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$15 to $28BrunchCreole brunch, beignets
Brenda's French Soul Food in San Francisco runs a Polk Street Creole brunch counter, with crawfish beignets, shrimp and grits and a 60-minute weekend wait.
OrderA flight of beignets (plain, chocolate, granny apple, crawfish), plus shrimp and grits.
TipArrive at 09:00 sharp or join the digital waitlist that opens at 08:30; lunch service takes the second wave.
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$18 to $28BrunchOuter Sunset California brunch
Outerlands in San Francisco is the Outer Sunset cafe two blocks from the ocean, with house bread, eggs in jail and a steady fog-lifted brunch line at 11:00.
OrderEggs in jail: thick toast with an egg cracked in the centre, griddled.
TipBring a beanie; the door queue is exposed to ocean fog and the wait runs 40 minutes on weekends.
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$16 to $28BrunchBakery cafe brunch, wood-oven flatbreads
Tartine Manufactory in San Francisco runs a Mission brunch from a Chad Robertson and Elisabeth Prueitt bakery floor, with hot egg dishes and the morning bun.
OrderThe egg sandwich with morning bread and a small pastry to share.
TipThe Manufactory cafe holds tables longer than the Guerrero original; both serve the same bake.
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$15 to $22BrunchSpit-roast Greek brunch on yogurt
Souvla in San Francisco runs a weekend brunch on its spit-roasted lamb and pork, served on house yogurt with pita, and a frozen Greek yogurt to close.
OrderLamb on house yogurt with cucumber, mint and warm pita.
TipOrder ahead on the app and pick up; sit at Patricia's Green in Hayes Valley for the patio.
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$18 to $28BrunchNorth Beach diner brunch
Mama's on Washington Square in San Francisco is the North Beach corner diner since 1965, with French toast on house brioche and the eggs Florentine.
OrderFrench toast with brioche from the in-house bakery, plus the eggs Florentine.
TipLine forms at 08:30 on weekends; arrive at 08:00 sharp or after 13:30 to avoid an hour wait.
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$18 to $32BrunchSoMa weekend brunch, burger
Marlowe in San Francisco runs a SoMa brunch with the Marlowe burger, a strong chilaquiles plate and a Bloody Mary that has been on the menu since 2010.
OrderThe Marlowe burger or the chilaquiles, plus a Bloody Mary.
TipBar seats are first-come; ask for the burger off the dinner menu, it is available at brunch.