Tofu Bahn Mi at Eternal Springs

Eternal Springs, 750 Clement St. (Between 8th and 7th Ave.), San Francisco

I order this sandwich a lot. Despite it being one of my favorites, I have low expectations of each sandwich wrapped and cut in half and wrapped again. It's too simple to not be good. Eternal Springs serves gelato and other desserts and sandwiches. The guy behind the counter was very nice and friendly. The place is very narrow and everything is to-go. They have an large open window along the street and pictures of their food. It looks pretty awesome.

I strolled home and was very excited to unwrap this sandwich. It was a perfect addition to a clear afternoon. The bread was flakey and fluffy. There was an added pickled vegetables that wasn't an important addition to the sandwich. I could have done without it. I was feeling pretty underwhelmed by this sandwich when everything started to shake. I froze with food in my mouth and sandwich in hand. I surveyed the room. Just as I was about to get up, it stopped. I finished chewing, swallowed, and finished the other half. That was the most exciting part of this sandwich. Maybe their meat sandwiches are better or their desserts are their main thing but I haven't returned.

Lee's Sandwiches

Lee's Sandwiches, Larkin @ Willow (Between Eddy and Ellis), San Francisco

This post is about another...bánh mì sandwich! Surprised? What makes this different is that I got this sandwich at Lee's Sandwiches in the Tenderloin (or Little Saigon?) which is a chain store! That is impressive and maybe even a little suspect to some. The store is big and they sell bread and other food items which is handy especially since this place is open until nine in the evening. Most places in the neighborhood that make bánh mì close earlier so this gives Lee's an upper hand.

I got this sandwich in a hurry. I got off the bus and walked straight for this place. I knew it'd be open and I knew I could get what I want and be able to sit down, too. Huge plus. I've been to this place once before and I remember the bread being flaky. This time I didn't notice it as much. What struck me was how long the sandwich is even though it is narrow. They sell the same or similar baguettes in the store. I have a soft spot for baguettes and being able to buy them so conveniently. I got a pennywort drink to go with it and it was refreshing. The sandwich was basic, nothing was too surprising about this sandwich but it was filling and delicious. Maybe I am just biased because I prefer bánh mì under any circumstances.

What stands out most to me about Lee's is it's convenience. I don't want to wait in line for a sandwich to go and eat it on the street. Sometimes I just want a little tray with my sandwich, neon lights, and a floor to ceiling window seat where I can people watch and be watched as I eat.

Y & Y Vietnamese Deli (Closed)

Y & Y Vietnamese Deli, Clement between Seventh and Eighth, San Francisco

The deli is in a store so there is a lot going on. They sell produce, dry food, phone cards, and maybe more. It may be easy to miss. There are two high tables with chairs tucked along with a refrigerator and the window that faces Clement street and piles of produce. The lighting varies within the store but isn't overwhelming. It can feel busy but it can feel cozy for just a minute. I've had a couple of their sandwiches and have only eaten there once. I usually take it to go but wouldn't be against eating in the deli again if need be. The staff are nice, too.

I got this sandwich after missing lunch so I was starving at this point. I got bánh mì. This photo really captures what makes this sandwich awesome to me. It feels like a surprise every time I unwrap it. It's filling and it's light. I get this sandwich a lot for a reason. It keeps me going without keeping me down. This sandwich was rich with flavor and really satisfying. It's definitely different from other sandwiches I had which is why I love coming back to this place.

#26

as aw has recently pointed out the mr pickle's on 20th and south van ness has expanded their menu and today i thought i'd try something from it.  normally, my go to is #2, the vegi, on a wheat roll with avocado, no pickles and no pepperocinis (i don't like them).  but today i thought i'd go for something that i wouldn't normally get, it wasn't bad but it wasn't great, it was really just a new thing to try that i don't think i'd get again.  i'm not bummed out i got it though because it was interesting.  #26 is also known as "sweet pea" it features both provolone and pepper jack cheese, pickled hot and sweet peppers and for a dollar more you can add tofu, which i got.  i was expecting a light and mild sandwich and this was anything but.  rather it was sorta intense, the heat from the peppers made me sweat a little, i ended up having to take some of the jalapeno's off. 

i think that there are people out there that will love this sandwich, i was maybe not one of them but i wanted to let you all know that this existed and that some of you may want to get this.

saigon sandwiches bánh mì at the KUSF rally

saigon sandwiches, larkin & eddy, san francisco

Two weeks ago, KUSF was abruptly and unexpectedly taken off the air by USF, who had arranged to sell the frequency 90.3 to USC in a deal that would result in 90.3 turning into a classical station.  Being a former KUSF volunteer and DJ, I found this turn of events shocking and deeply saddening.  I can say that over the last two weeks I've felt like the geography of the city has changed- I have a constant and nagging sense that something is missing, like a persistent phantom limb.  So last week, I attended my first ever Board of Supervisors meeting at City Hall, where Supervisor Mirkarimi introduced a (symbolic) measure condemning the sale of 90.3 (he was backed by Supervisor Mar, who had some great things to say about the value of community radio).  There was a rally with a fantastic and spirited turnout in front of City Hall before the meeting, and it was amazing to see how much vocal protest exists against the sale.  And of course, if there's any upside to having to protest in front of City Hall, it's that Saigon Sandwiches is a mere two blocks away- so before the rally, I made sure to stop by for a couple bánh mì.  I went with the chicken (delicious) and the combination (even better!), and I was stuffed!  The combination in particular seems hearty enough that only one sandwich would get the job done- otherwise, bánh mì usually just isn't filling enough that I can be satisfied with just one.  There's another KUSF rally TODAY (2/1/11) at 1 PM, and in today's Board of Supervisor's meeting there will hopefully be a vote on Supervisor Mirkarimi's resolution.  If you want to show your support for community radio (or just want an excuse to get some bánh mì), please come out and join me!  Your taste buds and ear drums will thank you.  And be sure to check out SAVEKUSF.ORG to see what else can be done to stop this sale and get KUSF back on 90.3!

Bánh mì CHALLENGE!

Wrap Delight, Tenderloin, San Francisco

As I was walking towards a more popular sandwich joint I saw this cute little spot with seating. The weather was overcast and it was about to rain and I didn't feel like eating outside or taking anything to go. I stepped in and it was empty but the woman behind the counter greeted me immediately. I had no reluctance at this point and happily ordered. There are also a lot of other good looking prepared foods wrapped up and ready to go. I wanted to eat it all! I took a seat closest to the window and the door facing the street. The woman called me in a couple minutes and my sandwich was ready. She was really nice and has a warm smile. I'd be happy, too, if I made tasty sandwiches all day.

I sit back down, settle in, and open up the wrapping to get this. I have to admit, the whole time I was thinking of Viking's tofu and how I feel like everything pales in comparison now. This was a great sandwich and I have yet to have one made poorly. A couple of people came in and were very talkative with the woman behind the counter. I ate the whole sandwich and it was very satisfying. I handed my tray over to the woman when I was done and she thanked me.

This place has a nice atmosphere. It's not exactly the cleanest place but it comes with the territory. It was nice to be able to sit down in a spacious setting versus being crammed into a store and taking it to go. I would recommend this place to people who haven't been here before because it's a calm atmosphere and the prices are a little cheaper than most places. I will definitely go back.

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Saigon Sandwich, Tenderloin, San Francisco

I'm sure every knows and loves this place. It almost feels like overkill for me to review this place again since Mark has already reviewed the same sandwich before. Of course, when I got there it was crowded with a line outside the door. Everyone was very quiet and some people were taking photos while the two ladies behind the counter made each sandwich. It's really hypnotizing to watch even if your stomach is grumbling. I got to order after ten minutes of waiting. They were very quick and you can tell everyone is just waiting in anticipation that their sandwich is coming up. After ten minutes more (and another person claiming my sandwich was theirs) I finally got the yummy bundle in my hands! And then I'm out the door...

I took a seat on the street just a block away where it seems a lot of other people enjoy their lunches, too. It was a nice, warm sunny Friday and I was ready to chow down. I unwrapped it and immediately had buyer's remorse. Don't get me wrong, I loved this sandwich but I felt like I should have ordered something other than the tofu since I get it all the time and I've never had bánh mì with real meat. What delicious meats have I been missing out on all these years?! Either way, I enjoyed my sandwich and was able to enjoy a good show of the people, cars, and bikes going about their merry ways. I wonder if anyone was going to get a sandwich just up the road?

Either way, yes, this place is awesome. Of course, I will be back to taste more of their sandwiches. Everyone loves this place and rightly so but I think it's time for me to expand my boundaries in the sandwich area.

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Since this was a challenge between Wrap Delight and Saigon Sandwich I'd have to say that...both were really good for what they are. I still think it's difficult to screw up this sandwich. It is almost delicious by default. Both places can make the sandwich in a reasonable amount of time but it depends if you would want to sit in or take it to go. I'd also like to point out that they are also on the same street, too. If you haven't been to Wrap Delight it's worth checking out but if you don't want to, well, you can't go wrong with Saigon Sandwiches.

Vegetarian Vietnamese Sandwich!

Viking's Giant Submarines, Glen Park, San Francisco

Lately I have been craving a big vegetarian Vietnamese sandwich. I've convinced myself to wait to go to my favorite spot in the Tenderloin for sandwiches but today I really couldn't resist any longer. I've been keeping an eye out for tasty spots for a sandwich in and around Glen Park. While I found a couple that I wanna check out I felt like going someplace I knew first instead. I can't remember the first time I went to Viking's but it wasn't memorable.

I stepped in and was immediately underwhelmed. It seemed they had a lot of food that I wasn't in the mood for and was about to step out when I see a piece of paper stuck onto the menu that said they were now serving Vietnamese sandwiches! Score!

Just looking at this gets me all hungry again. When I got it I thought the woman got the order wrong because I never seen tofu look so damn tasty! I finished the first half and felt amazing. I debated saving the other half but I was just too hungry and the sandwich was too good. Everything was just right. It's a fairly simple sandwich and I have yet to eat one that was done wrong. I was also starving so my appetite may be an unfair bias. A lot of people come and go at this place and it seems most take their orders to go.

It's really convenient because it's right across from the Glen Park bart station. Either way, if you're in the area and not feeling like taking a risk just cross the street and enjoy looking out the window, munching on a tasty sandwich and people watching.

R.I.P.

33 Revolutions, El Cerrito (CLOSED)

Not so much a review here, than an obituary. Yet another recession casualty, 33 Revolutions was one of the few great East Bay coffeeshops that sold quality coffee, food, and the only place to get it Ritual style. In frickin' EL CERRITO. But miracles are fleeting and it closed doors Christmas Eve after a few months of rain damage and insurance problems. I mostly went for coffee and wi-fi, but once or twice I managed to sample some sandwiches.

Here is the Tofu and Avocado, a pretty standard vegetarian option. It was slightly above average for a coffeeshop entree, but not terribly memorable either. The tofu had that nice slightly-grilled tangy taste, but the real delight lay in the pesto mayo. I should note that once upon a time I worked briefly at a cafe that made sandwiches. The job was shit but I got to make my own lunches and I put pesto mayo on everything. That stuff just spoke to me. So imagine how pleased I was to discover it here, on accident! Previously kinda forgettable but now with something to enjoy. That was this 33 Revolutions sandwich. I probably would've slathered it with more tofu and mayo, but that's fine.

Rest in peace, sweet coffeeshop.