Forget the fancy, overly priced hot spots, because San Francisco is filled with secretly delectable eating establishments — ya know, the ones that look more than a little suspect from the outside, but hold an abundance of deliciousness inside. Here's 12 hole in the wall restaurants in San Francisco you'll want to seek out.
1. Mission Chinese Food
Located at Lung Shan Restaurant deep in the Mission, this spot shocks your taste buds into submission with inventive twists on Americanized Chinese delights.
2. HRD
After being featured on the Food Network, this fusion joint actually upped their curb appeal just a bit, but the kimchee burritos and po' boys remain just as sinfully good.
3. Taqueria Cancun
At this Mission Street staple you are guaranteed belt-busting burrito goodness, but not necessarily a clean bathroom…
4. Swan Oyster Depot
A neighborhood favorite, this no-frills Polk Street spot is a must for raw seafood lovers.
5. Yamo
Get your Burmese specialties (like the tea leaf salad) and Chinese classics (dumplings) at this hole-in-the-wall tucked in the Mission.
6. Turtle Tower
This is the place to get pho (even The Slanted Door's executive chef Charles Phan has been seen slurping it up here).
7. Sam's Pizza & Hamburgers
It's been around since 1966 for good reason, especially for those burgers. And how can you not agree with Anthony Bourdain?
8. Hot Sauce and Panko
A move from the Inner Richmond to Russian Hill didn't make one difference in the lack of exterior beauty, but the simple food — wings and waffles — make up for it. And how can you argue with a motto like this: "Food like we give a damn."
9. Saigon Sandwich
If you can't get to Vietnam, this is the place for a banh mi sandwich, one of the greatest inventions known to man.
10. Art's Cafe
It says "Fine Food" on the sign, and you should absolutely trust that at this Inner Sunset institution, which puts a Korean spin on American classics, all with an old-school diner charm.
11. Sam Wo
Around for 100+ years (built after the 1906 earthquake), this Chinese spot is truly an SF institution (even though it's moved from its original location).
12. Cordon Bleu
A longtime presence in Nob Hill, this cozy spot does Vietnamese comfort food with no frills. Still, they've got quite a claim: "Possibly the best chicken you will ever have outside of Vietnam."
Have you walked by these places hundreds of times without realizing the goods inside? Any other hole in the wall restaurants in San Francisco we should absolutely know about? Let us know in the comments!
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