901 Columbus Cafe

Checked out 901 for a quick bite and I’m really glad I did.
It was my first time here, and as I entered the place I found a smallish but nicely decorated interior. Everything looked clean and well organized. Flat screen on the wall tuned to Fox News.
The big menu board behind the counter was easy to navigate and listed salads, cold sandwiches, breakfast bagel concoctions, panini, coffees, and more.
I asked the friendly counter person for a lunch recommendation and was pointed in the direction of the «Wise Guy» panini. Pesto, mozzarella, chicken, tomatoes on grilled focaccia. Ok, looked like a winner, so $ 9.00 later I was sitting at a table waiting for for my order.
Maybe ten minutes pass and a smiling server brings me my sandwich. Decent size offering and served warm with gooey cheese oozing out. First bite and I was a pretty happy camper. All the flavors seemed to work well together, nothing overpowering. A nice, well balanced, light, sandwich. The only knock I have is the chicken. I found it pretty tasteless on its own, but the other ingredients were so tasty that I’d probably order this sandwich again.
Overall I liked this place and would not hesitate to stop in again.

I like the $ 2 draft beer and a couple of the guys who work there.

Need a better menu to go with those $ 2 drafts

This place has the neighborhood’s best … … …
ATMs. And the $ 1.50 rack of «fun size» chips pretty much sums up this tacky tear-​me-​down.
In lieu of raising even a single finger to improve upon the kennelesque atmosphere or the meager-​portioned, repulsive, overpriced dishes, this Sysco café instead strategically carrots in the masses with a gargantuan tarp proclaiming «$ 2 draft specials here», effectively morphing the neighborhood into their private, semi-​permanent Mississippi beer festival.
I’ve never smoked crack, but if I did, I know it’d taste just like their iced coffee.
Everything I’ve had here that involved the kitchen has been an equal upset to my digestive tract as it has been my wallet. I still can’t figure out why even the iced coffee tastes stale, burnt, and old. If I had to point my divining rod at something, I’d reason that it’s because… it’s stale, burnt, and old. Well, hey, consistency is key. It matches the ambiance.
To me, this is the definition of the slippery-​grasped total loss and relinquishment of pride. Absolutely, to the detriment of humanity, a «what’s the bottom line?» cash cow mob business. Just slightly too tragic and not quite effortless enough to be a drug front, but it wouldn’t take much work. So if you’re in the market to market to cartels, you might want to make an offer.

Gotta give these guys a good review. Good coffee good food and a small business feel to the place. Feels very San Francisco non tourist. Not to mention if y u want coffee or a microbrew you’re set.

$ 2 draught beers from 4 or 5pm I think? Every day. Instant 5 stars. Although they only have 3 different types available on draught, they are still good and you can’t complain for $ 2! I think the beers available were Prohibition Ale, Big Daddy IPA and Baby Daddy IPA.
The service was good. The food was great with a large selection.
A relaxed vibe, with chilled out people and some decent tunes makes for a great experience in this café. I wish I could have spent more time here!

This place has good coffee, cake and a great location. It is really nice to sit outside or work on your laptop inside. Others have mentioned this already, but they have a nice selection of beer with good choices for the $ 2 happy hour. I make a trip over here every time I am in SF

Some people see this as a great secret gem in the area but each time I have gone to this place I have been highly disappointed. The first time I went I ordered a wrap at the register and when I got the wrap it had the only two items I asked not to be on there. It made it inedible. I am not the type of person to return things so I left unsatisfied.
The second time was the same deal. The register person couldn’t understand what I was ordering and then brought me the wrong item again. I can’t get over this happening twice and I will not be returning to this establishment.
It is incredibly expensive for what they offer including lackluster salads and wraps. It is also cash only which it is not worth doing when you could go to many other better cafes in the area. Do yourself a favor and walk up the street to Café Sapore for lunch and Roccos for drinks. There are few places I actually refuse to go to and this is one of them.

Uhm, $ 2 beers during happy hour, which lasts 5 hours on weekdays? Yes, I will have that, and a little more, please. Decent sandwiches (but lackluster salads) for under $ 10 (I am partial to the salamocado. I wish it had bacon, but it has salami, fresh basil, lettuce, and cheese. That’s already a pretty good combination. There’s one couch, and it’s perched in front of the small flat screen, so get there and snag a seat early. They show Giants game and other local sports teams, but the majority of people who I see frequent this place are just ordinary folks who want to work or just hang out and enjoy the weather. They even have a printer that prints pages for .75 if you’re on a deadline of sorts. Cash only, though, so make sure you hit the ATM, but $ 2 beers! Come on. That’s a win.

This place has THE BEST cappuccinos! Vanilla and hazelnut are the best but seriously best I’ve ever had. Try one and stroll up Lombard St!

Stopped in here for some caffeine before Lombard. Not good, messed up my Café Breve order and ended up throwing most of it away.
Also how in the world is this place cash only…

Efficient lunch, drinks counter with good amount of seating. Comfortable couch right in front of TV. Good coffee. Recommended stop in hike up Lombard.

Disappointed in total experience. Slow and unresponsive counter guy taking orders. Very unfriendly and impersonal plus missed two items that we ordered. Very slow in getting food out. Though the prices for a «order at the counter» place were way to steep. Would not recommend.
BTW. Had no restroom. Was advised to go across the street to another place of business.

If I’m in North Beach, this is where I want to be. The beers on tap are only $ 2 or $ 3 each. It is a steal!
I have only ever had beer here — big surprise. Haha.

901 Columbus Café, I don’t know if it’s considered a best kept secret around here or not but it’s definitely a saving grace for the hungry and thirsty person doing a walking tour around San Francisco. Why? Okay, I’ll elaborate.
From the outside this place really doesn’t look much different than your typical, space-​restricted SF café except for one thing; a sign that says it has $ 2 pints everyday. That’s right, $ 2 pints of beer on draft. For a place in SF it would probably be acceptable even if it was $ 2 for some domestic trash beer, but it isn’t. It was like a tractor beam that pulled me in.
The $ 2 beers (at the time) were a choice of SF’s own, Speakeasy Brewing’s Big Daddy IPA, Prohibition Ale and Tallulah Extra Pale Ale. Sure, they might not get an average rating of 4 or higher on BeerAdvocate but at $ 2 for a pint of craft beer… in SF… on a Saturday, are your really going to argue? I didn’t think so.
So aside from the $ 2 beers and some pretty cheap bottled offerings, they also make sandwiches, pastries, coffee and other breakfast options here for affordable prices to really round out their function as a café. However, based upon what you’ve read already, you know what I was here for. I had to grab a cold one before trekking up to the top of Lombard Street.
There’s still ample seating bot inside and out despite the size of the café, which in reality, is pretty decent in size. It isn’t the most modern, upscale café you’ll probably visit in the SF area but the fact of the matter is that it serves it purpose quite well. Beer, food, wifi, you really can’t go wrong here.
If I found myself walking around SF on any given day and I wanted to grab a few cold beers without breaking the bank, this place can easily be my regular spot. Easily.

Locals and tourists alike are drawn to this corner café on the cusp of North Beach and Fisherman’s Wharf for the ambiance, good prices ($ 2 draft beers) and decent food. Characters are abound, so grab a drink, snack and enjoy the scene as it unfolds. Menu is similar to other cafes in the city, sandwiches, soup, crepes, deserts, all for under ten bucks.

OMG thank you 901 Columbus Café for saving my tummy from what seemed like eternal starvation! Originally, we’d decided on some sourdough at Boudin, but when we were told we’d have to wait 45 minutes, we thought «nevermind!»
So off we go in search of another place. Walking… more walking … baby screaming … hurry up and find a place … oh look that place says $ 2 drafts … let me check with Unilocal first … Unilocal says OK! … Let’s go!
We walk up to the counter and place our order. The guy at the counter recommended the wiseguy panini, so I went ahead and tried that. The panini was ABSOLUTELY delicious. I loved the large slices of mozzarella! Soooo good! My husband had the pastrami and wasn’t too happy with it. He kept complaining about a weird taste, then he took out the lettuce and said that it was the culprit. Needless to say, I felt kinda bad that his meal wasn’t as great as mine.
And YEP, $ 2 drafts. Not sure if this is an every day thing, but it was there when we went and we took full advantage.
The one thing I didn’t appreciate quite as much as that delicious mozzarella, was the not-​so-​friendly guy behind the counter. Seemed annoyed that we were there. Is this a trend in SF? I’m starting to think so!
Anywho, food was good enough. I’d go back for another panini, or two!

YUMMERS!
Went here on a Saturday afternoon after visiting Lombard Street.
There was no line when we got there which we lucked out on because as soon as we sat down to order, a crapload of people entered & formed a decent line.
Love the décor, feels so ‘lax & chill.
They had the Warriors game playing & a good amount of seating.
You order at the front & pay (CASH ONLY), they hand you a number & you can either sit inside or outside. They bring the food to you.
I ordered the Sinatra Warp (Vegetarian friendly!) OMG sooooooo yummers!!! A wrap with feta, olives, hummus, and avocados.
FYI, lots of tourist since Lombard street is right there.

Tourist hotspot alert! I walked in on quite a busy day (the St. Patty’s Parade), but my order was quickly taken, and I had my meal in no time. If you manage to drop in during a clear sunny day, find a seat right in front of the entry way. There is a beautiful view of Coit Tower, which makes the city feel like home.
As far as the food goes, I had the «Sinatra» wrap. It’s a healthy take with feta, olives, hummus, and avocados. The tortilla it was wrapped in was very soft and fresh. Although, I wish they had whole grain options (I have to admit I didn’t ask, so not sure if they do or don’t). It also seemed like they had a full dinner menu? and beers on tap.

One of large handful of low key neighborhood places that are pretty low key where you can relax for a beer ($ 2 drafts 3 – 6), partake a respectable menu ranging from soup to sandwiches to breakfast. .or slip into a great coffee and plant your self in a leather chair and chill.
Convenient locale on the way to/​from the Wharf and the Financial District.
I always like their cappuccinos.