+1 415-474-5698
Nestled in the vibrant heart of San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, Saigon Sandwich stands out as an unmissable destination for authentic Vietnamese flavors served quick, fresh, and unapologetically delicious. This beloved sandwich shop specializes in bánh mì, the iconic Vietnamese sandwich that expertly balances crispy, airy French baguettes with bold, savory fillings and tangy, crunchy pickled vegetables.
At Saigon Sandwich, the star of the menu is undoubtedly the Banh Mi Pate—a perfectly crusty baguette generously spread with creamy pâté, mayo, and their signature house sauce. Each bite unfolds with fresh cilantro, fiery chopped jalapeños, and vibrant pickled carrots and onions, delivering a complex medley of textures and layers of flavor that echo the culinary spirit of Vietnam. For those seeking hearty comfort, the Meatball Sandwich and the Roast Pork with Pâté command attention for their juicy, tender meat and harmonious sweetness, rounded out by the refreshing crunch of fresh herbs and pickles.
The experience extends beyond sandwiches—don’t miss the rich Vietnamese Iced Coffee, a creamy and invigorating beverage that perfectly complements the savory sandwiches, or the refreshing traditional dessert Che, offering a sweet and satisfying finish to your meal.
While Saigon Sandwich embraces a no-frills, cash-only setup primarily geared towards takeout, this adds to its charm and authenticity. The fast, efficient service ensures that even the most bustling moments are met with a warm smile and piping hot food, making it an unbeatable lunch spot for locals and visitors eager to taste a slice of Saigon in San Francisco.
Customer testimonials only reinforce its reputation: Marcus Sanchez raves about the perfectly crunchy yet tender bread and flavorsome sauce that make each sandwich an explosion of freshness. Joshua Brathwaite applauds the lightning-fast service and the delightful balance of crunch, sweetness, and savory pork in his meatball sandwich. Even long-time Vietnam resident Kreative Cid acknowledges the genuine quality behind the hype, while Edward highlights the generous portions and great value, albeit humorously noting the ample pâté servings.
Saigon Sandwich may require a little courage to navigate the lively Tenderloin neighborhood, but the reward is undeniable—affordable, authentic Vietnamese sandwiches that sing with flavor and leave you craving more. Whether you’re a bánh mì connoisseur or a curious first-timer, this humble gem promises a satisfying, mouthwatering journey with every bite.
Lived in Vietnam for years. Been visiting San Francisco for a long time. First time here, first time walking through the heart of Tenderloin. You will have to weigh the "risk vs reward" of a very popular banh mi with great service and low prices versus, well, the literal shiyatshow of getting to Saigon Sandwich. As far as quality, I think there's some hyperbole and social media hype driving up how "great" the food is. The sandwich is not amazing, I'd describe it as "really good with a great price.” The bread was not fresh (and I was the first customer at 7am), almost stale, but not quite. Compared to 99% of sandwiches in tourist traps or cities without an Asian community, it is indeed AMAZING! You get a lot of heft/size, but it's nothing like some of the sandwiches in Westminster, CA, or in Vietnam. But why should Saigon Sandwich change?? They obviously sell a ton and the prices will keep them in business until they decide to close shop.
Not only was my meatball pork sandwich delicious but the lady preparing the sandwich was lightning fast! I swear by the time I received my change the sandwich was done! The sandwich had a nice balance of crunch, sweetness and flavor of the pork. From the reviews I’ve seen I can’t wait to try the combination. The only cons are that it’s cash only and I couldn’t dine inside because the TL’s is not an ideal area to be eating outside if you know what I mean.
Saigon Sandwich is a total classic stop for bánh mì in San Francisco — cheap, fast, and delicious. It’s no-frills, cash-only, and mainly for takeout, but that’s part of the charm. The bread is crispy, the fillings are flavorful, and the quick service makes it an unbeatable spot for a satisfying meal.
Actually crazy how fresh and tasty this was. Bread has perfectly crunchy exterior and soft interior - wasn’t difficult to bite. Not overly crumby. Meat was tender, sauce was so good. Excellent.
Great value for money banh mi. You won’t find anything cheaper and the portions are huge. One more then enough for a person don’t be greedy we were. A little bit toooo generous with the pate
CASH ONLY. Stumbled upon this unassuming banh mi spot after staying at the Motel 6 around the corner for Santacon. WOW!!! The bread here is PHENOMENAL, baked fresh right behind the counter! The banh mi ranges from $5.50-$7. I ordered the Special Combination (thit cha pate, which has roast pork, Vietnamese ham, and pate) for $7 but added extra pate for an additional $1. WHEN I SAY EXTRA PATE, THEY PUT EXTRA PATE!! There was the THICKEST LAYER of pate I've ever seen in my life here, probably a little more than half an inch thick, THIS IS WORTH $1 EXTRA!! The pate was savory, nicely seasoned, and just overall tasty. The roast pork was very tender and slightly sweet, definitely not your usual banh mi filling in America, but made the entire sandwich really savory. The cha lua (Vietnamese ham) was cut a bit too thin for me personally but the amount of pate they put really made up for everything. The star of the show is absolutely the bread. Crispy on the outside but extremely soft and warm on the inside, the bread itself has a nice flavor just on its own. Its thicker than what I'm used to so there's more pillowy goodness inside. They make the perfect bread here! Craving another banh mi with extra pate from here as I write this. Absolutely coming back
This sandwich place is very unassuming but it is definitely one of the most worthwhile sandwiches that I’ve eaten. It is very cheap at $7 but the taste was exquisite. The pate made everything taste better. It does not feel dry at all unlike the Bahn Mi’s that I’ve had before. Btw, I bought the Pork Belly Pate combo and it was the rightest decision that I’ve made in my life. Also the shop is in the hood but that made the experience more real and authentic. I love this sandwich.
Best Vietnamese sandwich in San Francisco! The sandwiches are not as good as the San Jose one, but in term of the prices, quality of bread and the portions, it’s worth to give it a try even though it’s located in Tenderloin. Combo and pork are just ok. Chicken is the best. The bread is fresh. I like how soft it’s, not too hard as others. Cash only. Open at 7am. Be cautious to be there because there are many homeless around.