San Francisco - SFO layover, lunch options?

I have a 6.5 hour layover in SFO enroute from EWR to HNL, I was wondering if that is enough time to go have lunch in the city? (I land at 9:45AM and the flight is at 4:15PM) If so, does anyone have some recommendations as to where I should go?

Sure, anything over 4 hours is plenty of time and BART is pretty reliable. Tadich Grill is a great choice, very traditional with unique atmosphere and food. But literally dozens of other good restaurants at all price points, this is a foodie city! Everything from Hamburger Mary's to lavish buffet lunch (top of the Hilton, big meal with view).

Everything from Hamburger Mary's ... when were you last in SF? :o

when were you last in SF? :o

Yeah, I thought that was strange, also. Glad you picked it up:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/hamburger-marys-san-francisco

To the OP, I would recommend that you look here for ideas, and yes, you have enough time to get lunch in the city:

http://www.sfgate.com/food/top100/

If you are having lunch at one of the busy "upscale" restaurants at peak lunch hour time, you might want to make a reservation in advance.

See if you can get a seat at the new Michael Mina (right near Tadich). It is bar seating at lunch, so it is very limited. My recent lunch there was great. It is also very convenient to Embarcadero BART. They take reservations. 11:30 would be perfect. Tadich is also good for an old-school fish establishment. You arrive early enough to get there when they open, as they don't take reservations.

Here is a fun idea - take BART from the airport to the 16th and Mission BART stop (about 25 min.) Head north on 16th Street about two blocks and The Monk's Kettle is on the left. Great Belgian Beer and food - make it a beer brunch!
http://www.monkskettle.com/

Here is a fun idea - take BART from the airport to the 16th and Mission BART stop (about 25 min.) Head north on 16th Street about two blocks and The Monk's Kettle is on the left. Great Belgian Beer and food - make it a beer brunch!
http://www.monkskettle.com/

Welcome to Flyertalk StonerB, I'm honored you used your first post to respond to my question.

I looked up Monk's Kettle on the web, and it sounds like its perfect for me and my business associate, so I've decided we're going to try it.

Thanks! :)

when were you last in SF? :oOuch, Hamburger Mary's turned into a chain so now it is everywhere except in SF -- I looked it up, sold in 2001 and closed. I was last in SF a few months ago, but hadn't eaten there since 10+ years ago ... now I know why :) How ironic to have it turn into a franchise and leave its roots behind. Of course the food was secondary, the things you could do with a Harley were mind-numbing. At least Tadich has survived, now that is a place with real character and history and surprisingly good food for a tourist trap :)

Welcome to Flyertalk StonerB, I'm honored you used your first post to respond to my question.

I looked up Monk's Kettle on the web, and it sounds like its perfect for me and my business associate, so I've decided we're going to try it.

Thanks! :)

Not sure if you've been to 16th and Mission before, but if you haven't, know in advance that it looks pretty sketchy. I go through there all the time and feel perfectly safe, but I think most people not familiar with SF, or urban blight in general, might find it a bit disconcerting.

That said, I don't think it's actually any more dangerous than most places in the Mission; it just happens to be a place where quite a few homeless people (and sometimes drug dealers) congregate. I wouldn't avoid it, but don't be surprised by the scene when you come out of Bart.

Not sure if you've been to 16th and Mission before, but if you haven't, know in advance that it looks pretty sketchy. I go through there all the time and feel perfectly safe, but I think most people not familiar with SF, or urban blight in general, might find it a bit disconcerting.

That said, I don't think it's actually any more dangerous than most places in the Mission; it just happens to be a place where quite a few homeless people (and sometimes drug dealers) congregate. I wouldn't avoid it, but don't be surprised by the scene when you come out of Bart.

I used Google street view to "walk" up and down 16th, and you're right I was a little concerned, but now that I have your reassurance that it should be ok, we're still on track for lunch at Monk's Kettle. Can't wait to try some of those beers :D

Not sure if you've been to 16th and Mission before, but if you haven't, know in advance that it looks pretty sketchy. I go through there all the time and feel perfectly safe, but I think most people not familiar with SF, or urban blight in general, might find it a bit disconcerting.

That said, I don't think it's actually any more dangerous than most places in the Mission; it just happens to be a place where quite a few homeless people (and sometimes drug dealers) congregate. I wouldn't avoid it, but don't be surprised by the scene when you come out of Bart.

Good point by rjque - when you emerge from the BART station the immediate area is a bit dodgy, however once you head down 16th it clears out quite a bit and the smells are back to normal.

Also - keep in mind that Monk's does not open until noon. I just noticed that you get in around 10:00.