One idea that I've been kicking around for a while: People like talking about their favorite things to eat and of course their favorite places to get it, which is of course completely subjective and not portable to others.
So you loved it when they comped you a dozen oysters at Globe. Or that you were accommodated with utmost kindness and consideration by everyone at Delfina. But in this human world, every kitchen has an off night. Sometimes the staff brings you the wrong dish, and you ask whether it's the right dish. "Yes!" the server says, and splits. That's the way it goes, and it doesn't go the same way for everybody. Who the hell cares anyway?
Oh yeah, so my idea is: Let's find San Francisco's absolute worst places to eat. (This is along the lines of my "food is disgusting" rant.) I'd like to try some and make mental notes of what's wrong. Who knows, maybe a few things will come out right. But basically I'm curious how screwed up things can get and how this can possibly be allowed to pass.
Any suggestions, other than the obvious tourist traps?
UPDATE: Here's a start. The Chron allows you to search by rating, serving up 13 crappy places to eat.
7 comments:
I the hell care! Yelp would have saved us from Mangosteen!
I can give you some awful cheap eats, but I suspect that's not what you're looking for. (Okay: A lunch special at Kam's on Balboa was the only SF meal that ever prompted me to get up after a few bites, pay the bill, and go eat somewhere else. El Super Burrito on Polk, and Altena Restaurant (not Taqueria La Altena) on Mission down past El Rio, are the worst cheap Mex places I've been to.)
How about Kan Zaman on Haight, or is that an obvious tourist trap for hookah people? Runny hummus shouldn't cost that much, especially if you have to eat next to a bachelorette party.
Beach Chalet: Too expensive, very average food, surly service. Kind of a tourist trap too.
- The Raintree Cafe on 8th and Irving. One of the few inedible meals I've ever had. I've not tested it again.
- La Fonda, Irv. btwn 8/9. Berry bad Mex served by berry friendly people. As a bleeding heart, I've given them too many chances.
Re. Mangosteen: I don't think Yelp would have saved us. The reviews there trend mildly positive, I'd say.
Fifty-six Yelp reviews averaging three stars are like a 95.8% positive eBay rating. You no touch.
Huh? That sounds like new math. Perhaps it's worth a full post to explain how to decode Yelp ratings.
I add Pres a Vi. The food wasn't bad -- sometimes pretty good -- but add up the prices, the service, and the pretension, and I give it a big thumbs-down.
if the food isn't bad and sometimes pretty good, then it's not the absolute worst. i'm talking about a food experience that makes no sense on any level, but there it is, doing business. one of life's modern mysteries.
Post a Comment