San Francisco Restaurant Guide

Polk Street Station Diner (located on the SE corner of Polk & Pine) sets a very high standard for serving up American "comfort food" at ultra-reasonable prices: various classic egg and egg-less breakfasts; an array of burgers, hot & cold sandwiches; steaks, meatloaf, pasta, succulent pork chops.

Where else can you grab a generous 3-scoop, "old-fashioned," sundae for under US$4 in town???

The ingredients are impressive: fish is always delivered fresh (not frozen) several times a week; scratch chicken-fried steak begins with New York strip; all burgers are made from choice ground chuck (sans preservatives/additives) with a beefy flavor you will remember; breakfast features Aidell's sausage.

The menu is also a bit eclectic, think: British bangers, fettucini alfredo; home-made flan (on special occasions).

Anything found at Polk Street Station easily beats the pants (or skirt) off of the same fare found at trendier and more expensive SF diners (aka M*l's and copy-cat wannabees). Fried chicken here is moist & tender and *not* overly greasy. *Scratch* fish `n' chips are delightfully tender, moist and *never* "fishy" (*without* the benefit of lemon or malt vinegar, which are always available). Cooked Asian rice may be substituted for potatoes at any time.

For the health conscious, there are a number of lunch and dinner salad offerings. House soup, always made from scratch, changes daily (keep an eye peeled for the rare, creamy "steak" soup, walk it off later.)

The "specials" at Polk Street Station change *daily* and they are never perfunctory. Short ribs (prepared in various American styles), for instance, are succulent, meaty and tender. The shrimp omelette is a delight. There are usually at least two fresh fish specials, some days three.

Delightful cream pies, fruit pies (hot/cold, ala mode) and a nut-encrusted coffee cake that will surprise you.

Gentle spirits (beer & wine) are available to those with appropriate ID. Shakes (malted and otherwise), sodas, juices, etc. for those without.

Decor is homey with an emphasis on US railroad cars/engines (there's even a functional model electric train & track suspended from the ceiling). No greasy spoons to be found here, either; this Station is kept *clean*.

Special holiday dinners served on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Open 7:00a daily, until 10p Su-Th, until 11p Fri & Sat. Cash, V & MC accepted. 15% senior discount w/ID off any regular menu meal.