The best sandwiches in San Francisco
Posted onMy coworker Cameron told me lately that I was a sandwich hater, but I actually do love sandwiches, below is a running list of my favorite sandwich spots in the city.
I just like good sandwiches. This list is not every sandwhich place I've been to, just the ones I think are great, no particular order. (No breakfast sandwich places, that's a different list)
Sandy's Muffuletta
I first had Sandy's at Outside Lands when they were just a popup, and I was hooked instantly. I devoured that thing, obliterated it, it was gone, and I went and bought another immediately after and destroyed it.
They only sell Muffuletta, a NOLA classic, the first time I had it was at the historic Central Market, but honestly, Sandy does it better than most of NOLA; I think it's because the food scene here isn't as olbiged with traditions (watch me yap about pizza in a future post), so you get a tinge of the classic, but also the ability to use new techniques and flavors. The tapinade is insane and the meats are top notch.
To this day, when someone is visiting San Francisco, I take them here; it's truly reflective of the city, a cultural melting pot full of people who want to refine things to the very best.
My rec is the classic, with a cookie on the side.
Palm City
The thiccest hoagies around come from Palm City, legendary sandwiches here perfect after a long bike ride or hike through the golden gate park. Palm city is a bit artsy fartsy, their sandwiches reflect that, braised pork, alfalfa, the good mortadella. The chefs here are definitely bringing the upscale to this one.
My rec is the Italian American, get some olives and a coke too.
Deli Board
Deli Board was my first introduction to good store-bought deli sandwiches. When I moved to SF long long ago, I only knew of jimmy johns and subway, perfectly mediocre, but got the job done. I loved crafting sandwhiches myself, always using the good stuff and roasting my own veggies with the good cheese. Then I had Deli Board and I got woke. The sandwiches did not have to go this hard. They have a lot of pastrami here, I dont know if they make them here, but it slaps hard.
My rec, 49er with waffle fries
Lou's Lounge
Lou's is definitly a sandwhich maximalist brand, they have such breadth of options for a fidi sandwhich stop, from the Risky Bizness with pastrami, crab, bacon or the Kick'N R. B. Sandwich with roast beef and horseradish, or just the Roma Club, which is just a club. My goal in life is to try every item on the menu; unfortunately, their menu is like 50 sandwiches, so it'll take some time at my pace.
My rec, Risky Bizness, no sides, get some tap water.
Arsicault
WTH is Arsicault doing here?? Well, their new Mission Bay location has sandwiches. Parisian sandwiches that are highly opinionated and very well executed, just like their crossaints. The sandos are very simple, just very crispy and delicate baguette with some ham and butter, a complete opposite to Lou's maximialism, Arsicault serves minimalism here and does it well.
My rec is ham and butter sandwich, get a chocolate crossaint too while you wait, cuz why not.
Cheese Plus
Who would have thought purveyors of cheese would also make great sandwiches. Cheese plus is a real sourcer of the cheese devine, and their sandwiches really highlight that. I would say the cheesier the better here for what you order. I think american sandwich shops are generally afraid of stinky gooey cheeses in their sandwiches, which is fair as the american pallete is not well adjusted to it, especially since it usually means less meat as its too conflicting. The opportunity, though, as a cheese shop to provide us with those stinky sandwiches was realized here, and it's well worth.
My rec is the Cole Valley, and of course a mini charcuterie board
The Boys Deli
This is a real classic spot, tucked in the back of a grocery store you know this is gonna be a true deli experience. The sandwiches are toasted and roasted, with the classic boars head variety, special sauce and all those fresh sysco veggies you could dream of, but wait, the special sauce actually is special and they're putting some spice in their sandwiches too?? Yup its a deli+ meal here.
My rec is a San Franpsycho on Dutch Crunch with chips and lemonade soda. Eat nearby because hot sandwiches can go bad fast
Also good, honorable mentions of sorts
- Molinari - great sandwiches if you can bare the line, preorder on doordash and it'll still be late (Get anything with foccacia)
- Golden Gate Market and Liquor - The best place to get a pretty decent sandwich near the presidio (Get the San Franpsycho)
- Grasso - If you want the same souricng as Molinari but dont want to wait (and its a weekday and you want to be in FiDi), come here
- Banh Mi Viet - I think visiting OC too many times has made me a prude in Banh Mis but this is pretty good stuff
- Sanguchon Eatery - Their adobo sandwich is good stuff