Great Takeout Sandwiches
Including Fish & Vegetarian

Sandwiches probably provide more nourishment for Americans than any other type of fast food, more than pizzas, hamburgers, and tacos together. Some sandwich places now feature low-fat, low-carb, high meat, and most sandwiches provide a substantial meal for one person, while large sizes at take-out places can feed two or more persons, at a very low cost for each. At lunch, most restaurants serve large sandwiches, often with fries, in the price range of $5-10 – plus tax and tip, of course – a good-sized lunch for one person. The same sandwich at take-out would be half the price, or less.

The Sandwich Place
2029 Mission St (between 16th & 17th Sts), 415 431-3811, Sun-Fri 6:30am-5pm, Sat 6:30am-2pm.

All prices include tax (!)

This is my all-time favorite for takeout, and, arguably, the best in San Francisco. It is also a bonanza for fish lovers and vegetarians. I first reviewed The Sandwich Place over 10 years ago. It was very good then, is better and more bountiful now. It is also open longer than before, most days to 5pm. They bake their own bread daily – especially, their special wide French rolls – and buy prime meat and other products from a number of well-known vendors. Sandwiches are made in two basic sizes, Regular and Giant, on choice of bread or on their own special wide French bread, with several layers of fillings, with mayonnaise and mustard, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles (hot, if desired). The Regular is a satisfying meal for one, and the Giant a hearty meal for two, especially if a cup of soup or a small salad is added. Prices have changed little over the past few years, and the menu has been much enlarged, e.g., with fish and breakfast sandwiches, and more side dishes, e.g., soups, salads, bagels, hot dogs, fresh juices, and cookies. Six different vegetarian and two fish sandwiches are offered!

Regular and Giant sandwiches include roast beef, turkey and cheese Regular $4.25/Giant $6.00, turkey, ham, and cheese $4.35/$6.00, Combo of cotta, mortadella, bologna, Italian salami, American, and Swiss cheese $3.50/$4.75, Deluxe with turkey, avocado, bacon, Jack cheese $5.25/$6.25, B.L.T. $3.45/$4.45, Steak with grilled red onion, dill pickle, tomato $5.75/$6.75, BBQ Breast Chicken $5.75/$6.75, honey oven-roast chicken with sundried tomato mayonnaise, tomato, red onions, mixed greens, melted Jack cheese, extra-virgin olive oil $4.95/$5.95, The Avocado Bacon with sundried tomatoes, avocado, bacon, red onions, mixed greens, and Jack cheese $4.35/$5.35.

Fish and vegetarian sandwiches include The Kawai Special with crispy Cajun filet of sole, mango and orange mayonnaise, grilled red onions, tomato, roasted red pepper, mixed greens, extra-virgin olive oil $6.00/$7.25, Roasted Eggplant with pesto mayonnaise, mixed greens, roasted bell pepper, extra virgin olive oil $4.35/$5.35, or a crispy crunchy Veggie with mushrooms, cucumber, tomatoes, mixed greens, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar $4.00/$5.50, Teriyaki Veggie Burger with mayonnaise, red onion, tomato and shredded lettuce $5.25, Sophie’s Delight with portabello mushrooms, sundried tomato mayonnaise, roasted bell pepper, red onion, fresh basil, Munster cheese, cheddar cheese, balsamic vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil $5.00, Vivi’s Veggie Burger with pesto mayonnaise, spinach, sprouts, tomato, red onion, balsamic vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, Regular on 100% whole-wheat bun, Giant on wheat roll $5.00/$6.50, Friday Special, Breaded Filet of Sole with home-made tartar sauce, red onion, tomato, mixed greens, balsamic vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, melted Swiss cheese $5.00/$6.50.

Spectacular Over-stuffed Party Loaf, over two feet long, $20.00. ‘Nuff said.

Soups, Salads include home-made minestrone or chicken noodle soup, small $2.00, large $3.50, split pea with bacon small $2.25, large $3.75, New England clam chowder small $3.00, large $4.50, chili small $3.00, large $4.00, with cheese add 50 cents, fruit salad with honeydew melon, cantaloupe, papaya $2.75, mixed vegetables with avocado and grated Asiago cheese small $3.50, large $4.00, with ham, turkey, or tuna add $1.50, with grilled breast of chicken add $2.25, with cooked shrimp or crab seafood add $2.00, macaroni salad small $1.00, large $2.00.

Sides include fresh-squeezed orange or carrot juice $2.00, bagel with cream cheese $2.00, bagel with onion, bacon, cream cheese, and tomatoes $2.70, steamed or grilled hot dogs single $2.25, double $3,25, chili dog $2.85/$3.75, Louisiana hot dog $3.50/$5.50, chocolate chip cookies 3 for $1.00.

Part 2 follows.