Hello Bruce-
It's hard to get a cheese burger for $10-$15 in San Francisco, so you've got a lot of people stumped! I have a few ideas for you, that should be very close to your price range, and a couple that are *under* it! I'm not sure if you live there or are just visiting, so forgive me if I go overboard with details. Here goes:
Mocca
175 Maiden Lane
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 956-1188
Maiden Lane is immediately off of Union Square, and Mocca is between Grant Ave. and Stockton St., just steps from the Square. It's a small Italian deli/cafe with a pseudo european vibe. It's a great place to people watch while enjoying a salad or sandwich. Traffic is blocked between 11 and 4 or 5, so that umbrella covered tables can be set out for the lunch crowd. Bring a sweater in case you get the famous SF summertime fog, as the cafe itself is small, and it's fairly hard to get an inside table, especially if you go at peak lunch hours (which I suggest you avoid- go at 11:30 or 1). The food is high quality, european-style, simple and delicious. Don't be scared off by the line out the door, it goes very quickly.
Here are some of their best dishes, based the opinions of myself and my friends: fresh tomato-basil-buffalo mozzarella appetizer, tri-tip steak sandwich (they are famous for this), prawn and tortellini salad, turkey & brie sandwich, antipasti salads, dolmas, seafood salads, panini and salade niçoise. They have a large variety to choose from for vegetarians, and their ingredients are always fresh. You can definitely get an entree and probably a side (depending on the entree) in your price range. If I remember correctly, the drinks and desserts are pretty expensive, so stick with water and get a treat at one of the many sweet shops on the Square, and you'll be great.
The biggest drawback to Mocca's is that they DO NOT take credit cards- yep, you read it right! In 2007, there are still places out there that don't take cc's. This place is still run by the same old Italian family that's been running it forever, and I'm guessing they don't like change (no pun intended). CASH ONLY!!!! I think there's an ATM across the street (on Union Square).
*As an aside, if you're interested in architecture, 140 Maiden Lane (in the next block down from Mocca) is the only Frank Lloyd Wright building in San Francisco. Supposedly it was his model for the Guggenheim in NYC. Currently it houses Xanadu Tribal Arts, a gallery showcasing Baltic, Latin-American and African folk art- very interesting.
Citizen Cupcake
2 Stockton St., 3rd floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 399-1565
http://www.citizencupcake.com
This little gem is an offshoot of an insane pastry shop called Citizen Cake in Hayes Valley (SF neighborhood). It's located on the 3rd floor of the Virgin Megastore. You will find Elizabeth Falkner's award-winning pastries, plus a selection of sandwiches, salads, cheese courses, specialty chocolates and coffee drinks. The prices are amazing, I don't think there's anything over $8 on the lunch (savory) menu, which leaves you enough left over for something chocolate. I was going to try to recommend something, but it's too hard to choose. Try something with her A-mazing chocolate ganache in it- uber yummy!! Cupcake is only a block and a half off the Square.
lunch menu
http://www.citizencupcake.com/menu_savory.pdf
E&O Trading Company
314 Sutter St. (near Grant)
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 693-0303
http://www.eotrading.com
This southeast Asian grill melds Vietnamese, Thai, Cambodian and Indian, among other cuisines in an upbeat, fun atmosphere. I love E&O, it has wonderful food, very unique Asian fusion like nothing I've had before. I've usually gone with a group, and we share several dishes, and the bill has always been quite reasonable when split amongst us. The SF Chronicle gave them $$ for a price rating, which means $11 to $17 per person. They are just a block off of Union Square.
The Cellar at Macy's
170 O'Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 397-3333
This is a very swanky food court on Macy's basement level, but much, MUCH better than the usual. With the likes of Wolfgang Pucks, Boudin, a real sushi bar, Ben & Jerry's, a patisserie, a fancy schmancy deli and much more, you'll have quite a selection, and can easily stay within your budget. Like every place I've told you about, it's usually very crowded at the peak lunch hour. Try to avoid it then.
The Cheesecake Factory
251 Geary St., 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 391-4444
http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Find the Cheesecake Factory on the top level of the Macy's building, with great views of Union Square, especially if you sit out on the patio (which has heaters in case it's foggy and cold!). I don't like to travel to a new place and eat at a chain restaurant, but you might. This one is on Union Square and meets your budgetary requirements. The architecture/decor of this one is nicer than most others I've been to in the chain, and the service is great. It's a little hard to find, you have to go in Macy's and take an elevator up to the 7th or 8th floor (there will be a sign in the elevator) and then get off and take an escalator up one more floor. I recently took my nephews after a Giants game, and they loved it!
Don't let the different address from The Macy's Cellar confuse you- they are in the same building. One uses one door as their mailing address and the other uses another door.
Rotunda at Neiman Marcus
150 Stockton St., 4th floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 362-4777
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/info/restaurant.jhtml?rest=200010
This place is famous for its window-lined round room and terrific views, plus the incredible stained glass skylights that make Neiman Marcus (or Needless Mark-ups, as I like to call it) famous. They serve contemporary American cuisine, some of which will fit your budget, and more that won't. Whatever you order, you're served complimentary hot chicken consommé and ambrosial popovers with strawberry butter. Probably my last choice of all of these, but you might pop in for a view of the beautiful windows and a peak at the menu.
Last but not least, here's what I would do- hop on a bus (or catch a cab) and go down to the Ferry Building Marketplace.
Ferry Building Marketplace
One Ferry Building
San Francisco, California 94111
(415) 693-0996
info@ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
This is an amazing marketplace on an old refurbished pier, with great shops, restaurants (3 or 4), cafes (at least 7), coffee and tea shops, produce stands, fresh seafood stands (clam chowda- yum!), artisan cheese shops, delis, specialty grocery shops, chocolatiers, patisseries, bakeries, gelato and ice cream shops. There's a fabulous farmers market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, if that's when you happen to be there, even better!
I like to go and get a little bit here and a little bit there and build a picnic. There is plenty of lovely outdoor seating with the most incredible views of the Bay and the bridge. The bread at Acme is great and super fresh, and the cheese at Cowgirl Creamery is to die for. Find some protein at a deli and some produce at one of the farm stands and you're set! Make sure you try a handmade coconut marshmallow at Recchiutis- OMG! Try anything at Miette Patisserie, 2xOMG!
To get there from Union Sq., take muni bus #21 from the corner of Market & 4th Sts. (a block off the Square, cost is $1.50, get a transfer and you can ride back for free I think). Get off at Steuart & Mission Sts. near the Hyatt Regency Hotel and cross The Embarcadero (shortcut over a grassy ridge) to the FBM (can't miss it, huge building with a tall clock tower on a pier, close to the Bay Bridge) It's just over a mile from the outer edge of Union Sq. to the FBM, so depending on how many are in your group, you may be better off hailing a cab. It's a straight shot down Market St. Have them let you out at Mission and Steuart or they will drive onto The Embarcadero where the traffic is heinous and charge you to sit there when you are a 2 minute walk from the place!! Not that cabbies aren't all honest or anything, I'm just sayin'....
If you have to drive to Union Sq. from wherever you are staying, if possible, don't park in the Union Sq. Garage (the underground one in the center of the square). If you have to, remember to pay at the cashiers booth before you leave, otherwise you're in for a HUGE hassle! Also NO one validates parking for that garage. There are other garages a block or two in every direction all around, and they are (almost) all much cheaper. The Sutter-Stockton garage is close and convenient, and I'm fairly certain it's cheaper- but don't quote me on that. If you can, take a cable car to US from wherever you are staying. It's cheap and drops you off right there!
I hope you have a great trip to SF, or at least a great lunch if you already live there!
peas out
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