40-seat space tucked away on 20th Street does just that, in a cheery environment reminiscent of an open-air market.
Cuisine: Guatemalan
Specialties: Steak with chimchurri sauce, fried fish, chicken with pipian sauce
Prices: $8.25-$12.35
Parking: Street (often difficult), public lot on 21st Street
Vitals: 3520 20th St. (between Mission and Valencia streets); (415) 826-0173. Open lunch through dinner Thursday-Tuesday. Beer and wine. No reservations or credit cards.
SHALIMAR
Our favorite Indian-Pakistani bargain place spruced up its dive-``style'' decor recently. Burgundy cloths now cover the tables, and a white-aproned server brings food from the counter to the table. But the food is the same -- spicy, complex and delicious -- and the prices are just as low.
Cuisine: Indian-Pakistani
Specialties: Chickpeas in spicy red sauce, eggplant stew, tandoori meats
Prices: $3.50-$7.95
Parking: Street (difficult), city lots nearby
Vitals: 532 Jones St. (between Geary and O'Farrell streets); (415) 928-0333. Lunch and dinner daily. No reservations, alcohol or credit cards.
THE SUPREME CHICKEN
One of these places just wasn't enough for San Francisco. A second location opened at 16th and Mission earlier this year. Those who taste the chicken will see what all the fuss is about. Whole or in pieces, the grilled bird has a crispy skin and moist meat. Dinners come with sides of rice, beans and corn tortillas. Three very hungry people can be fed for about $12. Those dining alone can have two pieces of chicken with sides for about $3.
Cuisine: Mexican
Specialties: Grilled chicken
Prices: $2.99-$8.49
Parking: Street (somewhat difficult)
Vitals: 2801 Folsom St. (at 24th Street); (415) 550-1193. Lunch and dinner daily. No reservations or alcohol. Credit cards accepted.
TAIWAN
One can spot this restaurant on Clement Street by the window looking into the kitchen, where chefs make delicious dumplings by hand to be steamed or boiled. Other Chinese dishes with a Taiwanese bent can be selected from the long menu and enjoyed in the high-ceilinged pink dining room.
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Specialties: Dumplings, lion's head, Shanghai-style noodles
Prices: $3.95-$18 (most about $7)
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 445 Clement St. (near Fifth Avenue); (415) 387-1789. Lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations for large parties. Credit cards accepted.
THEP PHANOM
Even though scores of Thai restaurants have opened in the past decade, Thep Phanom still comes out on top. The homey Victorian-meets-Thailand decor and warm service make this a casual standout. Prices may be a dollar or so higher than our $10 limit, but it's still a bargain in our book.
Cuisine: Thai
Specialties: Dancing Ladies (prawns stuffed with crab), fried quail, Thai Tantic Beef, Three's Company (prawns, scallops and calamari in coconut sauce), lemongrass tofu with vegetables
Prices: $7.95-$11.95
Parking: Street (sometimes difficult)
Vitals: 400 Waller St. (at Fillmore Street); (415) 431-2526. Dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
TI COUZ
Sylvie Le Mer has created a charming creperie with the ambience of the French countryside. The menu is limited to huge, delicious Breton crepes -- both savory and sweet. A few salads and soups are thrown in to round out the experience. Open since 1992, the restaurant just keeps getting better.
Cuisine: French (crepes)
Specialties: Tomato, cheese and mushroom crepes; ham, egg and cheese crepes; banana ice cream and Nutella crepes for dessert; hard cider
Prices: $1.95-$10.50
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 3108 16th St. (near Valencia Street); (415) 252-7373. Full bar. Open lunch through dinner daily. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
TIMO'S
One of the first places in the city to serve tapas, Timo's offers colorful food in equally colorful surroundings. It's a great neighborhood place where diners can sit back, enjoy a beverage and a light nibble or a full meal. Tapas are more inexpensive than the larger plates, which can cost $13 or more.
Cuisine: Spanish (tapas)
Specialties: Grilled fish of the day, tortilla Espagnola, sauteed spinach with dried apricots, shrimp al ajillo, roast potatoes with aioli
Prices: $3.75-$13.50
Parking: Street (difficult), public lot on 21st Street
Vitals: 842 Valencia St. (between 19th and 20th streets); (415) 647-0558. Dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
TITA'S
This Hawaiian cafe still manages to be one of the city's best-kept secrets. The decor is serene and calming, the staff friendly, the food wonderful. It's a great place to ``hang loose.''
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Specialties: Kalua pig and cabbage, grilled mahi mahi, coconut pie
Prices: $6.75-$10.95
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 3870 17th St. (between Noe and Sanchez streets); (415) 626-2477. Open lunch through dinner Monday-Friday, brunch through dinner Saturday, brunch Sunday. No alcohol. Reservations for five or more. Credit cards accepted.
TON KIANG
If there is better dim sum in the city, we haven't found it. The dim sum has become so popular that it's now served at night, though it still seems better during the day, when a brigade of dim sum chefs are there to make everything fresh. These small plates, which hover around $3, consist of all kinds of dumplings filled with shrimp, pork or vegetables. The restaurant's interior is brightly lit and always bustling. Hakka cuisine is the specialty of the house.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Dim sum, salt-baked chicken, prawns or chicken in wine sauce
Prices: $2-$6 (for dim sum); regular dishes $8-$22 (for whole fish)
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 5821 Geary Blvd. (between 22nd and 23rd avenues); (415) 386-8530. Open for dim sum daily, beginning at 10:30 on weekdays and earlier on weekends. Beer and wine. Reservations for large parties. Credit cards accepted.
WASHINGTON BAKERY AND RESTAURANT
Customers of this Chinatown restaurant come in for the European- style pastries and cakes that share the cases with Asian cookies and pork buns. But those eating in the brightly lit dining room opt for the 20 kinds of jook or noodle dishes and take the sweets home.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Jook, noodles
Prices: $1.50-$6
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 733 Washington St. (near Grant Avenue); (415) 397-3232. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
YUMMA'S
This Inner Sunset spot may be the best place in the city for shawerma and falafel. Niman Ranch and Rocky Range meats are used, making for delicious shawerma or kebabs. With the deluxe versions, an array of vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini and eggplant are added to the lavash wrap. Another plus: a lovely garden patio in back.
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Specialties: Beef and lamb or chicken shawerma, falafel
Prices: $4.95-$6.50
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 721 Irving St. (between Eighth and Ninth avenues); (415) 682-0763. Open lunch through dinner daily. No alcohol or reservations. Credit cards accepted.
ZAO
In the past year, Zao Noodle Bar added two locations to its expanding chain -- one in the Sunset and another in the Castro. All the branches have the same menu of reasonably priced noodle dishes from Asia. And they all have a similar decor: newspapered walls with red and black accents. The food can be a bit Americanized and is a dollar or two more than it would be at real-deal Asian restaurants. But there are many good options, and the place is ideal for those less experienced in noodle cuisine.
Cuisine: Asian noodles
Specialties: Grilled chicken salad, Vietnamese noodles with pork or vegetables, chicken and noodle soup
Prices: $6.50-$8.25
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 3583 16th St. (near Market Street); (415) 864-2888. Open lunch through dinner daily. No reservations. Credit cards accepted. Other locations: San Francisco -- 2406 California St. (near Fillmore Street), (415) 345-8088; 2031 Chestnut St. (near Fillmore Street), (415) 928-3088; 822 Irving St. (near Ninth Avenue), (415) 682-2828; Palo Alto -- -- 261 University Ave. (between Ramona and Bryant), (650) 328-1988.
Source: SFGate
We found more than 100 great deals in dining from Martinez to Half Moon Bay and everywhere in between -- including almost 50 places in San Francisco.
Some of our favorite cheap-eats places, like tiny L'Osteria del Forno in North Beach, raised their prices in the past year, but they're still a bargain for the quality of food. However, when we saw that Fuzio's prices went up as much as $2, we took it out of the list. You can have better food for the same price -- or less -- at Chow or Pasta Pomodoro.
And despite rising prices, we didn't raise our bargain cutoff point this year. It's still $10, which means most entree prices have to fall under that. We made a few exceptions for restaurants that include salad, soup or another side dish in the price. Prices listed are usually based on dinner; lunch prices are frequently lower.
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SAN FRANCISCO
ALICE'S RESTAURANT
This Chinese place is just two blocks from another restaurant that looks suspiciously similar in decor, menu design and offerings, but the two vehemently deny any connection. Alice's in Noe Valley serves very good, filling Hunan and Mandarin cuisine. The quaint decor is achieved with soft track lighting and nice touches including pink tablecloths, dainty tea cups and lacquered chopsticks. Lunch is a real bargain -- most entrees are $4.25 and come with rice and soup.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Coconut curry prawns, mu shu pork, hoisin string beans
Prices: $5.75-$9.75
Parking: Street (moderately difficult)
Vitals: 1599 Sanchez St. (at 29th Street); (415) 282-8999. Lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
BRISAS DE ACAPULCO
One of the draws to this Outer Mission restaurant is its late-night hours: open until 3 a.m. on weekends. The other draw is the reasonably priced Mexican-Salvadoran food. Customers can enjoy an assortment of pupusas, enchiladas and more in a cheery, if somewhat utilitarian, atmosphere.
Cuisine: Mexican, Salvadoran
Specialties: Pupusas, ceviche, chorizo enchiladas
Prices: $2.95-$24.95 (for seafood paella for two)
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 3137 Mission St. (near Cesar Chavez Street); (415) 826-1496. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations accepted. Cash only.
BURMA SUPER STAR
This small Inner Richmond restaurant of fers Chinese as well as Burmese dishes, but the Burmese offerings are the specialties and are well-marked on the menu. Enjoy an astringent lemongrass soup and fragrant ginger salad in the simple dining room adorned with a trellis covered with silk plants.
Cuisine: Burmese, Chinese
Specialties: Lemongrass soup, mango salad, ginger salad
Prices: $5.50-$8.95
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 309 Clement St. (between Fourth and Fifth avenues); (415) 387-2147. Open lunch through dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
CAPP'S CORNER
Dinner at this North Beach landmark costs slightly more than the $10 cutoff mark for this article, but Capp's is one of the only places left in the Bay Area where a full meal is served for one price. Pasta dinners come with bread and butter, minestrone, green salad and spumoni; meat main courses also come with pasta.
Cuisine: Italian
Specialties: Roast leg of lamb, osso buco
Prices: $13-$15 for full meals
Parking: Street (difficult); lots nearby
Vitals: 1600 Powell St. (at Green Street); (415) 989-2589. Lunch weekdays, dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
CHAVA'S
There may be plenty of places in the Mission serving hand-pressed tortillas, but they don't have the charm of Chava's. This wood- paneled shack decorated with soccer posters is known for its chile verde, chicken mole and, on weekends, menudo.
Cuisine: Mexican
Specialties: Hand-pressed tortillas, chile verde, menudo
Prices: $4.95-$9.95
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 3248 18th St. (at Shotwell Street); (415) 552-9387. Open breakfast through dinner daily. Beer. Cash only. No reservations.
CHOW
Tony Gulisano opened this restaurant more than three years ago, and he's continued to hold the line on prices. Where else can you get filling spaghetti and old-fashioned tomato- sauced meatballs for $6.95? The interior features a bar for single diners and tables crowded into a space that's both homey and happening -- a perfect mix for the Upper Market/ Castro clientele.
Cuisine: Italian
Specialties: Roast chicken, short ribs, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, fire-roasted mussels, homemade pies
Prices: $4.95-$9.95
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 215 Church St. (near Market Street); (415) 552-2469. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
CITRUS CLUB
This long, narrow restaurant in the Haight offers one of the best deals around for Asian noodles. Sit down to a huge bowl of Vietnamese-style beef noodle soup or steaming soba noodles with vegetables. Those who don't want soup can enjoy egg noodles tossed with peanut sauce or splurge on one of the wok-tossed noodles with shrimp for a little more than $7.
Cuisine: Asian noodles
Specialties: Vietnamese-style beef and chicken noodle soups
Prices: $3.75-$7.50
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 1790 Haight St. (near Shrader Street); (415) 387-6366. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
CORIYA HOT POT CITY
Here's a perfect place for a party or casual get-together. Customers gather raw meat and vegetables from a buffet and then head to their seats and cook everything tableside. Food can be grilled or braised in the hot pots. The price includes everything, and diners can go back as often as they like, but there's a $3 additional charge for uneaten food.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Taiwanese-style hot pot
Prices: $11.99 weekdays, $12.99 weekends
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 852 Clement St. (at 10th Avenue); (415) 387-7888. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted. Also at 99 Skyline Plaza, Daly City, and 3288 Pierce St., Richmond. At those locations, hours may differ, and prices are $1 higher.
ERIC'S
Located on a prime corner in Noe Valley, Eric's serves abundant portions of great Hunan and Mandarin fare. Look for some out-of- the-ordinary additions, such as mango to a signature prawn dish or a chiffonade of crispy seaweed to a plate of Shanghai chicken and pine nuts. Colorful orchids, greenery and a carved wooden altar liven the otherwise plain space, which is always packed with hungry customers.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Shanghai chicken, Eric's cakes
Parking: Street (difficult)
Prices: $6.25-$9.95
Vitals: 1500 Church St. (at 27th Street); (415) 282-0919. Lunch weekdays, dinner daily. Beer and wine. Credit cards accepted. No reservations.
FIREWOOD
This small chain featuring pizza, salad, chicken and pasta started in the Castro and has expanded to the Metreon (also good) and into the basement of the old I. Magnin building on Union Square (not so good). The Castro branch is still the best. Order at the counter; the food is brought to the table. It's a cut above what you'd expect for the price.
Cuisine: Italian-California
Specialties: Rotisserie chicken, thin-crusted pizza (try the arugula and prosciutto)
Prices: $6.25-$7.95
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 4248 18th St. (near Diamond Street); (415) 252-0999. Lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
GOURMET CAROUSEL
They say location can make or break a restaurant. In the case of Gourmet Carousel, being one of the few Chinese restaurants in Pacific Heights doesn't hurt. The dark red- themed room is frequently packed with families ordering from the extensive list of great Cantonese and Mandarin cuisines, served in large portions.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Crystal fried prawns, pea sprouts with garlic, whole steamed fish, fried quail
Parking: Street (difficult)
Prices: $4.95-$10
Vitals: 1559 Franklin St. (at Pine Street); (415) 771-2044. Lunch weekdays, dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Beer and wine. Credit cards accepted. Reservations for parties of 10 or more.
HERBIVORE
Bargains aren't only for meat eaters. This Mission District restaurant serves all vegetarian fare in stylish surroundings. Customers can go for the ubiquitous veggie burger or branch out into shawerma made with seitan or a number of noodle dishes. Squeezed-to-order juices are not to be missed.
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Specialties: Fresh-squeezed juices, noodle dishes, veggie burger
Prices: $5.25-$9.75
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 983 Valencia St. (near 21st Street); (415) 826-5657. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Reservations accepted for parties of six or more. Beer and wine. Credit cards accepted.
JAKARTA
While the prices hover right around the bargain cutoff point ($10), this Inner Richmond restaurant offers the best Indonesian food around. The setting is simple, with nice touches including lots of Javanese woodwork. Order anything with the delicious peanut sauce.
Cuisine: Indonesian
Specialties: Gado-gado, Javanese fried chicken
Prices: $6.95-$12.45
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 615 Balboa St. (near Seventh Avenue); (415) 387-5225. Dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
JOE'S CABLE CAR RESTAURANT
The wonderful burgers at this brightly lit restaurant are not only hand-formed, the meat is also ground daily in-house. The extra effort pays off with juicy burgers full of flavor, sold in three sizes.
Cuisine: American
Specialties: Burgers, milk shakes
Prices: $2.25-$9.95
Parking: Free lot
Vitals: 4320 Mission St. (at Silver Avenue); (415) 334-6699. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
JUST WON TON
Plump, succulent wontons reign at this bare-bones restaurant. Enjoy them in a steaming bowl of soup with or without noodles. For those who want something more, the restaurant also serves delicious braised noodle dishes and rice plates.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Wontons, noodle dishes
Prices: $3.35-$6.75
Parking: Street (fairly easy)
Vitals: 1241 Vicente St. (between 23rd and 24th avenues); (415) 681-2999. Open lunch through dinner Tuesday-Sunday. No alcohol or reservations. Credit cards accepted.
KAM PO
It only takes a glance in the window at the crispy-skinned duck or the red pork to know the specialty at this Chinatown restaurant. Many people get the Chinese roasted meats to take home, but there's also seating in the no-nonsense dining room.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Roasted pork, duck, jook
Prices: $1.50-$4.50
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 801 Broadway (at Powell Street); (415) 982-3516. Open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. No liquor, reservations or credit cards.
KHAN TOKE THAI HOUSE
This stylish Thai restaurant also has found a place in our Top 100 guide, not only for its bargain prices and good food but for its design as well. Diners remove their shoes at the door and are led into a room that looks like a Thai temple, with peaked ceilings, wood paneling and low, hand-carved tables. There's also a
good wine list.
Cuisine: Thai
Specialties: Thai crepes, satay, curry prawns, duck salad, chicken with green curry
Prices: $5.95-$11.95
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 5937 Geary Blvd. (near 24rd Avenue); (415) 668-6654. Dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations for four or more. Credit cards accepted.
KING OF THAI NOODLE
Bargain noodles are available late into the night at the two locations of this popular Clement Street restaurant. Some like the brighter, more spacious new location between Fourth and Fifth avenues, but die-hards like the grit of the original space a little farther up Clement. Either way, customers can feast on an array of stir-fried or noodle soups for just a few bucks.
Cuisine: Thai
Specialties: Noodles
Prices: $3.75-$5.50
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 639 Clement St. (near Seventh Avenue); (415) 752-5198. Open lunch through dinner daily. No alcohol, reservations or credit cards.
LA MEDITERRANEE
Bargain-priced Middle Eastern food isn't limited to take-away falafel and shawerma. At the three locations of La Mediterranee, diners can share a meze plate, dig into kebabs or sample pomegranate-marinated chicken drumsticks, all in pleasant -- if loud -- surroundings.
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Specialties: Hummus, kebabs, braised chicken
Prices: $7.50-$8.75
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 2210 Fillmore St. (between Clay and Sacramento streets); (415) 921-2956. Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted. Also locations at 288 Noe St. (near Market Street), San Francisco, (415) 431-7210; and 2936 College Ave. (near Ashby Avenue), Berkeley, (510) 540-7773.
LA TAQUERIA
Of all the taquerias in the Bay Area, this Mission District restaurant is the best. It's been in business more than 25 years, and the interior is feeling its age, but the food is as good as ever, particularly the carnitas. A fresh, fat burrito filled with the meat of your choice, beans and great salsa is just $4; tacos are only $2.50.
Cuisine: Mexican
Specialties: Beef tacos, carnitas burrito, fruit drinks (such as cantaloupe and tangerine)
Prices: $2.50-$4
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 2889 Mission St. (at 25th Street); (415) 285-7117. Lunch through dinner daily. Beer only. No reservations or credit cards accepted.
LA VIE
The food of southern Vietnam is featured at this modest neighborhood spot in the Richmond. The service is good, and the wait staff is ready with suggestions for those in a quandary about what to order.
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Specialties: Roast crab, steamed sea bass with black bean sauce, flaming beef and prawns, beef vinegar fondue
Prices: $7.25-$12.95 Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 5830 Geary Blvd. (near 22nd Avenue); (415) 668-8080. Lunch Saturday-Sunday, dinner daily. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
LITTLE THAI
This neighborhood restaurant moved into slightly larger quarters at Polk and Broadway. It was always popular, but now the crowds line up for Thai fare that's done better than at most places. The downstairs dining room and mezzanine are pleasant, but it's the food that stars.
Cuisine: Thai
Specialties: Minced chicken with basil, coconut chicken soup, bacon-wrapped prawns, green papaya salad, Thai lamb chops, spring rolls
Prices: $5.95-$8.95
Parking: Valet at dinner
Vitals: 2065 Polk St. (at Broadway); (415) 771-5544. Lunch Tuesday-Saturday, dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
L`OSTERIA DEL FORNO
Of all the Italian restaurants in North Beach, L'Osteria del Forno seems the most authentic -- from the smell of fresh-baked focaccia upon entering to the cash-only policy at the end of the meal. The tables are crowded together, and the minute kitchen doesn't even have a stovetop, so everything is roasted or baked. The food is some of the best around, even though prices have increased a couple of dollars over the past year.
Cuisine: Italian
Specialties: Focaccia, pork braised in milk, pasta al forno, crepes Prices: $7-$11
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 519 Columbus Ave. (between Union and Green streets); (415) 982-1124. Open lunch through dinner Wednesday-Monday. Beer and wine. No reservations or credit cards accepted.
LUCKY CREATION
This Chinatown restaurant seems like a Chinese diner, with tables packed close together -- at times actually abutting the neighbor's. The vegetarian food is first-rate. There are many dishes here that aren't available at other places, and many items are priced at less than $5.
Cuisine: Chinese vegetarian
Specialties: Gluten puffs with mushrooms, deep-fried taro fish, vegetables in taro basket, pan-fried noodles, shredded mushrooms in bean curd roll
Prices: $4.40-$6.50
Parking: Street (difficult), some lots nearby
Vitals: 854 Washington St. (between Grant Avenue and Stockton Street); (415) 989-0818. Open lunch through dinner Thursday-Tuesday. Beer and wine. Reservations accepted. Cash only.
MALEE
Mix and match from two extensive menus -- one Thai, one Vietnamese -- at this new Lombard Street restaurant. While the location may be unattractive (it's attached to a motel), the decor is warm and the food is terrific. Chef-owner Malee Johnson, who hails from Honolulu, adds some island twists to the menu.
Cuisine: Thai and Vietnamese Specialties: Thai and Vietnamese pupu (appetizer) platters, Vietnamese clay pot dishes, barbecued shrimp, fresh mango with sticky rice.
Prices: $6.95-$9.95
Parking: Lot and street
Vitals: 1450 Lombard St. (near Van Ness Avenue); (415) 345-9001. Lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
MANDALAY
One of the city's first Burmese restaurants, Mandalay has been going strong for more than 15 years. The food, served in a modest interior filled with folk art, is a good introduction to the wonders of this culture that mixes flavors from China, Thailand and India.
Cuisine: Burmese
Specialties: Ginger or tea salad, curried lamb, mango chicken, Rangoon beef, fish chowder with glass noodles
Prices: $4.95-$7.95
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 4344 California St. (near Sixth Avenue); (415) 386-3895. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
MIFUNE
This Japanese noodle restaurant -- done in dark wood with bright red accents -- has become so popular that the owners opened a second place called Mifune Don in another part of Japan Center. The menus are almost identical. Although some seafood noodle dishes can cost as much as $12, the majority range from $4 to $6.
Cuisine: Japanese (noodles)
Specialties: Udon and soba noodles with various toppings
Prices: $4-$14.50 (for complete dinners)
Parking: Validated parking at Japantown garage
Vitals: 1737 Post St. (in Japan Center); (415) 922-0337. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted. Mifune Don is at 22 Peace Plaza, (415) 346-1993.
MO'S
Customers can hear the pat-pat-pat of ground beef being hand-formed into burgers over the din of music at this diner-style institution. The 7-ounce burger is nicely charred over hot volcanic rocks and served on a soft bun with mayonnaise, onions, lettuce and tomatoes -- all for $4.95. For a little more, add skin-on fries or a variety of toppings, from barbecue sauce, bacon and cheddar cheese to Monterey Jack cheese and avocado. Those who can't handle the guilt of a hamburger can dig into a turkey burger, garden burger or grilled chicken sandwich.
Cuisine: American
Specialties: Hamburgers, skin-on fries, milk shakes
Prices: $4.95-$8
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 1322 Grant Ave. (near Vallejo Street); (415) 788-3779. Lunch and dinner daily, breakfast weekends. Beer and wine. Reservations for parities of eight or more. Credit cards accepted. Also at 772 Folsom St. (near Fourth Street, in Yerba Buena Center), (415) 957-3779.
PARK CHOW
The robust Italian menu is much the same as at the original Chow on Church Street. However, this location has a little bigger -- space, a romantic fireplace tucked away in the corner, and an upstairs room that will seat 25 for a private party.
Cuisine: Italian
Specialties: Spaghetti and meatballs, salads, desserts
Prices: $4.95-$9.95
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 1240 Ninth Ave. (between Irving Street and Lincoln Way); (415) 665-9912. Open lunch through dinner daily. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
PASTA POMODORO
With numerous locations throughout the Bay Area, this pasta chain is still tops. Customers can dive into plates of pasta, split an appetizer, salad or side dish, and still not spend more than $10. No one will feel cheated by portions or by the quality of the food.
Cuisine: Italian
Specialties: Penne puttanesca, gnocchi Bolognese, Caesar salad, tiramisu
Prices: $5.50-$8.95
Parking: Varies by location.
Vitals: Locations throughout the Bay Area. Beer and wine. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
PHO HOA-HIEP II
For pho in San Francisco, this location on Irving is one of the best and cheapest. The decor is bright but bland, and the fragrant soup is terrific. A medium-size bowl is more than ample for one person.
Cuisine: Vietnamese soup
Specialties: Pho
Prices: $3.95-$4.50
Parking: Street (sometimes difficult)
Vitals: 1833 Irving St. (between 19th and 20th avenues); (415) 664-0469. Open 10 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily. No alcohol or reservations. Credit cards accepted.
PRIMO PATIO CAFE
Owners Chris and Noel Kelton have been serving what Noel calls ``global tropical'' cuisine for seven years at this SoMa spot. The arrival of Pacific Bell Park and the dot-com onslaught has business booming. The added bonus of this no-frills cafe is alfresco dining in the back. Entrees come with black beans, rice and vegetables, making the food even more of a bargain.
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Caribbean
Specialties: Snapper sandwich, grilled lamb pita, anything with jerk marinade
Prices: $2.75-$8.25
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 214 Townsend St. (near Third Street); (415) 957-1129. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations for four or more. Cash only.
ROOSEVELT TAMALE PARLOR
Beer signs on the wall and a bare-bones interior give character to this Mission District restaurant, which has been under the same ownership since 1922. The menu consists of large portions of popular foods: enchiladas, tamales, tacos, beans and rice.
Cuisine: Mexican
Specialties: Combination plates, enchilada Vera Cruz, pork or chicken tamales
Prices: $6-$9.25
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 2817 24th St. (between Bryant and York streets); (415) 550-9213. Open lunch through dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Beer only. Reservations for five or more. Cash only.
SAIGON SAIGON
This inexpensive Vietnamese restaurant in the hot Valencia corridor has a pleasant ambience, with large windows overlooking the street and a hand-painted ceiling. The food is excellent for the price.
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Specialties: Lemongrass prawns, lamb or beef; fresh mahi mahi with coconut and black pepper sauce; fried quail with greens; spicy mussels; crab in black pepper sauce; barbecued lamb skewers
Prices: $4.25-$10.95
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 1132 Valencia St. (between 22nd and 23rd streets); (415) 206-9635. Lunch weekdays, dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations for large parties. Credit cards accepted.
SAIGON SANDWICHES
We don't know anywhere else where one can get banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) or any other sandwich for about $2. This sliver of a shop in the Tenderloin turns them out from morning to night, packed with house-roasted chicken or pork, shredded carrots, cilantro and jalapenos.
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Specialties: Roast chicken and pork sandwiches
Prices: $1.70-$2.10
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 560 Larkin St. (near Eddy Street); (415) 474-5698. Open 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday. No credit cards, alcohol or reservations.
SAN MIGUEL
Many restaurants in the Mission serve Mexican or Salvadoran food, but not many specialize in Guatemalan. This 40-seat space tucked away on 20th Street does just that, in a cheery environment reminiscent of an open-air market.
Cuisine: Guatemalan
Specialties: Steak with chimchurri sauce, fried fish, chicken with pipian sauce
Prices: $8.25-$12.35
Parking: Street (often difficult), public lot on 21st Street
Vitals: 3520 20th St. (between Mission and Valencia streets); (415) 826-0173. Open lunch through dinner Thursday-Tuesday. Beer and wine. No reservations or credit cards.
SHALIMAR
Our favorite Indian-Pakistani bargain place spruced up its dive-``style'' decor recently. Burgundy cloths now cover the tables, and a white-aproned server brings food from the counter to the table. But the food is the same -- spicy, complex and delicious -- and the prices are just as low.
Cuisine: Indian-Pakistani
Specialties: Chickpeas in spicy red sauce, eggplant stew, tandoori meats
Prices: $3.50-$7.95
Parking: Street (difficult), city lots nearby
Vitals: 532 Jones St. (between Geary and O'Farrell streets); (415) 928-0333. Lunch and dinner daily. No reservations, alcohol or credit cards.
THE SUPREME CHICKEN
One of these places just wasn't enough for San Francisco. A second location opened at 16th and Mission earlier this year. Those who taste the chicken will see what all the fuss is about. Whole or in pieces, the grilled bird has a crispy skin and moist meat. Dinners come with sides of rice, beans and corn tortillas. Three very hungry people can be fed for about $12. Those dining alone can have two pieces of chicken with sides for about $3.
Cuisine: Mexican
Specialties: Grilled chicken
Prices: $2.99-$8.49
Parking: Street (somewhat difficult)
Vitals: 2801 Folsom St. (at 24th Street); (415) 550-1193. Lunch and dinner daily. No reservations or alcohol. Credit cards accepted.
TAIWAN
One can spot this restaurant on Clement Street by the window looking into the kitchen, where chefs make delicious dumplings by hand to be steamed or boiled. Other Chinese dishes with a Taiwanese bent can be selected from the long menu and enjoyed in the high-ceilinged pink dining room.
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Specialties: Dumplings, lion's head, Shanghai-style noodles
Prices: $3.95-$18 (most about $7)
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 445 Clement St. (near Fifth Avenue); (415) 387-1789. Lunch and dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations for large parties. Credit cards accepted.
THEP PHANOM
Even though scores of Thai restaurants have opened in the past decade, Thep Phanom still comes out on top. The homey Victorian-meets-Thailand decor and warm service make this a casual standout. Prices may be a dollar or so higher than our $10 limit, but it's still a bargain in our book.
Cuisine: Thai
Specialties: Dancing Ladies (prawns stuffed with crab), fried quail, Thai Tantic Beef, Three's Company (prawns, scallops and calamari in coconut sauce), lemongrass tofu with vegetables
Prices: $7.95-$11.95
Parking: Street (sometimes difficult)
Vitals: 400 Waller St. (at Fillmore Street); (415) 431-2526. Dinner daily. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
TI COUZ
Sylvie Le Mer has created a charming creperie with the ambience of the French countryside. The menu is limited to huge, delicious Breton crepes -- both savory and sweet. A few salads and soups are thrown in to round out the experience. Open since 1992, the restaurant just keeps getting better.
Cuisine: French (crepes)
Specialties: Tomato, cheese and mushroom crepes; ham, egg and cheese crepes; banana ice cream and Nutella crepes for dessert; hard cider
Prices: $1.95-$10.50
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 3108 16th St. (near Valencia Street); (415) 252-7373. Full bar. Open lunch through dinner daily. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
TIMO'S
One of the first places in the city to serve tapas, Timo's offers colorful food in equally colorful surroundings. It's a great neighborhood place where diners can sit back, enjoy a beverage and a light nibble or a full meal. Tapas are more inexpensive than the larger plates, which can cost $13 or more.
Cuisine: Spanish (tapas)
Specialties: Grilled fish of the day, tortilla Espagnola, sauteed spinach with dried apricots, shrimp al ajillo, roast potatoes with aioli
Prices: $3.75-$13.50
Parking: Street (difficult), public lot on 21st Street
Vitals: 842 Valencia St. (between 19th and 20th streets); (415) 647-0558. Dinner daily. Full bar. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
TITA'S
This Hawaiian cafe still manages to be one of the city's best-kept secrets. The decor is serene and calming, the staff friendly, the food wonderful. It's a great place to ``hang loose.''
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Specialties: Kalua pig and cabbage, grilled mahi mahi, coconut pie
Prices: $6.75-$10.95
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 3870 17th St. (between Noe and Sanchez streets); (415) 626-2477. Open lunch through dinner Monday-Friday, brunch through dinner Saturday, brunch Sunday. No alcohol. Reservations for five or more. Credit cards accepted.
TON KIANG
If there is better dim sum in the city, we haven't found it. The dim sum has become so popular that it's now served at night, though it still seems better during the day, when a brigade of dim sum chefs are there to make everything fresh. These small plates, which hover around $3, consist of all kinds of dumplings filled with shrimp, pork or vegetables. The restaurant's interior is brightly lit and always bustling. Hakka cuisine is the specialty of the house.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Dim sum, salt-baked chicken, prawns or chicken in wine sauce
Prices: $2-$6 (for dim sum); regular dishes $8-$22 (for whole fish)
Parking: Street (often difficult)
Vitals: 5821 Geary Blvd. (between 22nd and 23rd avenues); (415) 386-8530. Open for dim sum daily, beginning at 10:30 on weekdays and earlier on weekends. Beer and wine. Reservations for large parties. Credit cards accepted.
WASHINGTON BAKERY AND RESTAURANT
Customers of this Chinatown restaurant come in for the European- style pastries and cakes that share the cases with Asian cookies and pork buns. But those eating in the brightly lit dining room opt for the 20 kinds of jook or noodle dishes and take the sweets home.
Cuisine: Chinese
Specialties: Jook, noodles
Prices: $1.50-$6
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 733 Washington St. (near Grant Avenue); (415) 397-3232. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. No reservations. Credit cards accepted.
YUMMA'S
This Inner Sunset spot may be the best place in the city for shawerma and falafel. Niman Ranch and Rocky Range meats are used, making for delicious shawerma or kebabs. With the deluxe versions, an array of vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini and eggplant are added to the lavash wrap. Another plus: a lovely garden patio in back.
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Specialties: Beef and lamb or chicken shawerma, falafel
Prices: $4.95-$6.50
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 721 Irving St. (between Eighth and Ninth avenues); (415) 682-0763. Open lunch through dinner daily. No alcohol or reservations. Credit cards accepted.
ZAO
In the past year, Zao Noodle Bar added two locations to its expanding chain -- one in the Sunset and another in the Castro. All the branches have the same menu of reasonably priced noodle dishes from Asia. And they all have a similar decor: newspapered walls with red and black accents. The food can be a bit Americanized and is a dollar or two more than it would be at real-deal Asian restaurants. But there are many good options, and the place is ideal for those less experienced in noodle cuisine.
Cuisine: Asian noodles
Specialties: Grilled chicken salad, Vietnamese noodles with pork or vegetables, chicken and noodle soup
Prices: $6.50-$8.25
Parking: Street (difficult)
Vitals: 3583 16th St. (near Market Street); (415) 864-2888. Open lunch through dinner daily. No reservations. Credit cards accepted. Other locations: San Francisco -- 2406 California St. (near Fillmore Street), (415) 345-8088; 2031 Chestnut St. (near Fillmore Street), (415) 928-3088; 822 Irving St. (near Ninth Avenue), (415) 682-2828; Palo Alto -- -- 261 University Ave. (between Ramona and Bryant), (650) 328-1988.
Source: SFGate