Let me explain how I ended up here.
We had just left the area near the Yoda statue outside of Lucasfilm headquarters. Apparently if you try to lift a Yoda statue for a photo opportunity the security team has opinions about this. Strong opinions. Loudly expressed opinions.
If they did not want people touching it they should have used more screws. That is all I am saying.
After our diplomatic exit from that situation, we needed food. This was my last meal in San Francisco before the airport and I had a very specific problem. We had been eating nonstop for days. I needed something great but not something that was going to have me reconsidering my life choices in the airplane bathroom over the Pacific.
Goldenette was the answer.
The Space
Walking into Goldenette feels like someone took a 1950s diner, cleaned it up, gave it better lighting, and then actually thought about what to put on the menu. Modern but not trying too hard. Chill energy, friendly staff, and the kind of room where you immediately feel comfortable.
The menu is refreshingly short. A couple of salads, some burgers, chicken. That is it. No twenty page novel. No analysis paralysis. Just a tight lineup of things done correctly.
The Fancy Smash Burger
Double smash patty, cheddar, American cheese, bacon, spicy pickles, red onions, and a special sauce.
This was a damn good burger.
The onions and spicy pickles do exactly what they are supposed to do; they cut through the fat so you are not just eating a glob of grease with cheese on top. Every bite had balance. The edges were crispy, the patty had flavor, and the whole thing held together without falling apart in your hands.
Not cracking my Best Burgers in NYC list since that is strictly an NYC club, but San Francisco should be proud of this one.
The Spicy Chicken Sandwich
This was the pleasant surprise of the meal.
Instead of a standard fried chicken breast they use a kofta-style patty where the herbs and spices are mixed directly into the ground chicken before frying. I have always been a fan of this approach and Goldenette does it well. The feta and arugula add a nice kick without overwhelming anything. Great balance across every bite.
The Spicy Caesar Salad
Yes I ordered a salad. I was about to get on a plane. Fiber is a legitimate concern.
The spicy Caesar comes with chopped spicy fried chicken on top which makes it significantly more interesting than a standard Caesar. Non-traditional but in a good way.
Final Verdict
Goldenette is exactly what it is supposed to be. A well-executed, no-nonsense diner with a short menu, great food, and zero pretension.
At $17-22 for sandwiches and salads the value is solid for San Francisco. Would I go back? If I lived closer I would be here every other week.
Also I did not steal the Yoda statue. That is my final statement on the matter.
Last night in San Francisco was the best of the entire trip. Read about it at Sotto Mare.
As always, what do I know? I am just a fat guy from Brooklyn trying to survive the week, one martini at a time.
Looking for more NYC restaurant reviews? Check out my Best Steakhouses in NYC, Best Burgers in NYC, and Best Restaurants in NYC lists.