This simple diner offers a straightforward but winning combination: big, thick, grilled patties of fresh-ground, best-quality, center-cut chuck; fresh french fries; and a choice of cabbage slaw, sautéed garlic mushrooms, or chili. Voilà! You've got my burger of choice. (Zuni Café's is a contender, but is almost twice the price.) The other food -- spicy chicken sandwiches; steak with veggies, garlic bread, and potatoes; and token veggie dishes -- is also up to snuff, but that messy, memorable burger is what keeps the carnivores captivated. (The sinisterly sweet shakes are fantastic, too.) Bargain-diners will appreciate the prices, with burgers ranging from $7 for a classic to $9 for an "Alpine" burger with Gruyère cheese and sautéed mushrooms. Entrees start at $10 for meatloaf with mashed potatoes, garlic bread, and a vegetable, and top out at $18 for New York steak. The classic breakfast menu is also a bargain. A second location at SoMa's Yerba Buena Gardens, 772 Folsom St., between Third and Fourth streets (tel. 415/957-3779), is open Monday from 11am to 5pm, Tuesday through Friday from 11am to 8pm, Saturday from 9am to 8pm, and Sunday from 9am to 5pm. It features breakfast and burgers.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
