10 Mom & Pop Restaurants In San Francisco That Serve Home Cooked Meals To Die For
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Stephanie Garr
Author
There’s nothing quite like a home-cooked meal, especially when you don’t have to actually cook it yourself, am I right? And it’s even better coming from a mom-and-pop restaurant that has stood the test of time (and, probably, greedy landlords, too). Here are some of our favorites scattered throughout San Francisco, serving up homespun takes on specialties from Italy, France, Korea, Vietnam, and beyond.
North Beach is filled with traditional Italian hotspots, but this is a real deal mom-and-pop gem created by Franchino Nozzolino and his wife Giuseppina, originally from a small town near the Amalfi Coast.
Since 1989, the duo has consistently served hearty Italian classics, including house specialties like pappardelle with sausage, risotto with fresh seafood, and veal parmigiana. Save room for the homemade tiramisu or chocolate cannoli.
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One of San Francisco's oldest, most beloved spots for cheap eats, this Vietnamese restaurant located along the gritty corner of 6th and Market once got the seal of approval from Julia Child herself.
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Come for the imperial rolls and huge bowls of pho. Sure, it's a little grimy (and has even been closed down in the past for health violations), but who can question one of the greatest chefs ever?
This late-night favorite helps Polk Street revelers soak up their drink as late as 4am—no matter the day or night. Get All-American (and Portuguese!) eats here, with towering burgers and gut-busting breakfast platters.
As condos build up around it, the current plan is to tear down the railcar-turned-diner… and build it back up again. Here's hoping it retains its downhome appeal.
This pint-sized mom-and-pop restaurant is run by chef Takao Nakagawa and his wife Yoko, who serves her husband's delicately crafted sushi and Japanese dishes.
Order the omakase—a specialized menu picked by the chef.
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This unassuming corner bistro in Nob Hill serves up authentic French cuisine.
Owner and chef Michiko Boccara is actually Japanese, but has perfected the finicky art of French favorites like escargots, sweetbreads, and filet mignon over the several years she's owned this charming, romantic neighborhood restaurant.
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This tiny Inner Sunset mainstay is run by Korean chef Hae Ryong Youn and his wife Sarah.
They create American diner food—burgers, sandwiches, omelets—with a Korean spin (you'll realize kim chee really does go well with everything).
This intimate restaurant on the outskirts of Noe Valley is owned by husband-and-wife team Massimiliano Conti and Lorella Degan, who delicately craft authentic Sardinian dishes with a specialized focus on fresh seafood.
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They also offer several Sardinian wines to pair perfectly with your meal.
This quaint neighborhood gem on the edge of the Mission and Bernal Heights serves up authentic Peruvian specialties.
Our favorites include the arroz con pollo, ceviche, and fried squid (chicharron de calamares). Be sure to wash it all down with a pisco sour or Inca Cola.
While there's plenty of Chinese places to choose from in San Francisco, this hole-in-the-wall is a true mom-and-pop operation: the husband-and-wife team cook and serve every Hunan-style dish.
Try the General Tso chicken—and be sure to have cash (no credit cards accepted here).
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A longtime presence in Nob Hill, this cozy spot does Vietnamese comfort food with no frills. But there's no "pop" here, just owner Katie Yu, who has been running Cordon Bleu for over two decades.
And she's not afraid to admit she serves "possibly the best chicken you will ever have outside of Vietnam."
We know there are myriad other great spots throughout the city. What’s your favorite mom-and-pop restaurant in San Francisco?
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