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Latte Express
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Vietnamese Restaurants Sandwiches Food Donuts Coffee & Tea, Vietnamese, Sandwiches, Donuts [Edit]
48 5th StSan Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhoods: Union Square, SOMA
(415) 284-7328
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
92 reviews for Latte Express
Review Highlights
"Gotta love this place for its solid banh mi."
(in 19 reviews)
"The BBQ pork sandwich here is sooo yummy."
(in 16 reviews)
"Tasty, fresh and prepared quickly."
(in 3 reviews)
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92 reviews in English
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Review from Aditya M.
San Francisco, CA
10/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
My first time eating banh mi.. I love it!!
Came with here with coworkers for the first time during lunch.
Being a vegetarian, I ordered their only veggie banh mi thing.. something consisting of shredded tofu, carrots, peppers, and I think mayo.
Its pretty yummy.. ended up eating two of them!! wouldn't have minded a third (except then I would be super sleepy at work :( )
My only bone with this place (or sandwich type) is that the bread is wayy too hard.. it scrapes my palate up quite a lot.. which makes me feel pretty uncomfortable for the next couple of hours. -
Review from Amanda K.
1/28/2012
We went here for lunch recently and the sandwiches are alright. They are cash only and we didn't check that before we went so one person ended up having to buy for all of us. I think I liked my coffee the best and the peppers in the sandwich were hot and tasty - but the bread was just too much. Some people in the group commented that they just want to find an authentic place and this wasn't. But probably does well if you are in the area and don't have much time and have the craving.
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Review from Bryan R.
San Francisco, CA
1/19/2012
Their breakfast sandwiches are servicable. Coffee is typically mediocre but I've had better luck with theirs than some of the other donut shops around the area; never burned, relatively fresh. This location is NOT open 24 hours, the listing needs to be corrected (sorry I'm not sure what their full hours are).
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Review from Ashley A.
San Francisco, CA
7/8/2011
Doughnuts and vietnamese food, both of which they serve all day.
Service- efficient, never had any bad experiences here.
Ambiance- none. There are usually news shows on the TVs high above the refrigerator cases so you can see developing headlines during your short wait.
Food- ranging adequate to good. Have developed a doughnut hole addiction since this is the only normal (affordable) food place around this area. $5 of doughnut holes goes a long way.
Went from 4 stars to 3 stars = in my vegetarian sandwiches I have found HIGHLY suspect pieces of ingredients before. Their food is fresh but not necessarily careful.
Overall, if you're stuck in this area to eat and don't want to spend the $8+ definitely check it out. -
Review from Didie U.
Walnut Creek, CA
5/11/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I am a banh mi fiend.
Since moving away from home, I'm always on the lookout for Asian comfort food. While other kids were eating PB&J, I was enjoying French bread subs with head cheese, daikon, and pate.
Cash only? That's all good, I know how the Vietnamese do it. But barely any meat on this #1 banh mi?? Blasphemy. -
Review from Sean B.
I expected more. I was so excited when I saw this place around the corner from the Intercontinental, as I had a two-day workshop there and needed sustenance. I'm a huge banh mi (Vietnamese sub) fan too, so it felt like a homerun. Except that it wasn't.
Cash only? Not a problem. I've been around the block a few times, I know that's how Vietnamese businesses tend to run. No, Mr. Auditor, another slow day, only made $80 again. Sorry. I'm down. Not a problem for me. Rude service? You know... I make accomodations for this too, I know I'm not going to get doted on the same way I will elsewhere, that's just not culturally how they tend to 'roll' and it's the price you pay for authentic food. They were a bit more rushed and a lot more brusque than they needed to be, under the circumstances. Comparing to other fully-authentic no-holds-barred Vietnamese establishments, even. They just weren't nice at all.
All could have been forgiven, though, if the food made up for it. It didn't. Less authentic, the bread just wasn't very good at all, nothing grabbed me. I didn't go back, and when my friends heard that I passed on banh mi thirty feet from my conference, that I didn't go back twice a day, they flinched... that says something. -
Review from Mari C.
San Francisco, CA
12/25/2010
Though this place looks a little, well, hum drum on the outside, its moderately priced and offers quick service with a smile.
Although Russell W. swears by their blueberry muffins, I am a fan of the Vietnamese sandos. The one with BBQ pork is the best and is less than $5. You can get it with a vietnamese coffee for $6.50 or so. I'm not an expert on bahn min [yet], but for the price this one is an easy cheap lunch. I haven't tried the others, but that's mostly because I'm a creature of habit. -
Review from Edsel D.
San Francisco, CA
4/20/2011
Delicious sandwich! I almost prefer this over any other banh mi place in the city (even Saigon Sandwich).
Best sandwich / coffee combination in the city. The only thing that could beat this is if Saigon Sandwich started serving Blue Bottle new orleans iced coffee with their sandwiches, but then again this place is so close to Blue Bottle that mmm mmm good. -
Review from Jayashree S.
San Francisco, CA
3/21/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Ever since my office moved from the Union Square area to FIDI, I have been dying to find a Vietnamese sandwich place that does it right. Well, today, walking back from an errand in the "posh" Civic Center area... and its lovely set of crackheads, I decided to walk a couple blocks more to get to my fav lunch spot from back in the day...
This place serves up some yummy sandwiches and donuts. I am a vegetarian but fear not, I do keep friends with my omnivores and carnivores... so I can give you a take on the other sandwiches.
To start-- for veggies like me--- you can get the egg salad, the vegetarian or the shredded tofu... you can get it with Vietnamese veggies ( those that don't know what this is.. .seriously?! its pickled daikons, carrots, cilantro and JALAPENOS!-- yum this Indian girl very happy!)... I have tried the egg salad and the shredded tofu. Both are very tasty and fresh. They make it on the spot so you don't have to fear that its a day old made sandwich sitting in some fridge display begging for you to take it home. Pair it with their iced coffee and you have a great lunch!
For the meat eaters, the top choices my friends and coworkers choose is the BBQ Pork and Chicken Banh-mi (Banh-mi means Vietnamese subs)
They only take cash so be prepared. For a cheap lunch that doesn't try to be a FIDI snob, this is a great spot.
Happy Banh-mi-ing! -
Review from Kapil D.
Glendale, CA
9/6/2011
Bad sandwich but pretty cheap. No ketchup no washroom . At your own risk .
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Review from Albert L.
2/16/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This place has some excellent vietnamese sandwiches, not to mention cheap pricing!
I usually order the BBQ Pork sandwich along with a nice cold cup of Vietnamese ice coffee right before I head out to a movie at the Metreon (which is like 2-3 blocks down)
The bread is nice and crisp (but not overly crisp), and the pork is hot, fresh, and flavorful. They give you a generous portion of the pork...you just can't beat the price for the yummy sandwiches here!! -
Review from Brian S.
Oakland, CA
2/5/2007
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.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from MJ T.
San Francisco, CA
12/14/2007
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.Listed in: Things I Can't Live Without
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Review from Martin W.
Oakland, CA
12/1/2009
God, it's so hard to eat in downtown San Francisco.
Well, it's hard to eat cheaply. Sorry, "inexpensively."
One of my guiding principles in life (perhaps even *the* guiding principle) is to not waste money. I'm not saying I won't spend it, but overspending doesn't really compute, you know what I'm saying? "In this economy" and all that, don't you know?
And nobody can rightly call Martin W. "unprincipled."
So, when I was wandering around downtown with Allison K., trying to find an inexpensive and toothsome place to eat, I was aghast at the paucity of options. Sure, there was fast food (a category into which I lump Jollibee and Denny's), and then there was the usual gang of overpriced "big sign" restaurants--you know the ones, with the bold, shiny signage: 'Wichcraft, SF Soup Company, Bucca Di Beppo, etc, etc. These are all places where a real lunch is going to cost somewhere around $10. *At* *least.*
I'm sorry, but $10 for lunch is just dumb. Once a week X $10 = $40. That's my freakin' gym membership! Fuggeddabowdit!
Anyway, we wandered around and around, through the Metreon, and finally, we came to Latte Express.
Ordinarily, I would walk right past this place without a second glance. It's full of rigid plastic seats, laminate that, formica this, and donuts. I almost always give places that serve donuts a pass. However, a friend of mine had brought me here once, and even though I didn't eat anything (was working on a pretty good buzz and didn't want to interfere with that), I noticed that his sandwich was not repulsive and, in fact, looked like it tasted pretty good).
So, after making some shit up to Allison K. about a non-existant previous experience with the place to placate her trepidations, in we went.
I'm going to cut this short: I got the BBQ chicken sandwich, and you know what, it was pretty damn good. It's your basic banh mi, but the bread had a nice golden brown hue with crunch (and not *stale* crunch), the chickeni actually *was* BBQ'ed, that nice, sweet red asian BBQ flavor, the daikon and carrots were very crisp... Shit, it was a pretty good fuckin' sandwich!
Could have used more meat, but the meat was good. About 70% more expensive than Cam Huang in Oakland, but considering the prices in the area, very reasonable (my sammy was... I dunno, $4.75 or something? I did not blanch). And honestly, tasted a little better than Cam Huang.
I try to avoid eating in downtown, but if I have to, Latte Express is good, has a lot of variety, and is totally reasonable. You know what, I like them. -
Review from Miika m.
2/2/2009 1 Check-in Here
---- Scene from Sex And The City ----
Miranda: So, I asked him upstairs for coffee and he said he had an early whatever so he left. But the date ended with two kisses. Good, yes? You think he'll call me?
Jack Berger: I hate to say this, but he's just not that into you. If a guy is into you, he will be all about making the next date. We're coming upstairs to book that next date.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
I've walked many a time back and forth in front of this little chain during quick bouts of shopping release where I actually dare to test my parking/driving patience downtown. I've never found the reason to go in. Why? Because it is on the other side of 5th street whereas I am usually on the side that has the Westfield/Bloomingdale mall.
After a nice time with my date, I found myself craving a little caffeine pick-me-up. Yes, I know, around 10:30 in the evening. Not that I was bored.......there was something I still wanted. Maybe trying to make this date last a little longer? I can't stand awkward silences and my usual witty banter was refusing to come out and I was personally feeling a little let-down by my lapse of silences. I was waiting for the big brush-off, the possible He's Just Not That Into You when he said he'd be happy to go with me and have tea instead (caffeine would be too much at this hour). Oooo, positive response.
It was rather empty, except for the stream of people heading toward the Mezzanine and others stepping in to get money from the ATM dispenser located inside. The little lady behind the counter was slightly subdued and not too smiley, but lit up with one once I got into my usual cheery routine. I mean, come on. She probably gets partially rude customers, idiot drunks, and bums coming off the streets as the usual. A little common courtesy usually starts off nice with a big smile.
I had the large latte. Not bad for only $2 plus change. And it came out, extra hot and extra strong. We sat there, for a good hour just chatting away about everything. The seats here are hard plastic but swirl to the left and to the right. I was doing this, as I sipped my hot drink.
In addition to typical coffee/donuts/bagel fare they also prepare the fattest/juiciest looking Banh Mi. I would have ordered one to go if it were not for the pizza/soda earlier. And inexpensive. Less than $4........I was impressed. And the meat portion was equivalent to that lovely pickled julienned radish assortment. Maybe next time, I will have to swoop in for an order.
Even when it came time to closing, the nice lady did not chase us out. Perhaps out of kindness? Maybe she knew it was a date? Uncertain, but I had a very enjoyable evening.Listed in: Spots of Caffeination in East…
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Review from Luis C.
11/3/2009
Open 24 hours! that's all I can praise about this place. But u pay a premium for that privilege, just a couple of dollars more. Donuts, sandwiches (including banh mi), and coffee, are all just average at best. In my opinion, it's worth 2.5 stars but rounded up to 3 stars.
I wanted a chicken banh mi, but they only had BBQ pork left at the time. I got the last one, so the woman that came after me had to settle for a ham sandwich I think or something like that.
This store is a chain, but each place is a little different. For example, the bread I got here was a section cut from a long baguette, but other locations use short baguette rolls instead. Quality is also different, for some reason the store location near Chinatown (which is not open 24 hours) on Kearny st, makes much better banh mi than this place.Listed in: Open Late, Where to find Banh Mi
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Review from ABBY A.
8/26/2008 1 Check-in Here
*This review is based solely on their coffee and nothing more*
I've been here twice for coffee; First I had a cafe mocha. Then I had a vanilla latte. My cafe mocha tasted like mocha salt water and my vanilla latte tasted like vanilla salt water with milk.
If they're known for their great sandwiches and what-not, I suggest they change their name to Sandwich Express or Salt-Water Lattes. -
Review from Ed U.
9/21/2006
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 -
Review from Patricia H.
CA
3/6/2009
Finally - a decent bahn mi for me! I don't work any where near the tenderloin, home of what sounds to be the nirvana of bahn mi, but I've tried just about every place near my office and always been disappointed.
After today's Sephora run, I was waiting for the streetcar on Market and figured I'd run down to Latte Express and try their sandwiches. My BBQ Pork #4 was delicious and fresh, prepared quickly and with a smile.
Can't beat that with a stick! -
Review from Marc A.
4/19/2009 3 photos
Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!
The sun was beating down on the "Lady K" and I as we decided to do the SF tourist thing and shop in Union Square.
Thirsty! Thirsty! Thirsty!
Latte Express to the rescue with their Thai Iced Coffee drink!
That's all we had but the donut case and food we saw others enjoying looked pretty darn good. We'll be back. Enjoy! -
Review from Jim D.
1/5/2009
I'm a HUGE fan of banh mi sandwiches. It's one of my favorite Vietnamese foods around - based solely on the simplicity of its ingredients and utter deliciousness. The definitive banh mi sandwich will always be controversial among any fan, especially a Vietnamese person because they were probably raised eating the stuff. Hell, I know I sure was.
That being said, Latte Express was a pleasant surprise. I'm most picky about the bread. Some places can really screw this part up; making them either too soft and doughy or being way too hard and chewy. There's nothing worse than having an all out tug-of-war between your jaws and your sandwich. The bread was made perfect to me. Crusty, yet soft in the inside. The pickled veggies, paté, and steamed pork were just the right amount and flavor. Couldn't have asked for more. Well, maybe some more jalapeños. :-)
I heard this place was open 24 hours so I hungrily made my way down in the middle of the night to check it out. Umm...guess again. I arrived here at 10:00pm on a Saturday night and guess what? It was closed. Maybe 24 hours during the week, but definitely not on the weekends. They do open way early in the morning though. I caught a glimpse of a busy crowd in there as I drove by on Tuesday morning.
Overall, the place makes some really good banh mi sandwiches. A bit on the pricey side considering these are usually some cheap sandwiches. I had the #1 and #2. Yes, two sandwiches. What? I told you I was a huge fan. -
Review from Nik D.
San Francisco, CA
11/23/2010
You wouldn't think much of this place from it's appearances, but it's a hidden gem.
Great, cheap Vietnamese sandwiches made with care and swiftness despite the small staff. My favorites are the pork and BBQ chicken, though the chicken has an unnatural red coloring on the outside to indicate its "BBQ-ness." I always request extra veggies.
Jalapeno is added by default, so if you're a pussy you need to tell them to hold it.
Note: I'm not a pussy.
They have a standard selection of refrigerated drinks and coffee. The Vietnamese iced coffee or Thai tea is almost as expensive as the sandwiches. I haven't tried anything from the gallery of brewed coffees, as it seems like they'd be stale.
The staff is youthful friendly, always smiling.
On weekdays around lunch time, there is a bit of a wait.
The place has a distinctive coffee smell inside. Is that chicory? -
Review from Lee H.
6/3/2009
Always on the hunt for a new Bahn Mi joint, I ducked into Latte Express. I've seen various Latte Express shops around the FiDi and SOMA area, but assumed they were as the name suggests, a coffee place. I happened to see a Vietnamese sandwich sign on the window of this location and decided to take a look. Low and behold, there was a whole menu of Bahn Mi offerings along with coffee drinks, including my favorite Café Su Da Vietnamese coffee.
The prices are a bit more than the typical Little Saigon shop, but at $4.20 for my chicken Bahn Mi and $2.85 for the Café Su Da, it's still a steal.
Excited to bite into the sandwich, I unwrapped the paper and opened up the baguette to inspect the contents and found a layer of pink chicken. Not pink in the sense that it's underdone; more like a cross between magenta and fluorescent pink. It looked almost radioactive. I tentatively took a bite of the sandwich and can only assume that the pink color is some sort of vinegar/pickling solution along with red dye number two that they use. I ate the sandwich, but the color was rather off putting. I was tempted to ask about the color, but then thought against it. Sometimes you just don't need to know.
The Café Su Da was way too sweet and didn't pack the espresso punch that I was looking for.
I tried Latte Express, I ate pink chicken Bahn Mi and I probably won't be back.Listed in: Motherload of Banh Mi…
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Review from Dario B.
6/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
The freshest banh mi I had in SF, but the bread was somehow off...not the right kind (Mai of @banhmai warned me though).
Vietnamese sandwiches are an inspiration...so little ingredients, so many variations.
Here they excel with the roasted pork and the veggies.
Crispy juicy wonderfully charred meat and thick, crunchy veggies with good peppery cilantro.
Saigon sandwich? Bye bye...Listed in: Banh mi hunt
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Review from victoria r.
Palm Beach, FL
4/23/2009
Very good sandwiches, very interesting experience... Having heard good things about this place I decided to go since there are limites places open at 1:30 am. While walking in we were confronted by two very friendly homeless men asking for a dollar each to buy a donught or coffee.
I hesitated but remembered I was in San Franciso- not WPB- and hoped they would use the money for the food and not the crack. I was right, as I walked in to order my #5 (the grilled chicken bagel sandwich), they followed in to order their food. The Vietnamese woman was very friendly and the food was prepared quickly. Very fresh and tasty. Inexpensive. Very casual. -
Review from Catherine O.
San Francisco, CA
3/14/2008
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. -
Review from Amy J.
Alameda, CA
8/20/2007
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. -
Review from Charlotte M.
San Francisco, CA
1/8/2009
I've tried other Vietnamese sandwich places downtown, this seems to be the only one that gets it right.
Grilled pork with extra peppers, please... -
Review from Amy D.
12/29/2006
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. -
Review from Steven B.
San Francisco, CA
10/24/2010
Conveniently located just off Market by the Powell Bart, this Vietnamese sandwich & coffee shop was perfect for our daily morning caffeine stop or a quick afternoon bite in between weekend errands.
While others have mentioned the staff being surly, my guess is it has more to do with the awkwardness of the language barrier for both parties than anyone's deliberate rudeness. With that in mind, a simple 'good morning' and a smile each day by me quickly gave way to warm daily interactions and our order often being started without having to say a word.
One the down side, the liquor store next door often brings an unwanted cast of characters around the adjacent plaza (but there's plenty of clean indoor seating at Latte Express), and the cash-only policy is a bit of a pain in today's swipe-&-run world. But for fresh sandwiches, pastries and coffee, it's worth the slight hassle. -
Review from Hong K.
San Francisco, CA
10/3/2006
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... -
Review from Chris Q.
San Francisco, CA
8/20/2007
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. -
Review from O'Shea J.
San Francisco, CA
1/5/2009
This used to be the spot when I worked down the street...
At one point they were just an average donut shop and I would come here for the ham and cheese croissants. They're super greasy - the white paper bag becomes see thru by the time you're done - but it hit the spot for sure.
Then one day, after a thorough remodel, the kitchen was revamped to all stainless steel industrial grade appliances and bahn mi's (Vietnamese sandwiches) made their way onto the menu. As a kid my parents used to come home with these from time to time and my favorite was a grilled/BBQ pork variety. It seems over the years, this has become increasingly harder to find no matter which bahn mi spot you go. So imagine my delight when I looked up at the overhead menu complete with full color pictures and saw what had been missing from my life for most of my teenage/college years. It was exactly as I remembered - full of cilantro, grilled pork and a sweet mayo spread. This is the only place I know of that still sells this. The prices are rape because of the downtown location - around $5 - but it's a small price to pay when you consider how much you would spend on lunch elsewhere in the area.
Apparently they're open 24hrs so that's good to know even though I'm never here late night. The area is sketchy so you get stragglers begging for change but as long as you politely ignore them and keep the sound of coins in your pockets to a minimum, they won't bother you. -
Review from Inbae L.
San Francisco, CA
7/8/2008
The best Vietnamese sandwich I've ever had. They keep the BBQ pork in a crock-pot, as some other reviewers have noticed, and it's definitely a plus, for keeping the meat juicy and delectable. Sure, it might be a little small compared to other Vietnamese sandwiches you can get at other joints, but I think it tastes the best. For example, Lee's Sandwiches makes 'em with french rolls too crusty and hard, and Saigon Sandwiches' meat lacked flavor.
One less star from being perfect because they only take cash. Oh, and I wish the other branch near the Caltrain station also made Vietnamese sandwiches too... Till then, I'll come here whenever I have the VS craving. -
Review from Shannon B.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2010 1 photo
It's cheap stuff, it's pretty fast and it is conveniently located. But it just tastes OK. I got the Tofu Banh Mi, it was lacking green stuff like jalapenos and cilantro in the sandwich. Sadness, that is my favorite part. I liked the "meal deal" with a Vietnamese ice coffee, $6.50.
Whatever you do, don't eat there in the store, you will be hounded for a quarter by a few different street folks (some of which are definitely on crack) every five minutes- it's like tag team begging. Not a pleasant dining experience.Listed in: Bánh mì - Vegetarian…
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Review from Krishnan S.
San Francisco, CA
2/18/2009
Sweet place, on the lip of downtown china town - Its got $3.85 grilled pork sandwiches (item #4), brimming with jalapenos, so be careful!
Awesome though, my only complaint being that I always finish my sandwich hankering for more. Also, the name is a complete misnomer - when I think latte express, this ain't the place that comes to mind, I envision a place more sauve and expensive, not this little gem. I digress, back to business.
Being the cheap bastard that I am - I love the great deals, its worth 5 stars just for the bang for the buck factor vs quality. And to boot, for $5.85 you can get any sandwich and a Vietnamese coffee - yumm, condensed milk....Listed in: SF lunch time financial…
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Review from C B.
San Francisco, CA
10/12/2006
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. -
Review from Tracie B.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2008
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. -
Review from Joanna M.
7/3/2008
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!Listed in: Friend or Pho?
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Review from Aivy C.
10/18/2007
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.
