When San Francisco had more industrial jobs, there were more places on three shifts, so more restaurants and cafes to serve them. Also when we had the Naval Station, Navy ships in Port regularly etc. Not that the all night joints were particularly good, but if you wanted something to eat at 4 am you could get it. There were two big, serious pool halls on Market, Cochran's and the Palace, both open 24/7, both with lunch counters where you could get bacon and eggs while you watched the nine-ball hustlers try to get into each other's pockets. And some of the North Beach places--Mike's Pool Hall, formally known as the Dante Billiard Parlor--served late night minestrone and frittatas.
As far as I know there are still all-night cafes in the wholesale produce terminal down in that industrial area between 3rd Street and Bayshore Boulevard... one called the Tilt Cafe (lotsa pinball machines, at least in the past) where I used to go when I worked midnight shift on the railroad.
But the only place to find Edward Hopper's America is in an Edward Hopper painting...
That comment made my night. Thank you so much for sharing your stories.
xoxo Joy
7/13/2005 10:02 PM
Anonymous said...
Why, thanks. Just been reading some of your other posts... Cornell, right? Yeah, they made some terrific ice cream.
As for oysters: have you checked out Swan Oyster Depot on Polk near California? It's so fucking genuine it's almost (not quite) irritating, but the chowder is excellent and the oysters are great. When I'm in the Northwest I look for Quilcenes but around here I usually order Kumamotos.
Good sea food (usually) at Hayes Street Grill--in the Spring they get shad roe which is definitely worth a try. First rate french fries, too. Chic it ain't, but they pour a generous drink.
William Makepeace Thackeray said that eating a raw oyster was "like swallowing a naked baby whole." Well, of course it is. He failed to mention whether he thought this was a good thing, however.
Great memories you stir for me- In about 1966 I used to drive over to the city from the east bay with buddies and play pool at Cochran's and the Palace all night- thru the double doors and up those stairs and the great players- Bucktooth, Cole Dickson and Boston Shorty- and huge 6 X 12 snooker tables!!! We'd stay over there until the sun was coming up. thanks, Dave
6/21/2009 11:17 PM
Servers are my friends They bring me delicious food I love them so much
Order some dessert Don't worry, you won't get fat It completes the meal
Nothing is open SF sucks for late night eats This really sucks balls
Make sure to tip well They work hard for the money Give them your lovin'
I ate too much food But the menu looked so good Now my tummy hurts
Delfina is rad My tagliatelle rocks You can't have any
Zuni's fries are great Shoestring potatoes they're called Eat them up so fast
El Farolito You are so very dirty But also tasty
Ton Kiang is cool So many little dumplings Shove them in my mouth
xoxo Joy
"To eat is a necessity. To eat intelligently is an art." --La Rochefoucauld
"Restaurant Haiku"
4 Comments -
When San Francisco had more industrial jobs, there were more places on three shifts, so more restaurants and cafes to serve them. Also when we had the Naval Station, Navy ships in Port regularly etc. Not that the all night joints were particularly good, but if you wanted something to eat at 4 am you could get it. There were two big, serious pool halls on Market, Cochran's and the Palace, both open 24/7, both with lunch counters where you could get bacon and eggs while you watched the nine-ball hustlers try to get into each other's pockets. And some of the North Beach places--Mike's Pool Hall, formally known as the Dante Billiard Parlor--served late night minestrone and frittatas.
As far as I know there are still all-night cafes in the wholesale produce terminal down in that industrial area between 3rd Street and Bayshore Boulevard... one called the Tilt Cafe (lotsa pinball machines, at least in the past) where I used to go when I worked midnight shift on the railroad.
But the only place to find Edward Hopper's America is in an Edward Hopper painting...
7/13/2005 9:58 PM
Cosmo,
That comment made my night. Thank you so much for sharing your stories.
xoxo
Joy
7/13/2005 10:02 PM
Why, thanks. Just been reading some of your other posts... Cornell, right? Yeah, they made some terrific ice cream.
As for oysters: have you checked out Swan Oyster Depot on Polk near California? It's so fucking genuine it's almost (not quite) irritating, but the chowder is excellent and the oysters are great. When I'm in the Northwest I look for Quilcenes but around here I usually order Kumamotos.
Good sea food (usually) at Hayes Street Grill--in the Spring they get shad roe which is definitely worth a try. First rate french fries, too. Chic it ain't, but they pour a generous drink.
William Makepeace Thackeray said that eating a raw oyster was "like swallowing a naked baby whole." Well, of course it is. He failed to mention whether he thought this was a good thing, however.
7/13/2005 10:16 PM
Great memories you stir for me- In about 1966 I used to drive over to the city from the east bay with buddies and play pool at Cochran's and the Palace all night- thru the double doors and up those stairs and the great players- Bucktooth, Cole Dickson and Boston Shorty- and huge 6 X 12 snooker tables!!! We'd stay over there until the sun was coming up. thanks, Dave
6/21/2009 11:17 PM