Red's Java House
There has been a small eatery on San Francisco’s waterfront at Pier 30 since the 1930s. Since the 1950s, the small eatery at Pier 30 has been called Red’s Java House. Not to be confused with the Java House further down the Embarcadero, Red’s Java House is an unassuming place. It looks like a small shack with white paint jutting out on the pier. Just steps from the Bay Bridge, this small eatery offers some of the best views of the San Francisco Bay.
Red’s Java House offers a simple, no frills dining experience. Hotdogs and hamburgers are the staple fare at Red’s. French fries, onion rings, and their associated toppings round out the menu. You can also have a glass of wine or a beer while you dine. Red’s charm is the fact that this restaurant is not fussy or fancy. You come here for a quick, tasty meal at a very affordable price. Compared to the other restaurant’s lining the Embarcadero, Red’s Java House seems out of place, but it is very much a San Francisco institution. Locals and tourists alike come to order a quick meal and enjoy pretty views of the waterfront. There is indoor and outdoor seating on the sidewalk as well.
The burgers and dogs at Red’s are served on sourdough rolls, a nod to another San Francisco staple. Red’s also have other great lunch items on the menu, such as fish and chips or a veggie burger, and weekday specials such as corned beef and hash and a meatball sub. If you find yourself on the waterfront in the morning, you can also stop at Red’s for breakfast selections including pancakes and a breakfast quesadilla. Red’s is open 7 days a week.
Kylie Hicks is a Bay Area native. She enjoys karaoke, trips to wine country, and discovering good eats in the City.
