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    American Bites

    4.7 (125 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Updated over 3 months ago

    American Bites Photos

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    AMERICAN BITES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - American Bites

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    Marco
    Angela L.

    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..

    Marco
    Jenny L.

    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.

    House Special Fresh Clam Chowder Soup, AB's Signature Pasta & Garlicky Fries
    Anny L.

    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.

    Afshin A.

    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?!

    Espresso Martini
    Melodie K.

    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!

    And Coco the cat greeted me so I offered her an orange rose.
    Yasaman Ataie A.

    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.

    Taco Bar with from bottom left: beef cheek, Chipotle chicken Alaskan cod
    Michael C.

    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.

    Christine F.

    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.

    Pizza Crispy Prosciatto De Parma, Poached Pear
    Caitlyn C.

    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!

    Farrah C.

    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.

    Lamb Lollipops
    David B.

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

    Fries Chicken Parmesan Beef Tongue Dip Sandwich Beef Dip Sandwich Ultimate Burger
    Emma F.

    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!

    Brussels sprouts with candied bacon

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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.

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    Ask the Community - American Bites

    Hi. Is there a salsa class happening on Thursday night? What is the cost per class ? Is drop in OK?

    You're more than welcome to join Thursday salsa nights for free!! There is always a professional salsa teacher on-site. Come join us!!

    View All 2 Questions

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    STOP. DROP. EAT…read more This place is an absolute gem. Food: We started with the clams and mussels, and they were phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and soak every last bit of that broth up with the bread--you won't regret it. Don also surprised us with complimentary scallops, and wow... next-level fresh. Some of the best seafood I've had. Drinks: Hands down the best margaritas I've had in California so far. I also watched Don make a Bloody Mary, and it was like watching someone craft a work of art. Every ingredient was intentional, and you could tell it was made with genuine care. Service: This deserves to be at the top because it's what made the experience unforgettable. Halfway through our meal, I realized my incredible bartender was actually the owner. Don is one of the most humble, genuine, and welcoming people you'll ever meet. His sons and daughter all work in the restaurant, and there's even a photo on the wall of his great-grandfather smoking a cigar while cooking crabs. This isn't just a restaurant--it's generations of family, tradition, and passion served on every plate. You can feel the heart behind this place the moment you walk in. Thank you, Don, for the outstanding hospitality, the amazing conversation, and a meal we'll be talking about for a long time. We'll definitely be back.

    (3/5) I've been coming to this restaurant for many years,…read moreand this was the first visit that left me disappointed. Overall, the food was good, and the service was okay. However, the clam chowder tasted much more like potato chowder than clam chowder, with very little clam flavor. The bread was served warm, but it quickly became chewy, which made it seem like it had been heated in a microwave rather than baked fresh. What stood out the most was the condition of the restaurant. It looked run-down, dated, and, unfortunately, not very clean. After many years of enjoying this place, this was the first time I noticed how much it seems to have declined. I hope management takes the time to refresh the restaurant and improve the overall cleanliness because it has always been one of my go-to spots, and I'd like to see it return to the quality it once had.

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    Scoma's Restaurant

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    4.1(5k reviews)
    0.9 miFisherman's Wharf, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
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    We ate at Scoma's **three times during our 11-day San Francisco vacation**, which probably says…read moremore than anything else about how much we enjoyed it. I had the clam chowder twice, and it was just perfect--creamy, with lots of clams and potatoes. And then there is the **Boudin sourdough bread**, with that wonderful, distinctive "sour" flavor that seems to be missing from so many sourdough breads these days. One evening, we shared the **Mixed Seafood Grill**, which was amazing: wild-caught shrimp and three kinds of fresh fish--black cod, halibut, and salmon--served with salad and fresh vegetables. We started with the organic beet salad, with both red and gold beets. On another visit, I had the **Dungeness crab cake appetizer with a bowl of clam chowder**, which made a delicious and surprisingly hearty dinner. I was lucky enough to have **Tom as our waiter twice**, and he won my heart with a small act of kindness. At the end of dinner, I asked if he could wrap up my two remaining pieces of sourdough bread. When I opened the package later, I discovered he had tucked in a few extra pieces for me. I brought them home and was able to enjoy a little taste of San Francisco for several more days. Thank you, Tom! I also love that Scoma's hasn't tried to turn itself into another sleek, modern restaurant. The **old-school, vintage 1960s-1970s atmosphere** is part of its charm: waiters in white jackets, dark wood paneling, brown leather or vinyl seating, brass details, warm amber-glass lighting, wrought-iron dividers, and crisp white tablecloths. Walking into Scoma's feels a little like stepping back in time. For me, it was even more special because it brought back memories of **California days with my family when I was growing up**. Wonderful seafood, warm hospitality, sourdough that actually tastes sour, and an atmosphere with a real sense of history. There is a reason we came back three times.

    I had the fried seafood platter and it was amazing. Everything tasted wonderful and was perfectly…read morebreaded Friend of mine ordered the Cioppinno. Claims it is the best he's had in the Bay Area. Worth trying out on the reviews, match the service and quality of food Great views definitely your classic waterfront restaurant

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    3.6(144 reviews)
    0.5 miRussian Hill, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
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    Pub Crawl #3 Dark…read more Divey. Unpretentious. The place instantly brought to mind the classic TV show Cheers (1982-1993), where a tight-knit group of regulars gathered night after night at their local bar. This was our last stop of the night. We grabbed seats at the bar, surrounded by customers who all seemed to know one another. One friendly guy--there alone--struck up a conversation with the bartender and soon with us, too. The bartender poured us a shot of... well, I'm still not sure what it was--something my partner ordered. She filled it past the line on the glass, which impressed me. No fancy cocktails here, so I went for a margarita. People drifted in and out, most of them exchanging greetings and stories--clearly regulars. "Sometimes you wanna go Where everybody knows your name And they're always glad you came You wanna be where you can see (ah-ah) Our troubles are all the same (ah-ah) You wanna be where everybody knows your name" - Cheers Theme Song

    Showed up at 11:45am on a Friday during the World Cup. They were closed. No lights, doors locked…read more Walked across the street to La Rocca's. They were open and a big crowd started forming around noon for World Cup games. Then a bunch of ladies on a scavenger hunt ran in, did tequila shots then ran out. Will be back to La Rocca's again soon. Fun bar. International lost out. Plus La Rocca's takes credit cards.

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    International Sports Bar
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