Hole in the Wall
Howie’s Sports Page
Your neighborhood bar, replete with neighborhood bar folk. Sturdy selection of beers on tap and in unfancy bottles. There’s a pay-by-quarters pool table in the back, and on Monday nights in the fall, free potluck while you watch the game.
Il Vicino
While there are many Il Vicino eateries all over the southwest, this Northern Italian eatery started it all in Nob Hill. The name means “the neighbor,” and being a neighbor itself to the Guild Cinema, Il Vicino is a great pre– or post-movie dinner choice.
Jo's Place
Will this madness end? Local genius Dennis Apodaca opened this place (named after Mom, who works there sometimes) as the third in his dynasty of quirky family-run dives, all within a quarter-mile strip. (The others being the nationally-recognized Sophia’s Place and hidden-away Ezra’s Place.) Late breakfast, late lunch, espresso.
Joe’s/Carraro’s
Front: Carraro’s, home to tasty calzones & decent ’za. Wind your way back to Joe’s for a mighty selection of beer, pool, air hockey, ping pong and an ass-kickin’ jukebox. A great low-key Friday night dive. Kitchen closes late.
Lotus
What’re you waiting for? Suit up, drop a shot and DANCE! Excellent low-key lighting, decent DJs, standard prices. Head upstairs to the VIP “Ultra” Lounge or stay below and get your grind on.
Low Spirits
This North Valley haunt offers local bands, rock shows, and slightly overpriced well drinks. Great atmosphere and pool might bring you back to your ska-loving days, and not just because there’s a ska band playing and all your friends from middle school are leaning on the bar.
Lucky’s Lounge
Why are the best dives always in strip malls? Dark and comfy (in the plush, round, vinyl pleather booth sense), strangely friendly, with chill bartender-bouncers.
Mac's La Sierra
This dark and dated hole-in-the-wall is not glamorous, but they can cook. A West Central staple since the 50s, Mac’s continues to dish simple, unhealthy food at affordable prices.
O’Neill’s Pub
A laundry-list of beers; fantastic (smoking-okay) patio well shielded from Central; and a decidedly Irish menu.
Papa Frank's
Let’s journey back to 1999, when Joey and Priscilla imagined a New Mexican restaurant in Downtown’s legal district. Joey’s commitment to that home-cooking, made-with-love flavor is still embedded in his burritos, enchiladas, Frito Pies and, we can say with confidence, everything else on the menu.
Papaburgers
Adriana and Silver Zubia have got the old-timey burger joint feel down to a tee. Burgers, milkshakes, fries, and even a jukebox (albeit with modern music – so sue us) make this one of the stops on the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail you’ll be sure to hit more than once.
Piggy's Hotdogs and Hamburgers
Arising from the east Nob Hill neon signage lies a jewel; an eye-grabbing pink and black building with a rotating, pink sign (nay, a beacon of nourishment for drunkards stumbling from O’Neill’s), calls customers in from the streets. This is the old Hacienda drive-up, so no indoor sitting folks. Drive thru or walk up. Simple.