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Good Luck Cafe and Deli
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Good Luck Cafe and Deli
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Chinatown/Fidi-edge deli serving speedy breakfast sandwiches, hot melts, and classic deli combos at wallet-friendly prices. Line moves fast and portions are generous for a grab-and-go lunch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Turkey avocado sourdough, Hot pastrami melt, Breakfast croissant sandwich
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Speedy deli staples with strong value near the office core.
Who should go: Budget-minded downtown lunchers
When to visit: Weekdays 11–11:45am before the rush
What to order: Turkey avocado; pastrami melt; breakfast croissant
Insider tip: Call in a few minutes ahead; orders hit the counter quickly.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only, metered and limited along Kearny and Clay; best to walk or use nearby garages at Portsmouth Square or the Hilton Financial District.
Dress code: Casual — workwear, jeans, or athleisure all fine; expect a grab-and-go deli crowd.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch rush with order calls and chatter, quiet mid-morning or late afternoon.
Weekend wait: Closed evenings and weekends.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes during peak hours; typically no wait before noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — breakfast sandwiches and deli melts can be customized without meat.
Vegan options: Limited — salads and some sandwiches can be modified, but no dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Minimal — bread and wraps are standard; best to ask about off-menu accommodations.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s more of a fast-casual deli built for quick office lunches rather than lingering meals.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — no reservations are accepted; counter service only with a few dine-in tables that turn quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids or casual bites, but space is tight and not suited for strollers or family lingering.
Best For
Better for: Quick, satisfying sandwiches at lower prices than most FiDi spots, ideal for efficient lunches.
Skip if: You’re looking for ambiance, table service, or an extended sit-down meal.
Good Luck Cafe and Deli
7.9
Compact Chinatown cafe turning out classic deli sandwiches at wallet-friendly prices. Friendly counter service and quick ticket times make it an easy downtown standby.
Must-Try Dishes:
BLT, Tuna Salad Sandwich, Honey Ham Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Old-school deli lineup priced for everyday lunches.
Who should go: Budget-minded sandwich seekers
When to visit: Late morning for freshest prep
What to order: BLT; tuna salad; honey ham
Insider tip: Ask for extra pickles and a hot-pressed finish.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking is available but limited; nearby paid garages on Stockton or Clay are more reliable.
Dress code: Casual—come as you are; jeans and sneakers are perfectly fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate—easy to hold a conversation, though the lunch rush adds some bustle.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—primarily a daytime spot.
Weekday lunch: Short wait of 5–10 minutes during peak office lunch hours; otherwise, usually no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—tuna salad, egg salad, and customizable veggie sandwiches are available.
Vegan options: Limited—can request veggie-only sandwiches without mayo or cheese, but no dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free bread; cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date—it’s more of a grab-and-go lunch counter than a sit-down destination.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t taken, and seating is first-come, first-served. Turnover is quick.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids looking for a simple sandwich stop, but there are no high chairs or kids’ amenities.
Best For
Better for: Faster and cheaper deli-style sandwiches than most nearby sit-down spots in Chinatown.
Skip if: You want gourmet ingredients, craft breads, or an extended dine-in experience—try a more upscale cafe instead.
Good Luck Cafe and Deli
7.6
Chinatown staple for deli-style sandwiches, coffee, and quick lunches at wallet-friendly prices. Friendly counter service and steady turnover make it a dependable choice for a fast business bite.
Must-Try Dishes:
BLT, Tuna Salad Sandwich, Honey Ham Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 7.2
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Old-school deli pricing and speed in the 94108 core.
Who should go: Teams grabbing efficient sandwiches
When to visit: 11–12 or after 1:30 to miss rush
What to order: BLT; tuna salad; honey ham
Insider tip: They move fast—have your order ready at the counter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in Chinatown is very limited; best bet is the Portsmouth Square Garage a few blocks away.
Dress code: Casual—office attire or jeans are fine; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during lunch rush, quieter mid-morning and late afternoon.
Weekend wait: Not typically open late for dinner, so not relevant.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during peak noon rush; otherwise usually immediate.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—simple veggie sandwiches and salads available.
Vegan options: Limited—request a custom sandwich without cheese or mayo.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free bread; options are minimal.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s more of a quick lunch spot than a date setting, but fine for a casual meet-up.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—seating is first-come, first-served and turnover is fast; no reservations accepted.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can enjoy deli sandwiches; no special kids’ menu or amenities.
Best For
Better for: Quick, affordable sandwiches in the heart of Chinatown with no fuss and dependable speed.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal with ambiance, gluten-free options, or a formal client lunch setting.
Good Luck Cafe and Deli
7.6
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Old-school Chinatown deli known for quick, affordable sandwiches, coffee, and grab-and-go lunches. Friendly counter service and generous portions keep it popular with nearby workers and families.
Must-Try Dishes:
BLT, Tuna salad sandwich, Honey ham sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Deli classics served fast at wallet-friendly prices.
Who should go: Budget-minded families nearby
When to visit: 11–12 or after 1:30 to avoid rush
What to order: BLT; tuna salad; iced coffee
Insider tip: Have your order ready—the line moves quickly at lunch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking around Stockton and Powell is scarce; best bet is nearby garages like Portsmouth Square Plaza Garage (about 2 blocks).
Dress code: Casual—jeans, t-shirts, and work attire are all common.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch rush; quieter mid-morning and mid-afternoon, conversation possible at most times.
Weekend wait: Not typically open late for dinner; expect no dinner crowd.
Weekday lunch: 10–15 minutes during peak lunch rush; usually no wait outside 12–1.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—salads, egg salad, cheese sandwiches, and some breakfast items are available.
Vegan options: Limited—can request veggie sandwiches without cheese and some sides, but no dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free menu; options are limited and bread substitutions aren’t standard.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s more of a quick, casual deli with limited seating, better for a grab-and-go bite than a date atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t taken here. Seating is limited, but turnover is fast at lunch.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—kids are welcome, especially for quick sandwiches or snacks. No high chairs or play areas, but portions are shareable.
Best For
Better for: Quick, affordable sandwiches and coffee in Chinatown when you want speed and value.
Skip if: You’re looking for a sit-down dinner, polished service, or extensive dietary accommodations.