Asian Eats: San Francisco to Miami, Part Two

John Zur

San Francisco Jollibee

​Continuing the trek through some of San Francisco's diverse Asian restaurants, part two focuses on two casual establishments, otherwise known as chains.

John Zur

Jollibee interior

​Yesterday we described two restaurants that could teach Miami something about Asian cuisine. Today, we offer two more:

Jollibee

The Philippines' number one fast food chain came to the United States in 1998. Its first location was in Daly City; just outside San Francisco. Today there are several U.S. locations, including California, Nevada, Washington, and New York. So we can only hope a Jollibee is on its way to Miami. What's not to love about a menu that includes burgers, spaghetti, barbecued and fried chicken, hot dogs, frozen drinks, breakfast, and rice meals? And disco music playing overhead?! We sampled the burger steak with mushroom gravy and rice ($2.29). The rice was incredible, fast food or not. It was a generous portion, steamed just right, and sticky enough but not dry. It is debatable whether Jollibee serves homemade Filipino cuisine. And while one can't go wrong with the 99-cent sandwiches, including corned beef and spam; served on pan de sal, there are few healthy or vegetarian options.

John Zur

​Jollibee
200 4th St., San Francisco
415-904-8615