San Francisco
San Francisco is a glorious place with amazing views all over the city. And luckily going to these restaurants allows you to see the stellar sights of the city. While you should take a detour from the food for the bridge, the street (Lombard), and probably the Wharf, the food is what would have me coming back for me. The bread in this city is to damn die for, and that means the sandwiches, bakeries, pastries, and pizza will be outstanding. This golden city has some great grub, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Burmese/Mandalay Special Noodle and Mango Chicken
Rank: 17
Here we are with a new number one in San Francisco. Mandalay Burmese is an amazing place to snag a variety of Burmese dishes, and while I, unfortunately, was not able to try everything here, I was able to try enough to know that there are two items that must be ordered upon your arrival. The Mango Chicken is some insanely flavorful chicken that is sauteed with mango and topped with onions and some glorious green chili. This is one of the best chicken dishes I have had the luxury of devouring, and I can guarantee you will feel the same.
Not to outdo themselves, but Mandalay Burmese may somehow actually have an even more delicious option on their menu. Their Special Noodles are simply to die for. The coconut chicken is simply heavenly, and yet their noodles are bursting with a lemon flavor. Peas and onions are also an amazing addition to these noodles. Mandalay Burmese Restaurant is a must-stop when in San Francisco.
Bakery/Croissants
Rank: 25
This may be blasphemy to some people, but I cannot deny the deliciousness. Arsicault Bakery has such amazing Croissants they rank higher than the best pastry I had in Paris. These croissants are so damn tasty, when I went to look at pictures of them I actually had to look away because it made my mouth water to new levels. Every croissant you devour here will be fantastic, so literally order as many as you think you can muster down and prepare yourself for most likely one of the best mornings of your life. Anticipate a line, and as expected, if you get here late, there will be no pastries left. So set your alarm and prepare yourself for a spiritual experience of pastries.
Sandwiches
Rank: 30
My oh my if you are in San Francisco there are a few places you need to see before the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, and any sporting event. And here is a hole-in-the-wall deli that serves the best sandwiches on the best bread on the planet (well so far for me at least). The line for this small deli is out the door upon opening, and I assume until close. Little Lucca sells the best sandwich I have ever had, and, well frankly, the top three sandwiches I have ever eaten as I ate three of them.
They have a wide variety of sandwiches to choose from, and there is no way you could go wrong with any of them. My personal favorite was the double meat, which I was told is the most popular. It did not disappoint in any way. The fact that this little hole in the wall is not more well-known is frankly criminal. The bread is the best bread I have ever eaten, and if you don’t get your sandwich here on Dutch Crunch (the best bread ever!) I think you might be insane. The bread is literally to die for, I would go to the ends of the Earth to be able to have a sandwich from Little Lucca’s right now. That bread, as with every sandwich, is what makes it king.
Pastries/Bread
Rank: 103
A small hole-in-the-wall bakery that has a line out the door just like Little Lucca!? You know you are going to the right spot as soon as you see the line out the door. Noe Valley Bakery makes an amazing scone, but the onion sesame baguette is FANTASTIC! I could eat that bread by itself for days on end. I highly recommend going early in the morning to beat the crowd and get yourself an amazingly fresh baguette. The blueberry scone blew me away as the best scone I have ever had. But for me, the baguette was easily the most revolutionary item on the menu, and thinking about eating that baguette right now is making my mouth water. Noe Valley Bakery is a must when you are in San Fran, and that onion sesame baguette is reason enough to make a trip to this little stop.
Chinese/Original Dry Fried Chicken
Rank: 121
San Tung may be a traditional Chinese restaurant in terms of the vastness of their menu. However, I am here to help you pair down the menu to a single glorious item. The original dry-fried chicken wings are all you will need in your life here. They are fried in an outstanding batter with garlic, ginger, and red peppers, and you can taste them all in each bite. These wings pack so much flavor throughout the whole wing, and the ginger, garlic, and spice is balanced perfectly here.
French/Miracle Pancakes
Rank: 137
While Zezie boasts a wide array of amazing breakfast options, I must say the miracle pancakes were the clear highlight here. That being said, they do change per the season. So, I cannot speak to each season, as I have only been to Zezie once (sadly). However, I must assume that every season, these miracle pancakes are always slapping. They are so damn good with seasonal fruit and varied with toppings with what season is current. The season I was there was summer, and my pancakes were topped with blueberries, strawberries, and an orange cream that made my stomach growl just thinking about it. I highly recommend ordering them and coming early, as they can sell out of these.
Pizza
Rank: 194
Holy crap Capo’s knows how to make a pizza. When I say a pizza, I mean the heaviest, heftiest, most packed pizza I have ever had. The stuffed Big Joe Zerilli is a damn undertaking. If you can house food like me, then maybe you could eat it yourself as your first meal. I attempted to down it as my third meal of the day, literally an hour after eating a pie, and I sadly could not finish it on the spot. But for the undertaking of a stuffed pizza alone I think it is worthheading to Capo’s. You can say you attempted to eat a ludicrously large pizza, and, if you go for the Big Joe like me, it will be stuffed with hordes of meat as well. I definitely recommend to the average food enjoyer a less meat stuffed pie, as this Big Joe could be used in weightlifting competitions. But if you have the heart for it, definitely don’t hold back, because it did not disappoint. The pizza itself was a fantastic array of flavors with incredible sauce, crust, and of course cheese and meat. While Capo’s does not end up with lofty expectations of the elite NYC and Chicago pizzas, it does bode well for itself. That needs to be commended.
Breakfast
Rank: 202
Who doesn’t love waking up to a small hole-in-the-wall café and enjoying an amazing breakfast? Art’s is a little café that provides just that. Serving absolutely delicious breakfast with the grilled banana French toast as the highlight here. I don’t understand how people order anything else on the menu with such a mouth-watering option on the table. I would come here for breakfast every day and have this French toast if I could. It is one of the top breakfasts’ joints on my rankings and, while I would rather have Noe Valley’s pastries for breakfast if I am looking to have a sit-down café, Art’s Café would definitely be the spot in San Francisco.
Pizza
Rank: 232
Another installment of pizza in San Francisco. This pizza here a square one that is simply outstanding. I highly recommend calling in ahead of time and ordering a whole pie, as you will not have to wait in the lines for slices that will take a long time. Waiting in the line would still be worth it as this pizza is fantastic. I of course ordered pepperoni and it was fabulous, however every option on this menu will leave you satisfied.
Mexican/Chile Relleno burrito
Rank: 268
Living in Tucson, I have very high Mexican standards, so even trying a Mexican place away from home should be considered a compliment. That place making my site should be seen as a great sign for all of those craving Mexican food while in San Francisco.
The menu here is huge, and I only devoured the Chile Relleno burrito so I cannot speak to the whole menu, however if a Chile Relleno is you cup of tea, I have just the place for you. This burrito is amazing, and the Chile Relleno is damn fantastic, so definitely come get this massive burrito whenever you are in San Fran.
Deli/South Beach Special
Rank: 317
Molinari Deli has been a staple of San Francisco since 1896, and it is clear to see why upon entering this perfect deli. The selection of all Italian cuisine here is definitely what you are looking for in a deli. Additionally, their sandwiches are damn good. Unfortunately I could only try one in my time in the city, and it was the South Beach Special. I definitely would recommend it to all of those who are looking for a fantastic sandwich. The bread is phenomenal, of course, and the flavors are subtle, yet compliment the bread wonderfully. It is full of turkey, artichoke, dried tomatoes, basil, and, of course, provolone cheese. If I return to Molinari I will most likely try a new sandwich just to see what else there is, however I know I would never go wrong with this option.
Brazilian
Rank: 325
DO NOT GET THE PIZZA! Sorry I had to come in hot with this one so you would know the truth. Cybele’s pizza should really re-name themselves to Cybele’s fire Brazilian plates. Their Brazilian food is absolutely amazing, and I deeply regret wasting room in my stomach on the pizza. I went on a Monday, and they have a special Brazilian rib on Mondays that is sooo tasty. I would come again on a Monday for that Brazilian rib, but after looking at the rest of the plates and items on the menu I wish I got one of those instead of the pizza. While Cybele’s is seemingly in the middle of nowhere as another iconic hole-in-the-wall joint, the Brazilian taste here shines through.
Pizza
Rank: 336
Tony’s pizza is good, and they have a wide array of amazing pizza options. While the pizza was good, all the “gold medal winners” on the menu will get you very excited about a potential elite pizza. Sadly, that is not the case as the pizza is good, but it is not revolutionary or elite by any means. I had the Margareta and one other pizza that was not memorable enough for me to record its name. The Margherita is limited to 73 a day, so you would assume it would be fantastic, but unfortunately, it was just a good pie, which is never a bad thing, of course. Tony’s is a nice spot that has a great atmosphere and offers a variety of good pizzas if you are stopping in for a pie, I recommend going away from what I ordered and trying one of the New York pies, as I heard after that those are definitely better than the ones I tried.