Two “m”s, one “s”. Tommaso’s. Opened in 1935 (under the name Lupo’s), this Italian eatery has stayed the course for over 75 years donning the same cave-like location and winning awards for their pizza. They’ve got an interesting story and are one of the great restaurant successes of SF.
Margherita pizza from Tommaso’s
When you ask for restaurant recommendation in SF, particularly in North Beach (technically FiDi, but still), you’ll often hear the name Tommaso’s. At least I have. And since I walk by the place every day (no joke) on my way to work, it’s a wonder it’s taken so long for me to go. But alas, now I can say I have experience the great Tommaso’s.
I liked it. I like most restaurants, I guess. Honestly, it wasn’t entirely my style, but the food was good and so was the company (Carissa and EJ met me there).
Being 75+ years old, not unlike my grandpa (love you grandpa!), the style is sort of old school. Think along the lines of Banchero’s (or any old Italian diner, if you’re not from Hayward). It’s been kept up pretty well, but there aren’t any windows (bordered on two sides by other buildings, kitchen in the back, no windows in the front), it’s a bit dim, and the service is what you would expect from a “family-owned” place as opposed to, like, an Applebee’s. You know what I mean.
And since the reputation is so ridiculous, the place is packed. We went on a Saturday night and they don’t take reservations. So, we waited in the too-small foyer for 45 minutes or so for our table. At least they’ll give you drinks while you wait.
Vegetarian antipasto plate from Tommaso’s
The menu offers a few appetizers, many salads, seafood, pasta, pizza, and Italian dinners. It’s down-home style — not light “California” Italian — like so many other restaurants in North Beach. We, obligingly, ordered a pizza to share and a veggie appetizer plate.
Margherita pizza in dim light
Both were good. I love veggies and so did my companions. We gobbled them up quickly. The pizza wasn’t thin Italian style, but wasn’t heavy American style either. It was somewhere in between, and it had lots of (read: adequate amounts of) cheese. It was tasty. I don’t know if I’d go running to Zagat about it, but I did like it. Carissa thought the place we went last time (another North Beach restaurant) was better. And Carissa never sugar coats things.
I’d definitely go back to Tommaso’s if the opportunity arose, but I probably wouldn’t, say, steer a group of my friends there if they asked me where to go. Just my two cents; Zagat can keep on with the praises all they want.
Got it! Had to google Zagat. 🙂