Eddie Rickenbacker

This pioneer South of Market joint is the creation of ‘normal’ Norman Hobday, better known to generations of San Franciscans as Corporal Henry Africa, a bar where singles crushed together for many years in a celebration of Tiffany lamps, oriental rugs, premium drinks in the smoothest, most sophisticated ‘action’ bar to hit this City since the gold rush. Henry Africa’s is where Harry Denton, Kevin Sullivan and a host of Dartmouth Grads cut their teeth in this City. After a lengthy and costly battle with his sibling who went on to open the Balboa, Norman opened Eddie Rickenbacker’s in the just awakening SOMA area, and it’s been a hit since then. It’s kind of like a grown up FAO Schwartz, with electric trains circling the large rectangular room hosing the bar and dining rooms. The ceiling is adorned with countless Tiffany Lamps, a bunch of historic motorcycles and memorabilia from wartime flying ‘ace’ Rickenbacker. A great bar, a kitchen that turns out truly great pub food, a young, well trained and handsome staff make this a perennially busy spot that the neighborhood has grown up around. Like all great pubs, the heart and soul of Rickenbacker’s menu is the ‘burger’, and it’s a great one. The meat is a hand formed patty about 7 or 8 ounces of very flavorful chopped sirloin, served on a lightly buttered and toasted sourdough bun with all the right accompaniments and some great French fries. There are several other excellent sandwiches on the menu, some well prepared entrée items, good salads, including one of the best Cobb Salads I’ve ever tasted. Check out the daily ‘blue plate specials’ running the gamut from meatloaf and mashers to old fashioned turkey platters, a hearty beef stew, chicken fricassee, and some simple, well prepared pasta dishes. There’s a beautiful hand crafted oyster bar that turns out some sensational appetizers in addition to the well-treated bi-valves.

The ursine appearing proprietor is fond to a fault of gaming and can often be found playing an intense game of liar’s dice, a true tradition of the San Francisco saloon, and one that seems to be dying out unfortunately. On the minus side of Rickenbacker’s is the closeness of tables in the dining room,--it’s loud and very hard to carry on a conversation, but fun. It’s great people watching and eavesdropping, and the food and drinks are really great.