Lee's Sandwiches
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Dinner, Lunch
- Alcohol: None
30 reviews
Palo Alto, CA
"I think I need to form an "Ace of Sandwiches Anonymous". I'm hooked - along with the rest of the Palo Alto area. Great sandwiches,…" read more »
36 Reviews for Lee's Sandwiches
So I really can't comment on anything but their sandwiches since that's the main reason why I come here! Their bread is always fresh and they have an assortment of asian snacks that are typically found in asian markets or down the asian food aisle at safeway!! Their service is fast and friendly. The layout of the actual place is a bit strange but I always take my order to go. Now that I think about it there is a weird vibe there. I think it's because it looks like a cross between a sandwich shop and a mini mart of snacks. I don't mind because I've tried most of the snacks before and they're all tasty. Give one a try next time you're there.
More like Puh-Lee's Sandwiches. The coffee tastes like ass juice.
The interior is weird, mirrors like the last scene of "Enter the Dragon".
Then after I got my nasty iced coffee, a 4'8" Viet dude in a Yellow jumpsuit came inside. I felt weird.
Just no.
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Um. . .a sandwich for $2.75? Amazing. My fave is defininetly the BBQ pork. I also love all of the "side dish" choices up front. The shrimp and yam eggrolls are wonderful, as is the sweet rice with the sausage and the green jello dessert. Minus one star because 1. the bread sometimes fucks with my jaw (delicious, but VERY chewy. . .day old?) and 2. Once when I asked for sweet and sour sauce, the person behind the counter handed me one packet and said, "sorry, we're running low." (rationing sweet and sour?. . .not cool) And although I rarely encourage it. . .bring your kids! I'll probably be getting take out anyway.
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Pretty decent sandwiches. I gotta say overall my ranking of sandwiches would be (1) Vietnamese, (2) European, (3) American. Vietnamese sandwiches in general have the really awesome bread (just like European sandwiches), but they're healthier and you get more flavor from the cilantro/jalapeno than from cheese or butter.
This location is actually pretty decent, don't quite get all the low ratings. I usually get the grilled pork or teriyaki chicken sandwich. Their filling is not as good as the sandwiches they used to have at Pho Thuong Lai (sadly they don't have them anymore), since they use pickled daikon radish (I actually prefer the cucumber Pho Thuong Lai used). However, their tasty fresh baguette bread more than makes up for it, I much prefer it to the french roll you get at other places. Actually, for me the bread is the highlight of this sandwich...it's so tasty I an eat it on its own. I gotta stop by here sometime to pick up some warm baguettes and eat it w/ some wine and cheese!
Pretty cheap too (~$2-3 for a sandwich) so the price can't be beat. Good for a cheap (and healthy) weekend lunch!
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The service was good, but the sandwich was not. I got a cruissant sandwich and the ham tasted funny so I didn't eat it. The coconut drink I got from their freezer was rancid, so i exchanged it for another one. It was rancid also, I finally gave up and just left.
I will most definately not go back to this place in Fremont, the ones in San Jose are always good.
This place is a hit or miss. I've had more bad experiences than good though.
Most recently, I came here because SOMEONE was sick and was craving a sandwich. I was also needing some dinner after a LONG day. At other Lee's they have this curry chicken with bread, but I didn't see it on the menu. So I asked the high school looking guy if they have it and he looks at me all grossed out and says "curry chicken??? NO" It wasn't what he said that bothered me, it was how he said it and his facial expressions (scrunching his nose).
I order my sandwiches and the guy whispers my total. So i said what?? and he whispers again. umm hello...you're RETARDED!! I wanted to sock this guy sooo bad! You don't fuck with a hungry girl, who just got off a 10 hour day, and just fought traffic to pick up some lousy ass sandwiches. I tried to look at the register to see the total, but the fob didn't ring it up. I gave him a bill, he gave me my change..and that was it. freaking retard....it's gonna be a WHILE until i go back to this location.
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Where else can you go get a sandwich for under $3?!?! For the price, it is definitely worth it. Try the BBQ pork or teriyaki chicken for starters. Don't get scared away by all the other "dishes" on the counter. Most of it is pretty decent for a quick bite.
What I like here are the baguette sandwiches, particularly the veggie sandwiches with all the fresh veggies and crisp pickles, always with a bit of a kick from the cilantro and jalapenos (though usually the jalapenos aren't really hot). The sardine baguettes aren't bad, either. Can't say I've tried too many other things; the inexpensive baguette sandwiches just work for me.
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Easy to find location in a busy plaza.
Shop gives bang for the buck. Strong portion size compensates for lack of custamer service or setting.
Croisant sandwiches are nice, and the bacon is among the top I've had.
Cheap eats, but an Average Lee's.
Other lcocations are better, but it is the only Lee's in my local ara and at least their nice and the food fresh. The bread everytime I went was fresh, but others apparently are not having the same experience. There Meatball stick is always scarce and I wish they made more because Its sometimes not there when I go.
The tastse is good, but by far not the best Lee's so I cannot rate it higher. Its average amongst this local chain.
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These guys have got their baguettes right. It's fresh! I don't particularly find their sandwiches are out of this world, but I do like that they are cheap and friendly. And quick!
They have good sandwiches for a really great price. but nothing too special. They do offer a variety of sandwiches like turkey, chicken, beef, veggie, tuna but limited extras for the sandwhich like lettuce, tomato or cucumber most of the sandwiches just come with some thin carrot slices, peppers (which can be excluded) and some mint...overall, not a bad place for a quickie cheap sandwich and some extra goodies. My recommendation: the teriyaki chicken sandwich (peppers excluded) enjoy!
Not coming here sooner was really my fault. It's right next to my hair salon, and in the same shopping center as Semo Sushi. I have no idea why I didn't try this place before.
My friend Jen told me about it -- that they had good BBQ sandwiches, and I have to say, they are right. They have really good Chinese BBQ sandwiches, and I loved their fresh, crusty baguette. The service is definitely fast, the prices are crazy reasonable ($3 for a sandwich? Fantastic!), and they have other things I love like tapioca / gel / coconut drinks and confections.
I am reserving my fourth star until after I try another Banh Mi place (since this is my first one).
I came here once a little while after it opened. I ordered just one simple sandwich and it was taking a while like 15 minutes. I asked whats the holdup , the guy said theyre making the bread right now. After 15-20 more minutes I finally got my sandwich. Everyone seemed mad to work there. I will never go there again. Basically get ready to wait.
Two kinds of sandwiches are offered here at Lee's Sandwiches: Asian (Vietnamese style, with pickled daikon and carrot, onion, jalapenos, cilantro, mayonaisse, and served on baguette) and European (with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mayonaisse, mustard, American or Swiss cheese, and served on either baguette or croissant). Asian Sandwiches range in price from $2 to $3, and European Sandwiches range in price from $3.75 to $4.50. Asian Sandwiches are of better value but it is more of an acquired taste. Their baguette is very good and is fresh (watch for the neon sign at the side of the building annoucing when hot baguettes are served now, a la Krispy Kreme's hot doughnuts now sign). One additional plus is that you can purchase a long hot baguette (maybe two feet in length) for only a dollar! I also got a Lee's Cafe (which is basically very strong iced coffee) for $2.50.
The place is decent. Main dining area is small, but there is a flat panel TV with ESPN on and free Wi-Fi. There is additional seating on the mezzanine, which is also where a unisex restroom (complete with shower!) is located. When you are upstairs, you can look back down at the sandwich prep area. I did notice that the sandwich makers were wearing gloves as they made the sandwiches.
Bottom line: A single sandwich is not quite filling enough (at least for me), so go for two if you are a big eater, or purchase some of their other hot appetizer food items (most under $2) or a croissant pastry ($1.50 - $1.75) as well.
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I don't know what happened to the Fremont location Lee's Sandwiches, but the sandwiches do NOT taste like the other franchise's. I think they forgot to put the fish sauce, or mayo, or something. It tastes bland, with old bread, too little meat (although they don't give that much more at the other Lee's Sandwiches), and is just horrible tasting. My personal opinion of the best tasting Lee's Sandwhich franchise belongs to: King Rd in South San Jose, Santa Clara St in Downtown San Jose, or the West Calaveras Rd locations in Milpitas. The Senter Road one tastes weird as well, too much fish sauce???
i don't know what's going on but this place is losing it's quality. I used to looove their croissant sandwiches b/c the crossants were so flaky and buttery but not they are just like bread shaped in croissants. I went back to check hoping it was just a bad batch but unfortunately they still suck :(
Vietnamese sandwiches are bomb. So cheap and the bread here at Lee's is so crispy and well-made. For the most part, this place lived up to it's name of having good tasting sandwiches for half the regular price you'd pay. for the majority of the sandwiches i've had here, i didn't need to add anything else to it because it tasted fine. but one time i came here, i had to ask for fish sauce because the sandwich was missing something. and then it tasted fine after :]
the reason why i'd give it a 4 and not a 5 is because it is not AS GOOD as the other LEE's that i've been to. Like the milpitas one i'd say just has a better taste somehow. and the spring roll here didn't taste too great, but hey it was still cheap, haha.
OK you can get your Vietnamese sandwiches here, and they're still cheap, but I have some issues here:
1. Where's the Sriracha?
2. The sandwiches, while longer than their competitors, are probably a smaller portion compared to their competition.
3. The grilled pork doesn't taste right. It doesn't taste like the grilled pork found in any other Vietnamese place, it almost tastes Chinese. Like Char Siu.
And now, the unforgivable sin:
When I order egg rolls why do I get packets of Sweet and Sour sauce to go with it? If this place is supposed to be a Vietnamese place, shouldn't I be getting some fish sauce, or that Thai dipping sauce that is like the middle ground between fish sauce and sweet and sour? I'm sorry, but if I want my egg rolls with sweet and sour, I'd go to Panda Express.
For some reason, my favorite item there (#19, Chicken Teriyaki Sandwich) has lost it's flair. They cut the chicken too small, use way too much salt, and the sandwich just seems smaller or shorter, so now I've lost all my bearings.
It's still a bargain and a neat building with an upstairs nook. (Which was great during World Cup, but now they're down to one TV) and pretty fast service with lots of impulse items in front of the counter.
Update: Things have gotten even worse. Their item #1 "Lee's Sandwich" is now filled with this ridiculous piece of home made, bargain basement, can't-even-call-it-food slice of what is supposed to be a cured meat. It's bright red and you can see right through it, And that's not because it's thin, it's because it's just gelatin or who knows what.
What started as a very good place is now on my "do not call" list. Granted, I have never tried the croissant sandwiches, so I cannot speak to that effect. But their own namesake sandwich seems to be suffering from growing pains.
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No longer do I have to drive to Milpitas or SJ for Banh Mi. They make their bread fresh all day...French baguettes, not a French roll like other Vietnamese sandwich places. Their ingredients all taste fresh. Cheap eats for $2 (or is it $2.50?)...get 2, one for now, one for a little later. Take it home, warm it up in the microwave.
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I really like Lee's sandwiches because they are cheap, offer an enormous variety of different things, the service is fast and the place itself is clean. I have tried several things and it is always good. I like their coconut puddings, their vietnamese spring rolls, the candy they sell, and of course- the sandwiches!
They have vegetarian items too, including the Asian veggie sandwich ( daikon, shredded carrots, chiles, cilantro, veggie sauce), veggie avocado baguette, and occasionally they have vegetarian spring rolls.
My boyfriend is a fan of the tuna almond baguette and the teriyaki chicken sandwich, which according to him are amazingly good.
Aside from food, they have smoothies (including some pretty unique ones, such as avocado!), tapioca drinks and juice.
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The sandwiches here are made by the same formula as any other Lee's, but for some reason they aren't as good here. There is less selection of non-sandwich items, like the sesame balls I love and can only find at the Berryessa location. What really sucks here is the service. We have stopped here a few times to get sandwiches on the way to BART for the A's game, and it seems every time they get slower. The last time it took 15 minutes for the VERY SLOW woman who was SLOWLY cutting tomatoes to SLOWLY decide to stop and SLOWLY walk over and get our order and then SLOWLY make it. It took almost half an hour to get two sandwiches. Really not cool. There were maybe 3 other customers, it's not like they were overworked. We wont go back; we'll go out of our way to stop at Berryessa and then drive up to BART rather than deal with the disinterested staff and less tasty food.
Uh... so this location didn't open up until i moved out of fremont, so i didn't try it till yesterday. the downtown san jose location is somewhere i go on a regular weekly basis since i work across the street from that one. so knowing that i like their sandwiches there, i went to the one in fremont yesterday. blechhHhh. when i opened up the wrapping, i noticed my sandwich was really thin. i opened the sandwich and saw that they maybe threw in like 3 pieces of chicken, a pinch of lettuce, etc. this was really dissapointing since i know other locations i've visited seem to put TOO MUCH into my sandwich (which is a great thing). also, the sandwich was so bland i dont think i tatsed anything. in the end, i guess im not too surprised. it's in fremont. and having grown up in fremont, i think i can fairly say that it's hard to find good food in this city.
****UPDATE 10/27/07
So I went into this location for the first time today myself, and actually found it to be not that bad. The service sucked, and the staff just stood around and stared at me like I was hella ugly or something.. Anyhow, my sandwich and avocado smoothie were actually both pretty good when I came here today. but maybe since I was the only customer, it wasn't busy for them to mess up.
I'm upping my review to 3 stars.
I like this Lee's sandwiches b/c it is close to my house and one of the cleanest Vietnamese sandwich shops that I have been to. But, I don't think they picked a good location b/c it is almost never busy. I really like getting #5 or #6 I think one is bbq pork and the other is roast pork. The sticky sausage rice is good too and in the summertime the coconut smothies are bomb.
I think in general though, Lee's sandwich baguettes are not as savory as ones that you can get at Safeway, but what do you expect for a dollar? Overall I love Lee's sandwiches since I am on a college student budget.
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This place gets 4 stars for value - how can you beat a great sandwhich for a mere $2.75? I usually get the grilled pork sandwich which is great as I'm not into all the wierd meats. They bake their own baguette breads so it's tasty. Everything else I've tried doesn't really live up. All the drinks are way too sweet - so far I've tried the tapioca tea, the coffee, the juice.... The pork buns are too sweet for my liking also.
In general, I love Lee's Sandwiches. My family got hooked when we went to the one on Story Road, over by Happy Hollow Zoo in San Jose. This location just gets three stars however.
1. Not as many food selections as the other locations
2. Bread not made as often as busier locations
3. No lychee smoothie (the best offering the chain has)
It's still a great bargain though. Where else can you get a 10-inch made-to-order sandwich for under $3? Also, the restaurant opens early in the morning so you can pick something up on your way to work.
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I give it a three out of five because for a vietnamese sandwich, it is quick and near by. Of course it isn't the real deal since they skimp on the best part: the veggies! and the bread is not soft and chewy. But, overall, when I really crave a sandwich, this place is close by and cheap!
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I like the turkey croissant sandwich here just 'cos the croissants are fresh & yummy. Unfortunately, the way the sandwiches are made isn't consistent. The first time I got the turkey croissant, there wasn't cheese, but today being my second time, for some reason, there was cheese! :( Maybe it's just me, but cheese can either make a sandwich.. or other times, just wreck it. Twas the latter today! BOO..
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Yes, it's only 2.50 for a sandwich but it's still not worth it. The selection is interesting, they have many more types of sandwiches that the typical #1 - #5 banh mi place. Out of curiousity, I tried the combination (minus head cheese) and the egg sandwich. The bread tasted not stale, but off somehow, as if it had been drained of flavor. They skimp on the veggies and the meats (others tried chicken and pork) were grisly, greasy, and yet bland. The egg filling was perfectly prepared and not greasy at all, but the weirdly tasteless bread ruined it. We ate there during a busy lunch hour so I don't think we were given the dregs of the lunch buckets.
The sandwiches are medium sized, but smaller than most other places I've been to in SJ or in the city.
And doling out chili sauce like it's liquid gold? Give me a break. I expect a big bottle of rooster sauce on every table. If you want a good vietnamese sandwich, head over to Union City to the lunch joint in the Lechon Manila strip mall on Alvarado. They're 3.50 but worth every extra cent.
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Nice for a quick fast bite to eat.
Although a lot of people have mentioned it costs a bit more than the average Vietnamese sandwich, I still think it's pretty cheap.
Got the two combo sandwiches (split with my friend), they were both pretty good.
Got some fresh spring rolls as well, just average tasting.
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The sandwiches aren't that good in my opinion. My friend told me how great the breads tasted, but I thought they were just hard like stone. My husband complained about it and said we were lucky that our sandwiches were soaked w/ blood from our mouth....
But I do like their croissant....so buttery and crispy.
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The first time I went here, I ate something that made my tummy hurt. I still gave it another try, though, because I've got the weakest stomach in history. The second and third times I went here, I was fine! I like the #16 sandwich, and the honeydew milk drink. It's very tasty! If they have the pre-packaged moshi with red bean paste inside, get those. They're cheap, and they're yummy! Don't eat them all, though, they've got a big calorie count! Share!
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Huh maybe you were there on a really bad day? My experience is though the curied pork is too greasy for my taste it is typical of vietnamese sandwitches. That being said the bread is yummy, it's dirt cheap and they have all sorts of more western cold cuts if one prefers.
They also have all the asian drinks and sides that are yummy yummy yummy.
Plus I don't know what restaurants you eat at but 2.50 even for a vegan sandwitch is cheap nowadays. I have easily spent 3.75 - 5 for just a vegan sandwitch because you are paying for labor as well as ingredients. They make it and have to clean up after you and the whole place.
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This place is so gross and not really your typical cheap place for vietnamese sandwiches either. There were different prices for various types of sandwiches. The cheapest was a vegetarian that only consists of carrots, cilantro, daikon, and that spicy stuff for $2.50.
I gave it a bad rating because the stuff on their shelf expired and they got my order incorrect. When I asked to have the sandwich redone, they wanted me to pay for another sandwich after taking back the original messed up one. Plus, the limping gimp just shoved chicken pieces in the bread with his dirty greasy fingers after I saw him mopping the floor! Geez....so tacky and rude!
I like Lee's Sandwiches. This particular one is ok; there are better locations like the one off Calaveras. When I go to this one, I get the bbq chicken. Do not get the shredded pork. GROSS! I like the banana squares (fried bananas in egg roll wrappers). Good cheap sandwhich.
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