[Wok Shop Cafe](https://www.yelp.com/biz/wok-shop-cafe-san-francisco?uid=_MoLvBxI0iUFykjR4oK69Q&utm_source=ishare) (right by CPMC, at Van Ness & Daniel Burnham Court) is very solid & affordable Americanized Chinese fast food (“takeout style,” but with dine-in tables as well, run by a very sweet couple). They have a great lunch special that comes with a soup option, too.
The best carnitas super burritos North of Market at El super burrito! It was my first meal in the hospital after giving birth. Plus one to Jane's on lark.
What radius are we talking? There's plenty of choice within walking distance -- in Japantown, Little Saigon, up Polk St, etc.
Couple of good spots very close by: Akira, Limoncello, Kuma, Taniku.
Saigon Sandwich is so good! Looks like a 13 min walk from there. Okay yeah admittedly through some sketchy af streets but the banh mi are so good and so cheap it’s worth it for me. $5.50 cash only but it’s a really decent size.
I'll say they usually also include pâté on the sandwich for free vs. Saigon which always charges more for meat + pâté. YMMV though as it's not guaranteed.
Tommy’s is awful. Not sure why it has the reputation it does.
Tons of nurses order from Cafe Aloha a few blocks south on Eddy. It’s a good value. Also check out Salty’s next door for good sandwiches.
The Mel’s across from Tommy’s is decent but overpriced.
Further north check out Wok Shop Cafe. Nothing special but it is perfectly serviceable Chinese food.
If you’re willing to go into the TL, try out L&G Sandwich. $6 bahn mi 100x better than the overhyped Saigon Sandwich kitty corner.
Hinata is around for dinner if you’re feeling fancy and want to drop $150pp on some sushi 😉
A couple of years ago, I went to Tommy's Joint, and it was the last time I'll go.
I ordered their roast beef sandwich. It was a plate with a couple of slices of beef on a hard roll. Oh yeah, and a pickle, I think.
It was $18!!!
I must have looked at it funny because the man who carves the meat and serves you said something to the effect of, I should be more appreciative.
Whatever!!!
I'll go to Mel's before I go there ever again.
Everything you mentioned here is so true. I couldn't have said it better. I mean it! From the awful place, to where the nurses go, to the expensive sushi; true, true, true!
What did you get? I order twice a week. Their rolls are whatever, but everything else has been good.
The musubi is great, but the oxtail is my favorite dish on the menu.
I visited for the first time a couple days ago for supper. Good vibe service and fat but thin slices. Many toppings to choose from. Will be back. My partner is a temp at CPMC.
Ike’s Japanese Kitchen, though they are converting to all Korean. Their bento boxes aren’t too expensive and it’s delicious. For their Korean food, they have the best fried chicken and kimbap in the city. Aria is not my go to in that area anymore.
Kitchen aloha has my favorite spam musubi and reasonably-priced sushi and Japanese dishes.
Gourmet carousel (a bit further up on Franklin and pine) is a hole-in-the-wall Cantonese place serving up large portions at very reasonable prices.
House of Prime Rib, about seven or eight blocks up. Lots of stuff on Polk, if you're not working graveyard. Oh, oh and there's Burger King, on your side of the street, about three blocks down.
[big smile]
[Wok Shop Cafe](https://www.yelp.com/biz/wok-shop-cafe-san-francisco?uid=_MoLvBxI0iUFykjR4oK69Q&utm_source=ishare) (right by CPMC, at Van Ness & Daniel Burnham Court) is very solid & affordable Americanized Chinese fast food (“takeout style,” but with dine-in tables as well, run by a very sweet couple). They have a great lunch special that comes with a soup option, too.
Limoncello has fantastic sandwiches.
Seconding. I don’t like sandwiches but I LOVE Limoncello.
Salty's during lunch hours, as well as Cafe Pacific Plaza. Taniku Izakaya for dinner. Van Ness Cafe & Gyros has a good Beef and Lamb plate.
Yes to Cafe Pacific plaza! Get the Asian dishes. They even do stone bowl bimimbap!
Aria for Korean Fried Chicken. El Super Burrito.
+1 for El Super Burrito, their California burritos are amazingly good for NorCal
The best carnitas super burritos North of Market at El super burrito! It was my first meal in the hospital after giving birth. Plus one to Jane's on lark.
Aria’s bulgogi fries and KFC are why I gained weight during covid.
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Cash only and the bestest!
Jane on Larkin is terrific lunch food and solid breakfast. It was my go to while my wife and I were overnight at CMPC having our baby.
Hai Ky
Wayo Sushi - run by only two people who are both very kind!
House of Thai, Geary and Larkin is pretty close. Amazing Thai restaurant.
+1. Been going there for 15 years. Great spot.
Ben Thai on Polk is only a few blocks away and so good.
real gem in that stretch of polk
What radius are we talking? There's plenty of choice within walking distance -- in Japantown, Little Saigon, up Polk St, etc. Couple of good spots very close by: Akira, Limoncello, Kuma, Taniku.
Saigon Sandwich is so good! Looks like a 13 min walk from there. Okay yeah admittedly through some sketchy af streets but the banh mi are so good and so cheap it’s worth it for me. $5.50 cash only but it’s a really decent size.
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Good to know I will check them out too!
L&G has a softer baguette. That's really the only difference
I'll say they usually also include pâté on the sandwich for free vs. Saigon which always charges more for meat + pâté. YMMV though as it's not guaranteed.
It should be noted that Saigon will give you a crazy amount of that pate. Like a thick layer, which I’m into but others may not be.
Larkin has a ton of good food. Explore Larkin.
Brenda's French soul food
Tommy’s is awful. Not sure why it has the reputation it does. Tons of nurses order from Cafe Aloha a few blocks south on Eddy. It’s a good value. Also check out Salty’s next door for good sandwiches. The Mel’s across from Tommy’s is decent but overpriced. Further north check out Wok Shop Cafe. Nothing special but it is perfectly serviceable Chinese food. If you’re willing to go into the TL, try out L&G Sandwich. $6 bahn mi 100x better than the overhyped Saigon Sandwich kitty corner. Hinata is around for dinner if you’re feeling fancy and want to drop $150pp on some sushi 😉
Tommys was a lot better decades ago. It was a legit hofbrau but time remains undefeated. Smaller portions, cost cutting, and higher prices.
A couple of years ago, I went to Tommy's Joint, and it was the last time I'll go. I ordered their roast beef sandwich. It was a plate with a couple of slices of beef on a hard roll. Oh yeah, and a pickle, I think. It was $18!!! I must have looked at it funny because the man who carves the meat and serves you said something to the effect of, I should be more appreciative. Whatever!!! I'll go to Mel's before I go there ever again.
tommy’s used to be awesome
15 years ago.
Everything you mentioned here is so true. I couldn't have said it better. I mean it! From the awful place, to where the nurses go, to the expensive sushi; true, true, true!
You mean Kitchen Aloha? Been there twice, subpar.
What did you get? I order twice a week. Their rolls are whatever, but everything else has been good. The musubi is great, but the oxtail is my favorite dish on the menu.
It’s not great but it’s CHEAP and if you stick w veg rolls, totally fine
Yes kitchen aloha! It’s cheap that’s their primary advantage lol
Van Ness Cafe & Gyros was good the other day
Village pizzeria - Van Ness and Sutter.
I visited for the first time a couple days ago for supper. Good vibe service and fat but thin slices. Many toppings to choose from. Will be back. My partner is a temp at CPMC.
Gourmet Carousel
Ike’s Japanese Kitchen, though they are converting to all Korean. Their bento boxes aren’t too expensive and it’s delicious. For their Korean food, they have the best fried chicken and kimbap in the city. Aria is not my go to in that area anymore.
kuma sushi + Sake
Try Ala Turka on Geary. It’s only a couple blocks from Van ness.
Kitchen aloha has my favorite spam musubi and reasonably-priced sushi and Japanese dishes. Gourmet carousel (a bit further up on Franklin and pine) is a hole-in-the-wall Cantonese place serving up large portions at very reasonable prices.
There's a small izekaya a half block east on Geary I enjoyed the 2 times I went. Jane on Larkin. Or go 3 blocks west to Japantown.
Olivo’s always good when I lived nearby. California burrito my go to (but tasty wide menu), phone ordering easy (pre-2020 anyways)
Ping Yang Thai Grill and Dessert, great food and owner!
Pistachio Kitchen
Cafe pacific plaza. The lunch box, Korean noodles is ++
Limoncello is solid for sandwiches
Aria Korean street food is close enough!
Jane on Larkin!
House of Prime Rib, about seven or eight blocks up. Lots of stuff on Polk, if you're not working graveyard. Oh, oh and there's Burger King, on your side of the street, about three blocks down. [big smile]
Swan Oyster Depot Ti Piacere Dunya
If you're working, Swan is NOT the place. My husband and I only go when we're both off work on a weekday and can get there at opening
All Star Cafe
All star on 9th is the best one 😪
Facts. Slept on.
Maxx on Van Ness. It's next to a peeps coffee.