Embarcadero's Sidewalk Banh Mi: Your SFoodie Lunch Planner

J. Birdsall

Little Saigon Deli's porky Classic Combo ($4.75).

The itty-bitty spin-off of Saigon Deli Express has one huge advantage over its sibling at Embarcadero 4: A sidewalk takeout window, where necktie guys en route to Perry's or Mexico DF have to make slight detours around the queue. The Vietnamese sandwiches are decent, despite rolls more Boudin than banh mi (they lack the proper rice-flour lightness), with tasty dual porks in the Classic Combo, Maggi-breathing pâté, and nicely tangy crunchy stuff. The pandan-extract smell of the green coconut waffles will totally get you to drop an additional $2. Make sure the counterperson cooks it past the point of gluey, and you're good.

Little Saigon Deli 131 Steuart (at Mission), #101, 284-7375