 |
| Box Burger w/ bacon, spinach, crispy shallots | Chicken in Waffles w/Sriracha maple syrup |
San Francisco has two categories of great food. One is comprised of high-end restaurants, run by world-famous chefs and boasting Michelin Stars. The other is comprised of local Hidden Gems. Many of these Hidden Gems are tucked away out of the limelight but worth their weight in gold. Box is one of these Hidden Gems.
 |
|
This is not a sit-down restaurant. It is a trendy hole-in-the-wall joint with a friendly, engaging staff and colorful lights that fade in and out through the entire color spectrum.
|
As you wait for your food, it isn’t unheard of to mingle with the patrons around you. People of all ages and styles were there the night we went – from young hipsters to older San Franciscans. All were friendly and excited for their food. Some were Box regulars. I happened to meet someone with the same name as me, which was fun. She said that maybe we were twins and I was the light side and she was the dark. You never know who you’ll meet in the city. The wait wasn’t long, about 10 or 15 minutes – just long enough to meet some new people but not so long that you’re ready to run.
 |
| Box Burger – Grand Schmitz Ranch Chuck Burger w/ bacon shallot gastrique, white cheddar, spinach, tomato, crispy shallots, potato pepper bun |
Feast your eyes on this! When I mention San Francisco’s Hidden Gems, this is what I’m talking about. I ordered the Box Burger – which consisted of Grand Schmitz Ranch Chuck, bacon shallot gastrique, white cheddar cheese, spinach, tomato, crispy shallots, all enclosed in a delicious potato pepper bun. When was the last time you got a burger with fried shallots and true leafy spinach greens like this? Usually they just slap on some iceberg lettuce, devoid of any real nutritional value or flavor and call it a day! The Box Burger I ordered was absolutely PACKED with flavor, and interesting tones I had not previously tasted on a burger. The crispy shallots and bacon shallot gastrique gave it a truly earthy, rich flavor. It really hit the spot.
 |
| Chicken IN Waffles & Sriracha Maple Syrup |
Michelle ordered the equally delectable Chicken in Waffles. Nope, that was not a typo – Chicken IN Waffles. As in, the waffles had chicken inside of them. If this wasn’t enough of a treat, they came with a side of Sriracha Maple Syrup! I don’t even like hot sauce, and I have to admit I loved this combination. Though I question how it first came about – who dared combine the two?? Defying all logic, the sweet maple mixes well with the spicy Sriracha sauce, giving a great kick to the classic chicken and waffles. The perfect late-night snack.
Perfect! On the universal scale of enjoyable customer service, Box ranks on the complete opposite end from my previous post of Farmer Brown. The man who took our order was friendly, exuded happiness and chatted and joked with us as we waited for our food to be ready. Box was busy that night, which doesn’t surprise me after tasting their innovative and delicious food. Even so, the server engaged all customers with a smile and made them feel comfortable. This is how service should be, I thought to myself. The cooks in the back were laughing and seemed to be enjoying themselves as well, and the radio played fun songs in the background.
I cannot recommend Box enough – their menu is innovative, delicious, and reasonably priced, and their service manages to match this quality. My only suggestion would be to come in a car or cab. Don’t walk or bus it to the area, especially if you aren’t from the city and especially at night. It’s not the best neighborhood for a stroll, but perfectly fine for a quick bite.