Jason F.
Yelp
A great affordable place for sandwiches and sweets off the beaten path of San Francisco's Union Square, Mellis Cafe recently opened on the corner of Ellis and Cyril Magnin Streets in what was once an establishment called Daniel's Cafe. I give the owners of Mellis Cafe for even trying to open a new cafe for coffee, sandwich, and sweet lovers from all around in these trying times in a section of town that could certainly use a little more attention from the city and visitors alike. Nevertheless they are trying to make a go of it, and with extended hours to boot, Mellis Cafe is a great alternative to those many restaurants and bars that are either too much for the wallet to bear or too crowded for those who want to get in and get out and back to the safe environs of their hotel room. What brought me here on a weekend afternoon was the fact that I was seeing a show at the nearby Curran Theatre and once that show was completed, I had a bit of a sweet tooth that needed to be satiated and where do I turn to first but my trusty Yelp app, as I was looking to get a meal that had something that was both savory and sweet. One of the top choices that popped up as I walked around Union Square was that of Mellis Cafe, which was a business that I was not familiar with, as of course they were still new.
Look for the bright red awning for Mellis Cafe, and you are there, as they have a very small storefront, with some cafe tables for seating in front of their open store front. The menu at Mellis Cafe is separated into categories including Hot Drinks, Cold Drinks, Bagels, Sandwiches, Ice Cream, Smoothies and Juices. Since I came for something savory, I knew I wanted to nosh on a sandwich, and I asked their representative / owner Amine who told me that Marinated Chicken was a sandwich favorite, there was something about their Roast Beef sandwich that was calling my name, and when serving on my choice of a French Roll and with my choice of pepperjack cheese, along with lettuce, sliced tomatoes, red onions, pickles and pepperoncini. Since I still had to satisfy my sweet tooth, I realized that the owners were of Mediterranean ancestry as they had a plethora of sliced baklavas and other sweet treats. I was convinced to try a bite of their Chocolate Baklava and a slice of their Mango Turkish Delight. My large sandwich, which was cut in half, cost an even 10 dollars, while my two small treat cost a total of $9.98, which led my total bill to be $20.84 before gratuity was added in, which was on the pricier side, but well worth it once I got home and ate my fulfilling meal.
Once I was able to open my lunch, I realized how thoughtfully prepared everything was from the sandwich, with its bulk and heartiness to my two desserts which were handcrafted with the love of culture and tradition with every bite. Each half of my sandwich was like a full meal on its own as the combination of generous slices of roast beef, cheese, vegetables and the French roll were the perfect summation of what a sandwich should be. What was so surprising was that the desserts that they serve at Mellis Cafe were so real and tempting, as neither were overly sweet but both very satisfying. I do wish the baklava piece was a bit larger, but the Turkish delight was a real surprise as the nicely sized bar was enough for a few nibbles here and there. I cannot wait to return to Mellis Cafe and try more of their wonderful sandwiches, including pastrami and tuna, not to mention their bagel sandwiches, as their eggs, cheese and ham looks to quench any appetite. With freshly crafted sundaes and smoothies, Mellis Cafe is a place where tourists and locals alike can find the perfectly quick and satisfying meal that won't break the bank, and to be able to support a new locally owned and operated business that has opened in an area that could use the attention, it's a win-win situation.
