Sweet Monte Christo

Ah, the age-old breakfast dilemma: pancakes or omelet? french toast or eggs? sweet or savory?

Mama's -- a half-century-old institution of North Beach -- solves this problem by combining both in it's awesomely rad Monte Christo sandwich.

Mama's uses fluffy white crustless bread cut into quarter triangles with a light egg batter and grills the sandwiches instead of frying. The homemade jam for dipping is a delicacy by itself, and the combination is perfect.

Be warned: the wait is long, and most of it is outside on the sidewalk. So find yourself a nice sunny Sunday, someone to have an hour of conversation with, and get thee to Stockton and Filbert with an empty stomach. You won't be disappointed.