Restaurants

Let me start this post off by saying I am *not* a native Texan.  But, as a person that has moved around quite a bit over the course of my life, I have lived there the most number of times (and, for the record, my mother is now permanently settled there).  And though I do not identify with the whole “Texas is the best!” way of thinking, I am all too familiar with it.

And because of all of the to-ing and fro-ing in my life, when asked where I’m from, it’s just easier to say Texas rather than go into a five minute monologue that starts “I was born in Illinois but moved a few weeks later…”  And when I do that while traveling, I’m usually met with the following reply.  “Texas?!  Do you know any cowboys?”
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Mariachi music is happy music!

In California and around the world, people love to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with great food and lots of margaritas. As St. Patrick’s Day is mostly a celebration of all things Irish outside of Ireland, Cinco de Mayo is mostly a celebration of Mexican heritage and a way to show Mexican pride outside of Mexico. We love celebrating every year with either a big barbecue at home or going out for some killer margaritas!

Here in San Francisco we have a lot of great choices for you to have your own fiesta. We also have some places that serve the best margaritas you’ve ever tasted. Check out these spots for delicious food in a wonderful location around the city:

Tommy’s – Located in the Richmond District, this is one of my favorite family style Mexican restaurants in the city. They are well known for making the most amazing margaritas, made with real fresh lime juice. If you are a lover of tequila this is your place. They serve 100% Agave tequila, and have a separate list of the dozens they offer. I love the chimichangas and their Yucatán menu is delicious. Very reasonable prices too, even for the margarita pitchers!

5929 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 387-4747
www.tommysmexican.com

Tres Agaves – If you are looking for a sweet spot South of Market, not far from the beautiful AT&T Ballpark, then Tres Agaves Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Lounge is a great destination for brunch or dinner. They can be a little on the pricey side but I think it is worth it – this restaurant has such a cool vibe about it. Maybe what wins me over is that they “celebrate the spirit of Jalisco”, and since I love Mariachi music and tequila which both come from the Jalisco region of Mexico, we are simpatico.  The menu comes from the same region and one of my favorite dishes is the Carne en su Jugo or Jaliscan Style Beef ~ a rich broth with beans, crispy bacon, cilantro, onions & lime, served with rice, beans and corn tortillas. Yum and yum!

130 Townsend St
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 227-0500
www.tresagaves.com

Puerto Alegre Restaurant – In the Mission District you will find this no frills spot that serves delicious food at great prices. Perfect to take kids or just slide into a booth with your girlfriend, what I love about coming here are the quesadilla and the chips and salsa – then the killer margaritas! Ay.Ay.Ay.  This is a fun and very authentic place to go, even if you have a hard time parking. One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the city. Call ahead for reservations because they are very popular and you may find yourself waiting in line – a long line.

546 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 255-8201

Photo credit to Tom Chambers

The Palm in San Diego (Photo courtesy of ThePalm.com)

The Palm is a family-owned, well-known upscale steakhouse chain with around 25 restaurants scattered across the country. In San Diego CA, The Palm is downtown but basically on the edge of the Gaslamp District, on J Street. Like the other Palm restaurants, this one has a wide variety of menu options available in a classy, old-style restaurant. The decor is reminiscent of the original Palm in New York City – caricatures and old photographs all over the walls, classy settings at tables and booths, and a convivial atmosphere.

Some logistics of The Palm in San Diego: There is a spacious open dining room with seating for approximately 130 guests,
three elegant private dining/function rooms, each with a flat/plasma screen TV, full AV capabilities and data connection for laptops, accommodating a total of 130 guests, and perhaps best of all, a fun bar scene, with seating for 65 guests and adjoining lounge, with two flat/plasma screen TVs.

Classy, festive bar at The Palm, San Diego (photo courtesy of ThePalm.com)

The Palm is referred to as “the place to see and be seen.” This is likely in reference to the various star sightings that occur at all the Palms. Famous people that already have their caricatures, photos, and portraits up on the walls have even, occasionally, autographed them.

The Palm serves very generous portions, and the atmosphere encourages leaning over and sampling from your friends’ or family’s plates. Really; the appetizers and entrees are oversized, and meant for sharing! The large and varied menu includes all the usual steakhouse options, along with fish prepared most ways imaginable, and classic Italian choices as well. The appetizers are all seafood, and really can’t be missed; try the jumbo shrimp cocktail and lobster bisque. Delicious. But why the Italian flair? Easy: The original restaurant was founded in 1926, by two immigrants from northern Italy. The Palm is still owned by their Italian-American descendants, and all the Palm restaurants keep the tradition. It works. Some of the Italian specialties at The Palm are linguini with clam sauce, veal martini, and chicken scallopine. They are all recommended for guests not interested in the fantastic Porterhouse steak or prime rib.

Luckily for San Diego’s leisure and business travelers and locals alike, The Palm on J Street opened strong just a few years ago (2005) and shows no signs of slowing down. It’s not only one of the best steakhouse restaurants around the Gaslamp Quarter, it is one of the best in San Diego, CA as a whole.

There are some seriously high-end restaurants in San Diego, and some seriously…not. One great aspect of a city the size and demographic diversity of San Diego, is the equal diversity of restaurants as well. We can’t eat all our meals out in upscale restaurants without breaking the bank, but aren’t always ready to roll with the atmosphere of the low-end ones. For those mid-range lunches and dinners, one fun restaurant is the Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill. Yes, they have an on-site microbrewery, easily viewed right behind the bar.

Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill (KarlStrauss.com)

This Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill is in downtown San Diego, a few blocks from the more hip Gaslamp Quarter. The beer is on tap here, and comes in sizes ranging from 5 oz samplers to pints and even “schooners.” A basic wine list is available too, but come on – it’s a microbrewery! If you’re up for it, sample a few different brews instead. Downtown After Dark Ale was my favorite, and the bright flagship brew is called Karl Strauss Amber Lager. Our dining party also really liked the Pin Tail Pale Ale, which is only seasonally available.

Karl Strauss Microbrews (C.L.L. via Flickr.com)

As for the food – ya gotta eat, after all – the food here is far better than standard “bar food,” though it still tends towards the greasier, saltier range. Our table split spinach artichoke dip and ahi poke appetizers that both disappeared before I got to my second round; a testament to their tastiness (the ahi poke here is very spicy! You’ve been warned). The sirloin burger and fries were pleasing, and the chicken Caesar salad – with a wedge of Romaine – was surprisingly zesty. What seemed to be the popular favorite with our group, though, were the Drunken Shrimp (cooked with the Woodie Gold pilsener), grilled fish tacos, and the messily satisfying barbeque ribs. The restaurant wasn’t too dark, as can happen with brewpubs, and it was basically family-friendly for lunch and an early dinner. It probably gets too rowdy for kids after 8:00 PM or so.

Karl Strauss San Diego (KarlStrauss.com)

This is the original restaurant location. There are also Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill restaurants in Carlsbad, Costa Mesa, Sorrento Mesa, and nearby La Jolla, as well as one on Universal Citywalk in Los Angeles. I can’t vouch for all of those, but the Karl Strauss in downtown San Diego California was a casual, relaxed place to grab a tasty bite and try a few samples of unique brews.

Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill
1157 Columbia St.
San Diego, CA
(619) 234-2739

In Los Angeles? Want a great sports bar restaurant with a ton of giant TVs, sports and Route 66 memorabilia, and enough booth-style seating to go around? I recommend Barney’s Beanery. It’s one of the most fun sports bar restaurants I’ve been to, and the menu (printed on 6 sheets of newspaper) is so huge and varied, everyone in your group will find something they want.

There are four Barney’s Beanery outposts. I’ve been to the one in Old Town Pasadena a couple of times, and enjoyed countless meals at the Barney’s Beanery on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. The other two are in Burbank and West Hollywood – this last being the original location.

All day breakfasts, salads, pizzas, burgers and dogs are here, of course, as well as soups, sandwiches,foot-long hot dogs and burritos…the list goes on and on. American comfort food rules at Barney’s beanery, and this is as it should be: The festive, sometimes raucous crowd (depends on the game), comfy booth seats, and loud class rock practically sets the stage for this. The license plates on the wall – perhaps not at all locations – and other all-American decor really add to the fun atmosphere here. The blue cheese burger is one of my favorites, along with the Cajun chicken Caesar salad, chili, and prawn pesto pizza. I also like the California omelette: This means with avocado, of course. Everything “California” in food usually means “plus avocado.”

Not to mention the beer list. There are over 130 imported and domestic beers available at Barney’s Beanery, and many an enjoyable night has been passed there with a small group of friends, a pitcher, and shared platters of fries. The Barney’s in Santa Monica has karaoke starting at 10:00PM on Wednesdays, and the West Hollywood location does so on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays.

Still reading? By now, one thing must be apparent: Barney’s Beanery is not the typical Los Angeles low-fat-low-carb-organic-raw-food type of stereotypical restaurant. Instead, it’s a good old fashioned sports bar and restaurant, for a good old fashioned time. If you’re in Los Angeles and looking for just such a casual night out, Barney’s Beanery will perfectly fill your needs.

Chicago is a really fun city – well, maybe not so much in the middle of a frigid Midwest winter, but all other seasons are great times to visit Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is famous for its deep dish pizza (and its ill-fated Cubs, another story). However, when hungry travelers want a great Italian restaurant that goes beyond the Original Gino’s and Pizzario Uno style pizza, there are viable alternatives. Three favorites are in Old Town, Chicago.

Banquet Room at Topo Gigio, a Best Italian Restaurant in Chicago

Second City is in Old Town, walking distance from Lincoln Park. A Chicago vacation almost dictates seeing the Second City troupe perform (or at least ETC, the Experimental Theater Company at Second City). Before or after a show, have fun in Old Town. There are a few popular, terrific Italian restaurants very close to Second City that come highly recommended.

Dinotto Ristorante, at 215 W. North Ave., is completely relaxed and comfortable. Dinotto Ristorante is one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago for people wanting a mix of a cozy, casual environment and delicious, no-nonsense Italian fare. “Real” Italian food is prepared here, the bar is fun, and locals enjoy it. Of course, service depends on the particular staff and night – it gets busy here – and guests aren’t rushed.

Trattoria Roma, at 1535 N. Wells St, serves Roman style pizza (thin crust). It’s a tasty break from the usual Chicago deep dish – and the toppings can be creative as well as traditional. Trattoria Roma is very popular at both lunch and dinner: This is a testament to how delicious, affordably priced meals at a fun restaurant can really bring out the crowds. The menu changes every day, but there’s always a well-rounded selection of popular Italian favorites.

Topo Gigio Ristorante, at 1516 N. Wells St., is also popular with tourists and native Chicagoans alike. As unstuffy as a great Italian restaurant in Chicago should be, there is some whimsy here as well. No surprise, seeing that the restaurant is named after the “Ed Sullivan Show” mouse. It’s more of a family restaurant than the busy Trattoria Roma, with musicians on the weekends. Even though there’s no children’s menu per se, Italian food is generally kid-friendly anyway. Ask, and the staff here will create child-sized portions.

The best Italian restaurants in Chicago should fit the casual mood of the town – relaxed and unpretentious, but with attention to what makes for great meals. Take a break from Chi-town deep-dish pizza; these fun restaurants in Old Town make for fun, satisfying nights out.

Gaslamp Strip Club - what is this, X-rated adult entertainment on Uptake’s restaurant blog? No, in this case “Strip” refers to that cut of steak, and this steakhouse is quite possibly the most fun, festive restaurant of all of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter top steakhouses.

Gaslamp Strip Club is the Most Fun Steakhouse in San Diego

The sirloin, kebobs and New York strip steaks here are fantastic, true, but that’s not what makes the Gaslamp Strip Club the most fun of all San Diego steakhouses. The restaurant is for adults, who literally grill their selected cuts of steak communally. Rest assured, you can’t go wrong with your choice; the chefs here buy only the best selections to start with, and the waiters give helpful cooking tips to those who ask. There’s also a guide with instructions regarding how long to grill whichever cut has been chosen. The free-wheeling atmosphere is enhanced by top-notch bar and wait staff – the open flames and somewhat free-flowing alcohol are why there’s an age limit of 21 at this restaurant.

The Gaslamp Strip Club is more than just a bunch of people standing around grilling their dinner, of course. The sauces are great (my favorite is the house BBQ sauce), the mushrooms and mashed potatoes perfectly complement red meat, and the macaroni-and-cheese sides come with a variety of add-in such as truffle oil and lobster.

This is a steakhouse to be sure, but guests can choose to grill chicken or fish as well. Now, the fun is in the friendly, convivial atmosphere. If you are looking for a romantic, quiet dinner for two, this is not the place to go. However, couples and groups both small and large who are in the mood, will find the social, unstuffy ambience of San Diego’s Gaslamp Strip Club to hit all the right – and somewhat loud – notes.

What with the huge flat screen TVs on ESPN, the loud rock and roll, and the hotsy-totsy waitresses (not to mention the Vargas prints of pin-ups), the guy appeal here is strong. It’s true that there are usually more men than women here, but take it from me – anyone in the mood for a highly social, rocking night out will have a great time at the Gaslamp Strip Club. It’s the most fun steakhouse in San Diego, California.

Grill Your Own Steak at this Restaurant