You've gotta try the fried chicken - it takes a while for them to make it, but worth the wait imo - for $12 you get 4 pieces, fries, and coleslaw. Alternatively the fried chicken and waffles is a delicious snack with similar fried chicken but in small popcorn chicken bits in a waffle cone, though the price is steeper for what you get.

Hey SF CH-ers,

My partner and I are two foodies from Toronto looking for some good eats in SF. We're traveling on somewhat of a tight budget but we're looking for a good mix of good cheap eats, and one or two upscale restaurants (preferably seafood).

We'll be in the city for a week, so suggestions on good farmers markets where we can get healthy and cheap fresh food for breakfast and sandwiches would be great too.

We're staying at Market St. and 3rd, and plan on stumbling back from dinner at least once.

If a particular food venue is compelling enough we are not opposed to traveling by transit, even if it's to Berkley or Oakland.

Thanks in advance, can't wait to get your suggestions!

Tried Jean's over the weekend, their noodles were fantastic!
I wasn't a big fan of the Malaysian curry, but vegetarian chicken drumsticks in the curry were really good.

I agree Restoran Malaysia isn't very good at all.
Also the Laksa Restaurant in Chinatown should be avoided as well.

Also, the Laksa Restaurant (at the same building where Bo De Duyen use to be) is a loser. I went once when it opened and noted:

The laksa was basically noodles in a bland curry soup with two shrimps, and the lemongrass tofu from their vegetarian section came with a nice chunk of CHICKEN. Definitely not worth $20.

Yes! Pho 88 doesn't compare, it's one of the last places I would have pho! Definitely have Pho Hung before Pho 88. But the broth at Pho Hung seems too MSG-y on most days.

Pho at "The Train" Xe Lua isn't very good either; the noodles were much to gelatinous, and broth was simply bland. But their vermicelli dishes are quite good: the bbq meat is never too dry or too burnt - but I would pass on their spring rolls.

BUT: The best pho places imo are in the city's north-west end. Pho Dao Bo (Finch and Weston) is one of the best for Pho, and Peach Garden (Sheppard and Jane) for rice dishes.

As a eater of the meats - I was wowed by Lotus Pond time and time again.
Same goes for BDD, but still waiting for the re-open....

Szw, I've taken a picture of their take-out menu: http://flickr.com/photos/ndawg/304181...

I had a few samples at their launch two weekends ago - their chicken tinga is awesome. I'm not a big fan of chow mein in my burritos, but the other aspects of 'asian fusion' is quite good, especially their sauces.

picture (chicken tinga with rice): http://flickr.com/photos/ndawg/304163...

My vote is Beer Bistro over Harlem if you're going make the effort to head outside the theatre district.

Just found a few pictures of what I last ate at Udupi Palace:

Samosa Chaat: http://flickr.com/photos/ndawg/2745982182/in/set-72157605382819110/
There's a few different types of Chaats, and apparently one of them has french fries! They're listed on the wall in handwritting.

Masala Dosa: http://flickr.com/photos/ndawg/274598...

I'm going to check that out when I'm out in the area.
how is the shrimp fried? battered?

These are the ones that are wrapped in rice paper (not fried or anything); usually contains lettuce, Vietnamese basil, shrimp, and vermicelli... some places add other stuff. And comes with a sauce. Appears on the appetizer part of the menus.

I've had it at:
1. The Train (Xe Lua) on Spadina, which I think might be my favourite. Good size, rice paper is never ripped or too dry or sticky, and filled just right. Had good proportion of the ingredients. Comes with the Hoi Sin sauce.

2. Pho 88 on Spadina, my least favourite. Had too much vermicelli and not enough of everything else. This one comes with a peanut sauce, which wasn't very good. I ended up use the Hoi Sin sauce on the table they had out. It also seemed like it was pre-made, by how dry the rice paper was. And if memory serves me correctly, it was lacking the basil.

3. Pho Hung on Spadina, not bad, though the rice paper was a little dry as well, but it came with ample shrimp (which is good in my books). Also had the Hoi Sin sauce.

4. Spring Roll on Eglinton, makes something similar called the 'sexy summer roll', which I really enjoyed. Adding smoke salmon was a great idea to give it more substance (and charge more of course!). Although, it didn't come with a hoi sin sauce, their own sauce was perfect with a good amount of sweet and a little bit of spicy kick. (note, this is the only item I like at Spring Roll)

Is there a place that any CH-ers really like or dislike, and I'm curious to know if there are other creative fusion type rolls (i.e. the sexy summer roll at Spring Roll).?

Definitely agree, Tabla has gone downhill.
When I went in July for dinner, my party and I were the only ones dining there for almost our entire meal.

Whoa, that's pretty cool!
I've never seen 'live' abalone before!

I'm sure they won't hesitate to make that an entree portion ;)

Agreed, Harlem has great mac and cheese, and with another side it's enough to be a meal.

Friend of mine bought some 'grown up mac and cheese' at pusateri's pre-made counter and was quite fantastic... the little bits of bacon in it probably helped. I found it a little too liquidy but more time in the oven would probably fix that.

Yitz's deli at Eglinton and Avenue Road does a good job of Jewish Canadian food.. if you're looking for Matzo ball soup, brisket, chopped liver, bagels, etc...

In little India check out Udupi Palace (1460 Gerrard Street East) for spicy South Indian food; they've got some well-made dosa.

Hey breakme1, which sauce would you recommend at Wings Up!?

Chez Laurant has a cozy atmosphere to it - imagine eating at Grandma's house, as it is essentially a house converted to restaurant, and they have 'grandma's' dishes to match too.

The food there is pretty good (Italian and French) - their lasagna is fantastic (they describe it as "North America's Best Lasagna"), but the pasta is nothing to rave about, but is still quite good. I liked that their anti pasto dish was quite generous.

In terms of the French food, I've only had their French Onion Soup, which was of the less-cheese variety.

Pearl by the lake has a nice lakefront view and I found that their dinner does cater to more of a 'Canadian' taste. Lots of room there for a large party and is relatively 'upscale', but there probably wouldn't be much for the more adventurous.

I like Sugar better than Go For Tea - although called sugar, their desserts and drinks are not as sweet as the ones at Go For Tea. I've always considered Go For Tea as the diabetes factory of the GTA.

If you're willing to drive great distances to try something - check out the Beaver and Bulldog (locations in 'Sauga, and Hamilton, I've only been to the Hamilton one). They have 30+ unique flavours: http://www.beaverandbulldog.com/menu/..., and plenty in the 'hot' zone. So far this is my fav wings place.

I second El Trompo.

Down the street at the corner of Augusta and College, Oishi Kada has good sushi for under $20. They have a few creative 'special rolls' on their menu.

The Dupont one is right by the subway too. Haven't been to the other ones, but I fell in love with their herb tomato sauce. It's been quiet the both times I've been there, but didn't seem to impact their food quality. They've also been saying they're working on a rooftop patio, but haven't seen much progress when I was there this July.

And if it makes any difference, Casa Loma is up the street :)

I'm embarrassed to say that I was very hungry when I got the seafood one and gobbled them up. I'm pretty sure there was shrimp in it.

That doesn't seem too promising...

Is this dish even available at most Thai places in Toronto?

oh darn! Thanks for clarifying - I'll remember that for next time.

I was in Chicago last week and had "Spicy Crazy Noodles" at a Thai restaurant. I did some googling and it seems to be also called "Pad Khee Mao".

Does anyone know a place in Toronto that has the best spicy crazy noodles?

If you find that one too far - there's one at Keele and Sheppard, but be forewarned that it's not as clean and varied as T&T. T&T is my first choice.