It's more difficult than usual to find typical fast food in San Francisco, and that's a good thing! But you can find all kinds of delicious fast food options without breaking the bank, and in the same amount of time it would take you to say "super size it."
Boxed Foods Company is
the place to go for a lunch like no other. First off, they serve Blue Bottle Coffee - just trust us on this one. The blackboard wall of sandwiches and salads is creative and each one's ingredients taste like they were brought in fresh from the farm that same day.
Ali Baba's Cave serves up shawarma and falafel wraps quickly, but the flavors are anything but average. Swathed in crispy lavash bread, the sandwiches explode with tabbouleh, hot sauce, salad, tahini, and hummus.
Chile Lindo Empanadas on 16th St hands three kinds of empanadas through the doorway of its tiny storefront. The coffee is first-rate too.
Grab your picnic to go at Molinari Delicatessen in North Beach. The raucous Italians here will hook you up with a deli sandwich piled high with the likes of salami, prosciutto, soppresetta, bufala mozzarella, or whatever you fancy on freshly baked Italian loaves.
Need a slice at 2am? Arinell is your best bet. Its slice emanates "New York." Craving a burrito? Taqueria Cancun is cheap, speedy, and fills you up (or sobers you up at the same time).
When all you want is a burger, head to the Wharf to San Francisco's only In-N-Out. Ask for it "animal style" (smothered in sautéed onions and Russian dressing) and they'll think you're a local.
245 Kearny Street
Superb sandwiches and salads...
531 Haight Street
(Between Steiner and Fillmore streets)
Great shawermas and falafel...
2944 16th Street
Empanadas in a pinch...
508 Haight St
Hip cafe in the Lower Haight...
2288 Mission St
Between 18th & 19th Streets
Fabulous burritos in a fun setting...
509 Valencia Street
Between 16th & 17th Streets
Great, cheap thin-crust pizza...
333 Jefferson St
Famous burgers at the wharf...
601 Divisadero Avenue
(at the corner of Hayes Street)
Morning-after breakfast...
2300 Polk Street
Nine locations of French cafe bliss...
373 Columbus Avenue
North Beach Landmark...