Molinari Delicatessen

11/23/08

Great Sandwich Shop

by mahadragon

I've eaten at many of the small mom and pop stores, and some in San Francisco. Some of my best experiences have been at Mr Pickles, A.G. Ferrari, Lunardi's, Piazza's, Lucca Deli, and others that escape my mind. This one is right up there with the best. I've eaten here more than 3 times and the sandwiches are always very good to awesome. Might depend on what sandwich you order if you feel you are not getting a good experience.

The salami here is perhaps the best in the state of California if not the west coast. It is so reknowned that you see Napa wineries selling Molinari's Salami as well as chains like Mollie Stone and Lunardi's. If you order a salami sandwich the salami itself is an experience, Their other meats, cheese, real sun dried tomatoes, and sourdough bread are also oustanding so I completely disagree that this place is overrated. Lots of people just don't understand a truly good sandwich experience. You slab a bunch of mustard and mayo on a dutch crunch roll, fill it up with pickles, onions, slice of tomato and half way decent piece of meat and they think they're in heaven. The special taste of the meats and ingredients at Molinari's is subtle, it's the little qualities that make it stand out from the pack.

My dad used to take me here when I was little and he'd buy me a pastrami sandwich and they always tasted so good. Now I'm 38 and they still taste awesome, although the menu has changed. You don't stay in business this long in the heart of North Beach and Chinatown by putting out mediocre quality. If it was mediocre everybody would know it and nobody would stand in line for 45 minutes. This place has character and all the food they sell has just as much.

I agree they could use some updates in their sanitation methods but to some people that's a make or break thing and it's probably why they got a bad review. To me, they are old school and I'm an old school person so it doesn't bother me. A little bacteria never hurt anybody.

• Pros: Awesome sandwich experience! Especially the Salami
• Cons: bit pricey, but this is SF, could wash hands more.

05/06/08

Salami, Salami, Salami

by Lynnette001

San Francisco is my ancestral homeland. Whenever my little french grandma came to San Diego to visit, she brought a Molinari salami and a Boudain loaf of sourdough. They have the best salami anywhere. We order to be shipped to San Diego if no one is traveling to San Francisco.

• Pros: Hard to find going by some one else's directions
• Cons: Once found - best salami in the state

04/17/07

VERY OVERATED !

by sammy71

I have been to this place three times, each time I was disapointed and really couldn't see what the hype was all about. I love a good sandwich and this place is mediocre at best. You could make a better sandwich at home. There are usually 3-4 people behind the counter at Molinari's and they all seem to think it is OK to handle cash and then go right back to making a sandwich without washing hands or wearing gloves or anything. The best places to get a sandwich in this city will always go under the radar. For a far better sandwich experience try Noe Valley Deli on 24th Street or Good Luck Cafe on kearny Street near commercial.