Pluto's – San Francisco Restaurants Review

Pluto’s
627 Irving St. (7th Ave), 753-8867
& 3258 Scott St. (Chestnut), 775-8867
11am–10pm, 7 days

This is a small chain of simple restaurants that feature fresh food, in large portions, at low prices, served cafeteria-style. Their slogan is “Fresh food for a hungry universe.”

Pluto's first restaurant opened 7 years ago at Scott St. with 45 seats. The Irving St. place has been there 5 years, and has 70 seats. Other Pluto's branches are located in Davis, Palo Alto, and Rosedale. The decor of all the restaurants is kept simple and straightforward.

On getting in line, one gets a card which is punched at each station of purchase. When exiting one pays what is on the card. Don’t lose the card!

They roast their own turkeys, grill their own chickens, make their own desserts, and bake their own bread.

I cannot praise Pluto’s enough for young people, especially those visiting San Francisco for the first time. The best way I can describe it to them is for them to envision their school cafeteria, but with the freshest gourmet food available — at knockdown prices. Even a hungry student can eat well, for under $10. One can even stay under $5, if necessary. Of course, persons of all ages should find Pluto’s exciting — in terms of quality of food and price. It is also exciting to eat in a place where young people are having a good time.

Soup, vegetables — Large bowl of soup $3.50, smashed spuds with beef sherry or turkey gravy $1.60, baked russet potato $1.60, fresh vegetable galaxy pan-cooked $1.60, mushrooms $1.60, grilled garlic potato rings, “better than French-fried” $1.80, spicy onion rings with BBQ sauce $1.80, grilled eggplant $1.60, chicken wings with dipping sauce, served with fresh carrots and celery, six $2.95, 12 $5.50, 18 $7.50.

Greens and things — Caesar salad with sourdough croutons, side $3.95, main $4.80, with grilled chicken or marinated steak, side $4.95, main $5.80, just greens, side $3.95, main $4.80, with grilled chicken or marinated steak, side $4.95, main $5.80, fresh baked bread 25 cents slice.

Meats & poultry — Grilled marinated steak, carved $3.95, grilled sandwich $5.50, herb-roasted Sonoma turkey, carved $3.75, grilled sandwich $4.95, smoked poultry sausage link $3.75, grilled sandwich $5.15, grilled herb chicken, carved $3.95, grilled sandwich $5.75, eggplant and red-pepper sandwich $5.50, grilled Portobello sandwich $5.50.

Child fare — chicken wings $2.50, potato rings $1, cheese pretzel $1.25.

Sweets — All homemade $1.25.

Quenchers — Coffee $1.15, caffe latte $1.95, cappuccino $1.50, espresso $1, kettle of hot tea $1.25, Micro brews $2.75, bottled brews $2.25, Napa Valley wines $3.50 glass, milk $1.25.