Lefty O’Doul’s – American Restaurant Review

San Francisco is known for the culinary sophistication of its diners. But, recently, good old American food is coming back.

Several new, upscale restaurants have turned to American-style food, featuring steaks, chops etc., instead of arugula and truffle oil, at fairly high prices. However, there are some good old-timers that have been serving American home-style food—the kind your mother made— for a long time, at low prices (you can eat well for under $10).

These American style restaurants fit the present need for many who have been hit by the ongoing recession.

An American Eatery For Our Times

Lefty O’Doul’s
333 Geary Blvd (Union Square), 982-8900, 7am-2am, 7 days.
Cafeteria-style (no tip).

A few years ago, Lefty O’Doul’s announced it was closing shop after some 30 years of business. There was such an outcry of its “regulars,” that it found a way to stay open. The restaurant is a large hofbrau, with two bars, one of which may be the longest in the City.

Breakfast—with home fries, buttered toast, jam—2 eggs to order $4.95, with bacon or ham $6.50, 3-egg omelet $5.50. Continental breakfast of croissant, juice, & coffee $4.50.

Lunch, dinner—Halibut with lemon-butter sauce, potatoes, vegetables $9.49, turkey leg with stuffing & gravy $4.99, spaghetti with salad & roll $4.99, Polish sausage with sauerkraut $5.99, corned beef & cabbage $6.99, seafood Newberg with rice $6.99, beef stew with vegetables & new potatoes $5.99, bowl of chili with cheese & onions $2.99. Dinner plates with whipped potatoes, vegetables & choice of meat (roast beef, ham, corned beef, pastrami, or turkey) $7.99. Large salads, each a meal – cobb, Greek or chef $5.95, garden $2.25. Soups, cup $1.75, $2.25 bowl. Fresh pies, cakes $2.50.

Beer, wine—Draught beer, 16 oz., $3-4.75, Guinness $4, Uerdinger, 20 oz., $4.75. Wine $3.50-5 glass.

click images to enlarge