Apollo Market & Deli
Categories: Grocery, Greek and Mediterranean, Convenience Stores, Delis [Edit]
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley501 Fell St
(between Buchanan St & Laguna St)
San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 255-6870
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
41 reviews
Neighborhood: Union Square
"Twice I had my lunch from Roots and twice I got burger! Oh my God, delicious and juicy with amazingly awesome fries! You can get it inside…" read more »
28 Reviews for Apollo Market & Deli
Apollo manages to be many things: a corner grocery store, a repository of Mitchell's Ice Cream, a sandwich cafe with several tables and even a balcony...but ultimately it all comes back to their true raison d'etre: prepared Middle Eastern foods. I'll tell ya, when I'm invited to a picnic, the first thing I shop for is the hummus, baba ghanoush and pita. And the stuff here is the real homemade deal. The pita is actually really bready, and thus a bit too soft and crumbly for dipping, but just throw it on the grill for a few minutes and you'll have toasted, wonderful-smelling perfection. I'll have to come back and try some of those delicious-looking sweet and savory philo pastries too, like the spinach-n-feta-filled spanakopita.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (1)
I come here fairly often to grab a sandwich or wrap and I agree, the food is really good. I've never had a problem with freshness, everything seems to have been made maybe the day before or the day of.
Funny story : went there one time to grab wraps for dinner because I was feeling lazy. Instead of the really nice lady (goddamnit I wish I remembered her name!) was not there but instead were her two sons. They had no idea what went on the wrap that I had ordered and asked me "do you want pickles? olives? hot sauce?" I am not sure what I exactly ended up with but man it was good.
The best part was they were so proud of themselves! They could not believe that they had made my food and then made me promise not to tell their mom if it tasted bad.
It was good! And I will keep going back.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
i've been guilted back into yelping, oy! yeah, yeah, 8 mos, no reviews, an ROTD, it's about time i started writing.
it's been a year since i moved across the street from apollo (kitty corner to be precise, c'mon and head on over all ye stalkers!), and in that time i've developed some serious addictions as well as made some neighborhood friends.
the addictions:
1) guava "jizz" - ie, egyptian guava nectar that is, in essence, the "essence" of guava. can be consumed alone or served with champagne to make a guava "jizzmosa." available in small bottle for $1.99 or large bottle for $2.99.
2) the hummous. now, i make a mean garlic hummous, if i may say so myself, but dude, the hummous at apollo is CRACK. (in the best possible of ways).
3) spanakopita. especially when it's a fresh batch right out of the oven. the butter pastry flakes perfectly and the spinach and cheese filling is salted just right. mmmm.
as for the friends--it's a family run business and they always greet me with a smile and conversation. they keep track of where i work, what i do, when my family's in town, if i've been sick. heck, sometimes i go pick up an ice cream just to make small talk with them!
as other reviewers have mentioned, all the food is home cooked right there. there's a decent selection of cheap wines (mostly local), and a bunch of general as well as mediterranean groceries. the nightly dinner special varies (it's about $9) and is generally gone by 7p.
overall, a great little neighborhood cafe/grocery, particularly valuable in a neighborhood lacking inexpensive dining options (and there's only so many times the arteries can handle frjtz, yo!).
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
Cool (3)
After getting myself lost looking for a place to eat on the way to Sutro (we East-bayers are like that),we came across this little place. We stopped, and let me tell you, best baba ghanoush I have ever had. The service was friendly, and the food was both amazing and affordable.
A+
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I want this family to stay in business forever. This is partly because if they stick around, I'll never have freeze my ass off outside of Mitchell's again.
But also, the food is delicious and (I'm pretty sure) the wife makes almost everything on the premises. The folks that own this place are kind and welcoming. What a great addition to the neighborhood!
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I'd seen this little cafe/grocery on many occasions and had intended to go in for some time but never really got around to doing so until now. I had a sudden hankering for falafel, and having tried the Hayes and Kebab place down the street, I wanted something different.
The menu is chalked up artistically on the back wall, while a fairly small selection of essential grocery supplies line the rest of the shop. I got the falafel plate which, at $5.99, was about 50 cents cheaper than just the falafel wrap and Hayes and Kebab. At Apollo's, that plate includes the falafel balls, hummus, tahini and pita. The hummus and sides were top notch, the falafel was a little thin and flat and the falafel didn't taste super fresh. To be honest, the falafel wrap at Hayes and Kebab is better, but the overall package here is very appealing.
What I really liked is wide variety of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food. If there is any more blatant demonstration of the fact the Arab's can cook, it would be that all the best and most popular falafel joints in Israel are run by Arabs. Here, plenty of tasty sides are on display, along with a stack of various flavors of Turkish Delights. Mmm! All I need is a brick of halavah and I am set.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
The people are so friendly here! Plus, all of the homemade Mediterranean food is absolutely delicious. The meatballs, and expecially the ginger chicken soup are my absolute favorites! It's easy to take out and really reasonably priced. I highly reccomend this place to anyone looking for delicious, authentic Mediterranean food that is reasonably priced and easy. Take it home, eat it there- you can't go wrong!
5 stars for consistent Mediterranean food with flair. I will disclaim that I know the family that owns this cafe, but even if I didn't I would want to eat here.
I'm not a hummus person but I love it from here. I've had various of their daily specials, and they are all amazing. I forgot the name of the lentil soup they serve, but it's delicious.
And in light of a recent 1-star review I made to another (unrelated) restaurant, I can personally vouch for the fact that their kitchen is spotless, free of vermin and no corners are cut on keeping the patrons safe from foodborne illness. Everything is fresh and made from scratch. Of course, the people are also lovely. :)
Continued success to Apollo!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Ok, so it's not glamorous, but this place calms the savage craving. I'm a sucker for spanakopita and remember having my boyfriend fork out the bucks at Kokari for it. Can you believe this place makes it better, and for less?? Huge spanakopita that makes me drool just writing about it! Now that my boyfriend became my husband, he loves the fact that it's so inexpensive and withing walking distance! Plus, who can pooh-pooh the Mitchell's ice cream?
Hint to the guys: Apollo's food makes a great peace offering!
This is one family business that we hope to keep in the neighborhood for a long time!
Just moved into town and stumbled across this place. Walked in, and the lady recommended her home-cooked meatball dinner over Mediterranean rice. Came with a salad and some bread....Best part is that it was all home-cooked from scratch...I felt like I was visiting a friend's house and his mom made dinner for us. I am definitely going to come back here many times for a home-cooked meal.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I love this family run corner store, I really do. The lady of the shop is so sweet and I always end up shooting the breeze with her. We have a similar taste in cheeses. She loves soft cheese and kashkaval and carries a small but really good selection of them! I also really like her home-made rice pudding - mmm, mmm, good. This review seems to be more about her than Apollo the Greek god, but that's because she IS Apollo to me.
They recently started selling beer and wine; which I hope brings them more and more customers as I really want them to stick around.
Well done job all around!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I've been going here since the very first day it opened
Food just like yo mama usta make (if she were Palestinian)
Love the family owners.
They have everything from wine, beer and cigarettes to bath and body works soap. This place is an ideal spot to have on your block. the owners could not be nicer PLUS they have the best homemade humus I have ever had.
Apollo gets 5 stars for personality. The staff is so friendly and inviting, it makes up for any shortcoming in space or food quality (good, not great). I'm really glad to have a corner store/restaurant with such great people!
This is great place for prepared food and some essentials - although you might want to try Oak Hill Market on Oak and Buchanan if you can't find what you're looking for here.
Pretty typical deli/minimarket with a couple of unique twists:
Mediterranean food (yummy baklava!), turkish coffee and... Mitchell's Ice Cream.
It was more than enough to take my 5 year old from being barely able to walk during lunch, to almost skipping back to the car, as she licked her ice cream cone.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Apollo is A-Okay
First and foremost the owners are wonderful people. The first time I went I was with my Syrian friend and she hit it off with them instantly. They have been warm and friendly to us ever since.
Apollo has great specials, and though I've never lived in the Middle East, my friend tells me the food is quite authentic.
I love the mediterranean plate---the dolmas are exquisite. . .AND you HAVE TO try the kebba. . .I'm not sure what's in those little fried canelles of goodness, but whatever it is it's amazing.
Hayes Valley residents should really support this little joint. . . the food is good, the prices are fair and the people are warm.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Like everyone says this is the friendliest. I should come here more often then I do. Usually we know exactly what we are in the mood for and we go out and get it. This is why I like THIS store........I don't know what I am in the mood to eat until I spend a little time, take a look around, feel the fruit, squeeze a few avocados, smell the mango's, and decide on something delicious. So European, I know. This system works for me.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
This place seemed to be the typical mom n pop shop owned deli store. nothing too special for me. =o(
At first glance this will seem like just a cornerstore with modest cafe amenities. In addition, however, Apollo offers a special of the day, which is not your standard cafe nibbling fare.
The special of the day is usually a heaping helping of something like beef okra, herb roasted chicken, baked ziti, meatballs, et cetera. This is the real deal: down home Lebanese and Palestinian cooking. Yes, they have all the generic "middle eastern" standards (Falafels, baba ganoush, et cetera), but they have also been knocking my socks of with some dishes I've never heard of or seen before. I recommend taking a chance on the special even if you don't know what it is!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (3)
the falafel is probably the best in the city outside of someone's mother's or grandmother's kitchen. frankly, when i read the reviews being lukewarm on the falafel, i am unsure they were at the same place where i get my falafels. the falafel is soft, smooth and tasty. maybe other ppl like their falafels the consistency of baseballs, but i don't. all the ingredients are topnotch and fresh. of course, any place can have a bad day, but so far, after about 20 falafels they are consistently good. i have tried the other places, about 10 times on hayes street., i have tried them in the haight, in the mission, and in other parts of town--definitely this is the best. i dare anyone to bring their favorite falafel for a blinding tasting. apollo rocks.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
This place is so friendly and the people who work here are so great, I really wish the food was better.
It's great place to stop in for a piece of baklava and a coffee.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Nice corner deli/grocery store in Hayes Valley at Fell and Laguna. Bambi just got a Mortadella and Swiss cheese samich with Tabouli salad that was tasty. You can find the usual small grocery goods here along with a deli that has ice cream and coffee drinks. There is outside seating which is very ideal on a hot day.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I'm not really one for mediterranean food, but I do live across the street and work from home, and I am pretty lazy. So Apollo gets a lot of my business for their delicious sammiches. Roast beef is particularly good, but turkey and ham works too. And I can get 6-packs of orange soda and gatorade, and sometimes some other little things for later. The prices on the things in the market section are probably a bit high, but i'm willing to pay in exchange for convenience.
Not to mention that everybody who works there, especially the woman who's normally behind the counter, is always friendly and attentive.
This is a great family run market/deli. There are so many yummy Mediterranean choices to choose from that often I will just ask what they recommend and I always leave with a smile on my face.
P.S. The baklava is awesome.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
From the outside, Apollo Market is just another corner convenience store in the city. I'm really glad I stopped there, though; they have a great lineup of food made fresh daily, including hummus, tahini, kibbeh, stuffed grape leaves, and other mediterranean dishes. They also have a couple of soups each day. And after a reasonably priced (under $10) dinner, there's Mitchell's ice cream for dessert!
A correction to my initial review: this place only closes at 7 on Sunday; it's open until 9 the rest of the week.
This place always has something good inside. But what I really go after is the plates Sam has cooking everyday. Each day is something different and special. It really feels like I have another mom the way she cares about all her cooking. My vegetarian friends love the Mediterranean combo (I don't know what the guy before me was talking about). All her food is healthy and really delicious. I hope they stick around for a long time.
I was looking for a place to eat and I unfortunately picked this garbage. I got the Meditteranian combo. It was the worst meal i have eaten in at least 10 years. I felt like I didnt even eat anything after the meal. Please do not ever eat here.
I can't say enough about the Apollo Cafe... located on the corner of Laguna and Fell in The City, the folks there always aim to please. Whether it's stopping in for your morning jolt and pastry, a yummy deli sandwich for lunch or treating yourself to the daily homemade special you are always treated like a guest, not just a customer. You can even pick up assorted grocery and Middle Eastern items while there- and they recently added alcohol. Not only can you get your items to go, if you choose to eat there, you experience unexpected hospitality. There's even a cozy loft eating area. The family that runs Apollo is always warm and welcoming. My boyfriend and I have made it a hang-out, and they don't seem to mind if we bring a game of Battleship and make an afternoon of it. They also serve Mitchell's ice cream. If you happen to be in Hayes Valley, make it a point to visit Apollo, and tell them I said "hello"
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
My Neighborhood
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,… -
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the… -
Hayes Valley & Mid-Market
Hayes Valley is a textbook example of recent… -
HAYESVILLE
Bambi likes these stops in Hayes Valley...more to… -
My Neighborhood
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
Hot and New
- Urban Tavern
19 reviews
Neighborhood: Union Square
- Ironwood BBQ
56 reviews
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
- Maruya Sushi
35 reviews
Neighborhood: Japantown
- Old Mandarin Islamic…
147 reviews
San Francisco, CA
- Rosamunde Sausage Grill
619 reviews
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
