kid-friendly

Restaurant Website: http://www.littleskilletsf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=360+ritch+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.790416,-122.396167&sspn=0.052838,0.075874&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=360+Ritch+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94107&z=17

The only scene at this window restaurant—a spin-off of downtown soul-food restaurant Farmer Brown—is the line of people waiting patiently to get their chicken-and-waffles fix. It's a lunch and late-night only affair and there is no seating, but on a sunny day, plenty find seating directly of the sidewalk across the alleyway for a little urban picnic.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The brief menu here includes, yes, excellent fried chicken and Belgian-style waffles. But it goes on to include a pulled pork po'boy (which is really a sloppy joe), Cobb salad, biscuits and sausage gravy, and a slightly dubious over-the-top bacon-wrapped waffledog. Forget calorie counting for the time being because even the mini pecan pies are worth it.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.burgerbarlv.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=251+geary+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.788139,-122.399056&sspn=0.02642,0.037937&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=251+Geary+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94102&z=17

The interior of Hubert Keller’s burger emporium (his second—the first is at the Mandalay Place in Vegas) is nothing much to look at, but thankfully the restaurant—which is located in Macy’s, one floor beneath the Cheesecake Factory—has an amazing view of Union Square. Ask for a table near the window, and try to ignore the techno music and the rhinestone and logo adorned underwear for sale behind the bar.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Every permutation of the burger is represented here, from classic (American cheese, bacon) to luxe (foie gras, truffles). It’s not just beef, either—you can choose from bison, salmon, chicken or vegetarian. The toppings are limitless, but beware the sin of overindulgence: too much of a good thing sometimes is too much. Naturally, you can also choose your fries—skinny or fat, sweet potato or regular, even zucchini. This warning about overdoing  it extends to the milkshakes—the best among them are the simplest.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.pibarsf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1432+Valencia+St.,+san+francisco&sll=37.793753,-122.40249&sspn=0.006604,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1432+Valencia+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94110&z=17

The Pi Bar space bears none of the hallmarks of its former occupant, Suriya Thai. Gone is the pink paint and the elephant mural, replaced by a vaguely sports-bar esque interior, the centerpieces of which are the long bar and the communal table set in the window up front. A chalkboard advertises the nightly draught beer options.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The pizzas here—and pizza is the centerpiece of the menu—are New York style, the large one (21 inches) the size of a manhole cover. Topping options are limited to more classic choices, such as anchovy, housemade Italian sausage and portabella mushrooms, the sauce is appropriately tangy and the cheese is laid on with a heavy hand.  A slice (which sells for $3.14—that is pi) and a beer at the bar isn’t the heights of culinary creativity, but on nights when that’s what you’re after, Pi hits the spot.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.kitchenettesf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=958+Illinois+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.752888,-122.407298&sspn=0.006608,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=958+Illinois+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94107&z=17

The decidedly déclassé set-up—nothing more than a table on the loading dock in Dogpatch—means that the box lunches from Kitchenette, an off shoot of catering company Living Room Events, are best taken to go (though there are a couple benches for those that arrive early).

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The inspired sandwich creations at Kitchenette (which change daily and are available Monday through Friday) run the gambit from the “Dogpatch Millionaire”—an Indian-inspired fried chicken sandwich—to fried fish tacos with tartar sauce and porchetta with figs and aïoli. Freshly baked sweets, such as irresistible chocolate-coconut cookies and raspberry-nectarine galettes with whipped cream complete the meal.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.palstakeaway.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2751+24th+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.800052,-122.440014&sspn=0.006604,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=2751+24th+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94110&z=17

Walk past Tony’s Market, on the far reaches of 24th street near Potrero, and you’d never know that amidst the beef jerky and Doritos a preeminent sandwichery resides. Head to the deli counter, where you can order a creative, thoughtfully composed meal-on-bread. Plan accordingly: Pal’s is only open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday, and they sell out quickly.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Crafted from meats and vegetables sourced locally, the ever-changing options at Pal’s might include a shrimp banh mi, Marin Sun Farms roast beef on a Kaiser roll with blue cheese, or a vegetarian option that combines hard-cooked eggs, watercress and green beans, dressed with vinaigrette (sort of like a tuna-less niçoise). A daily dessert is also on offer—in summer, fruit crisps, come fall, treats like chocolate babka.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.thetipsypigsf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2231+chestnut+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.750902,-122.434327&sspn=0.006608,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=2231+Chestnut+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94123&z=17

At peak times (Friday and Saturday nights, for example) the crowd and accompanying din here can be overwhelming—even during quieter times, the live room can make easy conversation a challenge. Opt for a table in the quieter “library” in back or, if weather permits, carve out some space for you and your friends on the large back patio.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Tipsy Pig serves grown-up pub fare with a few standouts. The pulled pork sliders— sweet, shredded meat piled high on plush buns—are terrific, and the maple-brined pork chop is so good you’ll want to gnaw at the bone (and happily, this is a place where no eyebrows would be raised if you went for it). While some of the other options—burgers, macaroni and cheese, Caesar salads—are somewhat pedestrian, the 50 or so artisan beers help patrons happy.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.schmidts-sf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2400+folsom+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.782054,-122.410932&sspn=0.006606,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=2400+Folsom+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94110&z=17

Like Walzwerk, the sister restaurant, the focus here is on German food and drink. But whereas Walzwerk’s dining room is  a cozy cell that only serves dinner, Schmidt’s is airy, bright and high-ceilinged and also offers lunch. The servers, efficient and brusque, do not suffer fools lightly.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The signature sausage plates, heaped with spaetzle or mashed potatoes and sauerkraut, are always a good choice, but the expanded offerings at Schmidt’s also include an irresistible golden brown veal schnitzel, and—as official gild to the lily—it’s topped with a fried egg and a couple white anchovy filets. If you’re going to do this kind of eating, you may as well throw caution to the wind and have a couple oversized steins of German beer, especially since the few desserts are nothing to fuss over.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.showdogssf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1020+market+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.758923,-122.412185&sspn=0.006608,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1020+Market+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94102&z=17

The owners of Foreign Cinema have established this temple of the dogs—hot dogs, that is, along with sausages, French fries and onion rings. The triangular space, with its oversized glass windows, is a prime spot for witnessing some of the “local color” on that stretch of Market Street. It’s convenient location near the Warfield makes  it a good spot for a quick pre-show bite.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>With a menu of sausages and hot dogs sourced from some of the area’s best purveyors—4505 Meats, Fatted Calf and more—this is no pedestrian hot dog stand. Though selections change frequently, look for a lamb merguez topped with fig chutney, corn dogs and fiery Louisiana hot links. The fries (regular and barbecue) and lacy onion rings are well-above average, and a good selection of draft beers, all available in eight-ounce pours perfect for midday tippling, rounds out the experience.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.littleskilletsf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=330+Ritch+St.+San+Francisco&sll=37.765601,-122.402117&sspn=0.037115,0.053215&ie=UTF8&ll=37.779653,-122.394068&spn=0.009277,0.013304&z=16&iwloc=A

With window-only service, this offshoot of Farmer Brown has brought a little soul to SoMa. On a sunny day, Ritch Street—an alley lined with brick warehouses—is full of people with Little Skillet to-go boxes in their laps, making the most of a their lunch break. Dinner service is rumored to open in near the future.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>It’s hard to go easy here. The menu tempts with all sorts of decidedly non-salad options, including excellent, crisp fried chicken and Belgian-style waffles (with a side of maple syrup), biscuits with sausage gravy, dutifully sloppy Sloppy Joes, plus sides of crisp, pickled cucumbers and cole slaw. It’s really Southern picnic fixings for the urban dweller. We’re just happy that there’s another window café right next door selling Blue Bottle coffee for a caffeine bump; it’s not easy feasting on this kind of comfort food and then settling back to work.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.pizzanostrasf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=300+DeHaro+St.+San+Francisco&sll=37.747626,-122.419066&sspn=0.009281,0.013304&g=3149+Mission+St.+San+Francisco&ie=UTF8&z=14

Started by Frenchman Jocelyn Bulow’s restaurant group (Chez Papa, Chez Maman), this pizza place is located in a slightly mini-mall-esque space at the base of Potrero Hill. On a nice day, it’s a good place for al fresco dining. Hot tip: Nostra delivers for free, making it one of the best delivered pizzas in the city (not that the competition is fierce).

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Although the wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pies are the focus here, there’s also a list of antipasti to please those looking to go light on the carbs. But pizza is your best bet: Traditional options include margarita and a caprese, while a quattro fromaggi is topped with gorgonzola and pear. The Bolognese pizza gilds the lily with an egg.</p>