San Francisco has the most restaurants of any American city per capita and is the eighth top metro for bars, but food options in many of our neighborhood saloons are limited.
Unless you’re planning on a short evening and a terrible morning-after, science strongly suggests that you eat before carousing, ideally something rich in protein. In the Inner Sunset, several bars offer a full menu, but many that don’t encourage patrons to bring in outside food from restaurants nearby.
Hoodline polled a bartender and two local tipplers for tips on where to eat well in the vicinity for about $10; here are their recommendations.
San Tung and San Tung #2, 1031 - 1033 Irving St.
Sam Tung’s dry-fried wings are mentioned by name in 1,001 different Yelp reviews, so they could be worth a try. Call in an order for a dozen wings when you board the N-Judah at Church & Duboce and they just might be ready and waiting for you and your friends when you disembark at 9th & Irving. Open 11 am to 9:30 pm, closed Wednesdays.
Jenny’s Burger, 1233 9th Ave.
For less than the cost of some McDonald's combos, Jenny’s grills each burger to order and maintains a toppings bar with everything from olives to special sauce. With plenty of seating, Jenny’s is a popular rendezvous point for revelers during the weekend. Open 11 am to 10 pm, 9pm on Sundays.
Park Gyros, 1201 9th Ave.
Kebobs and gyros have been keeping party people on track since Odysseus started lying to his wife about when he was coming home. Park Gyros has a full complement of menu items for $10 and less that will give you a solid Mediterranean foundation for the rest of the evening. Open until 10 pm, 7 days/week.
Kiki Japanese Restaurant, 1269 9th Ave.
Most of Kiki's dinner menu is priced under $10, which means you can indulge on sushi rolls, teriyaki, udon or some combination thereof before switching to beer and cocktails with your friends. Pro tip: a pot of green tea will help keep you hydrated (and alert!).
If you have a favorite pre-bar eatery in the neighborhood, let us know in the comments.
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