Welcome, mateys, to Good Taste, our weekly dive into delicious Bay dishes.
Underwater rhymes: After devouring what was presented to me as the “it” fish sandwich of Los Angeles a few weeks ago, I got to thinking that I don’t see people writing about or taking pictures of fish sandwiches much in San Francisco. I sought out to find some new favorites, and below you’ll find the best of what I caught over the past couple of weeks.
Yoda by Bite Me Sandwiches
There is no try not when it comes to a sandwich named Yoda, and this is a gosh darned good tuna salad sandwich, especially when you get it made on Dutch Crunch. Jedi-ish accoutrements include avocado, banana peppers, pickles pepperoncinis, and garlicky mojo; it’s also got Swiss, mustard, lettuce, and tomato. Upper Haight’s Bite Me Sandwiches (701 Cole St.) has some even cheekier sandwich names, like Ike Who?
Fish sandwich by Yemen Kitchen (aka Queen Saba Sandwiches)
Yemen Kitchen (219 Jones St.) is a small Tenderloin restaurant that has recently adopted some aliases for delivery apps: Mornings in Yemen and Queen Saba Sandwiches. You can order their excellent salmon sandwich wrapped with a stew of potatoes and carrots in griddled tawa flatbread online directly from Yemen Kitchen’s website or under Queen Saba Sandwiches on GrubHub/Seamless. However you do it, just do it!
Fried sole banh mi by Cafe Bunn Mi
I’ve still got a bunch of fish banh mi I would like to try around town, but of my recent explorations, I’m most stoked on the fried sole banh mi at Cafe Bunn Mi (417 Clement St.), though I’d advise asking for the sweet sauce on the side. Just look at how lovely it is in this picture; looking at it makes me want to make future plans.
Crispy fish sandos by Unco Frank’s
Nearby Unco Frank’s offers plate lunch and dinner several days a week at wine bar and shop High Treason (443 Clement St.). I’m a fan of the trio of fried fish sandwiches (and hate the word sando lol), which come with American cheese for that Filet-O-Fish Friday feeling without the heartburn and regret. Good for sharing or… not sharing!
Friends Giving with Mario: I have a soft spot for Celia’s by the Beach (4019 Judah) and just learned that the 61-year-old Mexican restaurant is having a wholesome all-ages Friends Giving Mario Kart Tournament and feeding two kids for free per paying adult and on Wed/24. Tournament participants (limited to 16) must register in advance and will get a drink ticket for a free margarita or non-alcoholic beverage. Could be a cute choice if you’re looking for something to do on Wednesday evening.
Support Mission Meals: This is an excellent time to support Mission Meals, which delivers hundreds of groceries and meals to food insecure community members each month. Consider making a direct donation online now or via going to the IDK Concepts Holiday Party at El Rio on Nov. 28 and participating in the raffle. Either way, let’s give them a boost before the new year!
Eat more food words and learn how to make snacks at Tamara’s site California Eating.
