Unlike other Indian restaurants in the city that exude a more ethnic ambiance, I was a bit surprised to find a modern space with industrial design elements. I love the |Emeco 111| chairs. Needless to say the interior is miles away from what one may have grown accustomed to when dining Indian.

Specializing in home-style Indian food, the menu is split between Kati rolls (similar to a taco) and Thali, which features multiple menu items served on a traditional metal platter. Both choices include their handmade roti, which is similar to a buttery tortilla. Dishes include Chicken Tikka, Chicken Tikka Marsala, Lamb Curry, Kebabs, and various vegetarian options. In addition to these menu options, the Thali platter is served with chutney, raita (yogurt), a veggie salad, and daal (lentils). Just be wary of the green pickled pepper relish for it packs a punch. Best of all, Kasa is open until 10pm, offering a healthier and more tasty option for late-night food. Delivery is available after 6pm every night. |Kasa Indian Eatery|

Hours of Operation:
Open Everyday: 11am – 10pm
Delivery after 6pm

In this day and age, it’s rare to find a decent meal for less than ten dollars. Enter Saigon Sandwich. This little gem of a shop serves up banh mi, the popular Vietnamese sandwich that combines a toasty French baguette with a long list of ingredients like roasted chicken, pork or even meatballs. The place is tiny (there are literally only three chairs set up at a small counter) so it gets cramped as people rush here during the lunch hours. Luckily, the women working behind the counter are always friendly and they manage to get the orders out quickly and efficiently.

So what is the best part about this place? The price and the quantity. The most expensive sandwich is the special combo, which costs around four dollars, and it’s STUFFED with ingredients. Upon unwrapping, the shredded and lightly pickled carrots and daikon, jalapeno peppers, and cilantro peek out from the top of the sandwich. And that heavenly first bite? From the flakey crust of the bread, to the rich pate and spicy jalapenos, the various flavors all work in perfect harmony. The shop closes kinda early, so if you can’t make it for lunch, try to get there in time to grab a sandwich or two for dinner. Cash only.

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 7am – 5pm

106 South B Street
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 548-1085

At first glance, it is difficult to be certain what exactly you are getting into at Tpumps.  There are mailboxes that line the left side of the wall; on the right side, a couple of chairs with a table.  There is just enough room in Tpumps for a line to form and for a few others to wait for their drinks off to the side.  The store is not only very small, but it is also doubles as a shipping center.  Although, there are at least two other places in Downtown San Mateo where one can get bubble tea, there are a few things about Tpumps that make it better than their competitors.

For instance, there are many options on the menu – you can get milk tea with green or black tea and you can add flavors such as passion fruit, almond, and chocolate.  The chocolate milk tea with black tea tastes just like chocolate milk; it’s a great option if you are not a huge fan of bubble tea!  The almond milk tea has a strong almond taste and is very sweet – great for almond fans!  My personal favorite is the Black Milk Tea with extra pearls.  If you like boba pearls, I would definitely recommend paying the extra $0.25 for extra; otherwise, the drinks are so big that you might be left wanting a little more pearls when you are finished.  You can also get traditional hot tea, which is also very good and is offered in a variety of flavors (the chocolate one is especially good).  The quality of all the drinks is excellent, so it’s hard not to find something for everyone.

What is unique about Tpumps is that they really allow you to customize your drink.  For example, you can ask for your milk tea to be “less sweet,” “regular sweet,” or “more sweet.”  Their customer service is really superb; the staff often asks you to try it to make sure it tastes good and are always open to your specifications.  They also offer rewards cards – after ten points you get a free drink (one point for each drink you buy) and you can save up your points and redeem them for other prizes.  One thing to be prepared for is the lines.  There is often a wait depending on the time of day; I’ve waited for as long as thirty minutes.  Fortunately, they have some magazines to keep you busy while you wait.  But I would suggest avoiding rush hour and getting a delicious drink without the wait. |Tpumps|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Thurs: 9am – 10pm
Fri: 9am – 11pm
Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10pm

Cheap sushi in the city is a dime a dozen. The sushi challenge in San Francisco is finding an inexpensive sushi restaurant that actually serves high quality sushi. Good and cheap sushi places come along only once or twice a neighborhood, but if you ever find yourself in the Outer Richmond, do not hesitate to stop by Kitaro to pick up a few awesome rolls.

Kitaro is a perfect place to grab a bite with a couple of good friends, or even a table for one. They have an extensive menu that caters to everyone’s taste, which is why sushi lover’s travel from all over the city to get their hands on the unique and amazing rolls here. Their Godzilla Roll is perhaps the most popular with its mix of spicy tuna tempura and their special house wasabi sauce, it quickly becomes any foodie’s first choice. If you’re looking for something that will wake you up with a bit of a kick, then try the Dynamite Roll. It’s a tuna roll that is lightly battered with Sriracha chili sauce drizzled across the top, yum yum. The combination of flavors gives any mouth a great experience.

Though its location on Geary and 22^nd does seem like a bit of a hassle just to get some sushi; it is hands down worth the ride on the 38 Muni line. Plus, next time you pick up something from Safeway, flip over your receipt, and you just might have a coupon for the restaurant. High quality and a great value, it doesn’t get much better than Kitaro. |Kitaro|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 11:30 am – 10 pm

375 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 252-0800

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sat: 7am – 8pm
Sun: 8am – 8pm

Walking around downtown SF, the options are endless when it comes to good eats, but if you’re looking for a classic and hardy burger, then check out Pearl’s Deluxe Burgers. They have been a staple on Post Street for many years and recently expanded with a second city location on the corner of 6^th and Market.  With a sensible yet diverse selection, it is always an adventure of the senses when enjoying one of their delectable burgers, fries, and milk shakes.

With all the special burgers offered, their Bula Burger is an award winner thanks to its delicious patty topped with tangy pineapple, thick savory bacon, and drizzled with their signature sweet and spicy Teriyaki sauce. This great downtown meal would not be complete without a side of springs, which is an over flowing basket of sweet potato fries and onion rings, and of course one of their signature milk shakes.  With almost twenty different freshly made milk shakes to choose from, it’s hard to settle with just a soda to wash down your meal.

Pearl’s is wonderful place to stop and grab dinner after work and also a great place to meet friends for a bite. The Post St. location has heavy foot traffic and limited seating at times, but being only 3 blocks from Union Square, it creates an opportunity to grab your food to go and eat it in the park. So if you’re ever Downtown, and you’re craving a great burger and fries with a thick milk shake, then definitely try Pearl’s Deluxe Burgers. Check out their website for a full menu and list of locations. |Pearl’s Deluxe Burgers|

Those looking for a decent hamburger need look no further than Uncle Boy’s in the Richmond. Upon inspection, the place appears to specialize in drunk food. The place is small, simple to navigate, has a limited menu, and is open until 3am on the weekends. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you have to be drunk for the food to be delicious.

They offer a variety of sandwiches and the fare that characterizes burger stands, such as well-seasoned french fries, fried zucchini, buffalo wings, and the like, but their burgers are the main draw. I went and had an Unhorsed Cowboy, while the girlfriend went for the Dog in Heat sausage sandwich. The buns were perfectly toasted, the meat thoroughly cooked but not overdone, and the toppings delicious and fresh. I was happy to note that, at least for us, the cook put the french fries and onion ring  in the fryer after we ordered, so we didn’t get stuff that had been sitting around like at many other burger joints.

Decorated simply with 49ers and Giants memorabilia, it isn’t exactly a first date kind of place, and if you go at the wrong time, say at last call, then you can expect a huge wait. Hamburger enthusiasts or anyone looking for a good sandwich will be right at home here. Check out their website for the menu and other information. |Uncle Boy’s|

Hours of Operation:
Sun-Thurs: 11:30am – 10:30pm
Fri-Sat: 11:30am – 3am

With views of crumbling industrial warehouses creating a unique ambiance from just across the street, one may be surprised to find gourmet street food being served from such a location. Operating out of a roll-up garage door in the Dogpatch neighborhood, Kitchenette’s slogan of spontaneous organic covert nourishment delivers just that. Specializing in delicious sandwiches, the menu rotates daily with two choices like their smoked pulled pork, fried chicken, porchetta, corned beef, hot dog and burger varieties. There is usually also a vegetarian option like grilled cheese, portobello burger, and eggplant banh mi just to name a few. Side dishes include their roasted pumpkin seeds, 4505 spicy chicharrones, and cookie of the moment. Seating is basically a few benches so this place is ideal for those looking to grab something quick to take back to their desk. Cash only. |Kichenette SF|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 11:30am – 1:30pm

A place that could very well have invented the Mission-style burrito years ago that countless taquerias have imitated since, La Cumbre is one of the familiar faces on Valencia Street in a gentrified sea of hip restaurants, hipster-friendly boutiques, and yoga studios. Walking into this place could be a bit of a time warp as the decor has probably changed little over the year, as has the menu of reasonably priced Mexican dishes. The rather large menu of choices includes some great tacos, their signature burritos, enchiladas, chile relleno, quesadillas, nachos, and plenty of options to further customize. Beverage options range from ice-cold cervezas and margaritas, to non-alcoholic options like Mexican sodas, fruit juices, and horchatas.

I usually come here when I crave a bit of rice in my burrito, and it’s a great place to stop by after a long night of touring the watering holes nearby. I love that this place provides a side of chips for free and offers a salsa bar that’s free for sampling, I just wish that the other taquerias in this city did the same.

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 11am – 2am

Also found in select locations throughout the Bay Area, Roli Roti is one of the best versions of mobile street food, utilizing high quality local produce when in season and free range organic meats. The popularity of this mobile rotisserie is quickly apparent with lines that often stretch down the street, regardless of the weather. Patrons love Roli Roti for their whole roasted spiced chickens, rosemary roasted potatoes, succulent porchetta (pork loin wrapped in pork belly), and roasted pork knuckle. Keeping the menu simple is key when serving customers quickly, and the stand operates efficiently with their assembly line of workers processing orders.

While they do operate in multiple locations, the gourmet Porchetta sandwich is only served at Ferry Plaza, which is reason enough to come to the |Farmers Market| on Thursdays and Saturdays. Served on a fresh roll from Acme Bakery, the sandwich is topped with carmelized onions, seasonal greens and a mound of tender pork deliciousness. For hours and locations, check out their web site. |Roli Roti|