Left: Toastaquiles made with soft-scrambled eggs, fried corn tortillas, guajillo chili sauce, avocado, crema, cotija, and cilantro
Right: Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Sandwich made with Thai green curry, basil, cilantro, serrano peppers, pickled carrots, and daikon, served with fried potatoes
I've been to many a brunch in my day and it seems like time to share some places I've tried recently (i.e. in the past year).
Last May I visited Eats, a brunch restaurant on Clement and 2nd in the Inner Richmond, with a large group of family and friends. I remember being impressed by the Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Sandwich made with Thai green curry, basil, cilantro, serrano peppers, pickled carrots, and daikon, served with fried potatoes. It had a nice, tangy flavor and provided a decent amount of protein to continue my day. Next time, I may try the Caramelized Custard French Toast or the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich.
Eats
50 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94118
Open: Wednesday - Monday 8am - 2pm
Chilaquiles made with fried corn tortilla, salsa roja (left) and verde (right), choice of meat, scrambled eggs, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, onion, and refried black beans
Left: Huevos Rancheros made with fried corn tortillas, refried black beans, fried eggs, and red poblana sauce
Right: Tres Leches Pancakes
Around this time last year, I visited El Mil Amores Restaurant with my dining companion and a good friend for the first time. Located on 21st and Florida in the Mission, this busy spot serves brunch classics and Mexican favorites alike. We ordered a few dishes: Chilaquiles with both red and green salsa, Huevos Rancheros, and Tres Leches Pancakes. Although I don't remember the specifics, I remember thinking this was a fun environment to catch up with friends like sharing a side of sweet pancakes. The line was long, so I would try to come by early or on a weekday.
El Mil Amores Restaurant
2780 21st St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Daily 8am - 3pm
Classic Cubano made with roasted pork, smoked ham, pickles, mustard, Swiss cheese, and a grilled roll, served with yuca fries
In early September of last year, I visited Boogaloos, a well-loved breakfast and lunch spot on the corner of 22nd and Valencia in the Mission, with a good friend. They serve the brunch foods you're looking for with a Latin and Caribbean twist. I ordered the Classic Cubano made with roasted pork, smoked ham, pickles, mustard, Swiss cheese, and a grilled roll, served with yuca fries. It hit the spot and was quite sizable. I would recommend Boogaloos for anyone looking for good food in a bit of sunshine.
Boogaloos
3296 22nd St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Daily 9am - 3pm
Spicy Pork Bibimbap
Last September I stopped by Art’s Café, a family-owned diner on Irving and 9th in the Inner Sunset, with a good friend. They're known for serving traditional American breakfast and lunch items, as well as Korean hits. I tried the Spicy Pork Bibimbap, which came with a sunny side up egg, vegetables, homemade kimchi, and gochujang sauce. As a long-term fan of bibimbap, I remember liking this meal and having an alternative to the American brunch dishes I'm used to. Next time, I may stop by on a weekday and try a Hash Brown Sandwich made with Dakgogi chicken or the pork belly sandwich.
Art’s Café
747 Irving St., San Francisco, CA 94122
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 7:30am - 3pm
Left: Maya's Toast à l'avocat made with rustic levain, avocados, pine nut pesto, goat cheese, and eggs over easy, served with home fries
Right: Victor’s Home-Made Coffee Cake with raspberry jam and brown sugar crumble
Later that September I visited Zazie, a popular French restaurant on Cole between Carl and Parnassus in Cole Valley, for the first time. With a good friend who loves Zazie, she knew to order their famous coffee cake, which comes with jam and a brown sugar crumble on top. I tried one of their specials: Maya's Toast à l'avocat made with rustic levain, avocados, pine nut pesto, goat cheese, and eggs over easy, served with home fries. I remember enjoying the food and the experience, which reminded me of so many nice meals I had at La Note and Café Clem in Berkeley over the years.
Zazie
941 Cole St., San Francisco, CA 94117
Brunch: Monday - Friday 8am - 2pm & Saturday - Sunday 9am - 3pm
Dinner: Daily 5 - 9pm
Another Club Sandwich made with grilled thyme garlic chicken, bacon, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, cranberry aioli, fried egg, and smoked mozzarella, served with fries
I visited Mymy, a popular brunch spot on California at Larkin in Nob Hill, for the first time last November with two friends. With a line out the door, this cozy restaurant is made for the brunch crowd, who will be happy to see favorites like pancakes, grits, huevos rancheros, Eggs Benedict, and more on offer. I enjoyed the Another Club Sandwich, which was made with grilled thyme garlic chicken, bacon, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, cranberry aioli, fried egg, and smoked mozzarella and served with fries. I would stop by again the next time I'm looking for a good brunch selection in the neighborhood.
Mymy
1500 California St., San Francisco, CA 94109
Open: Daily 9am - 2pm
Check out more posts from San Francisco.
