Latte Express
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Donuts, Vietnamese, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Union Square, SOMA48 5th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 284-7328
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6:00 a.m.-5:30 a.m. - 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: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Wi-Fi: None
- Good for: Lunch
32 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
"I just love this place. It was my home away from my other home. If I wasn't at my pop's restaurant (working, of course), I was eating…" read more »
39 Reviews for Latte Express
Stopped by this place after the Civic Center Pride fesivities... We were famished and looking forward to the Vietnamese subs. Boy, were we impressed! Eventhough the place was empty, the food was great. The staff was efficient. Our tummys were very satisfied!
I had the Pate and Sliced Pork sammie, which was perfectly sized and seasoned. It might not seem like a place to grab Vietnamese sammies, but this place didn't disappoint us. I'd definitely consider going back when I'm in the SF area.
Recently I was promoted to a new position in SOMA, which unfortunately is a downgrade from the culinary mecca I used to work in-The TL.
Getting jaded at eating overpriced sandwiches and shitty Italian, I finally realized that this little spot on Fifth not only serves Lattes, as the name suggests, but has a small selection of banh mi-vietnamese sandwiches, my favorite lunch option!
They're nothing to write home about-they're also much smaller, pricier, and less tasty than my beloved Saigon Sandwiches on Larkin-but beggars cannot be choosers, and I am very thankful for the small offering!
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I'm all for finding a tasty tidbit at the dive donut shop. On whim I tried the Vietnamese pork roll. Seriously delicious. It's a great combo of barbecued pork with lightly sweetened crunchy carrot and cabbage slaw, some cilantro and a few hot peppers to top it off on a crusty roll. Just the right size, didn't seem too heavy for lunch, perfectly priced and much tastier than many other more pricey places. Friendly, smiling ladies took my order. Sometimes a few of the customers seem a bit cracked out, but generally harmless.
I started dropping by here recently on a quick stop before work. It is definitely a good morning starter with donuts, breakfast sandwiches, muffins...all that morning goodness. Nothing spectacular to rave about, but average. Good for a grab and go before you go to the office.
One thing that got me down: $1.25 for ONE French Crueler Donut. A donut inflation, donut shortage, or simply donut over charge? Didn't they used to be like 10 cents a piece? Holy moly, I wish for that price it came with some gold...ok well maybe a free coffee or another donut? Not outrageous, but I do-nut feel too happy about it.
But I still happily gobbled it down. Yum. Otherwise, service was fast, and she was nice. I've only had that one donut, and bagels here. Not too sure about those sandwiches... photos on the outside sort of scared me... the chicken looks like pork, and the bacon...that's bacon? Maybe it's just a bad shot..........maybe...
Otherwise great quick spot to pick up an express breakfast.
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I have mourned the loss of Little Paris on Clement St., I have been amply placated by the Little Paris on Stockton St., I have been underwhelmed by the overhyped Saigon, and I have enjoyed a lot of Vietnamese BBQ pork sandwiches in between.
Did I expect to find the best Vietnamese sandwich in San Francisco at the squirrely little Latte Express on 5th street? No. No I didn't.
But there it is, folks, the best. Why? Because they keep their barbecued pork in a juicy, hot crockpot full of hot pork juices, and beyond that, they know how to construct a fine, fine Vietnamese sandwich. And, like Little Paris and others, you can get your sandwich on a croissant. If you have not gone for the croissant option, I recommend you try it ASAP.
It's not like a Vietnamese sandwich is diet food anyway.
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Thank god for this place. It's right around the corner from my theatre, so late night, once we've closed the show and had one too many drinks at the Tempest, and are totally craving food but not enough to be dumb enough to eat Carl's Jr or McDonald's- we go "Vietnamese Sandwiches!" and then stumble on over to this spot.
Super reasonable. Super tasty. Super shady.
Not sure what the deal is with this place- I hardly ever see anyone in it. I have never actually had a latte- though I have had a Vietnamese iced coffee, once, which was pretty good. Never had a donut either. But I can vouch for their sandwiches, and they are worth the price.
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Hell yes. Bring Cash. Don't expect "atmosphere" and get the BBQ'ed Chicken or Pork.
I got a pork sandwhich that was good and decently price too. I wasn't stuffed, but full.
The old fashioned chocolate donut was delicious, but when aren't they?
The Vietnamese Iced coffee was a joke because there was about 2 sips of coffee and a pound of ice. I don't like it when businesses skimp.
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Latte Express is my pre-work pit stop.
A small Hazelnut coffee with one scoop of brown sugar turns from grumpy bitch to semi-pleasant bitch.
Forget about the horrible Starbucks next door and get your cup of java here. Sure you have might have to circumvent the loitering crazies but the fresh Columbian coffee is well worth hassle and the dollar thirty-five. Even if you're not a coffee sipper, this revamped latte shop also has a wide selection of teas.
Opened 24 hours, so even after a show at the Mezzanine I can stumble over and full fill my drunken hunger cravings with a old fashion chocolate donut or Banh mi sandwich. Yes. Banh mi sandwiches are served here and these well-prepared Vietnamese baguettes are oh-so satisfying.
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I came here after work and it was late at night. Kinda creepy because that's when all the "interesting" people come out to play. The lady who helped me wasn't very friendly. Maybe she needed to be that way out of caution but still a friendly face goes a long way. You can only be there for like 30 min after purchasing your food. No soliciting which I understand but still...when it's late at night like that and you're waiting for your ride to come it would be nice not to get kicked out in the cold. Only purchased a donut which she decided was a $1. Didn't eat but looked at their menu and they have a variety of things--sandwiches, pastries, tea, juice, etc. Convenient if you're on the run.
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Never having had a Vietnamese sandwich before, the photos on the wall were a little misleading. I didn't expect the sandwich to be so BIG. My BF and I shared it no problem.
The woman toasted the bread all nice and warm. The fillings were fresh and tasty. I got the Roast Pork without Mayo but with everything else. The price was AMAZING. Where else in Union Square can you get a foot long sandwich stuffed with good stuff for $4.20? I'm sick of eating at the mall food court when I work in that area.
The frozen yogurt and cereal section seems to be dead though. Not that I'd want any in that weather.
I came at lunch so there was not much sketchiness though I kind of remember some n'er-do-wells lurking around when my friends and I went to a bar around the corner. But that isn't Latte Express' fault.
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Location: Right next to a crack house, or at least that's what my friend who lives in the super posh lofts further down Stevenson told me. I'm not sure that I'd venture here for a late night meal.
I was having a serious craving for a Vietnamese sandwich, though at the time, I didn't know it. What I did know was that I needed tasty meat and bread for lunch. The pork sandwich was tasty, spicy and cheap.
No lines to speak of at 11:45a so I was basically in and out in 5 min or less, once I got past the hard hat workers gawking at the women walking by. No crazies from next door, either, possibly cuz it was too light out?
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Okay so they renovated, good call, as it was much needed and the Vietnamese sands are killer. Just had the turkey bacon number today and I must say, for what they call the "American" sandwich they do a really good job. Extra pts. for having the donuts with the colored sprinkles... Always good, on a morning when you know it is going to be a long day.
Not to sure about the new fro yo addition. The mention of cereal really throws me off. Fro yo= cereal. Not so much!
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Usually come here right before work starts or during or even sometimes after work. They always have an assortment of donuts, hot coffee and tea,
they also have a great bbq chicken sandwhich, an array of sodas and or
energy drinks, bagels. They also just installed a couple of yougurt machines with "cereal" (pinkberry idea) but none the less the service from this viet owned est. is over 5 stars. They are always attentive and serve with a smile.
I love it since it's right down the new mint plaza from where I work and it's also directly across the street from westfield mall.
I will continue to come here on cold nights for coffee and pastries.
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Ahhh what more do you need? Cheap ($4), Tasty (oh sooo tasty), Fast!, and oh yes great location (in terms of being relatively close to my office).
Is it in eek the Tenderloin? Yes, borderline. But you can see Nordstrom's across the way so how bad can it be? The shop itself is clean and efficient. Note: Cash Only so be prepared!
I wanted a cheap and good Vietnamese sandwich but all the good ones were on Larkin or in Oakland etc. That doesn't help me when I have a short lunch break and work in the FiDi. Yelp guided me this way and I have to concur with their opinions.
Why not 5*? Well it still wasn't as tasty as the one I could get at Out the Door in the mall food court next door, but then again it was half the price :)
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Major great date adventure find.
Close to both Mezzanine and Metreon, yo.
The bbq pork sandwich for $3.95 was perfectly perfect. Yeah yeah- the same or better is 2 bucks in Oakland south of Chinatown, but is Oakland on the adventure date tonight? No, my friend, your date is in San Frannny and you need a bite before or after the gig. 24/7 uh huh--that's right.
No, you don't have to go to Denny's.
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Open 24 hours -- what a saviour. Exactly what we needed after too many drinks on an empty stomach.
The BBQ Pork sandwich was tasty and filling.
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It was actually nice today, so I decided to leave my work building for the first time and take a look at whatever else was around as far as lunch options. I was able to spot this place easily from the corner right outside work so I hoofed it over. It was clean, bright, and had handy pictures of their sandwiches in clear view (for people who are not familiar with vietnamese sandwiches). I picked up a BBQ Pork sandwich for under 4 bucks - and it was twice as big as the ones I used to eat in San Jose. Score!
Doesn't hurt that I totally got hit on en route back to the office, either.
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Absolutely love the renovated Latte Express at Mint Plaza!!!. Slate floors, great new color schemes, and a warm and inviting atmosphere. Gone are the harsh overhead flourescent lights.
Had a double latte and their homemade ham and cheese croissant this morning ($3.10) during my shopping break. Perfect morning meal on a crisp fall day.
Oh yeah, they've put in a brand spanking new Golden Berry frozen yogurt station in the store to boot. Plus, the owner plans cool sidewalk seating at the new fangled Mint Plaza during the spring and summer months. Thank you Mint Plaza gods.
24 hour awesome Vietnamese sandwiches! And they're cheap!
Plus coffee and donuts. This place rules.
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I am not sure how I haven't reviewed this place yet. I come here pretty frequently. The Vietnamese sandwiches are pretty good and definitely inexpensive ($4). The donuts are good and cheap as well. Plenty of coolers full of inexpensive drinks. The ladies behind the counter are very friendly. There is always a place to sit down if you need to get a little bit of work or reading done. Of course the decor is nothing to get excited about, but this isn't the type of place where you want decor; it is part of the reason their products are inexpensive. A good standby when I don't want to blow a lot of cash on a decent breakfast or lunch.
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So I'm hungry for lunch as usual and wanted to try a new place around work. I searched on yelp for a sandwich place nearby that wasn't in the mall and found this place. Tried Cafe Dolci so I figured this Vietnamese sandwich place wouldn't be so bad. And it isn't. For $5.40 I was able to buy a Chicken Sandwich along with a Snapple Raspberry Ice Tea. A good value I say and the sandwich is awesome too that fills me up without the need to getting an extra snack.. They had donuts and cookies too, but I'm not trying to load up on the junk food. Now I know where to go also when I take the 26 bus all the way to the end of the line towards downtown.
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Oh "8 Flavor Coffee" (store's subtitle) how can I sing your praises and correct your quaint yet terrible grammar at the same time?!
Now I like my donut holes served to me in stoic, surly fashion and stale as all get out while watching a bum fight spill into the... (ahem) vestibule as much as the next guy, but the real star attraction of this establishment is the the freshly made Vietnamese "French" sandwiches that are available 24... hours... a.. day!!
Jigga what?
That's right folks, at 3 AM a lovely (read unhappy and totally irreverent) Vietnamese woman made me one fine-ass BBQ pork sandwich garnished with pickled carrots, cucumbers, fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapenos all atop a freshly toasted foot-long baguette.
Seriously I don't think there are many places in the whole of San Francisco that serve finer cuisine after hours and for less than $5.
The taste, the smells, the entertainment, Vietnamese ownership, and the tenderloin outside, all combined for a Proustian experience that brought me back to my days in "the Shit".
Saigon... shit... [exhales from cigarette while watching ceiling fan spin] I'm still only in Saigon.
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Rain rain go away, come again some other day. (This was on wed) It's raining like crazy outside....I ask myself, "should i venture far far away for vietnamese sandwiches I have never tasted before?" The journey would be a long and treterous one. Ok, fine so it was like two and a half blocks away and sprinkling outside....so being brave and all I stepped outside and walk my ass there hoping for some damn good vietnamese sandwiches. And that's exactly what I got! Yuuuum! Latte Express makes some pretty good vietnamese sandwiches. It comes with everything you expect it to. Perfectly spiced peppers that weren't too spicy but added just the right amount of kick. The sandwich didn't lack meat like most places too. They also had cilantro, that white pickled stuff with the pickled carrots, a slice of cucumber and nicely toasted bread. Perfect! Not as great as Saigon sandwiches but still worthy of 5 stars.
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Latte Express is across the street from the Nordstrom valet parking on 5th. If it weren't for my co-workers talking about Vietnamese sandwiches on a daily basis, I'd never think to step a foot inside the place.
The BBQ pork sandwich here is sooo yummy. I can do without the jalapenos and I wish the cilantro was separated into smaller sections, but for under $5, I can't complain.
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This is the shop that broke my Vietnamese sandwich cherry, I'd never had one before and had no idea why everyone seemed to think they were a good idea. My idea of Vietnamese was Pho, so sandwiches were not on my radar. Well they are wonderful and this place serves some good ones, I happened to go here in the middle of a yelp happy hour because after 6 drinks on an empty stomach I needed something to eat. The sandwich, grilled pork, was served on a nice fresh baguette (obviously the french influence showing here) and had a wonderful combination of cilantro, hot peppers, pork, and julienned carrots (maybe some other veggies i'm missing but the carrots stood out). Anyway, I yelped it down and headed back to Boca for some more drinks and jumping in a bouncy castle :-)
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Vietnamese sammies in a donut shop?
A name like Latte Express doesn't scream "Vietnamese sandwiches served here" to me, which is why I never bothered to go in until I read the Yelp reviews. But I ventured in there today and to my surprise, there is a full menu of sandwiches to be ordered. They say the sandwiches are French...but who cares? The only thing I got confused about is the "8 Flavor Coffee" on the sign...does that mean they have eight flavors of coffee, or do they have coffee with eight flavors in it? My mind just reels...
Anyhow, I tried the roast pork sandwich for $3.50, a great deal, and it was really good. They put it on a long, toasted baguette with cucumber slices, julienned carrots and long sprigs of cilantro (which I promptly took out). In fact, it was so tasty I ordered another (slap my wrist)...the $4.25 pate sandwich (you read that right) with chicken slices. Also quite delicious though I saved half of it for a snack later.
I haven't tried the coffee or the doughnuts (not my thing). Lots of hard hats come in here, a virtual Village People reunion, so it gets crowded quickly. It's across the street from the San Francisco Center, but it is amazing how the neighborhood turns quickly on this block. I'd order to go if you live or work nearby.
FOOD - 3.5 stars...good sandwiches, can't say much else
AMBIANCE - 2 stars...manages to look just like an All-Star Cafe
SERVICE - 4 stars...quick, quick
TOTAL - 3.5 stars...sammies to go
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One of the few good lunch places in the SoMa. The higher than average cost of a sandwich (around $6) is made up for in quality, I call it a "scooby-doo sandwich" given the manly thick-goodness. Try it if you work or live near but it's not really worth a trip.
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Until I realized that this place existed, I would always find myself at All Star Donuts (at 5th and Harrison) after a night of clubbing. I wanted a venue where I could ideally walk (or be very close by to home). Then, when I was walking home from the Clift Hotel's New Year Party, I spied this place as being open at 2 AM (well, 24 hours really). And the rest, as they say, is history...
When you walk in, it looks like your average donut shop... except for the full color photographs of what are unmistakeably Vietnamese sandwiches. I immediately had to have the Grilled Pork (#4) sandwich with BBQ Bacon on it. It took the lady behind the corner a couple tries to understand what I meant ("no, I only want ONE sandwich with TWO meats") but she finally got it. The first bite - culinary bliss to a man who had only been eating relatively depressing cheese steak replicas from All Star at 2 AM. You gotta eat it with the all the veggies (seasoned daikon/carrots, cilantro, chili peppers). Now this is fusion I can appreciate - albeit fusion that arose from the French rape of Indochina/Vietnam... but I digress.
As for the donuts, well they're donuts. I have to say that I like All Star Donut's apple fritters better than Latte Express', so I'll have to deduct a star for that. I haven't had the coffee either - not much of a coffee drinker.
There's usually a colorful cast of characters at 2 AM. People asking for empty coffee cups, a few adventurous clubbers, construction workers, etc. I usually stick it out and sit at the counter, thinking about the evening over my #4 with bacon.
At $3.95 per sandwich ($4.95 if you add the bbq bacon) it's not the cheapest Vietnamese sandwich I've ever had. I remember my first Vietnamese sandwiches were all under $2. Inflation? Captive audience? Well, I'll take $5 and open Latte Express vs. $2.50 and closed Saigon Banh Mi any day.
I have been by a few days at 2 AM and they were inexplicably closed. Argh! I don't know if it was a freak occurrence or whether they were reneging on their 24 hour promise...
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If you are in the neighbourhood and want a great sandwich that won't kill your wallet, go to Latte Express on Jessie St. and 5th St. (between Market and Mission).
I love their BBQ chicken sandwiches. They are a little smaller than average, but cost less too. I'm pro smaller meals, anyhow. Today I paid $5.75 for a sandwich and a Vietnamese iced coffee.
Yum.
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This is on my stumble home from Muni, so when I've had a little too much to drink (because you know I wouldn't ever do any other sort of thing), can't be bothered to order a cab and can't sucker anyone into a ride home, this place stares me. I can never resist, nearly always grabbing a late night donut on the way home. And sometimes a morning donut. And a mid-afternoon donut if I'm passing by.
Ok, ok, so I have a donut problem.
This is also the only place I've been brave enough to try a Vietnamese sandwich (I'm notoriously picky) and I've been really impressed.
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No no nooooo.
This is not the place for an awesome Vietnamese sandwich. NO.
Baguettes were skinny and long and crunchy, had all the standard issue veggie garnishes. Fine. But I thought I ordered chicken, and I swear I got bbq pork instead. Mystery meat? I don't know.
I got a vn coffee too, since the combo is $4.80. Wow, I think I've never had a worse vn coffee! I mean, damn, it's not hard to make! I don't know what kind of coffee they were using but that shit tasted fucked up.
So, in conclusion, I ate and was sufficiently tided over and wired for the next few hours for under $5. I guess if it's 3 AM it'd seem more tasty, but it's lunch time and I ain't feelin it.
I'd rather truck over to Saigon Sandwiches and get the most bomb ass sandwich ever, any day. After that, no other comes close.
The absolute WORST vietnamese sandwiches I have had in SF. Small, nasty meat... yechh. They're more expensive than all the places that serve good ones too.
I won't go back.
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Good place for muffin, donut, coffee, other sweet pastries. Has a limited selection of chinese pastries like BBQ, pineapple and cocktail bun. I've had their vietnamese sandwiches too. They are good by most standards. Use a nice long crusty french bread. You can omit any ingredient you don't like. For me, that's chili. Sorry, this is lunch, gotta go back to work. Staff is friendly and quick. Too bad it's in a bad neighborhood. This place is a beacon in a dark place. I wish more cops would hang out here.
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For gourmet sandwiches without the price rely on LATTE EXPRESS. You can pretend to be homeless and still get a sandwich with the freshest ingredients. The area is really lucky to have this cornrer eatery.
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Yes, it's true, this is an awesome sammich shop in disguise. It's so good, I ate here twice on friday. I was introduced to it at lunch by a co-worker, and was pleasantly surprised by a super delicious grilled pork sandwich. If you've ever had the pork kebap at Tu Lan, then the taste of this meat will seem similar to you. and at $3.95 a sandwich, how can you go wrong? In fact, if you come back later at night when the place is pretty much empty (and I believe this place is open 24-7), you might even get twice as much meat in your sandwich, like I did.
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From the outside, this place looks like a generic bad-coffee-and-pastry stop. Actually, it looks like that inside, too.
But it's not.
It's actually a super-secret *great* inexpensive vietnamese sandwich shop. Their pate sandwich comes on a fresh baguette and is really tasty. The other Vietnamese sandwiches are also quite good, and I think they're all $5.
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Remember that girl in your math class, the one you overlooked for months, only to realize at the end of the semester that she was really good-looking, and nice? Latte Express is like that. We go here almost daily for lunch and pastries, especially the French/Vietnamese BBQ Pork sandwich. Always open, clean, and very frendly people. The fifth star will come when they expand into rice dishes .. right now it's strictly sandwiches. As for pastries, they make the quintessential chocolate old-fashioned donut, which is as far as I've gotten.
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Latte Express. Here is what I ordered at Latte Express: three donut holes, an apple juice, and a sandwich. Now these are all things that typically produce happy feelings, but I must say that the sandwich was surprisingly good. After finishing everything, I started eying my friend Harry's sandwich and he caught on pretty fast. Like the good friend that he is, he quickly offered the rest of his delectable Vietnamese pork sando to me even though I had neglected to offer him but one of my many donut holes. I was like a pig in shit. I love places that surprise you and this place does just that. Someone else mentioned that it looks just like an All star donut shop. I agree completely, but once you try the sandwiches you begin to realize what it's all about. I equate it to receiving a dimly-lit deep-muscle-relaxation massage in what you thought was only a Tenderloin brothel/spa at first, or waking up next to a Thai ladyboy. Either way, you're getting more than you bargained for--in a good way. So, if you are looking for an inexpensive place to stuff your face in before you go back to work like I am once a day, this is a place worth checking out. Especially if you're up for that breezy and pungent walk down beautiful Market Street from the financial district to get there. Like Jerry Garcia said, "If I had my way... I would spend all afternoon at Latte Express eating pork sandwiches..."
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