Super Bowl 2016: 20 spots for locals to avoid the crowds

Manna Restaurant, (845 Irving St., San Francisco), is a inexpensive option for Korean cuisine and located in the Inner Sunset district. Manna offers traditional fare like duk bok ki and jaeyuk bokum along with the usual grilled meats and tofu soups served at most Korean restaurants. less Manna Restaurant, (845 Irving St., San Francisco), is a inexpensive option for Korean cuisine and located in the Inner Sunset district. Manna offers traditional fare like duk bok ki and jaeyuk bokum along with ... more Photo: John Storey Photo: John Storey Image 1 of / 25 Caption Close Super Bowl 2016: 20 spots for locals to avoid the crowds 1 / 25 Back to Gallery

While out-of-town visitors attending Super Bowl 50 may be focusing on downtown San Francisco for their dining, drinking and celebrating needs, savvy San Franciscans know that the best way to avoid the overwhelming crowds is to head west.

To that end, members of the Food + Home staff have put together a list of 20 of our favorite spots to eat and drink in the Sunset and Richmond districts. From breakfast and lunch to dinner and drinks, we've got you covered.

This is not, by any means a comprehensive list, so let us know in the comments below: what are some of your favorite spots in these neighborhoods to get away from the downtown hustle and bustle?

Andytown Coffee Roasters: This slip of a corner coffee house in the Outer Sunset is owned by Michael McCrory and Lauren Crabbe. The coffee drinks are great, particularly the Snowy Plover iced coffee, but the baked goods are really where it's at, including the Irish soda farl — a type of soda bread cooked stovetop in a cast iron skillet. (McCrory originally hails from Belfast and it's based on his grandmother's recipe.) andytownsf.com -Sarah Fritsche

Devil's Teeth Baking Co.: On Saturday mornings, the sidewalks out front of this bakery are teeming with dogs, surfers and children. At least one of those three classes of diners are waiting for breakfast sandwiches and beignets, but the lemon bar's reliably excellent, too. devilsteethbakingcompany.com -Jonathan Kauffman

Marla Bakery: This Outer Richmond bakery is perfect for grabbing freshly-baked breads and pastries for breakfast or an afternoon snack, but their Sunday Suppers, featuring special guest chefs in the kitchen are a great option for a quiet dinner out. marlabakery.com -Sarah Fritsche

Art's Cafe: There will be a line at this sliver of a diner. Wait in it anyway, because the hash brown sandwich you're about to have — cheese and sausage griddled between crisp potato shreddings — is worth it, as is the view of the husband-and-wife team who have made the short-order cooking into an art over the past 20 years. artscafesf.com -Anna Roth

Old Mandarin Islamic: The windows at this tiny Northern Chinese restaurant are perpetually steamed, thanks to the number of lamb hot pots simmering away at the tables. Its menu is strewn with great dishes — fish warm pots with pickled cabbage, beef pancake, braised lamb shank — though taking a veteran customer might help. -Jonathan Kauffman

Hong Kong Lounge 2: Diners love Hong Kong Lounge not only because the dim sum rivals that of the popular Yank Sing across town, but because there are items on the menu that can't be found elsewhere, like the pork ribs in candy plum sauce and the sweet, almost Dutch crunch-like baked pork buns. Come for dim sum or dinner. hongkonglounge2.com -Amanda Gold

Manna: I'm still working my way through the bubbling tofu and other Korean soups at this Irving spot (which, along with Yummy Yummy's pho, is my go-to on the neighborhood's foggiest days). Good kalbi, bibimbap and banchan as well. -Anna Roth

House of Pancakes: I love the beef-filled and green onion pancakes with layers of flaky pastry, as well as their hand-pulled noodle soups. -Anna Roth

Burma Superstar: People spill out the door for a taste of this Burmese cuisine, in particular the tea leaf salad and various curries. burmasuperstar.com -Amanda Gold

Ebisu: There's usually a wait for this sushi place on Ninth, but I like to slip in early when I've got a craving and splurge on the $20 chirashi bowl, which is always fresh and comes with miso soup. ebisusushi.com -Anna Roth

Sub Center: This West Portal sandwich shop is a favorite of locals for its toasty subs, friendly staff, and no-nonsense decor, filled with 49ers and Giants memorabilia. It feels like San Francisco in here. submarinecenter.com - Paolo Lucchesi

Kingdom of Dumpling: Not to be confused with that other dumpling kingdom across the park, this Taraval spot offers good XLB but is known for its Northern-style shuijiao dumplings, which have thicker wrappers and heartier fillings like lamb and beef tendon. They also sell bags of 'em that you can take home and put in your freezer until you need your next fix. kingofchinesedumpling.com/english -Anna Roth

Tommy's Mexican Restaurant: This classic Mexican joint has been a neighborhood staple for decades, and for good reason. The homey Mexican-American fare and Julio Bermejo's (son of founders Tommy and Elmy Bermejo) outstanding collection of over 300 different kinds of 100% agave tequila, which make, perhaps, the best margaritas in town. tommysmexican.com -Sarah Fritsche

Aziza: The excellent Mourad restaurant is closer to Super Bowl City mania, but chef/owner Mourad Lahlou's original — and slightly more low-key — Moroccan spot, Aziza, is safely tucked away in the Richmond. Expect creative, flavorful fare like duck confit basteeya and couscous with harissa. aziza-sf.com -Jonathan Kauffman

Pizzetta 211: With just four tables inside and three on the sidewalk, waits are often lengthy. But stick it out, and not just for the pizza. Pizzetta lists a couple of daily specials — anything from grain and vegetable salads to spiced lentil soup — that are worth the visit alone. pizzetta211.com -Amanda Gold

Sunset Reservoir Brewing: This nearly a year old family-friendly brewpub in the Outer Sunset is the creation of Devil's Teeth Bakery owner Hilary Cherniss. There are over a half-dozen house-brewed beers on tap, plus brew friendly noshes. sunsetbeersf.com -Sarah Fritsche

Wako Sushi: Tomoharu Nakamura's tiny, under-the-radar neighborhood sushi joint on Clement Street is not so under-the-radar now, having received a Michelin star for 2016. sushiwakosf.com -Sarah Fritsche

Sunrise Deli: The original location of this Middle Eastern deli still makes the best falafel in town, which customers will order by the dozen, stuff into a pitz, or bracket with creamy hummus, lemony tabbouleh and pickles. sunrisedeli.net -Jonathan Kauffman

Toyose: Built into a garage, this Korean late-night restaurant is bathed in ambient soju fumes and laughter. The glossy chicken wings are famous, and most diners supplement them with massive stews and seafood pancakes. -Jonathan Kauffman

Tia Margarita: Another old school Mexican haunt in the Richmond is Tia Margarita, but skip the dining room and head straight to the horseshoe-shaped bar for a freshly made margarita. tiamargaritasf.com -Sarah Fritsche