House of Prime Rib

"House of Prime Rib is an SF institution, serving massive portions of roast beef and ice-cold martinis since 1949. The old-school restaurant is constantly full of tourists and locals doing their best to fit iPad-sized steaks into their bodies. The “House of Prime Rib” cut is as big as anything you’d expect from any decent carving station, while the King Henry VIII is nearly twice the size and dominates the entire plate. Always get the mashed potatoes (that are more butter and sour cream than tuber) as your side. Reservations are rare, but walk-ins are open daily—there will most likely be a wait but you can spend it sipping on a cocktail or two in their lounge. Reservations open one year in advance (yes, you read that right). So if you’re a Type A organizer with an impressively stable lifestyle, reserve your ideal date 365 days ahead of time. If not, don’t worry, they take walk-ins nightly for the dining room and bar—you just might have to wait a few hours to get seated. Another move is to call ahead to ask if there are any day-of cancellations." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, lani conway

"There are multiple fireplaces in this Nob Hill spot, so odds are high you’ll end up sitting next to some warming flames during dinner. The legendary castle of beef has “cozy” written all over it. Velvet booths are plush and worn in, and the dishes are the food equivalents of a heated, weighted blanket. Prepare to devour baked potatoes the size of your head, meat carved tableside from a silver cart, and warm Yorkshire pudding. Reservations open one year in advance (yes, you read that right). So if you’re a Type A organizer with an impressively stable lifestyle, reserve your ideal date 365 days ahead of time. If not, don’t worry, they take walk-ins nightly for the dining room and bar—you just might have to wait a few hours to get seated. Another move is to call ahead to ask if there are any day-of cancellations." - julia chen 1, lani conway

"Verdict: Whether or not you have a fantastic time at House Of Prime Rib depends on a few things. Do you like thick slabs of beef? And martinis? How about a tableside spectacle involving spinning bowls and salad dressing cascading from as far overhead as a server can reach? If yes, this Nob Hill institution is a classic experience you are legally required to have at least once. Reservations open one year in advance (yes, you read that right). So if you’re a Type A organizer with an impressively stable lifestyle, reserve your ideal date 365 days ahead of time. If not, don’t worry, they take walk-ins nightly for the dining room and bar—you just might have to wait a few hours to get seated. Another move is to call ahead to ask if there are any day-of cancellations." - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez

"A meal at House of Prime Rib is controlled chaos—and that’s what makes dinner at this meat-centric place so fun. Servers push around giant carts full of prime rib and prepare salads tableside. Your waiter will plop massive spoonfuls of bacon bits and sour cream onto your baked potato at lightning speed, and constantly make sure your martini glass is full. Add giant bottles of wine and an old-school vibe, and you have a stimulating, borderline ridiculous experience you need to have for a birthday dinner at least once (as long as you can get a reservation). Reservations open one year in advance (yes, you read that right). So if you’re a Type A organizer with an impressively stable lifestyle, reserve your ideal date 365 days ahead of time. If not, don’t worry, they take walk-ins nightly for the dining room and bar—you just might have to wait a few hours to get seated. Another move is to call ahead to ask if there are any day-of cancellations." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, ricky rodriguez

"A classic San Francisco restaurant famous for its prime rib offerings and traditional dining atmosphere." - Dianne de Guzman