Franchino

07/04/09

Highly not recommended for non-white people

by Jennygurl at Citysearch

I came there with friend (we're Asian and the only non-white at that time) & Franchino pretended as if we're not there.

When we're in line, he came & didn't even talk to us, instead he greeted the people standing behind us.

He intentionally gave the table to people that obviously standing behind us, while we're the first in line.

We saw he was joking & laughing with other customers, while he never came or greeted our table.

Finally, at the very last time he came & took the bill along with our credit card payment, he checked it well & seriously then he asked why we didn't give a tip.

We did put almost 20% tip & after a long conversation, he finally realized he made a mistake. That's it.

Coming to that restaurant was totally ruined our day.

Food was okay compared with other Italian in North Beach.

I put my review honestly & based on what happened to me and my friend.

01/15/09

Crismeow is a moron. BEST ITALIAN IN THE WHOLE BAY. PERIOD.

by mykitchenismystudio at Citysearch

If you really love her man, you take her here. I come from a fully Sicilian family that has a wine and olive oil co-op out in Castelvetrano, and going to Francino's is just like having my relatives like Pino and Phillipo back in town for dinner... except I can actually understand Francino's charmingly broken english.

Oh yeah, he sings pavarotti (and amazingly well) while you eat! Beat THAT m******cka! Seriously, if she's the one, you go here.

Crismeow, you and your friends obviously have yet to develop any sense of taste.

• Pros: Food, atmosphere, people, music, food, romantic, classy, food. Oh yeah the, food is good too.
• Cons: Get ready to pop anywhere from $40 - $100 a head. Smaller groups are better.

12/01/08

Turn a Bad day into the BEST NIGHT EVER

by LovesItalian8 at Citysearch

I worked all day and was just ready to go home and go to bed. My boyfriend insisted to take me out to this family owned Italian Restaurant for my birthday (He made reservations). So I got ready and as we were leaving I busted my knee on the dining table, Awesome! This just made my day, but he kept insisting. We found parking pretty quick (around the corner in the police parking garage).

We were late for or reservations but they never treated us like we were. They sat us at the next table available, which so happen to be outside (Not one of my favorites, especially on a busy S.F. sidewalk.). But let me tell you, I felt like I was inside! Franchino was outside the whole time singing and dancing. He was even catching the attention of guests at other restaurants?! I ordered their homemade soup and Raviolis! Delicious! My boyfriend ordered the veil! He LOVED it. By the end of the meal I completely forgot about my hurt knee and was up dancing with Franchino. Lovely service, the mother AND daughter were both helping everyone. I would Highly Recommend to anyone who wants to have home cooked Italian dinner and a SHOW!

• Pros: Owners, food
• Cons: Seating

05/16/08

Best Italian food ever!

by SusanfromAZ at Citysearch

Like many of these reviewers Franchino caught us on the street looking at menus & told us to come in promising the best Italian food. He did not disappoint. I had the best gnocci & my fiane said the lasagna was the best he's ever had. This family run restaurant did not disappoint. We loved it so much that we came back 2 nights later in order to have our last dinner in San Francisco there. After being there only once, the waitress (Franchino's daughter) remembered what we liked & we walked out of there with some of our best memories of San Francisco. We even sent them our picture that we took with Francino & can't wait to go back & see if it's posted!

You will not be disappointed here!

Grazie!

• Pros: service, food quality, atmosphere, owner!

05/03/07

Best Italian food anywhere, bring your own wine, great service, fun owners

by shoebabe628 at Citysearch

My mom and I were looking for a place to eat in North Beach and Franchino asked us to join him for dinner. It was the best Italian food I've ever had in my life. I had the seafood risotto and my mom had the same but with pasta. FANTASTIC!!! Bring your own wine though. Their wines aren't the best. The beer is good!

• Pros: Inexpensive, excellent quality, tastes fabulous, fun atmosphere
• Cons: wine

02/23/07

Great home-style italian food

by sfviewpoint at Citysearch

This place is a family affair - Franchino hawks diners in from the street and oversees the kitchen, mom waits tables and keeps an eye on Franchino (Little Frankie). Their daughter helps out a few nights a week. We started dining here when Ristornate Franchino was written up as one of the best places for pasta in North Beach by the San Francisco Chronicle. The pasta is wonderful - fresh, hand-cut in many cases. The sauces are subtle, aromatic and delicious. The portions are larger than necessary - but to many I am sure that's a plus. Franchino as a host is a total character: he sings loudly and badly, but still manages to be charming in a very rustic Italian way. He is an expressive gesticulator and quite a flirt. All in all, he makes the place personable, memorable and very fun. Unfortunately, the wine list has only the most ordinary selections, but you can always bring your own (recommended). We love this truly family-run place. We are SF natives and regularly bring out of town guests here for dinner. We have had nothing but great experiences at Franchino's.

• Pros: Great pasta, antipasto, service
• Cons: Wine list needs imrpovement - only the most ordinary wines are sold.

07/12/06

I'm Addicted!!

by maluch300 at Citysearch

I believe Franchino's to be quite possibly one of the most worthwhile restaurants in San Francisco. This restaurant is family owned and operated, the food is always incredible, and the service is wonderful. You can always count on family and friends to stop by and start up a conversation with the owners. This is a very mellow place in an otherwise tourist-packed neighborhood where you can really enjoy quality food. It is always a pleasure to come here, and i would recommond Franchino's to absolutely everyone!

• Pros: Food, Ambience, Service
• Cons: none!

12/03/05

Absolutely Fantastic

by jdsirna at Citysearch

We frequent Franchino's often. We even filled it with our family and friends for our wedding rehearsal dinner with a party of 25! It's a family run resturant, the owner who's name is the inspiration of the restaurant's name greets you at the door like family. Let Franchino order for you if you're not sure what to try, we are never disappointed. The fried calamari (which is not on the menu) has no equal!!! It is amazing. Parking is only an issue if you don't want to pay $4 at the North Beach Parking across from the Police Station @ Stockon and Vallejo.

• Pros: Food, Friendly, Feels like Home

11/14/05

highly not recommended

by crismeow at Citysearch

The waiter and waitress (which are the owner) they presented a lousy customer service.

The good reviews can be deceitful. I highly not recommend this restuarant. People there are very rude and mean. I was so embrassed that I took my friends to this restuarant. It was a nightmare! We all had a terrible experiences at this restuarant. I will never go there again.

• Cons: bad customer service, not professional , not friendly at all

Editorial Review

by Contributor at Citysearch

Enjoy a serenade from the owner of this North Beach restaurant serving traditional Italian dishes, plus Italian and Californian wines.