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Saigon Sandwiches (Vietnamese cuisine)  $

 9
JaT Rating

560 Larkin St, San Francisco, 94102  (Directions)


415.474.5698


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Probably the most famous Vietnamese sandwich joint in the Bay Area


Reviewer: Jason
Total Reviews: 1040
Reviewed: 7/22/2007
Rating: 9
My photo gallery 		I had read about Saigon Sandwiches in 2003 edition best of Citysearch cheap eats for San Francisco. It was on the editorial list and at the time, the editorial guys were rock solid. I let Saigon Sandwiches bake on my wish list for 4 years and finally made the visit. To cut directly to the chase, Saigon Sandwiches lives up to the hype and rate it at the top of my list. I would have given a 9.5 but need to try Terry's place, Cam Huong in Oakland. We might have a shootout for the banh mi crown.

Sandwiches are cheap at $2.50 but the difference with this shop and the others is this isn't afraid to load up on the meat. This is the most meat I've even seen placed in a vietnamese sandwich shop. I ordered the roast pork and there were strips upon strips of sweet marinated pork. Yes, there's fatty pieces of pork and no, I'm not complaining since it is a $2.50 piece of work.

For cooking method, I think she cooks them beforehand in a frying pan then lets them sit in steel chafing trays for a slow heat. Flavoring is garlic, black pepper, onions, sugar?, soy?, and who knows whatever else. Toppings include the traditional jalapeno peppers, julian carrots and daikons, onions, heavy dabbing of best foods mayonnaise (probably modified with sugar), and cilantro. Sure the meat and toppings are great but for me, one of the most important ingredients is the bread.

The mini baguette is protected with a crunchy outer shell that is sure to crackle with bits of bread in each bite. The color of the bread is that nice golden brown color with an uncanny shape to a nerf football. Kept warm in a toaster, the bread on the inside is fluffy and spongy. It's not sour, it's not sweet, it's just damm good bread.

Saigon Sandwiches easily cruises into the 9 rating territory but there are serious hitches. Be prepared when making the trip, you'll have to call it an adventure of sorts. Saigon Sandwiches is located in one of the shadiest parts of San Francisco, Tenderloin district. I went on Sunday afternoon and finding parking wasn't too bad. I missed an open parking spot and had to take one of the most interesting drives around the block.

On turn 1, I saw a homeless guy opening a fresh bottle of gin and drink it lying down in his sleeping bag. No joke. Further down the street, I saw another guy yelling into a window.

I make another right and hit jackpot. I see this lady sitting on the sidewalk shooting up. Left hand with needle injecting into the right hand near the wrist. The lady looked like she was in her 50's but was probably early 30s. Next to her was a dude waiting for his turn.

One more right turn and there's this 6 foot woman (I think she was a woman?) in high heels and skirt running down the street. A couple of feet behind her was the angry pimp. He chases her across the street and people are walking on the sidewalk like it's the norm.

I make my last turn and find parking. I walk towards the Saigon Sandwiches and get panhandled by another lady and to my biggest surprise after making that disturbing drive around the block, there's a freakin' line!
 
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