Reasons to Come Back

Waikiki last July: we skipped it because of the line.

We discovered Waikiki's Marukame Udon in 2012, and the combination of freshness, cafeteria-style (select the udon, tempura, and spiciness that you want), price, and location made it a favorite stop on every trip back to the Islands. Apparently it's become a popular destination for other tourists, as well as locals, and recently we've had to forego visits.

Our lunch at Marugame Udon

No worries. We discovered a Marugame Udon while checking out the remodeled Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco. It's nearly identical to the Honolulu branch, whose ambience we prefer slightly, but the lines are much shorter here. Advantage: San Francisco.

(Why the Honolulu outlet is spelled with a "k" instead of a "g" is a slight puzzle.)

Perhaps competition is the reason the lines are shorter at Stonestown: it has become a culinary destination.

In recent years, the 66-year-old mall in the Outer Avenues has quickly and quietly become a top culinary destination in San Francisco, thanks to a flood of new restaurants that have brought crowds ready to line up for freshly made noodles, fruity boba tea and, most recently, Japanese souffle pancakes.

There are plenty of reasons to stay away from San Francisco, but places like Gram Cafe & Pancakes and Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks are reasons to come back.