Morty's Deli - San Francisco

Best Reuben Sandwich

280 Golden Gate Ave
San Francisco CA 94102
(415) 567-3354
Parking: street parking, pay parking lot nearby
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8am - 8pm; Friday 8am - 6pm
http://mortysdeli.com/

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $ to $$


Last Visited: September 29, 2009

I had a meeting near the Civic Center and was surfing the web for a place to have lunch and happened upon Morty's Deli. There were many references to their reuben sandwich and I couldn't resist trying it.

Walking in the area, there are a number of options, particularly Vietnamese, and you might just pass by Morty's without a second thought. If it weren't for that yellow ring around that sweet face on the window, you might miss it entirely.

I arrived at 11:45 am just before the lunch crowd rushed in. Upon entering, things are a little on the brown side. There are higher tables with stools on the immediate right, booths next to the window and in the nook to your left, and several tables down the middle of the deli. It's cozy, clean, and the service is friendly. I looked at the blackboard behind the deli counter listing hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches, salads, soups, and a few other sides and although many things sounded delicious, I had to get the reuben and I was in for a treat.

The staff is efficient and know a newbie when they see one. That look in your eye as you try to navigate the chalkboard, but they're friendly and either help the next person if the place is busy or let you decide if there's nobody in line.

From an initial glance at the other patron's food, you can see that salads are fresh and good-sized and the cold sandwiches are also piled high with delicious meats. They also have vegetarian options available like the Soy Reuben and the Sloppy Soyrizo Joe.

- Reuben Sandwich - A scrumptious sandwich which if heaven had food and you wanted to know how a real sandwich could taste - this would be just perfect. Rye bread is buttered on the outside and grilled until just crisp. You get a choice of pastrami or corned beef, and I chose corned beef. The meat is sliced thin and piled on thick with warm sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and just the right amount of Russian dressing. Each bite melts in your mouth, and your hands get progressively wet from the drippings. I noticed that I kept eating faster and faster probably to just enjoy it in its state of perfection before it got soggy. Beautiful and the best reuben sandwich I've encountered. It also comes with a pickle spear. Just look at this goodness. $7.95 For my second visit, I went back to try some french fries and the 174, their other most popular sandwich.

- 174 Grilled Roast Beef - A toasted sub roll contains grilled roast beef, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, chipotle aioli, and peppers. The combination of the onions, peppers, and aioli give a wonderfully sweet flavor combination that is subtely spicy and not overpowering. And of course, the toasted bread and juicy meat give those feelings of comfort and home that make you feel warm inside. It a great sandwich for people who want to try something new and love roast beef. Just like the reuben, the 174 is sure to fill your stomach. $7.95

- French Fries - Crispy and fried in fresh oil, the french fries were delicious too. A great accompaniment as long as you have room to eat it all. $2.35Other delightful options include meatball sandwiches, and other treats named The Loin (after the area which they are located), Pop's Classic, Little Italy, and more. The website describes all of these.

I would definitely return to Morty's if I'm in San Francisco on a weekday. The reuben sandwich is incredible and certainly worth a try. Don't wait - it's one awesome melt in your mouth bite after another.