Lou's Cafe

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.

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 herethere's a few seats by the window, a few tables out front & three booth tables, but people tend to come pick up togothe jalepeno spread and their sauce is just so special & tasty i always get extra on the sidei 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

One of my favorite sandwich places in the city! The sandwiches are reasonably priced and huge! They come with so many toppings. I usually get the Risky Business which has pastrami, crab salad and bacon. Not an ordinary combo for a sandwich but it's soooo good!

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).

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!

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.

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!

I give them 3.5 stars because I really liked their turkey cranberry sandwich and garlic cheese bread that they give with the clam chowder. However, I must knock down 1.5 stars because of their clam chowder. I've ordered this soup three times, and I had to spit out the food each time because of the sand inside the clams. I ended up throwing away the rest of the soup. It was very disappointing. Service was friendly and quick, hence the extra star.