Asqew

Asqew
3348 Steiner St. (near Chestnut), 415 931-9201,
& 1607 Haight St (at Clayton), 415 701-9301
11:30am-9:45pm, 7 days

One Asqew location is on “restaurant row” on Steiner Street between Lombard and Chestnut. It is a meeting place for young people and for the young at heart. It has some 50 seats, and the decor is ultra-plain, but clean. One orders at the counter, gets one’s cutlery and drinks, and pays. The food, when ready, is brought to the table. One orders from a large menu that covers most of an entire wall (you can also ask for a printed menu).

The key word on the menu is “skewers.” Fresh grilled chicken, meat, seafood, and vegetables are all prepared on skewers and grilled to perfection on a large gas grill. The skewers are placed on top of a bed of salad, or over a starch. There are two basic choices, a Regular order of two skewers, or a Half Skewer (one skewer). The regular can serve two for a small meal.

Asqew also has a large choice of soups (8 kinds), salads, many sides, desserts, and beverages, including draught beer. Service is pleasant, and water glasses filled promptly. Note; here is also a Special Child’s Menu for $2.50 that includes corn on the cob.

Skewers. Chicken Skewers Half-order $5.50, regular $8.25, includes Texas BBQ with onions and corn on the cob, Thai BBQ with broccoli and yellow squash, Basil Pesto with artichoke hearts, onions, and mushrooms. Meat Skewers, half $5.75, regular $9.00, include Balsamic or Thai Beef with mushrooms, zucchini, & red peppers, Ginger Basil Lamb with yellow squash and mushrooms, East-West BBQ Pork with apples, pears, & mushrooms. Seafood skewers half $5.95, regular $9.25, include Herb Salmon with Roma tomatoes, broccoli, & red onions, Marinated Scallops with basil, red onions, & yellow peppers, Cajun Swordfish with zucchini, yellow peppers, red onions, & mushrooms. Vegetarian skewers half $4.75, regular $7.50, include Marinated Tofu with broccoli, red pepper, & red onions, Seasonal Vegetables.

Starches, served with skewers, or $2.50 a la carte, include Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Cilantro Jasmine Rice, Citrus Couscous, & Marscapone Polenta.

Salads, served with skewers, or $5.75 a la carte (meal-size), include Caesar, Baby Green, Basil and Baby Arugula, Spinach.

Soups, $5.00 bowl, include Seafood Bisque, Cream of broccoli, Roasted Butternut Squash, Beef Stew.

Sides, include grilled stuffed pepper $2.75, grilled zucchini sticks $2.50, grilled new potatoes $1.75, grilled corn on the cob $1.75.

Desserts, include Grilled Caramel Apple Sundae, with cinnamon caramel ice cream $4.50, Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae with hot fudge and vanilla ice cream, Banana Split with caramel and caramelized almonds $4.50, Root Beer Float $2.50.

Beverages, include fountain drinks $1.75, refills free, fresh fruit quenchers $1.95, refills 92 cents, bottled water $1.50, tap water free. Draught beer, pint $2.95-4.25, pitchers (great for groups) $9-13.00. Wine, bottles $15-25, glasses from $4.50.

Summary — We found the skewers not only savory but ample in size. We had them over an organic baby-green salad which filled the plate to overflowing. That, with a side of garlic mashed potatoes, was ample for two.

Finally, we ordered a banana-split to-share, and, when it came, we were sure they made a mistake and gave us one each! All was scrumptious, if a bit loud.

click image to enlarge

Asqew on Steiner St.