House of Prime Rib

House of Prime Rib opened in 1949 and is a true San Francisco landmark, a dinner-only restaurant devoted to one thing: roast prime rib of beef, carved at your table. The ritual of the meal, with the beef carved beside your table, is as much part of the appeal as the food.

The beef arrives on stainless steel carts and is carved to your specifications. There are four cuts to choose from: the City Cut, a smaller portion for lighter appetites; the House of Prime Rib Cut, a hearty serving; the English Cut, sliced thinner; and the King Henry VIII Cut, a thick and extra-generous slice. Every prime rib dinner comes with a salad of seasonal greens prepared at the table with the house dressing, a choice of mashed or baked potato, Yorkshire pudding, creamed spinach made with fresh cream and bacon, and fresh cream of horseradish sauce. If someone in your group does not eat beef, ask about the fresh fish of the day.

This is a classic place for a celebration, a family dinner or a first night in the city. There is a children's prime rib dinner for those aged eight and under, which includes milk and ice cream, so it works well for families. Even the City Cut comes with the full set of accompaniments, so come hungry. If you are torn between cuts, the English Cut gives thinner slices, while the King Henry VIII Cut is for the very hungry. The menu is built around beef, so if anyone in your party has dietary needs, check with the restaurant when you book.

Dinner is served from 5pm to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 4pm to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tables are in high demand, especially at weekends, so book ahead by phone or through OpenTable. If your preferred time is full, ask about earlier or later tables, as service runs until 10pm every night.

The restaurant is at 1906 Van Ness Avenue, between Washington and Jackson streets. The restaurant offers a map link on its website for directions, and a taxi or ride-hailing car is the simplest way to get back to a downtown hotel after a large dinner.