Odd request for a "bar & grill" [San Francisco]

We have some midwestern friends that just moved to town and want us to pick out someplace for our Saturday night dinner plans. They've requested someplace casual, "like a bar & grill". I'm not against this type of food, but AM against restaurants that don't take reservations. I'm also not a fan of restaurants that turn into a bar scene later at night. Any ideas for where to go in the city? I'm stumped on this one.