Alex
Google
As a third-generation San Francisco native, I’ve seen the City change a lot over the years, but I’m so grateful that Mario’s has remained a constant. It’s the epitome of old-school SF- unpretentious, welcoming, and a space everyone can feel at home.
For anyone who doesn’t know, it’s been family-owned and operated for over 50 years, and the dedication they put into their business shows.
Now, let’s talk about the FOOD!! You really can‘t go wrong with anything on their menu, it’s all so good! My personal favorites are the Chicken #2, any of the paninis seriously, the breaded eggplant, all of their salads with bacon or chicken added, and their meatball sandwich (meatballs and marinara made from scratch😍). And, don’t get me started on the heaven that is their tiramisu! I can be picky, but I’ve never had something at Mario’s that I didn’t want to eat on repeat.
I’ve seen a few comments about the service being slow at times, and I’ll say this: Mario’s is run by a small but mighty team- never more than 3 people on shift (due to limited space) - who are juggling EVERYTHING indoor and out with hustle. This isn’t fast food. It’s real food, made by a family that genuinely cares about what they put on your plate. And in all realness, if eating quality food isn’t a priority for you or you’re deeply impatient/ have attitude issues (like other reviewers sound), then go somewhere else and just have regrets later🤷♀️
Beyond and above all, Mario’s is more than just a café, it’s a living piece of San Francisco history. If you haven’t been yet, you should change that! Until then, you’re missing out…big time!