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Having worked in SoMa for seven years, we consider ourselves at least slightly informed as to what's doing in that neighborhood. So we read the New York Times' "36 Hours: SoMa, San Francisco," with some interest, hoping to see some of our favorite drop-in spots in print.
What we saw instead was a wallet-busting tour of an area that's got a lot of great bargains. Although SFist totally applauds the inclusion of City Kayak's Bay Bridge tour, we were wishing we had seen some of our favorite haunts in print. Why not mention the Cartoon Art Museum? What about the Happy Doughnut on Townsend? (Their coconut muffins are to die for.) Or Primo Patio, which has one of the most delicious snapper sandwiches we've ever tasted? Or Vino e Cucina, which makes exquisite Italian food and offers amazing service? Or the Hotel Utah, which channels the Gold Rush spirit and offers you a burger, all for $5? None of these will break the bank.
And it's also worth noting that if you want to get dim sum on Sunday, you don't go to "Rincon Center." You go to Yank Sing, which happens to be in the Rincon Center.
We're thrilled to see the neighborhood get notice in the paper of record. We just don't think you should have to spend half a paycheck to enjoy it as much as we do. Where are your favorite SoMa bargain spots?
Twilight photo of 3rd St. heading down to Embarcardero from shaneahearn's Flickr page.
SFist Lisa, contributing
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I'm sure your favourite budget SoMa hangouts don't buy advertising in the travel section of the Times.
Ah, Primo Patio's snapper sandwich. I live in the Haight, but I still try to fit in a trip to this joint at least every other month just for Primo Patio's fish dishes.
Chavo's has some great burritos. Carmen's serves decent pork adobo (and other filipino food).
And even though it's been awhile since I've been, Paragon serves pretty good American food.
By the way, the photo is of Bryant street looking down the last "hill" part of Rincon Hill.
Chavo's has some great burritos, but is only open for lunch. Carmen's serves decent pork adobo (and other Filipino food, plus they regularly have karaoke).
All Star Donuts on 5th and Harrison is the best place to get a patty melt at 4 in the morning after you've gotten pretty sticky over at Blow Buddies. Crack hos, cops, homeless, gay men who smell like Aquaglide, and damn good burgers: what's not to love?
By the way, the photo is of Bryant street looking down the last "hill" part of Rincon Hill.
I'll have to try the snapper sandwich. It sounds delish!
k.
Red's Java Hut!
$5 for a burger and a beer....
Do you really want the tourists crowding the cheap spots?
I don't think a tourist would ever dare step over the threshold of the Fremont Bar. Come to think of it, I don't think most locals would either. I have had a few of my very best nights in San Francisco in that place.
pick me up cafe - this is on 3rd, just a little N of the happy donuts (south of townsend). they changed owners recently and the new place is awesome! great BLT with tasty fries for $5..also have some really good pasta, burgers, and decent pizza. this place is getting hell of crowded at lunchtime now because it's so popular with the folks that work around here.
house of hunan - kind of where townsend meets the embarcadero..a fairly straightforward chinese place, lunch specials are around $5 for a ton of food. best kung pao chicken evar! the rest of it, sorta hit or miss depends on the dish and what ya like. i know at least one dude who swears by their general tsao's but personally i ain't into it. on the other hand, the kung pao is light, crispy, very spicy, and has tons of peanuts and zucchini it is awesome.
red's java house - the fish 'n chips are insane, they rival the ones from that other castle place and they also are like the only place in california that will give you tartar sauce.
java house - this is right next to the stadium on embarcadero. no relation to red's.. they have great gyros, and you can get a pretty decent omelette there too. the owner is funny.
cafe centro - in southpark, best egg salad sandwich in the city. their specials (like the tuna casserole) can be really tasty and are pretty cheap. good lemonade too.
mexico au parc - also in south park, this place has really great quesadillas and the burritos and stuff are aight, although probably not quite up to par with stuff you can get in the mission.
liquor store sushi - this place is on the corner across from mcdonalds. it basically looks like a party store but they have a bento box special that is quite inexpensive and the teriyaki is pretty tasty. good if you are in a hurry..
the other liquor store - i don't know what this place is called, it's like a party store on 3rd and embarcadero. great mac+cheese, and they have hot lunch specials that range from "eh" to "omg awesome" (i'm talking about this salmon in butter sauce that they have sometimes it's amazingly tender for something that you can buy alongside a fifth of jack d) yah kind of have to get lucky. deli sandwiches and panini stuff too.
Just chiming in on the Primo Patio. Not only are their fish sandwiches addictive, but the waitress there is one of the best in the city. Once, I came in with a black eye, and she had one, too, and we started telling our battle stories. Good times, good times.
It always warms the cockels of my heart to see the Happy Donut still around in that rapidly developing neighborhood. I hope it persists.