To Do San Francisco
Things to do in San Francisco, California
To Do San Francisco
Al Hamra Indian Restaurant's Tandoori Chicken! March 10, 2026
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Mentioned in this episode:
- You make me feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester music video on YouTube
- Al Hamra Indian Pizza & Curry restaurant
Check out past episodes of this podcast at the To Do San Francisco podcast archive.
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Howdy, friend, this is Jamie, and you're listening to the To Do San Francisco podcast for Tuesday, March 10th, 2026. If yesterday was about getting your footing, today is about finding your flow. The song in my mind today is Mighty Real by Sylvester. I have a link to the music video on YouTube in the show notes. Now, before we talk about one of the most iconic smells on 16th Street in the mission, let's ground ourselves. Repeat this affirmation with me. I am allowed to take up space. I am allowed to slow down in a fast moving world. Today I will nourish my body and my spirit with the same curiosity I bring to this city. Now if you've spent any time in the mission, you know that the stretch of 16th Street between Mission and Valencia is a gauntlet of sensory overload, but there's one specific aroma, charred charcoal, cumin, and ginger that has been a north star for locals for decades. I'm talking about Al Hamra, Indian and Pakistani. In a neighborhood that's seen massive shifts over the last few years, Al Hamra remains that beautiful, no frills constant. It's not about the aesthetic. It's about the Tandoor. The star of the show at Al Hamra, in my humble opinion, is and always will be the Tandoori chicken. First, the chicken is marinated in that deep crimson yogurt spice blend that hits the back of your throat just right. You can actually see the chefs working the clay ovens from outside on the sidewalk looking through the window. That high heat blast gives the chicken those signature charred leopard spots while keeping the inside juicy. Do not skip the garlic nan bread. They slap it right onto the side of the tandoor oven wall, and it comes to your table bubbling and glistening. One of the best things about Al Hamra is its reliability. They are open daily from 11 AM until at least 11 PM, but on many nights, especially as the neighborhood wakes up, you'll find them slinging curry and those famous Indian pizzas as late as midnight or so. It is the ultimate post Castro show or post bar sanctuary. Since we're talking about a high traffic possibly order at the counter to go instead of eating in kind of spot, today's tip is about the cue etiquette. When you're at a place like Al Hamra during the rush to get something to go, be ready when you hit the front of the line. If you're still deciding between the lamb Karahi or the Saag Paneer, let the person behind you go first. Also, once you're done eating, try to be mindful of those waiting on a table if you happen to eat in. A quick we're just heading out with a smile goes a long way in keeping the vibes high and the table turnover smooth. That's it for today's episode. Go get some spice in your life, stay kind to your neighbors, and I'll be back tomorrow to talk about one of my favorite sandwich shops. Thanks for listening, San Francisco.