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    Lou's Cafe

    4.4 (2k reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

    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 working

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    Recommended Reviews - Lou's Cafe

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    Helen L.

    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.

    Jessica S.

    The risky bizzness is amazing. The crab salad on this sandwich takes it to the next level. Perfect pairing for a beach day

    LLB Special Sandwich
    Smith T.

    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.

    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!)

    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.

    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!

    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

    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.

    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

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Awesome sandwiches, best white chocolate mocha in the Sunset district. When visiting SF will definitely return.

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

    A lot of buzz about this place. It is good but not really to die for good. I thought the food was solid. Worth the experience.

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    4 years ago

    It was okay bread is little bit stiff but filling was well seasoned. Not bad if you're hungry and near the shop.

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Wonderful sandwich spot - hearty meats and fixings. Often a line so try to order ahead if you can go save time.

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    5 years ago

    The food is really delicious and the staff is so friendly. Wait times can be a bit long so be sure and order way in advance.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Been coming here for years. Delicious toasted sandwiches with Boar head meat, melted cheese, fresh ingredients Friendly staff

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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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    Saint Frank Coffee

    Saint Frank Coffee

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    All around pleasant experience in terms of both the service and coffee. I had the flight and…read morethought it was overall good. They explained that the flight includes an espresso shot, espresso shot with milk, hot coffee, and iced coffee. I hadn't had a straight espresso shot before, so this wasn't for me personally just because it was so overpowering. I enjoyed the other three though. Like the majority of SF, parking is difficult to locate. I was dropped off nearby the location. There is indoor and outdoor seating; I was able to grab an empty spot late in the morning on a weekend, but I don't think seating is always readily available. It's not a huge space.

    First time here for coffee! It's quite a popular shop and you see many sitting inside or waiting in…read moreline. Luckily we didn't have to wait a long line. It seems like there's also an upstairs but did not get the chance to check it out. I got an iced latte with their almond macadamia milk, and they're also so nice to do complimentary cold brew! So we got an extra drink for free. Trying the iced latte, it was pretty disappointing lol. I thought it would be similar to like a Hawaiian style latte with macadamia milk, but it was a lot lighter than I thought. It was definitely very nutty, but it also just tasted like water down latte. Honestly not much going on with the drink, but it does taste lighter in general. Crazy have to pay $1.50 more to add on this milk. Overall, its alright. I do like the natural lighting coming into the shop, but nothing too special.

    Photos
    View from back of the shop.
    View from back of the shop.
    Yuzu macadamia cookie and orange cream latte
    Yuzu macadamia cookie and orange cream latte
    Black Sesame Kouign-Amann

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    Black Sesame Kouign-Amann
    Delah Coffee

    Delah Coffee

    4.6
    (639 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    Feeling adventurous so ordered coffee from Delah for delivery. Process was quick and smooth…read more A lot of interesting latte flavors and specialties to choose from but ended up with iced Yemeni latte and rose latte as well as some milk cakes. Didn't realize the rose latte would come as a hot drink but it was still good. Opted for less sweet but was a little more sweet than expected compared to the Yemeni latte. Yemeni coffee was light and subtle with cinnamon. Milk cake was moist and not too sweet - texture reminds me of a les tres cake. Rose and saffron flavors were perfect and not too overpowering Turkish coffee is not bitter or too strong. Knowing this now, will try some of their other drinks when I'm looking for something light in the future!

    My friend and I were catching up after a long drought and chose to meet up at Delah because it was…read moreso we'll rated. It's located at the filthy corner of 4th and Clara, which made the outside smell of urine. Fortunately the cafe itself is pretty clean, which is a nice escape from the street. I ordered an Americano and my friend got one of their $8+ lattes, which were fine, but nothing special. My biggest gripe was the service and absolute scorn of the customer. My friend and I sat at the counter basically in a staring contest with the woman behind the counter, who just stared right back. After some 30 seconds, we finally flagging her down to place our order. After turning around the drinks suspiciously quickly, my friend and I sat down to catch-up in the empty cafe. Before long, the barista pumps up the volume, increasing higher and higher every 5 minutes or so, as if to signal to us that our time was up. I asked her to turn down the volume, which she tuned down from an 11 to a 7, but minutes later it continued to creep up, like the snooze setting of an alarm clock coaxing you to wake up - except in this case, to get out. Ultimately, the volume got unbearable and we finally threw in the towel and got out of there to let the barista enjoy her music. Definitely never going back there - they clearly don't want the business. Food: 5/10 Service: 0/10 Price: $$ Atmosphere: 4/10

    Photos
    Beehive bread and chai
    Beehive bread and chai
    Rose milk cake
    Rose milk cake
    Fresh croissant.

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    Fresh croissant.

    Lou's Cafe - coffee - Updated August 2026

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