Eastbay1K

You are also right down the street from Perbacco, Barbacco, and Tadich Grill - not to mention just a few more blocks to the Ferry Building, and not a far walk up to North Beach. I've had a few great dinners at Perbacco ($$$$) and several at its more casual cousin Barbacco ($$) and recommend them both. Tadich is a "San Francisco World Famous" place for fish - a step back in time (save the prices) and a worthwhile stop.

USA_flyer

Those restaurants look amazing. I might actually be able to persuade the family into Barbacco!

Thanks for the tip!

I don't suppose you know of any decent sandwich bars downtown, for lunchtime eats?

mjm

The Chinatown proximity is a definite bonus. Some great eating happening there.

USA_flyer

Love Chinese food. Any recommendations on that too please?

mjm

I am sure many folks here will have plenty of good suggestions, but one right off the top of my head near your hotel is Sam Wo for fried rice. Pretty well regarded and I think it is some of the best I've had. Come out of the hotel, turn right up California to Kearney which is the next street (if you ignore the small side street called Spring St. which is actually just before Kearney). Right there for 3 blocks to Clay. Turn left and it is just on your left. Maybe a 5 minute walk on very safe streets. If you carry on straight from there to the top of the block you reach Grant St. which is the main (for a pun, shall we say "mein") street of Chinatown. Too many choices there

Alternate route: Left out of the hotel, go along Montgomery St. for 3 blocks to Clay and go left there for 1 block and Sam Wo is just across the intersection at Kearney on your left. This route has you at the base of the Transamerica Tower on the corner of Montgomery and Clay. Photo opp!

USA_flyer

My goodness Sam Wo looks good. And so reasonably priced!

Eastbay1K

You have just lost your last remaining SF cred. Grant is an Avenue!
I've not had any Chinese type food in SF Chinatown for probably 15 years or more, so I don't have any recs in that department.

Eastbay1K

Those that I know who are working (albeit still not daily) in the Financial District have been commenting on the lack of such places, as many are gone forever, or their temporary closures are extending into possible forever. I expect that you'll find something suitable in or very close to Embarcadero Center or the Ferry Building. Boudin Bakery should still make you a decent sandwich (and should still have locations @ Macy's and Embarcadero Center). I'd also ask for some Banh Mi shop recs. You might consider the unsavory walk to Saigon Sandwich. It also looks like Lee's Deli has reopened their locations in the Financial District area for the weekday lunch "crowds." https://www.leesdeli.com/location .

Xlr

Others here might disagree but I quite like Mendocino Farms. They are a chain, not a local spot, but I've never disliked their food. They have two locations downtown I think.

If you're willing to walk a bit west, check out The Sentinel. And if you're willing to go further north, Molinari's sandwiches are very good.

mjm

I am East Bay. Oakland born, but came up in Berkeley. :-) to be specific. No whiners, Giants, etc. for me. Street, avenue on that side of the bay is irrelevant. When I was a kid you drove under the arch on Grant pulled over to left, gave your fireworks order (M-8-s, how many bricks of firecrackers, bottle rockets, cherry bombs etc.) and then pulled up a little bit to wait for the guy with the brown bag of illegal fireworks to whom you handed a wad of cash.

DELee

So that's why the Berkeley Hills are burned over every other year...

David

Eastbay1K

There's some saying out there, no reflection on said former East Bay resident, that goes something like "Once a Raiders fan, always an illegal firecracker buyer.".

KathyWdrf

(Bolding mine)

I know where you're coming from (), and I must protest. There are numbered streets and numbered avenues in San Francisco, and they are NOT the same, nor are they even in the same part of town. Ninth Street is NOT Ninth Avenue. (Just so the out-of-towners don't get hopelessly lost in SF.)

TWA884

One of my go to sources when it comes to food is Eater.

Take a look at this map/guide; The Sentinel and Molinari Delicatessen, which are mentioned above, are both listed:

KathyWdrf

Not really a "sandwich bar" (if there is such a thing in the U.S.), a place that I like and have eaten at recently (so I know it's still good) is The Grove at 690 Mission St. near Third St. It's one of a small local chain of two (formerly four, I believe, but the others were done in by the pandemic). You order at the counter, then sit at a table and your food is brought to you.

The Grove SF - Thoughtfully Crafted Comfort Food