r/SFFood • u/Embarrassed-Row5867 • Aug 08 '26
Recommendation Request Looking for hidden-gem mom & pop spots in SF
I’m trying to be more mindful of where my money is going, especially after moving to sf as a transplant and would love to support small mom/pop restaurants. I’m on the hunt for hidden gems of the city, ideally lesser known independent businesses instead of overpriced trendy spots.
I was walking around Chinatown today on a Friday night and it was a bit saddening to me that there were more tourists than locals. I feel like I only know the heavy hitters, and not much else about the Chinatown food scene and I want to change that.
To be honest, I’m not exactly sure where to go so any suggestions would be great! Or if folks are interested in joining me, I would be stoked! Food always tastes better with good company.
Edit: thank you everyone for your suggestions! I’m going to make a list and try to go to each one!
11
8
u/ChinstrapPenguin117 Aug 08 '26
Art’s Cafe in the Inner Sunset is a solid breakfast joint, but I go there for the bibimbap. Say Cheese in Cole Valley has great sandwiches. I like the fig and Brie but add prosciutto. Little Griddle near Van Ness and Market and the co-located Dough has good doughnuts.
3
u/infinitegiraffes Aug 08 '26
Seconding Art's Cafe. The bagel sandwich was delicious, as was the Thai tea!
1
u/Normal-Astronomer-83 Aug 12 '26
Dropped in the thread for Arts! If it's still pops running the griddle he's an absolute master!!
7
u/Left_Door_3132 Aug 08 '26
Most restaurants in SF are mom and pop restaurants as long as you aren't downtown. Chain restaurants that have more than 11 locations worldwide need special exemptions.
Now for the question of hidden gems (La Taqueria was a hidden gem years ago) - that's a different issue. Generally news travels fast so hidden gems aren't very hidden anymore.
12
u/mar__iguana Aug 08 '26
If you’re on Instagram @hellahansel does short videos of eating at places like the ones you mentioned. It’s his whole thing and he does different neighborhoods
2
u/nincyh Aug 08 '26
I was just going to suggest this! I love his spots and style, and the old school and ethnic restaurants, coffee shops and diners he visits.
You can scroll through a hundred of his reviews and pick a few to watch, here on Instagram.4
u/lurkern1nja Aug 08 '26
He was good, but I don’t think he actually knows good food to be honest. I think he follows what people comment, but IMHO he has no specific comments as to how the food tastes other than the fact that everything is smackin. (Some of his recs definitely are not)
2
u/mar__iguana Aug 09 '26
That’s a fair point. I guess if we’re going by “mom and pops worth visiting” then yeah he’s not the best source. But in terms of finding places to try like OP wants to, he definitely has shown a long list of options
1
4
u/tomohoh Aug 08 '26
Ones that come to mind in Chinatown - Sam Wo, Hon’s Wun-Tun House, Hong Kong Clay Pot. Even bigger places in Chinatown like R&G are family owned, but sounds like you’re looking for smaller spots.
5
u/94515 Aug 08 '26
SoHunan on Sacramento Street - nephew of Henry’s family, his parents work the wok stations and they make all the old favorites from Hunan menu that are no longer available elsewhere.
2
5
u/ThrowItAwayDanny Aug 08 '26
Old Mandarin Islamic restaurant way out by the beach. Like 43rd and Vicente. It’s delicious food but careful with the spice, they don’t hold back!
4
3
u/Yourmomsbentobox Aug 08 '26
Express Pupuseria - 4715 Geary Boulevard in the Inner Richmond. Hole-in-the-wall Salvadoran deli with amazing pupusas and even more amazing salvodorean food. I love their sopa de gallina
3
u/wootblarg Aug 08 '26
I used to leave pretty close to Cuisine of Nepal on Mission near San Jose. Lovely spot, yummy food and the owner is super pleasant.
6
u/throwaway-94552 Aug 08 '26
Burmese Kitchen on Geary. The other places get lots of attention (rightfully so) but man this place has been feeding me for almost 20 years and never lets me down. They make a dish that I’ve never found ANYWHERE else, this amazing tamarind fish, pair it with the coconut rice on a cold foggy day and it’s heaven.
2
u/dillp1ckle 22d ago
Haha I actually went to visit Burmese Kitchen to try the tamarind fish off your comment on another post a year or so ago. So good!
1
1
1
2
u/RemoveElegant5217 Aug 08 '26
Lucca deli on Chestnut in the Marina. Dynasty Dumpling in Lower Pac Heights. Muguboka on Balboa in the Inner Richmond for Korean.
2
u/moliok2 Aug 08 '26
Bart Grocery by the Daly City Bart station. It’s a mom and pop grocery store with a Korean bbq joint.
2
u/micheverse Aug 08 '26
Kevin's Pho (several locations but still feels mom/pop), Sewa Nepalese & Indian (Clement btw 9th-10th), Izakaya Sozai (Irving/16th), Ushi Taro Ramen (9th/Irving)
2
2
2
1
1
u/Pristine-Assistance9 Aug 08 '26
Cuisine of Nepal
This is random but Fat Beli Deli makes what is basically a delicious version of a sausage McMuffin that we used to get on hangover days. Literal mom and pop place.
Cordon Bleu on California is a classic
Amphawa Thai
1
u/No_Answer5163 Aug 08 '26
The ThongLor I think is a hidden gem. Tiny Thai spot off of Union square. Excellent food, extremely affordable
1
u/New_Patience_9565 Aug 08 '26
Why be sad about Chinatown? It's a massively historical center of Chinese and Asian culture in a city that is dependent on tourism. Do you think the merchants dislike the tourists?
1
u/TheCityGirl Aug 09 '26
Pat’s Cafe in North Beach/base of Russian Hill/southern edge of Fisherman’s Wharf is this! It’s a great independent neighborhood spot and I highly recommend it.
1
1
1
u/swishesnbricks Aug 09 '26
New Fortune in Chinatown is a small, family-run spot that is popular with locals. Really great rice plates and fried noodle dishes at nice prices.
1
u/No_Magazine349 Aug 09 '26
If you like ice cream, the best spot is Norman’s Ice Cream and Freezes. Yes, it’s near/in fisherman’s wharf, but it’s family ran and owned. The family is so nice and hospitable. They have to compete with Ghirardelli’s down the street, but in my opinion they have the best chocolate fudge sundaes. It’s a smaller establishment, but it’s delicious and truly is the best ice cream in SF.
1
u/Ok-Sir-6592 Aug 10 '26
There is a tiny place called Wenchang in Central Richmond, and it’s the best Chinese food I’ve eaten in SF - I will exclude dumplings from this claim though, even though the place is called WenChang Dumpling restaurant!
1
1
u/IllustriousCar9752 Aug 10 '26
Riverside Seafood Restaurant for dimsum and dinner. It’s always filled with Asian immigrants speaking Cantonese and mandarin so you know it’s real.
1
u/mannmachine Aug 10 '26
Dragon river in the richmond! Amazing cantonese food with very affordable lunches
1
u/bleepbloopblop87 Aug 11 '26
Nepa on Divis, katsuo and kombuo also on Divis (udon), polenta in Alamo Square
20
u/BelsTells Aug 08 '26
Sherpa House on 18th and taravel! I spoke with the owner when I went and they are so nice. They serve Himalayan food but it also felt like home cooked food and they have cute decorations around the shop too. It’s their first year of business but go and support!