Last week, we asked readers to weigh in on their favorite aspects of life in the neighborhood, from food and drink to unique experiences you can't find outside the Castro.
Here's what many local commenters had to say about their neighborhood favorites. Have your own thoughts on the matter? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Food & Drink
"Free chowder while waiting for a table at Anchor Oyster Bar," at 579 Castro St., is a highlight for one reader, while others gave a shoutout to Orphan Andy's (3991 17th St.) and Harvey's (500 Castro St.).
"My favorite Castro Bar: Upstairs at Eureka (4063 18th St.)," said another. "My favorite Castro restaurant (maybe technically Duboce Triangle): L'Ardoise" (151 Noe St.). "I ate at Eureka Restaurant (Neon Chicken) today for Thanksgiving. Absolutely fabulous!!!" responded another. "I agree with L'Ardoise, too. Such a great neighborhood gem. No driving, no Uber. Just stumble home. Priceless."
"Best resto: Frances. Also love the upstairs bar at Eureka," concurred another. "So many other things to love about the Castro..."
Another reader likes "Everything really—but calling special attention to Kitchen Story (3499 16th St.), Eiji's homemade tofu (317 Sanchez St.), Muni F-line, Hi-Tops' chicken sandy (2247 Market St.)."
Other Local Business
"For me it's Cliff's (479 Castro St.) for all my household needs and Buffalo Foods (598 Castro St.) for my nutritional supplies and food," voted one reader.
"For me, it's the Art Saves Lives gallery, in front of AHF (518A Castro St.).," weighed in another. "I am among the artists who gather there twice a week to sketch, share food and live music. And the openings every month are amazing, featuring local poets, performance artists, musicians, comics. This all under the compassionate leadership of Thomasina deMaio. It's such a special place, I scratch my head some nights and wonder why more people don't take advantage of this special place—built by and for the community. As a longtime resident that has seen a lot of changes in the Castro, this special place restores our traditions of outsiders—who, today, increasingly are artists forced further outside the neighborhood."
"The cheesy 1950s soundtrack at Mollie Stone's (4201 18th St.). The ever-smiling counter lady at 18th Street Cleaners (4011 18th St.). Clapping along to the organ playing "San Francisco" at the Castro Theatre (429 Castro St.). Cliff's."
One reader broke it down by tangible an intangible attributes of the neighborhood. "Tangible—Castro Theater; Cliff's Variety; Sausage Factory (517 Castro St.)—not great food but glad it's there; Frances—great food and glad it's there; Twin Peaks Tavern (401 Castro St.)—good to feel like chicken again. Intangible—Walking thru the hood and seeing the face of a trick from way back when & thinking 'you survived too! Good on ya!'"
More Local Favorites
"In general, enjoy how polite and friendly most people are—on the sidewalks, in the stores and on Muni. I've lived here since 12/90 and think it has the nicest and most interesting neighborhood people in San Francisco."
"Strong, cheap drinks in many friendly bars. Late-night restaurants where you can grab some after hours grub. Random spontaneous celebrations (although not this year). Big-ass gay flag. History."
"Transport and communications—it's easy to get out of by car, bus or train."
"It still feels like a community with the memorials at the Bank of America on 18th and Castro as well as protests and rallies in the street. It's also nice that there are a lot of bars within a short distance so you can actually bar-hop really easily."
Amongst inevitable complaints, one reader looked on the bright side: "Since it still is somewhat a historical safe space for LGBT brothers and sisters, I think the best thing is the men and women who fought for us and got us to this point."
And finally, "It isn't Polk Street."
