Cafe Okawari

For those in California, especially within the bustling urban landscape of San Francisco, the search for a quick, comforting, and authentically flavored Japanese meal often leads to delightful discoveries. Among the city's diverse culinary offerings, Cafe Okawari stands out as a unique spot, specializing in delectable Japanese sandos (sandwiches made with fluffy milk bread), satisfying rice bowls, and crispy sides. This charming cafe aims to bring a slice of everyday Japanese comfort food to the heart of San Francisco, perfect for a casual lunch or a convenient take-out dinner.

Cafe Okawari, with its focus on simplicity and quality, offers a menu that's both approachable and genuinely appealing. While some dishes may vary in their flavor intensity to cater to a broad audience, the overall experience is designed to be efficient and satisfying. From their celebrated chicken katsu sando, known for its juicy chicken and soft milk bread, to their traditional Japanese curries and unique potato korroke, they offer a taste of Japan that feels both familiar and exciting. For Californians looking for a reliable spot to enjoy Japanese comfort food that’s quick, flavorful, and conveniently located, Cafe Okawari provides a solid option that many locals have come to appreciate. It's a place that prides itself on delivering a good, solid meal, making it a dependable choice in the city's vibrant food scene.

Cafe Okawari is conveniently located at 236 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA. This address places it within the vibrant and highly accessible SoMa (South of Market) district, a dynamic neighborhood bustling with tech companies, residential buildings, and proximity to major transportation hubs. Its strategic location makes it an ideal spot for a wide range of customers, including busy professionals, local residents, and visitors exploring the city.

The Townsend Street location offers excellent connectivity, making it easy to reach for Californians utilizing public transportation. It's just a short walk from the Caltrain station, a major transit point for those commuting from the Peninsula and South Bay. Additionally, numerous MUNI bus lines operate in the vicinity, and it's well-connected to nearby BART stations, ensuring convenient access from various parts of San Francisco and the wider Bay Area. For those driving, street parking can be found in the surrounding blocks, though as with any busy urban area, it's advisable to factor in some extra time for parking. The cafe's central position in SoMa means it's a practical choice for a quick and delicious Japanese meal, seamlessly integrating into the daily routines of San Franciscans.

Cafe Okawari primarily focuses on providing efficient and convenient service to its customers, catering to a fast-paced urban environment while maintaining quality in its Japanese comfort food offerings.

• Counter Service: The cafe operates primarily on a counter-service model, allowing for quick ordering and pickup. This streamlines the dining process, making it ideal for those on a tight schedule.

• Takeout/Self-Pickup: A core service of Cafe Okawari. Customers can place their orders and pick them up directly from the cafe. This is perfect for enjoying their Japanese sandos and rice bowls at home, at the office, or at a nearby park.

• Delivery: Recognizing the high demand for food delivery in San Francisco, Cafe Okawari partners with major third-party delivery platforms, including Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, and Grubhub. This service ensures that their popular dishes can be delivered right to your doorstep, providing maximum convenience.

• Online Ordering: Customers can easily browse the menu and place orders online through their official website (if available, or through their listings on delivery apps). This user-friendly system allows for efficient customization and ordering for both pickup and delivery.

• Dine-In (Limited Seating): While generally described as "small" and "a little crowded," Cafe Okawari does offer limited indoor seating, including counter seating, for those who prefer to dine on-site and watch the kitchen in action. The ambiance is noted as simple yet cozy.

• Popular Japanese Staples: Their menu is built around well-loved Japanese comfort foods like Katsu Sandos, Katsu Curry, and other rice bowls (donburi), focusing on satisfying and familiar flavors.

Cafe Okawari distinguishes itself through several key features and highlights that resonate with its customer base, particularly those seeking specific types of Japanese comfort food in San Francisco.

• Delicious Chicken Katsu Sando: This is arguably their most celebrated item. Reviews consistently praise the "super juicy chicken katsu" that is "tender" and "crispy," served on "super soft milk bread." Many consider it one of the best chicken sandos they've ever had, with one reviewer noting it took them "right back to my Japan trip." It's often described as "delectable" and "fire."

• Fluffy Milk Bread: The milk bread used for their sandos is frequently highlighted for being "fun and fluffy" and "super soft," a crucial element that elevates their sandwiches.

• Crispy Potato Korroke: The potato korroke (croquettes) are noted for having a "good crunch and flavor," making them a popular side dish or appetizer.

• Variety of Japanese Curry Dishes: Cafe Okawari offers various Japanese curry options, including Chicken Katsu Curry, Tender Chicken Curry, Korroke Curry, and Ebi Fry Curry. While some reviews mention the curry being "flavourless" or "pre-packaged," others highlight the "decent to good" quality of the chicken itself.

• Comforting Rice Bowls (Donburi): Beyond sandos and curries, they offer other classic rice bowls such as Beef Gyudon, Spicy Tuna Don, Teriyaki Chicken, and Unagi Don. While the unagi was described as "soft and thin" by one reviewer, the overall range provides familiar and satisfying options.

• Open Kitchen Concept: For those dining in, the "open kitchen" is a notable feature, allowing customers to watch their food being prepared.

• Cozy and Simple Ambiance: The cafe is described as having a "cozy" and "simple" atmosphere, focusing on the food rather than elaborate decor, making it a relaxed spot for a quick meal.

• Popular Drinks: Beyond food, their Hojicha Latte and House Made Yuzu Soda are popular beverage choices.

While Cafe Okawari doesn't consistently advertise specific, large-scale, ongoing promotions directly on its public profiles, customers in California can often find various special offers, particularly through their partnerships with major food delivery platforms.

It is highly recommended that locals check the following avenues for potential deals:

• Delivery Platform Promotions: Cafe Okawari is available on popular platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, and Grubhub. These services frequently run their own promotions, such as discounts for first-time users, reduced or free delivery fees (especially for their subscription members like DashPass or Uber One), and seasonal or flash sales. Checking the specific app when you plan to order is the best way to catch these deals.

• Loyalty Programs: While not explicitly stated, some local cafes and restaurants in San Francisco participate in loyalty programs through third-party apps or their own systems. It's worth inquiring about any such programs if you plan to be a regular customer.

• Social Media/Website Updates: Occasionally, new menu items or limited-time offers might be announced directly on Cafe Okawari's official website (if they have a dedicated promotions section) or their social media channels. Following them can keep you informed of any spontaneous deals.

Given their focus on quick service and popular comfort dishes, the value often comes from the convenience and the quality of their most celebrated items like the Chicken Katsu Sando, which many find to be worth its price point for the taste and satisfaction it provides.

For inquiries or to place an order, Cafe Okawari can be reached using the following details:

Address: 236 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA

Phone: (415) 801-5927

For the most convenient ordering, especially for delivery, customers are encouraged to use popular platforms such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, or Grubhub, which allow for seamless online ordering and tracking. You can also visit their official website (or their listed menus on delivery apps) to view their full offerings and place an order for pickup.

For residents across California, particularly those navigating the fast-paced and diverse culinary landscape of San Francisco, Cafe Okawari offers a uniquely suitable and appealing Japanese dining option. Its suitability for locals stems from its strong focus on delivering comforting, familiar Japanese staples with an emphasis on convenience and accessibility, perfectly aligning with the urban Californian lifestyle.

The main draw for locals is undoubtedly the quality of its signature items, especially the highly praised Chicken Katsu Sando. The "super juicy" chicken and "super soft milk bread" are consistently highlighted as standout features, making it a go-to for those craving a well-executed Japanese sandwich. While some items like the curry or egg sando might receive mixed reviews for flavor intensity or portion size, the overall sentiment for their popular dishes is positive, demonstrating a core strength in their favored offerings.

Furthermore, Cafe Okawari's prime location on Townsend Street in SoMa makes it exceptionally convenient for professionals seeking a quick and satisfying lunch, or for residents looking for an easy and delicious dinner option without straying far from home. The counter-service model and robust partnerships with major delivery platforms ensure that quality Japanese comfort food is readily available, fitting seamlessly into busy schedules. Despite being a small establishment, its cozy ambiance and open kitchen concept provide a pleasant experience for those who choose to dine in. In essence, Cafe Okawari is a practical, flavorful, and reliable choice for locals in San Francisco who appreciate simple, well-made Japanese comfort food that can be enjoyed on the go or in a relaxed setting. It's a solid addition to the city's vibrant culinary scene, delivering on its promise of delicious, accessible Japanese fare.

Cafe Okawari

236 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA