I grew up on the East Coast so I’ve enjoyed really good deli. I’ve lived in Southern California for 35 years and go to San Francisco generally twice a year. I always made David’s my first stop for lunch. But never again. It’s obvious that it has taken a nose dive, and you want to stay far away. My last visit was a real shock.
My wife and I went in, and the first thing I noticed was that the window full of what was once a wide array of delectable baked goods, is now pretty meager looking. We then took a table in the dining room. There was one waiter for the dining room and the counter that you would not call “Flash”. I never had to look at the menu. It was always pastrami sandwich and a knish to share. First thing he told me was that they did not have knishes. I’m Jewish. Jewish delis have knishes. When we ordered the sandwich, I asked the waiter to bring us some kosher dills (pickles).
The sandwich that arrived was inedible. Pastrami is not a lean meat, but this was so fatty, I couldn’t look at it. So I asked the waiter if he would exchange it for an extra lean (as described in the menu) corned beef sandwich. This was not much better. It too was fatty. And seemed like it was heated in a microwave that dried it out before placing it on stale rye.
When he brought the check, I noticed that I was charged $4.95 for an “order of pickles” (what was one, maybe two pickles sliced). Real delis bring you some pickles for the table when you sit down. I asked the waiter if this was right, and he smiled and told me yes. When I went to pay the check, I complained to the lady at the cashier, and she told me she was sorry. Jewish delis have a relative at the cash register. And Asian restaurants have Asians at the cash register. The lady that took my cash was Asian. I’m not making any statement other than I have to believe that the place changed hands.
Now the absolute worst part. Despite the bad meal and being overcharged, I left a $6 tip on a $32 (after tax) meal. Once outside, I heard a tap on the window. I looked at the window, and it was the waiter flipping me the bird! No kidding. I went back in, and he took off out of sight, so I told the cashier, who again acted like I was the problem.
If you go into David’s thinking you’re going into a good Jewish deli, you will have made a big mistake. I too wish I could give negative ratings for the food and service at David’s.

Barely acceptable deli food depends on a steady stream of theater goers and out-of-town visitors for its clientele. In short, don’t go.