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    Lou's Cafe

    4.4 (233 reviews)
    InexpensiveSalad, Soup, Sandwiches
    Closed 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Order Lou's Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Lou's Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    LOU'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Lou's Cafe

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    Roma's Club Sandwich
    Valerie Z.

    Love these sandwiches--appropriately priced at under $14. The people taking the order at the counter have never messed up my sandwich but I do get a little upset at how long it can take to get your food. There are a lot of online orders which seem to be prioritized and sandwiches can take as long as 15 minutes to get if you're ordering at the counter during the lunch rush. I love that there is a comfortable outdoor eating area with comfy chairs and set off from the street.

    Carmen G.

    A small cafe serving up salads and sandwiches in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Hopped in here to grab some lunch with some teammates and they had a cute patio seating just outside of their storefront. The patio itself was all the vibes, with heaters and clean tables. The cafe was small but had a lot of people waiting around for their food. Food did take a while to come out, understandable though, since it was prime lunch rush during a weekday. I opted for their Asian salad that came with iceberg lettuce, clementines, wonton chips, and almonds. The salad was tasty and fresh, portions were huge! I wanted something light for lunch but felt like I should have ordered a sandwich instead since everyone else's sandwich looked so much better than mine! Overall, a solid spot if you're looking for a light bite during your workday!

    Exterior
    Sarah C.

    I'm not sure you could call Lou's Cafe a hidden gem, given the number of nearby office workers that get lunch here. However, it is tucked back off the street so you might not see it, and is certainly a gem. The shop itself is quite small, with grab and go fridges and a bustling staff behind the long counter. Place your order to the right and wait for it to be prepped. I wouldn't say they're particularly fast, but given the volume they're dealing with they're not slow either. There is standing room inside, or you can enjoy their awesome exterior patio, which includes tables as well as outdoor couches AND heaters (!). I got the tuna melt on dutch crunch bread and it was absolutely perfect, nailing my craving. I think it was $12.50, which seems like a heck of a deal for SF. My lunch group got various other sandwiches and salads and also seemed to be pleased. I'd definitely come back!

    Tuna Melt Sandwich
    Alex Z.

    The definition of a 'hidden gem', Lou's is tucked away in a small alcove that's easy to miss. In the middle of the Financial District, it's the perfect place to grab a lunch - just make sure you come before noon to avoid the rush. Due to the small staff, it can take a bit of time to get your food. The sandwiches themselves are fantastic, with a wide range of options from classics like the Roma Club and Tuna Melt to the more adventurous Hot Link and Loquito sandwiches, you can't go wrong. Make sure to get everything on it, including the Lou's special sauce, which is what elevates the sandwiches above your standard fare by adding a savory/sweet/spicy kick to every bite. With each sandwich being around $13, it's also a great deal for the size you get, especially in SF. If you're looking for the next lunch spot to impress your friends and coworkers, this is it.

    Suraj P.

    Really delicious sandwich and super fast service. I ordered ahead on DoorDash and it was done well before the estimated time. Make sure to go up and ask someone as they keep the online orders in a different area. I loved how much toppings they put inside, will definitely be going back!

    Turkey and avocado on Dutch crunch
    Steven W.

    I had a turkey and avocado with everything on Dutch crunch. The flavors were great. I liked the little kick of heat from the jalapeno spread, and everything worked well together. But the Dutch crunch bread was more chewy than crunchy. The top of the bread was soft, not crisp. And bread is an important part of a sandwich. (Dutch crunch should have a crunch.) Lou's makes a good sandwich. But not a great sandwich. If I worked in the area, I could see eating here regularly. But while I had a perfectly good lunch, this wasn't a destination sandwich. Service was friendly. There is some seating outside, which looked nice, but I took my sandwich to go.

    Arthur L.

    Lou's is of my office's favorite sandwich spots near and comes highly recommended. Lou's is on the ground floor of an office building with easy access from the street. The server was super nice and helpful. Most recommended the Risky Bizness sandwich, and with my favorite crust of all time, Dutch Crunch, it was an easy decision to make. The sandwich itself was packed with everything and super delicious. It was so good, that the next time I went, I just automatically choose the same!

    Kelly H.

    This is a solid sandwich place for sure. We got the veggie sandwich and it was really tasty and satisfying. It was packed with a lot without having to widen your mouth a bunch for a bite LOL

    Roma's Club Sandwich
    Angel L.

    Affordable delicious lunch spot for people who work in downtown sf or want to grab a quick bite! You can also call ahead to order if you're in a hurry. It's nestled in a spot that might be hard to find. There's plenty of outdoor seating. I had the Roma's club sandwich and their house sauces are so delicious! Adds a creamy and spicy kick to the sandwich. Love their Dutch crunch bread too. Will be back everytime I need a lunch spot :-)

    Chicken Pesto Sandwich
    Andrea T.

    I got the chicken pesto sandwich and it was so good that I accidentally ate the whole thing even though I was only going to eat half. I was sooo full afterwards but didn't regret it. They put a sauce in the sandwich that gives it an extra kick. The part I like most about this sandwich is that even though it is large, the bread is not too thick, and it is toasted to perfection. I like this location because the cashier is very friendly and the ambiance is modern. You may need to wait awhile for your food because they have many orders. Seems like they might let you order ahead, but I haven't tried that yet.

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    2 months ago

    Love getting lunch from here when I can. I order pick up to avoid the lunch rush though. Everyone is so kind and efficient.

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    10 months ago

    Good food, fast service and reasonably priced. They are busy so call ahead. They are in a kind of strange location but worth hunting down.

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    9 months ago

    Delicious, consistent and reasonable! Great seating area outdoor and your sandwich is ready fast.

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    1 year ago

    Had the hot pastrami. Prices are fair and portions are good. Food was very enjoyable; would go back

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Lou's Cafe

    I believe this location is temporarily (possibly permanently?) closed? Can anyone confirm?

    They Re-open for business On June 7, 2021

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    RT Rotisserie

    RT Rotisserie

    4.2
    (892 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    5 but with a caveat (hoping mgmt sees this).... Their salads and food are the absolute BEST. We…read moreplacen an order most weeks for the office. The one catch --- the rotisserie chicken can be really greasy and/or they are even adding more oil directly into the salads (this happens even when you're ordering w/ salad dressing on the side).

    Had a fantastic lunch here after a little shopping spree in Hayes Valley. It's only a short walk…read morefrom the neighborhood, so I figured I'd give it a try, and I'm glad I did. I haven't been to Rich Table yet, but the name definitely carries some weight, so I came in with high expectations for this concept. Even though it's counter service, the hospitality really stood out. The staff was patient, welcoming, and happy to answer questions, and the space itself is thoughtfully designed with a clean, modern feel that makes it easy to settle in and enjoy your meal. I almost ordered the half chicken, but ended up going with the rice bowl since it had everything I wanted in one dish. It was excellent. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, the sides were fresh and vibrant, and the rich, slightly fatty rice tied everything together. It struck a great balance between hearty and refreshing, and the portion was filling without feeling heavy. At the price point, it also felt like a great value. I didn't even feel the need to reach for the hot sauce or chimichurri because the bowl stood well on its own, but both were delicious and worth trying. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to the next time I'm in Hayes Valley.

    Photos
    Inside View of Restaurant
    Inside View of Restaurant
    RTR Salad $10.50 + Chicken $4.25; iced tea $4.00
    RTR Salad $10.50 + Chicken $4.25; iced tea $4.00
    Roasted Cauliflower $9.50

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    Roasted Cauliflower $9.50
    MIXT

    MIXT

    3.5
    (288 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    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 .

    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!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Bangkok Bowl
    Bangkok Bowl
    ORCHARD

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    ORCHARD
    MIXT

    MIXT

    3.8
    (25 reviews)
    4.1 mi

    I'm actually giving this spot a 3.5 but rounding up to 4 because the Agua Fresca was excellent as…read morewell as portion sizes and packaging were on point for delivery. So while I can't speak to in person service or decor the delivery is on point. My peachy salad was just ok. The chicken was cold and not crunchy, and the cornbread crumbles were not crunchy at all, like kind of in between stale and crunchy... weird combo. Peaches and pickled onions were awesome though. The dressings that it came with which were a bbq sauce and some type of special ranch also were a weird combo, glad it was on the side vs in the salad itself otherwise I'm not sure I would have eaten it. Crispy cauliflower was good but definitely not crispy at all! Probably got softer on delivery but definitely not something that should be advertised as crispy when it's not... The saving item was my carrot ginger agua fresca- this was amazing! Loved it, that gets a 5/5. Food is 3/5.

    I've now been 3 times and each time it just was nothing impressive and definitely not worth $20+…read more This most recent visit I ordered their steak salad with caramelized onions and croutons - big miss here. Steak was barely flavorful, quite cold even though it was "cooked on the spot". The caramelized onions were cold and nothing out of this world - if anything because they were chilled, they lost a bit of their flavoring. The croutons were nonexistent, I almost had to go back and ask if they could add some until I found 3-4 at the very bottom of my bowl. A lot of greens which was good, good serving there. I got a side of focaccia and that was delicious (do wish they offered to toast it a bit, it'd be that much more yummy!). As for my other visits, same applies - unfortunately it's just an overpriced salad I know I can make better at home. Not to mention 1 of my visits was a pickup order and they completely forgot my dressing on the side. All in all, I am very let down by this place. Dare I say I love and prefer it to be Sweet Green. Bummer, I really was happy to have this in the area.

    Photos
    MIXT
    FALAF 2.0 SALAD (vegan)
    FALAF 2.0 SALAD (vegan)
    BACHELOR SALAD

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    BACHELOR SALAD
    Blue Barn-Polk

    Blue Barn-Polk

    3.8
    (661 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Blue Barn is a healthy splurge, because the salads are mostly tasty (but can be hit or miss on…read morequality) while also being some of the most expensive in SF. My personal favorites are the Spring Salad which is seasonal, the Caesar Salad, Tostada Salad, and Waldorf Salad. They also do great meat sides that you can add to your salad, like grilled steak, salmon, or shrimp. These add-ons cost an extra $8-$12, so when all is said and done you could be paying close to $40 for your salad after tax, which is a little bananas. Still, I can tell they put a lot of care into their ingredient selection, and it's a good option if you don't mind lighting some cash on fire. I do wish they had some more convenient locations closer to the Financial District or Mission Bay, but maybe one day!

    1. I wanted a fresh green salad with grilled salmon. For $35, the basics should be executed well…read more 2. My salad had 1/3 of bitter, watery romaine stems that took 15 minutes to remove. I was starving and irritable. 3. Salmon was overdone - rubbery on the outside, dry inside. There was no soft, flaky interior or glossy naturally slightly caramelized exterior or light char on the edges (not always present but always welcome). I normally love salmon and eat it several times a week. This is the first time I have ever returned a salmon dish in San Francisco. The sandwiches I spotted on neighboring tables looked amazing but I won't be back. In a city with hundreds of restaurants worth revisiting, this won't make the rotation.

    Photos
    The cashier/ordering and menu area
    The cashier/ordering and menu area
    Menu
    Menu
    Blue Barn-Polk

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    Healthyish Republic

    Healthyish Republic

    4.5
    (200 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$
    Healthy dining
    LGBTQ friendly

    Delicious and super fresh salad. Yummy hummus…read more Great and friendly staff. Definitely Healthyish and Delicious

    I really wanted to like this place, but unfortunately, it was a disappointment. I ordered takeout,…read moreand when I arrived, my food was ready on time. The restaurant itself made a great first impression. It was clean, organized, and even had a nice little area set up for social media photos. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the presentation. I ordered the Mediterranean Bowl with Greek chicken. The chicken was dry, and it was obvious the seasoning had been sprinkled on after it was cooked instead of being cooked into the meat. I also ordered the Brussels sprouts and fried cauliflower. The Brussels sprouts looked perfectly crispy, which is exactly how they should have been, but they were soft and soggy instead. To make matters worse, the sauce was packed inside the same container, so the steam made them even soggier while also heating the small plastic sauce container inside. The fried cauliflower was equally disappointing. It looked crispy because of its golden brown color, but there wasn't a bit of crunch. Instead, it was oddly firm, almost al dente, making it feel more undercooked than fried. I also tried the garlic chicken soup, expecting something similar to Avgolemono. Instead, it was a thin, watered down broth with the same dry chicken pieces from the Mediterranean Bowl tossed in. The pita bread served with it was honestly the worst part of the meal and the only thing I threw away. Nothing was completely inedible, but for more than $60 worth of takeout, I expected food that matched the clean, inviting atmosphere of the restaurant. Sadly, this experience fell well short of that, and it's not a place I'll be returning to.

    Photos
    Keto & Gluten Free Zoodle
    Keto & Gluten Free Zoodle
    Healthyish Keto Bowls
    Healthyish Keto Bowls
    Healthyish Vegan Burger

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    Healthyish Vegan Burger
    Wildseed

    Wildseed

    4.5
    (1.8k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    I'm not vegan so I have been hesitant to come here but WOW I was so impressed! We came for a brunch…read moreand got a reservation! I highly recommend a reservation as it does get busy especially on a Friday night! First the atmosphere is adorable. The decorations and ambiance are so beautiful. Lots of windows, plants and the bar is stunning. Service was wonderful! Now the food!!! We got the chilaquiles, French toast and spicy sausage omelet. All were delicious! Just egg is amazing when cooked right! Favs were the chilaquiles and French toast! I recommend sharing so you get a sweet and savory! Will be back for dinner!!!

    Wildseed is a beautiful restaurant that was well lit, decorated with lush greenery and warm wooden…read moreaccents. The seating is spacious and sectioned off rather than one large open dining room, which allows for different arrangements and a nice sense of privacy between groups. The downside is that this layout seems to leave patrons on the right side, behind the wooden partition, nearly forgotten. We were handed our menus and then left alone for almost 15 minutes without anyone circling back to take our order. When we finally did order, the servers brought dishes to the wrong table and couldn't keep track of who had ordered what. That said, the food, atmosphere, and location could easily make up for it, I would consider coming back if I had to return to San Francisco.

    Photos
    Restaurant inside
    Restaurant inside
    Heirloom tomato bruschetta
    Heirloom tomato bruschetta
    Caprese girl

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    Caprese girl

    Lou's Cafe - salad - Updated July 2026

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