When traveling to San Francisco, some people enjoy eating like the local people do and not like a tourist. Fortunately, that isn’t hard to do in a city with so many culinary options. Whether here for a day or a month, the six suggestions below reveal where many of the locals hang out and are certainly worth investigating.
Visit a Mexican taco truck
Tacos San Buena and El Gallo Giro were two of the first Mexican restaurants in the San Francisco area to bring food to the street. At a cost of approximately $2.00 per taco, they also offer some of the most affordable street vendor food. Even locals would be hard-pressed to find a better food value in the Bay Area.
Pizzeria Delfina
Located at 2406 California Street, Pizzeria Delfina is a husband and wife operation that celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. It’s widely known for its thin crust pizzas and fresh ingredients inspired by Neapolitan. The restaurant is so popular that people are willing to wait on the sidewalk just for a chance to go inside and order pizza.
Sunday brunch options
With San Francisco known and regarded for its food scene, visitors can expect long lines and big crowds when going out for Sunday brunch. Top restaurants for brunch in the area include Foreign Cinema and Bluestem Brassiere, both of which can accommodate large travel groups and accept reservations.
Sichuan Sizzle
Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, Z & Y Restaurant offers an authentic Chinese food experience like no other. Before coming to Z & Y, Chef Han prepared meals for two sitting Chinese presidents. The restaurant also served President Barack Obama while he was in office. Signature menu items include Szechuan dishes with Z & Y’s famous spicy sauce, vegetarian dishes, and dozens of other authentic Chinese foods difficult to find outside of China. Ingredients are fresh and made to order.
Piccino Café
This bright yellow building is an interesting part of the Dogpatch neighborhood and sits at 1001 Minnesota Street. It offers something for all travelers with a restaurant and separate coffee house. Favorite menu items of locals include organic coffee drinks and mushroom turnovers. Anyone placing a to-go order should pick it up in the coffee house.
Ice cream any time of the year
Whether it’s raining outside or 100 degrees and humid, San Francisco ice cream shop owners pride themselves on their unique offerings in any season. Mitchell’s Ice Cream and Humphry Slocombe are two popular places to stop for a cone, sundae, dish of ice cream, or other delicacy. Mitchell’s Ice Cream boasts avocado milkshakes while Humphry Slocombe’s is the place to go for a tin roof sundae.
Armed with these half-dozen options, visitors to San Francisco should feel confident that their food choices will help them blend in with the locals. Nothing quite says San Francisco than fully enjoying the city’s unique cuisine.