Friday, March 21, 2014

On a Friday PM Bender Ender When You've Been Working Hard and are Hungrier Than Shit Don't Underestimate the Power of Tommy's Joynt


It can be addictive.


It also has the best Hoffbrau food in the Bay Area and its multiple beers on tap is second to none.


Tommy's Joynt.


If you have 10 bucks in your pocket you can eat good there.


The hot turkey sandwich and corned-beef is the best.


And they're open every day and serve late. And no, I don't get free meals.


It's Friday and I'm hungry. Take care.


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21 comments:

  1. Is this place the SF version of Harry's Hofbrau in San Jose Mountain View and Redwood City?

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    1. If so I'd like to check it out. Based on the pictures I found on Google the dining room doesn't look as large as Harry's in San Jose. That place is huge...however I believe that whole center is primed to be torn down since Garden City Casino moved to their new towers. I heard it's all going to be turned into homes. Based on the size of that land....that's a lot of homes.

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    2. Harry's and Tommy's are similar, in some respects. Tommy's seems to be a little more "casual" and quirky (not that Harry's is high brow Hofbrau), consistently busier, and IMO the food is a little better. Nice, full bar at Tommy's too! Prices are comparable; Tommy's may be a little less expensive.

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  2. Just 4 years ago a sandwich at tommys joynt was only $5:50. I bought 10 and drove them back to San Diego.....they lasted about 2 days.

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  3. Gross... And the ex-cons serving the food are scary as F.

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    1. Many happy customers have lived to share their reviews!

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  4. Never been to Tommy's, been to Harry's 100 times, mainly the one in San Leandro. Tommy's prices look pretty good if the picture's current. There use to eb a tin of Hauf Brau's all over the bay area up till about the late 80's. Sam's Hof Brau near the Coliseum. Food was so-so, but like all the Oakland sports stuff on the walls; Golden Bull in DT Oakland; The Hof Brau on Broadway/Grand in the O where Luka's is now; Main Stem in SF on Market and 6th St.

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  5. Thought I saw Gwyneth Paltrow in there last week munching on a gluten-free macrobiotic veggieburger.

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    1. How long were you at the bar?!

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    2. What, they were out of Buffalo Stew?

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  6. I've been ordering Tommy's 'roast beef dip' since 1965. There does seem to be a little more gristle now, but the price is still excellent and - bless them - they haven't changed their pickle purveyor. My kind of SF restaurant (Since I have to drive up from San Jose to enjoy it, between trips I do Harry's))

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    1. PS, I went to college with Tommy's younger son Mike; his older son was our family doctor. Both suggested dropping 'ped' from 'dipped' to get thru the line quicker. (The convict-servers never notice.)

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  7. Love that Burgundy Beef over rice!

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  8. The reason why I still go to Geary Street Kaiser, so I can stop at Tommy's on the way back! SSF would be much easier but then I don't get to swing by Tommy's.

    The Beer selection on tap is crazy. Like a kid in the candy store. Too Many choices!!

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  9. I remember going to the city in the early 1960s when I was a kid and we ate at places like 'Hippos' on Van Ness, and Tommy's Joynt. Great spots, good food, and it sounds as if Tommy's is still a great place to go. I guess the old gang from KRON used to show up there a lot between shows, right Rich? Does Raddy still like their Hofbrau?

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    1. The Hippo was great, my dad would take me there often. All I remember from then was lots of purple (that was their theme color including the Hippo) and 101 different hamburgers. Tommy's and the hoffbrau on Broadway in Oakland were frequent spots as well.

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  10. Tommy's is merely average. It's more sightseeing than good meal, unlike the delis of say NYC or even Los Angeles. If you know what to order you'll survive it. There are MANY better alternatives in SF these days, but I guess for price and classic vibe it's worth a gamble now and again.

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    1. If you live in the Bay Area, comparing NYC and LA deli's to what is available locally is a bit of a waste of print. We'd hardly jump a junket to NYC or LA for a quick lunch or dinner.

      I'll give you there are fewer and fewer good, old fashioned deli's in the Bay Area.

      You state there are MANY better alternatives? What are they? Post them for all to try.

      Now, if you want a taquaria, no problem. They can be found on every street corner where deli's and good hamburger stops used to be. So much for diversity.

      I'll add one to try. Try Val's in Daily City on Junepero Serra Blvd for the best French Dip in the Bay Area. Made from Prime Rib. It's an old, established restaurant that still has white linen table cloths and waitresses that dress for work but is very casual. Time stood still in this establishment. Yes, it's true.

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  11. I never go to The City to dine because your bridge toll and parking meters are so expensive. but dammit, Rich, now you have me allowing myself to even think about it. I now know the price range, so I don't have to risk going there to be broke and embarrassed with skimpy funding. So, if you ask me, Rich, you deserve a free dinner, cause you're spreading the word.

    A. Do you have to be dressed up to go there?
    B. Do you think Tommy's will keep Google-Glass OUT once wearers are more common?
    P.S. I hope they do keep the Glass-holes out. I'm a nobody, but I still expect and want my privacy.

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  12. Just put on a pair of damn jeans a shirt and have some cash.
    They don't care nor look. Just eat my friend and enjoy yourself.

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