10 Under $10: The Best Cheap Eats In BayviewFried chicken and waffles at Auntie April's. | Photo: Courtesy of Auntie April's 
Meaghan M. Mitchell
Published on January 30, 2017

Bayview was never known for having for its vast selection of hip and healthy places to dine, but times have changed and residents are no longer limited. As new restaurants continue to make their way into the neighborhood, a ‘booming’ food scene has finally emerged and business owners seem adamant about keeping their menus affordable. Here’s proof that you can eat well on Third Street without going broke.   

Banh mi at Duc Loi Pantry ($5-8)

A banh mi medley. |  Photo: Courtesy of Duc Loi Pantry 

Once considered one of the Mission's best-kept secrets, grocery store Duc Loi (5900 Third St.) made its grand debut in Bayview last fall—and brought along all its signature deli items, including its popular banh mi sandwiches. Served on a crusty French roll with carrots, cucumber, and fresh herbs, the banh mi start at $5 for fillings like BBQ lemongrass pork, lemongrass chicken, and veggies, and top out at $8 for Korean beef bulgogi.

Large salad at Fox and Lion Bread ($8.75)

Photo: Courtesy of Fox & Lion Bread

Owned by seasoned artisan baker Xan DeVoss, this bakery at Butchertown Gourmet (5273 Third St.) is known for its breakfast pastries and gourmet sandwiches on fresh-baked bread. But if you're looking for something healthy yet heftily portioned, the large salad should do the trick. It’s packed with red leaf lettuce, herbed potatoes, roasted red peppers, and pickled cabbage, tossed in house vinaigrette for $8.75. (And of course, it comes with some of the house-baked bread.) 

Chicken and waffles at Auntie April's ($9)

Rated by Zagat as one of the 10 best places to get fried chicken in San Francisco, Auntie April's (4618 Third St.) is a longtime a breakfast/lunch gem in the Bayview District. Owner April Spears' mantra is “Nobody leaves here hungry,” and you won't after trying her chicken and waffles (pictured at top). For $9, you get your choice of an original, cinnamon or buckwheat waffle, paired with two pieces of chicken (leg, thigh, wing or one breast).

Sandwiches at Constanso’s Sandwich Shop ($5.60)

Photo: Gorvey G./Yelp

This East Coast-style deli, established in 1958, is of the oldest businesses in Bayview and a community favorite. The service is fast-paced, and the majority of the sandwiches are pre-made for "grab-and-go" convenience, but you can also order them fresh at the counter. There's an abundance of meat, cheese and condiments, but nearly every sandwich on the menu runs $5.60 for the works—including a bag of chips and a soda. 

BBQ chicken plate at Huli Huli Hawaiian Grill ($7.25)

Photo: Meaghan M. Mitchell/Hoodline

The Polynesian spirit comes to life at this breakfast and lunch eatery (4100 Third St.), which is named for the Hawaiian term for turning chicken on a grill to lock in the flavor. You’ll have a tough time finding any items over $10 on their menu, but the BBQ chicken plate is one of the most delicious, and comes with grilled vegetables, a scoop of macaroni salad and rice for just $7.25 (or $5.25 for a half-order). For an additional $1.50, you can substitute kimchi fried rice for the steamed rice. 

Garlic noodles at Frisco Fried ($2.99-7.99)

This mom-and-pop soul food joint (5176 Third St.) is perfect for refueling after a long night of partying—just don’t expect the dishes to come out super fast, as most of the items take at least 20 minutes to prepare. If you want something quicker, their signature garlic noodles should do the trick. They're served in small ($2.99), medium ($4.99) and family style ($7.99) portions.

Pizza at The Den at Craftsman and Wolves ($3)

Asparagus pizza. | Photo: Courtesy of Craftsman and Wolves

While hip bakery Craftsman and Wolves has sleek outposts in the Mission and Cow Hollow, its production kitchen is in Bayview (1598 Yosemite St.) The small storefront, known as The Den, offers an array of breakfast confections, like the popular Rebel Within, a muffin with sausage, asiago cheese, and a whole soft-boiled egg in the center ($7.25).

There are also $3 slices of pizza, with toppings that rotate daily based on what's available at the local farmers market. Diners are encouraged to pay it forward by purchasing an extra slice, which The Den gives to people in need whenever they drop by. 

Chow mein at Soo Fong ($7.75)

Tucked in the back of the Bayview Plaza, the low-profile Soo Fong (3801 Third St., #370) offers a wide selection of authentic Chinese dishes, with big portions and fast and friendly service. Try their chicken, beef or shrimp chow mein for $7.75. They also deliver!

Turkey pesto panini at All Good Pizza ($7.50)

Photo: Meaghan M. Mitchell/Hoodline

There’s no shortage of pizza in San Francisco, but All Good Pizza stands out by offering a wide selection of other lunch and early dinner options alongside the 12-inch pizzas at their 7,000-square-foot “beer garden-style” restaurant (1605 Jerrold Ave.) Their panini sandwiches are a favorite, because all the ingredients, from the bread to the cheese, meat and fixings, are sourced in the neighborhood. Try the tasty turkey pesto panini, which is just $7.50.

Catfish nuggets at JJ’s Fish & Chicken ($9.99)

If you’re tired of fried chicken, but still craving something fried, JJ’s Fish & Chicken (5100 Third St.) serves up a basket of catfish nuggets prepared in owner’s James J. Green’s secret batter, along with fries with dipping sauce for $9.99. The restaurant is an independently owned fast food chain, with its only San Francisco location in Bayview.

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