Cafe Phoenix

This is one of the only places to eat in the area without a 15 minute walk. For what it is the food is actually pretty great. Fresh veggies!

Rising from the flames.
Song from Boom Jinx:
Food from Café Phoenix: Outstanding grilled chicken burger topped with caramelized onions. Incredible flavor. Incredible price of $ 5 and change. Includes a pickle on the side.
At no cost comes the satisfaction of supporting an elusive (only open M-​F from 11−2pm) café doing not just good food but good period (
).
Plus cookies. Can’t forget the cookies. Chocolate chip with just the right amount of sugar and crunch. Service was just as sweet.
Keep on rising.

Uh, what can I say. Last year I went to this place less than 5 times. That’s 52 weeks of lunch at work and I visited this place only that number of times. And I’m being generous with that number because I’m just not sure how infrequently I stopped by. Well, this being a new decade, I thought I’d give it a new try. Same ol’ same ol’. I aint mad tho, for $ 5.50 I got a blah chicken sammich + free chips. I guess this place is good to break the monotony of all the other eating places in the Dogpatch… but I got only 4 more visits left!

With the name of the café, the industrial area of Third St./Dogpatch area most definitely reminds of my trip in Phoenix not long ago. Deserted and haunted is how I viewed my perspective.
But Café Phoenix is nothing like my recent trip. This café, which only opens weekdays from 11−2pm, is a nonprofit café and training program for helping the Bay Area welfare people. This program is very similiar the Delancey Street foundation and the program do whatever needed for the individual to get their life back in order. Students are learning a few tips here and there to learn how to boil water for the first time.
I did my best to support the program and came here for lunch and ordered the Roast Beef Sandwich. For $ 5.48 (the price ending with «8» must be an Asian’s prosperity thing), I get a Roast Beef Sandwich with Swiss Cheese, which is included, in a Sourdough Roll. And for an extra $ 1.50 I also get French Fries, cooked nice and golden brown, and a canned soda for $ 1.00 with my meal. My meal may sound like any ordinary lunch from elsewhere, but these people are not only very friendly, but they made all meals including mine with «love». «Now I wanna cry…*SNIFF*!»
My Visa was accepted for my lunch
Unfortunately it is only open for lunch on the weekdays and I would like to try many of the other foods including the Ribs on Thursdays. But the main objective is for the people to get their life together and live happy. Unilocal has also shown many love for this program and café by awarding them with a Unilocal-​sticker on the front window.

if you’re feeling that you are in need of both lunch and a dose of good karma, but feeling a little light in the pocket, this is where to go. it’s run by RAMS, a local agency that serves the mentally ill population in the Bay Area. so when you spend that $ 5 (!) on a sandwich, chips, and a drink you get and give more than you think. it’s fast, and not far from SOMA and Potrero Hill nabes, being in the Dog Patch and all. swing by and eat good, feel good. by the way, the potato salad is outstanding. better than mine and that’s saying a lot.

Never had a bad burger here. People are always friendly. Get a good lunch and help the community. Not bad for a lunch break.

You know you’re dealing with a rad establishment when you call to order a gardenburger, and the guy on the other end says, «You know, we’re out of gardenburgers, but if you’re looking for something vegetarian, we also offer these options.»
Whoa, really? I’ve NEVER had someone give such rad service before!
Also, these guys are incredibly nice, they really do remember you, and the food is genuinely tasty. Add to that the fact that they’re doing a really rad thing for the community, since the whole place helps people gain job skills, and you’ve got one of the sweetest spots in the neighborhood.

This place is fun for two reason:
1. The people are very nice and remember you (btw: who doesn’t remember me?)
2. It’s the only place near the sf food bank, it’s that or the vending machine in the break room.
The food is acceptable, even so, I usually just get a plate of fries.

Here are a few of my favorite things: the humongous Warm Bacon & Spinach salad w/​balsamic dressing & blue cheese. the oh-​so-​tender BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich w/​cabbage-​apple coleslaw. The Patty Melt with Caramelized Onion Relish (not just yr usual grilled onion stuff). Veggie sandwich w/​roasted eggplant and portabello. All of these huge sandwiches, which come with a large helping of fries, are about $ 6. Mixed greens saladyw/​house-​made dressing & caramelized pecans for $ 3.50. Good prices for large portions. And my bestest favorite thing? This café is a work-​training non-​profit program for people with disabilities, so it’s all for a good cause (but it means this place is only open on weekdays until about 2pm). And did I mention the food was amazing?