Tommy's Joynt in San Francisco, California: A Restaurant Review

So, Tommy's Joynt has been around at its prime Van Ness spot here in San Francisco since 1947. Apparently it was featured on a January episode of that "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" show on The Food Network, which I've noticed never actually goes to any real dives. I guess they're afraid crackheads will steal the camera rigs or something. Tommy's is probably the closest they'll ever get, being across the street from the Tenderloin, and I have a decided lack of respect for the Food Network for venturing up to the borders of actual "dive" neighborhoods but refusing to actually go in. Where's the sense of adventure, Food Network?

Uh, anyway ... Tommy's is actually a mix of diner food, Hofbrau and a surprising amount of Southern soul food as well. Of course, there's also a bar incorporated and it is a prime spot for such libations. The prime point of interest here is Tommy's Great Big Sandwich (roast beef, BBQ brisket, corned beef, pastrami, ham and turkey are the meat options) which comes on your choice of sourdough, whole wheat, white or rye for 5.50. There's also a rotating menu of daily specials for about six to eight bucks each. Of particular interest are the Polish sausage and braised ox tails on Monday, braised lamb shanks and burgundy beef on Thursdays, lasagna on Fridays and corned beef on Saturdays. Available all seven days are the buffalo stew, meatball sandwich, turkey leg, spaghetti and meatballs, and Swiss cheese sandwich with sides of hickory baked beans, pasta of the day, beer and bean soup, mashed potatoes and clam chowder (the clam chowder is only served on Fridays.)

Considering the popularity of this place, the prime real estate on Van Ness, and the portion size and quality of the food, Tommy's is extremely reasonably priced. The sandwiches are huge for $5.50 and the hot, fresh meat beats just about any deli in the area. The dinner plates are huge, and some seem like a steal for the price, such as the lasagna at $6.45. And if you just want a drink, Tommy's is pretty reasonable on the beers too, and you can just grab a side like the pasta of the day or a clam chowder for less than three bucks.

Add in consistently pleasant service, a pretty good low-light atmosphere and a place to watch whatever sports games are big at the moment in some comfortable seating, and this is one of the few talked up and hyped up San Francisco eateries that actually deserves the reputation and then some. Definitely check it out if you dig diner food and brews.