If you want good Chinese food and inexpensive, go to Chinatown. Definitely some of the best and the cheapest Chinese food around! I agree with what was metioned above....Yank Sing is not cheap and IMO, not even that good.
In Chinatown, Yuet Lee is one of my favorites. And it's open late too!

I don't know if there's an updated list - but here's a link I keep handy of a story written in the Chronicle listing the best cheap eats in the City from 2003:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...&type=food

Wow, I gotta try that bakery! thanks for the tip.

Pacific Catch - fantastic seafood with an Eastern flare. The food is consistantly listed as one of the best buys in the city. Great fish tacos, fish and chips, seafood "bowls" and sandwiches. Chestnut and Fillmore. Parking is not easy so take a cab or bus.

Hubby and I just returned from SF yesterday. We also loved Cha Cha Cha in the Haight. Went on a Sunday around noonish and were pleasantly surprised at the lack of a crowd. Took our daughter and son-in-law and every thing was great, from the salads to various sandwiches.

Also would recommend Scoma's at, I believe, Pier 41. They fly in the Alaskan Halibut fresh 3 times a week. Its out of the "touristy eye" and not exactly inexpensive. We paid $76 (not including our bar tab) for two our last night in SF, but definately excellent. Service was on par with any fine dining establishment--our waiter was impeccable and once seated, there was no rushing us through the meal. They do not take reservations, but our wait at the bar was only about 30 minutes and we met some great people and the bartender more than answered every question we had about the menu. Never would have found it on our own--went on the recommendation of a friend and local who is president of the Blue and Gold Fleet...was not disappointeed!

Janya is out of business :(

From our trip of July 2004-
In the Ferry Building, Golden Gate Meat Co. 1/2 rotisserie chicken with roasted fresh vegetables-$6.00, view, priceless.

El Faralito at 24th St. and Mission-gigantic burrito (they are known for their marinated pork)$5.95. Go to Mitchell's for incredible ice cream 688 San Jose Ave. at 24 or 25th St. Try the four tropical fruit combo or macapuno. (coconut)

Home-at Church and Market- Dinners $11-$16 Noisy, urban, crowded, young,fun!!

Have a wonderful time.

Iregeo,
How fun, I'm taking notes on the great advice you've received so far! Thought I'd mention a few more.

Mama's in Northbeach (on the square) has an amazing breakfast! Consistently voted #1 for breakfast in the City. FYI: Cash only.

In the Richmond District (aka "the Avenues"), check out Khan Toke Thai House. Not only is the food great, but the atmosphere is fabulous! Very casual, but you take off your shoes at the door, sit in tables on the floor, etc. Inexpensive too! (FYI: It was the first Thai restaurant in SF!)

And, Tommy's Mexican Restaurant (right next door to Khan Toke) They are both on Geary between 23rd and 24th Ave. Amazing Mexican food, and the largest selection of tequilla outside of Mexico. Their margs are simply the BEST!

On Clement and 31st Ave (or maybe 32nd) there is a place called "El Mansour" It's middle eastern food, great atmosphere, great food, and a belly dancer for entertainment. Sounds corny, but it is really, really good! All food is eaten with your fingers! I had a lemon chicken with olive thing that melted in my mouth!

Although I enjoy going to some of the "fancy" restaurants, I'm much more a fan of the neighbourhood places.

Ooh..one more....if you're into Italian food....don't miss E'Angelo's on Chestnut and Pierce. My ex is Italian, and when family and friends came to visit from Italy, it's the one place they insisted on going. Small place, cash only, but amazing food!

Have a great time and bring your appetite! You've been given some great advice! You didn't mention how long you will be visiting....so hope you can fit it all in! Have fun!!! Oh, one last thing....overall, SF is a very casual city....so no need to worry about dress codes in the neighbourhood places.

Andiamo

Crissy Field Warming Hut has great salads and sandwhiches and best best view in the world!

the slanted door for great vietnamese, if you can get in. if not, try la vie. lulu's is not cheap, but a wonderful classic for provencal rotisserie chicken in a cool warehouse setting.

Costco for their freebies...just kidding. Depends on what you mean by cheap. I think the Clement Street bar and grill is reasonable but not "cheap" and it is good and neighborhoodly (if that is a word)

El Toro - best burritos in the universe. Guerrero & 17th, I think.

Brandy Ho's - excellent Hunan food on Columbus. Spicy!

Saturday morning farmers market at the Ferry Building (Embarcadero). Too much good stuff to eat it all ... lots of freebies too.

SFMaster....where is the Crissy Field Warming Hut? Sounds great! I'd love to check it out. Thanks!
Andiamo

topping

andiamo: if you take the Crissy Field road all the way to its end just before the buildings of Fort Point, you'll see the Warming Hut from the end parking lot.

Walk past the Warming Hut onto the pier and ask all those fishermen what they are catching. Saw two guys trying to reel in a shark once. They got it straight up to the pier and then it bit right through their line and got away!

I am drooling and topping!

Bamboo on Polk @ California - great Chinese place. "Chai" on Polk between Bush and Pine - excellent Thai food.

And by the way, who is DonCo and why is s/he topping all these old SF threads?

Topping for someone who's going in a few weeks (me)--any new ones to add?

Thanks!

Hi Faina, Donco (to answer your August question) recently went to SF and had a fabulous time. If you click on her name you can read her trip report. They really got around SF!