The Bay Area

according to the

Halfghan Chef

The Bay Area

according to the

Halfghan Chef

Afghan

  • Description
    Considered the best Afghan Restaurant in the US. Karzai-family owned!

    Location
    430 Broadway, SF (near North Beach); 415.362.0641

    Specialties
    The dumplings (Aushaak & Mantou) & pumpkin (Kadu) is excellent.

Sushi

  • Description
    Great spot. Wonderful sake / shochu selection.

    Location
    1306 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA
    (415) 567-7664

    Specialties
    Overall solid sush. Waiters sit with you and help you order. Slightly pricey.

  • Description
    Considered one of the best restaurants in Northern California and best sushi on the West Coast, great sake menu, pricey.

    Location
    107 Caledonia St, Sausalito; 415.332.3620; www.sushiran.com

    Specialties
    Amazing quality everything: rolls, sashimi, specialty items; reservations often necessary.

  • Description
    Excellent sushi and robata grill.

    Location
    Berkeley

    Specialties
    Pretty much the go-to sushi restaurant now.

  • Description
    No frills, mom-and-pop sushi restaurant. Very reasonable

    Location
    San Francisco

    Specialties
    —

  • Description
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    Location
    San Francisco

    Specialties
    —

  • Description
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    Location
    Berkeley

    Specialties
    —

  • Description
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    Location
    1040 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

    Specialties
    Solid spot in near the Great American Music Hall

Mexican

  • Description
    High-end, sit-down Mexican food

    Location
    303 2nd St, SF (@ Harrison); 415.543.2928; www.mayasf.net

    Specialties
    Great southern-mexican fare - cuisine of Aculpulco; great margaritas

  • Description
    Somewhat high-end, sit-down Mexican food

    Location
    130 Townsend St, SF (@ 2nd St); 415.227.0500; www.tresagaves.com

    Specialties
    Good food, great tequila & margarita selection.

  • Description
    Classic taqueria; colossol burritos, fresh, cheap, good, open late (till ~ 3am).

    Location
    2779 Mission St, SF (btwn 23rd & 24th); 415.824.7877

    Specialties
    The super burritos (carne asada & pollo asado) are great, as are the quesadillas, etc. Open late.

  • Description
    Classic taqueria; tacos, tacos, tacos!!! Fresh, cheap & good.

    Location
    2889 Mission St, SF (btwn 24rd & 25th); 415.285.7117

    Specialties
    This place is known for its tacos (crispy especially - they're amazing). Check'm out.

  • Description
    All around great Mexican food, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, etc.

    Location
    24 S Park St, SF; 415.495.0409

    Specialties
    Burrito with Mole' Chicken.

  • Description
    Classic taqueria; great super burritos.

    Location
    Multiple locations in Bay Area. 1 SF Location: 1239 9th Ave, SF (@ Lincoln near GG Park)

    Specialties
    The carnitas super burrito (w/ guacamole, s. cream & hot sauce) is by far the best I've ever had.

  • Description
    High-end, sit-down Mexican food (Nice view of SF).

    Location
    5 Main St, Tiburon; 415.435.6300; www.guaymas.com

    Specialties
    Great Mexican fare: seafood, mole' sauce, etc.

  • Description
    Local, tasty Mexican food

    Location
    646 State Highway 12, Rio Vista, CA 94571; (707) 374-5359

    Specialties
    Excellent tamales, salsa, etc.

Chinese

  • Description
    Popular Chinese in China Town, quick service, tasty, not expensive.

    Location
    919 Kearney St, SF (btwn Broadway & Pacific); 415.421.1429

    Specialties
    Generally tasty, cheap, Mandarin & Hunan Chinese food.

  • Description
    Authentic Cantonese-inspired restaurant

    Location
    631 Kearny St San Francisco, CA 94108
    (415) 982-7877

    Specialties
    Crab specialties are great.

  • Description
    Really good Chinese food; somewhat off the beaten path in Noe Valley.

    Location
    1500 Church St, SF (@ 27th St); 415.282.0919

    Specialties
    Solid Chinese food. Try the savory/sweet Mango Prawns and General Tso's Chicken.

  • Description
    Pretty much my favorite Chinese food in the Bay Area.

    Location
    2914 College Avenue (btwn Ashby & Webster); 510.883.1777

    Specialties
    Very fresh, clean & tasty Northern Chinese;

Italian

  • Description
    Friend John's place. Homemade salumi, pizza, antipasti.

    Location
    Oakland

    Specialties
    Pizzas, pastas, desserts, antipasti. All fresh and excellent.

Burgers &

Sandwiches

  • Description
    Used to be my favorite burger joint in the Bay Area. Haven't been in a while but still going strong.

    Location
    Multiple locations in Bay Area & LA (Check website: www.barneyshamburgers.com); 1 SF Location: 4138 24th St, SF (@ Castro); 415.282.7770.

    Specialties
    Try the Western Burger and Steak Fries or Spicy Curly Fries.

  • Description
    The best in fast food burgers.

    Location
    Multiple locations (Check website: www.in-n-out.com).

    Specialties
    Double-Double Animal Style, with raw-diced onions mixed with sauteed onions. You'll love it.

  • Description
    Considered by many to be the best in SF. Owed by my buddy from high school.

    Location
    2240 Mission St.
    SF, CA 94110
    +1 (415) 745-9371

    Specialties
    —

  • Description
    Considered one of the best pastrami reuben sandwiches in America.

    Location
    San Carlos

    Specialties
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Burmese

  • Description
    —

    Location
    4721 Telegraph Ave (between 47th St & 48th St)
    Oakland, CA 94609, +1.510.652.2900; 309 Clement St
    (between 4th Ave & 5th Ave)
    San Francisco, CA 94118
    (415) 387-2147
    http://www.burmasuperstar.com

    Specialties
    Excellent curries, asian salads, noodles, etc. Great cocktails too.

Seafood

  • Description
    Solid fish offerings. Wines. Right at the Pacific Ocean.

    Location
    Princeton by the Sea
    281 Capistrano Rd
    Half Moon Bay, CA 94018
    (650) 728-7049

    Specialties
    Calamari, fish 'n' chips, lobsters / crab rolls, etc.