MJ’s Cafe

Simple lunch option for anyone in the area. Got a tuna chicken salad and a bottle of water for around $ 6. The sandwich was filling.
Seems like a good place to sit and eat/​do work. They have a small salad bar, a steam table with Asian food (i.e.: teriyaki chicken, rice, etc), sushi rolls ($.95/​piece, made to order), soup, and other hot Asian foods made to order. Breakfast is on the menu too.
Will def go back for a quick breakfast/​lunch bite. This will not break the bank is in a convenient location. Walking distance to civic center bart.

MJ’s is one of the easy lunch choices in the Civic Center/​Mid Market area. Sandwiches are made there — all pretty good. I used to get the bbq pork and teriyaki chicken lunch dish — but the meat would be so tough or hard… BUT, I got the wonton soup with bbq pork — keeps it moist. The soup is a great, very filling lunch. They also have sushi, salad bar, chips, drinks… Co-​workers and I go there a couple of times a week. Staff is super friendly and remembers everyone as you come in.

This place is great. The ladies here are sweet and professional. This place is budget friendly and they have great sandwiches. I like their BLT. They also have my favorite childhood drink New York Seltzer in Black Cherry and Root beer. I’ve be coming here a lot.

What impressed me most was that, half an hour before closing, when I came in, everything in the salad bar was still fresh, including some very good chicken, avocados, and a choice of leafy greens.
The price per pound for the salad is up to $ 7.25, but a pound of salad can still full you up.

Good place, but too wasteful. Uses WAY too much plastic (huge plastic containers and plastic forks, spoons etc.). Also, should able organic eggs and meat — would get more customers and they are right next to the farmers market so they could shop locally. More business would come in with these changes. Buy compostable take out containers!

Distinctive details.
In design: Purple walls and purple chairs alongside an otherwise standard deli and salad bar.
In dollars: Less than $ 5 for a huge broiled tofu sandwich with all the fixings on a wheat roll. Less than $ 2 for an equally massive chocolate chip cookie. Both delicious.
Space is small but there are (non purple) high chairs near the window which are perfect for enjoying food and conversation. Staff is friendly. Hot items available in addition to sandwiches.
Deserves four stars.

I can’t believe I’m even giving this place a star. I went and asked for the chicken noodle soup. I literally got water downed noodles and on top the weirdest looking chicken that actually looked like tofu. I couldn’t eat it. Never going there again.

Love this place. Perfect for students. Everyone is very friendly and the food is great.

«You have competition every day because you set such high standards for yourself that you have to go out every day and live up to that.» — Michael Jordan
Fitting that an MJ quote can also translate over into MJ’s café.
We are fortunate to be in such a city that offers such great food on every corner. We are also cursed with the fact that these said foods can also cost ya (see: cost of living. Wowza). This is where MJ’s thrives.
Nestled on the bustling smelly corner of McAllister and Leavenworth, you’ll find MJ’s veering its modest head; no chandeliers, no fancy running lights or leather couches. Instead, a wall of windows for people-​watching, clean urine-​free floors and an attentive staff of two behind the counter.
What caught my eye was the variety of foods offered: salad bar? Breakfast all day? Sandwiches? Milk tea with tapioca? IS THAT SUSHI?! Yes. That’s sushi.
Where MJ’s dribbles and dunks past the competition is its quality and costs. Sandwiches range from $ 4-​$ 6, HUGE and just damn tasty. I had a chicken salad sandwich, which turned out to be one of the best ive had, and a large coffee which set me back $ 6.25. $ 6.25 for a tasty filling lunch in civic center? GTFO. Grab a seat at a high table by the window, watch a man who hasn’t showered in 4 days dance to himself and indulge in the goodness.
All in all, MJ’s scored. In comparison to the 95 – 98 three-​peat Chicago bulls, this faired more up to a Scottie Pippen but you can only win like MJ if you think like MJ… So they’re on the right path. Just please don’t retire to try baseball, Cantonese women. Just keep making damn good sandwiches which make my wallet and belly smile.

I had a really satisfying BLT here. I think I will make this my go-​to lunch place while attending Hastings.

I went to school behind this café, and went here basically everyday, now I work at the school and still go here. They have so much to offer for such low prices and they’re always super friendly! Plus they give student discounts so I’ve taken my whole class here back in the days.
I always get either a chicken salad sandwich or a California BLT with avocado, with a few side of California rolls. Everything is always fresh and satisfactory. I have yet to try everything else on the menu since I’ll be sticking around longer.
PS, that bacon doeee.

I was a big fan of Mirtille, so I’m a bit sad to see it gone. However, MJ’s is decent.
There is still salad, but it’s now a self-​serve salad bar at $ 6.99 /​lb. Ingredients probably aren’t organic and as fresh as they were when it was Mirtille but hey, there’s still salad.
There’s also pseu-​shi (generic California rolls), some pastries, won ton noodle soup and sandwiches. If you haven’t figured out by now that this place is Cantonese owned and operated then the won ton noodle soup should have tipped ya off. I personally haven’t tried it yet but my gf said it hit the spot on a cold day without having to trek to the grimy TL.
Sandwiches are $ 5 and HUGE. I was only able to finish half my tuna salad sandwich on dutch crunch.
they need to figure out some better logistics in regards to paying. Some folks hit up the salad bar, fix themselves a salad and then just hop on over to the cash register while I’m like HEY-​O I’M IN LINE OVER HURR WITH A SAMMICH! STEP BEHIND ME! but whatevers…
debit cards accepted.

MJ’s is the best! The salad bar has some great offerings, including some basic but satisfying sushi. The wonton soup is an amazing deal, you get a huge serving for under $ 6. The baked goods, especially the coffee cake, lemon bar, and blueberry crumble are off the chain. Coffee and espresso are good. Dim sum is decent if you’re in need of a fix.
The only thing here that’s just so-​so is the sandwiches. They’re not bad, but you’re better off going to LePettitt’s for a sammich.
MJ’s is so consistently awesome. The service is super friendly, they keep the space clean and inviting. If you live or work in the area, I highly recommend it.

Review based off of one visit.
I walked and realized this café was run by Cantonese ladies. Their offerings were kind of all over the place: salad bar, sushi bar, dim sum bar, made to order sandwiches, noodle soup and soup.
While most patrons were ordering sandwiches I though I’d give the wonton noodle soup a try… prob not the best decision. While I waited I tried out their sushi bar– dragon roll and Cali roll. Not bad– I would say 3 stars
I brought the noodle soup back to work to eat. They don’t separate the noodles from the soup so they were a bit chalky. The wontons were also falling apart with the meat filling separating from the wrapper. Soup and flavor was there but I don’t think I will ever order this again.

If I can give zero star i will give them that…
Horrible first experience
They made their corn chowder staright from the canned ones… will NEVER go back

Their BLT sandwich that they make is absolutely worth $ 4. We’re talking stacks upon stacks of bacon with fresh ingredients and made to toast.
I found my happy place for snacks in the TL!

didn’t expect much beyond good coffee when i chanced by here. i was pleasantly surprised!
menu: sammies, salads, dim sum, expresso, breakfast, pastries/​cookies.
brew: peerless coffee (L.1.75)
–oaktown fav, almost never a bad cup. not here either
eats: lemon bar (1.95)
–fab lemon topping, tasted like lemon meringue, not the lemon goo found
in donuts
–base was complex something, tasted yummy, not just bread nor flour.
crumbs:
–bathrooms clean too. code on door needed to enter.
–awesome stuff here at decent prices!
–seating available too.
–smiling service…
–limited specials during grand opening
free water/​soda with $ 6 purchase
student discount all day with i.d.
bagel and large drip coffee (3)

Good espresso!
Soup/​ramen/​dim sum bar looks interesting.
Prices are fair, service was quick. I would come back.

Sad to see Mirtille go, but this is a nice and inexpensive option for breakfast (and they currently have bagel + cream cheese + large coffee for $ 3 deal) and lunch (sandwiches, hot sandwiches, salad bar, dim sum, soup of the day, noodle soups like wonton and ramen).
Drinks include standard coffee and espresso beverages, iced tapioca Thai tea + a couple other cold teas, and a display with water, sodas, and some more iced tea/​juice/​fizzy beverage options.
The café layout is like a smaller version of the Lee’s Delis in the financial district and soma, and the food options are very similar in quality and price. The staff is very friendly and accommodating as well!

MJ’s is in the location formerly occupied by Mirtile, an establishment that was a little too fou-​fou for the neighborhood. I would like to see more establishments follow the MJ’s format: fresh salad bar and fresh made sandwiches with real ingredients. The turkey breast was REAL turkey. For under $ 6.00! In San Francisco. The only other place I know to get a real turkey sandwich at a reasonable price is Tommy’s Joint.
They have breakfast sandwiches too, hot sandwiches, and the requisite coffee drinks.
All of the prices are generally lower than comparable meals at other local spots.
Fresh food at reasonable prices gets 5 stars from me!