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  1. #51
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    Bay Area Intel for Tourons

    I’ve held off on the restaurant recs because OP hasn’t hinted at that interest... BUT, if he’s out there for work then the more expensive joints are often in play, so it makes sense. I love splurging on work trips... a co-worker and I managed to ring up a $750 bill for the two of us at dinner in Miami recently. I... kind of remember it being good. ;-)
    I ski 135 degree chutes switch to the road.

  2. #52
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    Hike from Mill Valley up the Dipsea to Muir Woods. Check out the park, hike back and get a burger at Super Duper or a coffee at Equator or both.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  3. #53
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    Quote Originally Posted by dookey67 View Post
    I've actually been laughing at most of the dining suggestions on this thread as it comes off like most of the folks posting here are recent immigrants to SF/Bay Area and they must be $$$$ making tech fools (they're suggesting Michael Mina and Chez Panisse). I've grown up and lived in The Bay Area (Oakland and San Francisco) most of my life and never went to many of the spots folks have tossed out above because I never had a job that paid me enough to afford to!

    I'm actually surprised that nobody told you to hit up The French Laundry!
    Quote Originally Posted by TahoeJ View Post
    I’ve held off on the restaurant recs because OP hasn’t hinted at that interest... BUT, if he’s out there for work then the more expensive joints are often in play, so it makes sense. I love splurging on work trips... a co-worker and I managed to ring up a $750 bill for the two of us at dinner in Miami recently. I... kind of remember it being good. ;-)
    That's ok. I really don't mind the high end suggestions, because even though I can't afford it THIS time, doesn't mean I don't want to bring my wife back someday to do it right. She works in fine dining herself and we really love the category, so we've been known to splurge before. It just won't be this trip. Haha. Neat thing about the area is it seems there are great options for ALL budget categories. Actually found a great little hole in the wall in a commercial park today with deli sandwiches and asian fare. Odd mix, but it was awesome and was under $6!!!

    I do want something better for dinner tonight though. I don't have to be TOO cheap. Just nothing outrageous. Prolly somewhere in the middle.

  4. #54
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    At Henry's Hi-Life. Seems legit. Smells awesome. Will put them to the test shortly.

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using TGR Forums mobile app

  5. #55
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    Aug 2007
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    Ha, I'm a mile away from there, also on a work trip, currently in a shitty hotel that smells like a wet fart. lemme know if you wanna grab a beer tomorrow night around here.

  6. #56
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    Aug 2006
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    Actually, my restaurant list included 4 greasy taco joints. I looked back on the Chez Panisse site tonight, and it's about double the $60 I spent about 13 years ago. So, maybe I am out of touch on that one. Also, I didn't recommended Michael Mina, I just used it as an example of how to get in without a reservation.

    I can definitely come up with more budget-friendly options, but I shot for low-to-mid range. It wasn't intended to offend.
    "Yo!! Brentley! Ya wanna get faded before work?"

  7. #57
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    Apr 2006
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    Bay Area Intel for Tourons

    I haven't been upstairs to the chez cafe in a long time, but it used to be pretty reasonable to eat without techbro money

    I do wish we had a del taco in town though. Their hot sauce is the crack of hot sauce

  8. #58
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    Quote Originally Posted by muted View Post
    Ha, I'm a mile away from there, also on a work trip, currently in a shitty hotel that smells like a wet fart. lemme know if you wanna grab a beer tomorrow night around here.
    Sheeeet. No way! Sorry I missed ya tonight! I might be down for a beer tomorrow night but have an evening meeting in Sacramento, so will have to see how long that takes me plus drive time back. At least I should miss rush hour! I'll hit ya up.

    Oh, and Henry's was good. Would recommend. My clothes reek of pit smoke. As it should be! I'm flipping stuffed. Very healthy portions. They seem to know what they're doing there.

  9. #59
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    May 2016
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    Guess I’m late for your San Jose dinner suggestion, but I can recommend Yiassoos in Campbell for Greek food, and Yas in SJ for Persian. Both have good food and not that expensive. The kebabs are good at either place.

    I could probably come up with a dozen more, but these are the first two that came to mind.
    There’s also a lot of good Vietnamese and Thai restaurants in town. Can’t remember the names, but just use Yelp.

  10. #60
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    Quote Originally Posted by TahoeJ View Post
    Same. Always a soft spot in my heart for that place. We'd frequently grab a bite there and catch the last Bart train back to Rockridge / Berkeley.
    Third for Cancun . Either of the ones on mission. I also love balompie (sp?) at 18th and Capp. Also, alibabas cave.

    Other unique food in the east bay, Ethiopian/Eritrean food. Many to chose from.

  11. #61
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    Mar 2005
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    Had the bright Idea. Once. To leave San Jose about 4 on a friday headed to tahoe. The fuckin traffic didn't let up until weill past sacramento. Wasn't on any particular schedule but jeazus what a grind.

    And, speaking as a touron, the oakland bay bridge at night into San Fran is a hell of a drive. City all lit up, it's a thing.

    But sweet jezus. Thought we knew somethin about traffic in ATL....
    "Can't you see..."

  12. #62
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    Quote Originally Posted by Marshall Tucker View Post
    Had the bright Idea. Once. To leave San Jose about 4 on a friday headed to tahoe. The fuckin traffic didn't let up until weill past sacramento. Wasn't on any particular schedule but jeazus what a grind.

    And, speaking as a touron, the oakland bay bridge at night into San Fran is a hell of a drive. City all lit up, it's a thing.

    But sweet jezus. Thought we knew somethin about traffic in ATL....
    Traffic stopped after Sac, so you are saying it was a light traffic day ?

  13. #63
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    Aug 2013
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    Vik’s is so good! I used to work in that hood for a few summers and there were weeks I ate lunch there Tuesday to Friday. One of the highest quality to price ratios around.

    I love Zachary’s too, but I don’t usually feel great after. My friend has a childhood birthday tradition of eating Zachary’s with his dad that he usually keeps up even towards middle age. My girlfriend fed herself through college on Zachary’s by getting a pizza, having a slice, and then making it last for lunch the rest of the week.

    Anyway, I thought the list of recs was pretty balanced. I don’t go to chez panisse on the regular, but it’s definitely the kind of place I’d want to splurge on when traveling. Or just get the $25 late night special and it’s not even much of a splurge.

    I’m pretty sure the cost of ice cream at birite is the same as one from Mitchell’s, too, and at this point it’s at least as much of an institution as Mitchell’s.

    BiRite happens to be a place fifty yards from the park that you can get really good beer or wine that you can take and drink on the grass. Sure, that in itself is a pretty hipster activity, but it’s a pleasant one when the park doesn’t turn into a total shit show.

  14. #64
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    May 2011
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    Quote Originally Posted by jorion View Post
    My girlfriend fed herself through college on Zachary’s by getting a pizza, having a slice, and then making it last for lunch the rest of the week.
    Ha, my girlfriend (now wife) and I used to live in South Berkeley near the Rockridge location and would do the exact same thing. I really love Zachary's but it's definitely a gut bomb. Thinking back, I'm wondering what the total count would be of burritos I had from LaBurrita during that stretch.

  15. #65
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    Sep 2006
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    Quote Originally Posted by BS720 View Post
    Actually, my restaurant list included 4 greasy taco joints. I looked back on the Chez Panisse site tonight, and it's about double the $60 I spent about 13 years ago. So, maybe I am out of touch on that one. Also, I didn't recommended Michael Mina, I just used it as an example of how to get in without a reservation.

    I can definitely come up with more budget-friendly options, but I shot for low-to-mid range. It wasn't intended to offend.
    No offense taken on my part.
    If I'm being honest, your list was legit.
    I was just taking the piss.

    When I lived in SF (1999-2012) the El Faralito vs Cancun thing was hot and heavy amongst my friends. I don't eat meat, so I was partial to Cancun's massive veggie burrito and their chunky, avocado infused verde salsa.
    You honestly can't go wrong with any of the taquerias in The Mission (shit, everything down there beats the hell out of the crap we have here in the North Lake!).

    And to Jorian's bit about Bi-Rite, I used to hit their ice cream spot when it first opened, but we'd go really late at night just before closing to avoid the crowds.

    Quite honestly, I took much of my time in The City for granted and didn't eat out that much, so I missed a lot of good epicurean moments. I did spend an inordinate amount of time noshing sushi (at least once a week), but I'd be willing to be that a number of my favorite spots are long gone by now.


    The one thing all of us commenting on this thread neglected was to ask AustinFromSA the pertinent questions:
    1. How long are you in the area?
    2. what are your priorities: food, entertainment (i.e. live music, theater), education (i.e. museums)?
    2b. what kind of food do you like?; what kind of music/theater do you like?; what kind of museums do you like?
    3. How much downtime will you actually have (i.e. free time when not driving to/from meetings, etc.)
    4. What are your budgetary restraints? (i.e. do you have an expense account or will you be selling plasma to fund this trip?)

    "Man, we killin' elephants in the back yard..."

    https://www.blizzard-tecnica.com/us/en

  16. #66
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    Quote Originally Posted by flowing alpy View Post
    at least it’s not dying
    That's debatable...

  17. #67
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    Quote Originally Posted by flowing alpy View Post
    at least it’s not dying
    I've been here 25 yrs and about ready to stick a fork in it

  18. #68
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    BTW - flowing alpy - I just realized you used "dying" in reference to that thread about Seattle and that news piece saying Seattle is dying. Well, everything going wrong there is a solid 10 years behind SF.

    Going to Tokyo several weeks ago was a real wakeup call... felt like I could lick the sidewalks in comparison.

  19. #69
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    Mar 2018
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    Quote Originally Posted by TahoeJ View Post
    BTW - flowing alpy - I just realized you used "dying" in reference to that thread about Seattle and that news piece saying Seattle is dying. Well, everything going wrong there is a solid 10 years behind SF.

    Going to Tokyo several weeks ago was a real wakeup call... felt like I could lick the sidewalks in comparison.
    You aren't kidding. I was born in SF and lived there for several years. I went to Tokyo two years ago and was amazed at just about everything. As much as I love the Bay Area, we've got a lot to learn from our friends in Japan. Can't wait to go back.

  20. #70
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    Aug 2013
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    774
    Yeah but where the hell do you get a decent super carnitas burrito in Tokyo?????

  21. #71
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    Oct 2006
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    you can sit on a highway for hours and go nowhere, I recommend the 237 Eastbound in the afternoon. You can see all the greats!
    Hello darkness my old friend

  22. #72
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    Nov 2007
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    You guys are fucking pussies

  23. #73
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    Jan 2015
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    If you're inclined to check out some of the redwood parks (such as Portola, which is very nice) out of the South Bay, check first to see if they're open; high creeks cause maintenance headaches and they close for that sometimes.

    Yeah, as others said, the stretch of the PCH from Santa Cruz to HMB is nice, and with some nice beach strolling possibilities along the way. The elephant seals at Ana Nuevo are worth checking out, but probably fully booked (and, for their protection, you can't approach them without being on the tour).

    If you go to SF, and park anyplace that might be where a tourist might park, be aware that there are teams that do smash-and-grabs as efficiently as McDonalds assembles Big Macs. They will break in, quickly, just for a closed daypack.

    A few people mentioned Marin. Yes, Dipsea Trail from Mill Valley, which also lets you visit Muir Woods without dealing with the parking/ shuttle bus gag-spew. Or park at Pan Toll and get outstanding ocean views and/or go to Muir Woods from there. Or if you're a runner, run the Dipsea trail (home to the 2nd oldest running race in the US). And what? No one mentioned Avatar's Punjabi Burritos in Mill Valley?

    For a more quick & conventional Marin swing, drive up the cliff west of the GGB, check out the Point Bonita lighthouse, and return to the freeway via the tunnel route, before dining on the water at some tourist fish joint in Sausalito (or Avatar's sit-down place in that town).

    And, not that you'll be stopping at our little burg of Belmont, right by Oracle's world headquarters, but if you did, we've got the best little falafel joint outside of SF (and there would only be a couple there that are arguably as good), Falafelle.


    edit: Really, for SJ <--> SF, don't drive. Look up when the express CalTrains are, and, once in SF, take Uber anywhere that Muni Metro + walking won't take you. Oh yeah, why not ride a cable car, between the Powell Muni Metro stop and Fishermans Wharf (and stroll west along the Marina); tourist cliche, but worth doing once.

    Re traffic, it's not so terrible if you don't do it at the worst times. Use Google Maps to preview the best route, traffic, and estimated travel time, at a selected day of the week and time, and assume it will be a bit worse than that. For peninsula to Sacto, I'm going through Stockton more often than via Vallejo or Benicia.
    Last edited by bobz; 03-20-2019 at 08:22 PM.

  24. #74
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    Quote Originally Posted by 54-46 View Post
    You guys are fucking pussies
    That’s right! Sit in the corner of a BART station, shoot up, then puke and shit yourself... that’s modern SF!
    I ski 135 degree chutes switch to the road.

  25. #75
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    Dec 2009
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    ECO
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    Quote Originally Posted by jorion View Post
    Yeah but where the hell do you get a decent super carnitas burrito in Tokyo?????
    This killed me. Thank you.

    Anybody recommend the Treasure Island market? If the weather is "good", it can be a fun thing to check out. And the view is fantastic. Is it just a weekend thing?
    And lots of food trucks fwiw.

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