Little City Market

In preparation for Thanksgiving dinner, I needed quality Italian sausage for stuffing. This led me to the edge of North Beach and Chinatown, where Little City Market stands proudly at the corner of Vallejo and Stockton. For over 70 years, this shop has been the last guard of Little Italy before it transitions into Chinatown.That day, I was lucky to meet all three generations of the shop's owners--Grandpa, Dad, and Grandson--all behind the counter, serving customers the old-fashioned way. According to the Grandson, the store originally opened elsewhere in San Francisco in 1937, with the North Beach location established in 1951. "I'm the fourth generation," he said, pointing to his Grandpa, who is 84 this year. "Grandpa here is the second generation!"The store's décor was unmistakably from the 1950s, a style consistent with many businesses in North Beach and neighboring Chinatown--a living reminder of the area's past and traditions. The shop offers a butcher's selection of beef, veal, lamb, and pork, as well as eight or more varieties of freshly made sausages, ranging from classic Italian to spicy Sicilian. I chose the Calabrese, a Sicilian-style spicy sausage. Grandpa weighed and wrapped it for me.I waved my phone to pay with Apple Pay, but Grandpa waved his finger in rejection. "No cards, no machines, no phone," he said firmly. "Cash or check only."Dad pointed to an antique cash register and added, "This is from 1937, and it's still working." He then gestured to the old-style rotary phone mounted on the wall. "This one's from 1951, and we still use it too."Just then, the phone rang. Dad picked it up, jotted down a customer's order, and hung up with practiced ease. "We still do everything the old way," he said with a proud smile.Grandpa turned from the cash register and nodded in agreement. "In the old days," he chimed in with obvious pride, "all I needed was a hammer and a butcher's block. I could break down any meat--cow or swine."With a mix of awe and amusement, Grandson grinned and added, "But you also used scissors, Grandpa!"A bit embarrassed but affectionate, Grandpa glanced at his grandson and stood a little taller, owning up to the truth. "Yes," he said, pulling out a pair of scissors with dull blades and a plastic handle, the kind you'd find in an elementary school craft class. "I use these to open packages," he admitted.Then, as if by magic, he swapped the scissors for another, even smaller pair. With a chuckle, he said, "Nowadays, the cattle come in packages."I left the store satisfied, carrying the sausage home. The next day, I sautéed it with diced onions, carrots, and celery. After seasoning, I added more celery and chopped walnuts, mixed it all with breadcrumbs and chicken stock, and baked it to perfection.The final dish was a delight--the breadcrumbs chewy, the walnuts crunchy, and the celery crispy. Most importantly, the fresh sausage elevated the stuffing with its heat, spice, and unbeatable flavor. Among the many dishes on our Thanksgiving table, it was one of the most welcomed by family and guests, who gathered to give thanks on this festive occasion.

Who do you think provides better meat: chain grocery stores or a generational butcher whose sole focus is on the animals?

Great place. All sorts of cuts you may need and all variety of fresh meats. Owned and operated by same guy who knows his stuff. All the meat you'd ja imagine. Real Italian style butcher shop

The meatloaf is really good! Quality service, and a great butcher! The ambiance has the character and charm of a place that I used to go to as a kid. Love it here!

Little City Market is the only butcher shop my grandmother would get meat from. I just moved back to SF and my mom, who shops there, reminded me of it. High quality meat, limited fish (usually one kind but very good), ravioli and some other market items but really the place to go for beef, pork or chicken. They are super helpful, will slice meat for you and will recommend the right cut of meat should you have questions. Cash or check only.

Great neighborhood butcher store. They provide some great cuts of meat including more specialized cuts. Worth making a trip for your special dishes. Cash only so make a trip to the atmbeforehand. Not sure if they'd do it but this looks like the place that you could order whole prímals or half carcasses.

The Calabrian sausage and Sicilian sausages are very very fresh, authentic, and delicious. Yum! The market is large, but their selection is rather small. And their other shelf items are slim. And the owner (I think?), well, he sorta lacks a personality. But if you want pork cut to order, and Italian sausages, come to this place in North Beach! It's really fantastic!

10 out of 10!Outstanding deliThis cuts here are soooo goodI liked the ham and pernil

Very well stocked for quite affordable prices for the area and the times. Do note that they only take cash and cheques!

The owners are so friendly and helpful, high quality meats for a fair price. "Only salt on the meat, it will explode if you put pepper on it" owners advice when I asked how to best cook the meat I bought