Franco Folini

–M’Gee Johnston

Watching the video of San Francisco’s North Beach Food Tour makes me hungry.  There are so many good places to satisfy that hunger in North Beach too.  The focaccia bread at Liguria’s Bakery on Stockton St. is truly in a class of its own.  The only thing the Soracco family makes at the bakery is focaccia and when they sell out, they close for the day and go home.  I never tire of eating it ~ it’s delicious and hearty but not overwhelming.  On holidays, the line stretches around the block.  A few blocks away on Francisco and Stockton is Freddie’s Sandwiches, which has been there for as long as I can remember (a long time).  Get a sandwich and go sit in the sun to enjoy it while you hear the sea lions bark from Pier 39 and watch the parrots of Telegraph Hill flap overhead.  Another old favorite is Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store on Columbus.  It feels like old time San Francisco when you walk in.  It’s comfortable and some say they make the best cappuccino in the neighborhood.