Cheap Eats–The Tee Off Bar and Grill

The Tee Off is a cozy little neighborhood bar that cooks up some of the tastiest comfort food found in San Francisco. Think juicy 1/2 l.b. ground sirloin cheeseburgers, grilled double cut pork chops with apricot and achiote relish, and creamy four-cheese mac'n'cheese with pancetta. They also have a rotating list of specials that may include such offerings as Kobe beef hot dogs, spinach enchiladas, ostrich burgers, and wild mushroom risotto. Be warned, however, that all of this delicious goodness is served in a bar, and a very divey one at that.

The Tee Off is not the cleanest of establishments, the service is slow, and they let dogs have a free rein of the place. Some might find this dive bar atmosphere off-putting for a dining destination, but if you are prepared for it, it can also be a part of its charm.

This is not a place to bring the grandparents when they come to visit from Topeka. It is not the spot to choose if you are in a hurry. Don't bother coming in if you can't handle a canine staring lovingly at your meal. Instead this is the kind of place to spend a few hours drinking beer with your buddies, playing pool, going a few rounds on the ping-pong table out back, chatting with some of the hard-core regulars, and then topping it all off with the best meal you can find at a place with this kind of laid-back atmosphere.

The prices are on the high side for bar food, but what you get is also beyond what the majority of bars have to offer. $14 for a huge order of mac'n'cheese accompanied by a salad drizzled with an amazing homemade blueberry (or sometimes raspberry) vinaigrette, or $11 for a 1/2 l.b. cheeseburger with a generous helping of fries are not unreasonable prices to pay for a quality meal that will keep you full for the rest of the night. $20 for the pork chop is a different story budget-wise, but still a solid option if you feel like splurging.

The Tee Off is way out there, nestled in the perpetual fog of the Outer Richmond district. Do to its location it tends to draw a mainly neighborhood crowd, giving it a homey, if at times somewhat cliquish, vibe. This is a great place to get a feel for this often overlooked neighborhood, and see a side of San Francisco that cannot be found in guidebooks. So bring a friend, grab a beer, and get ready to experience the best dive bar food around.

The Tee Off Bar and Grill is located at 3129 Clement Street, between 32nd and 33rd Avenue. You can get more information on their website http://www.teeoffbarandgrill.com/.

You can find more SF cheap eats on my examiner page at http://www.examiner.com/sf-in-san-francisco/robyn-webster