Irving Street Cafe, San Francisco
Our choice for breakfast was the Irving Street Cafe. Leaving The Spire in the Pesidio, we drove along Aguello Blvd, through the Gold Gate Park and
Irving Street Cafe, San Francisco
somehow found ourselves on Irving Street.
Irving Street Cafe has a rather grand green awning over the sidewalk but the interior is far from grand. In fact it is dimly lit, tiny and basic. Not only that but it was packed. We did manage to find one empty table. There are just two tables in the window, six sets of tables and chairs along the wall and 9 stools at the counter. It was bustling and lively though and obviously a favorite of the locals.
There was no oatmeal on the menu. When did I last have oatmeal when we were out for breakfast I wonder? Moan, moan. The menu is also basic and the specials are under the glass top of the table. This is a typical greasy spoon so I went the whole hog and ordered Chicken-Apple Sausage Omelet ($5). Tom ordered the Ground Sirloin Egg Platter ($6). Tom had water to drink and, for a change, I ordered hot chocolate (without the whipped cream).
While we waited (and waited and waited) for the food to arrive, I studied the surroundings. There were pictures on the walls but it was an odd assortment – two of vases of flowers; three Ansel Adams black and white prints; five signed photos, one of Chewbacca from Star Wars (presumably signed by Peter Mayhew), one of two boxers fighting in the ring, one of two unidentified twin girls, one of Robin William and the last but not least of Chris Isaak; and a large poster of a pop star who we did not recognize.
After half an hour our food finally arrived. By then I had long finished my hot chocolate which, by the way, was not that tasty and I guess it came straight from a sachet. I must say though that it was worth the wait as the food was good. The hash browns were really crispy and Tom said his eggs were done just right. The proof of the pudding, as they say, was that there was nothing left on our plates but a coating of grease and, in Tom’s case, a smear of egg yolk.
The restroom though was a different matter. I was not expecting much and that it what I got. To get to it, one has to walk through the prep area. Inside it is extremely grubby so I just washed my hands. There was one interesting article in there and that was an old 8oz container of sour cream which, on investigation, contained a dried up dish sponge. The only other bit of decoration was the plunger on the floor in the corner.
Would we come here again. Yes definitely. The food was wonderful and the prices unbelievable. I just won’t venture into the restroom again.
Irving Street Cafe
716 Irving Steet, San Francisco, CA 94122
October 23 2009 07:44 pm | Breakfast Log
Phyllis on 05 Feb 2012 at 1:08 pm #
Just discovered you last week and what a treat! We visit from Ireland every year to visit our son and family in San Francisco and love your articles! We have been to some of the places but not all – have you been to Calistoga yet? That is our all time favourite!
Phyllis
Phyllis on 05 Feb 2012 at 1:09 pm #
We like Art’s Diner also on Irving Street – the restroom is very similar
Margaret and Tom on 06 Feb 2012 at 8:37 am #
Thanks, Phyllis, for the kind words. Yes we’ve been to Calistoga and like it too. Just over the hill in Sonoma county are some beautiful places. Healdsburg, for instance, is a lovely town. There are also lots of wonderful little wineries. We like Sonoma a lot better than Napa.
Margaret is from England but we’ve never been to Ireland. It’s on our must see places.
Thanks again,
Margaret and Tom
Phyllis on 11 Feb 2012 at 1:37 pm #
Hi – if you come to Ireland you must visit West Cork! Schull and Ballydehob is our area.
We like Napa better than Sonoma although that is lovely too. We have been to Healdsburg once – it was really nice.
We are looking forward to November to visit again – looking forward to seeing West Portal again and all our other favourite places.
Cheers,
phyllis