Saigon Sandwich

"The question is never, “Do you love Saigon Sandwich?” Rather, it’s “What’s your order at Saigon Sandwich?” The tiny Larkin Street shop, lit by fluorescent lights and crammed with bins of Vietnamese snacks and drinks, doesn’t need to bother with frills — the loaded $4 banh mi, featuring crackly-crusted, textbook-perfect baguettes and zingy pickled vegetables, are plenty to draw the crowds. Whether you opt for roast pork, meatball, fancy pork, or chicken, definitely opt for extra pate and maybe consider ordering two. You’ll likely be craving a second by the time you’re halfway through your first." - Paolo Bicchieri

"This Larkin Street go-to for Vietnamese food has an ultra-simple menu: five sandwiches, each for $5.50. Fans love this Tenderloin shop for its cheap, loaded bánh mi sandwiches, including the pork combination of grilled pork and pate." - Dianne de Guzman, Paolo Bicchieri

"San Francisco is full of incredible sandwich spots, but if you can only fit one sandwich into the agenda, make it a bánh mì from Saigon Sandwich. The cash-only institution is just outside the Tenderloin’s Little Saigon, and has been around for decades. The secret to their longevity? Every sandwich, from the tender roasted chicken to the fall-apart meatball, is an umami bomb stuffed in a crackly yet soft roll. That, plus the fact that these $5 bánh mì cost less than a single iced latte with oat milk. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez

"Saigon Sandwich makes the best bánh mì in town, which is why we have no problem showing up to this spot whenever the desire for well-marinated meats hits. The bread is lightly crispy on the outside, and soft in the center. And the ratio of pickled carrots to mayo to spiciness is true perfection. Our favorite bánh mì spot is located just outside of Little Saigon in the Tenderloin, and is cash-only. We like getting the version with juicy roasted pork, but going for the tofu, chicken, or special combo with ham, pork, and pâté is never a bad idea either." - lani conway, ricky rodriguez, julia chen 1

"Saigon Sandwich makes the best bánh mì in the city. The roast chicken and pork are always perfectly marinated. The soft baguettes are crackly on the outside and airy inside. And no matter what filling route you take, your bánh mì will be loaded with heaps of carrots, pickled daikon, cilantro, and a heavy swath of mayo that oozes out when you bite in. Beeline to the tiny takeout- and cash-only spot in Little Saigon for quick weekday power-ups, lunches with people who have never been to SF, and, really, any time you want to fill up on tender roast chicken and pork. At $5-ish per sandwich, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal in town—so always expect a crowd. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong