good, unique SF restaurants for families with teenagers?

Question

i am searching for dining ideas, anywhere in SF. i have an 11 and 13 yr old. someplace that is not the typical chain restaurant maybe? or something unique to the area, or local? when i go on vacation i don't really want to eat at the same place i can go to here at home!

thanks

Answer 1

Check out the Steps Of Rome (Ital), Goat Hill Pizza, Memphis Minnie's (BBQ),Taylor's Refresher (Burgers & such), Jillian's (you'd have to look into when they "kick out" the kids), El Farolito (Mexi), or Pacific Catch (Seafood). There are so many options, but this is a well rounded list that shouldn't be too touristy, be really yummy, and should be great for you and your family. Enjoy your trip!

Answer 2

Unique Sf Restaurants

Answer 3

North Beach is full of lots of great little Italian restaurants. Avoid the ones with long lines and go for anything with a decent menu. They should have things that your kids would want.

Another local favorite is the Ferry Building, where they have a farmer's market as well as lots of stands selling gourmet food. It would be a great place to explore and try new things.

Another place that I have heard of, and want to go to, is called "The Stinking Rose" and serves all kinds of garlic flavored food.

There's also Pier 39, which has touristy chain restaurants that you might not have at home (like Bubba Gump's Shrimp and the Rainforest Cafe), as well as the famous Dungeoness clam chowder. While the locals don't go there much, your kids would probably have fun there.

Answer 4

Tommy's Joynt on Van Ness. Old school SF restaurant. Lots of junk on the walls to look at, good Hof Brau food. Lots of different beers for the of age crowd.

Oh and reasonably priced.

Stay away from anything on the wharf or Pier 39, can you say tourist trap.

Enjoy your visit.

Answer 5

El Mansour. It is moroccan food, and my family has been eating there for years! It's a little pricey, but you can't beat the atmosphere. On the weekends (and some weeknights) they have a belly dancer. They are on Clement out by the beach. You sit on cushions and eat with you hands, which is radically different form most places.

Answer 6

Teens usually are reluctant to try new food so knowing the best places for burgers, tacos, and italian may help.

Italian
Original Joe’s 140 Taylor – Old fashioned stick to your ribs Italian food. Huge portions! Are good before or after theatre experience. Watch out, the garlic bread is radioactive. Yummy, but you’ll exude garlic for a half life. This is the restaurant that originated the open kitchen concept. The room is very retro and the neighborhood ensures an eclectic clientele.
Gaspare’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant 5546 Geary @ 20th Avenue. This is the kind of place that reminds east coast folks of their pizza places, plastic grapes hang from the ceiling, That’s Amore on the juke box, excellent calzone and pizza, great pasta with your choice of traditional sauces. A neighborhood favorite with families and couples alike.

American favorites
Judy’s on Chestnut at Scott- My favorite brunch place in the city. Huge omelets served with your choice of English muffin, home made blueberry muffin or pumpkin loaf [my favorite]. Order a side of potatoes to share, these are, bar none, the best home fried potatoes in the world.
Izzys on Steiner at Lombard: - This SF institution is known for steaks, seafood and stiff drinks. Eclectic historical pics decorate this dark wood paneled favorite. Don’t miss the creamed spinach, Popeye would give up the canned stuff in a minute for theirs.
Pluto’s on Scott between Lombard and Chestnut-Fast food that is fresh, and eclectic. No fancy waiters just good basic food, unusual sandwiches, custom salads, and great side dishes.
Balboa Café 3199 Fillmore – Good burgers and salads, not bad crab cakes and other California Style cuisine at this old boy feel restaurant. Started by our current mayor some 20 years ago, a favorite with the 30 something crowd.
Barneys Gourmet Burgers 3344 Steiner Street. Great burgers of beef, chicken or the Veggie sort.
www.barneyshamburgers.com/

Mexican
The Latin heart of the city is in the mission. Taquarias are a great bet for a cheap and very filling lunch. My personal favorites are El Toro on Valencia at 17th or their sister restaurant Pancho Villa on 16th between Valencia and Mission. Split a burrito if you don’t want food coma and enjoy the house made aqua frescas!
La Mexicalli 900 Block of Sutter – good Mexican food.
Zapita on 18th & Collingwood in the Castro is also very good.

If your kids like Chinese try:
Henry’s Hunan at 674 Sacramento, on Battery at Broadway or between 2nd and New Montgomery and Harrison and Folsom south of Market near the MOMA. - Great Chinese don’t miss Diana’s Meat Pie
Tai Chi on Polk at Broadway – The best shrimp won ton soup and General Tso’s chicken in the city.
Expensive but scrumptious dim sum at Yank Sing 101 Spear.
Cheap but good dim sum at Louie’s on Stockton at Broadway

And if you all like food adventures try:
Axum on Haight at Pierce - Ethiopian food. The best in the city in my book. If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food do so, spicy, hot, and the bread you eat with is unlike anything you’ve ever tried.
La Mediterranee on Noe at Castro great Middle Eastern food, friendly and filling.

Answer 7

Orphan Andy's has great food for breakfast and lunch and probably dinner, too. I am not sure where it is, but I think it was near the Castro District. It was a lot of fun. I went when I was 17 or 18 with my dad and brother.

Answer 8

Rainforest cafe and bennihannas. At the rainforest cafe every 2 minutes the trees and animals come to life. It is very cool. and Bennihenas is fun because they make your food right in front of you. They entertain you the whole time they are cooking.

Answer 9

rainforest cafe by Pier 39 great place, great food... there's also other restaurants that's around there you can choose... bubba gumps...