Molinari Delicatessen

"Molinari Delicatessen is a North Beach institution. But unlike a lot of the other spots on Columbus Ave., it’s not a tourist trap—the sandwiches are absolutely delicious. Walk in, pick your choice of bread (we like the soft roll), and order a sandwich stuffed with layers of their house-cured meats (the Renzo and North Beach Special are particularly good). They also have tons of wine to take home, along with pantry staples like pasta sauces and Italian snacks." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong

"Satiate your cravings for loaded Italian sandwiches at Molinari, a temple of cured meats, cheeses, and olive oil–soaked condiments. The old-school deli is a prime spot to load up for a Washington Square Park picnic. Grab a number, pick your bread, and watch the sandwich magic happen. It’s hard to go wrong with the Renzo Special, a loaded combo of prosciutto, coppa (hot or not), milky fresh mozzarella, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes, though some swear by the grilled focaccia sandwiches. They’ve got fresh pasta on offer, too, along with pre-made lasagna and eggplant parmesan to cook up at home." - Dianne de Guzman, Lauren Saria

"The Park: Washington Square Molinari Delicatessen is in the North Beach tourist zone, but substandard money-suck this is not. The Italian spot is a temple of house-cured meats. Customize your sandwich, or go with something off the menu of specials—the Renzo, with silky prosciutto, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes, is a fireworks finale explosion of salty-sweet flavors. Settle in at nearby Washington Square Park, and munch away while you contemplate a gelato run for dessert. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong

"Pilgrims to this legendary North Beach delicatessen (est. 1896) are greeted by a well-stocked deli counter overhung with Molinari’s famous cured salami. Once you were allowed to grab your own piece of bread from a bin, bring it up to the counter, and order your combination, but these days they do it all for you. Great choices include the North Beach special and Luciano Special, but one standout for its simplicity and excellence is the Renzo special, generously stuffed with prosciutto, coppa (hot or mild), fresh mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes." - Lauren Saria, Justine Jones, Eater Staff

"A place to restock on salami and other Italian delicacies." - Becky Duffett