"When you want to sit in a real chair (lumbar support is important, OK?) as opposed to a bar stool, head to this Tenderloin spot for your solo lunch. The Vietnamese restaurant has two levels, and all tables are usually packed midday with folks taking down entire bowls of phở or pouring nước chấm over vermicelli bowls. Walk in, pick the bún riêu or crisp bánh xèo off the menu of nearly 75 items, and enjoy it in silence while you contemplate signing up for another Volo league. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez