Petite Deli

The great thing about San Francisco dining is that you can find a hole-in-the-wall place that has great food just as easily as you can find a fancy, white tablecloth, fine dining restaurant.  Each has there own special qualities and reasons you go back.  For me, it’s the Turkey Delight sandwich at Petite Deli in North Beach.

You would probably walk right past this small sandwich shop if you didn’t know the goodness coming out of here.  The owner and “sandwich-maker,” Young is an older Asian lady who reminds me of any grandmother you’ve ever been around.  She is the only one working in the shop, answers the phones, makes the sandwiches and does it all with a smile and loving voice.  Every time I have been in, she asks how I am doing; this goes for not just me, but everyone that walks through the door.  She is so friendly.  The shop is tiny, with maybe two tables and five seats inside and a couple of small tables outside. 

The menu is your standard sandwich shop menu.  Plenty of choices for sandwiches, different meats along with vegetarian/salad sandwiches.  Young also offers freshly made salads that are prepared daily.  She prepares everything herself and makes each sandwich with the love and care as if she was making it for her own child.  And even at its busiest times, there is usually a fairly short wait, as she makes the sandwiches within just a few minutes.

The bread and meat selection are super fresh and really tasty.  The portions are pretty big as well.  I have seen bigger sandwiches, but for the price, the sandwiches at Petite are the perfect size and very filling.

The salads and sides are also terrific.  Even with limited seating, I think Petite is the perfect type of sandwich shop that every neighborhood needs.  It is a great place to grab a couple of sammies, a couple of salads and drinks for a picnic in the park or at the beach where you can enjoy the rest of San Francisco.  Make sure to say hi to Young, because you know she will, with a smile and a sandwich to fill you up.

Turkey Delight

Petite Deli is located at 752 Columbus Avenue in San Francisco. It is open Monday-Friday from 11-4 and on Saturday from 11-3.

Phone Number: (415) 398-1692

Prices: Sandwiches range from $4-7, salads and soup range from $3-6.