A crowd enjoys food and drink along San Francisco's Valencia Street
Photo by @eddieh__ Credit: @eddieh__

The San Francisco Secret Menu Index

There’s nothing quite like a secret menu to make you feel like you’re in the know, especially when you're exploring San Francisco's fantastic food scene.

From hidden luxe toppings to epic food mash-ups, San Francisco’s got no shortage of hidden gems just waiting for an enterprising eater to order them. Check out our San Francisco Secret Menu Index, a collection of dining options from the regular customers’ list. Here, you can discover delicious off-menu dishes and expand your knowledge of secret San Francisco cuisine. 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

Make a Reservation at A16

American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

1 South Park Ave.

The Works

AGCK’s classic Mousetrap sandwich plus bacon, roasted tomatoes, and house-made bread ’n’ butter pickles

Anchor 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.

Biergarten

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.

Delarosa

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

Make a Reservation at Delarosa

Dynamo Donut & Coffee

2760 24th St.

Bacon Focaccia

Arrive early to try this fresh-baked focaccia topped with bacon and fresh roasted vegetables.

Emmy'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.

 

Make a Reservation at Emmy's Spaghetti Shack

Farm:Table

360 Ritch 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.

Foreign 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.

Garaje

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).

Hall 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

Heirloom 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.

Make a Reservation at Heirloom Cafe

Little 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.

Little Star Pizza

400 Valencia St.

The Brass Monkey

Funky Époisses cheese is blended with beef for the Heirloom Burger. While the burger is still off the menu, it can always be ordered.

Make a Reservation at Little Star Pizza

Mario'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.

Presidio Social Club

566 Columbus Ave.

The Dirty Dozen and The Craw

The Dirty Dozen is twelve brioche beignet balls filled with a chocolate mousse and served with crème anglaise for dipping. The Craw is PSC’s classic mac ’n’ cheese with lobster and breadcrumbs added.

Make a Reservation at Presidio Social Club

Starbelly

2832 Mission St.

The Doc’s Way Burger

Hello, burger decadence. Starbelly’s classic beef blend is topped with caramelized onions and a hearty slab of their excellent chicken liver pate.

Make a Reservation at Starbelly

Tekka 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.

Zen 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.


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