The Detroit-style pies coming out of the casual counter-service spot have caramelized cheese walls and dough that stays light and airy underneath the toppings, which range from plain cheese to pepperoni and a thick stripe of tomato sauce to a veggie combination with brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and olives. They also have a great chopped salad and cocktails to sip on while you gaze out at the gardens and consider playing hooky tomorrow.

It’s not that hard to make a good sandwich. But making a great one that’s worthy of planning an entire day around? That’s a feat in itself - and no place does it like Deli Board. The SoMa spot cranks out absolutely massive sandwiches that are well-stuffed with everything from corned beef to tuna salad and falafel. Whatever you order off of their usual menu or titular board of daily-changing specials will be fantastic, but when in doubt, get anything with pastrami.

You could spend your day off marathon-ing old seasons of Survivor like it’s nobody’s business. Or, you could make your way to La Palma in the Mission to pick up some pupusas, carnitas tacos, and a bagful of chicharrones, and bring it all back to your couch for said marathon. Also grab some of their excellent homemade tortillas to take home - they’ll easily power you through the rest of the work week.

When you need to be in and out within five minutes (like on a quick lunch break or if you’re trying to dodge the meter maids), get to Bobop. Though this counter-service Korean spot is built for takeout, it’s also one of the best lunch spots in the Mission. They specialize in yubu chobop, or fried tofu skin pockets filled with vinegar-y rice and topped with things like miso pork, chopped-up bulgogi, and saucy stir-fried kimchi.

A day of not working is as good of an excuse as any to check out some of the city’s cheesiest pupusas. The menu at this casual counter-service Salvadoran spot in the Mission has over 12 types, from non-meat options like zucchini, spinach, and loroco. Our go-to is the revuelta, a gooey mix of chicharrones, beans, and cheese, which always has crispy edges and is perfectly griddled on the outside. For a heartier lunch, go with the combo that comes with plantains and beans on the side.

The bright green kaya toast from this small Richmond bakery is easily one of the most photogenic dishes in the city - and it’s delicious, too. The only problem? Breadbelly’s hours are 10am-2pm, Thursday to Sunday, so getting one requires some serious planning to make it here in this narrow window of time. So keep Breadbelly in mind for your next day off, and stop by for the toast, plus some chicken karaage, a short rib sandwich, or a couple of their excellent baked goods for dessert.

On our day off, we like to aimlessly wander around North Beach and people/dog-watch to our heart’s content. We get hungry during all this, which is why we love SF Chickenbox. They do a fantastic fried chicken sandwich, plus squishy mochi muffins and a standout macaroni salad. It’s the ideal picnic meal, so grab a box of it all, take it to Washington Square, and eat it in the sun while you contemplate the pros and cons of shiba inu ownership.

Whether you’ve got family in town for the first time, are playing hooky with your roommates, or just want a kind of fancy lunch all to yourself, Zuni Cafe is the answer. The Civic Center restaurant is an SF institution, and for good reason - their wood-fired roasted chicken and face-sized piles of shoestring fries are excellent. Plus, it’s the type of place that’s built for long lunches and never-ending glasses of white wine. And don’t leave without ordering their iconic Caesar salad.

Viva Goa in the Marina is serving some of the best Indian food in town, let alone the neighborhood. Their tandoori fish always comes out sizzling and flawlessly cooked, and we frequently dream about taking a soak in a hot tub filled with their rich curries. The creamy Navrattan korma with peas, carrots, and other vegetables is a standout, but it’s hard to go wrong here. Always get extra naan to sop up every last bit of sauce.

At night, this Guamanian restaurant in the Mission is a lively backyard party. During the day, though, the outdoor patio in a converted parking lot is a different story—it’s less packed and more serene, like a picnic in your very own private garden. What doesn’t change is the fantastic food. There’s no better way to spend an hour or two than dipping plump ko’ko’ wings into tangy lemon fina’denne sauce or cutting into roasted yams with creamed spinach.