sanfranculture

Whether you’re looking for down-home American cooking, unusual ethnic cuisine, or a fancy-shmancy place to bring out-of-towners, The sanfranculture Restaurant Guide has it all. Read ahead - and prepare to wipe a copious amount of drool from your keyboard.

Prices: $ - Wal-Mart, $$ - The Mall, $$$ - Neiman Marcus.

10. Mel’s Drive-In - $
2165 Lombard, 3355 Geary, 801 Mission, 1050 Van Ness
The first Mel’s Drive-In, at 2165 Lombard, opened its doors in 1985 to give a new generation the opportunity to experience a 1950s diner.  Black-and-white photos of ’50s celebrities and old movie posters cover the walls, and the booths are designed to resemble classic cars, enhancing the drive-in aesthetic. The menu covers all the bases of standard American cuisine, in all its artery-clogging glory. Family- and wallet-friendly.

9. Louis’ - $$
902 Point Lobos Ave.
Boasting a full spread of Breakfast favorites and a delicious Manhattan-style clam chowder made fresh, Louis’ draws the locals on its own merits. However, the real reason to eat at Louis’ is not the food, but the tiny restaurant’s prime location. Perched dramatically on the edge of the cliffs with an awesome ocean view, Louis’ patrons can enjoy a hot, homestyle meal while watching the turbulent waves of Ocean Beach.

8. Pho Hoa Hiep - $
239 Clement
From the outside (and even from the inside), Pho Hoa Hiep looks unspectacular, and tends to blend in with the legions of other Vietnamese noodle houses on Clement. In fact, the more of these joints you visit, the more you get the impression that all Vietnamese cuisine consists of is beef-based noodle soup, with various ingredients added. I can’t describe what it is that makes this place the best, but it is. Best prices, best flavor, friendliest service.

7. Alfred Schilling - $$$
1695 Market
The concept is fairly simple: an entire restaurant centered around chocolate. That’s the theme, at least. The menu itself contains plenty of savory dinner items, but the real reason to visit is to indulge in exquisitely sinful truffles and desserts of all kinds. The French baroque interior screams, “Let them eat cake!” A bit of a tourist trap, but worth a visit on an off-night when the locals come out of the woodwork.

6. Video Cafe - $
5700 Geary
Open 24 hours, the Video Cafe serves delicious, fresh burgers, and, true to its name, always has a video playing. The prices are delectable, the staff is quick and efficient, and the collage of movie posters from all years and genres gives diners something to look at if they aren’t enjoying the night’s movie. A cute touch is the theatre-style marquee above the door that always reads “Now Playing: Thai Me Up”.

5. Crepes on Cole - $
100 Carl
Nestled in the artsy enclave that is Cole Valley, Crepes on Cole serves a complete range of sweet and savory crepes, within the atmosphere of a hip coffee shop. From the local art adorning the walls, right down to the impressively decorated chalk menu boards, the place just oozes San Francisco character. And the crepes are the best I’ve had outside of France.

4. Maya Taqueria - $
16th at Guerrero
The cleanliness of the interior leaves something to be desired, but don’t judge this restaurant by its, er… floors. Maya Taqueria makes the best burrito in the city, hands down. Of all the Mexican eateries in the Mission, this one has the freshest ingredients, best salsas and homemade tortillas to boot. Also, the Mayan theme of the high-ceilinged building is pretty fun.

3. Chapeau! - $$$
1408 Clement
No, the exclamation point isn’t my own judgment. It’s actually a part of the name. According to the menu, “chapeau” alone simply means “hat,” but when you add the ex-point, it becomes “Wow!” And I can’t think of a more fitting name for this great little French restaurant. The interior is always chic and the staff make you feel like one of the family. The owner and head waiter loves to greet each guest personally, and has been known to run after parties as they leave, to shake hands and thank them for dining at Chapeau! Try the filet mignon, french onion soup, pate de foie gras, or any other French delicacy, and prepare to be dazzled.

2. Mandalay - $$
4344 California Street
Even if Thai isn’t your favorite Asian cuisine (and it certainly isn’t mine, not by a long shot), you will love the unusual menu offerings and unique interior of Mandalay. Guests having the option of being seated in booths that are recessed into the floor, on cushions and barefoot. The specials change regularly, but have included mango chicken, pumpkin chicken curry, and other equally creative entrees. The staff treats you like royalty, and the overall experience is well worth the price.

1. Massawa - $
1538 Haight
I’m still fairly sure that the difference between Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine is negligible, but either way, the staff of Massawa embrace their Eritrean heritage wholeheartedly. Serving family-style Eritrean platters and a wide range of Ethiopian beer (as well as honey wine), Massawa has a place in my heart as the best ethnic cuisine in San Francisco. Order a sambusa (meat- or potato-filled pastry) as your appetizer, move into a meat sampler and a veggie sampler (which you will eat with your hands, on a spongy bread called injera), and finish with… baclava. (I can’t explain that one, but it’s great baclava.) Hands down, my favorite restaurant in the city.

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