Watch Joe Grind It
Written: Apr 28 '07 (Updated Apr 29 '07)
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Pros: Joe's Cable Car. The best hamburger in San Francisco. Period.
Cons: Pricey, weird location, Styrofoam plates, & the decor.
The Bottom Line: If anyone knows of a better burger in the 415 than at Joe's Cable Car - please let me know.
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| megugrrrl's Full Review: Joe's Cable Car Restaurant |
The best burger in the city of San Francisco can be found at Joe's Cable Car Restaurant. I know the word "best" gets thrown around loosely, and I bet you're probably wondering how one girl could have eaten at all the burger places in the (415) area code to be able to make such a statement.
I haven't.
But trust me when I say I know burgers because I've had my fair share of dayum good burgers, and I'm confident if I did some sort of blind taste taste, the best would be from Joe's Cable Car.
But first...
Location
For starters, it's not in a real cable car. It sort of resembles two cable cars fused together in the middle and then the hollowed out, sort of like a double wide. The brochures inside the restaurant tell of the restaurant's history and explain the trend of cable car restaurants back in the 60s, hence the inspiration.
But that's not why we go to Joe's anyway.
It also happens to be quite a hassle to get to - I get lost every time I try to find it (for locals, do you know where Mission and Silver are off the top of your head?) It's not really near anything, nor on the way to anywhere. However, since it is in a pretty random place, it has its own little clean parking lot ($25 to park, but free for Joe's diners.)
But still, we go.
Inside
The festive and amusing novelty theme (see parking policy) can be a little tiresome, but burger aficionados don't let things like that get in the way. Some people actually kind of like the "anything goes" flair: knick-knacks, dozens of fake flowers & foliage fronds, neon lights, beer signs, icicle lights, (insert upcoming holiday) decor, all topped off by thousands of Polaroids of loyal fans and friends of Joe's.
Prices
Joe's Cable Car is also pricey (like Val's and burger places in Japan.) A burger is around $10, AND cheese and fries are extra, and with a beverage, you're looking at a $20 burger joint bill. Let me remind you that this isn't a fancy place, it's supposed to be an old cable car, for Joe's sake. But honestly, like Val's, it's TOTALLY worth it.
And another thing...
My last beef with Joe's is the disposable utensils and plates for eat-in diners. Obviously they lack dish-washing abilities, but eating a burger off an ovaline Styrofoam plate is, well, weird.
But despite its faults/charms, the fact remains that the burgers at Joe's Cable Car are unbeatable. The hamburgers are lean and moist. They're soft, juicy (yet somehow light and airy), creamy, velvet-y even, and almost buttery, but not fatty mind you, plus some light char-crispiness outside from the grill... pure nirvana in your mouth.
How do they achieve this magic? They claim it's because they grind their USDA chuck and choice rib eye every single morning. Really - you can even show up early and watch them in the butcher area behind the glass that takes up one side of the restaurant. If that's the key to producing such outstanding burgers, then everyone should grind daily.
There are three sizes available, a 4, 6, or 8 ounce patty. Your basic burger is the four ouncer for $8, and its variations include things like bacon, mushrooms, avo, and chopped onions. It comes on a big sesame seed bun, but I always go for the French roll to soak up the juice (other bread variations include English muffins, rye and pita bread.) Of course there's a chili burger, one with BBQ sauce, the fried egg option, and several types of cheeses (60 cents.) I always get cheddar, medium rare on a French roll, but I'm sure ALL the variations are deeelish because the basic burger is perfection to begin with, everything else is just personal preference.
The default may be the four ounce, but if you ever find yourself here, treat yourself and go for the 6 ouncer for around $2 more. (Heck, go gangbusters with the 8 ounce patty for $3.50 extra!) They're lightly seasoned - maybe a dash of salt and pepper - which is probably only what they need.
Your cooked-to-order burger arrives open faced, with vegetable garnish like lettuce and onions on the side. (There's also usually a big piece of fruit, like cantaloupe, but it always ends up tasting like pickle or onion.) Every time my burger is delivered, I feel like it should be done so on a velveteen pillow rather than the Styrofoam plate it comes on.
They also have fries, onion rings and yes Kathy, deep fried zucchini in baskets for sharing. All are worthy of being served with the juicy, crumble-in-your-mouth burgers.
And then you have to choose between a deliciously delicious shake or a cold beer. (Joe's uses Bud's Ice Cream - also from San Francisco) - creamy and thick, served with the metal cup.
I've heard they have other things on the menu like steaks and fish sandwiches, and even a few dessert options, but burgers are you'd get at Joe's.
Service
Other than the burgers, the other exceptional thing is the service - the kids that work here are happy and upbeat without being annoying.
Etc.
You can save your receipts for free Joe's swag (shot glasses, t-shirts, magnets, etc.) or impatient people can just buy 'em on the spot. If I lived in the Excelsior I'm sure I'd have enough points for the t-shirt, four water bottles and a dozen pint glasses.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Best Suited For: Kids and Families
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Epinions.com ID:
megugrrrl
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 - Top 500 |
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Location: Oakland
Reviews written: 147
Trusted by: 317 members
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