What to order at Sam's Grill

Must order
Sand dabs with brown butter and lemon, the room's standard since 1867.
Signature dishes
Hangtown Fry, Sand dabs, Crab Louis
Editor tip
Book one of the private booths upstairs at lunch; the lower-floor dining room turns louder after 12:30.
CuisineAmerican
Price$$$
NeighborhoodEmbarcadero
Last verified

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Location

Address: 374 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94104

More casual dining in San Francisco

Brenda's French Soul Food ★ 4.5

$$ CreoleLower Pac Heights

Brenda's French Soul Food in San Francisco is Brenda Buenviaje's Creole counter on Polk Street, with crawfish beignets and a strong brunch shrimp and grits.

OrderA flight of beignets: plain, chocolate, granny apple and crawfish.

TipNo reservations; arrive at 09:00 sharp or join the digital waitlist that opens at 08:30.

Yuet Lee Seafood ★ 4.2

$$ CantoneseChinatown

Yuet Lee in San Francisco is the Chinatown all-night Cantonese counter at Stockton and Broadway, open to 03:00, with salt-and-pepper squid the late shift.

OrderSalt and pepper squid, plus a steamed live fish from the tank.

TipCash only after midnight; the kitchen window seats fill the fastest at 23:30.

Good Mong Kok Bakery ★ 4.4

$ Cantonese Dim SumChinatown

Good Mong Kok in San Francisco is the Stockton Street Cantonese takeaway window the city actually eats at on weekends, with hot trays out from 07:00-18:00.

OrderChar siu bao and a tray of har gow; ten items for under fifteen dollars.

TipCash only; bring a clear list of items because the line behind you moves at speed.

Piccino ★ 4.3

$$$ ItalianDogpatch

Piccino in San Francisco is the Dogpatch Italian on a yellow corner, with wood-oven pizza. Priced at $$$. At 1001 Minnesota Street. Booking recommended.

OrderWood-oven mushroom and ricotta pizza, plus the seasonal pasta of the night.

TipBrunch the patio in spring; the cafe next door pours the same coffee at half the price.

Shalimar ★ 4.3

$ PakistaniLower Pac Heights

Shalimar in San Francisco is the Tenderloin's cash-and-card Pakistani counter, with a tandoor at the door turning out solid chicken tikka under fifteen.

OrderChicken tikka from the tandoor, with garlic naan and dal.

TipEat at the back of the room; the front benches give you a view of the tandoor cook at speed.

Saigon Sandwich ★ 4.4

$ VietnameseLower Pac Heights

Saigon Sandwich in San Francisco is the Larkin Street banh mi window: six bucks for a roll, with a fast line out the door by noon every weekday.

OrderPork banh mi number one with extra pate, and a Vietnamese iced coffee.

TipCash only; order four at once and bring them home; the bread stays good for three hours wrapped.

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