Tortas Los Picudos

Tortas Los Picudos
2969 24th Street
(between Alabama St & Harrison St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-4199

Grub-O-Meter: 5 out of 5 Bellies-Up
Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $ out of $$$$

One word wow, the best torta I have ever had in my life. This is the bomb digity for sure, not sure what they do to the sandwich but its the greatest and can't wait to come back to this place-one of my new favorites. I tried the chariso and egg torta along with a strawberry fresca. This sandwich is so great, with avocado, tomato, egg, chariso, and toasted french bread. The carnitas torta is also great, so tasty and fresh. Can't wait to get back here again to grub!

Arizmendi Bakery

Arizmendi Bakery
1331 9th Ave
(between Irving St & Judah St)
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 566-3117

Grub-O-Meter: 3.5 out 5 Bellies-Up
Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $$ out of $$$$

A great neighborhood find down the street from my house. Everyday there is a line out the door for this place because of the fresh tasty goodies. The baked goods including the pizza bread, cookies, and bread. The pizza is good but not the best that I have had, north beach has the best. Although north beach is far away this bakery will do for those days when I dont want to travel. Overall not too bad and worth a try once more.

Steve's BBQ

Steves' BBQ
2521 Durant Ave #G
(between Bowditch St & Telegraph Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 848-6166

Grub-O-Meter: 5 out of 5 Bellies-Up
Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $ out of $$$$

What can I say about Steve's BBQ, hefty portions, great taste, and cheap. All the requirements for a 5 Bellies-Up rating. I grew up with Steve's BBQ in college and high school so it was a pleasant surprise that things have not changed at all with the taste of the place after so many years. My favorite is the BBQ chicken along with the brussel sprouts. I must say steve's is not very authentic korean wise but who cares, tastes great. Definitely an oldie but goodie.

Kitchen Kura

Kitchen Kura
1525 Irving St
(between 16th Ave & 17th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 731-2054

Grub-O-Meter: 4.5 out of 5 Bellies-Up
Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $ out of $$$$

A hidden gem right in my neighborhood. Down home cooked food by a family from Japan. Always have passed by here all the time and we finally decided to give this place a try. I'm glad we did because the food is really good and cheap! We tried a couple of appetizers and the entrees which included everything from fish to chicken. Wow the chicken is so addictive, its unbelievable. I had  the whole chicken basket to myself which was awesome, better then KFC or anything else where I have tried fried chicken. Will definitely come back for more!

Careme 350

Careme 350 (SF Culinary School)

350 Rhode Island Street

(between 16th and 17th street)

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 216-4415

Grub-O-Meter: 4 out of 5 Bellies Up

Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $$ out of $$$$

Careme 350 part of the San Francisco Culinary Academy, is a real bargain if you want freshly prepared food done by students that are in training. A couple of us went on a friday night which happens to be the buffet night, you get all-you-can-eat appetizers and desserts, plus an entree of your choice. I was really impressed by all the selections of appetizers you could choose, from different types of meats-duck, pork, chicken, beef, seafood) All of them were presented in a neat fashion and also explained by a student at each table. There were also a wide variety of entrees. We all did family style to get a taste of each dish. I ordered the shepards pie and my friends ordered other dishes from spaghetti and meatballs to oxtail stew. I must say that the entrees were just average but what shines is all the appetizers and desserts to choose from. We almost all got full off of these. I hear that friday is the only buffet night but during the week you can get a 5 -course entree dinner for under 20 bucks which is a steal. Would like to come back here again to try the regular meals during the week since I was pretty impressed by the buffet meal.

John's Snack and Deli

John's Snack and Deli

40 Battery Street

(Between Bush St & Pine Street)

San Francisco, Ca 94111

(415) 434-4634

Grub-O-Meter: 2 out of 5 Bellies-Up

Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $ out of $$$$

John's Snack and Deli is a hole in the wall deli in the financial district which serves unusual inventions such as the korean kimchi burrito, spam kimbap, and much more. I was excited to try this place because I hear that they were inspired by the famous LA korean burrito truck Kogi. It was definitely a track out there to drive since its right in the middle of the financial district so public transportation is suggested. I ordered the kim hi burrito and spam kimbap, but was sad to hear they sold out of the kimchi fried rice. After taking the first bite I immediatley came to the conclusion that burritos and korean food don't mix that well together. It definitley had an unusual taste with the kimchi and flour tortilla. The spam kimbap was pretty non-tasty as well with hardly no spam in it. I figured that these were just a cheap knock off of the LA truck which I would like to try if I go down there again sometime.

King Won Ton

King Won Ton & Noodle

1936 Irving Street

(Between 20th Ave and 21st Ave)

San Francisco, CA 94122

(415) 682-9813

Grub-O-Meter: 3 out of 5 Bellies-Up

Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $ out of $$$$

A local won ton shop that just opened up recently on Irving. Not bad, a comfortable, no-nonsense type of restaurant. From what I have tried so far, the won-ton is their specialty and is pretty good. Kind of reminds me of the days growing up, would go to chinatown in Oakland-pretty similar taste. The green onion pancake is ok as well as the porridge. Still like wonton house on Noriega the best but an alright alternative if I am lazy.

Oyaji Restaurant

Oyaji Restaurant

3123 Clement Street (at 32nd Avenue)

San Francisco, CA 94121

(415) 379-3604

Grub-O-Meter: 4 out of 5 Bellies-Up

Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $$ out of $$$$

Oyaji Restaurant on 32nd Avenue in the Richmond district is one of those unassuming Japanese restaurants that if you walked by you would not know that this place is super popular. Oyaji is known mainly for the tapas or izakaya style small plates. We tried all the popular dishes from the duck skewers, ramen, oyaji beef, and a few others. They were all pretty tasty but if you come here don't come here too hungry or else it will probably break the bank. Between 3 of us we spent about 100 bucks on little skewers. I think that coming here to eat small plates and to just talk is good, but make sure you fill up on a burrito or something else if you want to get full.

The Yellow Submarine

The Yellow Submarine
503 Irving St
(between 6th Ave & 7th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 681-5652

Grub-O-Meter: 4 out of 5 Bellies-Up
Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $ out of $$$$

The Pot's

The Pot's
2652 Judah Street
(between 31st Ave & 32nd Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122

Grub-O-Meter: 4 out of 5 Bellies-Up
Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $$ out of $$$$

Limon Rotisserie

Limon Rotisserie
1001 S. Van Ness Ave.
(Between 21st and 22nd)
San Francisco, CA. 94110

Grub-O-Meter: 4 out of 5 Bellies-Up
Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $$ out of $$$$

Limon Rotisserie in the Mission is another restaurant that is starting to get popular in SF. My fiancee and I were looking for a cheap, ambient, and quality food restaurant for Valentines day. We went a little early around 5:30 and managed to grab a seat before it got really crowded. I must say for the price, ambience, and food, this place is a deal. We ordered the half rotisserie chicken, ceviche,  yucca fries, and for dessert rasberry cake. Overall really tasty and delicious and will definitley return.

Ariake Japanese Restaurant

Ariake Japanese Restaurant
5041 Geary Blvd. (between 14th and 15th)
San Francisco, CA. 94118

Grub-O-Meter: 4.5 out of 5 Bellies-Up
Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $$ out of $$$$

Ariake Japanese Restaurant is a hidden neighborhood gem that people don't seem to know about. Some of the freshest sushi I have had around SF, not many places have these type of sushi rows and also the quality of the fish. Some recommendations are the Tataki plate ( thinly sliced tuna with lemon and ponzu sauce, my favorite), the cherry blossom roll ( tuna, salmon, cucumber, and avocado-simple but great), and the Hamachi Mango Roll ( Hamachi, mango, asparagus, fish roe, and special sauce). Overall great chill atmosphere, service, and of course good food.

Los Angeles - Mario's Peruvian & Seafood

Mario's Peruvian Seafood

5786 Melrose Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90038

Grub-O-Meter: 4.5 out of 5 Bellies-Up

Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $$ out of $$$$

Marios down near Wilshire and Melrose is one of those hole-in the walls that you have to love. Great homestyle cooking Peruvian style with their emphasis on all things fried, especially the fish. Not in the best neighborhood and clientel but worth the trek to get some fried fish. I ordered the fried fish plate and it was pretty awesome, cooked with limes, tomatoes, and lots of onions all for a reasonable price. Not many good homestyle peruvian places around and would definitely come back when around this area again.

Los Angeles - Sushi-Gen

Sushi-Gen

422 E 2nd Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Grub-O-Meter: 5 out of 5 Bellies-Up

Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $$ out of $$$$

Sushi-Gen in little Tokyo downtown is a well known joint among sushi fanatics and locals for the super fresh  sashimi plates. Upon arriving there was already a huge crowd but luckily we had called ahead to be put down on the list, so our wait was only 10 minutes. So we sat down and ordered and 5 minute later our food came out, I guess because its all sashimi mainly that it would be fast. I must say upon ordering the sashimi plate for 15 bucks that this is definitely some of the freshest fish I have tasted and am glad I stopped by here. The tuna just melts in your mouth and the thin slices of scallop were awesome.  I would definitely come back here in a heartbeat, its just too bad they dont have something like this in SF.

Los Angeles - Pink's Hot Dogs

Pink's Hot Dogs

709 N La Brea Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90038

Grub-O-Meter: 4 out of 5 Bellies-Up

Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $$

The famous Pinks hotdogs in LA, an experience if your not from LA for sure. The menu includes a variety of dogs with crazy toppings from Guacamole, to bacon, to onion rings, the toppings are what make this place great. Besides all the hype not sure if I would wait another 2 hours just to get a dog but I must say that this is some good eating and I guess from what I hear waiting is just part of the experience. I had the Millenium dog (a 12-inch jalepeno dog with chili, tomatoes, and guacomole, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame dog( coleslaw with tomatos), onion rings, and fries. Talk about heart attack, the Millenium dog was good but the Hollywood dog was pretty gross. The coleslaw was mayonaised out to the max, just not my cup of tea. So all in all an experience to experience once but the wait just killed me.