Kien Thanh Coffee Shop

I use to live on Leavenworth back in 1983.
My mom and pops use to take me here all the time.
The lady who use to be there has passed the store over.
The lady original owner from the 80s is very cheerly upbeat and lively.
The quality was unbeatable.
This is the real deal shop.
It was 1.50 for a sand which.
It was always packed with fresh bbq pork loaded with cilantro carrots pâté hint if soy sauce on crispy fresh toasted bread.
Made as you ordered.
and the sandwhiches sold out by 1pm.
I went back to visit last year.
Its a young couple running it now.
The sand which is still the same in ingredients.
But it doesn’t taste like it was made with love.
The quality and taste is not as great as the original lady.
But this place is very continental and nostalgic to my boyhood.
Have to stop by next civic center trip.
Wonders what the prices are now.
Its almost 5 bucks at other places.

kien Thanh is a small hole in the wall in the tenderloin. lst try at banh mi, awhile ago, failed, not open yet. didn’t notice any seating.
2^nd attempt was a bit late, coffee got cold. consolation-​vietnamese coffee
brew: vietnamese coffee (3ish)
–not a regular drinker, too sweet for me.
–made to order, it was the usual ok.

I tried the Vietnamese iced coffee (ca phe sua da):
It’s excellent, and only $ 2. Vastly superior to the ca phe sua da at Sing Sing down the street.

For those of you who enjoy authentic Vietnamese sandwiches at authentic Vietnamese prices, this is the place. I usually walk to work through the Tenderloin and like to stop in on this place about twice a week. The owner, Henry Lenh, is very friendly and likes to converse with you as he’s making you a traditional Vietnamese breakfast sandwich ($ 2.50) and some French drip coffee with sweetened condensed milk (also $ 2.50). It’s truly a tiny little mom-​and-​pop place in the Tenderloin and Henry’s wife helps run this sanwich shop with their darling little infant daughter frequently nearby (the TV in the store usually has some kind of children’s animation playing to keep her entertained). Friends and family are usually in the shop or in back, just hanging out and whiling away the day. The baguette he uses for the sandwich are always nice and crisp thanks to their little toaster oven and he’ll make the coffee to taste (I routinely ask for more condensed milk!). Please note: if you order the coffee, it will typically be served iced so if you want it hot, let them know. Sandwiches are made to order right in front of you. I usually get mine with everything on it, which includes sliced carrots and radishes, lots of cilantro, jalapenos, mayo, hote sauce, bbq pork, chicken, and a liver pâté spread onto the toasted baguette. I’ve tried some other sandwich places in the Tenderloin and in more chic restaurants in the City but this one is definitely my fave!