On Wednesdays my work covers lunch and Lou's Cafe comes up as an option pretty regularly. I usually bring my own food so I'd always passed on it, but one day I finally decided to give it a shot and I'm so glad I did. I ordered the Design Your Own sandwich loaded up with hot pastrami brisket, roast beef, lettuce, Lou's special sauce, pickles, red onions, tomatoes, swiss cheese, pepperoncinis and dijon mustard on dutch crunch bread. Also got the Roma's Club. Both sandwiches were packed with protein and held together really well throughout the whole meal, no sogginess, no falling apart mid bite. The dutch crunch bread was the perfect vehicle too, super crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Really impressive quality for the price. If you haven't tried their sandwiches yet you're missing out! read more

Note: There are no tables or chairs here. The photos on this Yelp are misleading because there's no dine-in option. Take-out only Veggie sandwich was EXCELLENT. The sauce was very flavorful. It is even better with the Uglies brand of BBQ chips. The employees were very nice. I will return. Thanks! read more

Veggie sandwich is crunchy, spicy, cheesy and fresh perfection. Been trying to replicate this at home since the 4 years we last had it. Finally made a trip back to SF and couldn't wait to get it again. Also had the Greek salad with chicken that was pretty good. Quick and friendly service even though they're super busy. No pictures too hungry. read more

No lines on a foggy morning. Score. 4 people working, then 5 at exactly 9 am. They are ready for the crowd. I'm overwhelmed with choices on the board. Good thing I narrowed it down to roast beef and eggs. Four choices. Didnt want too spicy or too plain so settled on RB with bacon and mushroom roast beef with jalapeños spread on Dutch crunch roll $14 and ultimate Sammie with hash brown on sourdough $10. $25 for two hugh hot sammuws. Two of these weighs 5 pounds. Delish before watching Toy Story 5. Staff was friendly and they seem to like each other. read more

Lou's Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

Right by sky's new place and it was delicious. I love these kinds of sandwich places. However they didn't have Dutch crunch (they ran out). If they did it defs would've brought this to a 5 read more

Some of the best sandwiches. When i come to san fran this is where I bring my friends for a good sandwich. Very much recommend! read more

Lou's Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

Yo! If you are looking for a top-tier sandwich in SF, you have to stop by Lou's on Geary. I've heard the hype for a while and finally went in to try their Special Sandwich. The sandwich was fire. What really sets it apart is that "Lou's Special Sauce" it adds a kick that you just don't get at your average deli. The bread was perfectly toasted (not too hard, not too soft) and they definitely don't skimp on the meat. The staff was super efficient and friendly. Even though there was a bit of a line (which is expected for a place this good), they moved through the orders quickly. The cafe has a great, classic SF neighborhood vibe. read more

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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 read more

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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!) read more

Lou's Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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! read more

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I saw on IG that SF Mayor Lurie stopped by recently and ordered the Risky Bizness sandwich - Pastrami, Crab, Bacon, Avocado, fully loaded on Dutch Crunch. It looked good so I headed there today. OMG! So tasty! All the flavors just meld so well together. It was a BIG sandwich and I. Ate. Every. Last. Bite. Sorry no photo. I will definitely return! read more

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. read more

Lou's Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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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 read more

Lou's Cafe - outside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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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. read more

Lou's Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

Sooooooo much yum. Fabulous sandwiches! Great portions and prices. They have become a favorite.

I grew up on these sandwiches, and they are truly the gold standard! These sandwiches are enormous--they could feed two people with ease. They strike the best meat-to-bread ratio I've ever seen and are unbelievably satiating. The Dutch Crunch is definitely my favorite bread to get here; it adds the perfect texture. If you're looking for a massive, satisfying, classic sandwich, this is the place to go! read more

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. read more

Lou's Cafe - Top: Hot Pastrami Sandwich Bottom: Roma's Club - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We love the Lou's on Taraval, but found out that the one in the Richmond is a different owner. We tried the one in the Richmond and it was sort of underwhelming. The sandwiches did not have much taste. They also messed up our order in the kind of bread we requested. And they do not have the reward system like the one on Taraval. read more

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. read more

Lou's Cafe - Chicken Pesto - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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. read more

Lou's Cafe - Italian Special Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

This used to be one of my go to spots in SF for a sandwich, back when they only had their original location on Geary. But I'm glad to see that they've expanded. I went there for years and they always know how to make it just right! There was always a line that I would have to call ahead just to save time. The staff here were nice and friendly. And they were accommodating to a few of my requests on my sandwich! So you can design our own sandwich, but I usually go their gourmet sandwiches such as their Italian special, turkey cranberry, or Lou-Ben. I swear whatever you get, they always hit the mark! The sandwich are always packed full with flavor and the bread is warm and toasty. They are really generous with their portions so you will leave full and satisfied every time. Definitely must try! read more

Came to this place as a something of a stomach filler for the asap rocky concert. And to say the lest I was meet with full satisfaction. At first there was some communication error. My order was wrong.. but I came back to get a replacement and I was meet with an extra sandwich and my original sandwich. They were amazing and I was 110% satisfied. The shop is family owned and you could feel it in the air. Love this local place would 10/10 recommend read more

A PERFECT sandwich. We came to Lou's Cafe at prime time on a work day so there was a bit of a wait in the tiny sandwich shop, but it was well worth it. The shop is small but they took our orders quickly and we were able to find seating on the patio. About 15 minutes later we received our sandwiches. I went with the Roma's Club; turkey, bacon, avocado, swiss cheese, and pesto aioli on dutch crunch bread. Being from Chicago, I had never heard of dutch crunch (I guess it's a California thing?) but I'm a fan. How do we get it in the midwest?! The sandwiches are large, filling, and so dang good. Everyone in my group loved them! If you want a perfect, easy lunch while in SF, Lou's is the spot! read more

Sandwich is good, the problem is that they never get it right. Order from their menu board? They put toppings on that are not part of the sandwich. Build your own? They miss adding things you ask for. It's always close, but never totally correct. read more

This is honestly one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. From the bread, to the meat, to the cheese, and the special sauce this place has got it all! My fiancé and I were passing through SF and felt this was the perfect opportunity to try this since it has been on my bookmarks for years. We arrived around 10am so street parking was not too hard to find. The place is small with only a handful of seating, but I'd just eat it in your car if that's faster because it's that good. We ended up sharing the Ami-Cado and the LLB Special which were distinct in flavor but both equally amazing! To me the Ami-Cado is my perfect sandwich since it literally has all of my favorite ingredients. The LLB felt like a cleaner sandwich and tasted more refreshing since it included turkey. At about $11 a sandwich this is totally worth it considering these come STACKED with plenty of meat and veggies. In addition, I'm a sauce person and love that they don't skimp out and just lather it all over. My only regret is not reading the menu and asking to add extra Jalapeno spread to elevate the level of spiciness. I'll definitely have to come back next time for more! read more

While the roast beef and mushroom was delicious, the Loquito was my fave, hands down though I see so many more on the menu I'd love to try. Grateful to my friends for the recommendation - I have really been missing SF style deli sandwiches (and Dutch crunch!) since I moved away! read more

This is my go to sandwich spot in the Sunset! Always been a big sub guy, and if you're from SF you know there's a lot of great places. This spot is my default when I want something filling, close and convenient. The Ami-Cado is my favorite. If it's not too busy, they get your order out pretty fast. Definitely recommend anyone nearby checking it out read more

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. read more

Lou's Cafe - Ami-Cado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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! read more

Lou's Cafe - Italian Special Sandwich was soo good. Try their special sauce and you'll love it! 100% recommend this place. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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. read more

Lou's Cafe - Loquito Sandwich with brisket - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

Forgot to take a pic of my veggie sando with extra scrambled egg. Wish it wasn't $2 more for the egg but I understand. The other sandos pictured were yummy and ate super fast. Got a bag of jalapeño chips too. Quick service, nice service and busy store. Bathroom was available. read more

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Lou's is a San Francisco classic. Their sandwiches are unique and i love getting to try something new every time. I do have my favorites though like the romas club and hot pastrami. I also am a huge fan of their breakfast sandwiches. They're usually pretty busy so I recommend calling in an order to pick up. read more

Lou's Cafe - Storefront - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is a neighborhood gem! I don't live in SF but I visit frequently. I love sandwiches and I stumbled upon this place one day and was very happy with my order. I've been coming back since. Be ready for a line during lunch hours. The staff is friendly and they are efficient. Just be ready to wait in line to put your order in and for the sandwich to be made. Price is great. I find that it's a fantastic value for what you get. Parking can be a challenge during the busy hours. read more

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Oof if you're planning to get sandwiches from here on the weekend be prepared to wait! It's pure madness on the weekends, the staff are swamped with phone orders, online orders, and in person orders. I did notice they prioritize DoorDash orders, so place your order there if you want to skip the line. I placed an order on the phone thinking my food would be ready when I got there, still took almost an hour for my sandwich! Also ignore the sign that says if you place a phone order to skip the line, I followed the instructions and was still directed to get in line. They don't call out names for phone orders, so I suggest you stand in store and keep an eye out when they pack your sandwich. They packed mine, slapped a receipt on it, and just threw it in a bin. I would have never known it was ready if I wasn't inside watching them like a hawk. Sandwiches are alright, I've tried the chicken pesto, LLB, Romas club, risky bizness, Italian special, and ultimate club. None were memorable. Bread is good but they're pretty slim on the meat. If you're looking for a hefty sandwich and a short wait I'd skip this place! There are so many other solid sandwich places in SF. read more

Lou's is a staple for me! I work close to the Geary location so I am a frequent visitor and it is honestly one of my favorite sandwiches in the city. We also frequently get it catered for work as well and all I can say is that they are consistently good every time. The garlic sauce is so good and they add the right amount of meat and filling. The chicken pesto, risky business, and CBR are really good. And they also have really yummy vegetarian sandwich options. The salads are pretty basic salads and solid choices -- I really enjoy their cobb salad. As I mentioned earlier they're always busy so it's not an eat-in shop but a great place to pick up sandwiches and head to Sutro baths, Ocean Beach, or Golden Gate Park! read more

This is that top-tier, stuff of your dreams sandwich that you'll be thinking about every time you pass through this neighborhood for the rest of your life. Ami-cado with everything: pastrami, salami, pepperjack cheese, Lou's special sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, red onions, and jalapeño spread, all on a sweet crunchy roll. A sign in the deli said something like, "Trust us, get the sauce and the spread!" So, I did. The pastrami was probably the best pastrami I've had since I was a little girl in LA (which famously has some of the world's best pastrami). I ate the first half of my sandwich at a nearby coffee shop, and carried the other half with me on an urban hike down Geary to the Sutro Baths. The sandwich held up alright in my backpack, but was definitely way better fresh. This was the best sandwich I've ever had in San Francisco so far. And the price wasn't terrible, either-- I think it was about $13. I want to try Lou's other locations, but will definitely be back again. read more

Lou's Cafe - Amocado at Sutro Baths - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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People--always nice. Food-the amicado is the best sandwiches in SF and I am from here (shoutout to the deli I grew up with at 9th and Lincoln-RIP). read more

Lou's is one of our regular weekend spots when I stay with friends in Richmond. We always call ahead as the wait can be longer depending on the day. Our favorites are the veggie sandwich and amicado. The bread is crunchy and soft, and the ingredients are always so flavorful. They are generous with the sauce on the sandwiches, so bring napkins. Staff are always friendly and quick, especially considering the regular high volume of customers. Already looking forward to my next weekend in SF so I can pick up Lou's! read more

Lou's Cafe - Veggie sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This was my first time at the spectacular sandwich shop and we were trying to go somewhere nearby Chrissy Field since the rest of our family was already at the beach. Lol this place was right off of 19/the Presidio so we were able to get parking out in front, in a 10 minute area zone and back on path to meet up with our family. They have a number of different sandwich options and I like how all their sandwiches have the same six components of condiments! The only thing that changes are the meat/veggie options. It was very easy to read their menu and pick what I wanted! I ended up getting the crab melt, I did it without the jalapeño spread, but I really wish I had done a light jalapeño spread because the imitation crab was really delicious and fresh tasting, but it needed a little spice. My boyfriend liked his CR-something like a "BLT," but it had bacon and ranch. He said it had a bit too much ranch dressing, but the taste/flavor was really good! He also liked his version of the light jalapeño spread! Lol. The sandwiches took about 15 minutes to get granted there were at least 10 people in front of us and three employees working the back sandwich making aspect. After we ordered, there were still a line of people out the door so I'm sure this place stays busy! All the bread and ingredients seemed incredibly fresh And juicy so I wouldn't mind coming here again! read more

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Lou's cafe!! Wow! their crab melt lives up to the hype So so so so good 9/10. That secret sawce or whatever they used Como se dice.. magnifique ! read more

Lou's Cafe - Crab Melt - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Francisco, California