This San Francisco institution is a love-it-or-loathe-it kind of place, where vibrant murals outside and flea–market decor inside set the perfect scene for ultracasual cafeteria-style dining and drinking. To me, the point is the price; it’s getting harder and harder in the city to find well-priced food options, and they don’t get much more affordable than this for a rib-sticking meal. Grab a tray and order the likes of corned beef, buffalo stew, or roast beef (plus every heavy, delicious side you can imagine) from the heat-lamp-warmed counter, then settle into a seat to devour your heaping helping of comfort food. And if you want to do some serious drinking, Tommy’s offers a variety of almost 100 beers and ciders from over 30 different countries.