Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Lee’s Sandwiches – San Francisco
Lee's Sandwiches - San Francisco
Photo from Lee’s Sandwiches
Lee's Sandwiches at a glance
San Francisco Little Saigon
- 🥪 Sandwich Shop
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 9 of the guests
#1804 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#40 Sandwich Shop out of 65 in San Francisco
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
300
Reviews
65.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great food
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Poor ambience
- Inconsistent service
The sandwich shop in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Little Saigon neighborhood offers a perfect spot for a quick bite. When you’re craving fresh flavors and efficient service, Lee’s Sandwiches is a go-to destination.
You’ll find a casual atmosphere ideal for grabbing a delicious meal on the go, whether it’s for breakfast or lunch. This spot is known for its convenient takeout options, making it easy to enjoy your food anywhere.
Overview: Introducting Lee's Sandwiches
Lee’s Sandwiches offers a compelling option for those seeking quick, affordable Vietnamese fare. Many appreciate the quality of their sandwiches and bread , often highlighting the generous value for money.
It’s a place where you can find good honest food without breaking the bank. However, experiences can be a bit mixed, particularly regarding service consistency and the surrounding neighborhood .
While some praise the fast and efficient staff, others have encountered less welcoming interactions or noted issues with posted hours. The overall setting might not appeal to everyone.
Good
6.8
out of 10
300
Reviews
65.3%
Satisfaction
69
negative
35
neutral
196
positive
Lee’s Sandwiches achieves an overall Restaurant Score of 6.8, placing it in the good range, while customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 65.3%. This slight divergence suggests that while many find the experience positive, a notable portion of patrons have reservations.
This assessment is drawn from 300 customer opinions, with 196 positive remarks and 69 negative ones. Looking closer, the Food (7.4) and Value (7.3) topics clearly stand out as strong points, indicating that the core offerings and pricing resonate well with customers.
However, Service (5.8) is perceived as average, and Ambience (4.0) lags significantly, often cited due to external factors like the surrounding area rather than the interior itself. This breakdown helps explain the varied customer sentiment.
What people like
- Excellent food quality
- Great value for money
- Fresh baked bread
What people don't like
- Challenging neighborhood ambience
- Inconsistent service experience
- Some overpriced items
With a Recommendation Score of 7.1, Lee’s Sandwiches is generally worth considering, especially if you prioritize good food and excellent value. It’s a solid choice for a quick, budget-friendly meal, particularly if you’re in the mood for their well-regarded sandwiches and other Vietnamese specialties.
However, you should manage expectations regarding the overall atmosphere and be prepared for potentially inconsistent service. If a pristine dining environment or flawless customer interaction is paramount, you might find it falls short.
For a tasty and affordable bite, though, it delivers.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Lee's Sandwiches
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
Food here generally hits the spot, earning a 7.4 score and a solid 75.4% customer satisfaction. With 150 positive remarks, many rave about the delicious, fresh bread and excellent Vietnamese sandwiches. Customers also appreciate the wide variety of food, including delightful desserts and fresh veggies, making for a satisfying meal.
However, not every bite is perfect, with 26 negative comments. Some found the bread to be stale or hard, and a few mentioned mediocre food quality. Specific items like slimy boba pearls and overpriced breakfast sandwiches also drew criticism, suggesting some inconsistencies.
Food
199
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
26
negative
23
neutral
150
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious fresh bread
- Excellent banh mi
- Great food variety
What people don't like
- Stale bread issues
- Mediocre food quality
- Slimy boba pearls
Often praised
- sandwichesMy experience at the restaurant was great! I enjoyed good sandwiches and found the employees to be cute. I was asked to help with a small delivery and obliged, receiving a smacking spicy Vietnamese style, pork sandwich.
- breadamazing loaves of French bread but I could go crazy over bread everyday
- Vietnamese sandwichesLove that it's in the tenderloin, it tests true vietnamese sandwiche lovers courage
- Vietnamese snacksThey offer a good amount of choices for banh mi and other Vietnamese dishes. Additionally, they have a selection of really good Vietnamese snacks. The decor is typical of a Lee's Sandwich establishment – clean, open, and nice.
- Vietnamese iced coffeeVietnamese iced coffee and that was also amazing
- baguettesThe baguettes were baked on site. Crunchy on the outside and soft inside.
- bánh mìa celebration of bánh mì
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was marked by good honest food☺. What I particularly liked was that the lower price did not affect the quality of the food.
- iced coffeeMy original plan to visit another shop for a banh mi changed when I saw the sign for Lee's. I hadn't had it in years since leaving Oklahoma City, and I could almost taste the iced coffee. The bread was so delicious, and it was such a wonderful treat to have.
- sandwichMy experience was mixed. The pork bun was delicious, and my sandwich was pretty good. However, the pearls in my boba milk tea were very slimy and soft, suggesting they were likely a few days old.
Frequently criticized
- breadbread used for sandwich was stale and hard
- sandwichSandwich was edible but sad
- BBQ porkcan't eat the BBQ pork. Way to spicy.
- Vietnam sandwichesVietnam sandwiches is fresh but taste is not really good
- baguettesby themselves are very bland
- banh miThe banh mi to be mediocre
- breakfast sandwichesBreakfast sandwiches are super overpriced and mediocre.
- chetheir che is not made onsite
- cheaply bake interiors sandwichesmixed the best Vietnamese sandwiches with the cheaply bake interiors sandwiches
- crummy sandwichThis is the home of great Vietnamese snacks. My experience here is that an entitled attitude will get you a crummy sandwich from staff who are not overly concerned with the pressing needs of pushy tech bros. However, old timers like myself receive fantastic regular service, and the prepackaged snacks are the best in the city.
If you're craving authentic Vietnamese sandwiches and a great variety of snacks, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that while the bread is often praised, some experiences point to occasional inconsistencies in freshness and overall food quality, especially with certain items.
Service (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 29% of the guests
Youll find some real gems when it comes to service here! Many customers appreciate the friendly staff and helpful employees, often highlighting efficient counter service and a welcoming vibe. Some even felt valued when their orders were remembered, contributing to a decent foundation.
With 14 positive comments out of 27, these experiences help shape the overall picture. However, the service experience can be a bit of a mixed bag, reflected in an average 5.8 score and 51.9% customer satisfaction. Some experiences mention rude staff and frustratingly long big lines, leading to significant waiting times.
Theres also a recurring issue with inconsistent operating hours, with the store often not being open as advertised, which can be a real letdown for customers.
Service
27
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
11
negative
2
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Efficient counter service
- Personalized attention
What people don't like
- Rude staff attitudes
- Long waiting times
- Inconsistent operating hours
Often praised
- employeesBeyond sandwiches, they offer a variety of prepared and packaged dishes, desserts, sweets, Eastern beverages, and other 'little things' worth trying. The service is good, fast, and efficient, and the employees appear clean. It's a suitable place for a quick meal during work hours, an informal setting.
- serviceBeyond sandwiches, they offer a variety of prepared and packaged dishes, desserts, sweets, Eastern beverages, and other 'little things' worth trying. The service is good, fast, and efficient, and the employees appear clean. It's a suitable place for a quick meal during work hours, an informal setting.
- staffthey remembered my order
- cashierThe store also carries a variety of Asian snacks, drinks, and desserts, along with other packaged meal choices for those not seeking banh mi. On both visits, the cashier gave me something extra to take home for free – I'm unsure if it was due to closing time, my apparent hunger, or simply their generosity, but I was thankful! I highly recommend trying the #5 Grilled Pork (thit nuong) and/or #6 BBQ Pork (xa xiu).
- cashiersfriendly and knowledgeable services of the store cashiers
- counter serviceCounter service
- credit cardsThey accept credit cards.
- lineI feel that a lot of people don't care for Lee's sandwiches because it's a chain. On the few days I forget to bring lunch to work, Lee's is where I go due to there not being a line. In all honesty, the sandwiches are very reasonable, especially for $3.
- peopleThe people are nice
- regular serviceget fantastic regular service
Frequently criticized
- Google hoursThe hours listed on Google aren't correct
- big linealways have a big line
- female workersfemale workers having to deal with the dilapidated conditions outside
- lock the doorthey usually lock the door ten to twenty minutes before that
- menuwasn't able to finish reading the menu
- openthey are never open
- people who work therepeople who work there have a bad attitude
- posted open hoursposted open hours are till 8pm but they usually lock the door
- serviceThe service was terrible.
- staffStaff was rude
If youre looking for quick, friendly service and dont mind potential inconsistencies, you might have a good experience. However, be prepared for possible long lines or unexpected closures, which could dampen your visit.
Ambience (4 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, some customers find a silver lining, praising the clean, open decor and classic vibe. The generous store size and ample seating are also highlighted as positive aspects, making for a comfortable visit. These upbeat observations come from 6 positive remarks, contributing to an overall score of 4, which is considered average.
However, the overall sentiment is heavily influenced by the surrounding neighborhood. Many describe the location as problematic, citing issues with cleanliness, homeless individuals, and a general feeling of neglect. Boarded-up windows, dilapidated conditions, and a sad atmosphere are frequently mentioned, leading to a poor customer satisfaction of just 16.7%, based on 24 negative opinions out of 36 total.
Ambience
36
Reviews
16%
Satisfaction
24
negative
6
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, open decor
- Spacious store size
- Ample seating available
What people don't like
- Problematic neighborhood
- Unclean street conditions
- Boarded-up windows
Often praised
- Oakland locationOakland location is superior in every way
- atmosphereThey remembered my order, made me feel welcomed, and the sandwiches always HIT 🙌🏾. I also love that classic vibe in there too. Definitely don't sleep on this spot!
- cleanlinessClean, open, and nice.
- decorThe decor is a typical lee's sandwich place. Clean, open, and nice.
- seatingTo drink, I tried their smoothies and other drinks, along with a variety of goodies. The counter service was efficient, and there was lots of seating available, making for a comfortable visit.
- store sizeThis place is huge for a store in SF!
Frequently criticized
- neighborhoodIt's a suitable place for a quick meal during work hours, an informal setting. I would rate it 5 stars within its category, but I'm giving it only 3 due to the neighborhood it's located in. It's in the heart of the Tenderloin, a neighborhood with many homeless individuals and where keeping the streets clean is difficult.
- placeCurrently, the place seemed kind of sad
- atmosphereNot the best area, a homeless person came inside and started causing trouble.
- streetsdifficult to keep the streets clean
- SF governmentSF government needs to do more cleaning up the streets, poop, and making sure homeless and inappropriate people don't loiter.
- TenderloinI would rate it 5 stars within its category, but I'm giving it only 3 due to the neighborhood it's located in. It's in the heart of the Tenderloin, a neighborhood with many homeless individuals and where keeping the streets clean is difficult.
- area with homeless peoplemiddle of a zone where there are many homeless people
- dilapidated conditionsdeal with the dilapidated conditions outside
- empty shelveswith the empty shelves, it wasn't hard to imagine how nice it would've been before the pandemic.
- food itemsused to be so many food items when you first walk-in but now those items are put away
If youre considering a visit, be aware that while the interior might be clean and spacious, the surrounding neighborhood presents significant challenges. This spot could work for a quick, no-frills meal if youre prepared for the external environment, but it might disappoint if you're seeking a pleasant overall experience.
Value (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
This place generally offers good value, scoring a solid 7.3! Many customers are thrilled with the affordable Vietnamese food and cheap sandwiches, perfect for a quick and cheap bite or if youre on a budget. With 26 positive observations, its clear that the pricing is often seen as very reasonable, even a poor college student haven for some.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. Customer satisfaction is a bit of a mixed bag at 68.4%, and some diners have voiced concerns. With 8 negative comments, issues like quantities being cheap and breakfast sandwiches being overpriced have come up.
There are also mentions of a price rise and feeling that some things were overpriced, suggesting that value isnt always consistent.
Value
38
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
8
negative
4
neutral
26
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable pricing
- Cheap sandwiches
- Great value
What people don't like
- Small quantities
- Overpriced items
- Price increases
Often praised
- pricelower price does not affect the quality
- pricesMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. I found excellent sandwiches and pre-prepared Vietnamese dishes that were offered at excellent prices. They also have two great vegetarian options.
- valueAnd great value
- Happy Hour priceseven HaPPy Hour prices!!!
- affordable Vietnamese foodaffordable Vietnamese food in tenderloin
- affordable meal optiongave us a good, affordable meal option
- budgeton a budget
- bánh mìget the bánh mì(buy1gets1free)$1.75 per bag
- cheapSo cheap
- cheap sandwichesVery good cheap sandwiches however!
Frequently criticized
- breakfast sandwichesBreakfast sandwiches are super overpriced and mediocre.
- cup of waterthey charged for it
- moneydon’t waste your money
- pricemore expensive compare with Saigon
- price rise37% price rise in just a few months
- quantitiesthey r being cheapy on the quantities
- thingsI felt that the things were overpriced
- timedon’t waste your time
If youre looking for a budget-friendly meal, especially for Vietnamese food or quick sandwiches, this spot is often a great pick. Just be mindful that some items might feel a bit pricey, and portions could vary. Overall, its worth checking out if saving money is your top priority.
How are the prices at Lee's Sandwiches?
On average, you’ll spend around 14 per person – from 9 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Sandwich Shop, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at the bigger picture, we see a mix of prices. Many diners spend less, in the $1–$10 range, but there’s also a more premium option that pulls the average up. With only 9 reviews, the data is limited, but it gives us a good indication of the pricing landscape.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 9 reviews. With limited data, it still gives us a good idea of the typical spend.
A look at how this Sandwich Shop’s value compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Sandwich Shop in San Francisco, we think the pricing is fair, especially considering the city. While the average is 14, there are clearly more budget-friendly options available if you know where to look on the menu. Its a good spot if youre looking for quality and don’t mind paying a little extra for a great sandwich.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Lee's Sandwiches
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
9
Amazing Bánh Mì and Coffee!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I tried the bánh mì grilled pork, and it was incredibly amazing and fresh. I also shared a Vietnamese iced coffee, which was equally amazing.
The staff was very friendly. This is a must-try place for sure.
- bánh mì grilled pork10
- Vietnamese iced coffee10
- staff9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Pastries, Salads, and Drinks!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed their excellent pastries, fresh salads, and delicious sandwiches. They offer a great selection of fresh baguettes, croissants, and even dumplings.
To drink, I tried their smoothies and other drinks, along with a variety of goodies. The counter service was efficient, and there was lots of seating available, making for a comfortable visit.
- pastries9
- salads8
- sandwiches8
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Classic Vibe, Amazing Sandwiches!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I remembered stopping here literally THREE TIMES while working in S. F.
They remembered my order, made me feel welcomed, and the sandwiches always HIT 🙌🏾. I also love that classic vibe in there too. Definitely don't sleep on this spot!
- sandwiches10
- service10
- atmosphere9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Best Vietnamese Desserts in SF - Go Now!
My experience at this restaurant was bittersweet. The Vietnamese desserts and food are the best deal in SF, offering an incredible variety that I haven't found elsewhere in the city. I particularly enjoyed the Tricolor Coconut Shredded Tam Khoai Mi ($3.
99), the Durian Essence Banh Da Lon ($3. 99), and the green leaf wrapped cha ($7). Unfortunately, the restaurant is currently closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and is operating with limited hours (7 am-3 pm) as there's a lease/for sale sign on the building.
It's uncertain if it will close permanently once sold, so I urge others to visit while they still can. The reviewer also expressed sadness about the condition of Little Saigon/Tenderloin, suggesting the SF government needs to improve street cleaning and address issues with loitering. They do accept credit cards.
- Vietnamese desserts and food10
- Tricolor Coconut Shredded Tam Khoai Mi9
- Durian Essence Banh Da Lon9
- lease/for sale sign3
- SF government2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
5
Lee's Sandwiches: Faded Charm, Okay Banh Mi
My experience at Lee's Sandwiches felt like it has seen better days. The once abundant display of food items upon entering is now put away, and the menu on the wall is faded with prices scribbled over. Lee's might be an option if other sandwich places down the street have long lines.
While waiting for my combo banh mi ($6. 50) and Korean BBQ banh mi ($10), I felt a sense of unfairness seeing the female workers dealing with the dilapidated conditions outside. It wasn't always like this.
Nevertheless, the banh mi's were OK. They are best enjoyed on the same day and don't hold up well in the refrigerator.
- combo banh mi5
- Korean BBQ banh mi5
- banh mi's5
- food items3
- menu3
- dilapidated conditions2
What Lee's Sandwiches offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Healthy options
- Coffee
Dining options
- Catering
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dessert
Service Options
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Lee's Sandwiches in San Francisco accessible for everyone?
Yes, you’ll find that Lee’s Sandwiches in San Francisco is designed with accessibility in mind. The establishment features a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring a comfortable visit for all patrons. This makes it a convenient stop for anyone looking for a quick and healthy meal.
What kind of dining options and meals can you find at Lee's Sandwiches?
At Lee’s Sandwiches, you can enjoy a variety of dining options throughout the day. They serve breakfast and lunch, and also offer catering services. You’ll find quick bites, healthy options, and coffee, making it a versatile choice for your meal needs in San Francisco.
How does Lee's Sandwiches rate overall?
Lee’s Sandwiches has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.8, indicating a generally good experience. Customers particularly praise the Food (7.4) and Value (7.3), though Service (5.8) is average and Ambience (4.0) is a weaker point.
What are the food highlights at Lee's Sandwiches?
Customers frequently commend the quality of the sandwiches and the fresh, crunchy baguettes baked on-site. Many also enjoy their Vietnamese iced coffee and a variety of other Vietnamese snacks and dishes.
What should I be aware of before visiting Lee's Sandwiches?
While the food and value are strong, be aware that the ambience, particularly the surrounding neighborhood, can be a concern for some. Service experiences can also be inconsistent, with some reporting rude staff or issues with posted operating hours.