Barstool dining

Life beyond beer nuts: Neighborhood bars are cooking up unexpectedly tasty things to eat.

Marcia Gagliardi, Photography by John Curley

An evening at a dive bar almost always fuels a quest for sustenance to soak up the cheap beer or shots (quesadilla suiza, anyone?). But at some of the newer bars around town, you don’t have to abandon your barstool when hunger strikes—well, unless it’s last call. In fact, the food at some of these low-profile establishments is so good, it might inspire you to drink less and save room for dinner.

The Mission’s Weird Fish restaurant has opened a spinoff a few blocks away called Satellite, a tiny kitchen located in the back of the recently reopened Bender’s Bar. Satellite is open Monday through Saturday nights from 6 p.m. until very late, cooking up bar-friendly dishes like cheeseburgers and the genius “buffalo wings” made of fried catfish—with blue-cheese dipping sauce and celery, natch. Hardcore fans of Weird Fish will be happy to know that the restaurant’s Yo-Yos (deep-fried dill pickles) are also available here.

10:16 p.m.

THE CROWD
It’s a rehashing of the patio scene at Zeitgeist—an eclectic mix of Missionites, rockers, burners, and, of course, lots of dogs.

THE SCENE
Friends playing pool and kicking back at the café tables, some of which are laminated with confiscated fake IDs.

THE GRUB
Fish and chips and fish tacos are popular, but late-night drinkers swear by the pancake with bacon and egg.

THE SOUNDTRACK
A rowdy, jukebox-fueled mix of Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden, old Bowie, and Black Sabbath.

EAVESDROPPING
“Some chick is hanging out with my husband, but whatever.”

806 S. Van Ness Ave., S.F., 415-824-1800, bendersbar.com

Elsewhere
Thick & Thin Pizza is located in the LookOut and serves quality thin-crust or deep-dish pies, plus fresh salads and a s’mores pizza for dessert. (There’s takeout, too!) 3600 16th St., S.F., 415-431-0306
Massively renovated Nickie’s, in the Lower Haight, now cooks up trios of gourmet sliders, Creole chicken strips, and other hearty bites. 466 Haight St., S.F., 415-255-0300, nickies.com
Truck, a mostly gay but very straight-friendly bar, offers chicken strips and donut holes to counteract the effects of the Rainy Day Party (two-for-one well drinks anytime it’s raining). 1900 Folsom St., S.F., 415-252-0306, trucksf.com