11/24/06

Great for a casual dinner

by tf2001

This is a good place to come for a relatively inexpensive casual weeknight dinner. I try to try a different skewer each time I come and I haven't been disappointed yet. I love all of the starch options - really flavorful. Last time I was here they had started table service, which made it seem less like cafeteria style dining. Save room for the grilled banana split for dessert.....

10/11/06

Good food, good prices, very good beers

by richardac

The food is simple, grilled fare. I had the ahi tuna with onion, broccoli, etc. It was good, cooked very well, except for the broccoli, which was a little charred. I opted for the arugula/basil salad instead of a "starch," as Asqew calls their choices of pasta, pototoes, or rice.

The salad was also very good with toasted almonds over the top and a nice dressing.

Finally, I ordered a hefty glass of Stella Artois draught beer, which more than compensated for the sparse furnishings and cafeteria atmosphere.

All in all, I liked the place and will return. The lamb skewer sounds very interesting. That would go well with the IPA that Asqew serves. Let me see, it's about another three hours to lunch time.

• Pros: Tasty food, great beer.
• Cons: No real service, cafeteria-style dining

04/17/06

Good value but not the best in the neighborhood

by francoaj

Good place to grab a casual bite in the Castro. Their specialty is skewers. All sorts of meats served over rice or potatoes. The food seems fresh, and the price is very reasonable. The draswback is that the food is a little bland-tasting despite the array of spices the menu seems to promise in its preparation. But the generous portions seems to make up for that as far as value is concerned. The furniture is not the most comfortable and the place can get a little chilly on a fresh San Francisco night, so I wouldn't go here if you want something romantic or cozy.

• Pros: Big Portions, Self Service, Good Price
• Cons: Chilly Interior, Bland Food

08/19/05

Food is good but nowhere to sit...

by georgelevy

Food is both good and a good value... Unfortunately the place sits about 1/5 the number of people it should meaning you'll wait in a huge line to order and then not have a place to sit and eat (plus there is no host/hostess, reservations or waiting list to get a spot and you're not allowed to grab a table before paying your food... In other words, pay and just stand there with your tray for as long as it takes until everyone else in front of you finds a seat and a chair clears up - horrible.) Ok if you're just planning to pick up and take out - absolutely not worth going to sit down and eat. Busy, crowded and loud most of the time.

• Pros: Good food, Good prices
• Cons: Nowhere to sit, No host

This casual restaurant dishes out fresh food on a stick.

by Contributor

In Short
This popular eatery draws a dressed-down crowd and the sliding picture window provides prime people-watching opportunities. Order from the counter and take a seat. The menu's specialty is gourmet skewers served with sides such as garlic mashed potatoes and citrus couscous. Options vary depending on availability, but expect dishes like herb salmon dressed with lemon-wine vinaigrette and chicken or beef in a Coca-Cola-based "Thai" marinade.