Roxie Food Center
Sandwich shop · Mission Terrace
1901 San Jose Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112
Highlights
Massive, hearty deli sandwiches on Dutch crunch bread.
Massive, hearty deli sandwiches on Dutch crunch bread.
"Right across the street from Balboa Park is Roxie Food Center, a tiny convenience store with near-constant lines of people seeking tuna melts. We always ask for ours on dutch crunch with a light toast—that way the bread gets even crispier without getting so toasted that it loses its chew or dries out the fish. For a non-canned fish option, the Simon Special with turkey and pastrami is great, too. Either way, pack a blanket to lay on the grass with your sandwich at Balboa or walk about a block down to find a bench." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong
"Whether you need to refuel after a pick-up game of touch football or console yourself with meat, cheese, and bread after getting swept by an eight-year-old tennis prodigy at the Balboa Park courts, find your way to Roxie Food Center. The tiny convenience store requires you to get over personal space requirements as the line always snakes its way through the two tightly packed aisles. They keep the menu simple with a handful of options—the best is the Simon Special that comes ballooned with turkey, pastrami, and cheddar cheese on dutch crunch. If building your own, try the mayo-heavy tuna or the tri-tip as your protein. Whatever you order is guaranteed to be hefty and messy—though we suggest asking for a light toast as the bread can end up dry. Be prepared to take your order on the road or make a picnic out of it at the park across the street. photo credit: Patrick Wong" - Patrick Wong
"This beloved corner store across from Balboa Park changed owners in 2020 but the sandwiches remain the same: massive and delicious. They’ve got all the basics covered whether you’re craving smoked or peppered turkey, barbecue beef, meatballs, or liverwurst. The pro-move, however, is to order the tri tip, which comes with melty cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, and horseradish." - Lauren Saria
"This beloved corner store across from Balboa Park changed owners in 2020 but the sandwiches remain the same: massive and delicious. They’ve got all the basics covered whether you’re craving smoked or peppered turkey, barbecue beef, meatballs, or liverwurst. The pro-move, however, is to order the tri tip, which comes with melty cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, and horseradish." - Lauren Saria, Eater Staff
"On the west side of Excelsior, within the residential blocks of Mission Terrace, a sandwich legend resides. Roxie is a corner store with an oversized reputation, known for its meaty sandwiches on Dutch crunch, as well as for fueling the local high school kids and catering community events. The shop sold to new owners in 2020 to the alarm of the neighborhood, but they say they’re carrying on the tradition." - Becky Duffett
