FRIDAY FIVE
Karl the Fog really changes how we do things here in the City by the Bay. Sometimes it’s for the better, and sometimes for the worse. For example, baseball season is traditionally synonymous with hot dogs, hot fries, and hot nights. But in San Francisco, it’s more like a cold beer, cold hands, and—well—cold everything.
It’s a good thing that the Giants are so loved, because we aren’t sure any other city in the world would suffer through a foggy night game at Oracle Park (known as AT&T Park until recently) in the summer. Yes, the views are spectacular, and they look good on TV, but once the fog rolls in, the night can go south fast—unless you’re a die-hard baseball fan, of course, or you brought the right parka or blanket.
In any case, leaving the game early to eat and drink somewhere is always an option. And lucky for us, there are plenty of great options for doing so.
1. Public House
This is the quintessential Oracle Park dining spot. It’s a sports bar in every way that a sports bar can be a sports bar. The place has 26 giant televisions and 24 beers on tap, and it’s very spacious for San Francisco—almost like a bar in the Midwest because of how much room there is in the watering hole. Plus, when going to a Giants game, fans can access the stadium through a “secret” entrance and head right into the ballpark from the restaurant.
24 Willie Mays Plaza (SOMA) | publichousesf.com
2. Garaje
Perhaps the most San Francisco-y recommendation of where to eat and drink near the ballpark is Garaje, thanks to its amazing veggie burgers. Located about a seven-minute walk from the park (enough distance to get away from the craziness when the game ends), Garaje is a part-taco, part-burrito joint in what looks like a garage that also has random old-school desks in it. It’s quirky; it’s cash-only; and it’s also home to the best veggie burger in the city. No joke—if you’re vegetarian and craving a burger before or after the ball game, this is your spot. What makes it more delicious than most veggie burgers is that instead of being made up of beans, it’s made up of beets. Garaje’s burritos and tacos are also super-delicious and will be just the right bite, making a trip to the ballpark a good one.
475 3rd Street (South Park) | garaje475.com
3. 21st Amendment Brewery
If you haven’t been to 21st Amendment Brewery, it’s still likely you’ve tried their beer—case in point, Hell or High Watermelon, that beer that tastes kind of like a Jolly Rancher in the best way. This tasty Bay Area brewery is located in SOMA just two blocks from the ballpark. It serves traditional pub food and its own handcrafted beers. It’s a busy place during baseball season, so be prepared for a crowd. The pub opens at 11:00 a.m. for home games.
563 2nd Street (SOMA) | 21st-amendment.com
4. Java House
There are few establishments in San Francisco that remind us of what the city was like before the first wave of tech hit, when instead of coders roaming the streets, fishermen were congregating at the shore. Java House is one of those places. Located on Pier 40 next to the ballpark, this place is a San Francisco landmark that’s been around since 1912 and has been visited by some of the world’s most famous baseball players, like Joe DiMaggio. It’s a great place at which to start a game day with the family, especially if you’re in the mood for an all-Americana breakfast—or a chili dog or burger before the game.
Pier 40 (South Park) | javahousesf.com
5. Slice House by Tony Gemignani
Slice House brings a little slice of North Beach to the Giants-game experience. Located just a few blocks from the park in SOMA, Slice House is the brainchild of Tony Gemignani, who’s famous for his restaurant Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in North Beach. But instead of serving the entire menu here, Slice House serves slices of its famous pizza. Forget about getting pizza at the ballpark, and wait for a slice at Slice House after the game.
680 2nd Street (SOMA) | slicehouse2ndst.com
