Hayes Market

dont use ebt, they will take your info and use it in texas. scammed me for 350 dollars and didnt deny it. stay cautious

Remember that awful Ramen Yokocho festival in J-Town last summer? It was so absurdly crowded that it inspired someone to take Hitler's big meltdown scene in "Downfall" and hilariously translate it into Mein Führer's frustration in not being able to get a bowlful of ramen (video: http://bit.ly/1EOB8B8). Well, Jamie W. and I could relate to Adolf's obsession, we took one look at the madness on Post Street and turned around to walk up Webster. Along the way, we saw equally frustrated ramen-slurpers fill up the nearby eateries. It wasn't until we turned a corner on Hayes that we got a sense of escape from the anarchy and found, of all places, Hayes Market. We never find ourselves on this stretch of Hayes, so we planned to step in just to wet our whistles.

We took a look at their deli menu and the refrigerated salads and concluded we found our lunch spot (photo: http://bit.ly/1KB4Lo2). Sure, there was no tonkotsu broth to be found, but what the hey, they had an empty table out on the sidewalk and we were just plain hungry. Although the owner was on his cell and never took a break from his conversation, he multi-tasked and took our orders as his wife makes the sandwiches next to the front window. Their specialty sandwiches struck us as bargain-priced at $7.95 given how hefty they are. Jamie went for Nick's Sandwich. Apparently when he gets off his mobile device, he eats a combination of hot pastrami, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on Dutch crunch (photo: http://bit.ly/1vxPhQq).

I decided on the BLT&A which adds fresh avocado to the traditional trio (photo: http://bit.ly/1xJL5aC). Both our sandwiches had a lot of tightly packed filling - lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, onions, pepperoncini, and a major slathering of mayo and mustard. Jamie proclaimed the sandwich as better than the ones made at Roxie Food Center, but I attribute his laudatory comment to Post-Ramen-Absence Syndrome. I've suffered from that malady many times myself. However, It was a tasty, hearty sandwich that definitely exceeded our expectations at a time when our expectations couldn't have been any lower. We came back a few weeks later, but sadly the deli part of Nick's business was not open. I'd call him to make sure if I were you. Otherwise you may suffer from Post-Nick's-Absence Syndrome, and who needs another disease to deal with?

FOOD - 4 stars...such a good, hearty sandwich that satisfies the soul, who needs ramen, Mein Führer?
AMBIANCE - 3 stars...just a market with a couple of tables out front, nothing to get dressed up for
SERVICE - 3 stars...Nick's wife deserves a medal...Nick?...NICK?
TOTAL - 4 stars...if you'e looking for a well-executed sandwich in Hayes Valley, walk up the hill and come here

It's not even open for it's advertised time... I got there at 1145 and the entire place was boarded up.

This is the only market in Hayes Valley that sells Cokes and they know it. That's why their prices are so HIGH...

So there you are...

They weren't open when their Yelp page said they would be open. I walked all the way over here for no reason. This is very bad business practice.

A bit pricey but the staff is friendly and it's the best place in Hayes Valley to find healthy options and produce in a pinch, or if you just don't want to walk to Whole Foods.

no longer a deli, but the market itself is very nice they sell everything from house cleaning supplies, pet food, frozen food,all kinds of drinks... candy chips..... fresh hummus weekly!
Great customer service. nick the owner is been there ever since i was born 32 years ago, very nice, down to earth man.

I wasn't able to buy a beer here with my perfectly valid out-of-state ID. The guy at the counter said he could only accept a California ID or a passport. Are you kidding me? I have literally *never* encountered an alcohol-selling establishment in this entire country that only accepts its own state's IDs.

If my ID were clearly fishy-looking, or if it were a vertical ID, or a non-U.S. ID -- I'd get it if weren't accepted; those policies make sense. But an out-of-state ID that has never been rejected in any state, and which even gets me onto airplanes, can't be used to buy me a beer at a corner store?

Change this policy and I'll happily remove or edit my review. Get one of those blacklight pens if you have to.

It's just a neighborhood corner convenience store. They don't have sandwiches or produce anymore. It's not a deli or a grocery now.

Conquer the hill.

Runners in May: http://www.baytobreakers.com/

Sandwiches in December: Boar's Head turkey, cranberry, lettuce, tomato, bit of cream cheese, soft roll. Absolutely delicious. Reasonable $8.

While waiting for the super friendly staff to finish my creation another customer came in to thank them again for such a great sandwich.

Might do the same on my run up Hayes Street Hill next May.