San Francisco

Many a boy who's grown up with a step-mom can tell countless woeful tales of tyranny, all of which culminate in the surprise ending of "YOU'RE NOT MY MOTHER!!!". For another boy's tale shockingly ending in sandwiches, hit Oralia's.

The guy who owns The New Spot in Dogpatch's opened a breezy, bite-sized cafe/deli called Oralia's right nearby -- w/ room for five or so on stools along the window -- named for his stepmother & co-owner; together they lovingly sling heaping sammies stuffed with meat that's roasted fresh, right after each morning's shouting match re: taking out the trash. While daily specialty sandos can be anything from teriyaki pork to Cajun chicken, mainstays include the Prosciutto (w/ ricotta, red onions, and arugula), the Caprice (fresh mozzarella w/ basil/olive spread/tomatoes), and the meatloaf on wheat, which you'd do anything for (just not that). Non-bread-aided action ranges from salads (cobb, watercress & radish, etc), to daily soups, to meat plates of stuff like carved turkey or BBQ beef flanked by sides like slaw, stuffing, and mashed potatoes more thoroughly whipped than Mr. Margaret Thatcher.

They're also open promptly at 7am with a smorgasbord of pastries, bagels, and fresh juices -- although they'll never see you, because you're too busy staying in bed until your father finally gets it through to that Carol woman that you don't take ice cubes in your fresh squeezed OJ!!