Top Ten Affordable Restaurants in San Francisco (According to a Local!)

Park Chow
see all photos »

10. Park Chow: 1240 9^th Avenue (Inner Sunset)

Little sister of the original Chow is the Castro, Park Chow is a homey, friendly comfort-food kind of place that's not so little at all. If it's room you like, Park Chow delivers -- you can sit at the bar and enjoy a couple cold beers after work, or you can come with your family on a warm weekend and sit outside on the wooden deck upstairs. You can also snuggle with your special someone by the giant fireplace in the main room, or give your dog a rest while you enjoy a fresh salad and people-watching on the front patio. I like Park Chow because it's not stingy with the ambiance, the wait staff is kind and helpful, and they have a few dishes that'll knock you out. Some of my favorites are the Cobb Salad (comes in 3 sizes with 3 different prices,) the wood-oven lasagna, the Arugula pizza, and for desert? Baked pear cobbler all the way. They also have a wide variety of draft beers, wines, and non-alcoholic drinks. The prices are moderate, meaning your average entree is between $9 and $15. Oh yeah, and if you feel like walking off that pear cobbler when you're done, Golden Gate Park is just a block away.

Top 10 Restaurants in San Francisco! (According to me, anyway)

Magnolia Pub & Brewery
see all photos »

9. Taqueria Cancun: 2288 Mission Street (The Mission)

Visitors to the Mission District can find a good Taqueria on pretty much every corner . How do you choose from such variety? Make it easy on yourself and just head to Taqueria Cancun – it's the top burrito of Taquerias in the Mission, with savory, fresh ingredients, fast surface, and super fat helpings of all your favorites. My favorite is a Super Burrito with grilled chicken, black beans, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and hot sauce, all wrapped up in a tasty tortilla and then grilled. The grilled tortilla adds a delightful crunchiness you'll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Vegetarians I know say Taqueria Cancun makes the best veggie burritos in the city. The prices are great. You can fill up for the whole night and wash it down with a refreshing Coke or beer for around $7. Oh, and their Coke is made with sugarcane instead of high fructose corn syrup and served in glass bottles – quite a yummy difference!

Shangrila Vegetarian Restaurant
see all photos »

8. Magnolia Pub & Brewery: 1398 Haight Street (Upper Haight)

Sarah's Ruby Mild, Weather Report Wheat, and Stout of Circumstance are just a taste of the creative names Magnolia's has given their wonderful selection of beers. The uniqueness of the names matches the taste of the beers, which are hand-crafted in Magnolia's own brewery, located below the restaurant. I like coming here after work with a group of friends, especially on Tuesdays when beers are on sale for $3.50 all day. The food is great too, though slightly on the pricey side. Their house-cut French fries with curry ketchup and garlic mayo get your mouth watering, and their portobello mushroom sandwich is to die for. They serve brunch, lunch, dinner, and scrumptious deserts, which you can top off with a savory cappuccino or latte to perk you up for a fun night on Haight Street.

Ali Baba's
see all photos »

7. Shangrila Vegetarian Restaurant: 2026 Irving Street (Outer Sunset)

Shangrila is just a block from my house – lucky me! – but even if it wasn't, I'd still go there at least once a week. Shangrila serves vegetarian and kosher-compliant Chinese food that is not only healthy, but exceptionally yummy. I'm not a vegetarian, but I love their food anyway, particularly the Fragrant Crispy Chicken. Chicken, you ask? The great thing about Shangrila is they have imitation-meat dishes that taste better than actual meat because they don't weight you down like meat often does, and they are spiced and garnished to reach the height of flavor. Other great dishes are the Imitated Sweet and Sour Pork (served in a half-pineapple,) the Pie Pa Tofu Balls, and the Smoked Veggie Duck. Most entrees are around $7 and the helpings are abundant. Shangrila is family-owned and operated by some of the kindest people I've met. They treat you like you're a guest in their home, and always seem happy to see you when you come back (which you inevitably will!)

Taqueria Cancun
see all photos »

6. Sparky's 24 Hour Diner: 242 Church Street (The Castro)

One thing I miss about living in Denver is the copious collection of 24-hour diners splashing their neon against the city sidewalks. What could be better after a night of living it up in the city than a plate of hot fries and and a calorie-fest in the form of a cold milkshake? I'm sad to say it's hard to find a place to stuff your face at 3 in the morning in San Francisco, so there have been many instances I've found myself exclaiming “thank goodness for Sparky's!” Cozy booths, one of the best juke boxes this side of the Duboce Triangle, and sinfully exquisite Specialty Shakes, like the Berry Blast, the Peanut Butter Cup, and the Elvis (peanut butter and banana, of course!), all make Sparky's special. The food is traditional diner fare – nothing spectacular except the Works Burger – and the prices are a bit more than traditional diner prices, but the fun atmosphere and middle-of-the-night munchy-management make Sparky's one of my favorites.

Sparky's 24 Hour Diner
see all photos »

5. Seniore's Pizza: 2415 19^th Avenue (Outer Sunset)

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, hopefully it's Seniore's -- this pizza is incredible! My roommates and I order from here about once a month – the delivery is fast, the slices bountiful, and the cost negligible. You can create your own pizza from a generous list of fresh toppings, or order one of Seniore's specialty pizzas, like the Greek Special (our personal favorite) – that's feta cheese, black olives, fresh tomatoes, pesto, and garlic. They also have specials for vegetarians and meat lovers, not to mention fresh salads (I don't mention them because they're not so great), chicken wings, and garlic bread. Seniore's is definitely the pizza place you want on your speed dial in San Francisco.

Bucca di Beppo
see all photos »

4. PJ's Oyster Bed: 737 Irving Street (Inner Sunset)

I go to PJ's when I want to spoil myself a little bit. While the vibe is friendly and laid back, this delicious creole seafood joint is high class – a great place to go for a celebration or when you just feel like dining in style. The Louisiana crab cakes melt in your mouth and are a great starter, especially with a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc. After that, a plate of Grilled Lamb Chops and Rock Shrimp, or Garlic Crusted Red Snapper will have your taste buds doing back flips. Top it all off with a slice of Devastating Swamp Pie and a mug of Irish Coffee – delicious! Entrees run from $12 - $23, and with drinks and desert, the bill can run a bit high, but the food and the service are well worth digging a little deeper into your wallet, especially on a special occasion.

PJ's Oyster Bed
see all photos »

3. Buca di Beppo: 855 Howard Street (Downtown)

Italian food is my favorite, and this warm and friendly house of authentic Italian cuisine doesn't disappoint. I went here on my birthday my first year in San Francisco, and I still remember what I had: the Quattro Al Forno. They have an awesome selection of baked pasta specials, and if you order the Quattro Al Forno, you get to try them all. They have all the dishes you'd expect, like spaghetti with meatballs, lasagna, ravioli, etc., but they also have plenty of unique dishes, like the Apple Gorgonzola Salad, and the Gnocchial Telefono.The wait staff are friendly and helpful, the ambiance cozy. This is a great place to go with a group of friends or with family.

Seniore's Pizza
see all photos »

2. Ali Baba's Cave: 531 Haight Street (Lower Haight)

I had no idea I loved Mediterranean food until I ate at Ali Baba's Cave, a little cafe-like restaurant tucked away in the Lower Haight. This isn't a fancy place, but it's a top rate little spot to stop for lunch or when you need something to go. In the dining area, they have a cozy little nook with colorful pillows placed around a circular table – I've snuggled in here many times with a good book and a plate of Lamb Shawerma , my absolute favorite dish at Ali Baba's. The lamb is tender, and the fixings are amazing – I think it's the creamy sauce and the slivers of fried potato that really kick it over the top. They also have great vegetarian plates, like falafel and salad, and everything is very tender on the wallet. Don't leave San Francisco without stopping in here for a bite!

All You Knead
see all photos »

1. All You Knead:1466 Haight Street (Upper Haight)

In the end, I like to keep it simple. All You Knead is truly all you want to kick back in comfort, dine on fresh, homemade-tasting food, get treated like a friend, and not pay too much for the pleasure of it. Cozy booths, great music, and a giant fish tank keep you comfortable and entertained as you dig into the freshest diner food around. I recommend their seasoned French fries dipped in a side of homemade ranch dressing alongside a pint of Red Hook. Or, if you're embracing the healthier you, try the Gorgonzola Chicken Salad or the Veggie Hamburger. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner – a great place to come with friends, family, or on your own.