The Tenderloin has been in a years-long restaurant boom, as restaurateurs lured by the promise of lower rents flood into the neighborhood. Here are three of the newest spots for the food-obsessed to check off their lists, from a cozy burger joint to a cool Korean hangout. 

Esan Classic

Thai restaurant Lers Ros has been one of the Tenderloin's most popular spots for close to a decade, and now owners Tom Silagorn and Chanon Hutasingh have debuted a sequel, located right across the street.

Focused on dishes from the northern Thai-Laotian region from which it takes its name, its menu includes authentic dishes like pork larb salad, turmeric sausage, crispy catfish, and a grilled pork omelette.

Esan Classic
743 Larkin St. 
Daily, 11am-4pm and 5-12pm (2am Fri-Sat)

Bandit

This little spot has only a handful of tables, but it's already developing a big reputation for its top-notch breakfast sandwiches and burgers.

Start off a cheat day right with the Brekkie sandwich (scrambled eggs, housemade pork sausage, cheddar, smashed tater tots, caramelized onions, jalapeño relish), or grab a standard cheeseburger or "Bad Mofo" (with muenster, caramelized onions, and bacon). There are salads, chicken sandwiches, and flavored lemonades, too. 

Bandit
683 Geary St.
Sun-Thurs, 8am-1:30pm & 5-9:30pm; Fri-Sat, 8am-1:30pm & 5pm-midnight

Barnzu

This hip new Korean drinking den is the product of a collaboration between the owner of the Mission's Sushi Hon and the co-owners of the Kokio Republic food truck.

In the ultra-contemporary atmosphere, you'll find riffs on classic dishes like japchae with wild mushrooms, kimchi fried rice, and seafood pancakes, as well as Kokio Republic's famed Korean fried chicken. Enjoy it all with a flavored soju or makgeolli, a sparkling Korean rice wine.

Barnzu
711 Geary St.
Tue-Thurs & Sun, 5:30-11pm; Fri-Sat, 5:30pm-midnight