Lou's Cafe

Big yum. Delicious sandwiches. My mom and I both loved ours. I got veggie-licious, she got Roma's club. The $2.75 cookies are good too. Small place, but we snagged a seat. Big big subs at reasonable prices. (~$12.50) On-street parking only. Salads and breakfast sandwiches as well.

Very reasonable price and the sandwiches are tasty with big size! I love the breakfast sandwich. Get so much for the price!

The sandwiches were amazing 😋we got the B.P.A.V and CBR. The Dutch crunch roll on the bpav was very delicious! The meats and veggies were a perfect amount not too much of this or that. It was filling and fresh! We ordered the clam chowder and it did not disappoint creamy and delicious. Washed it down with the CBD strawberry lavender drink and Carmel macchiatto, I definitely recommend them! For our first time here we were very impressed!

Great sandwich but I felt the bread a bit sweet.

🥳🥳🥳🥳I had the pleasure of visiting Lou’s Cafe this morning, and I can genuinely say it was an experience worth sharing. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere that immediately made me feel at home. The decor is a perfect blend of cozy and chic, with a rustic touch that adds to the cafe’s charm. Soft lighting and comfortable seating create a relaxed vibe that makes it easy to settle in, whether you’re there for a quick bite or a leisurely morning. 😎😎😎😎 I decided to start with one of their famous lattes, and it did not disappoint. It was beautifully crafted, with a smooth, rich flavor that had the perfect balance of espresso and milk. The barista clearly takes pride in their work, as the latte art was on point, adding a little extra joy to each sip. The coffee itself was neither too bitter nor too acidic, hitting that ideal spot in between, which I always look for but rarely find. It was evident they use high-quality beans, and the attention to detail in the preparation was evident. 🤭🤭🤭🤭 Moving on to the food, I was thoroughly impressed by the selection. Lou’s Cafe offers a variety of options, from hearty breakfast dishes to lighter, more health-conscious choices, so there’s something for everyone. I opted for their avocado toast with a poached egg, which was a treat in itself. The toast was perfectly crispy, topped with a generous portion of fresh avocado, and seasoned just right to bring out the flavors. The poached egg was cooked to perfection, with a yolk that was beautifully runny and added richness to each bite.🤗🤗🤗🤗 One of the things I loved most about Lou’s Cafe is the emphasis on fresh ingredients. Every dish I saw coming out of the kitchen looked vibrant and appetizing, and it was clear that they prioritize quality. The staff was attentive and friendly, quick to check in and make sure everything was to my liking, which made the experience even better. In addition to the food and drinks, Lou’s Cafe has a great selection of pastries and baked goods that are hard to resist. I couldn’t help but take a chocolate croissant to go, and it was absolutely delightful. Flaky on the outside, soft and chocolatey on the inside – it was the perfect treat to round off an already wonderful visit. Overall, Lou’s Cafe is a gem, whether you’re a coffee lover or just looking for a nice place to enjoy breakfast or brunch. The quality of both the food and the coffee is top-notch, and the ambiance makes it a place I’ll definitely be returning to. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend stopping by to experience it for yourself – you won’t be disappointed!

yummy clam chowder and Ami-Cado sandwich !! The clam chowder was very thiccckk which I liked, very flavorful and full of clams! The sandwich had the right portion of meat/veggies to bread ratio, some place has their breads 3x the size of the toppings which I don’t like ~

We stumbled upon this gem and we’re very glad we did. I had the Roma and we also got a chicken pesto and a veggie. All three were delicious and generous portions. We took half home and they were almost as good the second time around. If you’re in the area and you like sandwiches, give this place a try.

TLDR: honestly sandwiches here are a bit underwhelming I got a pastrami sandwich from Lou’s and it came out quickly. The sandwich itself seemed very light on meat, compared to other sandwiches I’ve had in the past. The bread wasn’t very toasted so I didn’t get that delicious bite of fresh toasted bread. For almost $15, I expect a bit more meat and a tastier sandwich

They have a plethora of sandwiches to choose from and toppings can be customized to your liking. (Personally, I default to all toppings.) My personal go to is the Ami-Cado and the Tuna one with Dutch crunch bread toasted. Service is excellent.

I went with my boyfriend We're going to do an SF trip and stopped by because we heard so many good things about this place. My boyfriend said that this is the best sandwich he has ever had -- and I agree! The Risky Bizness is hands-down--chef's kiss--WORTH IT! It's Filipino owned and the staff is the friendliest ever! Very professional and welcoming! The place is surprisingly quite big with great seating options. Parking is street parking so try finding a spot before they are all taken. We now look forward to coming back to this shop every time we visit the city!

Revisited Edition: On a San Francisco Summer but it's Autumn Stroll in 2025 on Taraval street there are plenty of standout places to grab lunch. One place which always been consistent for sandwiches is Lou's Cafe on 25th avenue and Taraval street. Lou's Cafe Sandwiches has for years have one of my favorite tasting sandwiches in the Sunset Strip of San Francisco. Lou's Cafe menu for sandwiches has lots to choices. One of my favorite sandwiches to grab is the Risky Bizness sandwich which has hot pastrami brisket, crab salad, bacon, avocado, pepper jack cheese, and Lou's special sauce. Each bite was savory and tasty and the Lou's sauce had a kick to it with Lou's special sauce. The sandwich wasn't too cheesy and there was plenty of meat and the bread was so fresh .I also got the Turkey Cranberry Sandwich Turkey, Swiss cheese, cranberry and Lou's special sauce. Every bite tasted like Thanksgiving fresh leftovers with savory turkey and not too sweet cranberry and it was delicious. On a cold day you can always have soup of the day or an espresso. After 7 years of my last Yelp review it's still one of the best places to grab a sandwich in San Francisco. Take a San Francisco Sunset to Lou's "Cafe " where the salads and sandwiches are " gourmet" you can see the different types of sandwiches on the wall chalk menu " display" where you can get can get a Turkey Cranberry sandwich and it doesn't have to be Thanksgiving"Day" For Halloween inside you will see a pumpkin"head" they have Dutch crunch and sourdough so choose your own "bread " they also have pesto aioli and the ranch "spread" one of the best sandwiches in San Francisco the city I was born and "bred".

Very delicious an plentiful. So far Ive gone a couple of times and the sandwiches have been well made. Lou's has a couple of locations and there's always a line. Pre order if you can. I know there's one in sunset and the other in Richmond. I've had both and they're delicious at either location. I personally like the hot spicy chicken, pesto, and semi thanksgiving turkey sandwich. You do you and let me know how yours tasted. Enjoy!

Would absolutely recommend Lou's cafe! I make it a point whenever I'm passing through the area to pickup our favorite sandwiches on a soft roll: kicked rb, turkey cranberry, and a crab melt. My go to drink is Vibes. It's the only place I know that sells them. Definitely worth a visit.

Came here for a breakfast sandwich but was blown away by how many regular sandwiches were on their menu. Even the breakfast sandwich selection had a few more options than I was expecting. My boyfriend and I ended up getting the Corned Beef Hash Sammie and Original Breakfast Sandwich with both bacon and ham to share. The sandwiches came out piping hot and were a pretty good size. I'm a pretty big eater and was struggling to finish my two halves. We liked both sandwiches, but the original was our decisive favorite. Although I don't usually like ham that much, the ham was perfect on this sandwich. It's slight sweetness with the savory aioli/sauce was the perfect flavor combo. The eggs were a nice texture too, not dry, but not runny or watery at all.

One of my favorite sandwich spot! I'm close to one of their spots and my bf is close to this one. * Original Breakfast Sandwich - Choice of Bacon, Ham or both, with Egg, American Cheese, Hash Browns, Lou's Special Sauce, on a Ciabatta for $8.99 I have been getting this for years and it's so good! Personal preference I like it with the Dutch crunch bread but sometimes forget to change the bread selection. I usually order this for pickup since it's walking distance.

Came to pick up lunch on a weekday. I ordered online which was good because there was a short line when I got there. You can go straight to the counter for pickup orders. Got my favorite sandwich the Risky Business and a Chinese Chicken salad. The Risky Business was amazing as always! The pastrami and crab salad sounds like a weird combo but it's so good together. It also has bacon, avocado, pepper jack cheese and pepperonis. The Dutch crunch was fresh and had a crispy top. The Chinese chicken salad was okay, nothing special but it was a huge portion which was nice. I enjoyed the dressing it came with.

BEST SANDWICHES EVER!! i recommend lou's to anyone & everyone i could eat this everyday for the rest of my life!! & this is by far the best location!! the workers here are always the sweetest it's the same people everytime & i love it here there's a few seats by the window, a few tables out front & three booth tables, but people tend to come pick up togo the jalepeno spread and their sauce is just so special & tasty i always get extra on the side i come from socal & whenever i go home i leave with at least 10 sandwiches for my family (at least 3 is for myself) i LOVE their buffalo chicken sandwich

yummy clam chowder and Ami-Cado sandwich !! The clam chowder was very thiccckk which I liked, very flavorful and full of clams! The sandwich had the right portion of meat/veggies to bread ratio, some place has their breads 3x the size of the toppings which I don't like ~

Every time I am craving for a sandwich, Lou's Cafe is always the first one to come to mind! I always get the Hot Pastrami. The sandwiches are consistently good and always hits the spot! I usually call my order in because they're usually busy and I don't want to wait 20 minutes for a sandwich.

Bussss. My go to is either the hot pastrami or the Ami cado on a Dutch crunch! Their sauce is what pulls everything together to make for a tasty sandwich

Fresh, big sandwiches, chips, drinks and a simple salad? Yup- that's all here at Lou's. This is a good spot to order and pick up lunch. Sitting inside is ok but feeding us is really their focus (had to ask for napkins, counter not wiped). Their sandwich-making game down! I recommend ordering one of the named sandwiches since you can modify it to your liking. I called to order the second time and the guy taking my order asked to review one sandwich to be sure I really wanted everything it came with, listing each item (appreciated that since he was right that I didn't).

I've been wanting to try this popular sandwich store for quite a while after reading about their original location on Geary Blvd. It's ironic that this one is near my high school and a neighborhood favorite sandwich shop in those days (Herb's Deli - RIP). I've driven by a number of times and stopped once after running errands but there was a line and it was a work day. After hearing that they opened another location closer to home, I waited until now, making a point on a Sunday morning, to finally try them. I studied the menu the previous day and couldn't decide whether to get a hot or cold sandwich. My decision? Both... Arriving here a little before their open time, I found a parking space on the opposite east corner on 25th Avenue. Since it was Sunday, the meter didn't require me to pay. Though I was worried as the space was plush to the pedestrian crosswalk. Walking in, there was a seated lady waiting for her order and two guys at the counter placing their order as I scanned the store. There were sidewalk tables, but being a typical Sunset District overcast morning, it was more comfortable inside. As mentioned, I ordered two sandwiches, the Italian special (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=pvAos9z_BQjgrHm7QRWYXQ), ham, salami, mortadella, provolone cheese, Lou's special sauce, Dijon mustard on a soft & sweet roll with everything (lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, and jalapeno spread) and the RB mushroom (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=XszBTLhaRoK28dZ1zbSagg), roast beef, bacon, mushrooms, cheddar cheese, Lou's special sauce on a Dutch crunch roll. Seeing the soup special sign, I wasn't enamored with tomato basil soup today; I later saw another sign further back stating that New England clam chowder is available daily so I ordered a cup which came with a slice of garlic cheese bread (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=yV6WxNjqVHvamvwCibUc3Q). I brought everything home and started with the soup. It was still warm and on the thicker side but filed with mostly potatoes and chopped clams. I then ate the smaller half of each sandwich starting with the Italian. The roll was soft as described and the combination of the ingredients made this enjoyable with a slight kick from the jalapeno spread. Unlike the popular Italian or craft delis that I frequent near my workplace,the sandwiches are about the combination of ingredients, the garnishes, and the bread. Where some are about piling the meats and making their own bread and meats, these are more standard with a balance of meats, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions. The lady at the counter was very friendly and cheerful in greeting and helping customers as I watched a team of three people who put the sandwiches together. Most customers, like me, took their food to go except a father and son who dined a few tables behind where I waited for my order.There is a good selection of refrigerated drinks and potato chip bags as well as a freezer with ice cream bars. I will return and try other sandwiches on their menu.

Where have I been all my life? In a shell clearly! I literally live around the corner and have never been to this sandwich shop. Was craving one today and thought I'd come by. Ordered 2 Sandwiches. The one I had for lunch was risky business. I am throughly impressed and I am very picky. Sandwiches were fast and made to order. I actually tried calling in numerous times before coming in, but assumed they were busy with the lunch rush. Def a fan and will be back !

Always enjoy a Lou's sandwich. Got the LLB special and a bbq chicken sandwich. Both were really yummy. Lou's sauce, check. Meats, check. Dutch crunch bread, check.

Delicious and reasonably priced sandwiches in SF! We picked up some sandwiches on the way into Golden Gate park. Super crowded already around 11am on a Saturday. They use real hot horseradish in the roast beef sandwich. We also go the ami-cado (which was a bit stingy on the avocado) and a cup of clam chowder. They can use some streamlining in their process since my order was held up because they needed to toast a small piece of bread to go with the clam chowder. Overall delicious sandwiches; ask for the bread centers to be cored out since the ratio of carbs to meat is better with less bread. Will return!

My go-to sandwich spot! Love coming here - I always order the ami-cado, it never disappoints! Highly recommend if you're looking for a good sandwich!

Always a pleasure to visit, large verity of sandwich options , generous portions. Fast & friendly service

Our go to place for the hot pastrami. We compare every other sandwich we have elsewhere to Lou's and it's always Lou's for the win! Even though their sandwiches are reasonably priced, I am sad that they no longer offer the loyalty points that I always look forward to racking up. I always call in my order ahead of time and there is never a wait when I pickup. It's fast and friendly. The place looks clean.

The food is amazing! The sandwiches are the perfect size and are delicious. Everyone who works here is incredibly sweet and the food came out incredibly fast. I would recommend trying the chicken pesto sandwich, make sure to add their special sauce! It's so yummy. The only thing I'd say is the seats were very worn down but the food is great and I definitely still recommend trying this place if you ever get the chance

Lou's always delivers delicious subs consistently. Shop is simple. Parking is usually easy except it's annoying now with the taravel street reconstruction. Sandwich is good and sometimes i wish it's a little bit hotter (temperature wise). I also tried their clam chowder recently. Good texture, right level of creaminess and quite a bit of clams. Hope they will continue to refine and add a tad more buttery and salty. Service is fast. Ambiance is a basic, clean sandwich shop. So happy they are here as a local neighborhood staple.

If you need a breakfast sammie to knock your socks off, Lou's is the spot. The service is quick, the coffee is hot, and the food is beyond fresh. That ciabatta bread is to die for.

This was an amazing sandwich!! The Dutch crunch bread I think is one of the softests, melties lt dutch crunches I've ever had. Highly recommend coming to Lou's if you're craving a sandwich. They have a ton of options for everyone, including vegetarians! I got the veggielicious and subbed the bread for Dutch crunch. You order at the front, and they're super nice and fast! I didn't go when it was super busy but I can imagine it may take longer during those peak hours. Inside is very chill, nothing too fancy, but just enough to enjoy a sandwich inom or just take it to go!

Whatever you do get your sandwich in Dutch crunch! My go to is the veggielicious, it has roasted peppers, eggplant avocado plus the usual fixings of lettuce red onions pickles and house jalapeño sauce. The bread is toasted to perfection and that delicious Dutch crunch crust wraps around the top of loaf and even over to the underside. Talk about serious coverage of theta yummy crust. Lou's is the perfect place for a quick lunch or a togo meal to picnic with. There is indoor and outdoor seating if you feeling like dining in!

Super tasty and filling sandwich! I got the Veggie and the ingredients were fresh and balanced well. Staff was friendly and would certainly visit for more sandwiches. Was only a few minutes to close and they accommodated my order and it was made within minutes. They asked to make sure the jalapeños that come with the sandwich were ok for me before preparing it!

YES YES YES. PLEASE, if you are going here, you HAVE to get the LLB Signature sandwich! My fellow dutch crunch lovers, it's so affordable and so yummy, too! The mixed deli meat with their signature sauce, wrapped in a warm, toasty dutch crunch (that isn't too thick, which is AMAZING), is something I'm going to be craving forever. SERVICE: The sweetest staff. They're fast and efficient, and my order (around 11AM) took at max 10 minutes, including the time it took to order. They also have a points system, so you can collect stamps over time to get a reward. SEATING: Lots of seating inside! Long wooden bench with chairs and lots of tables. I think there was also about one or two tables with chairs outside, which is perfect if the Outer Sunset weather doesn't get too foggy / cold. It was empty when I went there in the early afternoon, so if you're looking for a midday date, I think this is a tasty place to visit! You can't go wrong with all the choices and plenty of seating (so no stress)!

Best best best sandwiches and food! So fresh, cheap and clean! Omg we love Lou's Cafe...they are soooo nice too, exceptional service! The veggie sando is bomb and all the others honestly

Simply a great sandwich, would recommend! Ordered the Risky Bizness sandwich to pick up; staff was nice over the phone and food was ready in 10-15 mins. The sandwich is pretty large and filled with lots of ingredients, a great and filling meal in SF for less than $15. The sandwich itself has hot pastrami brisket, crab salad, bacon, avocado, pepper jack cheese, pepperoncini's, Lou's special sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onions, pickles, and jalapeno spread, all on dutch crunch (a ton of stuff!). The dutch crunch bread is amazing and feels fresh. Lou's special sauce is super tasty and you can get extra of this sauce and the jalapeno spread on the side.

Sandwiches Big ass sandwiches Lots of stuff inside and toasted outside Always busy Doing it right Mark ! Support local small businesses in D 4

Super yummy sandwiches!! They have classic options or you can design your own. I designed my own as I'm somewhat picky when it comes to sandwiches, and it was great. Bonus because they have sprouts!!! We called ordered online for pickup and it was seamless. I'll definitely be back and trying something new as well - very good, would recommend

Yo, how come I didn't try this spot sooner?! Man, I missed out for years! Hahaha Anyways, I was tryna decide on if I wanted Lou's or this other sandwich joint literally right on the next block. In my head I pictured Lou's to just be an old school classic sub joint with no frills, but I was super wrong! They had the secret spreads and signature sandwiches on deck. I got the Space Balls (meatball) with everything in it and added extra jalapeno spread along with the Lou's spread that already came with it. I also did the same with the Risky Business sammy that consisted of pastrami, brisket, bacon, crab salad, and the works. The meatball was good. Hard to mess up a meatball tho, right? The other one I thought was ok, but the mix didn't wow me. I also felt it was an enquiring taste. It took a few bites before I was like this is actually not bad. Def check them out if you are in the mood for a phat chunky sammy!

Our go to place for delicious sandwiches, especially their Hot Pastrami on Dutch Crunch Roll! Friendly service, and they have indoor dining area. Ambiance is relaxed and inviting.

Literally my favorite sandwich spot in the city! I've been coming here since I was in high school and the quality and price has remained consistent. I usually go to the Richmond location, but am glad they opened one in the Sunset too! They do have indoor seating, but there's limited street parking. We came on a Sunday 5 minutes before closing and were worried they would turn us away, but they didn't. I usually order the LLB special with everything (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, jalapeño spread). The Dutch crunch bread, the fillings (roast beef, turkey, ham), and the special Lou's sauce is delicious. The service is quick and the sandwiches are ready within 5-10 minutes. I always stop by here to grab a sandwich before work if I'm in a rush. They offer a number of crafted sandwiches for whatever you might be craving that day. Be sure to join their loyalty program as the more you visit, it adds towards a free sandwich after x amounts of visits (I believe 10 or 12 gets you a free sandwich).

I'm not gonna lie, but the default menu of sandwiches are just on par. It helps to have a hot bowl of clam chowder available (to pair with your sandwich), even though there was no distinct taste from an ordinary bowl. However, Lou's is my go-to Sammy shop for an impressive cut of beef! Their beef does not appear or taste processed like from your typical packed deli meat. It tasted as if I was eat straight from a real beef roast! Not many sandwich shops that I've gone to assemble hearty cuts of flavorful, medium-rare roast beef (if there is one, please let me know). Lou's, Kick'n R.B, is most definitely the truth! (This Sammy was just in par tho). On a side note, I went inside and ordered about a month ago, and I totally forgot that my last visit was about 3 years back. I had the Risk Business (Pastrami and Crab Salad). It wasn't memorable, but I'd still recommend that beef!!!

Great spot in the Sunset for a sandwich. I ordered one Risky Bizness sandwich and requested no bacon, as well as 1 make it yourself sandwich. It was delicious and with avocado, crab salad, roast beef, spreads, and everything included I was scared the sandwich would spill a few bites in. Surprisingly the sandwich was intact!! And tasted great. The aioli is tasty. The way they build their sandwiches makes eating it less messy and more enjoyable. We also got 2 bowls of clam chowder. Each serving of soup including 2 slices of toasted cheese bread. Perfect for dipping. The taste of the soup can rival Boudin if I'm honest. Not sure if it is made in-house, but it is definitely not the canned stuff. Seating is roomy. Great selection of drinks and chips go with your food. Next time I'll try their salads and see if their coffee is good too. Thumbs up from me.

Solid place for lunch. Loved the sandwich, and maybe one of the best Dutch crunch's I've ever had. Definitely check it out!

Casual neighborhood spot with some indoor and outdoor seating serving up some delicious sandwiches. For $13, I got this loaded vegetarian sandwich that I customized by switching out the bread, cheese, and adding mushroom -- all for free. This was one of two vegetarian sandwiches available. You can also make your own sandwich, but why not try their selection of sandwiches? I will be coming here again and again. Tip: Get extra special Lou's sauce!

Service was quick and simple! Sandwich came out within like 5-10min! I really enjoyed the Ami cado but I wish the Dutch crunch bread was toastier. The ingredients were great but I'm a bit picky on the bread.

Great sandwich waited almost 15 minutes several orders in front of us . 3 person sandwich makers and a cashier it was not bad and efficient

One of the best sandwich spots in San Francisco! The ingredients are fresh and the sandwiches are packed with meats and veggies. My favorite was the risky bizness, but I'll definitely be trying more. Perfect for a quick, inexpensive lunch or dinner!

Delicious sandwiches but worth the price. Service is friendly and selection is great. Seating is available but I usually just grab and go. Risky Bizness and Chicken Pesto are our go to orders.

First time trying Lou's! I wasn't feeling a sandwich today so I went with a salad ! And omgoodness the lettuce is so crispy and the chicken is juicy! The dressing is great. Perfect portion for lunch and maybe left with extra for later ;) Service was speedy which is a plus! Will come back to dry their sandwiches another time :)

Lou's Cafe! Where ya been all my sammich lovin' days?! Impressive sammiches! Very impressive Risky Bizness samm on a soft white roll...whoa! Brisket and crab salad sammich with jalapeño spread with diced pepperoncinis. The sammie is toasty goodness with a kick. The have a variety of special sammiches and the option you can create your own flava fav! Clam chowder is really solid, creamy. Nice clam chunks. The breakfast sammies have a hashbrown in them all brekky goodness toasted on a ciabatta bread. A little side note, if you make a special request to your sammie and your order has other sammies, they will write the distinction on the sammie outer wrapper. This sammie thoughtfulness is hard to come by nowadays. Really appreciated thst consideration since my orders typically include other peeps sammies. Give Lou's a try! They have a few locations popping up around the Bay Area with brand spanking new locale in San Carlos!

This is the second time that I've ordered from this deli & everything was just perfect. If you are in the neighborhood, I suggest going here for your lunch.

Amazing sandwiches! One of the best in San Francisco and they have several places around the Bay Area.

I've been to the Lou's on Geary a handful of times since that location is close to my work. . . This location is 10x nicer. From ordering to having our sandwiches ready minutes later this Lou's is chef's kiss. A custom turkey sandwich, Risky Business a speciality sandwich (with pastrami, crab, bacon, Avo), chicken noodle soup, and clam chowder (soups come with delicious cheesy bread) to go for under $30. You can't beat it! The soft and fresh Dutch crunch bread and Lou's special spicy sauce keeps me coming back for more.

Pretty good! Huge menu with lots of cool variations. I tried the Spaceballs sandwich, and it was a solid meatball sandwich. My partner tried the Hot Pastrami, and it was just as yummy. The establishment itself is clean and well-kept. I prefer this location to the one on Geary - I always run into issues with that one.

The world is slowly getting closer to normal again? Well, I guess that means I need to get back to Yelping regularly again! Which...hasn't really been the case for quite some time now, unfortunately. Sigh...good luck, Mike. Here's to hoping that writing about one of my all-time favorites will get the juices flowing! Now, if I had to sum up my feelings about Lou's Cafe in a single sentence, it would simply be this - this place is AWESOME. The longer version? This place is really f*cking AWESOME. Having been a fan of their original location over on Geary for who knows how long, to say that I was excited back when news first broke that they were expanding into the Sunset would be quite an understatement. In part because it was a sign that they're doing well, but also because, for whatever reason, there's a distinct lack of amazing sandwich shops on this side of the city! While I generally pass by their original spot on Geary more often than this one, I have to say that I find myself coming to this Lou's far more often. Even though parking around here is slightly harder than it used to be (the city took out all but one of the spaces on the block), this one doesn't feel nearly as cramped and the lines here are never as long (I've never seen it more than 2-3 people deep). Most importantly though, the menu here is filled with all of the same delicious sandwiches! And boy are there a lot to choose from - roughly 25 or so, along with a small collection of breakfast sandwiches and a variety of soups and salads. **NOTE: all of the "gourmet sandwiches" include Lettuce, Tomatoes, Red Onions, Pickles, and Jalapeno Spread. -- AMI-CADO - Pastrami, Salami, Avocado, Pepper Jack Cheese, and Lou's Special Sauce on a Soft & Sweet Roll...$9.40 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lous-cafe-san-francisco-2?select=ApjlscaVe7BXTfc2VRD_4g) My absolute go-to at Lou's. No lie - this thing is nearly perfect (just needs a bit more meat, though that applies to every sandwich I've ever had). The pastrami and salami are so delicious and it all blends so well with the avocado and the slight kick from their Lou's special sauce. Yum! -- RISKY BIZNESS - Hot Pastrami Brisket, Crab Salad, Bacon, Avocado, Pepper Jack Cheese, Pepperoncini, and Lou's Special Sauce on a Dutch Crunch Roll...$10.10 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lous-cafe-san-francisco-2?select=Nutt22K2n5w4cLroEt1upA) While it's not quite as good as the Ami-Cado, this is a very close second (and super unique). The pepperoncini is a little overpowering (covers up the taste of the crab salad), but I like how well everything else complements each other, especially the pastrami, bacon, avocado, and cheese. -- ITALIAN SPECIAL - Ham, Salami, Mortadella, Provolone Cheese, Lou's Special Sauce, and Dijon Mustard on a Soft & Sweet Roll...$9.45 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lous-cafe-san-francisco-2?select=vwoWC-olG1IHbf80sc96Jg) Not super different from other Italian sandwiches, but this was still really solid. Between all of the meats, the cheese, and the special sauce (the key to boosting this up), this is packed with both goodies and flavors. The roll was a little dry the last time I had this, but it was probably just a one-off/blip. Regardless of whichever sandwich you get (or whichever location you go to), don't assume that, given the price and how delicious they are, these babies are dinky in size or that they skimp on the good stuff. Rather, these bad boys are pretty chonky and give quite a lot of bang for your buck. More often than not, whenever I come to Lou's to pick up a sandwich for lunch, I'm usually too full for anything but a light dinner, if even that. Great food, good sized portions, budget friendly prices, nary a line, and friendly owners and staff...put all of that together and you've easily got one of the best, if not the best, sandwich shops on this side of the city!