Hot Spud's Steak Spud

Wilhelm Y./Yelp

The Steak Spud ($8.95).

​Simone Powers, Edip Kurtcu, and Cemil Erzincanli opened their Fisherman's Wharf baked-potato quick-serve two weeks ago. Powers, who's cooked at Cafe Gratitude, spearheaded Hot Spud's largely gluten-free menu. The concept: mega, 12-ounce russet potatoes cooked in a convection oven till extra fluffy, and even the skins (a potato's most nutritious part) end up soft.

Tamara Palmer

​Hot Spud's concept is genius in a way. Nearby residents should be happy to have access to food that's fresh, relatively healthy, and un-seafood-y, despite the slightly high price point, while adventure-fearing tourists hungry for a steak and potato can get both here in one package. Caution: Hot Spud's creations are incredibly filling. Paired with a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale from the refrigerator case, they're downright nap-inducing.

As a nod to the neighborhood last week, we tried the Wharf: threads and a few chunks of crab meat with lemon beurre blanc, corn, and red and green onions. Also the Steak Spud, cubes of grilled meat with Alfredo sauce, mushrooms, peas, black olives, corn, and green onions. Both inspired gobbling. For dessert, we were offered a sample of sweet potato brownies beautifully marbled with orange. They tasted as cloying as we thought they'd be.

Hot Spud: 2640 Mason (at Jefferson), 399-1065.