Bill's Place, an SF Institution
Burgers at Bill’s Place in one sentence: Legendary, landmark, local burger dinner joint that’s been an institution in the Outer Richmond for almost 40 years.
Who you’ll see there: Serious locals, working men sitting at the counter, families and neighborhood teens at the tables. If you don’t know about it, you’ll walk right by it.
Make sure to try: One of the celebrity burgers, like the Carol Doda (a famous SF topless dancer), which is two burgers, topless, side by side topped with an olive, or the Herb Caen, a burger topped with Monterey Jack cheese. The Paul Kantner comes with Thousand Island dressing. Also, you need a shake, which comes in a huge glass, plus the overflow, served in the stainless steel mixing cup.
Does anyone really bother with the garnish?
It’s okay to skip: The diet plate. You know you want the fries, they’re made on-site from actual potatoes and fried to practiced perfection.
Best dessert: Banana split or hot fudge sundae, if you inexplicably have any room left after the burger and fries.
Service: The same people have been working there for 40 years. They are friendly, efficient fixtures. You might get called “Hon”. Or they might be busy watching the Giants on the TV in the corner. Have some priorities, they do.
Average meal price: Starts at $6.50 for the Famous Bill’s Burger, Carol Doda is $9.00, Herb Caen is $7.50. Milk shake is $4.25, and you get free refills on your Coke.
Bill’s Place Logistics:
- Burger come med rare unless you specify something else
- You can pick potato salad or coleslaw, if you’re crazy enough to skip the fries
- In typical San Francisco fashion, there is a Japanese koi pond out on the back patio. Because every diner needs a koi pond.
Parking:
Street parking, meters, you might have to walk a block or two. There’s a lot a block away, but it hardly ever comes to that.
Location: Outer Richmond
2315 Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: (415) 221-5262
Fax: (707) 824-0295
Hours:
Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. -10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Photos: Cat Lincoln