San Francisco
Tony Bourdain finds himself in San Francisco, a city known by vegan and vegetarian lovers alike. He discovers that San Francisco is actually a "bare-knuckled, 2-fisted drinking town," where you can get a great meal of raw juicy meat for under $20.
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Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: La Folie
For high-end decadence in Russian Hill, this unintimidating, cozy, French restaurant offers one of the city’s best fine-dining experiences without the stereotypical stuffiness. Chef Roland Passot is in the kitchen every night.
2316 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109-1822
Restaurant
Li Po in Chinatown
This restaurant is named after Li Po, the famous Chinese poet. "San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest in North America." And its mai tais are notoriously lethal. Tony meets with author and chef Danny Bowien.
916 Grant Ave (at Washington St), San Francisco, CA 94108
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: Benders Bar
"Great place for live rock and roll."
806 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
Restaurant
Comstock Saloon
Named after the famous silver miner magnet Henry Comstock. "No-nonsense old-school bar."
155 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Restaurant
Mr. Bing's
Tony's bar hop continues at Mr. Bing’s.
201 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Restaurant
To Hyang
Tony meets his friend Chris Cosentino, chef and owner of Incanto restaurant. To Hyang stays open late and serves food with home-grown ingredients. Tony and Chris enjoy fish head curry, ginseng soju and pork belly.
3815 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118-3210
Restaurant
Sam’s Pizza and Hamburgers
Tony craves a burger after his late- night bar-hopping. He and author-chef Danny Bowien satisfy their craving at Sam’s with a double cheeseburger. What does Tony like on his burger? "Maybe some ketchup, maybe some mayonnaise. Never mustard."
618 Broadway St (at Grant Ave), San Francisco, CA 94133
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: King of Noodles
"The thing to eat are the wontons and noodles made fresh in-house."
1639 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: Yuet Lee
"Most popular after-hours options for 30 years. Open till 3 a.m. Cash only. Salt and pepper prawns are to be recommended."
1300 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: Off the Grid Food Trucks
"These food trucks offer some of the best street food in San Francisco. They notify people of their location via Twitter and are primarily powered by solar panels."
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: Lucero’s Bacon Hot Dogs
"Delicious and sinister, and worth traveling for."
19th and Mission, San Francisco, CA
Restaurant
Chaac Mool
Tony meets up with Caleb Zigas, executive director of La Cocina, a nonprofit incubator kitchen. The 2 visit Chaac Mool for slow-roasted pork.
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: Boccalone
"Only place to experience the incredible, handmade artisanal-cured meats."
1 Ferry Building #21, San Francisco, CA
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: Rosamunde Sausage Grill
"Small restaurant with a cult following. Grilled meat in tube form on French rolls. Up to 2 free accompaniments like sauerkraut, onions, peppers or spicy beef chili. Hell, yes."
2832 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110-3908
Restaurant
Molinari and Sons
Tony's last stop before leaving San Francisco is Molinari’s to satisfy his "fierce need" for a greasy, meaty, Italian sub. Tony orders the Molinari special with vinegar.
1401 Yosemite Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124-3321
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: El Huarache Loco
Run by Veronica Salazar who makes her food to the taste of her hometown, Mexico City.
100 Alemany Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94110
Restaurant
Toronado Bar
Tony goes for an afternoon drink. "Daytime drinking is a tradition here, as it is in any great city," he says. Toronado is a beer bar with 50-plus microbrews on tap and 100 bottled beers.
547 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Restaurant
The Tonga Room
"This (place) is completely, completely, awesome." Tony and Chris share a Lava Bowl for 4. Tony later orders a Bora Bora Horror and a Zombie. Chris orders a Singapore Sling.
Hob Hill 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Restaurant
Rice Paper Scissors
Tony meets up with Oscar Villalon. The 2 head to a "pop-up restaurant," where people pick a location and take it over for a night or a few days. Rice Paper Scissors recreates street food from Vietnam. Tony has shrimp chips and banh mi sandwiches.
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: Zeitgeist
"Zeitgeist is a beer garden with bikers, a great jukebox with local bands and back patio with picnic tables."
199 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: Blue Bottle Coffee
Handcrafted artisanal produced coffee and small breakfast options.
66 Mint St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: The Alembic Bar
"Alembic Bar is where off-duty or pre-shift bartenders head for a high-quality drink." This bar in Haight Ashbury also has a small menu with interesting choices such as duck hearts and quail eggs.
1725 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Restaurant
Swan Oyster Depot
One of Tony's "favorite places to eat in America," Swan Oyster Depot is a casual spot that's first-come, first-serve, so breakfast is the best time to come. Tony and chef Roland Passot order crab butter, oysters and sea urchins.
1517 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109-3606
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: Mission Chinese
Mission Chinese plays on the pop-up idea but is in an actual restaurant -- Lung Shan. It becomes Mission Street Food for most of the week and serves classic Chinese recipes and some of chef Danny’s own creations.
2234 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Restaurant
Tony Also Recommends: Pier 23 Café
"Great to go to on a beautiful warm day, Pier 23 Café is a local hangout with a great view of the bay." Located on the Embarcadero.
San Francisco, CA 94111
Activity
Tony Also Recommends: The Castro Theatre
"The Castro Theatre is the most dramatic movie theater in the city, playing revivals, foreign and indie films and occasional sing-along movie musicals."
429 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114-2019
Activity
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is the geographic center of San Francisco with an amazing view of the city.
San Francisco, CA 94131
Accommodation
The Fairmont Hotel
"Hotel whore that I am, I'm fond of the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Big. Old. Built in 1907, with lots of history and character. Most importantly, a tiki bar in the cellar."
950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Accommodation
Tony Also Recommends: Hotel Des Artes
For a cheaper option, visitors can stay at this funky hotel with innovative décor. Rates begin at just $59 a night.
447 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108
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