Vietnamese bánh mì from Saigon Sandwiches in the Tenderloin

Bánh mì from Saigon Sandwiches. Photo courtesy of Yelp.com

Bánh mì is a type of Vietnamese sandwich that can be found in virtually every traditional Vietnamese restaurant and cafe. It's easy to make, fast to serve, delicious, and cheap. It is typically served on a toasted French baguette with pickled carrots and daikon, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, cucumbers, and meat or tofu. 

Though you can get them all over the city, Saigon Sandwiches in the Tenderloin focuses solely on serving them and has their process dialed. There is frequently a long line out the door during the lunch rush, but the service is incredibly fast and efficient. It's run by just two nice ladies, and they can probably churn out hundreds of sandwiches blindfolded without skipping a beat.

For only $3 you can have your choice of pork, chicken, pate, fish, or tofu. They stuff the baguette with all the fixings, wrap it up, and you're out the door in seconds with a tasty and satisfying meal.

There isn't much else in the tiny shop, so if you're looking for an extensive menu you're better off looking elsewhere. However, if you're in need of a fast and fresh lunch for only $3 then check out Saigon Sandwiches, especially if you're in the area. They are located at 560 Larkin St. between Eddy St. and Turk St.

If you find yourself at a Pho restaurant or other sandwich shop, don't pay more than $3 for bánh mì. Anything more is just ridiculous. Some restaurants think they can get away charging $5-6 for one of these! They are meant to be cheap and fast, just like they are served on the thousands of street carts in Vietnam. 

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Good Luck Dim Sum in the Inner Richmond serves cheap Chinese for dine-in or take-out 
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