Hancock Street Cafe - San Diego

Growing up in San Diego, you never really went here to be blown away by the food, but you did go for the experience.. and now that has sadly died along with Mario (The legendary founding owner.)His son has taken up operations and makes it very clear he doesn’t want to be there nor does he want customers there. What a shame. I’ll never forget my first time visiting nor this time, which will be my last.

I walked in here one day while I was getting work done on my car. I had the cheese perogies and they were excellent! One serving really hit the spot and homemade perogies are just so much better than the frozen ones from the store I might add. The decor was very interesting and eclectic. I asked the man about who walked across the US and he told me it was his uncle. I had time so I sat down in the front and we chatted for a long time about his family and how the restaurant began. Every item in there was his uncle's and has a story behind it. I wish I could have known him when he was alive. At any rate he said he could pull up you tube videos of his uncle playing music there and various locations. It was great! He told back stories as each video played and I had a real sense of the vibe and energy of the restaurant and his uncle. I have seen some people have had different experiences than I have and it's a shame because the nephew was very nice and a great conversationalist. I'll def be returning.

Not sure if the man I spoke to was the owner or an employee, but he is SUPER RUDE. I will never go here ever again!!!

Place is clean, cute and quirky. Food is good. Service was ok. Prices were very high . . . for $15 sandwich, you think you would get a couple of chips. The pierogi were decent, but definitely not what I was hoping for (like I get out east).While we were there, a non-customer came into use the restroom and the counter guy went chasing after him . . . i thought the confrontation was going to turn physical. Luckily the guy left before it did because we were in the middle of it.Glad I stopped but this place is one and done for me.

The pastrami sub sandwich smacked harder than a drunk stepdad! Bomb food and the inside is a blast from the past.Kid-friendliness: Owner was very nice and interacted with my child!Parking: Limited