For enterainment
and archival purposes only. The REAL Füd Court can be found HERE.
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As their pictures and writings below clearly attest, these men are serious -- in general, yes, but most of all about food. Admittedly, their personal visions of culinary justice -- like those of intense philosophers -- sometimes clash. Occasionally, their meetings are heated affairs. Wild gestures are made with forks, imperial rolls, and fistfuls of sauerkraut. Other patrons flee; cooks cower behind hanging sides of beef. They wear their stomachs on their sleeves, these three men. But through it all they continue to eat together, once every couple weeks, in order to bring you their honest and careful verdicts on whatever they've just consumed, on whatever has caused them to stumble, bloated, out into the streets of San Francisco, agreeing on one thing at least: Eating is fun. |
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Honorable
Judges Presiding
Have an objection? Want to tell the Füd Court where to go? Approach the bench: fudcourt@yahoo.com. About the Füd Court |
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Pretrial hearing at The Coyote
McClureBacco takes more cash than The Court usually likes to pay for a meal but all things considered it was well worth it. Especially considering the check was picked up by the Honorable Judge Vardigan. I think he may have his sights on a promotion to Chief Justice. Since my meal blew my mind I'll stick to what I know. Saltimbocca my friends, saltimbocca. It's veal scaloppini with a thin layer of prosciutto, sage in a white wine sauce. Melt in your mouth tasty, bite after bite I don't even want to know how they do it. It's enough that I can get it. Everything else on the table was quite good as well, but then again nothing could taint the savory goodness of the saltimbocca. So, my overall judgement of Bacco could be riding solely on this one shining star. Nah, I don't think so. I say go. Eat some soup at home a couple of nights and spend the money you save on a night out at Bacco
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TurnerBacco, the Italian name for Bacchus, and the name of the best Italian restaurant I know of. The food at Bacco borders on supernatural. Their bread alone is incredible, with their own special marinated olive oil for dipping. We split an antipasti platter for two -- brimming with flavor-packed meats, olives, and grilled vegetables. A standard pasta dish is not too expensive, maybe 10 or 12 bucks. Don't quote me. We all ordered off the special menu, though, running us 18 bucks a pop as I recall. Well worth it. The pork medallions with gorgonzola herb sauce sent my olfactory nerves into an orbit they are still recovering from. Perfectly cooked (flame grilled?) slices of pork with a G-sauce that was subtle yet deep and astounding. Those who fear the strong cheeses should not shy away. Earthy. Sublime. There were some very tasty vegetables and potatoes on the side. Best baby carrot I ever ate. I was saddened to learn the menu had changed a bit since last time. The old standby gnocchi with lamb sauce has been replaced by a ricotta gnocchi with some other sauce. We were able to procure an order with the original lamb sauce...but frankly I miss the good 'ol potato dumplings. Judge McC's saltimbocca was a freaking riot...veal...sage sauce...prosciutto...oh Lord. Next time. Oh, the wine is pricey, but somehow a Bacco meal is not complete without some Italian red. Don't listen to Vardigan. Bacco serves the best and most consistent restaurant food I've ever had. I've never been less than blown away with every single dish I've ordered. If you want a truly fine Italian meal, go to Bacco.
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VardiganTwo bottles of wine = three stupid judges. That's the math, and that's why you see no picture here -- we forgot. But the food was very good. High end, by Füd Court standards. Too expensive except for a special occasion, and this was one. The Court fell into some unexpected money, and Judge McClure was celebrating his triumphant return to the city after serving justice for far too long on BART trains and in mysterious locales like Martinez, CA. I had salmon and I quite liked it. Judge McClure's veal was the winner, though. The gnocchi were apparently not what they used to be, and it's true, I was not bowled over. But still a lot of chewy goodness.
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Pretrial hearing at Casanova

McClureNo valet parking here, yet. Young's is right in the mix of the Mission, a hole in the wall I never noticed. I'm happy that Judge Turner let us in on his little secret. Korean BBQ is a personal favorite of mine and it's always great to add a tasty spot to my list of eateries. The menu is simple and the portions are big. A couple could eat their fill for about 10-12 dollars. My meal of thin strips of beef over rice (bul go gi), side salad with 1,000 island dressing, pork fried rice, and potstickers was most satisfying. The beef, of a nice quality and large portion, was served up with a tasty sauce. The large plate of fried rice we shared was flavorful. The only disappointment was the potsticker. When I saw them my eyes lit up. They looked oh-so-good -- yummy looking dumplings with a dish of dipping sauce -- and I have a passion for a tasty potstick. My disappointment came with the first bite: while its taste and texture were as good as you get, the icy center stole its flame of victory. It didn't ruin the meal but I had to lower my rating because of this cold start. Young's is good, definitely more than just a place to fill your belly after a beer or five. I recommend you don't drive, get on that pogo stick, or borrow your friend's jet pack, and zoom on over to Young's.
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TurnerYoung's BBQ has been there for a good long while, and with good reason. They fork out the tasty K-BBQ at damn good prices. With damn good portions. A single order of BBQ will feed two people that are not totally starving or extremely large. And that's, like, six bucks. I chose the combo plate of chicken and "beef short", which I guess means beef short ribs (like, eight bucks). But frankly, this particular cut of beef I have seen only at Korean BBQ places -- with the little bone disk in there -- anyway, it is tasty as ALL-GET-OUT. And I mean that. Marinated, flame-grilled, sauced; you know what I'm saying. You get some salad stuff with that, and spicy kim chee supposedly, and plenty of rice and sauce. Our kim chee was absent. I suspect because we were the last customers of the night. Judge McClure was detained by an auto crash. I also recommend their fried rice, which is plentiful and good. Oh, the potstickers...um, well, they ARE deep fried and crispy, which is a beautiful thing...but this time they were cold in the middle. However, they were still good, by God, and I forgive them. I forgive them because I love Young's BBQ. And love means not complaining about potstickers with cold centers.
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VardiganI've seen Young's BBQ from the outside before, but I always thought it was an American BBQ joint. If I'd known it was Korean BBQ, I would have tried it long ago, given my unflagging crusade to find a bi bim bop that measures up to Steve's. And I'm not talking about McClure, because, as far as you know, he doesn't have a first name. He's a judge. I'm talking Steve's Lunch. Ann Arbor, Michigan. I felt bad blathering about it throughout this Fud Court session, but frankly, Young's bi bim bop paled, as did their bul go gi, which Judge McClure ordered. Not to say these weren't good. They were as good as any I've tasted in this town. And Judge Turner's short ribs were very good. Side dishes: The pork fried rice was delicious, but the potstickers' icy centers ruined their bang-up flavor. Everything was pretty cheap, too (between 5 and 6 bucks for the bop), and the portions were large. Go eat there. It's good. It's no Steve's, but that's my problem, not yours. Unless you're from Ann Arbor. Then you understand the hole in my gut where Steve's bi bim bop belongs. The hole in my gut that fits like a mitten.
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Pretrial hearing at The Blue Lamp

McClureDavid's ranks, to date, as the worst of the Füd Court sessions. I was served the poorest excuse for a meatloaf, ever. Oh so dry. If it was part of some sort of an experiment to extract every bit of moisture, they should win a Nobel prize. I had the meatloaf sandwich and while the bread was nice and soft, no amount of mustard/mayo could save it. Every bite had to be choked down followed by a sip of beer, which for some reason is served in tiny baby sized glasses. The potato pancakes were good but nothing could save this meal. The prices were outrageous for what I saw before us at David's. The service could use a little fine tuning -- I don't recall being asked how my meal was. I had always wanted to try David's, having lived nearby for years, but now I wish I had stayed away.
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TurnerDavid's is so overpriced it is offensive to diners the world over. I paid an unbelievable $11.95 for a PASTRAMI SANDWICH!!! Outrageous. Oh, well, the cheese DID add two bucks to the price. It was good, very good, but a rip-off. The pastrami at the 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC is worth that price, this pastrami is not. And the fact that my fellow judges received mediocre and crappy sandwiches, respectively, forces me to put the smack down on David's. The potato pancakes were good, but at three bucks a pop, forget about it. No chips with the sandwich (which is not that big), no potato salad, just an anemic sliver of pickle. Oh, and they served us thimbles of beer for three bucks a pop, too. I've got three letters for that, and they are F, T, and S. To paraphrase Mr. Leone. Know what I'm sayin'? Cool location, cool decor, good large menu of authentic Jewish food, but the prices are just insane. I had to go home and take a shower after paying that bill. I felt violated.
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VardiganWe done been had. We been taken for a ride through the land of tourists and theater-goers and it spit us out on the sidewalk with nothing in our wallets and generally mediocre food in our bellies. At least at a New York deli, you'd be stuffed to the 2nd Ave. gills after dropping 20 bucks -- not here. My roast beef sandwich was no larger than one you'd order from Lee's, it tasted only slightly better, and it cost five times as much. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to talk about other people's dinners, but Judge McClure's meatloaf sandwich was so dry it tasted like beef jerky. Judge Turner's pastrami and cheese was clearly the way to go, but $11.95?! Oh, and Jesus Christ, I almost forgot the beers. I returned from the bathroom to find Turner and McClure staring incredulously at these little 10-ounce "mugs" of beer. We remarked that nowhere in America is anyone drinking such tiny beers -- except at David's. I've said enough. I could say more but there is a vein jumping in my neck like a skittish bunny. Reprehensible, David. Everything is coming up roaches.
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Pretrial hearing at the bar


McClureFüd Court Incognito. We slipped in with a group of 18 for a party in the Pope Room. The atmosphere (at BDB) is always festive, and most of the senses get a workout at BDB. The food is hit or miss. I have my favorites, which were included in our huge order. Pep & pep pizza, caesar salad, chicken parm, and a new fave for me: side of meatballs. I'm convinced it's best to stay away from any and all pasta dishes. There just isn't anything special here. The chilled house wine is cheap and the way to go if you want to get liquored up. They do it family-style, so go with a large group to best be able to sample a variety of dishes, or be prepared to leave with a shopping bag full of leftovers.
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TurnerThe Disneyland of Italian restaurants, Buca Di Beppo is a paradise of Bacchanalian delights. Well, no orgies that I know of, but everything else. The festive, kitsch atmosphere compliments the insanely huge portions of tasty food and free-flowing Chianti. It's all good. Definitely get the chicken saltimbocca, chicken parmagiana, and meatballs. The pizzas are tasty too. And I have to hand it to them, they are not stingy with the hot spices, which is kind of daring for a place targeting John Q. Public. It's amazing how good the food is considering the volume they churn out, aside from the fact that it's a chain. The pope room has to be reserved way ahead of time, but it's worth it if you have a large party. And you should have a large party, because the portions are humongous, and you WILL spend some dough. But it's la dolce vida at Buca Di Beppo, so live a little.
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VardiganWe kind of fell into this one. Our Buca trip over the weekend was not scheduled as a legitimate Füd Court session but as we stood at the bar getting going on the inhumanly tall beers and inhumanly cold red wine, we figured what the hell. 17 extra judges was a bit absurd, but so is everything at Buca di Beppo. The Buca's more about atmosphere and comraderie than it is about judicious food tasting. Johnny Reno was the honorary judge for the evening, I suppose, seeing as it was his birthday and he sat in the throne. The Pope oversaw everything but he remained rather stoic in his glass box the entire time, so I don't know if he liked it or not. I did -- as much as you CAN like mass-produced Italian food. They do a good job, considering the quantities they're putting out there on the lazy Suze. Ultimately, I never end up CARING much either, because by the time that cold red wine comes around the Susan for the fifth time the food is hardly the issue -- getting home without falling down in a gutter is. I didn't. |
Pretrial hearing (and dining) at Doctor Bombay's

McClureWe all ordered the chicken shawerma. You can't do anything else if it's Tuesday. Unless of course you want the tasty falafel they serve. The shawerma, for about 5 bucks, is a deal. Lavash wrapped around delicious spun-then-grilled chicken. Add grilled tomatoes and other Mediterranean-type fixin's (cucumber yogurt or some such thing) and you have a meal. As a side we ordered some babba ganoush. Very good but the amount of pita they give you for dippin' barely gave each of us a mouthful. The atmosphere is "hole in the wall adventurous" with the friendliest of staff. We lucked out when ordering -- we were the only ones in line. But if there is a crowd it's only because it's worth the wait. Call ahead and they will cater your next event.
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TurnerNo matter how you spell it: shwarma, shawerma, or shwerma, TM cooks up a fine one. We took note of the fact that these folks both slow spin their meat on that thing and then brown it up on a griddle. Attention to detail. Dedication to flavor. Get down. Oh, and did I mention that their tomatoes (and, I think onions) are positioned under the spinning thing so as to catch the flavorful drippin's? Oh yes. A heaping portion of chicken shawerma meat, those basted tomatoes, onions, and some other stuff (humus, etc.) wrapped in lavash make for a fine alternative to the ubiquitous burrito in the Mission. And that babaganoush was good too. $5.95 for a satisfying meal. Pick up an Arabic DJ CD while you're there and take the swirling, maddening music home with you since seating is well-nigh absent in this tiny eatery.
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VardiganTo our glee, Tuesday was indeed a Chicken Shawerma day at Truly Mediterranean. Apparently, they only spin this specialty on Tuesdays and Saturdays. No one can explain why. In order to avoid the atmospheric debacle that was Rosamunde, we took our shawermas back over to Dr. Bombay's and ate them there, along with a side of babaganoush, which was delicious but sorely needed another pile of pitas for dipping. By the time our pitas were gone, half the baba still remained. I considered dunking my shawerma in there but I didn't want to mess with the already perfect flavor. Scrumptious! That's all I've to say.
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Pretrial hearing at Lucky 13
McClureTasty variety of unusual sausages. I had the lamb and potato with "no bean" chili and sauerkraut. No complaints about the food. The price, though, could be lowered to secure the repeat customer. With the close proximity to many a bar in the Lower Haight, I see it as the type of place you go to put a layer in your belly before settling in for a drinking session, or a place you go later on to soak a bit of the beer up. With all the fine grocers in this town you can find gourmet sausages of the type served up here, and make your own or two if you want. Satisfied a meal time hunger.
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TurnerFreshly flame-grilled gourmet sausages, what could be better? Cheap freshly flame-grilled gourmet sausages, that's what. A good idea: a variety of sausages flamed and served on a fine bun with all the fixins. I had the smoked duck sausage, with pork, juniper berries and hazelnuts (?) which was tasty. The bun was first class; grilled onions; nice choice of mustards. But, alas, the price to mass ratio was just a little off. One sausage, chips and ginger beer set me back more than six bucks, and I was still peckish post-mounge. Sausage freaks, light-eaters, rich or drunk people may appreciate it more.
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VardiganDrinks before at the Lucky 13. Judge Turner was very late, later than any Füd Court judge has ever been. Very unprofessional. There were small stacks of complimentary cassette singles from the acclaimed Bloodhound Gang. The title of their new edgy single is "Hooray for Boobies." It might have an exclamation point. It probably does. Anyway, I think I can say Hooray for Rosamunde, but not very loudly. They grill up a nice sausage, and the business plan is clean and simple, as they cater to the swilling patrons next door at the Toronado, and the simplicity of the menu requires only one employee. But there's very little seating, and if we had to do it over again, I think we would have taken it next door to the Toronado, because a large part of any Füd Court session is the sittin-around-the-table comraderie, and we didn't really have this here, jammed as we were into the boxy joint on stools facing the wall. I had a spicy beer sausage, and I enjoyed it, but it didn't fill me up, and I think you could easily replicate the sandwich on your own grill with some nice sausages from Whole Foods or something.
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Pretrial hearing at Last Days Saloon
McClureThe reason I go is for the Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong. It's the best I've had. The imperial rolls, along with the tender pork, cannot be beat. A little more about the rolls: the ones you get in this dish are not the ones you get when you order imperial rolls on the side. They appear to be a bit thinner, which I think allows them to fry up a bit crispier and be cut up into the perfect bite size.
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TurnerLet's face it, this is really a Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong trial. And yes, it's true, Minh's Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong is superior to Hung Yen's. Hats off to Judge McClure. The imperial rolls just had a little more "zing", the BBQ pork a little more "zip", and the sauce? Well it had a little more "oomph". Guest-Judge Winsor agreed, I'm sure. I can't remember if there was a price difference, but who cares? Both places were reasonable, but you get to walk through the kitchen to the lavatory at Minh's. Here, also, you are asked not to put any paper in the toilet (?!). But if you're in the market for a dope Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong then aim your hoopty toward Clement Street.
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VardiganThat dish with the noodles, the sauce, the bbq pork, and the blessed imperials perched on top (I won't even attempt the real name) was spectacular. We all got the same thing, which precludes me from doling out a 5 Dog rating -- who knows what the other stuff tastes like.
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Pretrial hearing at Dylan's

McClureLots of food for cheap. Fast service. Interesting location, atmosphere, and staff. Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong was tasty, better than some but not the best. I would not hesitate to return. If you order enough food, you may confuse them and end up with a few extra items on your table. |
TurnerWeird location for this joint, kind of tucked into industrial land, but pleasant enough. A Dan Leone recommendation brought us here, and it is good. Large servings at modest prices. My first experience with the much touted (by Judge McC) Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong, which consists of BBQ pork, sliced imperial rolls, chopped greens and veggies, and a spicy sauce over rice noodles. And it rocked; as did their fried rice, imperial roll appetizers and whatever else we had. Some soup. Not much of a soup fan. But anyway, good and cheap. Strangely, in the bathroom there is a sign asking that you do not put any paper in the toilet. |
VardiganAfter slow pints at Dylan's (once again, next to the fireplace) we strolled over to this confoundingly located Vietnamese restaurant that Cheap Eater Dan Leone had reviewed favorably some years ago. In fact, as we made our way over there, we became less and less certain that the restaurant actually existed anymore. But there it stood, jutting out at a funny angle, in the middle of an area of town known for nothing in particular except buildings of no particular purpose. Once we were in, we all enjoyed the Spicy Beef Noodle Soup (recommended by Leone), about 100 imperial rolls, and a few other items. Mounds of food for only tiny stacks of dough. And to top it off, as we walked out, the proprietors kindly pointed out the lunar eclipse. |
Pretrial hearing at The Blue Lamp

McClureThe category is Burmese and the taste is excellent. One dish -- Burma's Pork -- will tell it all. The most delicious dish, made of bits of pork, battered and fried and smothered in the tastiest of sauces. It melts in your mouth, and as you swallow, your chopsticks are loaded with the next bite. Other dishes that complete the meal are somosas and potstickers (appetizers), the pan-fried green beans (which may be an acquired taste), and the rangoon prawns, which have a nice spicy kick to them. What is Burmese cuisine exactly? Who knows? Part Chinese, part Indian, all good! Yummy.
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TurnerSome call it Myanmar, but at Burma's House, they don't. Frankly, I don't care what you call it, as long as you're serving up tasty Burma's Pork and those wicked green beans or "spicy pan green string"...or whatever they call it. And, oh yes, they are spicy. That Burma's pork (or chicken) is pretty much like that spicy/sweet Chinese dish that is called General Somebody's chicken. Chunks o' meat crispy fried then sauced. Insanely delicious. Fine potstickers and samosas, too. But the stars are the BP and GB in my book. Decent prices. If you like Chinese, Thai, or Indian food, get your rangoon on down. And don't call it Myanmar.
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VardiganAfter quick beers by the Blue Lamp's fireplace, we took our eager hunger over to the Burma's House. Ignoramuses, we all kept asking each other, "What the hell is Burmese cuisine?" As far as I remember, this was the only topic of conversation around the dinner table, until Steve got huffy when the bill came, upset that Judge Turner and I had driven up the bill by ordering beers. "We have to exhibit some self-control!" he reprimanded us. Anyway, we forgave him because the food was good and I think he was the first to discover it, many years ago, during his days in Loin's Nob. By the way, Burmese cuisine, we decided, seems to borrow a little bit from several others: Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, maybe more.
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Pretrial hearing at Lucky 13
McClureUndeniable! The best burger in town. "Freshly ground chuck" makes this burger rise above all others. It's almost a shame to put anything on, under, or around the patty. I recommend you try the simple burger (garnish on the side) and taste what a burger should be. Another plus is you can choose your weight: 4, 6, or 8 oz. Nothing is free. Anything you add will cost you -- cheese, onion rings, fries, soda, and beer all add up quickly but by the time you leave any wallet concerns will vanish.
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TurnerTHE BEST BURGER AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. And you know why? Because Joe grinds his own chuck fresh daily. And therein lies the key to the ultimate burger. It's not the bun, it's not the condiments, it's not the cheese...it's the meat. A tad pricey as burgers go, but brother, it's worth it. Transcendent. Also, save your receipts as "points" to trade in for cool Joe's merchandise some day. Around Christmas time you may walk out with complimentary Joe's salt and pepper shakers or mugs. Joe's Cable Car is not affiliated with any other "cable car" restaurant (just read the sign) so forget about that place out on Geary. Joe's is A-NUMBER-ONE.
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VardiganAlright, even after taking into account the generally overpriced burgers (fries are EXTRA, too, and our bill was more than I'd ever paid at a burger joint) and the rather AWOL location, Joe and his fresh chuck had me in a state of reverence similar to my Original Cheesesteak experience. I think Judge Turner described the meat as "fluffy," and, hard as that may be to believe, it's truth. Joe is obviously the type of man who looks at the cow hanging on the hook and says not, "That is going to be a bunch of burgers," but instead says, "That is going to be the most succulent, juicy, and divine bovine patties ever put between buns." They are, doctor, they are.
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Pretrial hearing in Judge Turner's chambers
McClureBest wings around. Get a Double Dozen or a Buffalo Bucket (make sure to order extra bleu cheese dipper sauce) and a six-pack of beer and you are in wing heaven. You also get some rabbit food: carrots and celery, to do with what you will. With this meal they only seem to get in the way. They come mild, hot, or kamikaze. I recommend the Hot but the heat may catch up with you and beads of sweat may form on your brow. The fresh-cut chips -- like potato chips, not fries -- round out this meal and left me asking, "When can we do it again?" It will be messy, but no pizza joint ever winged you like this.
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TurnerA truly good buffalo wing is hard to find...let alone a place that specializes in them. But glory be, we have one here in SF's North Beach, serving them as good as they get. These wings scream "Eat me!", and you better listen because they mean business. We usually get the "Hot" variety, as opposed to the Mild or Hellish or whatever the most hot is. And Hot is just about as hot as I care for, especially toward the bottom of the carton where the flaming liquids settle. But plenty of fresh-cut potato chips, carrot sticks, celery, and bleu cheese dippin' sauce cool you right down. Satisfyin'!! $20.99 will get you a Buffalo Bucket of around 50 wings, that'll do three hungry judges just fine. Get a Buffalo Dozen (13) for $6.89, including celery, carrots and dip. But for God's sake, get those chips.
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VardiganYou wouldn't think anyone could do buffalo wings right in the city of San Francisco. And if they did them at all, you'd expect them to be Buffalo Not Wings, some awful breaded tempeh disaster. But when these showed up at Judge Turner's door in a big ole bucket, I knew I was in for another crow-eating experience. We quickly set to gnawing on wing after wing after wing, our faces and fingers taking on that unearthly red glow of the sauce. In fact, there's so much sauce on these I might have been eating crow for all I know. They were as good as any buff wings I've tasted. Our only complaint was the preponderance of "half-wings" (or perhaps they were beaks), little wings with very little chicken on them. All in all, though, red thumbs up from me.
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Pretrial hearing at Divisadero Ale House
McClureThe best. The wide selection of types and sizes (5", 10", 15") of cheesesteaks, as well as other types of sandwiches, is great. Every bite melts in your mouth. As you enjoy a mouthful you will already be anticipating your next bite of soft roll, finely chopped meat, melting cheese, and tasty sweet and hot peppers (optional). Slap a side of curly fries next to that and you are set. Warning: Even the heartiest eater may find it difficult to tackle the 15". Start slow, don't bust your gut the first time around.
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TurnerAs good a cheesesteak as I've had...and I've been to Philadelphia. The menu holds a dizzying array of cheesesteak possibilities, including the heart-stoppingly delicious Bacon Cheesesteak (my fave) and a multitude or others aside from the traditional. Do yourself a favor and don't get more than a 10-incher, because if you get the 15-incher you will be stuffed halfway through, but unable to stop consuming the heavenly C-steak until you're taken out on a stretcher. The real deal, Holyfield. I rule in favor of the Cheese Steak Shop.
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VardiganAh, ahem -- I ate crow after this. But gladly. This places wizzes all over the Wiz. The expert rat-a-tat-tat of the grill kids chopping up the steak tipped me off right away that this was a serious cheesesteak enterprise. As I recall, I got a basic cheesesteak of 10 inches, and while we ate I think I muttered "It's unbelievable" approximately once every inch. I was transported. I didn't know what a cheesesteak could be -- until the first bite. Curly fries on the side, and I ate them but I didn't notice what they tasted like. They just didn't matter.
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Pretrial hearing at El Bobo
McClureAcceptable cheesesteak if you're stumbling out of a local bar or club at 2 AM and need to soak up some booze. NOT a place you need to search out. Biggest problem: the bun. Too hard. Tasty treat was the cheese sauce for the fries. The cheese on the cheesesteak was too noticeable; it needed more melting and blending with the meat.
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TurnerI had high hopes for Wiz Whit. The name...the fact that they offer Cheez Whiz on their steaks...but....no. First off: the bun. You HAVE to have the proper soft torpedo roll, flown in from Philly I think. They don't got it. Second: The damn steak has to be finely chopped and thoroughly cooked. Maybe salted. There's wasn't. Third: I don't know what kind of cheese they were using, but it wasn't right and it wasn't melted enough. Some of these things could be blamed on a bad "chef" I suppose. At any rate, with The Cheesesteak Shop in existence, Wiz Whit is left behind like a crumpled greasy napkin. They may serve an all right sandwich, but it ain't no cheesesteak. Wiz Whit is held in contempt of court. Um, sorry, Judge Vardigan.
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VardiganThinking about it now, this was a rather inauspicious debut for the Füd Court. After all, Judge Turner's gavel has come down to proclaim it "Guilty as a cockroach." Admittedly, the Wiz does not stand up to the Original Cheesesteak Shop, Inc. The buns are hard and the Cheez Whiz touch (supposedly the style of choice in Philly) is nice as a novelty but not as a winning substitute for provolone. However, if only out of neighborhood loyalty and convenience, I still eat at the Wiz now and then. By the way, guest judge Jon Winsor was also present at this session. He got tuna.
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