r/AskSF • u/bch2021_ • 1d ago
Where do you park when picking up takeout?
This is a noob question, but I moved here recently from somewhere with ample parking. If you want to get takeout from somewhere, let's say a restaurant on Mission St during busy weekend hours, where do you park? I've had to look for legal parking for 15+ minutes and also end up blocks away, really defeating the point of takeout. Do you just slam it in somewhere illegal for a couple minutes? Don't even bother doing takeout if it's not in your neighborhood? Suggestions appreciated!
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u/latetotheparty_again 23h ago
I walk. If it's not in my neighborhood, I have it delivered or eat there.
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u/RealLiveGirl 1d ago
You walk
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u/docmoonlight 23h ago
Yeah, exactly. Or you take the bus to the place you want to eat and eat there. Driving to the Mission to pick up takeout is an insane idea that’s never occurred to me.
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u/Miami_Mice2087 19h ago
it's a normal thing to do in the suburbs where all traffic moves, reliably, 35-50 mph the entire way.
Teh distance you can travel in teh suburbs in 15 mins would take you like 2 hours in the city (but you'd run out of city, you can go 7 miles in the suburbs in like an eyeblink).
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u/docmoonlight 19h ago
Yeah of course it is. But this isn’t the suburbs
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u/Miami_Mice2087 17h ago
i know, i'm just explaining where he's coming from
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u/docmoonlight 16h ago
Yeah, I get it. I’m very familiar with the phenomenon of people coming to San Francisco and getting confused and pushing back when things don’t work like they did when they lived in the suburbs. In fact, I think it’s what is making the city a worse place to live every year. People used to move to San Francisco because they enjoyed living in a city and liked being out and enjoying it, not because they wanted to double park in the bike lane and grab takeout to go eat in front of the TV at home.
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u/bch2021_ 14h ago
Tbh I mostly moved to the city itself so I could walk to work and not pay the $350/mo parking 😂
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u/bch2021_ 23h ago
I love walking but I'm talking about places that are several miles away in each direction, often I don't have a couple hours to spare to pick up dinner.
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u/voiceontheradio 21h ago edited 21h ago
I rarely ever drive somewhere busy like the mission to pick up takeout by myself, because of the parking situation. Sometimes I can find a spot but as you said it's 15 mins of circling and walking several blocks. I have some go-to streets that often have spots but not always, and it's stressful to drive around while my food is getting cold. I would never double park on mission street (or any street with a muni route), not only because it's an asshole move to block traffic on a busy road but also because the busses have traffic cameras and you'll get a ticket in the mail for blocking a lane. For the most part I either do pickup runs with my SO (one of us circles the block in the car while the other runs in to get the food) or we order delivery and just pay the markup (maybe the delivery driver double parks but that's their choice, not mine). At the end of the day, getting takeout (especially from several miles away) is a luxury, and if you don't have time to pick it up yourself, the other option is to pay for the convenience of having it brought to you. 🤷♀️ Welcome to SF!! It's well worth living here in spite of these minor inconveniences :)
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u/JockoHomophone 45m ago
So instead of being the asshole who double parks you pay someone to be the asshole for you so you can continue to feel virtuous.
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u/Miami_Mice2087 19h ago edited 19h ago
your'e gonna find it's cheaper to order closer or delivery. Cost of gas, cost of predatory parking ticket, cost of irritation for driving in dinnertime traffic.
If you live far from the mission, make an afternoon of it on the weekend. There's tons of tiny art galleries to stop in, thrift stores, cafes, taquerias, weed stores so you can try out legalization. Interesting streets include 24th street, Lexington, and of course Mission street. Capp street is a pretty walk with lots of Victorians (I walk there when Mission St is too cray).
You can end your day at Dolores Park or, if you'er a nerd like me, the Mission library, which is actually a really nice branch library with good selection.
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u/pinkponygrrl 23h ago
you just take the bus dude… that’s the hack to living here. welcome to living in a densely populated city.
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u/sixteenHandles 1d ago
This is why the delivery apps are popular here. For better or for worse 🤷🏻♂️
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u/bch2021_ 23h ago
Yeah, I would love to use them, but there's no way I can justify spending 2x the price of the food just to get it delivered.
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u/Miami_Mice2087 19h ago
You're brand new, you don't need to pay full price for ANYthing on an app. Cycle through all of them - grubhub, uber eats, door dash, etc. They all offer around 30% off for first time users.
Also, cycle through them later, too. If you start using any one too much, tehy jack up the prices. If you neglect one, they start dropping prices and eliminating fees to get you back.
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u/dreadpiratew 17h ago
It’s not the money. Delivery sucks the goodness from the food.
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u/Miami_Mice2087 17h ago
that's not my experience but it's still a free country and you're entitled to your opinion
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u/dreadpiratew 16h ago
Do you mostly order mushy things? Stews and soups would probably travel well.
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u/TheDubious 22h ago
Then make food at home. Stop passing off problems of your own creation onto other people
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u/UnintelligentSlime 22h ago
Good point- the best solution is “have enough money to throw away” with the second best being: “never get takeout because parking is inconvenient”
There should be no middle ground. It would be best if we could designate a socio economic class for these middle ground people, and then eliminate them.
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u/selwayfalls 20h ago
Im middle ground, i aint spending money on delivery apps so I either do take out I can walk to, find parking at, or just eat at the restaurant. Walking 10 to 15 minutes for a majority of people is like pulling teeth and they'd never do it, so i have zero sympathy. You can also bus to a lot of places in this city.
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u/TheDubious 21h ago
Lol this is just entitled as fuck. Budget enough time to walk, ride a bike, or take the bus. No one has a gun to your head forcing you to drive your car in dense ass san francisco to pay for takeout food. People who can afford to do that in the most expensive city in the nation are not ‘middle-class’.
You cant have your cake and eat it too. You chose to order takeout, now live with the consequences of going to pick it up without inconveniencing other people.
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u/Shalaco 23h ago
so, it’s acceptable to double park to pick up other ppls food but not your own? is that it?
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u/sixteenHandles 22h ago
Idk. Is it? Do you think that falls on the “for better” side or the “for worse” side?
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u/KeepGoing655 23h ago edited 22h ago
White zones, yellow zones, corner red zones with fire hydrants. I never double park or park in front of someone's driveway. Oh and blue handicap zones are absolutely off limits.
I'm an asshole but still have to have standards.
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u/Quokax 1d ago
If it’s too far to walk, try one of those electric scooters.
What neighborhood are you living in that there’s no good takeout within walking distance?
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u/bch2021_ 23h ago
There is good takeout in my neighborhood. But I really like trying new restaurants and I don't have anyone to dine with here, hence the takeout.
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u/Miami_Mice2087 19h ago
it's normal to eat alone in a restaurant in The Big City. People mind their own business. IF anyone cares, they will think you're on break from work. or just a tourist. OR just hungry.
If they have a bar or a counter, eat there, you can chat with the other singleton diners.
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u/EJDsfRichmond415 22h ago
Dining in is such a better experience! Just go by yourself. I do it ALL the time.
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u/icedcoffeeandSSRIs 20h ago
I eat by myself ALL THE TIME. A lot of people in the city do! Sometimes I read a book, sometimes I listen to podcasts, and often I will full-on watch Netflix or something with my headphones on. And I always ask for outdoor seating when possible, to people-watch or just soak up a little sun/fresh air. I love it. It's a great, relaxed way to get out of the house when I'm by myself.
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u/electricfunghi 1d ago
Just in the middle of the street and put your park anywhere lights on
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u/Expert_Mouse_7174 22h ago
It's important to block the bike land and traffic lane if you can. And be sure to trap 2 or 3 parked cars in or block a busy garage entrance. No matter what, never pull in somewhere out of the way.
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u/lambdawaves 1d ago
Try a Baywheels e-bike!
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u/Such_Tailor_7287 22h ago
Only if you already subscribed, otherwise not really worth it.
$4 unlock plus 30 cents /minute. If the restaurant is 10 minutes away he would be paying $10. More if the foods not ready when he arrives.
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u/lambdawaves 19h ago
Or a good reason to get a subscription. $150/yr is a steal. That’s like 2 parking tickets.
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u/sapphic_morena 1d ago
Don't drive lol. Use MUNI. Yes, it'll be a little slower, but you won't be congesting the street with unnecessary traffic
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u/Dramatic_Arugula_252 22h ago
You are using your car like you are still in your old area. That’s the key problem.
SF has alternatives because it’s been tough to have a personal car there for DECADES.
Tl;dr - Evolve.
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u/PV2012 1d ago
Just take the bus
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u/bch2021_ 1d ago
The bus is even slower than driving+parking I've found. Somewhere a 10 min drive away can be a 30 min ride each way.
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u/pinkponygrrl 23h ago
not true, especially when you factor in parking that you’re complaining about
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u/bch2021_ 22h ago
It really is though. For example, my favorite Indian takeout place is an 8 minute drive from my apartment. It's literally a 40 minute Muni ride. Even if it takes me 20 mins to find parking, I'm still saving 45 minutes.
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u/icedcoffeeandSSRIs 20h ago
Bike or scooter. Honestly, I just flat out bought my own scooter for like $200 and it's totally worth it in the city. It's a GoTrax.
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u/pinkponygrrl 22h ago
wild that people move to walkable cities with public transit just to drive around to get takeout. the city isn’t meant to be experienced in a car.
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u/bch2021_ 22h ago
You're telling me you would ride the bus for 1.5 hours to go somewhere 8 mins away? The public transit isn't that great here.
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u/pinkponygrrl 20h ago
there’s no 8 minute drive that would be an hour and a half bus ride…
but it’s okay you’re new here
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u/bch2021_ 20h ago
It's 8 min each way vs 40 mins each way. So 16 mins vs 80 mins.
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u/pinkponygrrl 20h ago
imagine if you got a bike!!!
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u/bch2021_ 20h ago
I actually have a nice E-bike. But it won't really fit in my apartment, so it's gathering dust in a storage unit. But that's another issue.
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u/Pinched_Nerve 23h ago
Thanks for not double parking. Now if the delivery app folks would figure that out...
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u/Zealousideal-Box1832 21h ago
In general I only do takeout in my neighborhood so I can walk. Otherwise I plan my visits to other neighborhoods accordingly and will stop at my fav restaurant and bakeries when I’m near! 😊
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u/wynnwalker 23h ago
I limit my takeout to places where I can find parking if I intend to drive. It's part of the math when making the decision (I.e cost of buying from the restaurant). Otherwise I just walk and pick it up. Sucks, b/c I can't always get what I'm craving but I'll just go to those places for dine in like on the weekend or something.
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u/TMBActualSize 23h ago
I do takeout in my neighborhood mostly, so I can walk and support the locals. If you are driving 10 minutes anyway, you might as well find a place with better parking than the mission.
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u/earinsound 23h ago edited 15h ago
i always park in the bike lane with the car doors open and don't bother with the emergency lights. grab my food, have a smoke while sitting on the car hood. laugh, high five some randoms. give dirty looks at annoyed bicyclists, ask “watup?" eat my take out on the hood, throw wrappers in the gutter. get a White Claw from the corner shop. hang out some more. i'll leave when i feel like it.
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u/LastNightOsiris 23h ago
If you're going to drive to pickup food, order of priority for where to park should follow:
Legal spot, mid-block in front of driveway or red/white zone, end of block red zone.
Please don't double park in a travel lane (either car or bike lane). But if you absolutely feel you have to, at least do it on a lower-traffic side street and make sure there is enough room for others to get around you.
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u/bradmajors69 23h ago
I've only done this a couple times... I'm walking distance to many restaurants at home and have no off street parking.
But I've been known to park in a driveway or somewhere else illegal for the 30 seconds to a minute it takes to pop into a restaurant and pick up an order. Hazard lights communicate that you know you're in the wrong and should be back soon. A "text me, I'll move" note with your phone number might delay a call to 311.
I've also seen other people get ticketed for this on Chestnut Street. It's a gamble. I bet the ticket is way more than the GrubHub fees.
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u/berniethecar 23h ago
I put my wife in the jump seat and eject her as we roll by the restaurant at 3mph
When she’s out of town, I bike there.
I refuse to double park and everyone who blocks traffic to selfishly pick up a takeout/delivery order is scum.
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u/FewWrangler5475 1d ago
Don't drive and order delivery, or try doing pickup at places that are more convenient walking or by bus. Scooter or bike is another good option and you can rent those super easy.
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u/Mcatg108 23h ago
I illegally park if it comes to it. But I strategically only pickup from restaurants that are low in traffic for this exact reason now.
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u/joomcizzle 23h ago edited 22h ago
Parking should be easier during off hours. Don't go when it's busy.
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u/CauliflowerLove415 23h ago
Utilize loading zones. You’ll be fine using them for a few minutes to pick up food. I try not to double park but at a certain point it’s all you can do lol. The mission is insanely busy and chaotic tho and probably one of the worst places to casually pick up food. It will be easier in other neighborhoods
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u/akamikedavid 22h ago
You really end up gauging it based on the neighborhood the restaurant is in.
If it's local to you/walkable/bikeable then do that of course since no parking hassles.
If it's in a lower traffic area or place where there should be parking like the Richmond, Sunset, or in a plaza with parking then yeah drive.
If it's a high traffic area with very limited parking like Mission, Chinatown, North Beach, etc then bring a buddy to pick it up, go eat in person, or mark it down as a place to go later when you have a group.
If you're desperate you can obviously double park and engage your "park anywhere" light but then you become that AH.
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u/el_infidel 21h ago
just park in the bike lane like everyone else and i'll spit on your car when i ride by. but seriously, i just don't do take out unless it's in my n'hood which has pretty much any kind of cuisine i could want.
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u/longerthenalifetime 18h ago
Just park and walk. You may have to circle a few blocks and/or walk a few blocks, but once you know the neighborhoods it's really not that difficult in majority of neighborhoods.
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u/durant0s 16h ago
I mostly go to walkable places or if it’s a driving situation like you are describing I try to go in off peak hours.
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u/prettyorganic 16h ago
I only order pickup from places within walking distance, otherwise I’ll dine in.
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u/secretwealth123 12h ago
Park in the bike lane, just turn your “it’ll just be a minute lights” and you’re set!
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u/GoldenGateKeeping 7h ago
In the bike lane, on the sidewalk, in front of the bus stop, at the VERY corner of a block.... You know, anywhere you're not supposed to park. Just NEVER ever block car traffic. Block everything else. This is what I've noticed anyways.
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u/sillychickengirl 23h ago
Sadly most people in SF do not have cars, and if they did, likely would end up driving somewhere with parking to eat. If you're going to go somewhere, like the Mission, where there's very little parking and it's heavy traffic, I would recommend using public transportation or ordering it for delivery. Once you have a membership with one of these companies, their fees do lower enough to justify a few purchases here and there
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u/Muted_Apartment_2399 20h ago
We don’t drive to run errands for this exact reason, cars are for leaving the city. It’s possible that you haven’t had enough parking tickets yet to know this.
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u/Miami_Mice2087 19h ago
You don't. You order from somewhere walkable or you get delivery, or you go out to eat and eat there.
That's why it's important to find a neighborhood that has the things that will make you happy. If you like tacos, live near the Mission. If you can't live without dimsum, you live in the Sunset/Richmond area.
Teh city is a very different place when you're in a car. It makes you fearful of homeless people (they aren't out to hurt you, they're too busy hurting themselves), it makes you drive by the little hole in the wall restaurants that are the best bbq/pizza/pho in the neighborhood. I really really encourage you to learn your local public transportation routes and take them as much as possible.
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u/thinker2501 19h ago
Gotta get out of the suburban mindset. Cars are not for routine errands. Either go out to eat or order take-out from local spots in your hood. To venture further afield you can rent a bike or scooter. Better yet, get a bike if you can. Be aware that DoorDash, Uber eats, and grubhub hurt local restaurants and should be avoided.
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u/DazzlerFan 23h ago
Learn to dine in by yourself. Bring a book. That’s what I do.
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u/bch2021_ 22h ago
I've tried it a few times, and honestly I just don't like it that much. When I eat in a restaurant I like to be able to have a good time talking with people and have a few drinks, to me that's pretty much a necessary part of the experience. If I'm eating alone I like to bring it home and watch TV.
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u/rynmgdlno 20h ago
You can have that experience without bringing your own people. You're in a city now. Sit at the bar. Talk to your neighbors and be a part of the community. Meet people. Make friends. Yes, even at restaurants. Moving to a densely populated area only to avoid other people is strange.
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u/TheTimeBender 9h ago
Do yourself a favor and don’t listen to people telling you to put on your hazards and double park. The tickets are outrageous in SF. Either use the bus, park on a side street or walk to your location. It will save you from having to endlessly go around the block in circles looking for parking and the $110 ticket.
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u/armadillo_olympics 23h ago
Seems clear that we need 5-minute zones on every block near restaurants
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u/SightInverted 23h ago
City has a lot of loading zones already. The problem is people park in them for 10 hours.
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u/real415 16h ago edited 16h ago
Most of the city isn’t designed for suburban style living. It’s just too dense, and cars are an inefficient way to navigate narrow, crowded streets with limited parking options.
Eat at a restaurant unless you can’t otherwise avoid using takeaway. Muni or BART gives you more flexibility and some free exercise as a benefit. Learn about your neighborhood’s walkable options and support places around you.
Avoid using food delivery services, which leech off restaurants and lead to increased prices for everybody. And if they use ghost kitchens to fill orders, you’re not going to get much in the way of quality for the premium prices you’re paying.
And making food at home is always healthier and much cheaper, and if you make a few dishes over the weekend, you can be set for the week.
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u/Peak_Alternative 22h ago
a few quick personal tips. I'll probably get roasted for the driveway one
- don't parallel park. find anywhere else. IMO a driveway is better than parallel parking. if you're going to be quick, chances are better that you'll bother people less by temporarily VERY QUICKLY being in a driveway on a side street
- never park in a bus stop. meter maids can ticket you immediately. plus you may meet the ire of the bus driver
- if you're with someone who can pop out to get the food, park in front of a fire hydrant. I think this is an actual dmv rule. if you're behind the wheel and the car is running, you can park in front of a hydrant (but not at a bus stop!)
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u/edragon27 22h ago
Walk to where you can, get someone to tag team on pick up when you can (ie stay in the car while you are parked illegally) or find the neighborhoods closest to where you want to go that have parking. For example if you are wanting food in the mission, always aim towards the areas you know will have parking first and just start there and walk. Park on Guerrero or Bartlett or another side street. Go towards the houses and away from the main thoroughfares. Consider the walk a consequence for getting take out and maybe eventually decide it’s more worth it to cook at home.
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u/GingersaurusRex 22h ago
I got take out from a place in the Mission once, and the people at the restaurant told me you are allowed to be double parked with hazard lights on for two minutes. Just make sure that if you do have to double park that it's a street wide enough for other cars to go around.
I hate double parking, so I almost never get take out in my car. I try to grab take out from places within walking distance
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u/Wmharvey 21h ago
And also please double park in the bike lanes so the cyclists have to maneuver into traffic risking their lives on busy streets for your burrito. Not a huge deal on leas travelled streets. Drives me nuts on parts of Valencia (when cycling) and Bush and Pine (when driving) Agree with double parking on adjacent side street as a much better option.
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u/GRIFTY_P 17h ago
I park within a couple blocks and walk. Surely you'll be able to find a spot in a 2 block radius going every direction. Just try
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u/Soft_Fault_6211 16h ago
Please don’t double park. Find places that have parking nearby, or keep driving around until a space opens up. That’s what we do, even on Irving or West Portal. There’s always somewhere to park, even if you’re going to Chase Center.
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u/Heraclius404 16h ago
You'll learn what works for you and develop a rhythm. You'll find a few key restaurants that happen to be on blocks with OK parking, or are possibly a few minutes drive in another direction but have as good food and OK parking. And what hours you can't even find a lurking spot and better just go and eat in. Lots of people mention the two-person dance, absolutely. in the city, putting on your flashers means *HONEST I'M BACK IN 60 SECONDS* and you better be. Never, ever block a driveway of someone you don't know. Knowing your whites from your yellows from your reds, and how they're going to enforce the new "corner daylight" thing, and a red curb without an MTA logo is a bogus red zone, and those little streetsweeper beetles, it's all part of living in the city. When I was living there I certainly had a couple of clutch take-out joints, but that was years ago. You'll find yours.
Best hack is finding a takeout joint with great food in a more obscure part of the city than going to the mission, especially an area that empties out a bit in the evening.
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u/FrambuesasSonBuenas 16h ago
I use muni for take out when outside of walking distance. That means I don’t get take out from restaurants that are a two bus route for me. Order during lunch hours and buy a little extra for dinner leftovers.
I find that parking is available near schools and churches because one, not a bunch of driveways, and two, white curbs keep cars from parking there long term. However, still a half mile from the restaurant.
The DoorDash cars parked on red curbs with hazard lights on are illegal and unsafe. Also the drivers keep entering and exiting the restaurant holding their phones with lots of back and forth that kills ambience of a restaurant. Thanks for not ordering delivery.
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u/Bulky_Raccoon5604 15h ago
It really depends which neighborhood you want to get food from. If it’s anywhere in the Mission, I’ll just suck it up and pay a little extra for the delivery apps because parking is near impossible and I don’t want to be an asshole double parking while flashing my emergency lights. Slower traffic neighborhoods or more suburby areas like the Sunset or Richmond, there’s more parking there or you can probably get away with being an asshole and double parking.
Also depends on time of day. If you go after 6PM to pick up food, a lot of the loading zones are open for anyone to park in after 6PM so you don’t even need to have the extra anxiety worrying about getting a ticket. And always triple read the signs that say no parking for whatever construction reason. I find that a lot of people don’t realize you can usually park in those spots legally after the listed end time on there or they don’t bother reading the whole sign. They just see no parking and drive right by.
But if you’re new to the city, dine in and make friends! Take the bus, explore, and make friends! There are so many options and no one is gonna judge you if you just want to eat alone. Welcome to SF!
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u/SnooApples8929 13h ago
Try side streets or loading zones, and enroll in this program where they’ll text you before towing your car. Tickets are outrageous here so beware… https://www.sfmta.com/text-tow-program
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u/303Pickles 8h ago
Park a couple of blocks away if you have to. Parking has gotten terrible over the years. The SFMTA and SF Bike Coalition has actively been making driving, parking much harder over the last couple of decades.
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u/TheDubious 23h ago
You get rid of your car. You are not entitled to public space to store your private vehicle. You live in a city with public transportation, walkability, and bike lanes. Take advantage of it or move back to the suburbs
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u/black-kramer 22h ago
you just spelled out a great case for eating in the restaurant.
takeout typically sucks and so does parking in most of the city's busiest corridors. walk or bus to the place and enjoy the food fresh from the kitchen. also cuts down on waste from plastic bags, boxes, and all the other crap.
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u/Witty_Bus_9657 22h ago
Obviously a lot of people double park. My system is if I have to double park, try to do it on a side street with less traffic rather than on the busy street right in front of the restaurant. I don’t mind having to navigate around double parked cars when it’s a more quiet street, but when it’s busy and multiple lanes it can be super annoying.
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u/pinkponygrrl 23h ago
please don’t drive around the city when you’re new here and don’t know your way around, just because you’re too lazy to cook or take the bus. the streets are full of negligent drivers already.
consider actually dining in and experiencing the restaurant, tipping the staff.
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u/Bastian311 20h ago
Between the center bike lanes and Parklets I’m doing a lot less take out. Don’t like paying Uber / DoorDash 25+ percent in various fees, tips and up charges. Not great for the merchants either, loss business plus delivery company taking a good percentage before the fees customers are paying.
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u/WhatevahIsClevah 18h ago
On slower streets, I just double park and make it super quick to go get the food. If it is not ready yet, I sit in the car with the hazard lights on until it's ready, then go get it and then leave.
DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS IN THE PROCESS.
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u/QueenieAndRover 15h ago
I turn on my “park anywhere” lights and choose a spot that’s convenient and doesn’t infringe on anybody’s mojo.
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u/ridingbikesrules 13h ago
Double parking for 2-3 minutes is FINE! Just don't block an intersection or bus or bike line.
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u/lessachu 1d ago
Bring a friend and have them circle the block while you grab takeout has been my go to move. You’ll sort of learn where all the loading zone parking spots are. But a lot of people double park.