Tony’s Cable Car Restaurant

I like Tony’s. The place has been there forever (or since 1972, anyway), and has been pretty consistant all along. I can remember long ago, eating at Tony’s Cable Car after shopping at the (now long defunct) Sears across the street (where Target is now). Tony’s hasn’t changed that much over the years — basic fast food with championshop shakes — and maybe that’s what people like about it. I know In do.
As a side note, the chili is great on a cold day in the Western Addition :)

Super old school. I feel like I traveled back in time when I came to this restaurant, from the faded signs on the wall to the plastic letter board menu. I had the Small Beef Burger, which was the perfect size for me. I like that there is so much variety here for all cravings and appetites. I also got the Seasoned Curly Fries which were so good. The shake that my friend got was also very tasty. Nothing out of the ordinary about this restaurant, but definitely one that I would encourage if you are looking for simple, inexpensive, unpretentious American food.

Really good classic burgers and fries. And the gentleman who runs the place is super nice. I was a dollar short and he let it slide. Burgers are tasty, juicy and interesting. Great shakes too.

Old school burger, fries and shake. Hot and fresh tasting.
Little things matter: they make your drink when your order is ready instead of handing it to you in advance so that it melts away. And you can park!

Sweetest man behind the counter. Classic American diner. awesome food. super cheesy grilled cheese. we were hungry for breakfast and randomly decided to stop here. great curly fries. I really want to try their shakes! it was pretty full for a Sunday at 11. Fun experience!

Crinkle cut fries!!! For $ 9.95 you get a giant portion of fries and a ¼lb cheeseburger. Service is friendly and it was cooked to order. Burger is thin and on a sesame seed bun aka Whopper style. Definitely going back. PS Cash only.

The burgers are out of site! I fell in love with the chocolate shake, and french fries. The prices are a bit on the expensive side, but delirious none the less.

I go by this place fairly often and finally stopped by. The burger is decent tasting and the fries are pretty good. However, the bun cannot hold a burger together well. The last quarter of biting simply came apart. Parking is a bit tricky when you come down Geary. The place is cash only which is a bit of a downer and inconvenient.

Love this place! Close to my work and they have delicious shakes, turkey burgers and fries. The crinkle cut fries are not greasy and crisp. They give you a lot too. The older gentleman at the register (assuming he’s the owner) is such a nice guy! Hope this place sticks around for a little while longer.

This place has been here for ever. But I remember the food being better. I’m not sure it was even a beef burger, bland and limp. Curly fries crisp but certainly not spicy. You feel like your ordering in a check cashing place in the heart of rough tenderloin. Place was clean and service was average.

Awesome little burger joint! I got a hamburger with everything on it, and seasoned curly fries. One of the best burgers I’ve had in SF. It was my first time there and I would definitely go back! They definitely load your burger with goodies so make sure if you don’t like something, remember to tell them to not put it on it.

Yo Tony. You’re a little cable car of place stuck precariously on the side of Geary in the midst of nondescript buildings. And I love you just the way you are. Don’t you go and be all fancy with a makeover. The grime of authenticity can never be replaced once it has been erased. Don’t you ever change. Keep it a little greasy and don’t update that menu that hasn’t changed since around the time Ford was president. It’s easier that way and it clings to one’s soul like gum that you can’t shake off your fingers. Sure the ketchup bottles may need a wipe down but there’s no one around who cares. It’s just you and your brother (I’m going out on a limb here but you too look alike) and a bunch of us hungry worker ants on the other side of the counter, stuffing our faces with food that’s recognizable and timeless. Simple pleasures like potato, tomato, beef patty and bun hun. It’s like that.

The old guy at the cash register was the nicest person in the world. So sweet he only charged me $ 4 for a milkshake, even though it was my first time here. Nice authentic SF diner-​like place.

It’s ok overall but it seems either their burger has gotten worse or I forgot. There isn’t much burger but a lot of lettuce for the price you pay.

I used to live in the neighborhood and solely come here for their french fries! Awesome crispy crinkle fries! I have had some of their menu items in the past, however it’s just bland in comparison with the fries. If I were still living in the neighborhood, I’d be back!

For Drunk eats this place can not be beaten.
Their burgers are really good… it aint Nieman Ranch, or Prather blah blah but is sure tastes great.
Fries, Onion rings, and Milk Shakes are also very good.
On a nice night chill outside and dine alfresco on lovely Geary Blvd.

Came here on a cold saturday morning after a night of heavy drinking, hoping for something to soak up the bile in our stomachs.
I always drive by Tony’s and the sign always caught my eye. BURGERS! FRIES! Well, I couldn’t resist anymore. My only regret was not coming here sooner.
Ordered a ¼ cheeseburger and fries. It’s so much food that I couldn’t even finish. And I’m not a light eater either. The fries are classic frozen crinkle cut diner fries and the burger is your standard diner fare, but there’s just something so amazing about such a simple no frills meal. It doesn’t claim to be anything more than it is.
In a town filled with organic, grassfed, locally sourced everything, it’s actually kind of refreshing to find a greasy spoon.

Oh, so disappointed! And I really wanted to like this place.
I have always noticed Tonys Cable Car Restaurant sitting right off of Geary. During the beginning of my pregnancy I went to the Kaiser across the street and always dreamed of having someone deliver me a giant burger to chow down on after giving birth. Well, we moved and that didn’t happen. But, then we moved back! Anyway, my husband and I made it a point to come here after a friend of ours just described this place as «In n Out burger times 10». So we made our way over and ordered.
The size of the burgers was so unimpressive. Tiny and thin. And mostly the thing that makes me never want to try this place again was the amount of mustard. I mean I fully understand that mustard comes on burgers but this was saturated. Both sides of the bun. I mean it was all I could taste!
Well, I would be down to try this place again and order something different but I sadly don’t think i’ll make it a point to ever come back. Sigh

Tony’s isn’t in a real cable car, just painted/​designed to looked like it.
lots of variety on menu. A few tables to sit in or out.
eats: ¼# burger (5.70?)inquired about cooking med. rare
–yes, old man said. wasn’t rare, was medium with gristle at best
–pattie to thin to be cooked med. rare
–fresh bun, lots of lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onions.
2ish stars.
crumbs:
–should have ordered the jumbo hot dog instead (3.80)
–friendly service, not so good food.

What a gem! Just had a huge grilled chicken on a wheat bun, with grilled onions, avocado, along with the usual tomato, lettuce pickle. Made to order by Tony’s brother Sam, with my special order taken by Tony’s daughter with a smile.
If you want a true diner experience at a true long-​term family run business in San Francisco, for well under $ 10, this is the place!
Close to Kaiser and Target!