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Categories: Vietnamese, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhood: Civic Center/TenderloinMon-Sat. 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
"I don't know what's taken me so long to review Morty's?! They are a total staple.... Let me say first that while I'm not from New York, I…" read more »
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I had been trying to make a visit to this little shop for a long while now, based on mouthwatering reviews here and a little plug on the 7x7 list. Had some time so I decided to make it my SF food tour day. Little Star and Pearl's Deluxe Burgers, but Saigon Sandwiches first.
Very, very, very good for banh mi.... but not the best? I found my sandwiches to be slightly too meaty, a little low on the veggies/fixins, and covered in mayo. Perhaps it was a bad day, as I'm seeing some pictures here that have quite adequate amounts of veggies. Oh, and I had to run back to ask them for jalapenos, since mine came with none. Never had that one happen before.
The pate in my special combo was excellent. Cilantro was exceptionally fresh, bread was crusty and soft inside. Not too impressed by the fancy pork. I'd even say that I prefer the artificially colored greatness that is Lee's cured pork and pork roll. Though it was yummy, fast and cheap, that seems to be the M.O. for just about every banh mi venue in the Bay, so no extra stars for that. If you're on the East side, try Banh Mi Ba Le in El Cerrito instead.
We were going to get brunch at Brenda's but the line was way too long and didn't feel like waiting. We decided to drive around to check out other place to eat until we drove by Saigon. I haven't had their vietnamese sandwich so we decided to stop by and order our usual roast pork. Their price went up to $3 but I'm not surprised with our economy.
Also, another plus plus is they are very generous with their carrots!! I love that. They also sell snacks and other goodies and don't be afraid to try it because they are pretty good too =) We drove to Yerba Buena and sat on the benches right across from Samovar Tea Lounge. It was such a beautiful day in SF.
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As tiny and cramped this place may be but they make killer vietnamese sandwich!!! During lunch break… Read more »
Ok. I've done 15 reviews in SF and have yet to give 5 stars to anything.
But this place is THE BOMB. Wow. Had a Bahn Mi just as they were closing tonight. Got the chicken, and wasn't expecting much really.
But this sandwich was effin tasty. I have no idea how they made it taste so good. Hands down the best food I've had in SF so far. (I'm here from NYC). That's saying a lot.
The sandwiches here are good, but I wouldn't call it the best place in SF to get Banh Mi. The flavors of everything inside the sandwich are really excellent, but the bread was really hard. Not quite stale, but I really had to rip it apart with my teeth.
Additionally, this wouldn't be a place you would eat at, rather a place you would pick your food up at and then eat at a second location. There is one table, and the rest of the space is taken up by people waiting in (the sometimes extremely long) line. The atmosphere is impersonal and fast paced. Which I think is absolutely fine, especially in the city. But anyone who doesn't know what Bahn Mi is or wants to try it for the first time shouldn't come here.
The vegetable fillings are already put together in one container, so you probably couldn't ask for them to hold anything. Also, I saw some flies buzzing around the veggies when one of the workers wasn't looking. I know that they don't have the time to cover up the food because one customer comes in right after another, but this was slightly disconcerting to me.
The food here is very cheap, but you can find a cheap Vietnamese sandwich ANYWHERE. Especially in the neighborhood Saigon Sandwich is located.
In short, I really do like this place, and think they do a fine job. They cater to people who know exactly what they want, and have other places to go to eat it. But I'm really surprised at the popularity of this place. They don't -- in my opinion -- have the best tasting Bahn Mi in the city, and you can't even sit down to eat your food. Their lines can get very long, but they work very fast... But I would rather eat at a less popular place without a long line and with people spending more time putting my food together.
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I grew up on Vietnamese sandwiches by Little Saigon and let me tell you that the combo sandwich blows the other sandwiches out of the water.
Perhaps it's the pate... or perhaps it's the mayo... no, it's the bread...or..or...it could be so many different things, but together it's just plain deliciousness!
If you want to give this place a try, I would recommend coming at off-peak hours (i.e. not lunch). The line can get painful... unless you're a neighborhood V-Boy then you can just cut up to the front and grab a little piece of something.
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Shatangi is so pleased to have a regular lunch place. I always get the same thing. BBQ Pork, no mayo, extra jalapeños. It's the perfect amount of food for a great price. Don't be deceived by the long line. It moves fast and the service is always efficient and pleasant. Thank you ladies!!
Shatangi told you...
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Love their Banh Mi. Cheap and within walking distance from work. Haven't found another place to get good Banh Mi...at least not yet.
Believe the hype!! One of the best sandwiches I have ever had, and for just $3... the absolute best deal in town.
Went for the first time yesterday... I already want to go back for round 2.
5 Stars
Cheap and tasty! I especially like their special which has a seasoned pate. Their bread is light and crusty. Yum!
Conclusion: YES!
Sandwiches definitely lived up to the hype! I had the fanci pork which was mm mm goooood. A good sandwich starts with the bread and as soon as I smelled the rolls I knew I was in for a treat. Meat was fresh, carrots were crispy, and the saucey thing was drooliscious.
Mind you they make the sandwiches from one order before even taking the next order, so if you are as unlucky as me to be in line behind three people who ordered like 10 sandwiches each, it can take a while. The place is a hole in the wall so waiting outside is a good idea, although it can be smelly and odd people wander around.
BUT $3?!!? COME ON.
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Absolutely worth all the hype. Delicious sandwich, stuffed to the brim with fresh ingredients and such a steal at only $3!! Get the roasted pork sandwich! Line can get pretty long during lunch, but it's worth the wait.
Only confusing this about this place is the line. You can never tell who's in line to order or who is waiting to pick up their order. Wish they had a separate and distinct order and pick up line.
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These sandwiches are absolutely perfect. The only people for whom the sandwiches would not be perfect would be folks who really don't know the genre of food here. the value is such a standout, that their modest shop, is really the one that every sandwich shop in the area tries to copy. No, they don't have pho. No, they don't have regular roast beef. You probably don't want to get the special pork unless use advanced to the "next level" Vietnamese sandwiches.
What should you get? You should either get the chicken or the pork. Do not make the mistake that everybody makes. They are not open for dinner, although they do stay open till 6pm most days so you can pick up a sandwich on the way home from the office. They are definitely a lunchtime spot.
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I wish they had a spot like this in San Jose. I've always wanted my Vietnamese sandwiches to be on the saucy side. I've had too many dry ones. Saigon Sandwiches definitely answered this problem. For $3 each, you can't beat this deal. They aren't shady with the meat either.
Went on a Sunday afternoon and surprisingly the line was out the door. The lady is quick to take your order so be prepared.
It's cash only and theres no where to sit down and eat.
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Delicious Banh Mi for $3. How can you go wrong? Well, let's see.
First of all, it's a shitty little hole-in-the-wall in the Loin. You gotta dodge the bums and junkies and other assorted shady characters while holding your breath to avoid inhaling the stench that permeates the whole area, all the while trying to avoid stepping on random mysterious messes on the sidewalk.
Upon reaching the store, you squeeze your way through the 30 people waiting for their sandwiches in an area thats about 6' X 6', shout out your order, and proceed to wait 20-30 minutes for your sandwich.
I'm convinced that the reason they receive so many rave reviews is two-fold. First, it's CHEAP. You get a tasty sandwich for $3! Where else can you find such value? And second, after spending half an hour waiting for your sandwich, you have no choice but to convince yourself that it was fucking worth it. It's either that or feel like a fucking loser for wasting all that time.
Me? I felt like a fucking loser both times I visited there. Next time, I'm paying a whole $0.50-1.00 more at any number of places that sell equally tasty Vietnamese sandwiches.
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Still m'fave. Hands down. Even if they did inflate the price AND shrink the sammich some. If you're open to boosting your cholesterol intake, I suggest asking for extra pate.
Both the sammiches and the iced coffee here kicks Lee*s Sandwiches in the arse!
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OMG. Have not had sandwiches from here in years. A buddy picked up a dozen for a picnic spread… Read more »
The fantastic value inherent in these delicious, loaded $3 sandwiches should make the rest of the food-serving world ashamed of themselves.
This is the downside of Saigon Sandwiches. Now, every time I'm in some fancy-pants restaurant* and they want me to pay $6 for a side of broccoli, I won't be able to stop thinking about the two tasty sandwiches stuffed with daikon, carrots, peppers and loaded up with pate that I could get instead.
As I walked away, it took all my willpower not to go back inside and get another.
________
*Which is a lot. I'm a big deal.
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I was hooked the first time I tried the fancy pork sandwich. At $3 (not sure if this is still the right price?), it doesn't get much better... the fanciest pork in town, a French roll, pickled carrots and onions, parsley, and hot peppers -- awesome.
If you're feeling adventuresome, I'd also recommend grabbing a few of the intriguing and unlabeled (in English, that is) items at the counter -- I've had some excellent egg dishes, pork buns, and desserts that I never would have known to ask for by name.
I come here every now and then.
The sandwiches are pretty good, but like everyone, I compare it to other locations. Overall the taste is good. The roast pork sandwich with everything (mayo, pate, jalapenos, pickled carrots, parsley) always seems to satisfy me. Bread is toasted nicely while the meat is juicy (most times).
Nice cheap eat if you're in the area.
A truly divine sandwich and at a price that the meek of the world can afford. I saw a man shitting on the sidewalk as I came out but that is how they keep the rent down along this route.
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BLAH!! This place was not good. I've had my fair share of Vietnamese sandwiches and this place is not good. The pate is crappy, the bread is only so-so.. and the veggies are alright.
Perhaps I'm spoiled. I've been to Vietnamese sandwich joints that bake their own bread, the veggies taste freshly pickled and they don't put some sweet teriyaki sauce on the sandwich. They use Maggi!! Much better.
This place gets a thumbs down from me.
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I've heard about this place, it's the Viet Sandwich Go-To place!
I went here this morning to pick up sandwiches for my BF, my PT and myself. It was around 10:30ish, and I didn't know I was so lucky until I left the place. It was pretty empty when I got in; the ladies were busy making sandwiches and I ordered. It took them a bit to get my sandwiches (Roast Chicken, Roast Pork and Fanci Pork) done, but they looked like they were prepping for the rush hour later on. When I left the place, the line of people extended all the way past the door.
Each sandwich was $3.00 each, and the total bill with tax was $9.50. The sandwich itself is smaller than the ones I am used to eating, but nevertheless it was packed with hearty meats and fresh and radiantly-colored veggies. They don't skimp on the ingredients. The actual sandwiches that I tried ( R.Pork and F. Pork) were a good balance; the R Pork was flavorful, and the F. Pork was subtle and fresh.
This isn't a place for you to sit and eat; it's really a grab-and-go. The little space is crammed with other products, like a sandwich place embedded in a Vietnamese grocery shop. Cute place really.
The only thing is that I asked for the Pork sandwiches to be free of jalapenos (if you can't take spices, I suggest you ask them to leave it out when they make it), but my R Pork had a bit of jalapenos smushed inside. When I first took a bite, and I felt the spices running up my tongue, but since I didn't see the jalapenos, I thought it was the sauce! My BF said they probably put some in, forgot, and took them out, leaving some seeds there for the spicy taste. Most of the sandwich was good after that, until I go to the end and my mouth was on fire and I was tearing like a baby. I looked into the sandwich and saw a little piece of jalapeno, disguised as cilantro, sticking out of my sandwich! :( It was so spicy I had to stop eating the sandwich and down a bottle of water. I really can't take some types of spicy foods.
This place is worth a try though. Jam-Packed Ingredients onto a mini sandwich. Yum.
Oh! This was my fault, but when I was looking up at the menu (it looked like they only had 6 things), I thought the menu was separated by sandwiches and entrees (it had this misleading block thing). Turns out the 2nd part of the menu were sandwiches too (special combo, etc). Don't make the same mistake I did!
Oh, oh! When one of the ladies were taking the rest of the orders, customers were making requests like "more sauce, more veggies, more meat," (all from one person, actually) etc, so I'm guessing you can sorta tailor your sandwich! Good to know! :)
People thought this was:
tofu + amazing bread + spicy cilantro goodness +$3 = best
damn the lines and damn the TL
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I'm Vietnamese so I can attest to all the hype! Ever since I found this place, I've been back so many times and the reason is because it's probably the best cheap eats in the city. Where can you get a meal for $3??! Don't say subway.
For $3, you get a crunchy 8 inch baguette filled with roasted pork, pickled carrots, jalapenos, and cilantro, that tastes infinitely better than any sandwich you can buy for $3 else where. I've been cutting out on the pate slathering recently because it puts me into a food coma, but you really should try the combo with the pate and fancy pork, very authentic.
Shout out to the ladies who work here. They work 12 hours everyday, 7 days a week, but always nice and happy to serve you. Line is always long, so call in.
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You have no idea how long I've been craving a good Vietnamese sandwich. So when I saw Saigon Sandwiches on The Big Eat SF list (#22), I jumped at the chance to cross this one off my list.
It's a tiny shop with two ladies working behind the counter, and you can tell that they know what they're doing. There were a few people in the shop already, but they were served really quickly.
I got the roast pork sandwich (with no cilantro of course), and it was so good. It's really flavorful, and I really liked that the pickled veggies were a bit spicy too.
My friend and I had a bit of a brain fart when we ran out of the car with just our credit cards, and we found ourselves with only $1.50 in cash between the two of us after ordering the $3 sandwich. Fail.
My friend ran back to the car to get some cash, but the woman at Saigon Sandwiches just gave me the sandwich and took what I had. I still feel terrible, but they are so incredibly nice!
5 stars for the food, and 1 more if I could for unexpectedly great service!
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Always amazing..worth to wait!
Great sandwiches and reasonably priced $3-$4. The place gets packed during lunch but worth the wait.
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As if they needed another good review, but they do serve the best vietnamese sandwiches in town!! And so affordable too :)
So yeah, Saigon Sandwiches is located in the Tenderloin, and yeah, sometimes you'll see a line out the door, but the ladies working behind the counter have perfected the art of "batch making" the sandwiches, so you are usually out the door in about 10 minutes. Sometimes I wonder how they make a profit when the price is $3 a sandwich.
It's hard to describe the deliciousness of the sandwich in words, but it's just the perfect ratio of meat, veggies, and bread. The jalapenos definitely have some kick in them, so I take those out. Anyway, this has to be the best place to get vietnamese-style sandwiches in the city, maybe even the best value lunch in the city, period. I'm salivating right now just thinking about it, haha. So simple, yet so well done.
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Not bad. I'm not much of a banh mi connoisseur, so I probably couldn't appreciate as much the caliber of the banh mi. The bread and sauces are definitely delicately prepared. The service is also pretty quick, which is great.
I'd be curious to go back and try the pate and nothing beats $3 per sandwich in pricing!
I got a bahn mi here the other day, and realized the flavor was sorely lacking. Apart from a hefty spread of mayo, they were very light on the pickled daikon/carrots (which lacked sourness), cilantro and peppers. I ordered my usual special combo, and basically had a baguette with mayo, pate and meat. I swear I remember fried onions & Maggi being sprinkled on past bahn mis, but perhaps that was a dream.
For $3.50, it's cheap as heck, but I really expect consistency considering their reputation. I'll probably cut my visits to nil, after this experience.
People thought this was:
The special combo bahn mi is delicious, as are the other sandwiches. I always order mine spicy, so… Read more »
Just as a side note. The shop continues to kick major ass?? I have branched out and am now also get a 'pork' bun to go with my order. They are awesome, yet somehow, I keep getting an egg in mine? I have no idea how this keeps happening..
Not sure if I keep picking the lucky daily bun, but if you want a bun, make sure to ask what is in it, as I get pork and surprises!
Thanks to you my fellow yelpers I am now a die hard!! I would have never known to venture to the TL… Read more »
Thank you yelp, you saved me from going to Lee's Sandwich place across the street. Otherwise I'll just be stuck eating their regular baguette pork sandwich instead of the wonderful fanci pork AND pate COMBO sandwich. FOR 3 DOLLARS!
Once it hits up lips...you just want more.....that pickled carrot and spicy jalapenos with the fanci pork and then the pate flavor just rushes in right behind them. I know how Homer Simpson feels now when I watch him eat. Hmmmmmmm......banh mi.
I suggest eating two banh mi's here (the regular bbq pork sandwich is also a winner). You can't go wrong with this place. Fill up so you have energy to run thru the Tenderloin down Ellis street and see people smoking crack pipes at 12 in the afternoon and drug dealers selling crack rocks for 14 dollars back to your hotel at union square.
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I live in San Jose so there's a sandwich place on every corner. I do have to say, this was one of the best sandwiches I've had in a long time.
The bread was perfectly soft and warm, I much prefer french rolls over baguettes that Lee's uses. Not much else to say, it's good and I'm a fan.
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That was the tastiest sandwich I've ever eaten. And it was so quick and simple.
Amazing bread, tofu, shredded carrot and onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and some soy sauce. I'd pay more than the $3 they charged me for that thing so feel free to tip. We had some easy going language barrier situations, but we worked it all out. I guess if you just say tofu and vegetables they shoot for the mayo, but I said no mayo and so on to the soy sauce. It's not so much about what you order as is it is making sure to rattle off things you definitely don't want.
It was fast, cheap, and delicious. I think next time I'll get two.
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Holy Crap! These were so good! Don't be a fool just go to this place!
I had the tofu sandwich my boyfriend had a chicken one. We both were completely blown away by how delicious and light these little gems of heaven were. Plus they were only $3 each! Why are you not there yet!?
mmm mmm mmm. i get the roast pork sandwiches, a bag of sweet seaweed and a can of grass jelly every time i come here. delicious meal and on the cheap.
So I came back to try the meatball and tofu banh mi and neither of those will bring the rating up. The tofu has a sweet sauce that is ok for the first couple bites then becomes a soggy mess. The meatball which I'm pretty sure they call xiu mai was the sweet, peppery meatball they put in those Chinese steam white pork buns. That was ok but not for me.
I think my problem with American banh mi is that people think that if something tastes good with rice, over rice vermicelli (bun) or other noodles that it will taste good in a sandwich. If I want a creative, overfilled, greasy sandwich, I'll go to Ike's. If I want a classic banh mi, I won't be going to Saigon sandwiches. And don't get me started on them heavy dense rolls they use.
People thought this was:
Having just eaten at least one bánh mì per day in Vietnam, I am trying not to be overly critical of… Read more »
I grew up eating their sandwiches and they never change in taste! it is always great in taste! Why settle for less when I deserve the best! No lees sandwiches for me!
Best vietnamese sandwich I have ever had! Seriously! Go try it!
Only bummer, is that it's in a rough part of town. I wouldn't recommend going at night and during the day it's probably smart to bring a friend.
Pork is my favorite, but the chicken, and tofu are also fantastic!
I fell in love with Banh Mi sandwiches in New York. I'm still looking for a place to rival what I ate there. And this place was good, but still not good enough. The bread is warm, the food is fresh, and the vegetables are pickled.
A word to the wise, really think about the jalapenos. If you like really spicy, go for it. But if not, you may want to ask for a sandwich without them.
Be careful about the neighborhood, its a bit sketchy...
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Complimentary Madeleines
Neighborhood: Financial District
Relocation Special: FREE SODA…
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
Category: Vietnamese
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
Category: Vietnamese
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
Category: Sandwiches
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