| Original Joe's, 144 Taylor St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 775-4877 T T T T T
|
Fantastic old Italian Restaurant in very original shape. Sort of has
a similar feel to Musso and Frank's in Los Angeles (perhaps a little
more laid back). Very friendly staff and excellent food. Ok, it's
not the best part of town, but there is a parking lot close by. Didn't
seem to bother an older crowd from packing the place. Being an out of
towner - I'll let you check with locals about safety. One of the best
time machines in town.
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| Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105
415 512-1111 since 1875
Palace
Hotel, 1910 (restored after earthquake) (George Wharton James)
Interior of Palace Hotel, 1910 (fortunately, little has changed!) |
San Francisco abounds with magnificent historic hotels, and this one
ranks among the best. While much of it is fairly remodeled, the Garden
Court Restaurant is a mind blowing remnant of our glorious past. Inside
is also a very nice bar, the Pied Piper Bar, that looks to be pretty
old, although it's been spruced up a bit. If I ever win the California
lottery (not likely since I don't buy lottery tickets), I will spend a
month here staying at the Palace Hotel, the St. Francis Hotel and the
Fairmont Hotel. Or maybe I'll just take up permanent residence. Not far from Original Joes, the Clift
Hotel, the House of Shields (right across the street), Sam's Grill, Jack's Grill, Sears Fine Foods, Tadich Grill, the Tonga Room in the Fairmont Hotel, Schroeder's German Restaurant.
Palace Hotel prior to 1906 Earthquake (William H. Lee)
Interior of Palace Hotel today |
| Sam Grill & Seafood Restaurant, 374 Bush St., San Francisco,
CA 415-421-0594 since 1867
T T T T T
 |
Great old restaurant, still in perfect original shape. About the
only changes are some tasteful fishing pictures (although some fake old
oil paintings with antique frames would really do better to enhance the
time machine effect). Outstanding service and excellent food (pictured
is the Calamari Salad). Of course, there is the wonderful sour dough
bread on your table when you arrive. For you movie star types - there
are booths with curtain entrances for complete privacy. Not far from Original Joes, the Clift
Hotel, the House of Shields, the Palace Hotel, Jack's Grill, Sears Fine Foods,
Tadich Grill, the Tonga Room in the Fairmont Hotel, Schroeder's German Restaurant.
 |
| Schroeder's Restaurant (German) , 240 Front St., San
Francisco, CA 415-421-4778 T T T T
 |
Really nice old German place with a great wooden back bar. Suffers a
bit from too many posters and knick knacks, but still a great place. For
those of you on a walking tour - a great selection of German beers. I
guess there is not much interaction between the staff of classic San
Francisco restaurants. No one in the near by Sam's Grill knew
where Schroeder's was or if it was still open (which of course it is).
Believe it or not, it was only some 35 years ago this place ended its
"Men only for Lunch" policy.
Not far from Original Joes, the Clift Hotel, the House of Shields,
the Palace Hotel, Jack's Grill, Sam's Grill, Sears Fine Foods, the Tonga Room
in the Fairmont Hotel, Schroeder's German Restaurant.
 |
| Sears Fine Foods, 439 Powell St., San Francisco, CA
415-986-1160
 |
This used to be one of my favorite places with a wonderful old
interior featuring cork walls. It's now completely remodeled (except the
nice old neon sign outside), but it still has incredible pancakes (their
famous miniature ones). Not far from Original Joes, the Clift Hotel,
the House of Shields, the Palace Hotel, Jack's Grill, Sears Fine Foods,
the Tonga Room in the Fairmont Hotel, Schroeder's German Restaurant. |
| Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto, 1919 4th St, Berkeley, CA
(510) 845-7771 T T T
|
I had a true Deja Vu experience when I walked in here. I had not
recognized the place, but then it suddenly dawned on me that my uncle
Dobby, a Professor at UC Davis, and Aunt Judy had taken my family here
some 35 years ago when my parents, sisters and I first visited
California in 1971. This is a Berkeley institution where everyone goes
for a truly special occasion. Part of the restaurant is the
perfectly preserved old Spenger's Restaurant, and an add on is a very
well designed recreation of an old San Francisco restaurant and back
bar. Good food of course and two nice bars. This is a two for one
time machine, since Brennan's (1959) is just about next door. The
restaurant is now owned by McCormick & Schmidt's - a chain that always
does a great job at Seafood. My kudos to them for leaving the original
restaurant in fairly original shape.
 |
| St. Francis Fountain & Candy Store, 3234 22nd St., San
Francisco, CA (415) 642-0298 T T T T T
|
This place is a real national treasure. A perfectly preserved
classic soda fountain. Wooden booths, a long counter, neon. It's
amazing that the chain of owners here had the wisdom to not change a
thing. Actually, my one suggestion to spruce things up would be an
antique wall clock on the wall behind the counter. Other than that
- it's utterly perfect. Addictive shakes, malts, egg creams, hot
fudge Sundaes, etc. It cheered me up to see this place utterly
packed when I went there. Somehow, new generations are beginning to
appreciate these treasures. This place should be protected as a national
landmark.
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| Tadich's Grill, 240 California St., San Francisco, CA 415-391-1849
since 1849 T T T T
|
This place claims to be California's oldest restaurant (although the
Sycamore Inn in Rancho Cucamonga claims an establishment date of 1848 -
I'll let them battle over the title without taking sides!). It has moved
locations over its 150 or so year history. Founded by the Buich
brothers, this place started out on Clay Street. The present local still has
a great old feel and is extremely popular. The long counters were packed when
I recently visited. It was so packed, I really couldn't get a good
interior shot. As with any classic San Francisco restaurant, there is
wonderful seafood to be had here. Not far from Original Joes, the Clift
Hotel, the House of Shields, the Palace Hotel, Jack's Grill, Sam's
Grill, Sears Fine Foods,
the Tonga Room in the Fairmont Hotel, Schroeder's German Restaurant.
 |
| Tommy's Joynt, 1101 Geary Blvd. San Francisco, CA 94109
415-775-4216 (since 1947)
T T T T T
|
I really liked this place. This is a one of kind place in San
Francisco, completely original and completely unique. I guess this
started out as a German place, although now the staff is entirely
Hispanic and I believe the owners are Jewish. Regardless of the
mix of ethnicities, this is the kind of bar and restaurant that will
never be replicated. It has some sixty years of evolution in
personality, like the patina of a Rodin statue (albeit quite a bit more
humorous than "the Thinker"). The food was good and old fashioned and
very reasonably priced. The staff was very friendly. This
may become my favorite place in San Francisco proper.
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| Trader Vic's Restaurant, 9 Anchor Drive, Emeryville, CA 94608
510-653-3400 T T T T (the current restaurant dates from the
70's but it still has a time machine effect)
|
This is a wonderful place. Very convenient location right across the
Bay Bridge in Emeryville, a short distance from San Francisco, Oakland
and Berkeley. Located right on the water with beautiful views, this is
certainly one of the Tiki greats. This Trader Vic's has not been
as "nauticalized" as other Trader Vic's, with plenty of tiki's and
Polynesian atmosphere still remaining. I believe much of the decor of
the first Trader Vic's was brought here after the original burnt down.
Great collection of old rum bottles on display. A large selection
of Tiki drinks, including the original Mai Tai. Free Valet parking (well
of course, tip the attendant generously). A must see. If you guys
don't keep this place packed, don't complain if it ends up like the
Beverly Hills version.
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