Cafe Franco
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Fort MasonBldg 240
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 771-7277
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7:30 am - 10 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
13 reviews for Cafe Franco
13 reviews in English
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Review from Ranger A.
San Francisco, CA
8/1/2008 1 Check-in Here
I've had lunch here on numerous occasions as I work at Fort Mason from time to time - it's nothing fancy - fairly limited menu but the food is fresh and good, very inexpensive, organic produce is used as much as possible, and the views are amazing (in most places you would pay this much EXTRA just for the view). And there is free wifi. Unless there is an event at the Great Meadow there is close (free) parking and it's close to two great places everyone should see - San Francisco Maritime and Fort Mason Center (check out the new Long Now Foundation shop and exhibits!). Haven't had breakfast or dinner here - but did notice you can get (for example) quiche and a salad for about $6 - can't beat the price!
And check out the Civil War era Black Point with the 15" Rodman cannon (they had them on Alcatraz too) out back. I love the staff (who always seem to be playing great music - today I heard Can and Bowie at lunch) and the hostel crowd is cool too. -
Review from Allyson S.
San Francisco, CA
9/14/2007
If you're looking for an amazing view of the bay, and a good cup of fair trade coffee, this is the place. Cafe Franco is inside a Youth Hostel, which can be deceiving, there is definitely plenty of culture there, but without the grime you usually associate with youth hostels.
Prices are very decent, and the food is always good. The three cheese sandwich is a particular favorite of mine.
There are amazing views of the bay and Alcatraz as the cafe itself sits right on the edge of the bay. also, great music. -
Review from E L.
San Francisco, CA
8/6/2009
It seems like every place on Yelp gets a few 1-star ratings, no matter how good or bad the place actually is. Usually the low marks come from an angry wingnut with a fairly personal and arbitrary axe to grind. So I guess I'm gonna be that guy.
I was intrigued by this place --free parking, free wifi, great views, quiet, and adequate coffee? Could it really be so?
Actually, I'll never find out. I tried to go to Cafe Franco at about 5:15 on a Thursday afternoon. It turns out this Coffee Shop is closed from 3:30 - 5:30 PM every day. File under WTF.
Ultimately not a big deal, as there was a guy in there behind the counter. I poked my head in and asked if I could come in a bit early, even though he wasn't slated to open for another 15 minutes. The older gentleman behind the counter greeted me with "Didn't you see the big sign that says we're closed? The one right out front? Or can't you read English?!" His tone was pretty snarky and he followed it up with a nice long glare and scowl for effect.
I'm not the type of guy who would take a swing at an old man, but I must admit the thought crossed my mind for a fleeting moment. That impulse quickly subsided and I decided to give this old d-bag a shellacking on Yelp instead.
So there it is. The views are probably stellar, the wifi is probably free, and the coffee is probably adequate, but I'll never know. -
Review from Fred M.
Sausalito, CA
6/10/2008
Just awesome. It is a perfect caf, they even give out fruits that are getting a little too ripe. It is quiet, nicely located.
They have a organice dinner every night for $5. I can't wait to try it. A great place -
Review from Michel I.
Berkeley, CA
9/20/2011
I promised the very friendly staff that I would share my story about the BANANA BREAD. It is simply the best I have ever eaten: moist, freshly baked, cinnamony, chunky walnut pieces, generously sized and less than a buck. I have gone way out of my way to get this when passing through the area. I have sat in my car for 45 minutes waiting for the cafe to open to get this. I have waited for it to come out of the oven to get this. That's what I mean; it's that yummy.
Other features are freshly prepared salads, international clientele, inexpensive prices, awesome view of the Bay. It is staffed by genuinely nice people who go out of there way to make sure that you have a good experience there. Check it out if you are craving a hot drink and a little something yummy. -
Review from Shane B.
6/24/2011
friendly service and you get to burn off some extra calories by washing your own dishes. nice view and your likely to meet a few travelers here. well priced items, decent coffee and vegan/vegetarian friendly.
its not neccesarily a destination spot, but if your in the area and on a budget check the place out. its a bit hard to find, head all the way up the hill then walk north a bit. the cafe is on the north side of a split level building
there is also bike parking in the front lobby(at your own risk) which was cool! -
Review from Jason J.
Jacksonville Beach, FL
8/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love the lesser known, interesting places in a city and this has to be one of them. First of all, you have to read a review to find the place because it is located in the back of a Hostel (turn L at the front desk and follow the signs). Small and cozy, the space has great natural lighting from a wall of old windows. The barista/cashier/cook/server/dishwater Mort (or that should be his name) was delightful and chatted us up for a few minutes. I ordered a mocha; cheap and very sweet (good for desert), and exited after composting my napkins and rinsing my glass and placing it in the sink (the least I could do for Mort).
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Review from John P.
Philadelphia, PA
7/21/2008
People that work here are really cool and friendly. When I stayed at the Hostel here I would come here for the free breakfast. Sometimes the Ramones would be playing, Sometimes Leonard Cohen. Tasty coffee, standard bagel fare etc etc. If you go right outside you can pick fresh blackberrys off the bush to spread on your bagel. Never got a sandwich for lunch or anything like that, but I'm sure they would make it good.
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Review from j a.
San Francisco, CA
2/21/2010
I always forget I'm in San Francisco when I go to the presidio. It's just so fantastic to have such a peaceful place in the middle of the city. Today I went to cafe franco in the presidio. It was definitely hard to find. Didn't see any signs until I got inside the hostel. This place is so tranquil. I got a lot of studying done. I had a sandwich which was nothing gourmet, but it was good and super cheap. I loved being right on the water and so close to trees. The hours here are odd (I think), but if you can find it and you catch them when they're open it's a sweet find for studying or catching up with friends:)
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Review from noemi r.
San Francisco, CA
10/4/2009
Really tasty sandwiches, and the staff is always willing to change up the menu for you. Great coffee, friendly folks. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is that the quiche wasn't impressive at all. Stick with soup, sandwiches and coffee and you can't go wrong. Plus being in a hostel makes you feel young and footloose. Affordable, local, yummy.
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Review from Johanna S.
San Francisco, CA
8/6/2010
This is one of my favorite places to linger over a cup of coffee. The food is basic- mainly sandwiches and salads- but tasty and good value. Love the hostel crowd, but my favorite time to be here is early evening to watch the sunset on Alcatraz. Also, the staff is really friendly and helpful.
Listed in: Coffee Happy Places, Rainy Day San Francisco
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Review from Marcus K.
San Rafael, CA
5/15/2009
Great sandwiches. Great view. Great prices.
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Review from Josiah M.
San Francisco, CA
10/9/2008 3 photos
Nice location with view of the bay, but the regular (drip) coffee I had was pretty bad. (In all fairness, their espresso-based drinks could have been better) That said, their prices are extremely low ($0.75 for coffee, $2 for latte or cappuccino), and with free wifi and lots of available tables, it could be a good place to get work done.
