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    Lou's Cafe

    4.4 (2k reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Lou's Cafe Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    LOU'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Lou's Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Becky V.

    Chicken pesto sandwich seems popular and I chose it for the first thing to try here. It came out warm on my Dutch crunch bread choice. Has avocado, melty cheese and chicken. Already cut in half for eating some now and keeping some for later (or sharing with someone else to spread the joy!) Kind friendly service. Casual small spot, no chairs or tables to eat inside. Lots of drink selection in fridge

    Shelley P.

    The line was so far out the door the day we went that people couldn't figure out where the end was! It was a rare hot day in SF and I think everyone had the same idea to grab a sandwich and picnic in the park. I'd wait an hour again for Lou's! We got the ami-cado and LLB special and both were stuffed full of fillings and flavor (packaged nicely in classic Dutch crunch). And they have voodoo chips!! (Also, so much respect and gratitude for the staff - there was absolutely no AC in there so it was boiling, and they were all working like mad to get the orders out!)

    "Fresh sandwiches, warm smiles, and sweet memories shared together at Lou's Cafe."
    Shadman S.

    Strong emotional appeal with "a relaxing and memorable experience." Nice sensory details about fresh sandwiches, coffee, and soft bread. An inclusive environment that caters to couples, families, girlfriends/boyfriends. Positive service feedback makes the review credible. "Looking for comfort food" "Looking for comfort food." "Everyone's mouths were watering" sounds more natural than "Everyone's mouths were watering as they smelled the ingredients." Lou's Cafe in Inner Richmond gave us a relaxing and memorable experience filled with delicious food and moments of joy. My husband and I really enjoyed spending time together enjoying fresh sandwiches and flavorful coffee. The atmosphere was warm, friendly, and perfect for couples, girlfriends, boyfriends, and families looking for a casual meal and a peaceful atmosphere. As soon as the food arrived, everyone's mouths were watering as the ingredients smelled incredibly fresh and delicious. The bread was soft, the sandwiches were perfectly prepared, and the service was kind and welcoming. We shared laughter, meaningful conversation, and a relaxing meal that made this visit feel special. Lou's Cafe is a wonderful neighborhood spot where people come to enjoy quality food, a peaceful atmosphere, and beautiful memories. Come on. Can. "Bright as a rose with petals, Love and flavor filled the night. Sweet memories slowly grew. Like a rose kissed by the morning dew."

    Ami-Cado
    Jean T.

    I came here for lunch on a Saturday because I was in the area and I had to stop because there was a line and I wanted to check out what it was for when all of the other businesses surrounding it were a bit dead. There was a bit of a wait to order and a bit of a wait to get the sandwich but it did not disappoint! I ended up going with the AMI-CADO on Dutch crunch and it was amazing! I'm usually not a huge fan of sandwiches unless it's on dutch crunch and the jalapeno spread makes it 10x better. There wasn't any seating available at the store front but we were able to walk over to a nearby park that had tables to sit and enjoy the sandwiches. I'd definitely return if I'm in the area!

    Evan K.

    Had the pleasure of trying Lou's Cafe on a work trip and we originally didn't have this spot on our radar, so glad we stumbled across it last minute. We came during a week day during peak lunch hours and it was so packed. We waited about 30 minutes for our sandwich which is no biggie. I would assume it's less packed on the weekend due to less walking traffic from work. Ordered the LLB Special and my gosh that Lou's Special Sauce paired with that Dutch Crunch is amazing. The portions here are big too so you will be left full. I would definitely recommend this spot, there also isn't too much seating inside or outside.

    Na'ilah G.

    The BEST sandwiches in sf. They have dutch crunch and that's kind of rare to find so that's why I go here, but aside from that their sandwiches are bomb. My friends and I all love coming here.

    outside
    Helena L.

    tldr local sandwich spot serving up some of sf best sandos at an affordable price! ordered the popular chicken pesto sandwich over the phone - ready in 20 mins on the weekend. sandwich was super fresh with avocado, thinly sliced chicken, american cheese and all the regular fixings on a crunchy but soft roll. very tasty! it was a bit salt for my liking but had a great filling to bread ratio and stayed warm on my 45 minute bus ride home. the sando i could split with one other person as a light snack since it was pretty sizable. service was friendly and i was in and out of there in 5 minutes. total came out to about $13.6 after tax so very great! overall i would highly recommend lou's for a tasty affordable meal! food 4.75/5 service 4/5 ambiance n/a with take out value 5/5

    Top: Hot Pastrami Sandwich Bottom: Roma's Club
    Maya R.

    I've been coming to Lou's for about 9 years now, and it's my go-to whenever I'm craving a sandwich. The bread is always toasted to perfection, and the sandwich has the perfect amount of sauce. There's usually a line on weekends, so I recommend calling ahead! I usually get the Roma's Club, and my boyfriend gets the Hot Pastrami. The Hot Pastrami is consistently good; however, he wishes there was a bit more meat. As for the Roma's Club, it hits every time too. There's a slight kick, which really separates this sando from any other turkey avo sando. Today, I decided to try the Crab Melt, and it will definitely be added to my rotation. It was a tad spicier than Roma's--but in a good way. I love imitation crab, and this had the perfect flavors combined with it.

    Chicken Pesto
    Josh S.

    They are among the top in SF. I have been several times in the past but stopped by this weekend for a chicken pesto sub and was very happy with the choice. Probably the only reason keeping this from a 5 star for me is that I prefer sandwiches that are super generous with the sauces. I like it dripping but that's a personal preference. I can't remember off the top of my head the other sandwiches I have had, but I've never been disappointed. One pro tip if you are planning on going, the wait time can be hit or miss so I recommend to call in advance. I have been before with minimal line and also been another time and had to wait over an hour for a sandwich. It's all based on how good the weather is and weekend hours etc. Great spot overall and you won't be disappointed.

    Italian Special Sandwich
    Ismael P.

    This is a small place where you can order a sandwich to go. The workers are friendly and can help you decide what to order. I ordered the Italian sandwich on Dutch crunch! The sandwich was filled with flavor. I loved the jalapeño spread they put on the sandwich. I do wish there was more of a crunch to the bread or even some of the pickles. The bread didn't taste as fresh as other Dutch crunch breads I have had. I would definitely come back to try the other sandwiches.

    Ami-Cado
    Juliann T.

    Really delicious and toasted just right! I'm always hesitant to ask for my sandwich to be toasted because most places over toast. Not here! The bread was warm and fluffy. There was a lot of meat and the sauces added the perfect taste to go with all of the veggies and meats. I hope to be back soon.

    Italian Special Sandwich was soo good. Try their special sauce and you'll love it! 100% recommend this place.
    Wendy V.

    I got their Italian Special Sandwich and it was sooo good! I 100% recommend their special sauce as it's the best part. Lou's Cafe has become one of my favorites sandwiches because I love the freshness in their ingredients!

    Loquito Sandwich with brisket
    John Michael R.

    An unassuming sandwich shop, full of flavor and character. I've been coming here since I was a kid, and I am grateful that the business has grown. I always find it funny when I walk in quickly, forgetting that it is owned by Filipinos. My usual orders are the LoQuito or the risky business always on Dutch crunch always with pepper Cheney, and always with everything including extra sauce. Luckily they have water for free and it's usually ice cold too. While they don't have their napkins out, you could always ask for napkins. And it is just a relaxed place, but I'm usually there before the lunch rush or after the lunch rush.

    Hot Pastrami Sandwich

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    2 months ago

    Huge sandwiches. Delicious. And the friendliest folks work there. I eat here every week!

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    Lou's Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Lou's Cafe

    What's in the special sauce?

    It is like aioli…garlic + mayo & some seasoning/herb

    How does Lou's Cafe compare with Ike's?

    I think Lou's is better - Ike's is really messy and feels heavier/more unhealthy to me. Lou's also has a really nice kick to it because of that great jalapeno sauce!

    Has anyone tried their buffalo chicken sandwich? Thoughts?

    Yes, highly recommend

    Does the special sauce contain dairy?

    Yes

    View All 7 Questions

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    3.5(287 reviews)
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    I came in specifically for the seasonal items and let me tell you... mission fully accomplished…read more My two picks were the Sonoma Salad and the Bangkok Bowl, and WOW -- both delivered in totally different (but equally amazing) ways. If you're craving something refreshing, light, and fruity, the Sonoma is a must. The pears take it to the next level and give it that perfect sweet, crisp bite that makes every forkful feel extra refreshing. It's the kind of bowl you order when you want to feel bright and satisfied. Now if you're in the mood for something warm, crunchy, and nutty, the Bangkok Bowl is your girl. The texture, the richness, the cozy vibes -- chef's kiss. It's hearty without being heavy and hits all the comfort-food notes. And can we talk about portions?! These bowls are NO joke. I swear I made a huge dent in mine, looked down thinking I was almost done... only to realize I basically still had a whole second meal left. Instant take-home win. On top of all that, the staff is super friendly, the space is clean, bright, and welcoming, and the whole experience just feels good from start to finish. I came for the seasonal menu but I'll definitely be back for everything else too. If you're debating what to order: Sonoma for fresh + fruity, Bangkok for warm + crunchy -- you truly can't go wrong!

    Came to the viral sensation of eating healthy at this location and boy it was very tasty ... fresh…read moresustainable ingredients... warm or cold do your your way .. or their way ... either way your won't be disappointed.... Warm and inviting in the heart of Sf ... staff and management are very welcoming .. my guy who did my version of a Greek salad did not disappoint... 10/10 ... very spacious location too for one or for a small party .. come and try Mixt .. where bold flavors awaits to meet you pallet .

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    MIXT - Inside

    Inside

    MIXT - Bangkok Bowl

    Bangkok Bowl

    MIXT - ORCHARD

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    ORCHARD

    RT Rotisserie - Fat Rice; half Rotisserie Chicken

    RT Rotisserie

    4.2(884 reviews)
    2.9 miHayes Valley
    $$

    Order their Rotisserie chicken! It's a waste to order anything else because that's their specialty…read moreand it's just so good. I came with a group of 7, and they were able to seat us pretty quickly. We ordered: A whole rotisserie chicken, the RTR Rice Bowl, the Chicken soup, the fried chicken sandwich, the seared broccoli, the rotisserie fat rice, and the shredded cabbage & almond. Best Dishes: The Rotisserie chicken and the Shredded cabbage & almond. The rotisserie chicken skin is really crispy and delicious, we were all fighting over who gets to eat the skin. The chicken is so juicy, it's really the best rotisserie chicken I've had. We understand why this place is so well regarded. The shredded cabbage is definitely the best side and we should've gotten another order, as we quickly finished ours and were basically licking the bowl clean. Worst: The rotisserie fat rice and the chicken soup. The rice was basically untouched and none of us wanted to eat it. It's ok, just falls short compared to the other sides. The soup was also ok, it's just a huge bowl and it felt like a waste stuffing ourselves with that when there were other better dishes. The rice bowl was pretty good, and is really good value. It's yummy and a good meal for 12.50. It's a very casual place, you order at the cashier and find a table and seat yourself there. Great for a quick lunch.

    Giving this a solid 3.5 stars (but I'll round it up for Yelp purposes) hehe…read more The atmosphere is nice and cozy but man does it get packed quickly! The service was quick and kind. Never a moment where old dishes or cups were sitting on the table. To eat, my friend and I had the sweet potato, baked potato, quarter chicken (dark meat), artichoke, brussel sprouts, and the sorbet : ) 1. Sweet potato was sweet and flavorful 2. Baked potato was good but needed extra salt or butter to really jazz it up. 3. Quarter chicken was sooo juicy and flavorful 4. Artichoke needed some level of salt to even out the heavy lemon but well cooked nonetheless 5. Brussel sprouts were flawless 6. The sorbet is amazing! It's how I expect strawberry ice cream to taste but lighter and fresher. Overall, would I come back? Absolutely Would I recommend it to a friend? Already done lol

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    RT Rotisserie - Inside View of Restaurant

    Inside View of Restaurant

    RT Rotisserie - RTR Salad $10.50 + Chicken $4.25; iced tea $4.00

    RTR Salad $10.50 + Chicken $4.25; iced tea $4.00

    RT Rotisserie - Roasted Cauliflower $9.50

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    Roasted Cauliflower $9.50

    Lou's Cafe - coffee - Updated June 2026

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