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Mondo Caffe
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Sandwiches Italian, Sandwiches [Edit]
602 Mission St(between 2nd St & New Montgomery St)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 882-1682
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 3 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 2 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
239 reviews for Mondo Caffe
Review Highlights
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"...wait to come back next week and get the snow crab melt." In 7 reviews -
"This is probably the best focaccia bread I have ever had." In 14 reviews -
"it was the best panini i've ever had." In 68 reviews
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239 reviews in English
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Review from sparkle f.
Oakland, CA
4/18/2012
Whoa. I just inhaled a crazy delicious panini from here.
Really close to my office, so I go here a lot and it is consistently fantastic. They have sidewalk tables and the staff are always really friendly and sometimes even compliment you in Italian!
I don't know how the heck Palio down the street can ever expect to survive with Mondo Caffe knocking it out of the park with better food across the board.
They make their own focaccia here...what else can I say?? -
Review from Analisa S.
Berkeley, CA
1/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I have randomly walked by Mondo Caffe a few times and decided it was time to give it a try. I ordered the Proscuitto di Parma which is just a panini with proscuitto and satueed mushrooms.
The place has standard SF prices, expect to spend $10 for lunch. But its casual, order at the counter and sit at a table, which I like since some sandwich shops around downtown don't have indoor seating and their staff is incredibly nice.
My panini was really good and filling. Their bread is really delicious and lends itself to the pruscuitto. I will be going back and I have my eye on the pear and garganzola. -
Review from Joel F.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2011
I went to Mondo Cafe this afternoon to have a business lunch. I ordered a sausage panini, which came with a salad. The food was very tasty and came promptly.
What sold me on Mondo Cafe and the reason why I'll continue to return to this cafe is this: We sat to eat our food outside. When I left, I forgot my backpack under the table. 10 minutes later I ran back to the store in hopes of finding my backpack before it was stolen. The backpack wasn't outside. It was inside! The manager (or owner?) had found the backpack and was waiting for me to return.
Great food at good prices from an honest and upstanding proprietor. What more could you ask for? -
Review from Elle P.
San Francisco, CA
5/9/2012
I had the crab melt sandwich and it was delicious! The bread was nice and toasted, just the way I like it. I can't wait to come back and try more.
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Review from Brian K.
Berkeley, CA
5/7/2012
I passed this place a couple of times on the way to work and thought it looked good. Finally went in today based on other yelpers reccomendation. Tasty panini, I got the Bresaola and especially dig the grapefruit. However meat was too chewy which made it hard to eat (-1 star) and kinda pricey for the portion, the sandwich came to just under $11 after tax. Friendly and fast service!
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Review from Lisa P.
Sacramento, CA
4/16/2012
I just had lunch there and I ordered their three mushroom sandwich since it was one of their speciality sandwiches. i was very dissapointed bc there was barely any mushrooms. As a matter of fact, it looked liked there was only one type of mushroom. Sandwich also lacked seasoning. Maybe I just chose the wrong sandwich but my friend had a corned beef sandwich and said it was just ok. This place would have gotten 2 stars but the lady behind the counter wasn't too friendly so minus one star for customer service. Many other places nearby so don't waste your time here.
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Review from Favoloso M.
San Francisco, CA
4/15/2012
$10 for a breakfast scrambled eggs dish. But it's good quality ingredients and tasty delicious.
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Review from Ed U.
O sole mio, what a decadent sandwich you serve, Signor Mondo. I have to admit I've been a couple of times for lunch now and order the same thing - the $8 Porchetta Panini. Why? Because the slabs of roasted pork loin, the richness of the focaccia, and the slathering of the mayonnaise spread collide in a way that makes me feel like I should be spanked for my mid-day indulgence. Probably by Giada DeLaurentiis in a leather dominatrix outfit...but then again, her head probably wouldn't fit through the door.
Tight quarters here, especially during the lunch rush. Although the frittata sitting on the counter looked good, I like the Porchetta Panini. Now is it Por-KET-tuh? My friend Linda, an Italian to her core, says you're not supposed to pronounce the "ch..", so I tried to be authentic and say it that way. The already confused woman at the register looked even more confused and had to call in the entire kitchen staff to listen to me. Before I got on all fours and started oinking, one of them said, "Oh...por-CHET-uh!"
So I took my number to the tiny table next to the window and waited in humiliation. It was worth the unwieldy UN translation session because the sandwich is that good if a bit much when you have to go back for a 1PM meeting. The panini also has provolone, watercress and tomatoes, and it comes with a fresh mixed green salad with fennel slices (see photo). It's not an everyday lunch, at least not for my girlish figure (sic), but maybe next time, I should bring a sign. Gee, how did Helen Keller handle these things?
FOOD - 4 stars...a sandwich so tasty it's almost worth a lifetime on the hips
AMBIANCE - 3 stars...packed like sardines at lunch with a line for take-out orders
SERVICE - 3 stars...they need interpreters stat!
TOTAL - 4 stars...mambo to Mondo for the pig...no, not me -
Review from Pamela B.
San Ramon, CA
3/29/2012
I went here for breakfast and had the best omelette and BEST CHAI TEA LATTE here! You have to try it here!! You will not be disappointed! I will make it a point to visit this cafe every time I am in the city!
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Review from MJ L.
Redwood City, CA
4/25/2012
We had walked on Mission St looking for a place to eat, couldn't walk another step, and so we entered Mondo Caffe near the corner of 2nd St. What a find. My buddy had the salmon salad, and I had the Eggplant Involtini. Both were great and reasonably priced (~$10). The Involtini was so surprising - eggplant roasted just enough so that thin slices are rolled and stuffed with feta cheese and vegetables, and served on a huge mound of mixed greens. Delicious! The owner Ettore and his staff were very friendly and helpful and they let us sit there and eat even though it was past their closing time (they only serve breakfast and lunch). We felt very lucky today.
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Review from Artur R.
San Francisco, CA
2/14/2012
I got a hot Mushroom Panini only it wasn't hot and wasn't a panini, and everyone from the owner to the employees were kind of rude and douche (to everyone). They didn't give us dressing so we had to wait forever while watching them assemble other salads, and then I asked for water and was brushed off. It's also on the pricier side of lunch so I expected more. Not cool guys, not cool.
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Review from Michael C.
Daly City, CA
11/27/2011
Panini di Parma... good lord.
That sandwich was absolutely delicious.
If you work on the weekends in this part of FiDi/SOMA, this place is at least open on Sundays for morning breakfast till 11am. They open either till 2 or 3 on the Weekends. Play it on the safe side and go for 2pm.
Anyways, I've gone there an additional 2 times since the first time I came here. They have a snow crab sandwich that is just delicious. Their porchetta (provolone + turkey) is just amazing. I've said delicious too much, need new adjectives to describe food.
Also, the owners are super nice people who remember faces pretty well. -
Review from Jeff S.
Mission Viejo, CA
3/3/2012
What a difference a couple months makes.
A few months ago I would've put one star and told you that they hardly ever had anything on the menu that I wanted while at the same I would have told you the staff was incompetent, rude, and cavalier. It was VERY frustrating trying to give this place business only to hear from an aloof nob behind the counter that they can't serve me what I want. To be told 9 times out of 10 (hours after they opened) that the focaccia "wasn't ready yet" (their signature item!) or to have to wait five minutes for the employee to even look in my general direction was really disheartening.
The reason it was frustrating? The food here is freaking DELICIOUS. If McDonalds is out of Big Macs for the day, I could care less because it's gross and no one's loss. The fact is, this place has the best breakfast sandwich I've EVER had, much less just in SF. So yeah, I'd get pissed when they didn't have it and it happened one time too many so I decided to give this place a rest. In the past, I pretty much described this place as the Scott Weiland or Eddie Van Halen of local dining establishments - if they're sober and at the top of their game, there's no one better. If they're drunk or strung out, it's a sad catastrophe. It looked like Mondo Caffe was permanently strung out with their awful staff and it was really too bad. "What a waste", I thought.
Then I came back this morning.
New staff! The owner has always been great. I was delighted to hear they had made some desperately needed changes. Sure enough, I was able to order what I wanted and my "Three Egg And Cheese With No Tomato On Focaccia" was absolute perfection.
I'm also a big fan of the Salmon Panini. Everything here that I've tried is great though.
So cheers to Mondo Caffe and their new staff. I will be coming back much more often now! -
Review from Patrick S.
Oakland, CA
2/2/2012
Roasted chicken on fresh foccacia sandwich with roasted peppers! That's all I have to say really, this sandwich has haunted my dreams for about 10 years.
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Review from Emma-Louise H.
7/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Whether or not PLUOY (that's people love you/us on Yelp - many businesses in San Francisco and other such heavily Yelp-affiliated cities boast this sticker upon their window), whether or not you've won countless sammich awards, whether indeed or not you're any *good*, there's one thing you do not do. You do NOT give my favourite Parisienne cupcake a stern telling off when she asks for her receipt a little late.
Tut! Mondo was lucky to have us as we had pancakes or Tikka Benedict in mind, but with many places closed for the Pride Parade we took refuge in here, and after being told there were no pancakes or specifically breakfasty meals, many of my Eurocompanions opted for scram whilst I chose an omelette. It was packed with goat's cheese and mushrooms, and the crispy bread on the side might have been a little dry for some but it worked with the kind of omelette that still had a bit of yield to it. I've never understood this undercooking omelettes thing, I know they're apparently meant to be runny but I love throwing my own under the grill and ensuring that it's crispy. Noms.
Unfortunately the fried potatoes on the side were a little hard and cold, but the coffee was pretty powerful and came in a gargantuan bucket. Suffice to say the redeeming qualities soon undertook a sour taste when the gent at the till was rude to Elodie though. Note to business owners, you never know who's sandwiching at your joint. Especially if you have a PLUOY sticker, sheesh!Listed in: Yelpin' All Over The World, San Francisco Whistle Stop
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Review from MIA N.
9/26/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Another good reliable lunch spot.
The service here always makes for a better lunch :)
Very nice guys behind the counter.
Be sure to try the quiche/frittata. Super light and healthy!
My coworkers love their fresh bread. -
Review from Sona P.
San Francisco, CA
2/10/2012
I'm a salad-hating vegetarian, but thought I'd give the salad a try. I got the Organic Fantasia salad with dressing on the site - it was substantial and full of fresh, delicious ingredients. Service is friendly too.... my piece of focaccia fell on the ground and they brought a whole plate of extra pieces to my table. I don't usually spend $9 on salads so this was definitely a rare treat.
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Review from Zeva B.
6/28/2011
My meal and Mondo was far from memorable, so much so that I can barely recall what I had. What was the soup again? Minestrone? And the half sandwich, sliced turkey?
In any event you are not going to have an "aha!" moment here but the food was good enough and reasonably priced. I will say though that I enjoyed the food more than the icy disposition of the owner who berated me a bit for asking for a receipt a couple minutes after I realized he hadn't printed one up. -
Review from Marie S.
8/9/2011
As hyped as this place was, I was expecting the food to be a lot better than it was. I had the snow crab panini and was expecting fab things from it (hey, it has crab, right?!?!) no, wrong. it was like a bland tuna salad sandwiched with some salty bread and ok cheddar. What happened? Did i get a flukey sandwich?
However, the service was quite good and the cashier who brought up my food was super nice and apologetic that it took longer than 5 min to make my panini.
would i come back again? maybe if they upped their game on their sammiches. -
Review from Samantha C.
Bay Area
I really like this cafe. I've tried their proscuitto and three cheese mushroom panini before and they are delicious!! Their portions are generous and it definitely fills you up, especially since it comes with a side salad.
Staff are nice and helpful as well. -
Review from Jason B.
8/19/2011
Wham bam thank you yam.
The pork sandwich with a yam puree and caramelized onions on house foccacia sounded amazing. Expect I don't really pork. Would they make it with chicken instead? Never hurts to ask.
They did. It was amazing. And it comes with a side of greens.
Thank you indeed. -
Review from Pamela S.
Raleigh, NC
9/28/2011
I would have walked right by this place had it not been for the recommendation from the concierge at the Palace Hotel. What a treat, the atmosphere is fun, and the folks there attentive.
There foccacia is made fresh and it is fantastic! I enjoyed a fresh salad with chicken and Lee had their meatloaf sandwich (which he loved). -
Review from Sophie K.
6/28/2011
It was a nice place to sit outside and drink the self-made ice tea that wasnt to sweet and very refreshing.
I wanted a tuna sandwich but it was out. Sp I took the Pollo (served with sald) and it was really good! Maybe one of the best sandwiches I ever had... although I do not eat sandwiches that often ;)
It was not dry but not even there wasnt much remoulade or mayonnaise or whatever that everthing was floating out while biting in. Liked that!
The service also was very nice... always asking if were fine! Nice place... as I sad before. Hehe. -
Review from Rachel W.
San Francisco, CA
5/16/2011
I have never eaten here, nor will I ever based on the reception I received last Thursday.
met the boyfriend for a bite to eat near his office on New Montgomery and Mission. I did a Yelp search, and we decided that we'd like to check Mondo out - they have outside seating and a variety of veggie and non-veg choices. important!
walked to the window and saw a menu propped there. a laminated menu. you know, the kind that you actually look at when deciding on what you want to eat. my boyfriend went to grab one of these precariously perched bad-boys, setting a few of them falling to the floor [oops!], and immediately some employee comes racing up and then chastised him, loudly, for grabbing something that he shouldn't have. I told him we saw no other menus. and then we left.
I know that sometimes people have hard days, but there is absolutely no excuse to treat customers so poorly, at least not in the service industry. there are about a million other places to eat in SOMA with friendly and helpful and cheery staff. go there! -
Review from Camille L.
6/27/2011
I really didn't think much of this place when I first came in. It was Sunday morning, nothing else seemed open in the neighborhood apart from Starbucks and anonymous coffee places, so why not try out this one, heh?
And it was really nice! Although it was past 11am, the owner agreed to serve breakfast, which was really nice. I had a very good avocado scram with blue cheese and potatoes, which was a very... surprising dish, but really good, actually! The double macchiato that I had with that proved very good too.
All in all, I would really recommend this place and won't hesitate to go back there again! A few tables outside too if you wan't to eat outside. -
Review from Jae J.
11/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is probably the best focaccia bread I have ever had. I've never had it toast-style with breakfast! Ended up getting the Avocado Scramble and all the ingredients were fresh and flavorful. Also had a cappuccino which the owner quickly made. Overall, it's a great place to pop in for a quick breakfast/brunch. Definitely make sure to try the focaccia.
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Review from Stephanie M.
San Francisco, CA
10/31/2011
No need to write a novel fellow yelpers. Three words: Three Mushroom Panini. (Shiitaki, Crimini, Champignon, Fresh Mozzarella, Parsley, Basil on Focaccia with salad- $9.77). Good for lunch, it hits the spot, it's quick, friendly staff, and no huge lines. Nuff said.
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Review from Sutee D.
San Francisco, CA
6/5/2011
Their menu looks good, but I may never try a sandwich here because of the owner's aggressiveness. I came in on a Sunday and ordered drip coffee (I like my coffee simple). The owner kept on trying to upsell and get me to order a mocha etc. When he realized I wanted just coffee, he tried to get me to have it to go even though there was only two other customers there.
I sat outside and checked my email for twenty minutes. Then owner came outside and then tried to get me to order the most expensive item right before they closed. There were customers still eating so wasn't holding them up or anything.
I think they should understand that there will always be some customers who order one thing. Others will order more. I would understand if it was busy and I was taking up space that could go to other customers, but it was during a quiet time. I am not doing one star just for the benefit of the doubt... -
Review from Celia B.
Portland, OR
7/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
We got Mondo Caffe delivered for a work meeting. We placed the order online and a delivery man was at the door at the exact time requested. It was so easy! I ordered the organic fantasia salad. It tasted super fresh and the dressing was fantastic. I have read great reviews about their sandwiches, and have tried their fresh made bread so I can only imagine how delicious they are. My coworkers have ordered their sandwich with bacon and love it (however one sent his back because he likes his bacon cooked more. I am unsure if this was a matter of preference or a rushed chef, but I have a feeling it was a matter of preference because my other coworker loved her sandwich as it was). I will return and try a few more things, and as of now I really like this place's salads. So fresh!
I also went in there to get take out. I ordered the same salad :) . The atmosphere in here is really nice and they have outdoor seating in the sun. The cashier was also very friendly and the service was fast. -
Review from Carole R.
Union City, CA
3/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
The worker (or owner I am assuming) here is really friendly! I love when owners really care about their business and customers! This place is definitely one of them. They have a "People Love Us on Yelp" sticker and I can see why. He talked to us about our weekend and the weather and was just really easy to talk to.
I had the Snow Crab Melt and boy was it tasty! I ordered a latte with my sandwich and it was also tasty. My friend got the Smoked Salmon Scramble (Rochelle I who also reviewed this place) and she enjoyed her food as well. -
Review from Rochelle I.
Union City, CA
3/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I promised the owner I would write a review and here it is.
I came here on accident. My friends and I were looking for a bagel place and when we got to the bagel place it was closed! Mondo Caffe was next door and I'm so glad that bagel place was closed!! The food we had here was outstanding. I ordered the Smoked Salmon scramble and my friends both ordered the Snow Crab melt. All around delicious! I definitely recommend this place for brunch. The owner is super nice as well. -
Review from Allegra C.
Burlingame, CA
10/6/2011
Offers really fresh, delicious panini, salads and soup. The lentil soup is one of the best I've eaten. Service is quick yet friendly. Great espresso too.
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Review from Yee-Shing Y.
San Francisco, CA
4/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great spot for both a quick or sit-down lunch. Loved their selection of paninis and I also had a tasty chai latte. I ordered the snow crab panini which I don't think is on the menu but it seems like it's an ongoing special. In any case, it was delicious! Would definitely order it again. I also tried the prosciutto..equally good.
The owner was very accommodating...you could tell he wanted to make a good impression since it was our first time eating here. -
Review from Mike M.
Hayward, CA
12/1/2011
Worst Caesar salad ever! Just roughly chopped up lettuce, not dressed at all (I asked for extra dressing on the side) when Caesar salads are tossed in dressing before serving and had a sprinkling of just a few croutons and what tasted like some rough Wal-Mart branded parmesan cheese. No anchovies, a few brown streaks in the lettuce and extremely salty foccacia bread slices accompanying the salad. Thumbs down on the salads, especially if you order "to go".....
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Review from Jessica T.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 10/5/2010
Yup. A number of years have passed. And I still feel. The exact. Same. Way. About this place.
The sandwiches all sound amazing on the menu. I was almost full - from just reading each description today.
But there is just something about this place that just doesn't sit well with me. Figuratively and even slightly literally as well.
I ordered the hot veggie panini without cheese. It was tasty enough - but the bread was almost too greasy and heavy for me, and the vegetables lacked oomph. Mostly I could just taste that - there wasn't a lot of love put into my sandwich. Love is something you can taste in food. And this just didn't have it.
I ate it all. But afterward I found myself feeling sluggish, and looking longingly at my co-workers meal from Ebisu.
If you want a filling convenient lunch time option - Monda Cafe is a pretty good call. They offer salads and a lot of people really dig their paninis. I just happen to not be one of said people - and would rather have more taste and warmth put into my food.
(That being said - I can see this place garnering more love from me - with their hot egg breakfast sandwiches (which are only served up to a certain hour), which unfortunately I have yet to try)
Trust.Listed in: Places to Eat in the Financial…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/3/2006
Make sure you specify that you want your panini toasted. It makes a HUGE difference. I keep on… Read more »
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Review from Angela X.
Oakland, CA
11/29/2011
Meh. I came here with a senior manager from my firm for lunch one day. As soon as we walked in, she asked me if I wouldn't rather go somewhere fancier. We stuck it out, but after the meal she remarked that it wasn't that good. In possession of a less refined palate (and a less well-stuffed wallet), I wasn't inclined to turn my nose up at this place quite as much. I had the snow crab melt, which I thought was perfectly serviceable. I didn't hate it, but I'm okay with never coming back here again.
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Review from Amanda S.
Palm Springs, CA
11/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
Hphm. It's half a block from class. When I'm looking for a quick sit-down place for lunch and Working Girls is too crowded I'll come here. However there isn't too much to write home about when it comes to this place.
Portions are huge- so it works itself out for paying 8 bucks for a sammi. The bread makes me sooo full though! And it was a bit greasy. I don't know if it's the spread they put on or what but after eating here I always feel a huge food baby in my tummy. Not so cute.
The salad that comes with panini is your basic mixed greens with an olive oil and pepper dressing.
I'll take this place over others in the area (chiptole, Lees, etc)... but it isn't THE best. -
Review from Brian G.
Walnut Creek, CA
5/31/2011
Good spot that I will likely be going back to. Inside Mondo has a very warm feeling. I really like what they did with the decor. Other reviews on Yelp have raved about the owner. I don't think he was there when I went in today as the staff was rather unfriendly, but still respectful.
I had the snow crab sandwich that everyone recommends here. I agree with all of them that is was very good. They put a healthy serving of crab in there and give you a nice salad on the side. Price is the only thing holding this place from a four-star in my mind. I got the sandwich alone and it was over $10. I think if you are planning on sitting down and enjoying the ambiance and a nice sandwich this place is a great spot for you to check out. I'll definitely be back next time I want a place with a good ambiance and pretty quick food. -
Review from Kimberly B.
San Jose, CA
2/27/2011
This place is delicious and we're so glad we found it!
A lot of restaurants in this area are closed for lunch on Sundays, but luckily we found this place while we were walking around to grab some lunch and decided to give it a try.
The owner of the cafe is really friendly and accommodating, and we were seated right away with our drink orders taken. He gave us great suggestions as well. I ordered their special pork panini and my husband ordered the speck, which had fresh prosciutto and brie in it. Both our paninis came with house salads, and everything was delicious.
I don't eat panini's very often, but this place was so good. The bread was just the right consistency, and the width of the sandwich was just right so that when you take a bite, sandwich filling doesn't squirt out from the other side.
With the 2 sandwiches and 1 coke that we ordered, our bill was around $23. Not bad! We were very satisfied and will definitely come here again when we're in the area. -
Review from Vince L.
San Leandro, CA
3/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This is a great place to head to if you want a good panini. They have a good variety of sandwiches and they all seem good. The first time I was here, I had the triple mushroom and cheese panini. It was delicious! At a lot of places, you can't taste the mushroom flavor in the sandwich, but this panini was full of mushroomy goodness. You could really taste the mushroom, even over the melted cheese that held the sandwich together. All their sandwiches come with a spring salad with very fresh greens.
At about $8, Mondo Caffe is a great lunch stop for all you busy professionals in SOMA.
