On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Categories: Delis, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Lower Haight, Hayes ValleyMon-Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
"Awesome spot. As other yelpers have mentioned, the service is very friendly and the menu is extensive. I first came for breakfast, and loved…" read more »
Loading...
Located on a seemingly always sunny spot on Haight and Fillmore, this is my sandwich oasis.
Fresh, delicious and enormous sandwiches that just makes the day awesome. They have an array of specialty sandwiches, salads and smoothies that are creative, surprising and always satisfying.
I love the #7 tuna with feta, pepperonchini, etc on telera. Divine.
I f'ing love Estela's sandwiches. I used to live 30 seconds from their door, but now I take the 8 minute trek down Haight just for The Big Sherm: roasted turkey , roast beef, smoked gouda, pepperoncini, tomato, red onion, avocado & pea sprouts on tellera.
What makes it so good?
the telera is strong enough to hold the sandwich together, but soft enough to easily bite through so the sandwich stays together when i eat it. the size is big - definitely more than i should eat, but i always end up eating the whole thing because it's so f'ing good.
i just demolished a smoked sherm (with bbq sauce) and just wanted to let everyone know how awesome it was. back to work. oh and usually i don't curse, but i just wanted show how strongly i felt.
These are super fresh sandwiches piled high with good ingredients on good bread. Their specialty sandwiches are a bit more creative than usual, some include brie and others feta. There are several tuna salad sandwiches, and many vegetarian options. The "works" includes mayo, mustard, tomatoes, red onions and pea sprouts. I believe they make some of their dressings. You can also get juices, smoothies, salads and soups. I didn't see any toasted or hot options (too bad). They made the sandwich to order very quickly.
#4 - Herbed albacore tuna salad sandwich on herbed foccacia ($6.75). The sandwich was 3.5 inches tall! The focaccia was thick and soft so I was able to squish the sandwich down to be able to bite into it. Loved the pea sprouts; they add such a distinctive flavor to the sandwich. Loved the creamy slices of avocado too. The tomato slices were thick and ripe and they were generous with the tuna salad. The tuna salad had chopped red bell peppers and fresh dill but still tasted a bit plain. You get a lot of bread and a lot of fixings - good stuff.
I have searched for a salad place that is equal to Estela's for over ten years and nowhere measures up. Salads are just delicious and so well made( the lady who makes the salads really puts her heart into it). I live in the east bay and always get the salads to go so I can eat them on my days off. Talk about healthy, I feel so good when i eat here and it shows. The only other place that has wonderful salads is south beach, in Miami FL. Try the Greek, and the pear and goat cheese salad, just some of the best ones...
Get the Big Sherm sandwich. As far as sandwiches go, the Big Sherm wins the gold medal. (Confirmed by many others who eat the other half of my sandwich since it's a big one.)
If Subway was a slice of Kraft processed cheese, this place would be a slice of Tillamook fresh off the farm.
Good sandwiches that are also damned good for you.
Add a shot of wheatgrass and you'll be farting organically for a week.
Tuna.
I have loved this place since it was big sherms. Love their brie sandwich and their tuna salad is delicious. My favorite is the #4 with dill Havarti: tuna salad, onions, and avocado! yummy!
Great prices!
Yum! Love the Provolone veggie sandwich I got from here!! It seemed super healthy and fresh! However, my bf got a sandwich with meat and didn't like the quality. I guess for this place it is better to stick to veggie sandwiches! The service wasn't the best, but still, I will definitely return!
Yup, the sandwiches are pretty tasty! I don't know what else to say but that i recommend their turkey ham (add avocado) sandwich....mmm :)
Freshest sammies in town! I love this place, worth the the dirty ride on the 22... Ahhm, shredded carrots on a sandwich? Genius! My fave is the 1/2 Turkey Love w/chips. Just enough to fill a girl up.
Sandwiches at this joint is just top notch. They are of good size and just delicious. I usually get their Big Sherm and Italian.
I haven't had a chance to try their smoothies but I saw that they use fresh ingredients to make them so I don't doubt that they are pretty good too.
All I can say is Yummy! This sandwich shop is small, but inviting! Looks like a family owned and operated place, and was clean.
Ok, now on to the sandwich's. I had the Big Sherm, which consists of Turkey, Roast Beef, GOUDA, red onion, and fresh and I mean FRESH avocado's! It was screamin, but I could only eat half, as it was huge! The rest of the menu looked wonderful too. Using all types of ingriedients, and appitizing combinations. If your looking for a good sandwich place, quick, this is the spot! I will be back, fo sho!
I'll start by saying that I joined yelp specifically to express my fury at this place. A friend recommended this place to me, so I had some high expectations. I was, however unpleasantly surprised the minute I looked at the menu.
No bacon? Really? It's pretty much inexcusable for a sandwich place to lack bacon. That's like a bagel shop refusing to sell cream cheese. Oh, and thanks for making me pay $.75 to heat my sandwich. In these tough financial times, I'm happy to defray your exorbitant heating costs, from which you would have been spared if only not for my desire to have a toasty sandwich.
To be fair, they had good, fresh veggies, and didn't skimp on the meat. The bread was good (sourdough baguette), though improperly suited for a sandwich. I've got a tyrannosaur maw and I still couldn't take the first bite properly. It takes about 5 seconds to carve out some of the bread on the inside. They skimp on the dressings too, which is never good.
So, they have good ingredients, but that should be fucking standard. I'm sure the smoothies and wheat grass shots are swell, but you can't be bothered to cook bacon you get no points in my book.
Everything a sandwich in California should be. Ridiculously fresh ingredients and great portions. The perfect sandwich, regardless of what you get.
It's not even that complicated of a strategy, to just make sure you use the freshest of everything, but you don't see it all too often.
I don't believe in letting this influence my rating, but the hours are absolutely terrible. In addition to not being open on Sundays, they also close at 5:30pm, which is why I've had more sandwiches at Love 'n Haight than this place even though I like Estela's better.
Im addicted to this place. The sandwiches really are made with the freshest ingredients. Only bad part is that they dont deliver.
Best sandwich shop for your to-go lunch in Lower Haight. I recommend the BIG SHERM, which is the namesake combination sandwich that goes back to the days of the original owner in the late 90s. Today, Estela and her small staff make each order with the highest quality organic ingredients. And, this yummy whole in the wall offers quick and tasty wheat grass shots while you wait.
Best sandwich in SF. No question. Add brie to any sandwich you order and your life will change.
I currently live in San Diego and rave about this place all the time! I LOVE IT!
Estela's is tiny, but the menu is huge. Before coming home, I always order the tomato pesto, provolone veggie sandwich to take home with me. This non-vegetarian LOVES it and was recommended to me by a friend who used to live on Fillmore.
I love the intimate setting and they know how to make DELICIOUS sandwiches. Sure it can take a while, but it's worth the wait. I always recommend this place to anyone traveling to SF. Now if only they can open up a chain in San Diego.
74 really good reviews and not one picture of their GINORMOUS, mouth watering, flavor explosive sandwiches?
I've walked by this place since 2007 and the friendly avocado beckons each and every time. Each time I had already eaten so I kept putting off trying this spot. What a mistake!
I'm determined to come back and try everything vegetarian. granted, I only had a sandwich. and i was FAMISHED. i hadn't eaten in 6 hours. bricks looked good to me at that point. but i took a bite and fell into blissful smacking.
didn't try the smoothies but they also sound delish! and at $3.50 they are much cheaper than at Sidewalk Juice on 21st ($4.95 a pop!). the sandwiches rock too, at $6-8 for a whole, and around $4.5 for half.
The Sandwich Place on Mission has pretty yummy, cheap sandwiches too (and much closer), but i'd trek here any day for a sandwich!
pst i posted a picture of my share of heaven.
This place is good. After a string of attempts to go here on the weekend only to find it closed, it dawned on me that this sandwich shop is closed on sundays but not saturdays! It can be so hard to keep track of weekend adventures. Thankfully, I was there this past saturday. success.
Great selection of veggie sandwiches. I had the muffelata and would definitely get it again. The cashier gave me a little bit of attitude when I asked if the tomatoes were healthy (hey-I'm a conscious eater and salmonella is nothing to fool around with). I couldn't blame him though as I have a tendency to come across as a snobby sorority marina chick instead of the cool laid back mission girl that I really am.
whatever. good sandwiches. would be better if i could get them on a sunday.
totally delicious.
staff is really friendly and nice
small place but they still take cards and they have fresh wheatgrass they process in front of you if you're into that kind of thing.
Had the #6 ham and brie and it was wonderful.
I really love the fresh juice here. I just wish I could drink it slower, but its just too good. The sandwiches are very tasty as well. I got the Smoked Turkey II and thought it was divine. I forget what juice I had but it was perfect, I think there was celery and apple going on in there but I can't remember. I really like this place and after I eat here I feel really great, like I just did something good for myself and it tasted lovely.
3.5 stars people.
All the reviews here are like, cruisazy over this place.
I thought it was just okay. People who think this place is the holy grail of sandwich places. . .I don't know about that. Sure this place rocks in comparison to Crack Donalds, or the Slaveway deli. . .
Estela's love their avocado's. Avocado's are good of course (and good for ya too). If you love avocado's come here.
I ordered tuna on whole wheat. Tuna was made with mayo but it wasn't too much mayo (just the right amount), and had some nice herbs included like dill and red pepper that added a nice unique flavor.
I also ordered the pear and goat cheese salad minus the pear because I don't care for pear. The salad was huge and they put a good amount of goat cheese. Great dressing too which is included on the side so picky salad dressing people can dress it the way they like it.
This place is good. I mean, I wouldn't drive out of my way to get my sandwich here, but if I'm too lazy to make my own sandwich (which are very very very good), I'll rock an Estela's because I live a block or so away.
Oh yeah, the sandwich ladies are very nice and friendly too. Extra star for nice and friendly!
I'm not a really big sandwich chick. I'm one of those white trash lazy bitches that likes to eat deli meat and cheese out of the refrigerator without bothering with putting together a sandwich. Plus I have an allergy to wheat (although that doesn't stop me from eating it usually) so I try to not ingest it if I'm not really into the food.
I've been coming to Estela's since it was Big Sherm's. Sucks that they had to change the name but the food remains the same high quality and tastiness as before. Great smoothies too.
If I'm near this place I will totally give my wheat allergy the finger and forgo the refrigerator deli raid for something from here.
Absolutely perfect sandwiches. I tried the Big Sherm, their signature sandwich, with turkey, roast beef, gouda (yum!), and plenty of veggies. One of the things that stands out is that these aren't subway-style, instead they're on more of a roll, which is incredibly soft and fluffy. All the ingredients are expertly balanced and so fresh it's like you're eating pure sunshine. And the best part? These things don't fall to pieces or get sauce everywhere. Were it not for hygiene, you wouldn't even have to wash your hands afterwards. All in all, this is one place that will definitely be seeing me again (and coming from a notorious restaurant explorer who doesn't live in the neighborhood, that's saying something).
The restaurant itself is about the size of a walk-in closet, with a grand total of 3 tables. I definitely recommend getting your sandwich to go if you can.
How many Yelp reviews do you, user, think are based soley on one visit to any certain place? 14%, 56.345%, 1.76x10^32%? Is this like some sort of Achilles' heel or pancritical rationalism? Dunno!
Anyway, been curious about Estela's after passing by like a zillion times and finally went in today for a nice lunch sarnie. I can't say I was too happy with the results though. Price was fine, t'weren't no $10 sandwiches on the board, mine with chips came out to a friendly $8 or so with chippys. I got the something something Tuna 2 (#7). I found the bread, to be too dry and plain. The tuna didn't have any amazing flavours coming out of it, and the feta cheese overpowered the rest of the ingredients. I only ate half, which says a lot. I would like to say I'd return to give Estela's another chance, it seams like a nice little independent establishment, with a large menu, and friendly service, but with other nearby sandwich shops that will give me reliable results, I don't know if i can convince myself to do it, sorry.
And I read someone's criticism of their chip choice and definitely agree. To say the selection orally gratifies some pacyhdermal male gamete producing organs would be taking it way too far (I actually thought that would just be fun to type), but it would have been very nice if there were more of a selection.
For a cramped almost-but-not-quite-hole-in-the-wall place Estella's seems to offer up quite a variety. While you're waiting for your fresh sandwich to be made (for something light try the #29 Little Ceasar with avocado!) you can have a shot of wheatgrass made right in front of you. There's not a lot of room to sit so I'd go off-peak hours and grab-and-go. The staff is friendly and efficient, the shop is small and clean. Prices are moderate for sandwiches, $6-$9. I haven't yet tried their smoothies...
Times visited: 1
Sandwiches are, in fact, the perfect food. Two slices of bread, between which you can stuff whatever your heart desires. Estellas is sandwich nirvana. Various choices of delicious bread, my favorite is the focaccia. Only the highest quality ingredients. Their tomatoes are always crisp and juicy. You can get lots of avocado on any sandwich. They cram on plenty of meat, and the cheese selection is great. I recommend brie.
So many good sandwiches that I can't pick a favorite. Mix and match, it'll be fantastic. And wash it down with a wheatgrass shot or a one of their smoothies.
I've been eating here for about 4 years...starting with when it was "Big Sherm's".
When the current owners took over, they made sure to not change a thing, except the name.
Although the sandwich names are the same (you can still get my favorite "The Smoky Sherm". I'm also a huge fan of "The Fill' Mo"
My 2 small complaints with this place are such a part of its character that given a wish to correct it, I don't know that I would:
1. Homie that works there has like 3 cds, playing over and over.
His favorite is a Led Zep album.(I think its Houses of the Holy)
2. They run out of bread every day...I don't wake up til late afternoon, so Every time I go in its always "we only have (blank) and (blank) left"
I tell em whatever you thinks good. I trust them.
Never had a less than awesome sandwich.
They'll give it to you half to go half there if you want...they are huuuge!
I know sandwiches are the big sell here but I'm not a great target sandwich audience due to my dislike of deli meat and most condiments. So, this review is for the smoothies only and I must say, they are quite nearly magnificent. Always super creamy, fresh tasting and blended nicely. F Jamba and their consistent underblending. Nothing fucks up a smoothie like random chunks of fruit- NOT SMOOTH.
Anyway, I like Estela's a lot but my main purpose of writing this review is to subtract a star for the limited hours. Open til 5:30 and not open at all on Sundays BLOWS because it means I only have Saturdays to fulfill my near constant delicious smoothie cravings. What's the deal, guys? Lower Haight likes to party- stay open and you'll make money. I know I'd give you mine if only you'd let me.
Fresh is the word here indeed!
As a vegetarian it is so affirming to have this place nearby.
The vegetables, especially the avocado, seem like they were just picked out of the backyard.
The place is small, the wait can be long, the staff makes you feel their overwhelmedness from a few people waiting in the small shop but nonething but goodness in every bite.
In the old Urban Forage space. These sandwiches emulate the same fresh n tasty goodness.
Honestly can satisfy any craving of any carnivore or vegan, California-style, or Italian-style, or pastrami-style. I mean, they do have 32(!!) different types, and you can build your own too. Hmm, examples: Roast beef, horseradish, smoked gouda, red onion, tomato & pea sprouts on an onion roll. Or, what I just ate: Provolone, sundried tomato pesto, fresh tomato, red onion, mixed greens tossed in balsamic vinaigrette on multigrain (normally comes on a roll).
It'd be 5 stars if it were organic. :) Oh yeah, and they're $5-$6.50. And they have salads and a soup of the day.
I am addicted to sandwiches...especially theirs. Each sandwich is hand crafted and chock full of very fresh and yummy ingredients. I've had about 25% of the menu and been with friends who have had another 25% and the resounding sentiment is that its damn good.
The staff is friendly..but rushed. Understandably so..they have like a million orders to fill since this little hole in the wall is not one of LH's best kept secrets.
Be prepared to be rubbing up against fellow customers. There is about 40 sq. ft. of customer space that includes two dine in tables.
The prices are very reasonable for what you get and you can get smaller sizes as well.
The smoothies are extra good as well. It is so nice to have a juice shop around LH! Although the catch is getting them when they are open. I think its around 11 ish till about 3pm depending on the availability of ingredients.
If you are reading this for the first time and are heading down there to get a 'wich....yo, I am so stoked for you.
I have always liked this sandwich shop. Fast and friendly service, lots of choices and possibly one of the better Tuna sandwiches I have had around town...
my companion thought the review should be only 3 stars...he didn't like the bread and thought his sandwich was light on the meat...but hey, if you feel that way, get on Yelp and write your own reviews and stop trying to muscle in on mine.
(#31 Green green, please..)
Just as good as it used to be when it was "Big Sherm's". Their sandwiches are consistently fresh and delicious, and a dream for vegetarians though they have meat options too. It's very clean though not big on ambiance.
Great smoothies! this cozy takeout style joint provides quick service and fresh drinks with real (yes, freshly squeezed orange juice-real) fruit. yummy!! perfect for the sweet-toothed health nut in you. Also, try their huge sandwiches; my favorite is the Ruben. Hot smack on the spot!
For variety and freshness of ingredients, it can't be beat. The house-built menu is enormous (32 options) ranging from virginia ham with brie to tuna with artichoke spread. My favorite is "The Double" #22 (turkey, salami, provolone, swiss, pepperoncini, and balsamic). You can make your own as well. The wide selection of ingredients is key but their freshness is better. My only complaint is that they changed their name a few years ago from "Big Sherm's".
I love love love fresh sandwiches and Estela's makes some of the best around. Not to mention their big salads. DROOL. I wonder if these are like the big salads Elaine would order from the cafe on Seinfeld. Probably not, since that's fiction and this is reality. And end random thought.
The place is small so if you're looking to have a sit down lunch, try to time your visit to avoid the lunch hour rush.
Any place that serves avocados and brie and sprouts in their sandwiches gets lots of points in my book.
I haven't tried the smoothies yet but I can only guess they are just as good as the rest of the fresh food they serve there.
I only wish they were open past 5pm. I want a sandwich now and it's 7:04pm. DANG IT.
EDIT: So I've finally tried their smoothies. VERY GOOD. A small one should be able to satisfy anyone's smoothie craving. And I like the fact that you can make any combination you want. I also finally tried their salads. My favorite is the pear and goat cheese salad. YUM. I love goat cheese.
great neighborhood place to grab a quik bite to eat. good veggie (& meat) sandwiches available. and the fresh veggie & fruit juices high on antioxidants are made fresh.
good value!
Yep, this place really is as good as they say it is.
Went there yesterday. The place was PACKED. Lots of people standing outside who had already ordered. Which leads me to the only reason I give this place 4 stars instead of 5: They only have 1 person making sandwiches. The food is Great! But it takes a while to get it since they are so popular and only have that one person. Go there when they are not as busy and it is 5 star worthy for sure.
I had the "big sherm" since it said it was their house specialty and it was my first time there. It was pretty spicy, very fresh, and deceivingly filling. I definitely recommend it.
My friend who I went with had been there several times, always tried something new, and said he had loved everything he had ordered so far.
Order NOW for a great…
Neighborhood: Castro
Happy Hour
Neighborhood: Mission
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Juice Bars & Smoothies
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
Category: Sandwiches
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
In honor of National Sandwich Month, I have…
These were the spots I used to frequent when Noe…
Within walking distance! Saving my gas $$$ for…
We call it "the Maestro" (Mission/Castro) Its in…
The less-famous sibling of Haight-Ashbury, Lower…
Without these places I wouldn't make it...…
When having 20 friends was the norm, and before…
