matt "m i l l s" m.

5/5/2009 Updated review

Upon entering the door under a bright yellow awning, painted with the Liberty Bell logo, a smell of fresh bread, grilled onions, and peppers permeates the restaurant.

"We import fresh Amoroso rolls from Philly [Philadelphia, PA] twice each week..." says James Talley, a manager and 15-year veteran of the grill at the original store on Divisadero Street, "...nobody else in the city does that."

It is San Francisco's first, oldest, and most genuine of its kind--The Cheese Steak Shop, a favorite for many Bay Area residents and visitors since 1982.

"I like all of them, but my favorite now is definitely the mushroom steak", says Talley. The mushroom steak sounds like what it is; mushrooms, onions, peppers and steak. "Fifteen years ago I would eat the sandwiches on a daily basis, but now it has started to catch up with me", as he rubs his belly over the red manager apron.

The company's motto--"it may be habit forming."

"This place is pretty addictive...I love it...but try not to come here too often" says Cobalt Janssen, 43, who grew up on the east coast but moved to San Francisco in his early twenties. "I remember when they opened sometime in the early 80's, I had been to Philadelphia when I lived back east and this sandwich matches up to any of those."

Janssen mentioned he likes to watch his figure though, because he assumes the role of  'Tina Sparklene' a hypnotist who performs in drag.

"Many of our customers will visit The Cheese Steak Shop before or after they come to us," explains Allison Wahl, 25, who has worked as a receptionist at the nail salon next door since it opened last year.

While her personal favorite is the deluxe cheese steak, she mentions "...my only real complaint is that sometimes the clientele parks in front of
our business and plays their music a little too loud for our customers to relax and get their nails done."

The Cheese Steak Shop currently operates 10 stores throughout the Bay Area, and is looking to expand its fresh and flavorful--albeit unhealthy habit, throughout the western United States.

(Matt McKnight, 2009)

7/21/2008

• ROTD 12/19/2008

I have found the longest light/crosswalk in the entire world. It's across the street (in any direction) from this place. We waited forever--I could have sworn the light changed and would never ever change back. I could have been stuck staring at ironing board tables for the rest of my life (god knows I would never jaywalk).

But the light did change, and we hurried across the street a half an hour before closing time, to test out the Crispy Chicken sandwich.

I was scared about the coleslaw as I'm not  a huge fan, but Betty's does it just right. It's a mayo-less 'slaw, something which I'd never actually had before. Also, the chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside, while moist (but not too moist) on the inside. The bread was super fresh too!

For the first time in history, my girlfriend finished her meal before me! Congratulations woman, it will never happen again!

The best part about Bakesale Betty's you ask? One of the awesome counter people saw me eying the Strawberry Shortcake & just gave it to us for FREE! And it was a little piece of heaven.

Fresh Strawberries, Homemade Whipped Cream & a moist sweet biscuit.

I can't wait to see you again, Bakesale Betty.

7/10/2008

Not San Diego. Not even Los Angeles. Hell, not even the Mission.

It's a burrito place in Pacific Heights, which is mediocre at best. Though, it understands that, and serves up a good-sized burrito for a decent price.

I'm pretty sure that I paid something like $7 for a big ol' burrito & a soda.

Count me in, only if I'm craving a burrito & am within close proximity.

7/9/2008

Dear Yelp review reading person,

Please don't go here.

We want Brenda and her awesome brunch to ourselves--from the yummy beignets, to the fresh & strong coffee. There's a Mel's Diner up the street which you will absolutely love.

Thanks.

Love,
Matt

6/18/2008

Staring out the window. Watching the "76" ball spin across the street. Gas prices are $4.59. Thank god (sometimes) I don't drive in SF. Where am I sitting, you ask?

It's a new cafe--lots of space with comfortable pleather chairs, plenty of power outlets to plug in that laptop (or whatever else you like-a-pluggin') & FREE INTERNET.

There's some plants scattered throughout the shop, but the place itself lacks any exquisite charm. They offer a number of sandwiches, which I'll try someday...but have learned that when a place has just opened they need to get all the bugs worked out first.

So for now...thanks for the internets & friendly service, see you soon.

6/15/2008

My lovely companions for an evening of Indie-Rock at the Red Devil Lounge left the venue with stomachs-a-growlin', and while we were at another location getting a slice of pizza...the intoxicating scent of freshly baked donuts began to lure me in from about a block away.

If possible, I would have floated through the air like a cartoon character...but alas I'm human & that can't happen (yet).

The donuts were SUPER fresh & when I finished my first two, I immediately wanted more. Unfortunately, that would have meant going to the ATM just to take more money out for donuts-- after some deliberation, I passed.

One thing I did realize about Bob's Donuts though--everyone who comes in there walks out with a donut in hand and a smile on their face.

6/13/2008 Updated review

I'm told by Ali "Gato" R. that it remembers your words after 3 times or something--she's lying.

6/12/2008

When I first visited SF as an adult, my brother thought it would be awesome to take my hippy ass here for dinner. Being the (back then) naive suburbanite, I had never eaten a crepe of any kind.

My thoughts went something like this, "WTF is this? A pancake folded in half? And they put chicken & pine nuts, sun dried tomatoes in it too? Mommy never made me these kind of pancakes...Oh oh oh and there's roasted potatoes too? Wow, I feel like I'm on the other side of the world"

So I've grown, and so has my palate.

But every time I visit Squat & Gobble it does bring me back to those first days as an adult when I visited this fair city.

6/12/2008

I walked in here with a friend for a drink before we embarked on a night photography tour of the city. Immediately the bartender commented on my camera & asked me if I planned on having lots of drinks.

I took this as, "I'm going to get you drunk, lock you in the basement bathroom area...steal your awesome camera when your drunk ass leaves it on the bar & then sell it while you stand up against the gate screaming about how it's your livelihood & you will die without it".

Luckily, I had only one drink.
And then we left.
They pour 'em strong here, though.

Just don't visit this place with any valuables--unless you want to get creeped out & potentially lose them.

6/9/2008

If for any reason, you are traveling through Crescent City or staying in town for a few days (there is actually plenty of beautiful sites to visit within a 20 mile radius) you should pay Everett's Club a visit.

It's the quintessential small town (8k people) bar, they have 3 beers on tap, a whole mess of bottled beer & are the only establishment in Crescent City that serves hard liquor.

They have pool tables, Karaoke on Wednesday & Thursday nights & a crowd like I had never seen before. I watched as this man quietly sat in the back of the bar, toying with his harmonica. When it came time for him to perform--he played the most stellar version of the Allman Brothers "Hoochie Coochie Blues"...the whole room of locals was moving to his tune.

Once everyone realized I was there to have a good time & document Crescent City's people...they opened up and wanted to talk my ear off. I even got a free shot of Fernet Branca from the bartender--who mentioned that nobody had asked for it in years.

It's actually a really crappy bar, but it's about the best you'll find in the area.