I have a 2 hour 45 minute layover at SFO coming up next month. I was hoping to meet some friends for a quick bite to eat outside the airport. Are there any nearby restaurants you can recommend? Is two hours going to be enough time to get to anywhere decent and back?

I think this thread might be of help - as long as you have no baggage to check, you're probably ok if you don't stray far.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314838

Unfortunately, SFO is technically not even in San Francisco, it's in Burlingame. It's a pain to get in and out of that airport, and the freeways that get you into and out of San Fran are ALWAYS a mess. I'd just stay at the airport and eat at PF Changs. I think they put one in there.

I really would not venture out to San Francisco. You MIGHT be safe if you get in around 10am and your stop-over is late morning to mid-day. Anything earlier than 10am or later than 12pm, you're stuck at or near the airport. Plus, if there's a Giants game at SBC or a concert or anything at Candlestick, you're screwed cause the freeways are all crazy.

There's a Benihana in Burlingame. Everyone loves this place. Fanny and Alexander is in Burlingame. The one in San Jose is supposed to be good. That one should be, too. Kinkaid's is great if you like seafood. La Scala is supposed to be good.

If you are in a cab, you can get to Burlingame and back, but will feel pressured. The int'l terminal, outside of security, has some decent quality dining, all of local origins. (No national chains permitted there). The terminal was designed to be a "destination" even for locals, but since only ticketed pax allowed past security, that idea bombed. (There are good dining choices behind Int'l security, too). If you aren't familiar with SFO, it is a quick walk to that terminal from wherever you may have arrived.