The most popular order at Saigon Sandwich. The roast pork is tender and well-seasoned, and the French baguette has a crackly exterior and light interior. Reviewers note the generous portions of meat and the balance of pickled daikon and carrot that cuts through the richness. At $4, multiple reviews call it SF's best cheap eat.
Tips from diners
This is the best $4 meal in the city. Get the roast pork — the meat is tender and the pickles are refreshing.
The richest banh mi on the menu, loaded with creamy pâté and multiple layers of pork. The pâté is the star here — described by reviewers as genuinely creamy and rich, adding depth that the lighter roast pork versions don't have. The bread holds up well under the weight of the filling.
Tips from diners
Go for the pâté if you want something richer and more decadent. The pâté is genuinely creamy.
Roasted chicken that's marinated and cooked until golden. Lighter and brighter than the roast pork version, with the same quality pickles and crisp bread. Reviewers say the chicken is juicy and well-flavored, making this a solid alternative if pork isn't your preference.
Tips from diners
The chicken is just as good as the pork but slightly lighter in flavor — try it if you want something less rich.
The most loaded sandwich option, combining multiple proteins — roast pork, steamed pork, pâté, and cold cuts — on a single baguette. It's designed for people who want to taste everything at once. Reviews note it's hearty and well-constructed.
Tips from diners
This is the one if you want all the flavors in one sandwich. It's substantial — one is a full meal.
Operating since 1981, Saigon Sandwich is a Tenderloin fixture at 560 Larkin Street. The shop is takeout-focused, with minimal seating and a simple menu: roast pork, roast chicken, pâté, and combinations. Every sandwich is built fresh to order. This is the sandwich that food writers repeatedly call SF's best cheap eat — reviews across multiple publications praise the quality-to-price ratio consistently.
Cash only — there's an ATM nearby on Larkin Street. Cards are not accepted.
Get here early — they open at 7am. Morning crowds move fast, but lunchtime (noon-1pm) can have a short line.
This is takeout-focused with minimal seating. Order to-go and eat at a nearby park or in your office.
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