Wow is this place amazing. My family and I are so used to Lawrys, but this place is so comparable! The meat, in my opinion, is a little more fatty! But still so good! Reasonably priced and service was phenomenal! Kevin was our waiter, and he took care of all 12 of us Drinks to the top remembering the orders, there was one meat that was a little overcooked, and they immediately swapped it out! The place is older vibe with red booths, gives me dive bar vibes a little, but don't underestimate this place! Definitely worth the drive! Get the chicken noodle soup, all their soups are in house made, so good!!! Will definitely be back read more

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This is a steakhouse that serves different cuts of meat, but it's primarily known for its prime rib. I've been here several times including yesterday. Would I say they have the best prime rib around? No. But it is pretty damn satisfying. When here, I always order the Franciscan cut Prime Rib cooked to medium (it's 3/4 pounds), house salad with ranch dressing, and steak fries. They throw in a loaf of sourdough bread with whipped butter. The prime rib is very tender and has plenty of fat. We all know fat equals flavor. The only thing I would change about it, and I keep forgetting to ask the server each time I'm here, is to have it served without the au jus already in the plate. Don't get me wrong. The au jus is fantastic, but when the prime rib is served in a pool of it, the meat becomes soggy. Served separately, I think the prime rib would be even better. In addition to the prime rib, the salad and steak fries are incredibly delicious. The salad is nothing fancy, but very tasty due to the ranch dressing it comes with. Wish I knew the recipe of the dressing. The steak fries pair perfectly with the prime rib. It's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The only thing I would say is pretty average is the sourdough bread. Although it comes out warm, I don't get the sense that they're freshly baked. The service here is phenomenal. The servers are attentive, polite, and efficient. Can't ask for anything more from them. If you're looking for a trendy spot with contemporary decor and pretentious vibes, this place is not for you. This is an old school steakhouse with red upholstered booths and soft music playing in the background. If you live in the South Bay, and you're looking for a classic prime rib experience, this is a place you should check out. read more

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I've been going to the San Franciscan for the past six years, and it's still one of my favorite spots for prime rib. When I first started coming here, the smallest cut was only $25, which felt like an incredible deal. Prices have gone up over the years, and it's now $37 for the smallest cut, but even with the increase, it's a place I continue to return to because the quality and experience have remained consistently good. I always order the prime rib medium rare with the soup and French fries. The prime rib is consistently delicious, flavorful, and tender, with a rich beefy flavor that really hits the spot. It's cooked just the way I like it, and every visit reminds me why I've been coming back for so many years. The portions are generous, and the meal is satisfying from start to finish. One of the things I appreciate most about this restaurant is its classic atmosphere. The interior feels like a step back in time, with an old-school charm that is becoming harder to find these days. It has the feel of a traditional steakhouse from the 1960s, and the nostalgic vibe adds a lot to the overall dining experience. It's the kind of place where you can relax, enjoy a good meal, and appreciate a piece of local history. There is a parking lot available, which is definitely a plus, although it can be surprisingly easy to miss if you're visiting for the first time. Just keep an eye out as you're approaching the restaurant. While I miss the days when the prime rib was only $25, I understand that prices have gone up everywhere. The fact that I've continued coming here for six years says a lot about how much I enjoy the food and atmosphere. If you've never been and you're a fan of prime rib, this is a spot that's well worth checking out at least once. Chances are you'll find yourself planning a return read more

Celebrating Father's Day early to avoid the crowds. The prime rib and steaks were excellent as always. Our server was on point and very helpful. The greeter was so accommodating and allowed us to be seated in the back room with regular tables instead of the booths in front. Greatly appreciated. Another wonderful dinner at the San Franciscan. read more

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2026 San Franciscan is still my go to spot for Prime Rib. It's not a lame roast beef that many restaurants play off as prime rib. This is basically a high quality oven roasted rib eye steak. If you crave Prime Rib, what makes this a good meal is it comes with bread, soup and a baked potato and the cut comes in 3 sizes to choose from. The service is friendly and fast and this is family styled, no dress code nor any frills of ambiance. It's like a bar lounge with karaoke in the front and formal (casual) dining in the back Parking is easy, but remember this... If driving down Sepulveda and the Sam Franciscan is going to be on your right side... then the parking lot you want to pull into is on your right side BEFORE the San Franciscan yellow sign. If you pass it and pull into the next lot, it locks you in and does not connect to the restaurant and you'll then need to turn around pull out then get back onto Sepulveda, turn right onto Crenshaw and then reach the San Franciscan parking lot from the back or if confused you get back onto Sepulveda from there and try to park again and not miss the correct parking position of their parking lot. read more

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I had always heard about this place. So many people rave about it. The prime rib is supposed to be amazing. It's a restaurant that's been around for a very long time. It's got a bar type of area in front where you'll hear live music. Which is usually pretty entertaining. On the other side is a small dining area. It's dark in there. The lighting is pretty low. It has that old restaurant feel. Anyway, some friends and I decided to try this place since we've all heard great things about it and we wanted to support some friends who were performers in the live band. I had to order the prime rib because that's what everyone raved about. Was it good? Yes. Was it amazing? No it was not. The bread was good nice and warm. Everything else was just ok. The service was incredibly slow. We tried to give Grace as we knew it was a busy night but so many delays and mistakes were made. I wish I could give it a better review. I probably won't come back unless I want to see the live band. read more

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My family has been coming to the San Franciscan for years & is our go-to spot when we want Prime Rib! We went on a Friday night & it was pretty busy, but we only ended up waiting around 40 min. I love that they give you fresh sourdough bread with butter. I ordered a prime rib medium & was surprised at how rare it was! It definitely seemed more like medium rare. My dad's that was medium rare, came out rare. Just an fyi maybe you want to order it a little bit more cooked than usual! read more

The San Franciscan - Prime rib - Karaoke Near Me - Torrance, California

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First of all, the atmosphere was very busy! (I went on a Friday night) We were quick to sit due to a reservation and we were tended to right away. I ordered their famous prime rib with au jus and a side of baked potato (both of which were cooked perfectly). Only thing i'll say is because of how busy it was, the staff were in and out through a small corridor throughout their service and one ended up getting hurt! They were fine, but I was definitely concerned. Nonetheless, try this place out for their famous food if you don't mind the hustle and bustle! read more

The San Franciscan - Zucchini Sticks & Clam Strips - Karaoke Near Me - Torrance, California

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The San Franciscan feels like a blast from the past in the best way. Old-school steakhouse, classic bar top, dim cozy lighting, and fresh sourdough bread to start things off--already a win. Came for the prime rib after a friend's recommendation and went with the San Franciscan cut, medium rare, with a loaded baked potato, lobster tail add-on, sautéed mushrooms, and a classic Caesar. The prime rib was the move: tender, juicy, and exactly what you want from a spot like this. Jeff the bartender had that old-school charm, and Terry was warm, efficient, and really on top of it despite having a full section. Not flashy or trendy, just a classic place that knows its lane and does it well. read more

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If you enjoy a good steak/prime rib, this spot is perfect for you! Their portions and sides are both are great and pretty reasonably priced There's a bar as well as karaoke that usually goes on, so whether you're looking for a chill dinner or want to sing your heart out, you should give this place a shot! read more

I've driven by this old school staple in Torrance 100s of times....and for the first time ever we booked to eat here for my friends birthday.... Known as a steakhouse the prime ribs looked really mouth watering...even for myself who doesn't eat meat....I had the Salmon Filet and it was actually cooked really well and I would definitely get it again.... Service was pretty good even though the place as busy they were able to help us out the majority of the time.... Everything came out good for the whole party and no complaints about the food at all... The restaurant itself is old and the inside shows it....but that is part of the classic ambiance at the restaurant.... It is difficult to maneuver through and they utilized the space inside very well...I thought it was a small restaurant looking a it from the outside but it actually can hold a good amount of people. Maybe get better bread knives is my only complaint....it was hard to cut the sourdough easily with the knives given.... Definitely recommend this place to anybody who likes steak/prime rib/even salmon.... By the way I passed it on the first drive by because the parking entrance is just before the restaurant and 1 way meaning if a car is coming out you can't fit another car to come in....but if you go around the residential area you can pull in from the side street before going back on Sepulveda... read more

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Let me preface things by saying that this review is primarily concerned with the service in the bar area (or lack thereof). I suppose we should start with the good stuff, though - the food here is pretty delicious. We ordered the sirloin, prime rib, and lobster - all delicious and well-prepared. But going back to the experience at the bar - let me tell you - these guys did not know how to make a cocktail to save their lives! We had to send back our margarita, vodka martini, and Long Island Iced Tea (all very simple, fundamental cocktails, right?); they just tasted straight up wrong. The ratios of ingredients were totally imbalanced - very bitter, sour, and just off the mark. It's not like we asked for any special treatment or any crazy, complex request - just 3 very textbook cocktails! To make matters worse - the bartenders weren't very welcoming and clearly looked like they had better things to do than tend to customers. Who knows - maybe they were burnt out, having a bad day, etc. In any event - be wary if these are the guys who are putting your drinks together! read more

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This is perfect if you're looking for an old fashioned meat and potatoes dinner. I've driven by this restaurant thousands of times and finally was able to try it out. They have their own parking lot in the back with a clear sign, off of Sepulveda Boulevard, where to park. There's an entrance from the parking lot. Luckily, I arrived 5 minutes after 3PM when they open. When I walked through the door, I was greeted by the hostess, and was asked by the wait staff if I waned to sit near the bar or in the dining room. Since it was booth seating, I chose to sit near the bar. After I sat down, I noticed the two separate areas in the back that was the dining area, but I was fine where I was. What I really noticed is how dark the area was around the bar. I ordered the top sirloin, baked potato, and salad. The sourdough bread was served first, warm, with a side of butter. The salad was drenched in ranch, reminiscent of how salads were served during my childhood. It was all iceberg lettuce, chilled, with a couple slices of tomatoes. The baked potato was wrapped and served in tin foil, with a side of butter, chives, and sour cream. The steak was well done, as requested. The meat was of good quality, not chewy at all. They offer great dessert options. I ordered the lemon drop cheesecake. It was really good. I ate the whole slice. They have an extensive wine list on the back of the food menu, and karaoke on Tuesday and Saturday nights. They also have a live band on Friday nights. Terri was great. Super friendly, efficient, and giggly. read more

Undercooked Prime Rib unexpected. Not a great meal sadly. Came out blood rare & was supposed to be pink not RED. Svc excellent though.

Loved our first visit to The San Franciscan! We got a booth by the live band. Phil (gentleman with the long hair) was making our drinks and they were so good! Definitely would try to get him as our bartender again. We got mostly whiskey based drinks and the Irish coffee was strong. Exactly what we'd expect! We also got med rare prime ribs and they were really good as well. Would come back again for sure :) Definitely a fun vibe but mostly an older crowd. read more

The San Franciscan - Medium Rare prime rib and baked potato - Karaoke Near Me - Torrance, California

Once you step inside The San Franciscan, you're stepping back in time to the 1960s. This had been on my list for a good ol' prime rib dinner, so we went to celebrate an anniversary. The service was quick, but I was slightly disappointed that my medium rate prime rib was dry. I focused more on eating the baked potato and salad. read more

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Best steak in town with good prices. Service was great and nice ambiance. We went there for celebration. We are 5 and spent $200+. We had lots of appetizers and really enjoyed the food. read more

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Always a good value for prime rib and always busy no matter if you come early. Meal comes with sourdough bread and soup or salad. Entree includes choice of potato or vegetable. The portion is generous and the meat is top rate. Hubby tried the shrimp cocktail and again a generous portion. Service is good. read more

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Food was amazing!! Loved the prime rib of course. We also had the coconut shrimp which was fresh. The top sirloin was cooked just how I ordered it - just wish there was maybe a sauce or some kind of seasoning offered. The ambience was family friendly & it felt like a local favorite. Definitely will go back for the live music too. read more

The San Franciscan - The San Franciscan & Top Sirloin w/ Shrimp plate - Karaoke Near Me - Torrance, California

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Went here on a Friday night, and it was a packed house with a live band. The atmosphere was great - nothing overly flashy - but it has a classic, old-school feel that seems to draw in a slightly older crowd. We ordered two New York steaks, each with a salad and baked potato. The sourdough bread was fresh, and the salad was a simple garden salad. The steaks were nicely charred without being overly seasoned, which I appreciated. The servers were friendly and very attentive throughout the night, which made the experience even better. If you're looking for a quieter evening, I'd recommend coming before the band starts. As the night goes on, it definitely shifts into more of a bar scene. If that's your vibe, you'll enjoy it; but if not earlier is the way to go. read more

"Fast Food" restaurant. Don't come here if you plan on a relaxing meal. Clam chowder was like the paste I use to make as glue. Filet mignon was tender but no taste. Au just very salty. Noisy. Service was a rushed affair. read more

The food is out of this world. The service is great. They make their own blue cheese dressing, it was the best dressing I have ever had. The waiter said they sell it. I brought some home and omg it was so good! read more

Every town should have a San Franciscan. The term "neighborhood gem" gets overused, but it perfectly fits the San Franciscan. The San Franciscan isn't a fine dining establishment; rather, it's a blue-collar joint, with red Naugahyde covered booths and hotel banquet-style chairs. Most importantly, there is one main reason to go to the San Franciscan ... the PRIME RIB. Food: The mainstay of the San Franciscan is the prime rib. They serve a nice, thick cut in three sizes (House Special at 8 oz, Franciscan Cut at 12 oz, and Diamond Jim at 19 oz). Each dinner comes with sourdough bread, a dinner salad or cup of soup, and a side of your choosing like steamed vegetables, fries, or baked potato. The prime rib is pretty good. It may not be the best I've ever had, but it's close enough, especially at this price point. The sourdough boule is served warm, with a crusty outside and doughy middle; the salad was honestly unmemorable (think hotel banquet); and the baked potato was simple but satisfying, with the large dollops (in plastic cups) of whipped butter, sour cream, and green onions. I've also had the spaghetti with meatballs and chicken parmesan in the past, and cannot in good faith recommend them. But I can 100% recommend the prime rib. Service: The service swings between very friendly and chummy, like your best neighborhood spots should be, to somewhat short and brusque when interrupting a server carrying a tray of eight salads (which is understandable). Environment: The restaurant is lively. The bar is usually filled with locals, and there can often be a long line for dinner, with people waiting patiently on a makeshift dance floor (where they have Tuesday night karaoke) and sitting on those hotel banquet-style chairs. Bottom Line: The San Franciscan is a neighborhood gem ... Go for the prime rib. read more

The San Franciscan - Dinner Salad - Karaoke Near Me - Torrance, California

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11/14/2025 Update The atmosphere of the restaurant is the same, still good. The food is still made amazing. The prime rib still made well and all the food came out quickly. We love it. Our waiter was good. Very professional and friendly. Took our drink and food orders well. Made sure we were okay and if refills needed. The hostesses... I have never since had such horrible service. We came at 4:30 and in 2 cars since there was 6 of us and they made us wait until we were all inside until they sat us. It was beyond frustrating since it has never been the cast and the restaurant was not busy at the time. They just happened to be a few minutes later because we came in 2 cars. For this reason I am marking them down because now they choose this everyone must BE in the restaurant before seating when they fell it seems. read more

The San Franciscan - House special - Karaoke Near Me - Torrance, California

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This place is a hidden gem service is great and the prime rib here is very good for the price I ordered a steak that was nice juicy & tender.. if your in the mood for a good steak or prime rib dinner that will not break the bank this is the place... read more

The San Franciscan - Steak & potato - Karaoke Near Me - Torrance, California

After seeing a social media post about this place, we decided to try it out. We went on a Friday and made reservations for 7:30p. It was busy and the place was very confusing. The front door on Sepúlveda happens to be the rear door. It was bazaar. We checked in around 7:15 and clearly this place does not honor reservations because we were not seated until 8:15p. Very frustrating. When we're finally seated, our server had no customer service skills, didn't smile or even say hello. When we finally ordered, our food car quickly. I ordered the San Franciscan cut prime rib. It was very tender. My gf ordered the NY steak and her steak was fairly bland and was not cooked to her liking. I thought mine was ok, nothing to brag about. The prices however were pretty reasonable especially for the size of my prime rib. I don't live in the area now so I can say it may be a while for me to return. read more

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WOW. Amazing steakhouse. Traditional food done right and perfect. The San Franciscan cut is so flavorful, tender, and cooked to medium rare perfection. This steakhouse is affordable. The ambiance may be a bit too crowded for my liking, but I love the local crowd, the bartender, the staff are all very welcoming and friendly. The gentleman right next to me was making food recommendations and I am so glad I followed his recommendation which was the San Franciscan prime rib. And to top it off I was lucky enough to come on a Friday night and a local band was playing and they were amazing. The band were performing songs from the 80s and 90s rock hits. I will definitely be returning soon. read more

The food the service. Everything about this place is amazing. Just when you've lost hope, and and then new restaurants that are popping up. It's such a delight to find this little gem. That's still takes you back to the days. When things are simpler and good food was a must. And customer service was number one. read more

If you want to step back into the old school, this is a great restaurant to do just that. The moment you walk in, you feel like you're in a restaurant from the 1960s. At least, that's my experience. As someone who ate at a number of restaurants just like this during that period of time, it reminds me of a time gone past. What this restaurant offers for their meals is also very old-school. And, that's why most people seem to love it. What they offer is old-school stakes, some fish dishes, some chicken dishes, even lobster, all reminiscent of a yesteryear. Even their salads are served in a matter that that reminds me of the way they were prepared when I was young. As my wife said, give me a little lettuce with my dressing. Because yes, they pour on tons and tons of dressing, just the way they did it way back when. The overall quality, and the preparation of the food, is all very good. Any steak you get at this restaurant is not gonna be chewy and it's gonna be prepared to your specifications be that rare all the way to well-done, which is the way I like it. Of course, this restaurant is known for its baked potatoes. And yes, they're pretty good. In terms of seating, they have two main areas of table service. They have booths near the bar, as well as booths in the rear dining room area. Where you sit at this establishment truly affects your overall dining experience. If you sit in the bar area, there you will see some sports on the TV and you'll be listening to people discussing that subject as well as throwing in the very common cuss words. If you dine in the back area, it's much more of what I would say is an overall Quality dining experience. And yes, this restaurant does have karaoke two nights a week. Thank God, I have never been in attendance for one of those sessions! I can only imagine what that sounds like. But, if you're into that kind of thing, go there on either Tuesday or Saturday night after 9:00 PM. The one thing to keep in mind is that this is a very popular restaurant. My suggestion is, if you go there, have a reservation. Because, you may walk in there, and if you don't, you may have to wait quite a while to get a table. Of course, if you go there on the off-hours, that's your best bet if you just want to walk through the door and sit down without a reservation. Overall, if you want an old school meat orientated meal, this may be your place to enjoy one. read more

We came here for a birthday dinner. Most ordered the prime rib and I ordered the culotte. The food was decent, nothing too special or spectacular/not the best but also and definitely not the worst. Middle of the road. Those that ordered the prime rib had similar sentiment. The service was decent as well. They were busy, I think mainly because the regulars who come for the bar, but were accommodating and seated us in a timely fashion. The parking is decent. Overall, not a bad experience. read more

The San Franciscan - The culotte - Karaoke Near Me - Torrance, California

This isn't a restaurant, it's a Time Machine. Step into the dark , poorly lit restaurant; slide into a red vinyl booth and I swear you are transported back to the early 60s , vegas and the rat pack There isn't anything on the menu you wouldn't find in that era. If you were hankering for poke or sushi , you're outa luck What they do is prime rib. Get the baked potato. It's amazing The place is always packed but the service is always good. Love it. Come for the experience! It's awesome. read more

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Came here to celebrate my niece's 21st birthday. The restaurant was unique, you have to pass thru the bar to get to the dining area. I had the house prime rib, it was pretty good. Service was good, we enjoyed out celebration. read more

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Tonight it was extremely busy for a Wednesday night. The service was excellent and the food superb! I went with the 19 ounce prime rib. You can't beat the price at $58! Delicious! The atmosphere is bustling! Definitely my go to place for dinner. read more

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What a gem!! I've actually only been to this place twice in my life. Lived in Southbay my whole life and never knew this place existed! I've definitely missed out, so will need to make up for it by coming more often! It's very hidden and hard to find. Honestly doesn't even look like a restaurant from the outside street. There is a pretty large parking area behind the building. You are served with sourdough bread and butter! Wow! We got two of these because they were so good- perfectly warmed when served! We ordered * chefs cut? Diamond cut? It was a really huge chunk of prime rib * lobster and prime rib combo * side salad and soup * margarita on the rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Their bartender was wow! Their drinks were phenomenal- couldn't have asked for it any better. Best margarita on the rocks I've had hahaha coming back for sure! Everything was so good that I honestly don't even know how to write a review for this place. It's a must try and a must come place for everyone! read more

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It's been a while since I first reviewed The San Franciscan! For me their famous prime rib is very good! I ordered medium and the meat is tender and delicious. I actually don't care for horseradish sauce and the au jus is just fine. Steak fries are nice and crispy. Had the baked potato a couple of times and it's A-OK. This place is nostalgic. When I was a kid, I lived in San Francisco and my Auntie would treat us to diners w/the red booths and dark lighting. Decor is old school for sure. Service here is hit or miss. The hubby and I have been here a couple of times within the last year or so. Some servers are more efficient and some are more or less friendly than others. Our server last night was efficient but it would have been nice if he smiled. He only slightly smiled once when he gave us our check and thanked us for dining in. I know it is a popular and very busy steakhouse but even a little positivity goes a long way. Something good to know is to enter from the back as that is where the reception is and not the front. I also called earlier to make a reservation and the woman on the phone sounded a tad inconvenienced. I like the San Franciscan but definitely not my favorite. They average 4 yelp stars in about 1.4K reviews to date. If prime rib or steaks is your fancy, check them out and see for yourself if you're around the South Bay. They are more like 3.5 stars to me, but if customer service is improved, I would give them a 4. read more

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What a local gem! Hard to tell what it is from the outside, we've passed by this restaurant every day until today. We went for my hubby's birthday today and both the ribeye for him and prime rib for me hit the mark! Quality, tender cuts cooked to perfection. So soft and buttery. The kid's meals were on point too. We got fish and chips and spaghetti and they were both delicious. The fish was fried so crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, same as the fries. We also got a $2 spumoni for his birthday and it was delicious! We shared it and while it wasn't a huge slice, it was enough to savor the subtle pistachio, cherry, and strawberry flavors. Nothing took too long and we were in and out in an hour, which is perfect when you have kids. Glad we found this gem in the neighborhood! read more

so i grew up in torrance, and i once went here to see the kareoke and get a cocktail when I was just out of college. I mean it was next to the place I got oil changes for my car. 20 years later, I finally go there to get actual food. Look its not fancy looking inside, its got more of a diner sort of feel, but the food is actually great. tried the house special prime rib, and the pepper steak and got a few drinks. If you just want good prime rib / steak its a great experience and the price is definitely much less than you are going to pay at some fancier looking spot. Also on the one hand, its a bit noisier than say going to lawrys.... that said you can also watch sports while eating your prime rib so i'd say that is a plus. read more

There is NO better place for great food in south bay!!!!!!! and the service is even better they make you feel like family!!!! read more

Oh wow. The prime rib at the San Franciscan is amazing! I ate here once solo on a Friday night - grabbing a seat at the bar. It was pretty crowded, which I heard is fairly typical. You won't leave hungry. read more

Amazing traditional local steakhouse with top quality food and service. Good stiff drinks - ambiance is local family special occasion