Welcome to City's Choice Cafe
City's Choice Cafe is a charming deli nestled in the heart of San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood. Celebrated for its welcoming atmosphere, it offers a delightful selection of delicious sandwiches, hot dogs, and homemade Chinese food specialties. The café prides itself on affordability, with options like the pastrami Reuben and fresh vegetarian sandwiches drawing praise from locals. Patrons appreciate the convenience of grabbing a quick, satisfying bite while shopping for their essentials. Friendly service from owner Kenny adds to the experience, creating a true neighborhood gem where quality food and a dash of nostalgia come together. Discover the flavors that make City's Choice Cafe a cherished staple.
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301 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94107 Hotline: (415) 896-1888
Welcome to City's Choice Cafe, a delightful gem nestled in the heart of San Francisco at 301 5th St. This charming deli stands out in the bustling SoMa neighborhood, offering a unique mix of freshly prepared sandwiches, breakfast items, and even a selection of Chinese cuisine. With its comfy, no-frills ambiance, it’s the perfect spot for those seeking a quick yet satisfying meal.
From the moment you step inside, you'll be greeted by the welcoming aroma of toasted bread and grilled proteins. The menu boasts a variety of delicious options, including:
- Sandwiches: Try the signature Firesmith Caprese, Smoked Ham & Swiss, or Pastrami Reuben for a flavorful feast.
- Breakfast & Specialty Items: For breakfast lovers, the Breakfast Sandwich, Bagel with Cream Cheese, or a classic BLT are excellent choices.
- Hot Dogs/Links: The Jumbo Hot Dog and Hot Link are popular picks that hit the spot any time of the day.
What truly sets City’s Choice Cafe apart is its commitment to quality and affordability. Customers rave about the great prices—most sandwiches range from $4.75 to $8, providing fantastic value in a city known for its high cost of living. For example, Tiana T. commended the quick service, stating she walked away with a hearty pastrami sandwich, soda, and chips for just $14, demonstrating how you can enjoy a delicious lunch without breaking the bank.
Additionally, the cafe features a well-curated selection of snacks and drinks, making it a perfect stop for stocking up on essentials too. As several reviews highlight, the owner may not be the chattiest person, but he certainly goes above and beyond for customers, with many sharing fond anecdotes of how he's helped them out in small yet meaningful ways.
If you're after a true taste of New York's deli culture while in California, this spot could be just what you’re looking for. The locals have embraced City’s Choice Cafe as a staple, and it consistently draws a crowd during lunch hours. As Darien J. aptly noted, it’s a comforting throwback to the Brooklyn delis of the past, minus the bodega cat but full of charm and character.
In summary, if you’re in the SoMa area and searching for a quick, delicious meal without the hassle of fine dining, be sure to pay a visit to City's Choice Cafe. With its extensive menu, friendly service, and reasonable prices, it’s sure to become your new go-to spot.
Great little spot in SoMa for some no frills lunch. You can get a toasted sandwich from the counter and then grab whatever else you need from the store while you wait. I was out of there with soda, chips, and a pastrami sandwich for like $14.
The food here is fire and well priced, and I enjoy picking up snacks from here. If you're hungry for a quick bite, like a bagel, sandwich, or a hot dog, support small business and drop by here.
One time I needed 1 more egg for a recipe and the owner sold me 1 individual egg. Goes above and beyond if you ask but just isn't very talkative. Not many places in the city you can get a toasted sandwich for $6.50. Drinks are a little more expensive than places like target but cheaper than most of the corner stores/markets in San Francisco. Get the pastrami with provolone on Dutch crunch.
Pretty normal deli. I'm from Brooklyn NY and this is the closest to what I'm accustomed to back home (no bodega cat ) The hours fluctuate sometimes. It's usually open until 10 pm on Fridays & Saturdays, but on a rainy day or a slow Sunday, they will for sure close before 9 pm.
Very convenient corner store with lots of drink/snack options. They serve home cooked chinese food during lunch and sell sandwiches any time of the day. The owner Kenny is not very talkative but once you become a regular he's friendly. The hours are pretty random. Sometimes they close early, sometimes close late, sometimes not open. Regardless, big fan of this place. Reminds me of a solid new york bodega
Solid little corner store. Has a nice selection of wine and beers that aren't ridiculously overpriced. There's also a drudged section of alcohol too. The store closes at 10pm on Friday and Saturday so it's perfect to pick up any last minute house party contributions. I've never ordered food from them, but there's a significant line that often forms in the afternoon when people arrive for the lunchtime rush. Given all of the options at the mall nearby, this place must really stand out judging by the size of the group it consistently draws. The owner is your typical Chinese man of few words. He comes off as disapproving dad whenever I'm there to stock up on alcohol, but I'm glad he recognizes and acknowledges me each time. You won't get five star friendly service, but you won't get a bunch of small talk either.
A great, affordable corner store in SOMA, this odd little shop offers more then shelf stable food, drinks and the odd grocery. It has a deli counter and a small Chinese food counter. The deli counter has a good selection of sandwiches, even good vegetarian sandwiches. The liver wurst or mortadella never disappoints, and the pesto cheese sandwich is delicious. You can add avocado and sprout to everything as well, in true Californian spirit. The Chinese food counter usually has 1-2 specials, and they have fried rice, fried noodles and steamed rice in the back. The specials can range from roast chicken to meat and veggie stir fry. One time there was curry chicken even. In my opinion, it beats Panda Express in quality and quantity - probably super cheap because of the limited choice. A sandwich ranges from $4.75 to $8 depending on how much stuff you pile on. The small size Chinese food is enough to feed a reasonable appetite and that is a steal at $4. They also take all major credit cards including AmEx. It is amazing to find these prices and quality in SF nowadays, and remains a lunch staple for me.