Il Massimo Del Panino
441 Washington St, San Francisco, CA, 94111
Il Massimo Del Panino Menu
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Address :
441 Washington St
San Francisco, CA, 94111 - Phone (415) 834-0290
- Website https://888massimo.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:30 am - 9:00pm
- Mon : 7:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Daryl E.
I'm not used to seeing spaces this big in the city and, sadly, there was only one table occupied at 11:45 on a Friday lunch crush. Not sure what that's all about. Grabbed a portobello mushroom panini to go. It wasn't bad, but it didn't leave me eager to steal company time and bandwidth to write up a five-star review. I found it a bit bland. The caramelized onions were not quite caramelized and the arugula seemed a bit stale. The Gorgonzola was nicely portioned, though, and complimented everything else just right. The panini and a minuscule bottle of Pellegrino ran me over $9.00, which was a little painful for me.
(3)Warren M.
Love it. The salads, sides, sandwiches, and hot specials are so delicious. It's like having an italian grandma cook for you 2 blocks from work.
(5)Kat E.
Ok, it's breakfast time. Here's what you're going to order: Egg breakfast sandwich on a bagel with tomato, mushrooms, spinach and feta. For less than $6, you will walk away with this, a cup of coffee, and a big smile. I lost my ATM card a few days ago and I slept terribly last night and really didn't want to get up for work this morning, yet somehow this sandwich and the fact that Massimo takes credit cards made everything better. I even sat by their fireplace while I waited for my sandwich. This definitely earns them another star.
(4)Vince S.
the place was really cute and warm, with brick walls and even a fire place towards the entrance. I'll be sure to come back the next time my nipples are hard because of the cold and i'm craving for some italian. Italian food, that is. my grilled chicken panini was really good and light, especially with the spinach. the ceasar salad dressing was a little watered down, but it was just a normal ceasar salad. complete with my pelligrino, i'd have to say it was a satisfying lunch. i'll be sure to come back to try their parmigiana....because you know the key to my heart is a good parmigiana.
(3)R B.
I was craving lasagna today for lunch. And, of course, I got on Yelp to find something good. I ordered their meat lasagna lunch combo with cucumber and tomato salad. I was looking for a really meaty and cheezy lasagna. Their meat lasagna was decent and a bit more tamed then what I was hoping for. I'd give it a: 3.5/5. The cucumber and tomato salad was delicious: 4/5. Overall. 3.5/5
(3)Aaron S.
Massimo is a decent place to grab a bite to eat with your coworkers if you happen to be in the Financial District. I would never go out of my way to eat here, but the panini sandwiches and salads are pretty good, as are the hot food items like lasagna and chicken parmesan. There are always tables here, so you will not be standing around too long. This location has no windows, however, so the people watching options are slim to nil. Their other location across Market Street from One Market has outdoor seating, which is nice on a warm day.
(3)The Other Jeff A.
Thank God Il Massimo Del Panino is literally steps away from my office, because if it were not, I would spend countless hours pining away for their tuna salad sandwich. Seriously, their tuna salad is the best I've ever had. And for this tuna salad aficionado, that's sayin' somethin'. I'm not sure what it is that makes it so delectable. Maybe it's the tuna. Maybe it's the peppery arugula that so flawlessly complements the richness of the sandwich. Maybe it's the focaccia. Or maybe the mayonnaise is laced with crack cocaine. No matter. Whenever I leave the place, sandwich in hand, I feel like Mary Tyler Moore, smack dab in the middle of the Twin Cities, spinning 'round and thinking, "You can have a town, why don't you take it? You're gonna make it after all." Pity I'm not daring enough to wear a stylish hat I can joyously toss up into the wind. But when you're about to chow down on the best tuna salad sandwich in town, who gives crap?
(5)Hen A.
large open interior space....caffe station to the right...and cafeteria style food service up front....mix and match your meal...great panini, good soups, decent coffee and various salads....watch it~!...things start to add up fast....chi-ching..$... *$3 all-day cellphone check available.....
(3)Michael N.
This place is the McDonalds of Italian Eateries. An Italian coworker took me there, so I lowered my guard and took the bait. I dont talk to her anymore. Food was plain. I spent 10 bucks and i was still pretty hungry. The place was well kept and spacious tho. I bet its suckers like me that help pay for it. Go somewhere else if you want a sandwich... or italian food...
(2)Paul B.
they always have a great selection, and are pretty accommodating for special requests and such. Love the fresh parmesan that they have at the counter - i can heap ridiculous amounts of it on my salads. not the best bargain, but a great place to sit down for a healthy lunch.
(4)Gus L.
A little pricey, but I love the Crudo panini that they offer.
(3)Christine T.
Brrrrr!!!! It's cold outside! I just had the minestrone soup. Mmmmm. Now my belly is nice and warm. Good soup. Good soup. Lots of fresh veggies. I added some parm cheese but you really don't have to. They have pretty good paninis but I haven't had one in a long time. I used to get the ones that are grilled/pressed.
(4)Hannah A.
5 Star lunch place. I stumbled upon this cafe on my way to work and immediately liked everything about it. I am huge on atmousphere, and this place certainly makes up for the absence of ambiance in financial district dining choices. Most places are grab it and go! but Massimo has a huge dining room with a couch and fireplace, a barrista, and a cafeteria-style ordering service, which makes it quick. I have actually ordered and eaten within 20 minutes, and I usually head over there for some undisturbed reading on the leather sofa. My favorite PANINI varies daily, but i always make sure they press it and then i drizzle balsalmic vinegar on the inside. They truly have the best side salads as well, but I always find myself ordering the same one, which is the BOWTIE PASTA SALAD. If you skip the drink, your meal will come to about $7.50, which is decent by any lunch standard. Did I mention I won free lunch there for 15 people?
(5)Yi-Bing Z.
The name Il Massimo sounds fancy, but the restaurant is actually more like a cafe. You can order food from the deli and there are daily specials. I had the sun dried tomato penne with the chicken tomato soup. It was just the right amount and cooked well. They also serve a good looking lasagna which made my mouth water. It's a great spot for lunch as there is plenty of room to sit.
(4)shaun l.
Massimo delivers the best paninis/sandwiches in town, and is also the best Italian lunch spot in the city. Great coffee, zupe, and other daily specials. The dining room has its own character, but its also close by outdoor dining options.
(5)T C.
Maybe I'm used to the concept of a grilled panini, or maybe that's just an Americanized/FoodNetwork-ized bastardization of a "real" panini, but the ones I've had from here weren't all that. I've tried them thrice, and they've always been rather dry. I guess I'll give them one more shot at the paninis.... But, this is one of the few places (that I've found so far) downtown that serve affogatto (basically some gelato topped with a shot of espresso). Their gelato isn't great, but it'll do in a pinch. Perfect for an occasional afternoon wakeup snack, and tastier than some high-fructose-corn-syrup'ed jumbo-grande-caramel-mocha-latte-ccino-with-whip-Âcream thing you get at any of the coffee chains.
(3)Gladys C.
There are not a lot of options for lunch in the area - I like Massimo for the spacious dining room and the comfy fireplace. I ordered half a panini with a side of green bean salad and it was $7. It wasn't that great, but it's good for a quick lunch.
(3)Kathleen M.
There's a counter of pre-made Italian sandwiches and a huge empty space filled with chairs to eat them. I thought my sandwich was only okay and was never inspired enough to go back. However, a friend who worked a block from Il Massimo swore by it.
(3)Linda C.
I've only tried a few things from here, but they were all good. My favorites are their lasagna (hearty awesome goodness) and their prosciutto sandwich. Great place for some good ol' Italian food and the staff is always very nice and energetic. Their catering is also good too. The sandwiches are cut in half and individually wrapped with their own labels. Makes a nice presentation and people will know what they're eating!
(4)Logan P.
Overpriced bland Italian food with what was the worst service I've had in the City. If you want Italian, go elsewhere.
(1)gnat c.
A quick lunch spot with great panini action. The soup and salad combo is a favorite among many. Try the potato salad made *without* mayo, but with oil: de.lic.ious. The beet salad is a fav among my office, I've never thought of many options for beets...but they are suprisingly great. yum.
(4)Rommel N.
The company I work for orders lunch for meetings and such from this place. Maybe I like this place because I pretty much don't have to pay for my own lunch when we order from here, but I know for sure the architects at our company are tired of the food here. Some of their complaints is that the sandwiches are kinda salty and that the pasta is somewhat bland, but maybe their tired of us ordering from this place day in and day out. They do love their salads as well as their desserts, especially the cakes. The couple who own the place are very nice and they always try their best to satisfy our company, so I can't be negative towards that, but I do think they should maybe come up with new dishes or so to kinda change it up from their usual fare.
(3)Serena Y.
[3/13/06]: Upping my rating to 4.5 stars. I come here for coffee every morning (they have amazing scones and danishes with *fresh* fruit.) When I mentioned to them last week that I gave up meat for Lent and I missed their lasagna, they told me they'd make a veggie lasagna for me today. And they did! It was delicious! These guys are such sweethearts. One of my favorite breakfast and lunchtime spots. Their scones are done right - bursting with berry, slightly sweet, and crumbly (unlike Starbuck's way too cakey scones). They also have fantastic lunch dishes for a great price - try their chicken parm. I especially like the broccoli salad.
(4)Christina K.
today was the first time i had a lunch here that wasn't all that. it was meat lasagna. but i've been here many many many many times and almost always finish every last bite. the polenta with mushrooms in tomato sauce and zucchini stuffed with chicken and cheese is so good that i don't mind paying the 9 bones for it. nice interior. i mean, a fireplace at a lunch joint in the financial district? enough said. they finally added a 'frequent buyer' card, although i have no idea why they don't keep them sitting out - you have to ask for one. the guy that takes my order always, always smiles and is really friendly. the good salad choices get snatched up fast (rice salad with mint, fruit salad, etc) so get there before 1:00.
(4)Sherry N.
I've stopped patronizing this place, after having a few bad experiences with their lentil salad and prosciutto sandwiches. Some of my orders turned out to be a bit too greasy for me.
(1)Katherine B.
A pretty relaxed place. They have a wide selection of paninis they grill for you, gelato, coffee bar and many salads to choose from all at a decent price. Worth checking out. Plenty of room to sit down.
(4)Julie H.
Meh. Lunch was fine. I got there around 12, got into a line of 4 or 5 people, and looked at my options in the display case. Tons of sandwiches, a few salads, none particularly exciting. I ended up going with the lentil arugula salad with tomatoes in a viniagrette and a bowl of white bean soup. The lentil salad was passable. Nice texture, decent flavor, but nothing to write home about. The soup was bland bland bland. And it had a weird floaty filmy texturey thing in it. I'm not sure how to explain it other than that. It stirred away when I made an effort, and then I tried not to think about it too much. I don't think I'll be back. It was bo-ring. And a little weird.
(2)Gaby C.
Okay I was fooled. It seemed more genuinely Italian than it actually was. I ordered a Panino and it was terrible. I was starving and threw it out after a couple of bites. The coffee was pretty good, better than Starbucks but not as good as an authentic Italian coffee place. Maybe you will fare better than I did, good luck!
(2)Alex F.
I love this place. Great sandwiches and AWESOME coffee. Definately a must try!
(5)Dawn P.
cozy lunch spot. Hot lasagna on a cold day really hits the spot. Their soups and side salads are fresh and tasty, too. I wish i could hang out here by the fire with a cappucino and not go back to work...
(4)Katherine L.
I LOVE this place. I come here maybe 3 or 4 days a week, and haven't gotten tired of it yet (this love affair has been going on for 3 weeks now). I love the sweet owners, husband and wife Jeff and Elena, and I love the food. They bake their own bread, and make their soups from scratch. I LOVE the fresh mozzarella sandwiches. They put it on a bread that I thought was foccaccia (which I normally hate). They call it "Rustica." Whatever it is, when they put it on their panini machine and that bread gets those awesome crispy toasted ridges, I'm in heaven. Especially since they put wild arugula in the mozzarella sandwich. I'm not a vegetarian and I like their other sandwiches (crudo, pastrami, steak and peppers, chicken salad, etc.), but their mozzarella-on-rustica sandwiches are THE BOMB. The also have other stuff too, like lasagna and salmon and whatnot (their stuff is a lot fancier and tastier than I can describe) but I keep going back to the mozzarella sandwich. As for the location, yes, it's hidden and yes, it's windowless, but it is in a spacious brick building with a fireplace. It feels....East Coast, not dreary, contrary to what the other reviewers think. It's definitely much, much better than Specialty's, which is another soup, salad and sandwich place just around the corner.
(5)Jeffrey R.
Good prices for good food at lunch. Nice salads with Italian authenticity..
(4)Bruce H.
Massimo is about the nicest place in its corner of the financial district to take a book and get a soup and salad or half a sandwich, or a plate of lasagna on a cold summer day. I've just gone there for lunch (sometimes late: they're open until 3 pm), but they have breakfast too. The staff is warm and friendly.
(4)Mindy S.
The first time I went here, I stumbled across it by accident while walking to my favorite soup place. But I decided to give it a go and had a terrible sandwich that was not grilled as stated, but cold and on white bread with watery lentil soup- yuck. But I like to give everyone second chance and went back, this time a lot earlier (my first visit was at 3pm after the lunch crowd had plundered the place). And I got a grilled prosciutto panini and the potato salad with olive oil and a delicious miniature cookie and it was all delicious. I would like to see their sandwich/salad combo a bit cheaper, as it's not the best deal ever, but the food was great. And I will probably go back every now and then to add a twist to my regular lunch routine. I hear this place is good in the AM for espresso and a scone, though, so I will be trying that out soon. My advice is to get to Massimo before the lunch crowd has eaten all the good stuff. And ask for a fresh sandwich to be made if you don't like the pre-made ones that are sitting behind the glass. They were more than happy to whip up a fresh one for me.
(3)Stacy T.
Pricey but they offer a decent selection of pannini's as well as hot dishes and inventive side salads. Its comparable to Palio's but has an authentic Italian taste and is worth it if you want a hot fresh panni near the fire station.
(3)T-Bone L.
Great panini and soup. There are no windows so it's best to visit on a dreary day.
(3)Dorothy L.
one word = CRUDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! get it, you won't regret it!!! Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!
(5)Michael E.
their lasagne isn't great but its decent, you do get a lot of food for the money and its pretty fast
(3)Lee L.
This dog didn't notice this place off of a nondescript alley until he spotted the foot traffic. When in the mood for a light and quick lunch, he orders one of the prepared paninis and side salads. He likes the eggpland and the mozzarella the most but doesn't like the above average prices.
(3)Kyle C.
Busy for lunch. Sandwiches are good. I'd recommend the half sandwich, half salad combo. The owner and main guys are nice and attentive. *Open for happy hour from 4-7 now too, haven't been but just a thought to keep in mind
(4)Mariska T.
I really love their beet salads! Super refreshing! the place is perfect for lunch/ to go during office hour.
(4)Katie N.
On a cold, foggy SF day, sipping on an espresso while eating a hot pannini by the fireplace at Il Massimo is where you want to be! My job often gets catering from them for our weekly happy hour, the sandwiches and salads are great, but I love coming here for their relaxing atmosphere and mini escape from the daily grind. My favorite item to get from Il Massimo has been the beet salad. For less than $5, the portion is generous, the beet marinate is well flavored, not too sweet or strong. My go to sandwich their caprese pannini! The oozing of the mozarella cheese with basil and tomato is just delish!!!
(5)Nik H.
Great selection of panini sandwiches but they don't offer a half sandwich half soup combo! Almost every lunch restaurant offers that option. I had a turkey club sandwich with a tomato soup and it was $15! Both items were good but I don't think I'll ever come back. I'm just not okay with paying $15 for something I can make at home for a 1/3 of the price.
(3)Jack R.
Is it too much to ask that a salmon sandwich that's said to be on a panini be panini pressed to get that nice crust? Or that the split pea soup I ordered be included? Neither were done. They forgot my soup because they wanted to ring up someone else, and they didn't press my sandwich even though I asked them to. And fresh squeezed orange juice at $4 in a kiddie cup? Wow, that was pricey. I guess I'm giving them 3 stars since I like the decor and I want to help out an independent shop, or else this would have been two stars for sure.
(3)Huy V.
I really wanted to like this place. It has a lot of good things going for it. The space is pretty large and clean. There's a fireplace, and the wooden tables and paneling make it a warm and cozy place I'd like to sit around in and stay for lunch. People serving food were nice and friendly. However when we finished our food, neither of us were that satisfied with the meal. Perhaps we came after the lunch rush and we still definitely have to try some of their other foods but it wasn't a great first meal. I ordered the bolognese lasagna and it wasn't nearly as good as I was hoping. It could have been meatier, cheesier and juicier. It had a cafeteria quality and felt like it was sitting under the heat lamps a bit too long. Overall a bit disappointing considering we paid something like $12 for the slice.
(3)Christina K.
I love the lasagna!! Generous portions and they give you a big square of meaty lasagna gooeyness... A good place for lunch as it is homemade and warm, comfort food. The service is great and everyone is friendly. Definitely try the lasagna
(4)Amelia K.
I met a group there for lunch and the entrees were all solid. I wanted a roomy place that was quiet enough for a conversation that has decent food. It's not outstanding, but definitely solid. Three of us ordered different entrees: lasagna bolognese; lamb shank; and chicken parm -- everyone said her or his entree was good. The fourth guy got a mozzarella sandwich which he said was okay. The bread looked ordinary to me but I didn't say that while my friend was eating. Overall I give this place four stars because I like having this an option for a group who has a lot of catching up to do but would rather not need to yell to have a conversation. The entrees and side salads are satisfying. I read some of the reviews that gave two or three stars and I was surprised because their write-ups corresponded to one star higher, in my opinion.
(4)C A.
This is a spacious Italian café that just oozes a warm home-y feeling in their food and atmosphere. They make their own homemade bagels and hummus which I HIGHLY recommend trying. I almost order the veggie hummus on a jalapeno bagel every other day...it is SOOO good. And I like how the hummus is without tahini. It's usually loaded with garlic and herbs and just really tastes fresh. Their pastries, salads, soups, and lasagna are pretty good too. I didn't care for their egg breakfast bagels though...a tad on the oily side. Another con is that they are pretty pricey. My wallet is not happy....BUT my addiction to their hummus is stronger. A nice plus...they have a gas fireplace that just adds a little bit of cozy to the room.
(4)J E.
I've been enjoying lunch here regularly for several years. Great sandwiches and salads. Wonderful service. The best espresso (they use Graffeo Coffee, roasted fresh daily). And now they've started staying open for Happy Hour! There is a small but good selection of beers on tap, plenty to choose from in bottles, plus a big selection of wines). I've been to happy hour 3 times so far; it is a very comfortable place to go with colleagues for a drink. The happy hour food is tasty too; I've had the pulled pork sliders and the potato skins.
(4)ASIANDIVAH A.
Welcome to San Francisco a few decades rewinded! Can't help but feel nostalgic & old school as soon as I enter the place. The place is clean, service is outstanding & food is really hearty & yummy! I must say this is a hidden gem in brand-conscious Financial District! The lady who owns the place is friendly & generous :) Would definitely go back to this place!
(4)Christina L.
Super friendly and understanding with yummy fresh food!! Numerous of great experiences: 1. At my workplace, we occasionally order lunch when it is super busy. We ordered through GrubHub and it said it was going to take 2 hours, so I gave them a call asking if it could be delivered sooner since so many people here are going to meetings. They said it would be during the time of the lunch rush, but they delivered our yummy food within the hour. 2. I went to their location to pick up myself some lunch since the delivery experience was superb; still great service and a tad hidden, but worth the search. Got another salad this time, too. 3. Decided to have lunch with a friend who works nearby, but our lunch is strictly timed. I called ahead to have our order ready between 12:15-12:30. Not only was the food ready on time, they were okay with us bringing in our own drinks (boba). Oh, and Jeff remembered my name (and had read my review). Every time so far, I've had a different salad (and lasagna once), and they have all be awesome. I may not be a total regular, but I am definitely keeping this place in my list of places to go grab lunch. In short, go find and try this place!! ^-^
(5)Jason B.
Perfect balance. Guy J: open.spotify.com/track/3… Massimt: Plain + vanilla yogurt. Straw + blue berries. Espresso + sugar free vanilla syrup. Parfait was great. Americano was great. Balance was great. So was the less than $7 price. Only thing it can't compete with is the priceless Guy J.
(4)Marina S.
This place is sooo good for breakfast! It is my favorite in the area. I try to limit myself from getting breakfast there too often, as it is not cheap by any means, but always look forward to the mornings when I let myself get their breakfast bagel or oatmeal. Their bagels are to die for. They make all of their bread in house. So fresh and yummy! I have tried all of their breakfast bagel sandwiches, plus a few other options like hummus bagel and salmon bagel. All are delicious and made with fresh ingredients. They also make their hummus in house, which is amazing. For the healtheir option, try their hummus veggie bagel (choose jalapeno or cheese bagel). Their oatmeal is yummy as well. Fresh, hot, delicious, with brown sugar and lots and lots of fresh fruit on top. I have tried their lunch options as well. I am not usually a sandwich person, so I tend to go for their hot food bar and have never been disappointed. Nice homemade Italian meal. The hot dish comes with soup or salad and I usually opt for their lentil soup. Definitely great for a change from the usual FiDi lunch places. One note to management: the online menu needs a bit of work. I know you are trying to coordinate with the company that runs your website, but some of the items on the online menu are outdated and are no longer available. To me it's not a big deal, but probably makes it hard for people's online ordering. Also, it is pretty pricey, even for FiDi, although I must say that the price is worth it. For this reason I have to space out my visits there, which is probably a good thing, since I don't want to get sick of it :-)
(5)Vika S.
i really enjoyed the lunch special i had with half a turkey sandwich and a beet salad. The sandwich was delicious, especially the bread. The beet salad was the best i have ever had. It's so well seasoned and the portion was very generous for the price. There were so many other options though for salads, sandwiches, hot meals, and soups. I have yet to explore.
(5)BRIAN F.
Reminds me of Italy. Wonderful space, great food, the breakfast coffee and lunch casual Italian eatery I have been looking for the past 4 years.
(5)Samuel G.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE good panini sandwiches, and love these small, tucked-away places I'm finding as a newbie in SF. There are signs for Il Massimo all along Washington Street, with free menu dispensers on each one, so you couldn't possibly miss it. We stumbled upon it on a previous walk, and I decided to come back and try it for myself when I was really hungry. A couple of days later, and there I was, ready for some great food. It has a very homey, straightforward atmosphere. It's basically a sit-down deli, but they also make coffee drinks and have fresh pastries on-hand. (Which I did NOT sample. I decided to behave myself...THIS time.) I've been trying to get back to my veggies, so the fresh salads in the deli case won my heart immediately. When the lady in front of me ordered a Salad Trio to go, that inspired me right then and there. I went for the Salad Trio - pickled beets, potato salad and the cucumber-tomato-onion mix, and a Turkey Club panini, which earned me an odd "Are you sure?" look from the guy behind the counter. I later found out why. For just under $9.00, you get a LOT on your plate with the Salad Trio, so if you wanted, you could make a meal out of that all by itself. And that panini he brought me later when it was ready? Oh, waiter...FORKLIFT, PLEASE! That sandwich was delicious...AND BIG! Good thing I wasn't planning on having dinner that evening until VERY late. Want to give it four stars, but I kind of expected it to be a full-service restaurant, which it's not. They will bring your food out for you if you're waiting to eat in, but as far as silverware, napkins, drinks, etc., you're on your own. Everything is easy to find, though. Great place to eat in, or take out (which a lot of people were doing.) And once I DO try the coffee drinks and the pastries, who knows? I may have to put another star up there after all....
(3)Stephanie C.
Massimo's is another solid spot for lunch in the FiDi. They offer a good selection of paninis and salads that are either made-to-order or pre-made. They also have hot plates and offer various pasta dishes, chicken parmesan, etc. Everything is fresh and I love that they use fresh mozzarella! You really can't go wrong with their half panini half salad combo here. I love their tomato, spinach and fresh mozzarella panini. The mozzarella is creamy, fresh, and extremely tasty! I've only tried their caesar salad, which is pretty standard, but it's pretty good. Like most lunch spots in the FiDi, Massimo's is a little overpriced, and that's really my only complaint. Service here is quick and the staff is really friendly!
(3)Kelsey K.
Amazing food! I regularly get their salads and soup for lunch. Love the Ahi tuna salad and Tuscan! You won't be disappointed.
(5)Rita C.
It was such a quaint and welcoming atmosphere with a fireplace and couches around the fireplace for reading, eating, etc.. The food is also made their fresh (including their breads!).
(5)Jessica C.
This deli offers really yummy, upscale food in a deli environment. You almost can't go wrong with anything you order. My staff and I get our lunches here on almost a daily basis and we all love it. The staff are super friendly and nice and they make a point of remembering your name and preferences. My only complaints are that their food is a bit pricey (but that's to be expected considering we're in the Financial District) and they mess up my orders a lot. So now when I pick up a mass order for my office, I have them lay all the food out on the counter so I can inspect them for accuracy before having them bagged up. I still love going there, though, so I'm pretty happy with them overall.
(4)Jen L.
Note to self and others: Select items that are readily available in their display cases. Certain salads like the chinese chicken + cobb salad are made in the back. From time of order to pick up...25 minutes. Ridiculous as most of us have only an hour for lunch.
(1)A G.
We love this place! Amazing coffee made the old Italian way selected by the owner. I had a great cup of Americano. Service was the best that we experienced on our trip to San Fran. We were looking for a place with "toast" due to the SF toast movement. They did not even advertise that they have amazing homemade bread for toast making. I had a delicious egg white omelet with basil, tomato and avocado. The owner even gave food to a person in need passing by. She has a amazing place and takes pride in serving food. The basket tray that our food was served in was a great touch.
(5)Jon L.
Massimo is a dependable lunch spot if you're looking for paninis, soups, and salads but don't forget to check out the daily hot food specials if you want something more substantial. While I really like their sandwiches and soups, my good old dependable lunch order here is the salad trio. It's really simple, pick 3 salads from the display. On my last trip I has a mixed green salad with gorgonzola and peaches, a cucumber and tomato salad, and a chickpea salad. yelp.com/biz_photos/nqxx… The produce is fresh and the flavors are bright. The variety helps to make the salad seem more substantial for lunch haha. You feel full and satisfied, but not like you need to crawl under your desk for a little midday siesta. The lines move relatively fast at Massimo so it's a good Fidi takeout lunch place but it's actually quite cozy on the inside with a couple of nice sofas so take your time if you have it and enjoy your lunch as you people watch.
(4)David O.
Il Massimo is a great place to stop by for lunch if you're looking for a quick fix. Catering to the busy lives Financial District employees, they streamline the process of getting you in, getting you your choice meal, and getting you out. I went in for a Salame once and I enjoyed it a lot. As for salame sandwiches, they tend to be overpowering , but that wasn't the case here. They take the sandwich out of the case, pop it onto the panini press, and ta da! Your panini is done. Even with the rush, the lady at the register engaged in small talk and was surprisingly calm in a seemingly overwhelming environment. I would definitely come back to try their other options.
(4)John D.
Disappointed in this place
(1)Rebekah T.
When I order catering for our office in-house meetings, I order what I like, what I eat and make sure to provide options just in case you don't. But who doesn't like Italian Pannini Sandwiches, fresh salads and Italian desserts? I order from Il Massimo, because they are extremely flexible and the food is delicious. We go through a service called Seamlessweb.com , which allows us to pick and choose our catering services based on who is open, menus and lets you check out delivery terms at a glance. Il Massimo tends to be a cost effective catering company that has fresh food, our clients tend to like the fresh healthy choices. I tend to order the whole sandwiches, but I consider these to be almost two sandwiches because they are so big. They arrange all sandwiches on a platter in halves, to allow for mixing and matching. My favorites are the: Mozzarella, Tomato Roasted Chicken with Pesto Rosemary Ham with Smoked Mozzarella Roasted Turkey with Garlic Aoli My favorite salad, hands down is the Greek - which is cucumber, tomato, onion with vinaigrette. Simple yet tasty. Since some of the catering platters come with more than one salad, I will add the Cesar or Pasta. The Italian mini cookies are very popular here, i think since they are so small in size, people can have more than one. They are pretty cute though as well as being so tasty. :)
(5)Stacy L.
Salad looked and tasted like it had been sitting out all morning. Thank you for my 2 croutons. Also the bag of chips were stale. Guess that's what I get for paying 5 bucks for lunch. Probably wont come back, they are very quick though I was in and out. Cute place to eat by the fireplace at. Eh
(2)Alita M.
Good panini when you want one and the staff is pretty friendly. When you don't have time to run to a north beach deli and you want something healthier, it's a nice fix. I haven't had much else other than the rosemary ham panini, which I'm a huge fan of! and the lasagna that I tried once. Prices are fair, space is large for seating although could really use better light or some natural sunlight.
(4)Niniane W.
Loved the chicken panini! Can't wait to eat the little italian cookies and the gelato! Also looking forward to the lasagna and hot dishes.
(5).Hon H.
I decided to give Massimo another chance, and used them to cater a recent lunch. We were tired of our usual haunts, and since my co-workers love the place, I figured I'd surprise them. It was a great choice! We ordered several types of pannini and they were delicious. I had the steak and pepper, and a slice of a mozzarella and tomato with arugula. As sides I chose the lentil salad, a green salad and a Greek salad, all of which were perfectly fresh and seasoned perfectly. The dessert platter included checkerboard cookies, some sort of toffee/nut concoction (so good!) and plenty of other choices. The cost was about the same as we pay for Birleys or Boudins, and the variety and quality was so much better! Glad I gave it another shot! It'll be on the lunch rotation from now on.
(4)Gina N.
We came here for breakfast on a saturday morning. We decided to bypass the long line next door at noah's bagel, and tried this spot instead. I had the breakfast special (egg sandwich and 12oz coffee for $4.95). I had egg, spinach, and avocado on a wheat bagel, nicely toasted. It was quite yummy and filling. The coffee though, was really really good. Very smooth and not burnt at all...just what i needed on a cloudy cool saturday morning before heading out to the farmer's market across the street! oh, and they even have yummy pastries like cannoli's there too =)
(4)Karen F.
I knew 'em when they FIRST started and am thrilled that they have survived and thrived. Massimo was a great guy who would come into our CopyMat in the Financial District to have his daily menus printed off. The menus sounded so yummy (and prices so affordable) that I succumbed and ate lunch there. MANY times. Loved it back then and wish I could re-visit it now.
(4)Ed L.
College cafeteria for workers in the Financial District. Walk into this place and you will know exactly what I mean. It is convenient for food / coffee at any time breakfast, brunch, snack, lunch. They have sandwiches and fast hot food ready to go for people on the run. The menu changes everyday with various Italian dishes like eggplant parmesan, lasagnas, stews, etc. Since most of their food is pre-made and sitting on steamers, it probably is not as good as it can be and for fast food, you're still paying restaurant prices.
(3)Alvin D.
3/5 good light food. the special is half/half, so half sandwich, soup, salad. the flavors are pretty solid, though the balsamic was a bit too recurring. i'd definitely come back to try some of the other items, since they seem to also do hot plate specials. plus also for having bread and olive oil/balsamic vinegar for dipping!
(3)Sharat A.
I usually don't write reviews on yelp, but after I digested this place's poor excuse for food, I thought I'd write about how horrible this place is. I honestly don't think there's a difference in taste between the food and the paper bag they delivered it in. I ordered the Mozzarella sandwich, and this was probably the worst and most tasteless mozzarella sandwich I ate in all my life: unusually high bread to ingredients ratio, a really dry sandwich, flavorless, and a horrible pass for a rustico bread. To my knowledge, rustico bread should not be heavy crumbly whole wheat focaccia bread. This was just a hodge podge of random ingredients slapped together - it probably would have been better to graze leaves out of a garden...
(1)Sarah M.
Yay! Score one for an establishment catering to my neuroses and love of panini sandwiches. As many of you may know I have a thing for small confined spaces with homey accents. Breakfast nooks, secret passages, creative colonial American architecture, pet carriers, etc. So while not really a "confined" space, Massimo Cafe has a way of breaking up their dining area to give it a more intimate feeling - pillars, dim lighting, large furniture, interesting room layout. It all goes to let you and yours share a meal together, rather than feel like y'all are in a feed lot. As for the food. I had the mozzarella sandwich. Simple and yummy, could taste the cheese, tomatoes, spinach, grilled bread and they each held up on their own merits. And the lasagna was...well "airy". Not a great descriptor, but the thing was it wasn't a brick of cheese and noodle big plus. I'll be back soon.
(4)T I.
good take out place. I am giving it 4 star because it has nice sandwiches to go. It's not something to crave for but a healthy fast lunch with good variety.
(4)Yan G.
I guess it was inevitable. After 250+ reviews, it was pretty much bound to happen. Yep, at some point I was going to review two completely different, unrelated to one another places with the same name. This Massimo is an increasingly popular lunch spot in the Financial District. The other Massimo's is an Italian restaurant in Fremont, CA ( yelp.com/biz/massimos-fr… ). Anyway, we stumbled upon this lunch place almost by accident. My friend told me he had been there once before, but he didn't quite know what to expect. We walked in, and the place looked, for the lack of better word, weird. There was a bar to our right, a fireplace to our left and a hot plate station in front of us. Have I mentioned that Massimo is located directly behind a fire station on Washington Street? "Where are we?" I thought to myself. On any given day, Massimo has several hot entree choices in addition to its selection of sandwiches. The prices are very reasonable (under $10) and they include a generous serving of said hot entree, a side salad and unlimited bread. You order the entree at one station, salad - at another, and you get your own bread by reaching awkwardly, trying not to hit the person trying to pay for his meal at the cash register. Massimo gives you real plates and real silverware, both of which you have to carry to your table in a wicker basket tray. Before you're ready to get settled in your seat, don't forget to stop by the bar area to pick up your drink OR to pick up a glass for your self-serve fountain soda. Confused? I was, too. I don't like to use work flowcharts to figure out how to get my meal. Oh, and I know it sounds like I am just looking for stuff to complain about, but my friend and I both noticed that their chairs were too high for their tables! It made me feel very self-conscious and uncomfortable. Anyway, back to the meal. it was just OK, which is weird, because, I mean, who knows more about Italian food than Russians, right? The place turned out to be Russian owned and operated. My "chicken with pasta shells in cream sauce" was very bland. I looked for crushed red pepper to spice up my lunch, but it was all the way by the cash registered. I wasn't about to make the trek over there. So, I sat there and finished my bland chicken pasta, my decent Caesar salad and my ordinary bread. If I am in the neighborhood and Sai's ( yelp.com/biz/sais-restau… ) is too crowded, I might stop by Massimo again. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat lunch here, though. I have to say that my friend enjoyed it a lot more than I did, and he asked me that I give this place 4 stars. I think his judgment might have been somewhat clouded by the 41 grams of sugar he had at lunch (one Stewart's root beer in a bottle). Upon further review, the ruling on the field stands: 3 stars.
(3)Joseph C.
I went here on a Tuesday to try out their Chicken Parmesean. I thought it was ok, but definitely tasted as if it were sitting there for awhile as the chicken was pretty dry and the breading was mush. The noodles weren't drained and were very watery. I want to try their panini's next time as the lady sitting next to me looked like she was having a blast with it. Not sure if I'd recommend the food as of yet, but I will be back.
(3)