Issuing a challenge to all familiar with SF dining (San Francisco: living, restaurant)

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by skyway31

Not so fast my friend. I did stipulate a somewhat unique set of conditions. Not that far-fetched IMO. But many people like yourself may absolutely love a lot of the places here that aren't what I'm looking for.

Sorry but the only spot I know of that fits all your stipulations will require to get on a plane, fly to DC, head downtown and go to Taylor Gourmet. The rolls for your authentic hoagie are trucked down daily from South Philly and they have free refills on drinks. It is a sit-down. Perhaps I'll suggest they open one in San Francisco.

[mayorhaggar]

I go to Diller's in downtown San Francisco, they make pretty good sandwiches with good French bread which is a must for me, and they have seating and fountain drinks. I dunno if they do refills but hey if you want to fill up on empty calories and burp a lot then whatever. Iced tea isn't really a big thing in California (too cold in summer in SF anyway) like it is in the South so I don't think you'll find it many places, in any case most iced tea at greasy spoon restaurants in the South kinda sucks anyway.

[NorCal77]

Panera has so so sandwiches...do try their mac n' cheese and tomato soup.

I'd say Pluto's has some of the best sandies and make up for the lack of iced tea. Next would be Squat n' Gobble,The Grove,Deli Board...if your letting iced tea get in the way of a good sandwich you should pack your own!

[jman650]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Subway and Panera are the best you've got? Now I know something else the East Coast has over you foodwise.

Its okay, I'll take the countless excellent taquerias and Chinese restaurants we have out here that take a fat dump all over the selections you guys have in DC and Philly. Of course those are just some of many things the West Coast has over you foodwise.

And who said Subway and Panera are the best we've got?? Slow your roll there, patna!

Bomb a$$ sandwiches? Little Lucca (SSF), Mr. Pickles, Roxies, Specialties (used to be way better but still decent), Submarine Center, Ike's, Molinari's.

With seating? Millers, Yellow Submarine, Vikings, Wichcraft, Max's.

With fresh brewed iced tea and free refills? I couldn't tell you since I'm not in the habit of getting iced tea with my sandwiches, and most of the time I get my stuff when I'm on the go. But if I had to guess I'd say Wichcraft and Boudins.

This is a combination that I have never heard requested before, and I'm sure that is/will be the case also with many SF posters here. But just b/c a couple people responded on a non-food related forum with a couple of chains as suggestions does not automatically mean that SF can't deliver. And if it turns out the City can't deliver (which I HIGHLY doubt), then there's still a whole huge Bay Area, larger than the 47 square miles that constitute SF's city limits, that definitely can. Maybe give it a little time before stroking it to the wonders of the East Coast and counting us out condescendingly.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by jman650

Its okay, I'll take the countless excellent taquerias and Chinese restaurants we have out here that take a fat dump all over the selections you guys have in DC and Philly. Of course those are just some of many things the West Coast has over you foodwise.

Actually you get no argument. We're pretty good on Asian, particularly SE Asian, but you can't get decent Mexican food around DC to save your life. First thing I did when I got off the plane last summer in Oakland was head to one of your late night taquerias. The Bay Area has the best burritos anywhere and Chinese is definitely better there. Remember, I said this was one thing we had over you foodwise. There's not much else.

[bellalunatic]

Originally Posted by skyway31

I've got a challenge for those of you that know the food scene here. I'm afraid nobody can pass. Here's what I'm looking for:
1) a place that serves good sandwiches.
I'm sure many of you think you've got answers. But, I'm not done yet.
2) a place in the restaurant to sit down to eat. Those delis in grocery store/7-eleven type places with no seating are out.
I'm guessing this kills 95% of your suggestions.
3) fresh brewed iced tea. Not farking cans of snapple or fountain crap.
Anybody still playing?
4) a place where the customer is allowed to get their own refills at their whim and without extra charge? Not into having to beg a waitress for refills.
5) a place not named Subway. Actually, Subway is perfectly fine. I just hope that Subway is not my only option in the entire city of SF!
Thanks to all who played and I'll be shocked of anybody wins!

Well, the first person who answered the fact that no small business owner is going to allow you free refills and such, they are right on.


However, I am still playing, and without that parameter, we're talking hands down, you must be talking about Yellow Submarine corner of 6th and Irving on Irving.

Ask for the chicken sandwich (with onions) ancient family recipe, and no she will not tell you what all the spices are but it is awesome.

My husband and I are both former East Coasters ranging from grinder/hoagie/sub territory of Boston/Philly/NYC and we love this place.

[xGrendelx]

Originally Posted by skyway31

I've got a challenge for those of you that know the food scene here. I'm afraid nobody can pass. Here's what I'm looking for:
1) a place that serves good sandwiches.
I'm sure many of you think you've got answers. But, I'm not done yet.
2) a place in the restaurant to sit down to eat. Those delis in grocery store/7-eleven type places with no seating are out.
I'm guessing this kills 95% of your suggestions.
3) fresh brewed iced tea. Not farking cans of snapple or fountain crap.
Anybody still playing?
4) a place where the customer is allowed to get their own refills at their whim and without extra charge? Not into having to beg a waitress for refills.
5) a place not named Subway. Actually, Subway is perfectly fine. I just hope that Subway is not my only option in the entire city of SF!
Thanks to all who played and I'll be shocked of anybody wins!

Why so specific? You miss out on a lot of good sandwiches if you're only willing to eat in a place that meets all of your criteria. However, if you're ever willing to bend a little, give Miller's a try (on Polk, between Clay and Washington). Bite is pretty good, too (on Sutter, near the corner of Leavenworth). Those two have become my go-to places for sandwiches, and both fit for numbers 1, 2, and 5, possibly 3, but not 4. Sorry.

[CAVA1990]

You know some of those places probably sell drinks by the pitcher if you're that thirsty. Personally I can barely finish half of a small and usually end up throwing the other half out. What's with this modern day American obsession with gigantic sugared drinks anyway? Drink water, it's better for you than the crap you get out of the drink dispenser (and cheaper too).

[andyadhi01]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

but you can't get decent Mexican food around DC to save your life.

Mexican food in DC area is way better than the junky and very americanized taquerias in SF. In any case, TX has the best Mexican food anywhere in US...Way better than the rest 49 states combined!

[andyadhi01]

Originally Posted by jman650

Bomb a$$ sandwiches? Little Lucca (SSF), Mr. Pickles, Roxies, Specialties (used to be way better but still decent), Submarine Center, Ike's, Molinari's.

With seating? Millers, Yellow Submarine, Vikings, Wichcraft, Max's.

Really Roxies???? That place needs to be shut down for health code violation and replaced with a 7/11. Half of the stuff on Roxie's shelf is expired like a year back... I won't be surprised if they sell rotten meat! The only thing I can buy there is beer.

Don't know about Yellow Submarine.. Looks like a typical overpriced junky looking place...I strongly recommend Panera Bread or Subway over this place.