5. Ella's

We were somewhat disappointed with our dining experience at Ella's. The staff were friendly and helpful, but our meal just didn't hit the mark. G. had the chicken hash, and it just wasn't to his taste or liking. I had their version of a Joe's Special, which is a classic, even if tinkered with in small ways. It just didn't taste like a Joe's Special. The herbs were off and the veggies were just too strong. I wouldn't mind going back to try other items, and the menu changes enough that maybe we just hit it on the wrong cycle, but we don't live in SF were only visiting, and so on future trips I might go elsewhere to experiment, especially at their prices. It was a good location, however, to meet up with an old friend who lives nearby and was nostalgic because I went to high school down the street and used to live across Geary from this neighborhood and these are my old stomping grounds.