Little Paris Coffee Shop
Categories: Vietnamese, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Nob Hill, Chinatown939 Stockton Street
(between Clay St & Washington St)
San Francisco, CA 94108 (415) 982-6111
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: None
33 reviews
Neighborhood: Financial District
"This is a great place for a morning pit stop! I had their Chi latte today and it was superb, even better than $tarbuck$ and at a much more…" read more »
98 Reviews for Little Paris Coffee Shop
Best pate in the city. I could eat that spread with bread all day. Though it mutilates my hard palate as if I'm munching on nails, sometime there's nothing like a good Vietnamese sandwich with delicous pate.
I love going here when I'm craving vietnamese sandwiches. Coffee is not too shabby either. Less than $2 for a cup - and it keeps me wired all throughout the day.
Small and sometimes a little filthy, but their food is still cheap and yummy. You can either order from the menu and they serve you up there (people usually don't actually do that) or you can buy whatever you see on the counter or order up a sandwich and eat it there. They will heat it up for you if you ask.
Oh, the memories! Middle and early high school years. Used to come here with my friend on the weekends after Chinese school.
Vietnamese sandwich, pho and the canned thai iced tea. Yup...invested a lot of cash on this place. They're good. Really good. cheap and fulfilling. Hard to eat in there without sharing the same table with strangers.
My dad used to buy me and my brother chicken thighs from here. They're freaken huge and yummy!
Another great cheap eats ($5 & under) place in bustling Chinatown.
Well known for their sandwiches, pho, and small tray snacks.
If you can walk here for lunch from the financial, you'll be pleased and maybe even carrying back a snack or dessert for later.
Wow cheap vietnamese sandwiches! For under $2 for a fulfilling breakfast, lunch , or dinner ? Come on now it doens't get better than that. I love the BBQ Chicken Sandwich...mmmmmmm.....delicious! It's hard to eat a bowl of pho there though since it's always so crammed with happy hungry customers.
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I don't come here as much as I like to as it is so hard to park in Chinatown. When I do come, I always get the Chicken Croissant Sandwich. I've tried other things on their menu as well and have found everything I've tried to be good. Of course, I've tried their many desserts and I love those too.
This was the first place I ever had pho! Since then I've experienced a lot better, but also a lot worse. Little Paris has a special place in my heart growing up and going to church in Chinatown. The sandwiches are still the same, but the prices have gone up. Screw you inflation! I remember back in the day we used to buy 9 sandwiches and get the 10th free. They don't have that deal anymore. The combination of ham sandwich also went up from what it used to be ($1.80), Meh. they still have tasty plates to go that are relatively cheap and where else are you going to find a sandwich under 5 bucks in chinatown?
$3 for grill beef sammich or $2.75 for fancy pork sammich... delicious budget lunch served.
And yes, i'm willing to walk all the way up from the financial district for a budget GOURMET!! Hehee I still have 2 bucks for tapioca for a $5 budget meal.
It has to have been over ten years since I've been here - yet the memories are still so fond.
I still remember taking the Muni 30 Stockton from Marina Middle School to Little Paris. Their Vietnamese sandwiches were $1.50 each, and buy two get one free. Can you imagine $3 for all that pate, ham and head cheese goodness? Ah yes, that was the good life...
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This place sells delicious yummy vietnamese sandwiches. Never tried their pho or noodles, but their packaged lunch/ meals are pretty good and price is cheap. Definitely reccommend this place if you're gonna drop by chinatown
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Before Irving Cafe & Deli, this was the spot to get vietnamese sandwiches. The sandwiches are still good but just not at that level as Irving Cafe. However, I still love coming here for the assortment of prepared food that they have such as the different rolls and vermicelli dishes.
I tend to grab a few items if I'm in a rush.
Still good but could be better.
cheap with lot of different yummy desserts. Everything else is just ok
I LOVE YOU $2.50 COMBO SANDWICH!!!! #1 PLEASE!! *Heart.*
I will hike those hills in my heels just for you!!!
I come here so much when I have afternoon cravings for a little paris combo sandwich!!
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I use to always go to this place for their sandwiches and noodles when i was little because it was the only place I knew that sold Vietnamese sandwiches . However, now that I've tried other places, I just find their sandwiches average . Nothing really special but they're okay . Their noodles are ehh .. I think would prefer going somewhere else for pho . Their lunch boxes on display are pretty good . I like one of their drinks but I don't know what it's called . Its green with pieces of (flour?) in it . It's pretty good . This is a good place to go .. decent food, good variety of things to pick from .
Great: prices; flavor (especially the Vietnamese vegetarian sandwich)
Good: selection; staff actually speaks English
Okay: cleanliness; ambience
Bad: taro root dessert thing in plastic cups
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i used to come here all the time for their pho. but now i just really come here for Vietnamese sandwiches and three color drinks! =]
3.25 BBQ Pork Banh mi! How can you not love that!
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Had sandwiches here when I used to go to elementary school up the hill. BBQ beef is still my favorite. It's probably the best Vietnamese sandwich shop in SF (There's a bunch of good ones in the south bay). The rice plates they have wrapped ready to go are pretty good when you want a quick lunch and don't have a microwave. mmm fish sauce. They used to have the 50 or 75 cent buttered bread and MAN those were SO GOOD. Probably wasn't that kind to our health, but it was delicious. I don't think they have it anymore. If enough people ask for it, maybe they'll bring it back? hehehe
I love the poster they put up of Gavin Newsom and a quote of him saying "I like chicken sandwich." LOL!
This place was great when I was a kid. Nothing beat getting a combination sandwich with ham, pate, headcheese, pickled white and orange carrots and a slice of cucumber on warm bread. But when I got the usual combo last month I found a sad piece of lettuce in place of the cucumber and only pickled orange carrots.
I go to Saigon Sandwiches instead now. You should too.
Little Paris brings back childhood memories. I remember going to Clement when I was 6 years old with my parents as my mom did the weekly grocery shopping. I would sit in the car with my dad waiting for my mom.. chomping away at a combination ham sandwich. I would eat only half of it and save the rest for later. When I got a little older I became a pickier eater; I would eat all the ham separately and throw away the bread. I remember picking out the black pepper in the pork and eating my brother's cucumber slices because he didn't like them. Then one day Little Paris closed. It was the end of an era.
Now that I am grown I would drive to Chinatown with a friend just to get a combination ham sandwich. I was a vegetarian for a while and that phase of my life ended when I started college in LA. I kept thinking about Little Paris but I was in LA; much too far away from Little Paris. I hadn't had Little Paris in over 2 years and the first night I came back to SF my friend and I went to Little Paris but it was closed.
I finally had my first Little Paris sandwich for the first time in more than two years and it brings back so many memories. Although the prices have risen and it isn't exactly the same sandwich anymore (lettuce in place of cucumber?!) I will continue to come here again and again and even take my kids here.
great, cheap and quick vietnamese food. i visit this location often when i need lunch, as little paris is relatively cheap. those three buck trays [formerly $2.50 and $2.80] can fill anybody's hunger up easily. get a drink after as the trays can be quite salty. little paris' sandwiches i have not eaten too often, but they are cheaper than most places i visit, and are delicious.
also, the jah here is great. sweet aroma coming from the jah straight from the foil wrapper. $3.50 a chunk.
This is my favorite hole-in-the-wall lunch joint. It's a little far from the office, but $3 for spring rolls is a real steal, especially compared to my only other option, $7 for spring rolls from Out the Door. For the price, the rolls are fresh, neatly wrapped, and satisfying. Their Vietnamese coffee is premade, but it tastes pretty darn good. Two forks up!
I walked uphill for about a mile to check out the vegetarian sandwich. Cheap ($3.00 tax inclusive) but not particularly memorable - the fake meat wasn't even warm . My hunt for a few affordable vegetarian-friend lunch spots in the financial district continues.
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I remember going to this place since I was a kid. I used to like it sooo much but it seems like everything isn't so good anymore. I usually get the combo sandwich. There wasn't enough meat and I felt like I was just eating a plain french roll. I also had the spring rolls which tasted like it was out for too long. Maybe the sauce I dipped it in was spoiled or something. Anyway, I took a bite of it and threw away the rest. Yes the food is cheap... but there are other places in SF that sell good Viet sandwiches too. This place used to be so much better. What happened?
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cheap. delicious. filling under $5.
Bowls of pho and curry thats bigger than your head.
Sandwiches were good (thoh I've had better in NYC). Save your breathe and just order it by the number and how many you want.
If you are in a hurry, the counter is stocked with ready to go vermicelli plates, pork chops, summer rolls and desserts.
Seating is cafeteria style. You will have to eat while staring into some strangers eyes across from you, or knock elbows as your eating. I like to take mine to go.
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Pretty cheap place, cheap pho only $4 and $4.50 for the large. Their sandwiches are pretty good, when I was little I used to go to the school which is up the hill and whenever I would have a field trip, I would always get a Little Paris Sandwich. I wished they would put more stuff in it!
Dude.
I love Little Paris! I know it lovingly by its chinese name, but it forever holds a special place in my heart, just like Dol Ho Dim Sum (I've already reviewed it..). Used to sit here and eat a good hearty bowl of pho, get take out sandwiches, or any variety of dishes here... are fantastic. Great price, always crowded, but food is always consistent. There are going to be a lot of people here, but because they all know how absolutely fabulous Little Paris is - quality meets value! I'm sad that I've since stopped coming to SF so often, but I will always love this place, and will come here next time I visit Chinatown, mos' def!
This is one of those places that never go out of style, cuz the grubbin' don't get much better than this! Keep an open mind, an empty stomache and your bills for gettin' your eat on at Little Paris :)
I LOVE LITTLE PARIS!
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This has been my first taste of Vietnamese food. I have had the sandwiches all the time and prices are decent and pretty cheap. Then I moved on to their meals on the counter and they were pretty good also. Prices are the same as the sandwiches. The lines are always rather long and service is okay. Then I tried the pho here with my friends and family, not so good. Their pho is not the best and the service is not that good for hot food. The prices are okay, but the pho just doesn't have that authentic taste. But if you're in the mood for sandwiches or some sweets or meals off the counter, then this is the place for you.
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I haven't had a chance to try out their bahn mi, but I gotta give 4 stars to this little hole-in-the-wall in Chinatown for their awesome desserts. My mom used to come here every once in a while to get treats for us- a corn tapioca pudding, as well as a drink made with coconut milk and green, vermiform tapioca (?) strands. If we happened to be there along with her, we'd dig into that pudding like our lives depended on it. I don't think that they make this corn pudding anymore, which is a real pity, because I remember it being sweet, smooth, and delicious.
In any case, they still have the coconut drink which is excellent- refreshing and sweet and perfect for a sunny day. The green strands are chewy and soft and the drink is just awesome.
Best of all, all the items are very inexpensive and afforadble. Little Paris, in addition to the desserts and fresh bahn mi, also has packaged meals of roast meats and rice, as well as other Vietnamese specialities.
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3.5 stars - this was the first and original Vietnamese sandwich place in Chinatown that opened up years ago when it was $1.50 each and a special at buy 4 and get 1 free. Yup, $6 gets you 5 yummy combo Vietnamese sandwich.
You can't go wrong with anything here - where else can you get lunch for less than $3? If you are not up for sandwiches, there are plenty pre-packaged food from eggrolls, fresh spring rolls w/ shrimp, shredded pork, chinese sausage and eggs, rice plates w/ grilled chicken, egg cake, grilled pork, noodles, steamed chicken bun...desserts...or sit down for a bowl of hot noodle soup. Their iced coffee w/ condensed milk is so delicious and enough caffeine to get you through the rest of the day.
You can also buy bags of fish balls, beef balls, meat, shredded pork - everything you may need to make your own sandwich, rice dish, noodles...
Although Little Paris' sandwiches are not quite as good as those from other places, I often get banh mi here. They have pretty much all the usual suspects: bbq/grilled pork, chicken, meatball (Xiu Mai), and the various pig bits sandwich.
I usually get the meatball sandwich, but the meatballs are not ballish at all; they are more of a spread. Sometimes the sandwiches come without chili peppers inside, which is too bad when I sometimes view eating a banh mi as an excuse to eat chili peppers.
On the plus side, the bread is pretty good, it's cheap, it's open early for breakfast and it is between my apartment and work.
One last thing--it's very difficult to tell if the counter women actually heard your order, as they often don't really acknowledge what you said and fail to be enthusiastic about taking your money.
Delicious pho for a small price, great selection of vietnamese subs & plenty of to go rice/noodle/beef/spring roll plates to go. All for a very small price... I like to come here everytime I get a chance to come to Chinatown... I love getting their 2.50 beef sub..it's filling and SOO GOOD!!! The only downside is that it's too small inside for enough customers to get a chance to sit down and eat.
Stopped by after being disgruntled at San Sun next door.
Asked for a combo sandwich and the bread was still hot from the oven. AWESOME! Pate wasn't as good as Cafe Dolci and they didn't have mayo or jalapeos on the sandwich. But the filling was pretty hefty and much better than Saigon Grill at the Wharf. All this love for the cheapest sandwich I've had yet - $2.50!
They also have a ton of prepackaged snacks which was cool and if I'm ever in Chinatown again, I'll probably make a beeline for this place.
Sandwich and a soda for $3.75, subway take that! Granted there is less meat, however, I always end up pulling out most of the meat from my subways sandwiches anyway, therefore: Little Paris = Perfect for me!
Since today was my first Little Paris experience the only food I can truly Yelp about was the BBQ pork sandwich, which I would go back for. However, I am very excited to go back and try out the rest of the strange-looking pre-packaged meals that line the counter top, as well as the numerous colorful and (hopefully) delicious deserts.
Its a quick walk from the FiDi and while there is seating inside I prefer to eat outside at one of the near by parks. WARNING: if you do eat at the park, please realize that you WILL be surrounded by pigeons due to the extremely crispy bread crumbs that will be falling from your yummy sandwich.....
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Try a number 6 with extra picked veggies. Its a great bargain for only 3 dollars. Many a night have I grabbed one of these sandos and a pre packed order of shrimp spring rolls and called it dinner. All for 5.50. Can't beat that with a stick. I only wish they'd add jalapenos to the sandwich! I pick them off, but i like the heat it imparts while on the sandwich for a few minutes. They should take a cue from Latte 5 Express. It still reigns as my fave.
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Sandwiches here used to be better as they were more filled ten years ago but they are still delicious and cheap for 3.00 dollars each. Try the various kinds to see what you like but you will need at least one to be full. Also try their rich dishes and pho. The pho is pretty good (4 dollars for a small) and about 5 dollars for a large bowl. They have various kinds but I like the basic beef one the most. It's really a hole in the wall kind of place so expect to share a crowded table with a stranger but for about ten dollars, you can have a sandwich, a big bowl of pho, and a dessert. It can't get better than that.
The lady at the counter does not smile at me. This place is great if you are looking for a quick bite and are on a budget.
The Food
The food here was good, especially the ban mei (French roll sandwiches). The sandwiches are made with flaky french rolls, tart/pickled daikon, an assortment of vegetables and a nice combination of meats. During the summers when I am too lazy to make lunch or am in the mood for something light and filling, this is where I go. The liverwurst is a nice touch.
Sandwiches are only $2.50. If that's not a bargain I don't know what is.
The Experience
The lady who works the counter is not very nice. I would be her friend if she smiled a little.
*****
Scale
5 Stars = How did I live before this place? Amazing.
4 Stars = This place is great. Not mind-blowing, but great.
3 Stars = It was okay. I'll come back to this place.
2 Stars = If I don't have to be back here, I won't.
1 Star = Count me out, this place should pay me.
Little Paris' tasty Vietnamese sandwiches and mini rice/vermicelli plates - how I heart thee!
And since this is in Chinatown, you know you're getting one heck of a bargain. If I was a starving college student, this is where I'd stock up. They also serve IN the restaurant, but it is WAY too tiny. So I stick to the "to go" dishes.
Oh yeah, "Watch your step!"
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Little Paris makes some tasty Vietnamese sandwiches. The bbq pork and beef are excellent and the bbq chicken holds its own too. The baguettes are perfect with a crunchy crusty exterior and sweet and soft interior. And the spring rolls of all varieties are fresh, generous and flavorful.
I am a super-sucker for the green sweet tapioca dessert drinks and their coconutty goodness. But the straight up banana tapioca pudding is what wins the prize at this sandwich shop for all-around amazingness.
Little Paris will be kind to both your taste buds and your purse. I appreciate that kind of excellence. I also appreciate that the folks who run this establishment are nice, friendly and efficient. I've got to try some of the other offerings, like the pork buns and the pho.
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