Eat: House of Prime Rib (HOPR)
My first time eating House of Prime Rib was with some of my best buds after they helped me move out of Oakland into my San Francisco apartment. Since then, I’ve been back 6-7 times and it continues to be one of the best meals in all of San Francisco. My good friend Clarence has been there more than any other person I know but I will continue to try to match his HOPR stats (it’s quite impressive to say the least).
HOPR opened in 1949 and is known for its corn fed, 21 day aged prime rib. It’s roasted in rock salt and served in large silver domed, stainless steel carts where you can see them cut huge perfectly cooked slabs of meat. There are four different cuts depending on your taste and appetite. I always go with the standard HOPR cut, medium. Every single time I’ve been, they deliver the same juicy, flavorful, scrumptious meal. It’s crowded every single day of the week and it’s best to make your reservations a few months out.
The best part is that it’s not like a traditional steakhouse where the sides are separate. Each meal comes with an iceberg salad that’s served in a spinning bowl and you literally will want to lick the salad dressing right off the plate. I’ve tried to replicate it but to this day have never made it quite as good (and probably never will). But, you can buy it there for $5, I repeat $5 and it lasts for a few weeks. You also get a choice of creamed spinach or corn (go with the spinach), mashed or baked potato (I get mashed with the baked potato toppings), au jus for the meat and a hearty slice of yorkshire pudding.
Did I mention, they give you free seconds? Yes, in this overpriced city, HOPR will give you an extra slab of meat and any extra sides that your heart desires.
I’ve taken both my parents here, my cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and have celebrated birthdays, holidays and gone just because. It’s truly worth the visit.
Pro tip: Order a martini and ask your waiter to take an old school photo of you that they will print and you can hang on your fridge. And please, for the love of God, DON’T GO THERE AND ORDER CHICKEN OR FISH.
Location: 1906 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109
