Top Five Places to Eat in Union Square on a Budget

Travel can be expensive. There are many ways to cut back on expenses while on vacation, especially when it comes to dining. The Union Square neighborhood offers some excellent options for a great meal, at a reasonable cost. We, at CrawlSF, have composed a list of some of our favorites. We intentionally picked five spots that are Bay Area originals and skipped over national chains like Mickey D’s and Chipotle. We feel that experiencing local eateries is part of the full San Francisco experience.These budget spots will provide more of an authentic, “only in San Francisco” experience.

STEAK HOUSE MEAL UNDER $50

Tad’s Steak House

Tad’s Steakhouse Chain is a San Francisco original. It was started in 1957 by brother’s Don and Neal Townsend and their friend Alan Tadeus Kay, for whom the restaurant is named. The restaurant was designed with cost cutting techniques in mind and a goal of offering a delicious steak dinner at below market value. The original location was on Powell Street in the Union Square Neighborhood. Their first menu featured a T-bone steak, served with a baked potato, tossed salad and garlic bread for $1.09.

Tad’s Steak House eventually grew to 28 restaurants across the country. Over the years, all but the San Francisco location closed permanently.The restaurant was a favorite of New Yorkers, who were upset when the local Tad’s locations closed. Many came out, to bid the beloved restaurant adieu, on the closing day of Tad’s midtown location. The New York Times interviewed a Bronx man, who took the subway to midtown weekly, just to eat at Tad’s.

Luckily the San Francisco Tad’s is still going strong. They have an expanded menu including breakfast items, appetizers, salads and a variety of entrees. The San Francisco Tad’s moved from the original Powell Street location to Ellis Street a number of years ago.It still has the signature Neon Sign and affordable steakhouse fare they are known for.Tad’s signature steak dinner sells for $30.99 today. The restaurant offers beer, wine and cocktails as well. It is possible to have a nice steak dinner that won’t break the bank in San Francisco, thanks to Tad’s.

Tad’s Steak House
38 Ellis St
San Francisco, CA 94102

ITALIAN MEAL FOR UNDER $30

Uncle Vito’s Pizza

If you are looking for decent Italian on a budget, look no further than Uncle Vito’s Pizza. This family owned, casual, Italian joint is a San Francisco institution. Many New York transplants swear that their pizza is the most authentic in the city. Uncle Vito’s started serving affordable Italian food in 1977 and soon had a huge local following.

Not long after opening, Uncle Vito’s became a favorite haunt of the famous San Francisco Twins, Vivian and Marian Brown. The Brown twins were local celebrities of sorts and a part of the “only in San Francisco” vibe that visitors come to be a part of. They would walk throughout the downtown area daily, dressed to the nines in matching outfits. They would chat with locals and tourists and were always up for photos with all of their adoring fans. They eventually appeared on a number of popular national talk shows, due to their rising celebrity status. In 1988, they even appeared in a Reebok commercial. And every Monday night, for over 3 decades, the twins dined at Uncle Vito’s. They always sat in the front window table , enjoying pizza and merlot.

Uncle Vito’s menu offers many items beyond pizza, including a wide array of sandwiches, pasta dishes, salads and appetizers. All items are reasonably priced. Their hot sandwiches are all under $15 and cold sandwiches under $13. Pasta dishes are all under $20. Enjoy a bottle of wine with your meal for under $30.

Unfortunately you won’t encounter the twins today, as they passed away in 2013 and 2014. You may still come across two local gals, Anna Szarnicki and Christie Clemens, who dress as the San Francisco twins for special events around the city. You can follow them on Instagram at twins_of_SF.

Uncle Vito’s Pizza
700 Bush St
San Francisco, CA 9410

ONE OF THE BEST BURGER MEALS IN SF FOR UNDER $20

Pearl’s Deluxe Burgers

Pearl’s Deluxe Burger’s is family owned diner. This no frills, counter service joint offers some of San Francisco’s favorite burgers. They have made several “best of” lists over the years. Although burgers are not traditionally thought of, as a specific San Francisco cuisine, locals take their burgers very seriously. Ranking on one of the city’s top burger lists, comes with some serious bragging rights.

Pearl’s menu has a wide array of burgers, with your choice of buffalo, beef, chicken, turkey or veggie burgers, all from $7.99 to $13.99 each. Sides range from $2.49 to $6.99 and drinks range between $1.99 and $3.49. They also offer some killer hot dogs between $4.99 and $8.99. You can have a full meal at Pearl’s Deluxe Burgers for under $20. The house favorite is the Bula Burger, topped with Jack Cheese, bacon, mayo, spicy BBQ and pineapple sauce. Can’t decide between a burger or a dog? No problem. You can enjoy the “Big King”, which is a 1/2 pound burger topped with a quarter pound hot dog, American and Cheddar Cheese and 1,000 Island Dressing, for only $13.99.

Pearl’s Deluxe Burgers
708 Post St
San Francisco, CA 9410

FRESH SEAFOOD MEAL FOR UNDER $40

Scott’s Chowder House

Visitor’s expect to find fresh, delicious seafood offerings at restaurants when in San Francisco. Fresh fish, oysters and chowder are classic San Francisco Cuisine. Seafood restaurants can be pricey. Scott’s Seafood has been part of the San Francisco food scene since 1976, serving award winning chowder and delicious fresh seafood offerings. Scott’s Chowder House, on Grant Avenue, offers fresh affordable seafood in a pleasant casual ambiance.

Creamy, New England Style Chowder is offered on Scott’s Menu at only $10.00 a bowl. Lobster Rolls are very reasonable at only $24.95. Classic salads, such as Shrimp and Crab Louie are well under $20. They even offer a weekday special of a cup of chowder and any seafood roll or sandwich for just $25. They have a beer and wine license, as well. At Scott’s is possible to enjoy a seafood meal in San Francisco for well under $40.

Scott’s Chowder House
334 Grant Ave,
San Francisco,CA 94108

FRESH, AUTHENTIC SAN FRANCISCO MEXICAN CUISINE FOR UNDER $30

Tropisueno

San Francisco is known for its Mexican Cuisine. Tropisueno delivers an authentic San Francisco Style, Mexican culinary experience, at a very reasonable price. The ambiance is warm, inviting and rustic, with Hacienda Style architecture. The food at Tropisueno is authentic, delicious, made from fresh ingredients and reasonably priced. Tropisueno is two restaurants in one.

During the day, they offer fast paced counter service and a Mission Style Taqueria Style menu. Mission District Taquerias are where the “Mission Style Burrito” was invented in the 1960’s.The dish consists of a large steamed flour tortilla, loaded with meat, beans, rice and a variety of toppings and then wrapped in aluminum foil. If you are looking to try this delicious San Francisco food, Tropisueno is a great spot to do so. Lunch entrees are all under $20. At night the restaurant offers full sit down services and an extended menu, including delicious seafood and traditional Mexican dishes. Dinner Entrees are all under $32.They also offer a full bar, with a focus on Mexican Spirits, offering high quality Tequilas made from 100 percent Blue Agave. Hand crafted cocktails, made with quality spirits and fresh juices are all under $15.

Tropisueno also offers one of the neighborhoods best happy hours.Happy hour is a great time to stop by to keep your food budget under control. At Happy Hour they offer deals like Flautas for $3, Tacos for $4, Ceviche and Guacamole for $6 and much more.

Tropisueno
75 Yerba Buena Ln
San Francisco, CA 94103