Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » The Yellow Submarine – San Francisco
The Yellow Submarine - San Francisco
Photo from The Yellow Submarine
The Yellow Submarine at a glance
San Francisco Inner Sunset
- 🥪 Sandwich Shop
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 98 of the guests
#342 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#12 Sandwich Shop out of 65 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
503
Reviews
82.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality sandwiches
- Friendly service
- Nostalgic charm
Frequently criticized
- Cash only
- No bathroom
- Dated interior
The sandwich shop The Yellow Submarine in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset neighborhood invites you to a truly unique dining experience. You’ll discover a cozy and historic atmosphere perfect for a quick bite, whether you’re grabbing lunch or dinner.
This casual spot offers convenient service options, including takeout, delivery, and dine-in, making it easy to enjoy their offerings. You can also find free street parking and a free parking lot nearby, ensuring a hassle-free visit.
Overview: Introducting The Yellow Submarine
The Yellow Submarine offers a classic experience, often praised for its tasty sandwiches and the consistently friendly staff who make you feel welcome. Many appreciate the long-standing tradition and the quality of the food, which keeps customers returning for decades.
It’s a place that clearly values its regulars and delivers on its core offering. However, some aspects might require a bit of adjustment.
Be prepared for a cash only policy, which can be inconvenient for some. While charming, the aged interior and lack of customer amenities like a bathroom have been noted.
Despite these minor points, the overall sentiment remains largely positive.
Excellent
8.3
out of 10
503
Reviews
82.5%
Satisfaction
59
negative
29
neutral
415
positive
The Yellow Submarine earns a solid 8.3 overall, reflecting a generally positive dining experience, with customer satisfaction standing strong at 82.5%. This indicates that most patrons leave content.
The restaurant’s strengths clearly lie in its culinary offerings, with Food scoring an excellent (8.6), and its attentive Service also receiving high marks (8.5). These areas are frequently highlighted in the 503 customer observations.
The Ambience (7.9) also contributes positively, often described as charming and nostalgic. However, the Value (5.9) aspect presents a more mixed picture, hovering around average.
While many appreciate the generous portions, the cash-only policy and some pricing concerns temper its score. This balanced view comes from 415 positive remarks against 59 negative ones, offering a comprehensive look.
What people like
- Delicious, quality sandwiches
- Friendly, welcoming service
- Nostalgic, authentic charm
What people don't like
- Cash-only payment
- No customer bathroom
- Dated interior, musty smell
If you appreciate a classic, no-frills sandwich shop with a strong sense of history and genuinely good food, The Yellow Submarine is certainly worth a visit. Its 8.5 recommendation score reflects a high likelihood that you’ll enjoy the experience, especially if you prioritize taste and a personal touch over modern conveniences.
However, be mindful of its quirks, like the cash-only policy and basic facilities. For those seeking a quick, satisfying meal from a long-standing local favorite, it delivers.
If you’re looking for a polished, full-service dining experience, you might find it less suitable.
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Yellow Submarine
Food (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines with a score of 8.6 and an impressive 89.1% customer satisfaction, indicating a consistently good experience. Out of 284 comments, a whopping 253 rave about the deliciousness, especially praising the hot pastrami, Italian combo, huge portions, and homemade hot sauce. However, not every bite is perfect, as 25 comments point out some areas for improvement.
Some found the Philly cheesesteak disappointing, noted less meat in certain sandwiches, or mentioned doughy bread.
Food
284
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
25
negative
6
neutral
253
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Huge portions
- Delicious sandwiches
- Homemade hot sauce
What people don't like
- Less meat
- Bad Philly cheesesteak
- Doughy bread
Often praised
- sandwichesMy experience at this family-owned restaurant was great! They serve tasty sandwiches made with fresh ingredients. The price is reasonable, and the portion sizes are generous.
- foodYou can tell they take pride in what they do. The staff is fast and friendly, the vibe is old-school and real, and the food hits every single time. If you’re in the Inner Sunset and haven’t tried this place yet, you’re missing out.
- sandwichMy experience at this restaurant has been outstanding for 25 years. I believe they serve the best sandwich in the city, and possibly the entire West Coast. I've been a loyal customer for two and a half decades and will never miss an opportunity to visit when I'm in town.
- FoodFood:5
- friesEven though I left San Francisco 4 years ago, I make a point to bring cash every time I return so that I can swing by here and grab a sandwich. I absolutely love their House Hot Sauce, and my fries never make it to the bridge when I'm on my way out. YUM!
- breadthe bread (the most crucial part of a perfect sandwich) was perfect
- Italian comboI opted for the Italian combo with provolone cheese
- homemade hot saucemake sure to get the homemade hot sauce!
- hot pastramiI love the hot pastrami especially
- subsIt's a must whenever I'm out here. I've had several subs in The City, but nothing like this spot. The owners are really nice & fast, and the prices are affordable, which is a plus.
Frequently criticized
- breadAlthough the pastrami was delicious, I was disappointed with the last one as it was more bread than meat. It's kind of disappointing when you get towards the end of your sandwich and all you're doing is eating a bread roll.
- meatCome with an appetite, as one large sandwich is a meal for two, or two meals for one. Although the pastrami was delicious, I was disappointed with the last one as it was more bread than meat. It's kind of disappointing when you get towards the end of your sandwich and all you're doing is eating a bread roll.
- Philly cheesesteaktough to mess up phily cheese stakes but they magically managed it
- pastramiReuben had very little pastrami in it
- large portionthe large is the end of your productive day
- mayothey pour mayo in a paper bag
- meat and other ingredientsThe portions were large, but I didn't bother finishing it because it just wasn't enjoyable. The bread was decent, but the meat and other ingredients just really missed the mark.
- medium portionthe medium is a large
- menuthe menu socks
- mushroomsthey don’t have mushrooms
If you're looking for generously portioned, flavorful sandwiches, especially the hot pastrami or Italian combo, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful of specific items like the Philly cheesesteak, which might not hit the mark for everyone.
Service (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With a fantastic score of 8.5 and a customer satisfaction rate of 87%, it's clear guests are consistently impressed. Many rave about the friendly service, great owners, and super friendly staff, often highlighting the warm, family owned atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcomed and appreciated.
Out of 115 total opinions, a whopping 100 were positive, praising the attentive and speedy team. However, a few experiences, totaling 14 negative opinions, suggest there can be some bumps. A handful of customers mentioned rude staff or issues with customer service, and some noted longer wait time or inconvenience with the cash only payment policy.
While these instances are few, they point to areas where consistency could be improved.
Service
115
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
14
negative
1
neutral
100
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Great, family owners
- Speedy service
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Long wait times
- Cash only
Often praised
- serviceThe owner was incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience enjoyable from start to finish. I highly recommend this place for a delicious meal and great service.
- ServiceService is fine.
- ownerI had the best sandwich I will ever have. The owner is super nice and gives great recommendations. The food is amazing, the service is speedy, and the workers are super nice.
- peopleIt is a cross between a homemade sandwich from a gifted sandwich maker and what a person always hopes Subway to be but never is in reality. It's a great place with friendly people and good sandwiches 🥪.
- ownersI enjoyed high quality sandwiches that were generously sized. The owners were friendly, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. The value was great, with very reasonable prices for the large portions.
- staffI had the Beef and Pepper sandwich, which was huge and delicious, reminding me of the subs I used to get on the East Coast. The service was great, with friendly staff who were incredibly trusting and generous. Even though it's cash only and I didn't have cash, they made me a sandwich anyway and allowed me to pay later.
- familyI've been a loyal customer for two and a half decades and will never miss an opportunity to visit when I'm in town. I truly love this place and the family that owns it.
- customer serviceI had the best local sandwich I have ever tasted. The service was equally impressive, with a very sweet old lady providing amazing customer service. The food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect score of 5.
- family ownedFamily owned and operated
- family owned businessfamily owned business. The brothers and their mom, are such sweet and nice people.
Frequently criticized
- servicenot the best service
- calling in an ordercalling in an order would be fast and easy but no
- cash onlybring cash, there was no sign indicating they only take cash
- customer servicecustomer service means nothing
- mayothey didn’t have anything to put in into, so they put the mayo in a paper bag
- napkinsthey don’t give you napkins
- operational layoutThe operational layout was not thought through
- ownerowner is usually okay in service, last time I came with my daughter he was a jerk
- paymenttook my order before letting me know
- staffThe staffs are rude
Overall, the service here is a major highlight, making it a place well worth visiting. Expect a warm welcome and efficient care from the dedicated team. Just be prepared for potential cash-only payments and the rare chance of a less-than-stellar interaction.
Ambience (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
Alright, lets dive into the atmosphere! This spot scores a solid 7.9 for ambience, with a fantastic 81.4% customer satisfaction. Out of 59 total opinions, a whopping 48 rave about its authentic local place feel, old school experience, and welcoming atmosphere.
Many cherish the childhood memories it evokes, making it a truly great place. However, its not all sunshine. Seven opinions point out some areas for improvement.
Concerns include a musty smell, aged interior, and busted seat cushions. The lack of a customer bathroom is also a recurring point, suggesting some amenities could use an update.
Ambience
59
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
7
negative
4
neutral
48
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic old-school vibe
- Welcoming family feel
- Quiet, easy to talk
What people don't like
- Aged interior
- Musty smell
- No customer bathroom
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was great, and the service was excellent. It's a perfect spot for an amazing lunch with a good atmosphere. We were a group of 2 people, had lunch, and the price per person was between $10–20.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placeit is a place one should visit
- childhood memoriesThis is a classic San Francisco spot that I fondly remember visiting with my mommy and grandma when I was a kid. It brings back warm childhood memories.
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- Beatles stuffthe Beatles stuff is great
- Old San Francisco charmretain the Old San Francisco charm
- alfresco diningAlfresco dining available
- almost 50 yearsBeen there almost 50 years!
- authentic local placetruly authentic, local, family-run place worth supporting
Frequently criticized
- ParkingParking isn’t always easy in this corridor
- amenitiesFellas- this ain’t a date place. No amenities for your girl. Heaven forbid you take some kids/children up there.
- bathroomBATHROOM 🚽 WAS BROKEN 😞
- customer bathroomthey don't have a bathroom for customers which is disappointing
- interiorthe interior felt aged and dirty
- musty smellThere was a musty smell inside the dining area
- seat cushionsall of the seat cushions on the chairs were busted
If youre seeking an authentic, old-school spot with a warm, family-run feel and a quiet atmosphere, youll likely love it. Just be prepared for an interior that shows its age and a potential lack of modern amenities like a customer bathroom.
Value (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to value, many customers find plenty to cheer about, with 14 positive remarks out of 45 total. Guests frequently praise the affordable prices and feel they get a great deal or excellent bang for their buck. Many highlight the generous portions, ensuring you definitely get your money's worth and enjoy great value for your meal.
However, the overall picture for value is a bit of a mixed bag, with an average 5.9 score and customer satisfaction sitting at a rather low 31.1%. A significant point of contention, mentioned in 13 negative comments, revolves around the cash only policy and frustrating discrepancies between online prices and in-store prices, leading some to feel items are way too expensive or that prices are almost three times more than anticipated.
Value
45
Reviews
31%
Satisfaction
13
negative
18
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Affordable prices
- Great value offered
What people don't like
- Cash only policy
- Price discrepancies
- Can be expensive
Often praised
- pricesI've been coming here for 20 years, and it's a welcome constant in a neighborhood that's seen many mediocre places come and go. It's reassuring to have a place where the quality is consistently good and the prices are reasonable. As a self-proclaimed sandwich snob, Yellow Sub ranks easily in my top 3, if not at the very top.
- pricefor a decent price ($15 for the large)
- affordable pricesaffordable prices make it a neighborhood favorite
- bang for your buckGreat bang for your buck too
- great dealis a great deal
- great valuea great value
- money's worthyou definitely get your money’s worth
- price per personprice per person was $10–20
- valueThe owners were friendly, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. The value was great, with very reasonable prices for the large portions. I highly recommend their sandwiches.
Frequently criticized
- cash onlyIt is cash only tho, only problem.
- pricesprices are almost three times more
- credit cardskeptical of places that don’t take credit card
- credit cardsThey don't accept credit cards
- in store priceonline prices dont reflect the in store price
- large sandwichin reality they were like 15 to 16 buks a piece
- online pricesonline prices dont reflect the in store price
- priceWay too expensive
If youre seeking generous portions at potentially reasonable prices, this place could offer good value, provided youre ready for a cash-only experience. However, be mindful that pricing can be inconsistent, so it's wise to clarify costs upfront to avoid disappointment.
How are the prices at The Yellow Submarine?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 98 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Sandwich Shop, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests (a whopping 80 out of 98!) spend right in that sweet spot, showing prices are pretty consistent around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 98 reviews.
Comparing this Sandwich Shop’s value for money against similar places in San Francisco.
For a Sandwich Shop in San Francisco, we think this pricing feels pretty fair. Its a solid mid-range option where you know what youre getting.
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Yellow Submarine
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Consistently Great Sandwiches for 20 Years
I've been coming here for 20 years, and it's a welcome constant in a neighborhood that's seen many mediocre places come and go. It's reassuring to have a place where the quality is consistently good and the prices are reasonable. As a self-proclaimed sandwich snob, Yellow Sub ranks easily in my top 3, if not at the very top.
I'd say it's the best sandwich in the west half of the city. My personal favorites are the corned beef and pepper steak. I highly recommend it.
Come hungry, as even the smallest sandwich is incredibly filling; I often take half home for later.
- quality10
- prices9
- sandwich10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Out of this world sandwich!
My experience at the restaurant was absolutely fantastic! I had the hot pastrami sandwich, and it was hands down the best sandwich on the entire planet. The combination of flavors and textures was so unique and delicious.
The service and atmosphere were also top-notch, both receiving a perfect 5/5 rating.
- hot pastrami sandwich10
- combination of flavors and textures10
- Service10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Best Steak Sub in the City!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had their steak and cheese with the house hot sauce, and it literally tasted like an In-N-Out burger. It was by far the best steak sub in the city.
The service was excellent (rated 5/5), and the atmosphere was also a perfect 5/5, being quiet and easy to talk. The food received a perfect score of 5/5. The price per person was between $10–20, and there was no wait time.
- steak and cheese10
- steak sub10
- house hot sauce9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Delicious Sandwiches, Kind Staff!
I had a great experience getting sandwiches here today. Everyone was so kind and personable! The sandwiches are so delicious.
I will definitely be back!
- sandwiches10
- kind and personable10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Sandwich Ever, Amazing Service!
I had one of the best sandwiches ever! The ingredients were fresh and packed with flavor. The owner was incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience enjoyable from start to finish.
I highly recommend this place for a delicious meal and great service.
- sandwiches10
- ingredients10
- owner10
What The Yellow Submarine offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- College students
Payments
- Cash-only
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Historic
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options can you expect at The Yellow Submarine?
At The Yellow Submarine, you’ll find a cozy, casual, and historic atmosphere. You can enjoy quick bites for both lunch and dinner, making it a great spot for any time of day.
Does The Yellow Submarine offer convenient service and accessibility options?
Yes, The Yellow Submarine provides onsite services, takeout, delivery, and dine-in. It also features wheelchair accessible entrance and seating, along with free street parking and a free parking lot.
How does The Yellow Submarine generally perform?
The Yellow Submarine holds an overall score of **8.3**, indicating a good dining experience. Its strengths are particularly noted in **Food** (8.6) and **Service** (8.5), with **Ambience** also scoring well (7.9). **Value** (5.9) is considered average.
Does The Yellow Submarine accept credit cards?
No, The Yellow Submarine operates on a **cash only** basis, which some customers have noted as an inconvenience. It’s advisable to bring cash for your visit.
What is the atmosphere like at The Yellow Submarine, and are there customer facilities?
The atmosphere is often described as having **Old San Francisco charm** and evoking **childhood memories**. However, some patrons have mentioned a **musty smell** and that there is **no customer bathroom**.