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Lee's Deli
Categories: Restaurants Delis Restaurants Sandwiches Delis, Sandwiches [Edit]
117 New Montgomery St(between Minna St & Mission St)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 882-9115
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Christine A. said: "Aww, what a cute little gem in the Mission! Came here for brunch and ordered the French Toast. Yum! It's easy to make French toast super, super dry, but Radish got it just right. The portion was perfect, and the waiter was very…" read more »
99 reviews for Lee's Deli
Review Highlights
"...also has the cheapest bagel with cream cheese that I can..."
(in 3 reviews)
"If I have 3 bucks I can get lunch-- it's awesome."
(in 4 reviews)
"I love a good breakfast buffet in morning and this place..."
(in 36 reviews)
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99 reviews in English
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Review from Emma S.
San Francisco, CA
11/4/2011
I worked upstairs from this Lee's for almost 3 years and came here innumerable times. What I miss most are the bagels and cream cheese which were $1.30. $1.30!! Bagels and cream cheese are my guilty pleasure and I could easily scrounge up enough change to get one of these any given morning. I would also frequently get a bagel with egg and cheese - only $2.50! Amazing.
I would also stop in if I forgot my lunch that day because the possibilites are endless. Feel like a sandwich - you can get one for $4. They weren't anything special but definitely good if you just wanted something simple. Good salad bar with lots of options. I've had a grilled cheese, veggie burger and fries here as well. The Chinese buffet is pretty good, no gourmet Chinese food, definitely greasy but good if you are in the mood. But my absolute favorite thing was their eggrolls. Those were amazing. Be warned, once you start eating them, you may never be able to stop.
I also like that they have fresh fruit - apples, oranges, bananas - and yogurt and pretty much anything you could want. They are very efficient and non-nonsense. -
Review from Bill H.
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
The salad buffet at Lee's is crappy. I stopped by last week after seeing a co-worker come back to the office with a Lee's salad. The greens were okay, but the selection of fruits and vegetables was terrible (no sliced tomatoes, avocados were hard, artichoke hearts were sitting in a vat of can-juice, etc.). At least the price was cheapish -- I walked out with a large salad of my choosing for $6.75.
I also felt like Lee's had fewer overall buffet options in its cold bar. The salad buffet at Whole Foods is way better for the price.
I have not tried the deli yet. I'd probably go back to try a sandwich before I write Lee's off entirely. -
Review from Zain D.
San Francisco, CA
10/13/2011
Food: Their burgers are amazing. They grill them right in front of you and put the cheese on while they're on the grill, so it melts over perfectly. They also toast the bun which makes it delicious. Their fries are really good too and you get a good bit if you get the combo. I've tried the buffet a few times but wasn't crazy about it.
Price: At $5, they're the second cheapest place to get fresh veggie burgers (BK is $4). $9 will get you a burger, a lot of fries and refillable soda.
Service/atmosphere: Friendly and efficient staff that hustle when the place is packed. They're not greedy with the toppings/condiments and that's rare with Asian owned delis. They have indoor and outdoor seating but it's impossible to get a seat around lunch time. -
Review from endah s.
San Francisco, CA
2/9/2012
I work accross the street & bought lunch at least twice a week from Lee's. Two months ago I was sick 3 days after I ate Brocolli Beef from Lee, at lunch time I went to Lee's bought rice with Brocolli Beef, I saw the Brocolli seem over cook & the beef not fresh but I thougt it was fine since I got lunch at least 2x a week there. Half hour after eat I feel dizzy, vomitted, so I went home from work to see doctor, I got food poison. Since then I will never..ever buy lunch at Lee's anymore, can't trust the clean & fresh food, probably food left over from a day before. Also the other day I saw a guy dip his finger to the food on tray to try the food, and he did it again dip his finger to the food. I let the cashier now, she was listen but they didn't change the food on tray. So.. I decided to never buy food from Lee's anymore, can't trust the clean, fresh of the food on buffet, also don't want get sick anymore, it was terrible.
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Review from Frank L.
San Leandro, CA
7/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Lee's Deli is definitely the one stop shop for an array of food. It's a deli but they have Chinese, burgers, sandwiches and salads. The whole layout is similar to any Chinese buffets.
This review is for the self-serve Chinese food section. Basically, they have a small, medium and large to-go container and you choose whatever you want. They have chow fun, fried rice, eggs, rolls, sweet & sour everything and dim sum etc. It's pretty much anything you would expect from Panda Express. I dislike that the weight of the container is included in the $6.99/lb pricing. I barely filled up my small container and the total was close to $6. Geez, everything cost more in the city!
I thought Chinese fast food was about quantity over quality. In this case, you're paying for a good amount of money for a low quality and quantity meal. The salad part seems to be the popular section in the restaurant. However, I am not a fan of salads. Although the food was not that great, the service was friendly and efficient. Well, my effort contributed to the efficiency in the self-serve area and the employee was a fast cashier.
If you go for the hot food I suggest the BBQ pork. Other trays I tried were the Chow fun, Orange Chicken and Egg Plant. I disliked allI three items. I would only dine at Lee's Deli from now on only if I am in a rush or perhaps the munchies other than that, no thank you. Additionally, there isn't that many seats for customers to dine in unless you sit outside and get bother by bums. -
Review from Vik B.
San Leandro, CA
10/8/2011
I would say to not eat most of the items on their menu.
BUT
Their sandwiches are awesome (namely turkey club bacon) and tasty. They used to be generous with the bacon but are less so now. -
Review from Kyle W.
5/23/2011
Those who know me know that I throw the word "Woof" around whenever something disgusting happens. Well, for me, Lee's best describes, WOOF
In my 3 years in San Francisco, I went to Lee's a total of 2 times. Both times I've come away feeling pretty gross.
First of all it's dark in there. I totally feel like one of those dudes staying at Guantanomo Bay, just praying to make it end. Aside from the fruit i'm not sure what this place does well.
The salad bar is almost as expensive as going to Mixt Greens, minus the freshness.
Let's not get started on the Chinese food. Throw some grease and oil around in a wok and dump whatever you can and cook it. Package it as Chinese food and TA-DAHHHHHHH! Some of the greasiest/MSG filled Chinese food you can get. I feel like I need to take a shower afterwards.
No thank you.Listed in: San Francisco - SOMA Lunch…
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Review from Jason M.
6/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Really glad Luther brought me here the other day. I've been trying to eat more healthy during work lunches and this is a great quick solution.
They have a large deli that I have yet to try, however their buffet is amazing. Everything from salad to fruit to dumplings. The price is based on weight so feel free to mix and match whatever healthy trimmings you want and look forward to spending about $7 bucks. -
Review from Davin A.
South San Francisco, CA
10/4/2011
Low prices. Good, fresh Food. Lots of options. You can't go wrong here! And the people here are nice.
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Review from Greg G.
9/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have worked down the street for almost 2 years and never came in. I was like ok, time to bite the bullet. My friend and I walked in and were like, woah. It's like a chinese buffet take-out sandwich place. Sounded awesome. I went to the sandwich station and ordered a rueben while my friend explored the buffet. My sandwich was sort of ok, nothing special, not horrible either. I don't think I would be back because for a little bit more I could get a better sandwich right around the corner.
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Review from MIA N.
1/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
This spot is literally right across the street from my work and I finally stopped in - so glad I did!
It looks kinda sketch from the outside but you will be enchanted by the selections available!
Come here if you don't know exactly what you want for lunch because the salad/hot deli buffet is only about $7/lb.
Salad bar with decent toppings (even artichoke hearts yet no hearts of palm).
Fresh cut fruit.
Dim sum and eggrolls - siu mai and hargow
Sushi - actually looks better than most hole in the wall sushi lunch joints.
Made to order noodle and wonton soups.
Chinese fast food type dishes - stir fried noodles, spicy chicken, etc. - looks better than Panda Express but no one can really do Orange Chicken like PE does!
American sandwiches. -
Review from Amanda S.
Palm Springs, CA
11/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
When I'm wanting to go healthy but also greasy this is a fine place to go to while working/wandering in fidi.
I can stock up on fruits and veggies and still indulge on orange chicken, or noodles, or eggplant drenched in a spicy hot plum sauce.
They also make burgers however I've never had one there.
Huge selection in a buffet style. a lot of hot foods. your standard amount of chips and baked goods. Outdoor seating. The sandwiches. DUH. Amazing.
Cheap (minus the buffet- it's by weight and it can be costly at times) sandwiches. A lot of selection. Ok. -
Review from tom r.
San Leandro, CA
9/10/2011
This is THE WORST chinese food I've ever had. I forget the names of the dishes, but I had beef with red bell pepper and the beef tasted like ammonia. If was awful. I said something to a youngish girl who worked there and she let me take a little bit of orange chicken to make up for it. The orange chicken wasn't pukey, but it was not good at all. I also had something like curry rice (yellow) and it was not good at all either.
But that's not the worst of it! My wife actually got sick from her food. She didn't vomit, but she felt pukey for hours. -
Review from Rat a tat R.
San Francisco, CA
8/15/2010
We thought it would be funny to get lunch here because my conference roommate's name was Lee. We ended up eating here for most of the meals the conference didn't provide because it was cheap. There isn't anything remarkably great about Lee's, but they have a variety of sandwich, salad, and greasy Chinese / other miscellaneous options for a reasonable price as San Francisco goes. You probably won't really remember the lunch one way or another, but it'll fill you up and not kill your wallet.
There's a few small outdoor tables, but it's mostly a carry-out place. -
Review from Dee G.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2011
Great place when you want a quick (but not cheap) sandwich, salad, sushi or Chinese buffet. I love their wonton soup and their sandwiches are filled with meat and delicous. The staff always rushes you when you are paying, but its only because there are 12 other people behind you in line.
Overall, a local and reliable place to eat when working downtown. -
Review from Quinn S.
9/28/2007
Yuck.
I'm tempted to leave it at that. Just yuck.
My office mate tells me that they dutifully have the Chinese lunch buffet filled by nine am. Wish he hadn't told me during my three pm snack from said buffet.
I'm gonna go lie down now. -
Review from b h.
San Francisco, CA
2/28/2006
This place is fine if you need a quick lunch for "yourself" and only have $5 in your wallet. But here's my horror story as an admin temp in the financial district.
The business manager gave me an order to pick up lunch for everybody in the office, here's the bitchy part..."order and pay individually" If you've been to a Lee's during lunch you know it's a matter of knowing what your want by the time you hear the calling for...NEXT! WHAT KIND BREAD, WHAT KIND CHEESE, EVERYTHING? (meaning everything on it mayo-mustard-onions). So when I ordered the first sandwich she was so quick to bump me over to the cashier while she shrieked ...NEXT! Wait, I have another sandwich order (her eyes almost drop out of her head) WHA? WHAT KIND BREAD, WHAT KIND CHEESE, EVERYTHING....NEXT! Wait, I have a couple more sandwiches to order ( her jaw drops open to hit the counter) WHA? WHAT KIND BREAD, WHAT KIND CHEESE, EVERYTHING....NEXT!
So finally over to the cashier, the cashier says ANYTHING ELSE! and before I can answer...boom she's rang everything up on one transaction. "I need to have these rang in individually, sorry...(once again eyes pop out of head). And as I was leaving, one of the managers ran and chased me out saying DON'T TAKE TRAY! I said wait, I just ordered $60 worth of food, I work upstairs, I'll bring your friggin cafeteria tray back on the way down, relax! I think I gave the whole Lee's establishment a heart attack that day.
Epilogue; the business manager bitches me out saying, I think you got the wrong change, (is picking up someones lunch considered an admin duty?, guess so if you're a temp) That's what I like about temp assignments...NEXT! -
Review from Shawn A.
San Francisco, CA
11/1/2010
Crazy for a asian place like this to have bomb turkey... but it is some of the best in SF.
they use real breast freshly carved... its pretty yummy with mayo and mustard.
mmmm.
minus 1 star for really bad Chinese food hahaha -
Review from Lorelle M.
El Cerrito, CA
1/14/2010
Alright, I'm gonna shoot it to you straight, I do go to this place often, but only for two things: veggie burgers that are fried crisp and probably not healthy at all, and sandwiches. Both of those things are reasonably priced, and this lady loves both lunch and a cheap deal.
Unfortunately, my like of this place stops there. The salad bar isn't fresh as a spring daisy, but I've seen worse... the real danger of the salad bar is how EXPENSIVE it is. It's by weight, but I think they hide lead weights in the lettuce or something. The only time I want a salad that costs 11 dollars is when it's from Buckhorn Grill and contains tri-tip.
The Chinese buffet is even worse... the orange chicken tastes like balls of sticky salt, the noodles are coated in a film of heavy grease, the potstickers are gummy, and the rice is prone to having those little hardened bits of stale rice that hide in the decent rice and ruin every other bite you take.
If you're looking for a good salad bar, go to Portico at Mission and 1st. If you're looking for decent (but still a little bit greasy in a good way) and cheap Chinese food, go to New Ming's on Mission near New Montgomery. -
Review from pam d.
San Francisco, CA
1/3/2007
Lee's Deli is what it is. Want an organic spinach salad with candied walnuts, dried cranberries and goat cheese? Keep those feet moving, foodie. I hit Lee's at least 25 times a month and it kicks ass during my work week. Why wait in line at Starbucks or Pete's for 20 minutes in the morning for your $7 cup of fancy coffee in your recycled paper cup, when you can get perfectly good styrofoam cup o joe from a big old urn, plus an english muffin with peanut butter and jelly for under $5? My lunch today -- chinese chicken salad with miso dressing from the salad bar and a bag of baked potato chips only cost me $2.95! Two Ninety Five. That's like 1950's prices! 4 stars for getting me in and out of there in the morning when I roll in at 8:59am so I'm only 6 minutes late for work. If I'd stopped at Petebucks, I'd be seriously on the verge of being fired by now.
I do tend to shy away from the hot buffet, only because the food is already out when most people are there for breakfast. But that's just me.
The day they remembered my breakfast order, I felt like I'd been voted prom queen or something! -
Review from Richard T.
Los Angeles, CA
1/12/2007
Diet? What Diet? Luckily, my skinny ass doesn't really need to worry about gaining too much weight. I mean, I'm doing everything in my power to gain 20 pounds so eating as much as i can is something I try to do as much as possible.
So, with that said, when you come here and look at the food, you will see that everything looks obviously unhealthy... I mean, i haven't seen this much grease since... well... i don't know! This factor may turn a lot of people off to their food. But now that I have told you, you really can't complain or be surprised. Right? RIGHT.
I usually only get stuff from their buffet, but they do have tons of other options. I love greasy chinese food and I have never spent more than 5 bucks here. Hard to beat that! -
Review from Adrienne P.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2008
You know you love to hate it...or hate to love it. But its cheap!
And cheap is nearing extinction for lunch downtown.
I love their wonton noodle soup, te broth is actually tasty and the wontons have a good combo of meat and shrimp.
I hate the bossy cashiers and messy unkept dining area.
They did add nice outdoor seating, so very nice of them. -
Review from David O.
Walnut Creek, CA
8/27/2008
Sometimes you have a craving for very good chinese food; Yank Sing, perhaps. Your mouth waters thinking of the peking duck, the soup filled wontons, and other such culinary delights that tickle not just your tastebuds but all of your senses. You long to eat a long and slow lunch, all the while sipping on a bottle of Sonoma Cutrer and ordering way too much food.
And then sometimes you just say "fuck it," and go to Lee's instead. There, what you'll find is a self-serve buffet that serves food soaked in MSG and oil and probably many other flavorings and artificial ingredients that you really don't want to know about. Basically you'll tolerate a meal there and it'll fill you up, though most likely you'll be paying for it about 8 hours later when it comes out the other end....
And yet this place stays in business... nay, it thrives! What the fuck is wrong with all of us human beings?!?!? -
Review from Lynsey C.
San Francisco, CA
3/10/2010
For the past few months, I have been trying to follow a low-carb diet and get myself to the gym more frequently. This happens about this time every year and I guess you could call it a last minute effort to be ready for the closely approaching swim suit season. It's not a totally impossible commitment if I actually take the time to make a lunch every day and prepare healthy options to have on hand. However, I often opt for the snooze button and an extra twenty minutes of sleep over prep time in the kitchen...so I find myself wandering aimlessly through the financial district looking for something sensible to eat. This is how I discovered that there are not many healthy options in this part of town unless you want to shell out major bucks for a designer salad.
Thank you Lee's for re-opening a location on Market (although it does happen to be next to my favorite rainy-day go-to "Boudin"). You have quickly become my favorite place. The salad bar is quite extensive with many healthy and fresh options, they offer sushi and grilled chicken, a made to order sandwich and wrap bar, they offer Sobe Lean on fountain (my fave)...AND its cheap. I recently purchased a salad so big I couldn't finish it, some baked chicken and a drink for $9 total. Unheard of downtown!
Thanks to Lee's, I have been able to maintain my healthy diet (well, for the most part) and not break the bank in the process. -
Review from Lauren F.
San Francisco, CA
8/18/2010
Finding a decent fair priced healthy lunch in the financial district is virtually freaking impossible. I mean...sure I can get a fancy fru fru salad topped with ahi tuna at Mixt Greens...but who wants to spend $14 on lunch? I could get a fancy burger and fries at Bistro for $12...but I will be passed out drooling on my desk by 2:30.
So what to do...what to do?
Lees! It's a good stand-by place. When I'm wondering aimlessly around the small area that I'm willing to walk to for lunch with no real direction or craving, I find myself here. For $7 I can get a salad stacked with veggies, beans, and all the yummy fixin's, and even splurge on a bite or two of greasy chinese food just to fill a craving.
The ingredients are decent quality - they have a decent variety. And best of all...it's cheap and fast.
If you want a fancy lunch...you'll pay fancy prices. If you want a healthy decent lunch for a good price...come to Lees! -
Review from Christopher U.
San Francisco, CA
11/26/2007
The only problem with the Chinese buffet here is it seems that it's replenished on an "as needed" basis. As such and has been mentioned by other yelpers, when the buffet is put out at 9:30 by 11:30 (the time I when I went there for lunch) most of the food is dry and crusty. That did not deter me unfortunately. I wish it had. It's about $5.50 a pound which for a moderate eater such as myself came out to be about $7 total. I enviously eyed Chipotle across the street as I chewed on my hard fried rice. I also regretted my decision 2 hours later when I was ravenously hungry.
There's also a salad bar which might be better and more healthy for those so inclined. Maybe I'll try a sandwich the next time too. -
Review from Dennis Y.
San Francisco, CA
5/15/2007 1 Check-in Here
The Good: $4 bucks and change for a sandwich piled with more than 2 servings of meat. HUGE value.
The Bad: A medium sized lunch portion from the Chinese buffet will run you more than $8 dollars.
The Ugly: Compared to the super friendly atmosphere next door at Specialty's, its clear the focus of this establishment isn't necessarily customer service.
Lee's is a great place to grab and go in a pinch. They're pretty busy during the lunch hours, which helps keep the food fresh. The self serving salad buffet isn't Fresh Choice, but it's very acceptable. Good bang for the buck. -
Review from Ava S.
San Francisco, CA
10/17/2007
Flea's in an institution. Ooops, I mean Lee's.
You really can't beat their $4 huge soft roll sandwiches filled with ham. Plus, if you just want to stock up on essentials (milk for your coffee, candy, chips, etc.), it's a great choice.
That being said, I walked in one morning to get my egg beater, ham, and cheese bagel and was horrified (horrified!!!) to see the Chinese food buffet already sitting out. At 9:30am!!! I think I threw up a little in my mouth. No Chinese buffet for me!
I always knew there was a reason why I fear buffets.Listed in: Lunch in the FiDi
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Review from Wendy L.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2011
Fast food buffet style chinese food. They have lots of choices here and the buffet style stuff is priced per lbs. Pretty convenient and the soups aren't half bad. I like the Gumbo (not legit, but it's ok)! Try it if you haven't. It probably won't hurt. Sue if it does! :)
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Review from Natan O.
San Francisco, CA
8/17/2010
I think Lee's gets a bad rap, but if you know what to get you can take advantage of some delectable food menu items.
You can create your own salad, complete with all the fix-ins for about $5, create a tasteful combo of asian cuisine, a decent sandwich or taste spicy and surprisingly delicious hot and sour soup.
Stay away from the eggs for breakfast and you can get a great tasty meal at Lee's for $4-7. -
Review from Sarah S.
San Francisco, CA
9/7/2005
Since relocating to the financial district for work, I have noticed a thin but pervasive stream of dismay creeping into my stomach every day around noon. It could be the gross burrito from taqueria cancun I had last week, or perhaps it's just the thought of all the eateries in the nearby vicinity that just don't give me enough bang for my very expensive buck.
Until now. Thank you, Lee's, for making your chinese food so damn cheap. I know I can't eat this stuff everyday, or even every other week due to the greese factor, but hey, when I'm broke (which is quite often) and I don't feel like brown bagging it or eating subway, I know where to go. -
Review from Denise Q.
San Francisco, CA
5/20/2009
Growing up in Chinatown/Downtown as a kid, and going to school over on Pine and Grant, I grew up going to Lee's for sandwiches. And it was my favorite part of the day for many years. I felt so grownup standing in line with all the adults in their suits, ordering my sandwich, customized to my exact specifications. I could opt for mayo one day and none the next. I could change my meat and cheese every day and even my bread types. What a grown up I was, choosing and creating my own sandwich. I loved it.
So when I, now at 32, saw the chance to come back to Lee's. I jumped at it. And the sandwich was almost as good as I had remembered it. I mean it was pretty darn good. Even though now as an adult, I know that there isn't any big secret about the sandwiches, somehow their sandwiches always taste great to me.
The let down at this location this time was in the differences from how I remembered the place. They used to just offer sandwiches, chips and drinks, and now they have a full on Chinese self serve buffet, sushi, seating at some locations, and salad bars. Not this is bad, as they had to grow with the times, but for me and my memories of things when I was little it was a change I didn't' like.
Prices are not as cheap as they were when I was a kid, and yes I know about inflation, but even so it is not as cheap as it used to be.
The salad and Chinese food buffets were messy and sloppy looking and so were the seating areas. And the cashiers were not friendly at all.
But the sandwich was still good. So that made the visit worth it. -
Review from Eric G.
New York, NY
1/15/2008
Good selection if you like Chinese food, but lacking in other areas. I'd love to see a "make your own" sandwich bar or something like that.
Seems a little dirty inside. -
Review from Elliot Y.
San Jose, CA
1/29/2009 41 Check-ins Here
I tried the BBQ pork sandwhich....the meat was stiff-hard with mustard, mayonaise, lettuce, and tomato $4.25. I should've Yelp-ed it and tried the turkey sandwhich.
Will come back next time! -
Review from Rose t.
San Francisco, CA
5/28/2007
I can't give it a four star rating until they do something about their 'by weight' thing with the Chinese boofete. I dunno what they can do about it, but it makes a few dumplings way more than they are worth.
That being said, I have to admit my weakness for the damn dumplings, and all the friends of dumplings at said boofete. And I hate group food. But for some reason, I have convinced myself, due to the rapid pace of check out, and plentiful choices here, that there are no germs.
Please don't burst my bubble.
I'd also like to meet a gal or guy who has managed to make it out without a bag.
Why must the Quick Ones bag EVERYTHING? -
Review from richard l.
San Francisco, CA
12/11/2006
"Next, please! Next!" says the surly cashier, a gaunt Chinese man whose attitude resembles not unlike Seinfeld's soup nazi. While saying "hi, how are you doing," he takes my card and, in mid-air, uses his one arm to open a brown paper bag, the other grabbing my debit card and swiping it in the check machine. And during the lull, when the machine checks my funds, he's off to another customer, repeating the same perfunctory tasks. His general take-no-shit attitude is justified, though. Lee's Deli operates on efficiency, and they won't let anyone break their cash-flow. Not even paying customers. One thing's for sure, because of their efficiency, the service is damn fast.
But surliness aside, the food is a bargain. Under just five dollars, you can buy a huuugge sandwich big enough for two meals. And if you're a meat lover, the nice employees aren't skimpy with it, either. Often they'll stuff the sandwich with an unhealthy amount of cold-cuts, chicken, bacon, or turkey. Best of all, their meats are quite good: order the turkey sandwiches and they actually cut big slices from a real turkey. It's not thanksgiving quality, but it's way better than anything at Subway.
And when you're tired of sandwiches, check out their made-to-order foods, especially the won-ton noodle soup. At just 4.75, it's the cheapest Won-ton soup deal outside of Chinatown. Lee's Deli stuffs copious amount of wonton, thick and juicy, crammed into large, white cup. Plus the egg noodles, while not the best, is more than enough to satisfy that ramen or won-ton mein craving.
One day, when you're craving for a sandwich, when subway and specialties or quiznos lost their appeal, try one of Lee's sandwiches. Or their won ton noodle soup. Just be sure to move quickly and attentively in line, just in case the nice Chinese man accosts you for being too slow. -
Review from AccioSoyMilk ..
Richland, MS
11/21/2008
Not bad, not bad. Not fantastic, has a hole in the wall quality. But I didn't get sick from eating anything here (yes, I had some doubts) although I stuck to the salad and did not eat any of the "Chinese food" under the lamps.
It's small and cramped and tends to get messy. Still, they have a variety of food from burgers to salads to the mentioned Chinese buffet to sandwiches. Most people will probably find something they like. I really liked the miso salad dressing quite a bit. -
Review from Dave S.
San Francisco, CA
1/27/2009
Lee's Deli is a staple for many who want a quick solid lunch at a cheap price. For that, they really can't be beat. I mean their solidly made sandwiches are all under $5. You can't even get a ghetto sandwich at Starbucks for under $5. I highly recommend the turkey sandwich. The turkey here is delicious!!!!
They may rush you through but with a solid lunch crowd sometimes they have to rush to keep up with the demand. Overall a great place for a lunch time break. This one even has some seats outside on the sidewalk. Probably the closest since the Market St one is now closed (oh how I miss it).
We need more Lee's Deli's outside of the financial district!!!! -
Review from Petra S.
8/17/2009
What more can I say other than GROSS and over priced buffet bar? I haven't tried the sandwiches here but I have had both the breakfast and lunch. I can honestly say most of the food is stale unless you get it early. The chow fun noodles were OK as was the spicy tofu dish. Other than that, unless you're really desperate and can afford it, I recommend Bristol farms for the price (at least there's more selection and you can get things prepacked for less, even fresher sushi or soup. Or try Chipotle and even better yet "soup freaks" which is all organic and healthy and still costs less.
If I do go back, perhaps I'll go with a sandwhich instead... -
Review from Stacy J.
San Francisco, CA
2/20/2008
Can I make a confession? I love noodle-y soups, but rarely ever drink the broth at the end. I like the broth as a noodle/meat/veggie dampener, I like how hot broth keeps the real food warm, I like the slurping experience, but my relationship with broth ends there.
So, the wonton noodle soup at Lee's is perfect for me because they load up this plastic bowl with egg noodles, really huge wonton, BBQ pork, bok choy, and green onion and cilantro. And then, it's maybe one ladle-full of broth. $6.75.
Lee's also has the cheapest bagel with cream cheese that I can find anywhere. $1.25.
