San Francisco Foodies

Jake's Steaks
I was inspired by Eddie's post about the top 20 food tourist destination meals by Food and Wine, and Eddie had a previous engagement for December and couldn't attend so I am scheduling another trip to Cheesy Steak Land for January.

California has three listings, the highest is for California Style Pizza, then was the only corporate listing a Southern California Classic (but we have them too) In-n-Out Burger (ok I'll do this event.. maybe when we aren't in baseball season). Finally, Napa Valley Wine (we'll have another wine tasting event in 2026) the only alcohol on the list.

But topping the list is Philadelphia CheeseSteak. San Francisco is lucky enough to have a restaurant that imports the specific bread used to make these delicacies, and have the classic cheese options.

There are several places in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay, and this is a classic that is copied on many menus, but Jake's Steaks, in my opinion does this the best. They have two locations, one in the Mission and their original location in the Marina, which I've been eating at since 2006... i used to live just up the hill.

A certain someone grabbed a Marina apartment that I wanted minutes before me in 2006, but a few blocks away and 100 feet (or maybe more) higher I found one larger, cheaper and with a view.

This event is in the Marina District.

Jake's is a no frills place, order at the counter join us in a booth, CheeseSteaks have some options... like cheese..

I only respect two choices.. ok.. maybe three. Provolone, American and 'with whiz'. I was always a Provolone guy.. the other white cheese.. melt in those onions and peppers.. there was nothing better.. until Jake's... now it's 'with whiz'... like a Kansas tornado (hmm.. wrong metaphor), I don't know.. but I like their golden melted goodness.

Yeah, you can decorate yours with lots of other stuff.. look at their menu or wait and be surprised.

Jake's also has hamburgers, great hot dogs, lots of other main course items. Their Waffle Fries (as seen above) are great, I get mine 'with whiz' -- of course.

Come join me (and maybe Eddie) for a melty, not too greasy, lunch, or just stop by on your own and say San Francisco Foodies sent you.. or more simply.. 'I'm here to #Eat San Francisco'.

Minutiae
Not too much parking, but spots are able to be found, under $20 unless you get a lot of toppings or items.. under $30 unless you're a professional eater.

History
As for the cheesesteaks themselves, the classic order is a heap of beef and onions that are paired with the classic ‘Cheese Wiz’ and put together in an Amoroso roll imported from Philadelphia. In every way possible, Jake’s is as authentic as a cheesesteak gets outside of Philly. Although Jake’s has plenty of variety in their menu, the classic order is their “Cheesesteak Special.” For $15.99, it comes with their classic 8 inch cheesesteak along with waffle fries and a soda. The wait time was relatively short as the whole thing came out piping hot in no more than 10 minutes. Along with the quick wait-times, the employees at the front of the store are always friendly, welcoming, and excited to take your order. As someone who has tried cheesesteaks in Philadelphia and plenty of other San Francisco spots, I can say that Jake’s is the best in terms of sheer quality and flavor. The symphony of salty flavors that comes together with the onions, steak, and cheese is flawless. The vibes are great too, the sports bar atmosphere means that there is always something on the TV’s to cheer, jeer, or boo at while enjoying the great food.
from The J.

Menus and Reviews
Jake's Steaks
Jake's Steaks (Yelp)
Jake's Steaks (Instagram)

Administratriva
A full meal, their 8" Special (Cheesesteak, Fries and Soda) is $16.99, individual items will run a little higher, as does their 12", most likely under $25.

Dress is comfortable casual

Taxes and Restaurant Fees
Ordering at counter, each attendee pays for their order.

Transportation to Jake's Steaks
MUNI: 30, 43, N
Finding street parking in the Marina is usually not bad.
Parking garages can be found nearby

Use event comments for Car Pooling and Ride Sharing.

After the game, we have an 8pm reservation at Kayah, by Burma Love at Chase Center for dinner. Kayah honors the rich legacy of Burmese cuisine and the cultural influences of Southeast Asia, presenting them with a refined, contemporary touch while staying true to the authentic roots of street food. The menu is here. I’m looking forward to tea-leaf salad, garlic noodles, and platha. Because the restaurant charges a no-show fee, I will be collecting a $25 deposit.

Costs
Once you RSVP, I will contact you to Venmo/Zelle/Apple Pay me the cost of your ticket and $25 dinner deposit. I will need the email address associated with your Ticketmaster account so I can transfer your ticket to you. I will subtract your $25 dinner deposit from the total you owe at dinner.

Concessions at the game are on your own.

Each diner’s orders will be calculated separately; however, shared items will be divided up amongst those who eat them. No separate checks. Please be prepared to split the check and pay via cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Apple Pay.

Taxes and Fees
Dining in San Francisco has a sales tax (8.625%). The restaurant likely charges an employee health mandate (5-6%), and we will add a gratuity of 20%.

Parking and Transportation
Muni T or 22 to Chase Center (you can use your GSW ticket as proof of fare on game days)
If you plan on driving and parking near Chase Center, see information on the Chase Center website.

In-n-Out Burger
The World's Oldest Drive-Thru Restaurant, well, second oldest.. but first with the two way speaker for ordering before getting to the window.

While not a surprise, I was inspired by Eddie's posting of Food and Wine's top US travel destinations for specific food items. The Cheese Steak Sandwich was number one, but hidden in the list was In-n-Out Burger, the only business named. Their burgers are uniquely theirs, most locations are in the western US, but recent expansion to the East Coast may change this.

A great not-too smashed burger, fresh ingredients, shakes, soda, hot fries, Modern America.

We'll meet outside, look for a silver pole topped with a blue flag, that will be Dean. We will order inside and each attendee and is responsible for their own purchases. We'll get a set of tables together and eat and discuss our favorite fast food restaurants.

Minutiae
In-n-out Burger is known for their secret menu which isn't that much of a secret any more. The animal style burger is perhaps the oldest secret item, their Neapolitan shake is another older item, 3x3 and 4x4 are huge.. if you want to know what they are follow this link In-n-Out Burger's Secret Menu (or Not So)

History
1948 First In-n-Out Burger opens
Harry Snyder introduces California's first drive-thru hamburger stand in a space barely 100 square feet at Francisquito and Garvey in Baldwin Park. Every day before dawn, Harry visits the meat and produce markets to pick out fresh ingredients, which he prepares by hand. Meanwhile, his wife Esther diligently takes care of all the accounting for the new restaurant at their home right around the corner.
1948 First two-way speaker introduced
Working in his garage at night after long days of cooking burgers, Harry pursues his vision of enabling guests to order and receive their meals without leaving their cars. The introduction of his unique two-way speaker box lets In-N-Out offer true drive-thru service worthy of its name.
for more see restaurant website

Menus
In-n-Out Burger
In-n-Out Burger (Wikipedia)
In-n-Out Burger (Instagram)

Administratriva
This is an individual order restaurant, estimated cost is less than $20.

Dress is comfortable casual

Transportation to In-n-Out Burgers
MUNI: 30, 8, Powell / Hyde Cable Car
Finding street parking in [neighborhood] is usually difficult.
Parking garages can be found nearby

Use event comments for Car Pooling and Ride Sharing.

Many thanks for the photos and history from restaurant website

Jose Andres is an interesting character in the world of food. He runs World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that offers free meals to countries facing war and natural disasters. During the recent government shutdown, he offered to feed furloughed federal workers. He is a professor at George Washington University, where he teaches courses about how food shapes civilization. And he is a successful restaurateur.

Andres recently opened his first restaurant in the Bay Area - Zaytinya, a concept he has also introduced in other cities, where the restaurant has been included in the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand list of exceptional restaurants at moderate prices. The food includes Lebanese, Turkish, and Greek items.

The restaurant is located in the former Macy’s Mens building at the Stanford Shopping Mall. The mall fought a legal battle with the city of Palo Alto to allow it to cook with natural gas. (Otherwise, all new construction in Palo Alto has to be electric.) So get ready for some smoky flavor!

The menu includes spreads, salads, flatbreads, sandwiches and shareable entrees. You can view the menu here.

Costs
Each diner’s orders will be calculated separately; however, shared items will be divided up amongst those who eat them. I expect we will share some spreads and mezze, and possibly some entrees. No separate checks. Please be prepared to split the check and pay via cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Apple Pay.

Taxes and Fees
Dining in Palo Alto has a sales tax (9.13%). We will add a gratuity of 20%.

Parking and Transportation
Ample free parking in Stanford Mall
Caltrain to Palo Alto + Uber/Lyft