The San FranciscoSecret Menu Index
When you're exploring San Francisco's fantastic food scene, knowledge of secret menu items can impress your fellow travelers.
From hidden luxe toppings to epic food mash-ups, San Francisco’s got no shortage of hidden culinary gems just waiting for an enterprising eater to order them. Discover delicious off-menu dishes and expand your knowledge of secret San Francisco cuisine with our San Francisco Secret Menu Index. Be warned, these dishes may be limited in quantity or need to be ordered ahead.
A16
2355 Chestnut St.The Widowmaker Pizza
This much-loved pie can be found in the A16 cookbook but not on the menu. It features Grana Padano, mozzarella, fennel sausage, pancetta, Calabrian chili, chili flakes, garlic, and arugula
Dine at A16Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro St.Cioppino
You can always order this sometimes-listed special, a perfect iteration of the classic San Francisco seafood soup. The dish includes crab, mussels, clams, flakey white fish and a crazy amount of garlic.
Dine at Anchor Oyster BarBiergarten
579 Castro St.Wednesday Burger
There’s always a half-pound Prather Ranch burger on Biergarten’s Wednesday menu, but toppings will change by the week. Toppings might include pimento cheese, green garlic aioli, or pancetta.
Dine At BiergartenDelarosa
2175 Chestnut St. 37 Yerba Buena Ln.Bartender's Special Pizza
A red-sauce pie topped with burrata cheese, Kalamata olives, hot red peppers, and sausage
Dine at DelarosaDynamo Donut & Coffee
2760 24th St.Bacon Focaccia
Arrive early to try this fresh-baked focaccia topped with bacon and fresh roasted vegetables.
Dine At DynamoEmmy's Spaghetti Shack
2760 24th St.Spaghetti Puttanesca
An Italian classic, Emmy’s Puttanesca includes the requisite olives, anchovies, capers, tomatoes, garlic, onions and chili flakes.
Dine at Emmy's Spaghetti Shack
Farm:Table
754 Post St.Little Smoky and Espresso Soda
Little Smoky is coffee, cream, and sugar topped with a double shot of espresso. The Espresso Soda includes Seltzer Sisters soda water, espresso and lime.
Dine At Farm:TableForeign Cinema
2534 Mission St.Balsamic Egg Burger
A combination of two of the restaurant’s most popular brunch items, their daytime-only burger is topped with a balsamic fried egg.
Dine At Foreign CinemaGaraje
2534 Mission St.The “Regulars” Menu
Garaje’s “secret” menu includes a number of former or one-time menu items that regulars kept asking for, including a Tuna Tostadita, a fried crab sandwich, and fish and chips.
Dine At GarajeHall of Flame Burger
73 Cambon Dr.The Ben Roethlisberger
Named for former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, this massive beef patty is topped with a split sausage, grilled onions, cheese, and coleslaw
Dine At Hall of Flame BurgersHeirloom Cafe
2500 Folsom St.The Heirloom Burger
Funky Époisses cheese is blended with beef for the Heirloom Burger. While the burger is still off the menu, it can always be ordered.
Dine at Heirloom CafeLittle Skillet
360 Ritch St.Eggs McMahon
A waffle that’s topped with a fried egg, cheddar cheese, and scallions that sit in a pool of sausage gravy.
Dine At Little SkilletMario's Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe
566 Columbus Ave.The Chicken Number 3
A combination of Mario’s Chicken Number 2 and grilled eggplant focaccia sandwiches, the Number 3 includes both grilled chicken and eggplant, plus feta, arugula, and balsamic vinaigrette.
Dine At Mario'sTekka Japanese Restaurant
537 Balboa St.“Hot” Menu
This much-lauded sushi destination, known to be nearly impossible to get into, has a secret menu of hot-cooked items — and you have to dine there to find out what they are.
Dine At TekkaZen Yai
771 Ellis St.Boat Noodles
Noodle soup is made with a rich, earthy pork blood base and topped with ground pork, a fish ball and chicharrones.
Dine At Zen Yai
Iconic San Francisco Drinks and Dishes
Cioppino, sourdough bread, Dungeness crab—these are the local delicacies that are no secret to anyone in San Francisco. Discover other iconic menu items sure to please even the most refined palette.
Dig In!
This story is brought to you by the great people over at The Bold Italic. The Bold Italic is an online magazine that celebrates the spirit of San Francisco and the Bay Area.
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