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    Lou's Cafe

    4.4 (235 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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    Reviews With Photos

    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!

    RB Mushroom sandwich and Enchilada soup of the day.
    Rachel W.

    1st time visit to Lou's Cafe. Picked it for a quick lunch of a sandwich and soup. Picked the RB Mushroom and the Soup of the Day was Enchilada. The soup was excellent and came with two slices of a cheese bread which was also very good. Total came to about $24 before tipping, which feels fair for SF prices. The location is nice too as it has light foot traffic and good indoor seating. The service was great and the team members who helped me out were very kind and helpful with my questions. Their turnaround time in getting orders out is quick and easy!

    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

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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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    Irving Subs

    Irving Subs

    4.3
    (567 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    This is probably the only place where the sandwiches don't taste like the store's essence…read more I mean, don't get me wrong, a store's essence from any given deli/liquor store definitely adds unique character to the sandwich and sometimes I want that in a sandwich. But when you want a sandwich that only tastes like its ingredients, Irving Subs is the spot. Their Dutch crunch is famous for being fresh and actually crunchy. Their lettuce is shredded but fresh and crispy. The salt content is just enough to bring out the flavors. And the overall composition of their sandwiches are very well proportioned. You're not getting skimped, but you're also not biting into a mouthful of a packet of deli meat. They definitely know what they are doing. Service is good and ambiance is a small humble shop on the corner of 12th Ave.

    Ordered the Nearly Reuben on sliced sourdough, toasted, with house garlicky mayo and brown mustard…read moreon DoorDash. Double pastrami, horseradish, havarti, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, and pepperoncini. A lot going on, and it all came together. The horseradish and havarti gave it enough personality to stand apart from a standard pastrami sandwich, and the garlicky mayo tied everything together. The one casualty of DoorDash was sogginess by the time it arrived. That's not a knock on the sandwich, it's just the reality of ordering something like this for delivery. At $14.50 it's a hearty sandwich at a fair price. I'd recommend it, but eat in.

    Photos
    The   Turkey Bacon  Avocado  Lettuce Tomato    Pure awesome
    The Turkey Bacon Avocado Lettuce Tomato Pure awesome
    Turkey, avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato on Gluten free bread. Yummy.
    Turkey, avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato on Gluten free bread. Yummy.
    Giant's Sub (left) 
 Fratellino (right)
 with Potato Salad
 Yum :)

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    Giant's Sub (left) Fratellino (right) with Potato Salad Yum :)
    Dolores Deluxe

    Dolores Deluxe

    4.7
    (89 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Ordered takeout sandwiches on Pride weekend with friends, and immediately they got points for a…read morequick make and pickup of 6+ sandwiches! Most of us got the "Call Me Serge" which included roasted turkey, bacon, cheddar + Gouda, arugula, and a Calabrian chili orange jam, rosemary ranch, and creamy avocado-lime vinaigrette spread. It was warm and delicious! I think I would've left the arugula off next time as it tasted strong with the jam (but that's me with a sensitivity to arugula). I will definitely return to try something different to bring to my next Dolores picnic!

    Dolores Deluxe evolved from a boutique bottle shop into a celebrated deli featuring a highly…read moreacclaimed, eclectic sandwich program. A very hip setting, well stocked with good beer and expertly curated grocery items. Charming and kind employees with wonderful ambience. Limited outdoor seating available . Scores BIG in all areas. Suitable for the Culinary Cognoscente. WOW! Now dats da real deal..... A better SAMWICH is not known to mankind! Insane in the membrane. Insane. My daughter suggested we drive over the bridge from Marin for lunch. She's been raving about it for months. I was a neophyte. Here's what we devoured: VEGAN SANDO #45 caramelized yellow gypsy peppers + fennel, melted sungold tomatoes, saffron rouille + caper salsa verde on acme green onion slab (TOASTED) $16 ------- LADY GIANA caramelized eggplant, basil, mozzarella, fontina charred tomato arrabbiata + garlic potato chips on acme focaccia garlic bread (SERVED HOT) $16.50 ---------- FYI: I selected in my brain my next visit order: GOBHI BRYANT $16.50 generously spiced cauliflower * potato, oaxacan cheese. tomato-tamarind chutney, minted snow peo yogurt raila. fried cashews + curry leaves on ome green onion slab (SERVED HOT) ----------------------------- Certainly the best sandwich I've ever had in my life, and I've been around a few decades. And for dessert, a shared chocolate chip cookie, which was simply divine. Dolores Deluxe location/hours: 3500 22nd St San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 875-9136 Hours Every day 7:30am-7pm

    Photos
    Market
    Market
    Deluxe breakfast sando
    Deluxe breakfast sando
    Ode to Barber (rotisserie chicken breast, homemade toum, lebanese pickles, crispy potatoes, parsley + sumac on acme green onion slab)

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    Ode to Barber (rotisserie chicken breast, homemade toum, lebanese pickles, crispy potatoes, parsley + sumac on acme green onion slab)

    Lou's Cafe - salad - Updated July 2026

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