We are staying on Powell St (Hotel Stratford) & looking for inexpensive dinners for a couple of evenings. Ideas for good, inexpensive Italian in North Beach? Is there something close to the hotel as well (seafood or diner style). Thank you !

There is a diner right on Powell Street - it's very popular, although I don't personally think it's all that good. The name is Lori's Diner.

LOL DmLove, you are not alone!

I've heard, the same diner on Mason is much better.

Where is Mason from Powell? Ideas for italian in North beach?

I ate at the Mason Street branch of Lori's, which I found to be very mediocre. It's open 24 hours so it is convenient in that sense.

For inexpensive in the general area, I prefer Tommy's Joynt for hot sandwiches or the Grubstake for burgers. Both are open late although not 24 hours like Lori's at Mason. Inexpensive in North Beach, Capp's Corner, one of the few remaining restaurants serving family style Italian dinners.

Tommy's and Grubstake are really not in the same area as Union Square/Lori's.

Someone recently posted about a family-run italian restaurant in North Beach called Franchino. It gets excellent reviews on yelp.

i enjoyed e tutti qua, in north beach, across from the city lights bookstore. yum.

I haven't been to Capp's for years, but I'm glad to hear it's still there. It's uniquely San Francisco, I think.

We ate at Franchino last night and it was great !