Ed U.
Yelp
Remember that awful Ramen Yokocho festival in J-Town last summer? It was so absurdly crowded that it inspired someone to take Hitler's big meltdown scene in "Downfall" and hilariously translate it into Mein Führer's frustration in not being able to get a bowlful of ramen (video: http://bit.ly/1EOB8B8). Well, Jamie W. and I could relate to Adolf's obsession, we took one look at the madness on Post Street and turned around to walk up Webster. Along the way, we saw equally frustrated ramen-slurpers fill up the nearby eateries. It wasn't until we turned a corner on Hayes that we got a sense of escape from the anarchy and found, of all places, Hayes Market. We never find ourselves on this stretch of Hayes, so we planned to step in just to wet our whistles.
We took a look at their deli menu and the refrigerated salads and concluded we found our lunch spot (photo: http://bit.ly/1KB4Lo2). Sure, there was no tonkotsu broth to be found, but what the hey, they had an empty table out on the sidewalk and we were just plain hungry. Although the owner was on his cell and never took a break from his conversation, he multi-tasked and took our orders as his wife makes the sandwiches next to the front window. Their specialty sandwiches struck us as bargain-priced at $7.95 given how hefty they are. Jamie went for Nick's Sandwich. Apparently when he gets off his mobile device, he eats a combination of hot pastrami, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on Dutch crunch (photo: http://bit.ly/1vxPhQq).
I decided on the BLT&A which adds fresh avocado to the traditional trio (photo: http://bit.ly/1xJL5aC). Both our sandwiches had a lot of tightly packed filling - lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, onions, pepperoncini, and a major slathering of mayo and mustard. Jamie proclaimed the sandwich as better than the ones made at Roxie Food Center, but I attribute his laudatory comment to Post-Ramen-Absence Syndrome. I've suffered from that malady many times myself. However, It was a tasty, hearty sandwich that definitely exceeded our expectations at a time when our expectations couldn't have been any lower. We came back a few weeks later, but sadly the deli part of Nick's business was not open. I'd call him to make sure if I were you. Otherwise you may suffer from Post-Nick's-Absence Syndrome, and who needs another disease to deal with?
FOOD - 4 stars...such a good, hearty sandwich that satisfies the soul, who needs ramen, Mein Führer?
AMBIANCE - 3 stars...just a market with a couple of tables out front, nothing to get dressed up for
SERVICE - 3 stars...Nick's wife deserves a medal...Nick?...NICK?
TOTAL - 4 stars...if you'e looking for a well-executed sandwich in Hayes Valley, walk up the hill and come here