2 Best Restaurants in San Francisco, California

The smoker works overtime from noon to night at this hipster-chic barbecue shack, churning out an array of succulent meats that can be had by the plate, the pound, or as a sandwich. Every plate comes with two sides, and you should certainly make the frankaroni one of them: possibly the work of the devil, this is macaroni-and-cheese with pieces of hot dog . . . deep fried. Hungry barbecue seekers order at the counter, then sit partially outside (there are heat lamps) at communal picnic tables in repurposed shipping containers.

One of the city's best Wagyu beef briskets is served in an unassuming (from the exterior) former factory in trendy Dogpatch. Several American styles—Kansas City, Texas, and the Carolinas—are showcased on an extra-large chalkboard that lists daily specials, priced by the pound. The 10,000-square-foot warehouse has been strikingly redone by New York design firm Nothing Something, which has thoughtfully elevated the old in a steampunkish vibe. The lion’s share of footage is for Magnolia Brewery, with tanks in the back room. When the tech set descends, the volume cranks, which can be a plus for families—frankly, a tantrum would probably go unnoticed.