Sf has some great hole in the wall places that aren’t too expensive. E.g. Tonga room isn’t that badly priced
Dropping 50$/person on dinner & drinks in sf isn’t that much money when your rent is 50x+ that figure.
Dropping 50$/person on dinner & drinks in sf isn’t that much money when your rent is 50x+ that figure.
If you want a great literal hole in the wall, try Yamo in the Mission. Burmese food, grand total of 6 seats (all at the bar) in the restaurant, and the entire kitchen is right in front of you. $6 entrees.
While I haven't been up to SF proper for food and barhopping in a few years now, the Lark up in the financial district is much more of what I'd call a good cheap bar. I tend to bristle a bit at people dissing the SF food and drink scene, but I have to remind myself that with few exceptions my favorite places in the Bay Area aren't actually in SF itself. The metro area as a whole has virtually everything you can imagine at a very wide range of price points. I suspect one could make a case that the most interesting stuff happening is in the East Bay and South Bay, though.