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rant. The after-hours haunt of the theatrical and musical set in the 1950s and 1960s, Joe’s fortunes fell with those of the surrounding neighborhood, and it’s considerably frayed at the cuffs now. But the owner and staff maintain dignity through adversity — all the waiters wear tuxedos and are delightfully polite and thoughtful — and the tasty food in generous portions is probably the best meal you can find after midnight in SF, bar none. Reasonable prices, great service, oh-so-cool atmosphere — don’t miss Joe’s if you can. Unfortunately, in 2007, it closed due to a kitchen fire, and there are no plans to re-open. Price: $10-$15 ($4 well drinks). ■Vietnam II, 701 Larkin St, between O’Farrell St and Ellis St, Phone: +1 415 885-1274, Hours: 9AM-11PM daily. pho)$16.95 (fresh lobster)” lat=”” long=”” email=”” fax=”“>At any number of eateries around the ‘Loin, you can order pho, the Vietnamese beef and noodle soup that’s correctly written with some curly bits over the “o,” and correctly pronounced somewhere between “phuh” and “phah.” It will always cost about five dollars; it will always come with your choice of meat (slices of rare beef, well-done brisket, tripe, tendon, and meatballs are the most common) simmering in a clear, pungent broth along with a tangle of thin rice noodles; it will always be accompanied by a heap of mung bean sprouts, leafy basil and mint stalks, lime wedges, and slices of chili pepper; and it will always be served in bowls ranging from merely large to mind-bogglingly enormous. But only at Vietnam II will you enjoy your pho while gazing upon an indoor koi pond, and browsing through a vast menu of other delicacies. Everything from deep fried quail to pig intestine porridge is available to the adventurous, along with Chinese standards like lo mein and fried rice. Price: $4.95 (pho)-$16.95 (fresh lobster).
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