We all experience our own history walking through historic parts of San Francisco which there are some places which no longer exist and others are still standing. I long remembered when I was a kid in San Francisco walking on 16th street I would go past the Eureka Valley Public Library and end up by Tower Records which is unfortunately now gone. Across the street where Tower Records once stood is 2275 Market street a small mini mall with lots of shops like Sushi Time and also other businesses like the Photo Booth Museum . This is also the home of a Banh Mi spot which has three San Francisco locations and this is one of the three. It's called Dinosaur Sandwiches. On a childhood stroll to my older stomping grounds I passed the Eureka Valley Public Library I frequent in my formative years there is another entrance for Dinosaur Sandwiches on 16th street. Inside it feels like you stepped into a miniature dinosaur museum and sandwich shop. The decor has a theme of the prehistoric times with lots of dinosaur figures like some in SF. They have hella types of Banh Mi in the menu and I ordered The Special which had pork pate and slow roasted pork on French baguette with pickled carrots. The baguette was fresh but a little flakey like some in SF. Overall it was tasty and savory. They also have spicy Tuna Banh Mi along with Crispy Tofu and Beef Kare-Kare Banh Mi . They also have salty chips along with some shrimp chips. You can wash it all down with Vietnamese beer like Bia Saigon and 333 Premium Export Beer. Go to San Francisco to "explore"a place with Vietnamese style sandwiches at "Dinosaur " its the one of three Banh Mi sandwich "store "you may enter on Market street and also through the 16th street side " door" Although those places in the past are now "gone" are now memories of the young "Don Juan "but I still build new memories and keep it "on" eating Banh Mi and by drinking bottles of the 333 Premium Export Beer and the " Bia Saigon" read more

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I was hesitant to try Dinosaurs since other reviewers mentioned it's not authentic. However, I liked it way more than I expected to. If you're going to create a fusion product, then you gotta go all in and execute well, and Dinosaurs does just that. I didn't see a way to order online in advance for pick-up from the take-out only shop, so I walked over after lunchtime yoga and ordered at the counter. I ordered the tofu & taro banh mi and requested light vegenaise. While I'm aware requesting "light" anything is subjective, when I unpacked the sandwich, I was extremely pleased to find they'd done a perfect job executing my light vegenaise request. There was only a thin spread, which was great - just enough to keep the sandwich moist but not so much as to make it gooey. I thought I'd only eat half, but the tofu & taro were so delectable I ate it all and didn't leave a trace. This was truly a unique banh mi, which I haven't had anything similar to before. Once again, this is not the place to go for an authentic banh mi, but since the city and greater Bay Area have plenty of authentic options, this is a good California fusion banh mi spot. I recommend giving it a try if it's been on your list and give your taste buds a surprise. read more

Dinosaurs - Tofu & Taro banh mi - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Cute spot! It has similar vibes as a cozy coffee shop - aesthetic with cute dinosaur logos scattered throughout. We tried the special and chicken banh mi. You can tell it's high quality ingredients - they fill it with pickled veggies and the bread has a nice crunch to it. The avocado shake and Thai tea are pretty standard. Overall one downside is it's a little pricey for what it is including the quantity of food The staff were nice. read more

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Dinosaurs always hits the spot! The grilled pork banh mi and the semi-freddis bread just make the sandwiches here so much more quality than other banh mi places. $15 for a banh mi sandwich may seem steep, but the sandwich is a filling meal. This location in Castro is more of a to-go place, but they do have a couple of tables outside. read more

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Solid neighborhood banh mi store! Few tables outdoor for dining. The Special (8.5/10) - the baguette was crispy on the outside and incredibly soft in the inside. The slow roasted pork and pork pate made for a great combo. I typically don't like the picked carrots and daikon, but this really made me reconsider that since it wasn't overly pickled Mango mint smoothie (8/10) - refreshing smoothie read more

Dinosaurs - The Special and Mango Mint Smoothie - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Ordered a chicken Bahn Mi Lou. I like the toasty baguette either way a nice crisp on the outer shell of the bread. It comes with mayo, cucumber and pickled carrots with jalapeño and cilantro. It was $15 without tax, tip or SF healthcare. I think they should put a little more meat in this sandwich but if you ask for extra meat for an additional charge of $5-6 but then it's too much meat You order from the register and bring it outside to tables which aren't often wiped. read more

Dinosaurs - Grilled Chicken bahn mi - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I just discovered this spot and I'm obsessed. I've gone 3 times in the last 3 weeks. The quality is great and it's the best bahn mi I've had. Service is kind and quick. There isnt much seating. It's more of a pick up spot but they do have 2 tables with 4 chairs each. I just shared a table with a stranger and it was fine. read more

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My favorite banh mi in the city. The spring rolls are also good but the sandwich is what stands. I've been going here for years and very rarely have I had an off day. I usually go with the grilled pork or shredded tofu depending on the day. I will say sometimes the shredded tofu can be a little dry so I like to get this in their spring rolls so I can dip in sauce. Love it on their banh mi too but will add sriracha or soy sauce. read more

Hole in the wall spot for banh mi near castro station and right off of market. It's tucked into a little plaza that's easy to miss. No inside seating but they have a few tables outside. I got the special banh mi which comes with pork, cold cuts, and pâté -- my first time trying a banh mi with pate. It was pretty good and a huge portion! All the veggies were spilling out. Just one half was super filling. It was more expensive than the banh mis you can get in sunset/richmond though; after tip it was over $18. Good for a casual dinner if you're in the area. Quick service! read more

Dinosaurs - the special - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Lunch consisting of chicken banh mi sandwich and pork & shrimp summer rolls were very authentic and tasty. The service was prompt and courteous. read more

Been quite a while since I have had one of their sandwiches. Unfortunately I was not impressed. I had the Grilled Chicken Vietnamese sandwich. Hard pressed to find the chicken. What was in the sandwich was a kind of a slab, or a couple chunks, hard to bite, hard to chew and it didn't even begin to fill up the roll. Way too much carrot stuff, that spilled out all over the place. Kind of flavorless IMO. I will give it one more try and go w/the grilled pork and ask for less carrot slaw. I will say the staff is really nice and the place is super clean. read more

I was in the neighborhood and wanted to grab a quick takeout lunch to bring home. Since my husband and I love eating banh mi, I decided to swing by here even though I recalled I didn't like it as much as our usual spots the last time I tried Dinosaurs. I got The Special, the closest thing to a classic banh mi which is what I almost always order. It was fine but not something I would go out of my way for. My husband and got the Shaking Beef which he decided to try since it's unusual and his assessment was that it was also fine but not really like shaking beef. I saw a sign for a pork tocino banh mi which I would have tried since I like pork tocino and was intrigued by the idea of that for a fusion sandwich but unfortunately I did not see that until I was leaving after I got my order. read more

Sometimes when I'm hungover, I'm not always in the mood for pizza or a burrito, so a banh mi is the perfect choice. The baguette here was perfectly toasted (enough to be crunchy and not cut up the roof of my mouth), and I really appreciated how well every component, from the veg to the sauce, was seasoned. I opted for the tofu, which was fried to a golden crisp and had a nice touch of sweetness. It was honestly a great value for the price and enough for multiple servings, but I personally demolished the entire thing in one sitting! read more

Dinosaurs - Crispy Tofu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Huge and overstuffed spring rolls. Paired with the overly moistened (almost soggy) rice paper, it was a huge mess. A single bite had veggies, noodles, and my protein falling everywhere since the rice paper did nothing to keep it together. The sauce was thicker than it should be traditionally, but overall everything tasted good. Not exactly like how spring rolls should taste traditionally, but still good enough. The service is just normal. You order, they check you out, you wait for your food, and they hand it to you in takeout containers. Standard, and nothing more. The kicker is this place has no inside seating and I visited on a windy day. I had to eat outside and my napkins, containers, and food flew everywhere. This place is better if you're looking for a quick takeout lunch...don't come here expecting to eat inside. read more

Dinosaurs - Throwback sticker machine! The prices of the stickers, however, are modern. - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

The bahn mis here are SO good. The Special bahn mi has it all- The bread is fresh and crispy, the veggies are fresh and pickled, the meat/pate is tasty and generously portioned. The Avocado smoothie is also smooth, creamy and delicious. Highly recommend this delicious gem in the Castro! read more

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I came for the Vietnamese Iced Coffee; it was not good. Three strikes on this one: 1) The coffee tasted burnt and was not freshly-steeped (the cashier simply poured it out of a jug that had clearly been sitting out). 2) The cup wasn't filled to the top. Look, I understand we're in tough economic times, and I also asked for less ice, but 1/8th of my drink was missing (see pic), and for the prices they charge (see #3), it's simply unacceptable. 3). It cost $7. As with #2, I understand these are trying times. But if you're going to charge me this much for a cup of joe, at least brew it fresh and fill the damn cup to the top (see #'s 1 & 2) Unfortunately, I won't be coming back, and I suggest you don't waste your time or money either. read more

Dinosaurs - Vietnamese Iced Coffee. This is how it was served (missing 1/8th of the drink, not filled to the top). $7. Burnt coffee. Not good. - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Good place for a vegan bahn mi that isn't tofu! The mushrooms were extremely tasty and flavourful and made for a very juicy and delicious sandwich. This is definitely a great stop for lunch. Looking forward to coming back for the friendly and fast service and try a few other items on the menu. read more

Just off the Market Street strip on 16th, Dinosaurs is a neighborhood favorite that consistently delivers. I've been here plenty of times, and honestly, you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu--this is just my first time finally writing a review. Their bánh mìs are a must-try. I usually go for the grilled chicken or pork--both are flavorful and satisfying, though occasionally the bread can be a bit too hard or crunchy for my taste. Today, I tried the shrimp and pork spring rolls, and they were an absolute home run. The combo of mint leaves and green apple slices with the peanut sauce? Chef's kiss. Seating is limited, so it's probably best to grab your food to go and enjoy it at Dolores Park. Trust me--you can't go wrong. read more

Dinosaurs - Pork & Shrimp - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I am someone who loves a lot of pickled veggies in my banh mis, and Dinosaurs really hit the spot! I got the Shaking Beef sandwich ($12.95), and the highlights were the amazing bread and bountiful veggies. My biggest pet peeve with Banh mis is when the bread is too hard and hurts to bite on/chew, but this one had perfectly crispy on the outside but soft interior texture. The beef was super flavorful as well. The sandwiches are all around the $13, and drinks were ~$7. Not super cheap, but overall solid and I'll be back to try the rolls/drinks! Seems like a dependable fast casual spot to pickup food for Dolores! The outside had about 3 tables that could seat ~10 people, and service was very sweet and fast. read more

Dinosaurs - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Place is great and delicious, every bite will leave you satisfied to your liking. Honestly, hardworking people and they serve the food with such an amazing smile on their faces . read more

What a wonderful Viet spot! Their banh mis are delicious and they do not skimp on their ingredients. Spring rolls are well made and a great value when you get a set of 3. The only caveat was I've had much better Viet iced coffee. Service was quick and friendly. It's more of a take out place than a sit down but there's two or three tables outside. read more

Dinosaurs - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Bread to die for. Delicious crispy tofu. Sandwich packed enough to be a full meal. Did I mention the bread?

Lunch consisting of chicken banh mi sandwich and pork and shrimp summer rolls were very authentic and tasty. The service was prompt and courteous. Interior was clean and well maintained. Definitely return to try other sandwiches. read more

The vegan bahn mi deserves 5 stars itself--So flavourful--get the tofu bahn mi with mushrooms added for the best of both vegan sandwiches. It was too good I didn't get a picture. The vegan Thai tea and Vietnamese coffees were pretty good, though the vegan cream they used separated a little oddly after a bit. The staff are friendly, and it's a great little hole in the wall place. read more

Food is always amazing. I get the chicken bami every time with extra carrots. The service is A1. The ladies are always friendly, nice, and helpful. The ambiance is just a store front. read more

Dinosaurs - Reciept - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Still in love with this place, always consistent and it's become my standard Dolores Park lunch. Just messy enough for eating on the grass. Service is quick, but also wanted to flag that vegetarian friends do love their tofu sandwich. They also have a kare kare beef special these days. read more

Seems like a newer location..went with the shrimp rolls, and shaking beef banh mi. It was huge..prob more veggies than actual meet if that's your thing. I'd prefer more meat. Also went with the watermelon lychee smoothie which was raves about on Yelp but lackluster at best for me. The bits of lychee were off putting. Service was meh. The actual sandwich maker was nice and friendly. The lady taking the order wasn't. Prob won't return here.Banh mi is $13 btw..which seems pricey. read more

Dinosaurs - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

3.5 Got the shaking beef banh mi and it was pretty good! My only qualm was that the bread hurt the roof of my mouth because it was a bit hard. read more

The Vietnamese sandwiches here are very delicious! My favorite is the grilled pork one, the meat is marinated well and they give a generous amount of picked veggies! Service is pretty fast as well, I got my sandwich shortly after ordering. There is a nice little outdoor seating area so it's a perfect place to stop for a quick eat! read more

Dinosaurs - Grilled Pork - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I was close by hiking at Fort Funston. My friend lived in the area for college and came here a lot during that time. It's a very tiny store, with outside seating. I do think it's expensive for Banh Mi. It was a good sandwich, I got the grilled pork, which is my go to. The meat was marinated with all the right flavors. They also had vegetarians/vegan options that's always a plus. The bread was still warm which I think made it even better. read more

Dinosaurs - Grilled Pork - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Yummy banh mi in a low key shop off Market! My favorite sandwich is the special since it comes with the classic Vietnamese fillings, but the grilled pork is also super tasty. There's just a few small outdoor tables, but Dolores park is nearby if you want to sit down and eat. I also love their watermelon drink - so refreshing on a sunny day. There's street parking around but it gets a little full on weekend afternoons. The address says it's on Market, but it's actually off a little, so the area is nice and quiet. read more

Dinosaurs - The Special - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Nice sized bahn mi sandwiches. The spring rolls had a nice twist with slices of tart green apples. Friendly and helpful service.

Dinosaurs is a little tucked away in a small plaza in the Castro district, but don't be fooled by the small interior! The Banh Mis were delicious, super flavorful and not dry at all. The bread was especially fresh and the balance of meat to veggies was perfect. It seems like a mom and pop shop and the ordering experience was fast and the food was ready for pickup quickly. I'll definitely be coming back and recommending this banh mi spot for a simple and filling meal! read more

Dinosaurs - The Special and Shaking Beef - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Insert joke about dinosaurs being dynamite. Prices have increased over the years, but feel like that's a part of life and pandemic and fair wages. I love the no fuss of this place and how consistent their sandwiches are. Small seating outside, some merch inside, and minimal menu. The Special is my fave because I love pate, but you can add it to any of your banh mi's - so can't go wrong. Also recommend trying the not-on-main-menu Kare-Kare, super tasty. read more

Dinosaurs - The Special - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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One of my favorite places to go for Bahn Mi sandwiches. I have had most of them and they are all great.

I dislike celery and to my surprise my sandwich had it. And the pork tasted processed

tried the limited edition beef kare kare banh mi and loved the peanut sauce and beef but they gave so little sambal chilli and I feel like there are more value for money banh mis out there read more

Dinosaurs - beef kare kare banh mi - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I stop here often, usually for lunch. I feel like their banh mi is a little untraditional, but in a good way- the bread seems a bit more dense and the sandwiches are packed. Since I'm normally dropping by after hitting the gym, I usually go with the chicken, but they've got a ton of options- fried tofu, to shaking beef, and pork. They even have a kare kare banh mi (which I'm pretty sure came with bagoong), though it's been a few years since I last had one. The rolls are good, but I feel like the sandwiches are a better value. Peanut sauce is good. They have a few drink options as well- I'll normally grab the ice coffee or the watermelon lychee. I believe they had some rare Crush flavors at one point, haha, and they also have a bunch of different snacks to compliment your order. They get busy especially during lunch, but I have no complaints about their service. Not a huge shop, but they do have outdoor seating. All in all a great place for lunch, or any meal really. Thanks Team Dinosaur! read more

Great shaking beef banh mi! Bread is just right, shaking beef is tasty. Maybe I will ask for lighter mayo next time.

I've loved Dinosaurs' rolls for many years. I used to get shrimp as well as the tofu+taro but this time, I only got the latter (not sure shrimp alone was available, I didn't notice it on the menu) I got the tofu and taro. It was delicious! The only trouble was it completely fell apart when the rice paper kept tearing. It was a bummer as it made it much harder to eat... I had had the avocado shake in the past but not for a very long time and it tasted too sweet to me. read more