Have you seen the 100 Things to Try Before You Die list over at 7x7? It's a terrific to do list. I've done about half.
2. Coffee-rubbed pork shoulder at Range
3. Carnitas taco at La Taqueria
6. Burger with fries at Slow Club
7. Shaking beef at the Slanted Door
8. Morning bun at Tartine Bakery
10. Baja-style fish tacos at Nick’s Crispy Tacos
11. Pork sugo with pappardelle at Delfina
12. Salt-and-pepper squid at Yuet Lee
14. Beef brisket at Memphis Minnie’s
15. Oysters on the half shell at Swan Oyster Depot
19. Tuna tartare at Michael Mina
21. Pizza margherita at Pizzeria Delfina
22. Vietnamese roasted pork sandwich at Saigon Sandwich
29. Spaetzle at Suppenküche
30. Laughing Buddha cocktail at Cantina
35. Salted-caramel ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery
36. Dry-fried chicken wings at San Tung
37. Rotisserie chicken at Limón Rotisserie
38. French fries at Hayes Street Grill
40. Cheeseburger at Taylor’s Automatic Refresher
41. Pho ga at Turtle Tower
42. Fried-shrimp po’boy at Brenda’s French Soul Food
44. Cannelé at Boulangerie Bay Bread
47. Ceviche at La Mar Cebichería Peruana
48. Angels on horseback at Anchor & Hope
52. Fried brussels sprouts at SPQR
53. Garlic soup at Piperade
54. Spiced-chocolate doughnut at Dynamo Donut
59. Huarache with cactus salad at El Huarache Loco
62. Shrimp-and-chive dumplings at Ton Kiang
63. Meatballs with grapes at Aziza
65. Crispy eggplant at Jai Yun
67. Sand dabs at Tadich Grill
72. Arancini at Ducca
73. Popovers with strawberry butter at the Rotunda
75. Fried green beans at Coco500
76. Chicken hash at Ella’s
78. Chilaquiles with a fried egg at Pastores
80. Apple fritter at Bob’s Donuts
83. Sweet-potato fries with banana catsup at Poleng Lounge
84. A margarita at Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant
86. A cheese slice at Arinell Pizza
87. Fresh spring rolls at Out the Door
88. Buckwheat crepe and a French cider at Ti Couz
97. Sesame balls at Yank Sing
99. Clam chowder at Hog Island Oyster Co.
100. Cheese course at Gary Danko
I wouldn't say all of these are top favorites of mine, but I can see the merit in each and some of them are absolutely fantastic (see 10, 22, 35, 36, 47, 78). Perhaps I'll come up with my own list one of these days...what's on your list of San Francisco eats?