Year in Eater 2022: The Go-To Restaurants for San Francisco Bay Area Food Experts

welcome to Eater 2022an annual tradition of Eater celebrating the past 12 months with the help of the Bay Area’s top food and restaurant industry experts. Post it and post an answer from the person who knows it best.

Imagine all my answers to those questions were hilarious like the Raising Cane’s I’ve been to. I spent a lot of time in people’s homes, visiting home restaurants and eating home cooked meals at places like El Taco Stao and Taco Osuna (RIP) in Oakland and Carnitas El Canelo in Richmond.

— Cesar Hernandez, Associate Restaurant Critic San Francisco Chronicle

Aurum in Palo Alto is a go-to place with tried-and-true recipes that don’t feel overdone. Also, Sunnyvale’s Puran Poli offers a taste of home.

— Nandita Godbole, writer craving for curry

As soon as Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe was brought back by longtime employees after it closed in August, I stopped taking it for granted. It’s become a brunch destination, and the Miso Butter Pasta with Orange Wine from Daytrip and the Spicy Caesar Salad from Rose Pizzeria are also a must. While Purbechu was my go-to for festive birthday celebrations (I always think about their garlic shrimp and grits), more often than not I found myself at Porno Palace aka DansonsaMore . There’s no better way to start an Auckland night out with a bunch of friends than with a pitcher of soju cocktails and kimchi pancakes.

— Madeline Wells, SFGATE Food Reporter

Patricia Chan

Schrock is one of my breakfast staples because most of my meals are done during the day for pleasure (rather than work). Eating a bagel sandwich is a luxury. He also loves taking out-of-town visitors to brunch at Abaca to taste modern Filipino cuisine. I am obsessed with the truffle cheese ensaimada and the salted egg and brie bibingca. Finally, Inner Her Richmond’s Aziza gives you more than you need in the best possible way. Twice this year, she attended all-you-can-eat hotpot and karaoke at the Grand with a large group of friends. hotpot lounge. It’s a really wild time.

— Lauren Thalia, Eater SF Editor

El Mezcal Taqueria is a small local chain taqueria located throughout the East Bay. He has one in San Pablo near my house and they have good specials on Mondays. Also, Chester Cheetah (Cheetos’ official social media account) praised his Flamin’ Hot Cheetos burrito with carne asada, French fries and nacho cheese.

— Alan Chazzaro, Food Reporter KQED

As for restaurants, my Inner Sunset Love Marnie Thai and Ebisu are always there, but now Om Sabor and Bahia in Hayes Valley and Beachside in Outer Sunset join the list. For nightlife we ​​went to Black Cat on the Tenderloin and Red Tail which is also on Inner Sunset if you notice the theme. When it comes to the cafe lifestyle, Café Reveille in Dubosse, Andytown in Outer Sunset, and Wholesome Bakery in Divisadero have been my go-tos.

— Paolo Bicchieri, Eater SF Reporter

This year we spent more time drinking and hanging out at Wildhawk, Casements and Red Window.

— Camper English, Cocktails and Spirits Writer, author

Juan Le

OK’s Deli has become my go-to place for sandwiches, especially if I’ve been looking for one of the store’s specials, such as the shrimp cutlet sandwich I’ve been thinking about since the days of the pandemic pop-up in Mago, Auckland. I couldn’t help but think of Berkeley’s Rose Pizzeria, which serves pies and spicy Caesar salads. Meanwhile, I’ve been lurking in Provecho’s pop-up this year. Because Eder Ramirez’s food is so good, but also because the menu changes and there’s always something new to remind you of the last great meal you had there. Seasonal crudo or smoked brisket tacos.

— Dianne de Guzman, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Eater SF

Yo Tambien Cantina, Isa [Isabella Bertorelli] and kenzie [Benesh] Make delicious seasonal vegetarian tamales, excellent salsas, and the best micheladas in town. Yummy Yummy (currently obsessed with #8 Satay Beef Noodle Soup); Chilaquiles and one of their rotating specials such as ceviche tostadas and crispy fish tacos at the Primavera stall at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market early Saturday mornings. enjoy shopping at the market. And the dining room at Original Joe’s Bar is a people-watching magic. A group of North Beach locals, tourists and co-workers chilling out as my husband and I share burgers, Cobb-Her salad and Shrimp-Her cocktail , I love watching those special people get up early to sip their martinis. A stop at Vesuvius on the way home is a non-negotiable, with upstairs tables overlooking the entire bar and a candlelit chandelier reminding me of everything I love about San Francisco. I will give it to you.

— Sarah Henkin, Manager omnivorous books

Yarsa, Base Camp, Dancing Yak. I’ve been craving Nepalese food this year and found myself stopping at these three spots quite often for my kale chaat and momo fix.

— Patricia Chan Freelance editorial and commercial photographer

Bi-Rite for tofu banh mi and Ragazza for New York, New York pizza.

—Nick Bastone, Reporter Axios SF

Patricia Chan

Nopa, Angler, Boulevard.

— Tonya Pitts, Sommelier and Wine Director at One Market Restaurant

What do you call a habit that’s close to rut but never boring? The combination of crunchy salsa-covered tortillas, creamy black beans, and scrambled eggs with chopped onions and avocado never fails to disappoint me and keeps me energized for the upcoming market days. , bridges and shoppers views are great for people-watching.

Also, since I live in North Beach and work in the Ferry Building, I stop by the Comstock Saloon on the way home for classic cocktails and snacks. I especially appreciate it when live music is playing. These are the moments I missed in the early days of the pandemic, and I’m grateful they’re back.

— Christine Farren, Executive Director Foodwise