Zagat’s 2008 “Best Buy” restaurants in San Francisco

December 4, 2007

The plates have been cleared, the votes have been cast, and the results are finally in. Zagat’s 2008 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants Survey compiles the reviews of 8,000 local restaurant-goers to create a master list of what’s new and notable on the culinary map.

Budget-conscious diners have always had lots of options in San Francisco, but Zagat’s "Best Buys" list can be a helpful guide for separating the wheat from the chaff. From burgers to bakeries to brunches to die for, this list compiles 40 of the Bay Area’s best cheap eats.

We’ve gathered all the San Francisco bargain notables into the handy list below, from the five picks near our San Francisco hostels to the 20-plus fueling stations sprinkled around the city’s various neighborhoods. Whether you’re staying close to your hostel or venturing deep into San Francisco, you’ll be sure to find something tasty to fill your belly without emptying your wallet.

Near HI-San Francisco Hostels

• IN-N-OUT BURGER
  8 blocks from the San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel
  "One of the great guilty pleasures of modern life," this "classic" West Coast chain may "lube your arteries," but many consider it a "step above" other "fast-food joints" — and it’s rated the Survey’s No. 1 Bang for the Buck — with its "juicy," "made-to-order burgers" "slathered with sauce and topped with lettuce and tomato," "fresh-cut fries" ("ask for double-dipped" to make them crispier), and "fantastic" "milkshakes made from real ice cream" — and "where do they find such friendly teenagers" to serve them?; N.B. customize your meal by studying the ’secret menu’ on the Web site.
  Cuisine: Hamburgers
  Average meal cost: $8
  333 Jefferson Street (between Jones and Leavenworth)
  in-n-out.com

• SAIGON SANDWICHES
  2 blocks from the San Francisco City Center Hostel
  8 blocks from the San Francisco Downtown Hostel
  "The Tenderloin has its moments and Saigon is one of the good ones" wax "budget-conscious" diners who squeeze into the "teensy, crowded," "like-you’re-on-the-subway" "hole-in-the-wall" for bahn mi, "over-stuffed" with "spicy veggies" and meat; never mind that it’s a "dump and in a bad neighborhood," these "traditional Vietnamese sandwiches" are the "most satisfying thing one can buy for less than $3," and the "ladies hustle" to make them to order; N.B. closes at 5:30 p.m.
  Cuisine: Sandwiches/Vietnamese
  Average meal cost: $6
  560 Larkin Street (at Turk)

• TAQUERIA CAN-CUN
  4 blocks from the San Francisco Downtown Hostel
  6 blocks from the San Francisco City Center Hostel
  "Service is quick, business is bustling, and finding a table is tough" at this "perfect late-night Mexican" trio that’s a "must-stop" "during an evening out" touring the bars; the food is "simple and phenomenal," from the "mean veggie burrito" ("grilled tortillas are especially appreciated") to the "excellent" carne asada — "you’ll be in heaven" as long as you "pardon the cheesy," "mariachi-themed décor" and jukebox that’s a "shock to your senses;" N.B. no alcohol served at the Downtown location.
  Cuisine: Mexican
  Average meal cost: $9
  1003 Market Street (at 6th); also at 2288 Mission Street and 3211 Mission Street

• DOTTIE’S TRUE BLUE CAFE
  2 blocks from the San Francisco Downtown Hostel
  4 blocks from the San Francisco City Center Hostel
  "Gird your loins" and hit the "gritty" Tenderloin for "hearty," "hangover"-curing American breakfasts, brunches and lunches (served till 3 p.m. closing) at this "cheap" "hole-in-the-wall" ’60s-style diner — "the grandfather of all" daytime "joints;" it’s "well worth" the "epic" wait to grab a "great cup of joe" and "sit at the counter" where the "friendly" crew "never rushes you," but "better start walking those S.F. hills right afterwards to burn the calories."
  Cuisine: Diner
  Average meal cost: $17
  522 Jones Street (between Geary and O’Farrell)

• KING OF THAI
  2 blocks from the San Francisco Downtown Hostel
  7 blocks from the San Francisco City Center Hostel
  "Better the later it is" nod night owls who fly over to this "bare-bones" Thai outfit for a "post-bar diversion" that "satisfies" when "you need calories with flavor" delivered "quick to the table;" slurp "saucy, tasty noodles" and other "delicious, accessible" dishes for "under $10" doused with "fishy, spicy or ‘help, I’m on fire’" sauces — what an "unbelievable feast" for "tight budgets;" N.B. the Sloat Blvd. site closes earlier.
  Cuisine: Thai
  Average meal cost: $13
  184 O’Farrell Street (at Powell); also 420 Geary Street, 346 Clement Street, 639 Clement Street, 1507 Sloat Bouelvard, and 1541 Taraval
  

In the Mission District

• ARINELL PIZZA
  Cuisine: Pizza
  Average Meal Cost: $7
  509 Valencia Street

• PAPALOTE MEXICAN GRILL
  Cuisine: Mexican
  Average Meal Cost: $11
  3409 24th Street; also 1777 Fulton Street

• TRULY MEDITERRANEAN
  Cuisine: Mediterranean
  Average Meal Cost: $11
  3109 16th Street
  trulymedsf.com

• LA CUMBRE TAQUERIA
  Cuisine: Mexican
  Average Meal Cost: $11
  515 Valencia Street

• LA TAQUERIA
  Cuisine: Mexican
  Average Meal Cost: $11
  2889 Mission Street

• BURGER JOINT
  Cuisine: Hamburgers
  Average Meal Cost: $13
  807 Valencia Street; also 700 Haight Street

• PANCHO VILLA TAQUERIA
  Cuisine: Mexican
  Average Meal Cost: $12
  3071 16th Street; also Pier 1, The Embarcadero

• JAY’S CHEESESTEAK
  Cuisine: Cheesesteaks
  Average Meal Cost: $11
  3285 21st Street; also 553 Divisadero Street

• TARTINE BAKERY
  Cuisine: Bakery
  Average Meal Cost: $15
  600 Guerrero Street
  tartinebakery.com

• PORK STORE CAFE
  Cuisine: American
  Average Meal Cost: $15
  3122 16th Street; also 1451 Haight Street

• BOOGALOOS
  Cuisine: Southwestern
  Average Meal Cost: $15
  3296 22nd Street
  boogaloossf.com

In Haight-Ashbury / Lower Haight

• ROSAMUNDE SAUSAGE GRILL
  Cuisine: German
  Average Meal Cost: $9
  545 Haight Street

• EL BALAZO
  Cuisine: Mexican
  Average Meal Cost: $12
  1654 Haight Street
  elbalazo.net

• KATE’S KITCHEN
  Cuisine: Southern
  Average Meal Cost: $14
  471 Haight Street

• BURGER JOINT
  Cuisine: Hamburgers
  Average Meal Cost: $13
  700 Haight Street; also 807 Valencia Street

• JAY’S CHEESESTEAK
  Cuisine: Cheesesteaks
  Average Meal Cost: $11
  553 Divisadero Street; also 3285 21st Street

• PORK STORE CAFE
  Cuisine: American
  Average Meal Cost: $15
  1451 Haight Street; also 3122 16th Street

In the Inner Sunset District

• YUMMA’S
  Cuisine: Mediterranean / Middle Eastern
  Average Meal Cost: $12
  721 Irving Street

• PLUTO’S FRESH FOOD FOR A HUNGRY UNIVERSE
  Cuisine: American
  Average Meal Cost: $13
  627 Irving Street; also 3258 Scott Street
  plutosfreshfood.com

In the Inner Richmond District

• GOOD LUCK DIM SUM
  Cuisine: Chinese
  Average Meal Cost: $10
  736 Clement Street

In North Beach / Russian Hill

• BOULANGE BAKERY
  Cuisine: Bakery
  Average Meal Cost: $15
  543 Columbus Avenue; also 1000 Cole Street, 2310 Polk Street, 2043 Fillmore Street, and 1909 Union Street
  baybread.com

• NICK’S CRISPY TACOS
  Cuisine: Mexican
  Average Meal Cost: $12
  2101 Polk Street