This is definitely one of those hidden gem in SF when you're craving Italian. Located in North Beach area with the entrance hiding in a small alley, the restaurant is bigger than we thought with both indoors & outdoors seating. The outdoor patio is definitely a blast for a summer day in SF, also converting to a free Tango class at 6:30 on Wednesday evening. We started with some special drinks as recommended by Ali, the most generous guy you've ever met. We got Japanese Artisan Gin Pomegranate Mint Martini and AB's Espresso Martini. They were so refreshing after we had to walk on some hills in 80degree weather in SF. After that, the appetizers we ordered came out with Caprese Salad & Mahmoud's Delicious Pork Ribs. The portion was huge for just appetizer. It's been a while for me to have that crispy baguette toasted with olive oil & vinegar, nothing could be better than that. The ribs were tender, the bonus point was definitely the sauce as it wasn't too sweet like the other places. You can't miss pizza in an Italian restaurant, so we ordered my favorite Crispy Prosciutto De Parma, Poached Pear. Prosciutto is my love so I'll just order it wherever I go if they have it on the menu. Super crispy, even though it's not as thin as I expected, I'd still order it again when we come back. It's served with a bowl of cheese powder and chili flakes so you can customize your pizza. The main entrees were definitely pasta and we just had our eyes bigger than our stomach. If you don't know what to order, ask Ali and he'll be more than happy to help you with all the recommendations, and even offer some alternatives for your pasta when the restaurant is not too crowded. My favorite was Pasta Dellacasa with Prawns added, mixing of all the sauces they have. It was so rich and I felt like no other pasta we had can be compared. They serve it hot and you can ask for as much cheese as you want for your pasta because they make it at the table for you. The place was really cool since the building was built over 100 years ago. Even the trees we were sitting next to are over 100 years old, which is pretty cool. You can even find the menu when the original place just opened, with pasta price ranged from $2-3. read more

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This place is Awesome!! Kinda hard to find it great!! My daughter(22) and I went here for a mother daughter lunch date. Found it on Yelp and decided we had to try it. Pulled up and saw the Valet($18) sign. We know parking it hard to find in that area so we just parked. The sign is for American Bites and the restaurant next to it. Walked in which is totally hidden. I would have never known it was there. We are greater instantly and told to choose any seat. They have indoor and outdoor dining. We chose indoor. Looked over the menu and order a Tequila Sunrise with Don Julio Anejo. Quite tasty Went for the clam chowder appetizer... definitely 5 stars. Flavorful and creamy. I would come back just for that. Daughter ordered the Seafood Linguini with a cream sauce. The waiter kinda questioned it but made it anyway.. They added Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper at the table. Everything came with a nice crusty bread I order the Ciopinno!! It was one of the best I ever had.. Added Parmesan and cracked pepper of course. Everything was 5star including the service we received. Left there and recommended the place to several friends.. I'll be back soon. read more

American Bites - Linguini Seafood Pasta with a cream sauce!! - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Gee, I wasn't even aware that Bocce Cafe closed as it struck me as one of those old school, Italian eateries that was part of the North Beach firmament. I kinda remember dining there because a lot of those ristorantes and trattorias melted together in my memory. That's probably why I didn't have strong feelings one way or the other as I entered this familiar out-of-the-way space on Green. I just knew from the mural shots of Satchmo, Marilyn, and Elvis on the outside wall that this wasn't going to be a gondola ride in Venice (photo: https://bit.ly/3gMFh0D). I walked the long decorated alley to find their back patio dining area pretty well occupied (photo: https://bit.ly/3gPzs2m). The interior of the restaurant was cavernous, but it wasn't being used due to COVID. All their customers were on the patio, including an older European woman conducting dance lessons for several people. Social distancing became a challenge for them since they covered the entire open area, but I was able to maintain my composure at the small table where I was seated. I decided to start with their $12 Caesar Salad (photo: https://bit.ly/3JzPWI3). It was a classic rendition with Spanish anchovies, parmigiana reggiano, Acme croutons, and fried capers. It was delicious and not overly creamy. I followed that up with the $16 Garlicky Prawns, a simply executed dish with six plump prawns bathing in garlic, parsley, and lemon juice and the Acme croutons made a welcome reappearance (photo: https://bit.ly/3HTp8T1). Satisfying fare indeed, and while a good portion of the menu was Italian, they also offered tacos, burgers, pork ribs,and French dip sandwiches. I guess they weren't kidding about serving American bites. FOOD - 4 stars...a strong Caesar and plump prawns AMBIANCE - 4 stars...tucked away in its own private space with a big patio, dancing not required SERVICE - 4 stars...very attentive TOTAL - 4 stars...broader American-style eats don't seem to compromise the Italian part of the menu RELATED - Exploring North Beach? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2X34Mji read more

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Went for dinner based on the great reviews and the fact that it was open late. When we first walked in, we met Marco the cat, who was sitting at his own table and seemed like a quirky staple of the restaurant. We enjoyed a delicious meal with great service. I was ready to make many plans to come back...until my husband saw a rat scurry around and we realized why Marco was there... The owner was so kind explaining how it's such an old building and SF doesn't allow them to use poison, so it's hard to control. I really did feel for them. But, ultimately I couldn't bring myself to eat the leftovers just thinking about the experience.. read more

American Bites - Marco - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I was a little worried this would be a bar place that didn't have good food I was wrong This place is all about the wonderful courtyard shaded ambience but the food is also very good We came in at lunch time and there weren't too many people around but it was great to have the entire patio to ourselves Taco trio the pork is really really good Brussels sprouts properly sauced and flavorful Guacamole fresh made Very friendly service Looks like this place will be great for happy hour and sports games but it's still a good place just for a nice lunch read more

I had an amazing time here, food was reasonably priced, staff was so warm and welcoming. The best part of the experience is having Marco the cat sit next to me the whole time. Of course if you're not into cats they will move it away. Marco is the friendliest cat ever! Btw it's located in an alley. It's like a hole in the wall. Ambience 5/5: Large, spacious, high ceiling, feels like being in a mini castle dining room. Warm lights, but not too dim. Even though it looks elegant it does give a comfy vibe since there's like a long bar table and the bar when you walk right in. Food 4/5: Big portion, I especially like the clam chowder, they pour the cream separately, the clams were meaty and fresh. It has its own twist, be sure to mix it. The bone marrow has three and the price is very reasonable. It was so delicious. Seafood pasta was good in portion size, no complains about taste. Chicken wings however I need to minus a star, mine came out warm... taste was good but the temperature missed it for me, and even those they give a lot and it's not dry it's very small flat wings. So theres room for improvement. Drinks 5/5: Me and my friend had the Chardonnay and the sauvignon blanc, it was delicious, smelled great, and it wasn't acidic or had a bad after taste. So great wine selection with a cheap price. Impressed Also our server made us one of the best espresso martini ever :) Service 5/5: Excellent service, everyone was very nice and considerate, Marco the cat gave me great service by sitting with me almost the entire time letting me pet him and hold his hand. Staff was friendly since the step we checked in. They carry a great hospitality vibe. Recommendation 5/5: I'm coming back for Marco and the espresso martinis and bone marrow. Great experience and this place opens late I recommend everyone to go check it out. read more

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Saw great reviews for American Bites on yelp and managed to snatch a reservation for prime time dinner on the weekend. The restaurant was a bit hidden and we were confused if we went to the right spot but thankfully the valet gave us directions. Inside the restaurant, it was red and dark. Definitely a very interesting vibe. They had a huge bar and another area for dining in. We ordered the clam chowder special, garlicky fries and their signature pasta. The clam chowder was more liquidity than I'm used to but a plus with the fresh clams! The pasta was just alright and the garlicky fries could be crispier. Overall, we had a good dining experience because of the great service but the food was underwhelming. read more

American Bites - House Special Fresh Clam Chowder Soup, AB's Signature Pasta & Garlicky Fries - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

A new spot to check out in North Beach! Don't wait hours in lines for the trendy restaurants that are overhyped. This place got the best food you can ask for! The service was amazing and I love the spacious ambiance. They also have a bar where you can chill and watch the bartender make drinks. It can be quite confusing locating this place, but you will walk in a nice alleyway to get to this restaurant. There's also a cat who will greet you if you get lucky to meet the furry friend. For appetizers, we got their spicy chicken wings, which were flavorful and a small kick of spicy. And we also order their taco bar (3 flavors of different meat), cause we wanted to try a little of everything. We got Beef Cheek ( slow-cooked in red wine sauce), Chipotle chicken, and Slow Roasted Yorkshire Pork Shoulder. Every bite was amazing. The bite that blew my mind was their lamb lollipop. It was WOW, super tender and flavorful. Only a few places I like that make good lamb, and this is now one of the spots. And their garlicky fries were sooo good!! I can't stop eating their fries and I am not a big fries person. I also recommend getting their Provimi Veal Scallopini Marsala, Mushroom with Pasta Della Casa, really good pork, and pasta! Don't forget to get their Cioppino, since you're already in North Beach, why not? Dip it in their bread, and its chef kiss! read more

A welcome new option! American Bites is a new restaurant and bar in the North Beach district of San Francisco. For those of you who are familiar with North Beach, it is located where Bocce Cafe was. American Bites was to open its doors before San Francisco went into the COVID shelter-in-place mode. The interior is very spacy, warm and welcoming. They also have a seating area in the back yard. The bar is long with plenty of seats. There are a number of TV screens around for those who care to watch sports. The crew is very welcoming and friendly and very eager to make your visit a pleasant one. The menu is mostly the familiar to those who frequent sports bars, except the quality is far superior to that of most sports bars. The burgers and fries are are the only items I have tried off their menu and they were superb. The owners are the same as, or affiliated with, the owners of Maykadeh, the restaurant adjacent to American Bites, so during our last visit we ordered a meal off Maykadeh menu! Their website is not fully developed yet, so you will not see the entire menu online. I should also mention that they do have Salsa dancing on Thursdays. I was told that there are a couple of other dance nights every week, but I do not recall the details. So good beer and drinks, good food and good music, what else one needs?! read more

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I had the best burger at American Bites!!! It was served in fresh Acme bread with a big chunk of grilled onion. It was super delicious!!! I highly recommend everyone to try it. And coco the cat greeted me and gave her an orange rose. read more

American Bites - And Coco the cat greeted me so I offered her an orange rose. - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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If you're looking for the perfect espresso martini in SF, you've come to the right place! It wasn't too sweet and the vodka wasn't over-powering. Not only are the drinks delicious, but the staff is beyond friendly! The owners Mike and Ali were so kind and made sure I was happy with my order. My friends and I ended up grabbing a few more drinks here instead of going to another bar. 10/10 would recommend! read more

American Bites - Espresso Martini - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We found this place on Yelp - 5 stars is quite an achievement, and I hate to bring it down, but 5 stars needs to be above and beyond - The grey tabby kitty "Marco" wandering around the restaurant as a "regular" nearly got me there! (Love a kitty!). - At one point the kitty was sitting on a bar stool next to a customer. Located down a very slim alley, just past Golden Boy...this is a large open room, which also includes some outdoor seating. you would never (ever) know it was there unless you were looking for it. For apps we ordered the Brussells sprouts - which were good - but a bit soggy, and the bread with the garlic dip (I bought it would be a thick white garlic dip, but it was more like a chimichurri.) Then we split the roasted chicken - YUM, super flavorful lemony and garlicky. Not a huge chicken, but plenty for 2. They did comp us a free dessert of chocolate mouse, which was nice. read more

The entrance is interesting. We missed it at first but eventually found our way thanks to the valet guy. Walking in I noticed a huge, open floor plan. The physical space gives off former club vibes. They have many different sections to be seated in. The decor is nice, very red. The menu is kind of all over the place - tacos, burgers, seafood, pasta. I'm always suspicious of establishments that do a lot of different foods. Decided to eat Italian despite the name of the restaurant but more because we were in north beach to eat pasta. Ordered the chicken parm and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Very saucy. The staff crushed fresh black pepper and added fresh Parmesan cheese on top too. Loved the service. We were well taken care of. Granted, there weren't many people around to wait on. Overall, this was a solid experience that I have no complaints about. read more

American Bites - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My family and I came here on a Sunday to catch the 49ers and warriors game! We had made reservations by calling ahead, but there wasn't really a need since the restaurant was pretty empty. Despite not having many customers, the place had great food and vibes -- perfect chill place to watch the games. We started with the chips and guac and the clam chowder, which were both amazing. We also ordered their special pasta (a tad salty) , the prosciutto and pear pizza and the cioppino. I'm surprised this place isn't more popular -- maybe because it's a little hidden from main streets with its entrance in an alley. The service was great and they also have free salsa lessons on Wednesdays! read more

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I was pleasantly surprised by American Bites. My friends and I were at the North Beach Festival and reached that point where we needed a place to: sit, drink, and eat. Most of the standard spots were completely packed because festival, but while walking down Green we saw a sign for American Bites. As I was the baby of the group, the others all mentioned how this spot used to be Bocce Cafe, which closed in 2015. For those unaware, you head up the small hill at the start of Green, and you'll see a sign pointing you down a walkway until you come to either the front restaurant or the back patio. The front restaurant is a huge space, with a large bar and plenty of seating. Meanwhile the back patio is where you want to be - covered but bright, a number of tables for groups of any size, and I think there was even an additional patio space. When we were sat, we were immediately given the menus which are a fascinating ensemble to say the least. At the top is the "Taco Bar" - a mix and match of three tacos. Then the appetizers, which is a mix of bar food (guac & chips, wings, ribs, fries, calamari, salads, and bread). There is Meat & Grill with burgers, beef sandwiches, a steak, and lamb lollipops. The entire back menu is Italian focused, including chef's specials, pastas, pizza, and seafood. As it was later in the afternoon, not quite dinner, we weren't starving, and so we wall settled on the Taco Bar. I went with the cod, beef cheek, and chipotle chicken. They were all tasty, and we absolutely inhaled them. What stole the show was the quac and chips. They gave us a HUGE portion of guac, such that we were putting it on our tacos and still had more than enough for the chips. Absolutely get those. While we enjoyed the food, space, and service, I will reserve the fifth star until I get a real meal here. I would come again, especially as there is so much left to try. read more

American Bites - Taco Bar with from bottom left: beef cheek, Chipotle chicken Alaskan cod - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Service was amazing. Sat at the bar the Manhattan was great. Had the Lamb Lollipops amazing. read more

American Bites - Lamb Lollipops - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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So excited to have tried this restaurant in North Beach which used to be Bocce Cafe and is one of SF's designated landmarks! The location is tucked away so there's a cute alleyway you have to walk through before arriving to their front doors. Once you're inside, there's a huge bar space, cute patio and rooms for events/functions. Love that they have TVs so I can watch sports there as well! They serve just about everything you can crave from pizza, sandwiches, burgers and tacos to seafood, pasta and veal. I highly recommend their SF Cioppino if you're into seafood - you won't be disappointed! Another personal fav was the Beef Tongue Dip Sandwich. The beef is soooo tender and sauce makes it so flavorful. read more

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Hidden gem in north beach. Amazing food and service, definitely the best burger I've ever had. The servers are kind and attentive. You walk through a small alley to get to the restaurant. Very prettily lit and decorated. We will be back no doubt! read more

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Went there on a Sunday for dinner and it's off the main strip in North Beach. And you have to go down an small alleyway to the front of the restaurant so it seems like it's going to be a small little hole in the wall but actually the dining area is pretty large and we decided to sit on the patio which was nice. We met Coco the cat out on the patio and she was super friendly. We had the seafood pasta and the chicken marsala and both were excellent. They put in many clams, mussels, and a fair amount of shrimp with some fish. Overall it was good. We had both the standard version and with an alfredo-type white sauce which was actually really good! Overall we were happy with our choice! read more

Absolutely spectacular meal at what can best be described as an oasis of calm in North Beach. The food, menu, ambiance and service exceeded all of our expectations - which were high when my Dad told me he had one of the best Beef Dips in his entire life here. The prices are fair, and become more fair once you taste the food! The emphasis is clearly on quality rather than quantity. American Bites is a true gem in North Beach and worth going out of your way to experience. 10/10 read more

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**Warning** this place has two pet cats roaming around the restaurant and laying on the chairs. In my opinion that's a huge health code violation. And what about those with cat allergies? That aside the food was 50/50 I had the fettuccine with cream sauce and it was good. My husband ordered the French dip and it was very dry and tough. We also ordered the bread and garlic appetizer and the bread was like croutons. The ambience of the place is very strange. Not very relaxing. We went on a Thursday night at 6:30pm and there was one other ver loud party and a party of 2. We were all seated right next to each other. The menu is also very unusual. They have a taco bar, lamb and beef tongue options and then Italian pastas and pizzas. I would not recommend this restaurant. read more

Just tried this place for the first time a week ago and I was blown away! From the ambiance, service, and food it's exceptional. Ambiance - its the old location of the spaghetti factory so its a landmark location in SF - very spacious with a large outdoor patio and also a trendy "speakeasy" style interior. Great for a date night or with a group of friends. Food: We got a series of dishes - for appetizers we started with the chipotle chicken tacos, garlic prawns and we loved both of them. The garlic prawns had cilantro based sauce which made it even better. For the entrees - we got the bone marrow, lamb lollipops, their special pasta (mushroom + cream) and ending with the meat lovers pizza. Our favorite was the bone marrow and the special pasta the sauce they make it very unique and you can tell it was made with a lot of love. We ended the meal with tiramisu. Service - the staff is so quick, very friendly, and they know the menu in and out. Bookmark this for your next visit to SF. read more

Excellent service, nice outdoor dining; NorthBeach sf , excellent fresh pasta. Open for lunch read more

American Bites - Ceasar - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Let me first say that I am writing this review because this restaurant deserves the 5 stars and all the credit! but truly if it were up to me I would want this place to remain a secret because I love it so much and like that it is never too crowded for me to get a nice table So my girlfriend and I have come here three times. The first time we were drunk and just stumbled upon it so we decided to try it out. The food and drinks were amazing. BUT like I said, we had been lit so we weren't sure if it was the alcohol that made us so happy or the actual food and we wanted to try it again. The next time we went, we tried some new dishes and ordered drinks. Same amazing experience. The food was great and the drinks were hitting. Plus, my girlfriend asked if she could have pasta as her side (she ordered the steak) and they happily accommodated this. The third time we went here was last week. We were completely sober and the food was again, AMAZING. Honestly, I am just so in love with this place. I have even suggested to my girlfriend that we should get married here. Everything about this place is wonderful. The people that work here are so nice and make you feel well taken care of. The menu has many options and everything that I have tried there has been utter perfection. I'd order it all again. Coming here has a luxurious feel with a cozy ambience and I love that. This place is a staple for me and in my opinion the best restaurant in San Francisco. read more

This is my first ever review, meaning this place was so god damn good I'm writing my first review. I have high standards for food and my grandma is from Italy and I have to say DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS PLACE. Great service might be the best Italian restaurant I've ever been... No it is the best Italian restaurants I've ever been too. We got the clam chowder, not your normal clam chowder where its thick. It comes with actual clams and they put the cream in at the table. We also go the Marsala it was insane along with the specialty and it was also great! read more

American Bites - Chicken Marsala - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great food and nice dining rooms You will enjoy the dining here.. The size and elegant dining with a huge bar is so inviting.

They just opened a few weeks ago in the back of maykadeh, a Persian restaurant in north beach. The boyfriend and I, living around the corner, decided to try and loved it. Must try the burger and wings. We also had the tacos which were delightful (they have 4 kinds and you get to pick 3) but the other were just too good. They grind their own patty for the burger everyday and serves it on a acme baguette. So. Good. Overall great experience, this place is a high end restaurant flavor brought to your neighborhood grill read more

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This a perfect hideaway restaurant and bar in the midst of all the crowded places in North Beach. Very roomy with a nice outdoor patio, and plenty of indoor seating, and a long bar with three large tvs for watching sports. The menu is varied with pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, Italian entrees, and a very reasonably priced Cioppino. Service was very prompt and friendly. Definitely worth a visit. read more

This is one of the best spots in North Beach. Walk through the alley to find it. Fantastic food and drinks. Seafood is fresh and tasty; the staff are incredibly friendly. Went with friends and we will be making a habit of it! read more

American Bites - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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A true hidden gem! Came here last minute with some friends on a Saturday night and was surprised to find the place pretty much empty at 7pm. I have no idea why this place was empty, the menu is phenomenal and the food is great. The worst part of the experience was having to choose what to get - there were too many good options! I ended up getting the steak and fries, which you really can't beat the quality for the price. read more

We had an awesome visit to American Bites! It was our first time there. We arrived before the dinner rush and had plenty of time to peruse the menu, order drinks, etc. The food was delicious! They made a specific cocktail that my family member wanted and brought out a dessert for my partner's birthday. Overall, it was genuinely a nice dining experience. read more

American Bites - Housemade House Special Fresh Clam Chowder Soup - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Whether you are local or in town visiting this is a absolute must try. Food is absolutely delicious. Chicken Marsala is best I have ever had and my girlfriend had the chicken parm which was equally as good Service is second to none, the owners/operators truly care about your experience. This is no doubt one of the best spots in all of San Fran! They have only been in business 2-3 years so don't let the small amount of reviews deter you from choosing this spot. You will not be disappointed read more

Went here last night on a first date & it was a great time. The food was amazing! We had the brussel sprouts & can I say that Caesar salad was so good!! The margarita pizza was delicious as was the linguine seafood pasta. The service was great & the ambiance was nice...will definitely be back. read more

Came in for some drinks and appetizers. The space is very nice, hidden in the back and very nicely laid out. Staff was very friendly and attentive. I would definitely go back and try more food. -chicken wings were very small but tasty -garlic fries were good -clam chowder is unorthodox but tasty read more

My husband and I were searching for a restaurant where we could each order the type of cuisine we wanted to eat. This place exceeded our expectations. It's tucked back in an alley, but the space has a great vibe. Service was outstanding. We ordered the ultimate hamburger and fries. It was delicious!! I wish we were visiting longer so that we could try some of the other entries. We would highly recommend American Bites. D. Harvey read more

We had such a wonderful afternoon here. The outdoor patio is one of the nicest protected outdoor spaces in the city. The service we had was incredible and our meal was perfect. Prices are super affordable. We absolutely loved American Bites. read more

Great food and better service. Fantastic pasta and seafood. Great place to bring friends.

This has been one of the worst experiences one could ever experience in a 'fine' Italian dining. Be ready to be treated like a doormat by the owner himself. His behavior showed narcissistic, arrogant, and aggressive attitude. The owner is not afraid of insulting the customers or his own staff in front of his entire restaurant and the food was below subpar. The atmosphere is pretty empty in there and it has very low foot traffic which is not surprising at all. If you feel like being insulted and having your evening ruined, then this is your spot read more

This restaurant opened during the pandemic and we've been regulars since. Everything I've tried is delicious. I've had their street tacos, the fish and the cheek tacos are my favorite. I've also had the SF Cioppino, Clam Chowder, NY sirloin steak and fries, lamb lollipop, Ultimate Burger, pizza, chicken wings, Cesar salad, garlicky prawns, Mussels Marinara.... Everything was absolutely delicious. And my favorite drink from their drink menu is the Japanese Artisan Gin Pomegranate Mint Martini. And not on the menu, but also one of my favorites, is the Spicy Margarita, ask mike to make it for you, he makes them really good! The place is also very cozy and beautiful. So definitely give it a try, you won't regret it... read more

American Bites - Fettuccine Creamy Pesto - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Keep the five stars going! I had the spicy wings and candied bacon Brussels sprouts. DELICIOUS!!! Wife and kid said they were too sweet but what do they know. Had the prawns and tri tip sandwich as well. Prawns were perfect. Pesto was excellent. Again wife didn't like. She was expecting more salt. I had to explain to wife and kid that the food was fresh and you could taste the protein and seasoning that went with the food. Again; what do they know. The chocolate mousse was also a hit with me. Highly recommend unless you just want salter food. Go get pizza then. read more

American Bites - Spicy chicken wings and prawns. - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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