Lahore Karahi

(Tenderloin)
612 O'Farrell St.  
415-567-8603 Map it

$-$$
Indian
cheap eats, family style, good for groups, kid-friendly, lunch, open 7 days, open kitchen, take-out

SCENE: One of the many Pakistani joints in the ’Loin, this intimate spot differentiates itself with full table service and a dedicated owner—Guddu Zulsiqar—who runs his restaurant like a one-man band. Everything is made to order in the open kitchen, so this is no curry in a hurry—schedule in some extra time, and prepare to smell like a tandoor oven for the remainder of the day.

EATS: Lahore specializes in solidly home-style food of the Punjab region, and although the menu offers the usual curries and biriyanis, it also has a few stars, such as a sizzling platter of tandoori fish, fragrant with a “secret spice” blend, tart with lemon and showered with shredded cabbage, as well as the off-the-menu goat and beef curries (available with advance notice).