Izzy's Steak and Chops

3349 Steiner (at Chestnut)

Tel: 415-563-0487

This is it! Nirvana for a steak lover on a budget. It's always packed, so don't show up unwilling to wait awhile. You'll be rewarded with a real bargain steak dinner in a great traditional steak house atmosphere.

Located in Marina Central

Izzy's is like a museum with junk from the convoluted collection of owner Sam duVall covering every inch of wall space. Armed with a damn fine martini, it makes for some fun to check it out. The pace is frenetic, loud and not for the timid, but it's fun and perfect for a party with friends you can't take or won't take to Harris's.

Izzy's is located in the heart of enemy territory, the Marina, and you gotta be careful, 'cause they run red lights, ignore human rights, and despise common courtesy. The Marina is baffling, it's perhaps the only area in this City that doesn't reflect the melting pot that San Francisco really is at its heart. The only immigrants here came by frequent flyer miles fresh out of college with a strong desire to bring with them all that was wrong with where they left. Izzy's is a great steak joint surviving, even flourishing, despite its hostile location.

Once past the front door, into the bar area, poised with a drink, it starts to feel like a distant memory, familiar and comfortable the way family reunions are. The wait will be worth it once you're seated and your wait person takes over the rest of your trip. The menu presents mostly steaks and whatever else you could possibly want with your steak. The choices are good and they're fairly priced compared to the other 'well known' steak houses in town.

Izzy's is great to take someone you have nothing to say to nor anything you want to hear about because you couldn't hear or be heard if you tried. Pretty soon the food starts arriving and… it's good…you're having fun and every kind of bottled sauce you ever dreamed of trying on a steak surrounds you at eye level.

Ask for the waiter Sparky because he's a terrific percussionist in real life and about as good as a waiter can get. The food is more than satisfying, and the atmosphere is electric so enjoy. If Sam, the owner is around feel free to ask him about the history of Izzy's for he is a real San Francisco character.

Izzy's honesty reflects his legacy to the restaurant and saloon life of the City.

Stu Smith

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