05/19/08

yum

by ninaGi

great location. good tasty menu. great prices and good staff. You can't go wrong with a sandwich and glass of wine outside on a warm day facing the park. Just lovely.

• Pros: location, price
• Cons: sometimes a bit slow

03/10/08

Good sandwiches and coffee!

by dcsouthbay

We've been to Mario's several times and it's usually been a great experience. It's located on the edge of Washington Square, so good people watching. It's VERY small. Table are best suited for 2-3 people, so don't plan to come with a large group. They don't really have a full-kitchen but cook some excellent sandwiches in an oven in the bar area that gives the entire place a great aroma. Paninnis (sp?) are great, but I'd stay away from the Italian sausage with polenta -- it's nothing special. We've also had a late night coffee and dessert at Marios. Coffee is always excellent. We had a delicious chocolate cake on one trip and the next time it was only so-so. My guess is that it might've been a few days old the 2nd time.

• Pros: Fun, one of a kind place with great sandwiches and coffees
• Cons: Small and a limited menu.

11/13/06

Great panini and casual for anytime

by sfconnoisseur

This place is a favorite standby in North Beach. The name is a bit confusing, since it doesn't appear to have anything to do with cigar's anymore. The food is cheap and simple. I really recommend any of the panini's, the Combo being my fave. I always have a house Campari, like to sit in the little corner table watching people on both Union and Columbus Streets. It's usually busy, but cozily so, and many people go there for a beer or snack after spending a day in the park across the street. Always a pleasant experience.

• Pros: panini, people, location
• Cons: hilariously tacky 60's decor

10/10/06

fun spot

by audreyjl

this is a good weekend hangout on a nice day. It's right in the heart of north beach, has outside tables where you can enjoy a sandwich, coffee or wine. Cute neighborhood atmosphere and you're bound to meet some fun people if you hang out long enough.

• Pros: location, atmosphere

07/27/06

nice neighborhood joint

by maudi

Great place to spend a saturday afternoon eating a small lunch/ drinking coffee/ wine/ beer. Small place, but pretty cozy. down to earth, great location by park.

• Pros: neighborhood
• Cons: none

07/04/06

Wonderful ambience

by daughteire

If you're in the area, you should stop by. The place has loads of personality, and it serves food, too (unlike some other bars in the area).

03/09/05

Mario's service and food is slipping

by chicdeluxe

This old north beach restaurant has been slipping over the past few years.... they've lost one of their best counter staff people and the replacements are often inattentive and the food is often overcooked or undercooked.... which is too bad, because this used to be my favorite place in town.

Hopefully they will get their act back together.

01/17/05

go for the coffee

by jewelz129

Coffee was great! Bf and I shared the meatball foccacia sandwich..which was OK. Thought the bread was a tad stale...not a whole lot of meat. For $8.75, expected something a little better. Skip the sandwich and just get the coffee. Maybe try L'osteria for their foccacia sandwiches instead. Waitstaff was slow too...

• Pros: good coffee

09/11/04

Great meatball sandwich

by oldpompous

Can't vouch for food other than the meatball sandwich, but the eggplant sandwich looked good. Place is charming and staff is friendly and efficient, if harried. Can't wait to go back.

• Pros: Good sandwiches, lively atmosphere, competent staff

06/10/04

Diners sip a cappuccino and watch the world go by at this beloved North Beach hangout.

by Kim Cooper

The Scene
There are two murals in this neighborhood haunt: one of Rome, the other San Francisco, and Mario's reflects the casual, sociable air of both cities. The narrow, triangular-shaped space is perpetually packed with talkative locals, with a single row of tables pushed up against the windows overlooking Washington Square. A cappuccino machine constantly sputters in the background.

The Food
For a filling yet cheap lunch, the heavenly focaccia sandwiches are hard to beat. If there's a more poetic sandwich experience than the grilled eggplant--perfectly caramelized yet still soft within, wafting a delicate vinegar scent that meets the yeasty, oniony toast smell of the bread, warm and squishy and soft and earthy--it will likely be found in heaven. Paper-thin pizzas, generously dotted with toppings such as freshly grilled chicken and peppers, are also crowd pleasers. End the lunchtime repast with a slightly sweet ricotta and apple cake and a perfect frothy cappuccino.