George's "Gourmet" Deli (San Francisco)

On the south side one of the most miserable blocks of mid-Market St. sits George's. I know it because I occasionally work nearby. George's pretty much defines the term "hole in the wall". It is a space about 25 ft. by 8 ft. That is bisected by a counter behind which stands George and his essential food preparation aparati. Most of the remaining space is taken up by a rack of chips and other junk food and by a cooler for drinks. There's maybe space for 3 (or, if it's pouring rain outside, 4) people to line up at the counter. But first, one has to elbow one's way in through the usual crowd of pan-handlers, crack/heroin addicts and dealers, and other scam artists (to be fair to SF, many of whom have just gotten off the nearby subway from Oakland). But, see, its' worth it because George makes a killer Polish dog for $2.99 plus the local 8.5% sales tax. The thing has a natural casing that you have to "pop!" your way through as you bite into it. Then out and into your mouth rushes all that wonderful garlicy juice (tinged, as I prefer, by the mustard and onion I like George to generously apply to mine). George puts them on a good Kaiser roll, not just a regular bun and that helps too. So if you ever find yourself at, say, Nordstrom's or the Powell St. cable car turnaround and crave a good Polish (or regular dog or lots of other kinds of sandwiches for that matter--George makes a very good tuna sandwich which I also sometimes get), consider a hike 2 blocks up Market (west), hold onto your pepper spray, just say "no" to those selling Street Sheets (or more interesting items) and give George some business. He's a nice guy selling a great sandwich.

Will do.

If you do, consider doing as I did today and walking back down Market, then over to Mission and Yerba Buena Park (between 4th and 3rd, Mission and Howard Streets--George's is between 6th and 7th on Market) to eat it. Normally I go to George's when I'm working so I take mine back to the office, but today I just craved a good dog and, since I wasn't working, had to go somewhere to eat it and there isn't anyplace mellow and safe right nearby.

Somehow last Christmastime we had gotten the "wrong" (not 3-D) tickets to "The Polar Express," so we had to wait another 90 minutes for the next 3-D showing at the Metreon, and we sat in Yerba Buena Gardens "upstairs" at the top of the waterfall and enjoyed the sunny warm day and the loveliness of the Gardens. It's my favorite escape from downtown SF.