Dear readers,
It’s almost lunch time (somewhere), and therefore is the perfect time to let you know about the extensive research I have been doing. In the name of research (scientific research!) I have been sampling as many Vietnamese sandwiches around San Francisco as I can. To me, the ideal Vietnamese sandwich has the following things:
- barbequed chicken - the pork ones are fine, but chicken is really where it’s at for me;
- cucumber - an often overlooked but very important ingredient
- plenty of shredded, pickled carrot and radish
- cilantro - should be practically busting out the top
- a small amount of jalapenos - I don’t want none, but I also don’t want to die
Ok! So, now that we have established criteria, let the judging begin! I will judge from least favorite to most-favorite-would-be-happy-eating-every-day.
- Baguette Express: Nothing super special about this sandwich. The chicken didn’t really have enough seasoning for me, and the bread was a little too soft and not quite crusty enough. Still, it was a good sandwich, and if you find yourself in the middle of the Tenderloin, hungry, and only wanting to spend $3-$4 on some food, this is a good spot to try. (Side note: service was also excellent.)
- Pho Clement: This is a great restaurant in a great neighborhood. Their sandwiches are super yummy, the bread was really fresh, and it was chock full of fresh ingredients. However, once again, the chicken was good, just not barbequey or spicy. Like Baguette Express though, you really can’t go wrong with a filling sandwich that costs $3.50.
- Vietnam: Located on Broadway almost right at Columbus, Vietnam is a tiny restaurant that serves fantastic food. Their sandwiches are big, tasty, and filling (also only $3.50), but they just miss qualifying for the top two. That’s ok though, because if I go here for lunch, there is a 97% chance that I am not ordering a sandwich, I am ordering their vermicelli-salad-bowl extravaganza that is probably my favorite lunch in the city.
- Saigon Deli Express: Holy crap so delicious. These sandwiches are slightly more expensive ($4), but so flipping tasty. Their bread is always fantastic consistency, the chicken is nice and spicy, and they use lots of veggies (could maybe go a little heavier on the radish, but that’s just me). This is my default spot for lunch since it’s only a short walk from my office. Just missed first place.
- That’s because Saigon Deli Cafe is the come-from-behind winner. The winning sandwich (pictured above) is just the perfect blend of flavors. It may not even have met all the criteria I mention above, but man, it didn’t matter. Definitely barbequey, definitely spicy but not trying to kill me, plenty of veggies, wonderful bread. Who’s ready for lunch?
