Little Paris

Little Paris used to be my go-​to Vietnamese shop for phở and sandwiches. Fast forward many years they’re now at a new location due to the construction of the Central Subway. It’s a better and more convenient location so that’s probably a good thing for them. My mom went to buy a banh mi and they tried to short change her. Pretty sure this isn’t the first time it has happened either (read Sarah C.‘s review). Make sure you count your change before you leave!
Now that I’ve grown older and wiser (the Unilocal generation), I think there are better places. I mean if you’re in a pinch and you want to grab a sandwich to go, you can come here. Otherwise I’ll go to Saigon Sandwiches any day.

I bought a coconut dessert in a cup from them. When I got back to my office 2 blocks away, I found out it was spoiled. I took it back for a refund but the lady behind the counter denied it was their fault and gave me an attitude, saying that all their desserts are fresh. She kept arguing with me and wouldn’t give me a refund. After 5 minutes of arguing she finally did.
I’m not coming to back to a place run by an irresponsible owner. Next time, it might be food poisoning.

EVENT: we were hungers… need some banh mi
SERVICE: super nice old Chinese lady took our order… tried to speak cantonese to her… I don’t think she understood me…(hehe)
FOOD:
(1) We got the #1 Ham banh mi — delishhhh!!! Tons of pickled veggies. pâté. and ham! Oh, the bread is fluffy soft! 4 stars!
(2) Beef Phở — slices of beef… delish broth! They put tons of green onions (my favs) 4 stars!
**OVERALL: banh mi… a must get… fluffy bread… mmm

Surprisingly good beef noodle soup, cheap bahn MI sandwiches. Friendly service. Did not disappoint.

Intro to my visit/​experience: My mom and I like to go to Chinatown and find cheap eats. You can literally enjoy a meal for 2 people under $ 12 or get full off of dim sum served at hole-​in-​the-​walls for only $ 5. I’ve been to Little Paris before and got a grilled lemongrass pork banh mi to go. The banh mi was alright, there was little meat and the bread was too toasted, to the point it was breaking off in crumbs because it was too crunchy — personally, I like soft-​toasted bread that you can still chew for banh mis. This time around, my mom took me here for a bowl of hot noodle soup since it was chilly out, and I had just gotten a hair cut two blocks away. She told me they had the best beef stew noodle soup, which is one of my all-​time favorite noodle soup dishes.
What I ordered:
Small bowl of beef stew noodle soup (with vermicelli rice noodles) a.k.a. #10 on the menu
What I enjoyed:
–The flavor of the beef stew was very tasty and satisfying — definitely reminds me of classic home-​cooked recipes I’ve had when I was younger, and I could tell by the color of the broth that it was going to be amazing.
–The beef was cooked just right — not too chewy, but fell apart nicely as it should
–I usually get the flat rice noodles or egg noodles in my beef stew, but the thin vermicelli [phở] rice noodles fit nicely with the beef stew broth.
–Only $ 6 for a small bowl
–Friendly and fast, in and out service
–Fairly clean dining area (this is a must in Chinatown); communal tables and seating
What could have been better:
— Though I enjoyed the broth, beef, and noodles, my bowl was crowded with unnecessary veggies that was left uneaten once I panned for every noodle and beef bit left. I’m not a fan of bean sprouts or cilantro, so it definitely thwarted me from enjoying it to its fullest. Next time, I’ll ask for no bean sprouts or cilantro in advance.
End Note:
I regret not getting a big bowl. Great place to go if you’re in the area and on a budget, or if you’re just craving a bowl of homestyle phở or noodle soup. Definitely get your money’s worth here.

Oh, man, killer sandwiches for about 3 or 4 and a half bucks. Once you bite into it, just enough there for the good eats. This is not a pack house sandwich full of everything. Just enough filling to satisfy a lunch or meal or snack hunger. It’s the best in Chinese/​Vietnamese. No worries, don’t need to carry a lot of cash. I love these places where you just buy and go. See ya.

My favorite place for togo Vietnamese lunch boxes when your in a rush. There are many varieties to choose from at a set price of $ 3.50 which is really worth it, the quantity is just perfect.

For Banh Mi, Little Paris is definitely a good choice! Had their #1 Ham Combination: ham, head cheese, pâté’, pickled radishes and carrots, cilantro… But was missing my fav ingredient — jalapenos! How could they forget? Maybe I had to ask them to add it? Not sure, but the sandwich was delish (even without the peppers).
They have lots of ready to take out pre-​packaged meals, dessert drinks, and pre-​made sandwiches in a heated bin for quick pick up. Will be back when in the area.

I know I should know more Chinese after 10 years of Saturday Chinese School, but it really just didn’t stick. HOWEVER, I do know enough to order myself my favorite foods.
UNFORTUNATELY, I seemed to have interacted with the only mandarin speaking waitress here, while I am only able to speak cantonese. She looked at me like I was crazy after I asked for phở with clear noodles (tou ming fun), and a vietnamese iced coffee (COFFEE BING!!) I know I’m in Chinatown, but also, we’re in SF, at least learn the menu items in english when they’re written on the wall!
I ended up with regular noodles: T. but did get an iced coffee. Although they pre-​drip so it was not tasty.
All in all, will not eat their phở anymore. Their prepackaged items look ok though.

The one thing I hate the most about some businesses is how they treat some customers over some others.
DO NOT COME HERE! IF YOU’RE NOT FAMILY OR FRIEND THEY’LL IGNORE YOU!
I was patiently in line waiting for the elderly gentleman in front of me to finish paying and get his food. An ugly Asian housewife came in and started ordering. She was 2 customer behind me. I told her excuse me we’re all in front of you, you can’t just cut in line. She said that she’s a family friend and she can of course do that. So my recommendation, DON’T COME HERE BECAUSE THEY ONLY CARE ABOUT THEIR FRIENDS. Hope their business can last on only their stupid friends and family then.
Not worth the loyalty I guess. Been coming here since I was a kid. And even when they fucked up my orders before I was forgiving. Not anymore! NEVER GOING BACK!

When in chinatown or even around, this place is the place to go when you need quick lunch because they have a variety pre packed lunches that are absolutely delicious AND cheap. When I say cheap, I mean $ 3.50. Nowhere but here will you be able to find a large enough lunch that can fill you up for a while at the price of $ 3.50. I got the thick rice noodles accompanied with viet cured ham and pork chop with the sweet Vietnamese fish sauce. I promise you this was a good option to eat cold since I didn’t want to microwave my food. It was super fresh and full of flavor.

I love stopping by here for lunch whenever I am in Chinatown.
There are a bunch of assorted lunch plates for only $ 3.50. Vietnamese sandwiches start at $ 3.25 and up.
Overall, the place is kind of small, but clean. There are tables and room to sit and dine in, but I prefer to pick it up and go.
Cash only!

Their banh mi’s aren’t freshly made on the spot, but are pretty authentic. The sandwich is served luke warm since they pre-​make it and store it in a warmer, so it takes away from its flavor. The combination is pretty much the only one I get, and is a decent vietnamese sandwich if you’re just looking to grab a cheap bite (only $ 3!). The meat is pretty good in this one. Only downside is the really hard bread.
My friend tried the roasted beef one once, and she hated it. She said it was super dry, and nearly inedible.

One star for their food only! I can not see why an owner can throw hot soup to the group where customer and employee is close by! What the hell makes the right for you to treat your staffs by yelling at them and throwing things on the floor? What if the hot soup burn someone? You freaking kidding me! They r your staffs. The brought the food late is not their fault don’t give them attitude! They not ur family or your child!
Btw I have a stroller in and they gave me attitude about my stroller is big blocking their way?

2 sizes to choose from for their noodle soups which start at $ 5.50 a bowl. Broth is watered down and they skimp on the meat.
Flip side is that they’re open on major holidays where most places are closed… ie. Christmas!

Hole in da wall delicious Vietnamese food. Definitely bang for the buck.
I’m part Vietnamese and I can’t cook for my life so I’m always on the look out for authentic Viet soups! For example: bun bo hue, ca ri ga, and bo kho. I can count on Little Paris to serve a delicious «homemade» Vietnamese soup with generous portions.
Why is Little Paris a hole in da wall? The restaurant is already a bit run down even after they have relocated to a new place in Chinatown a couple years ago.
I’m always here to grab a quick lunch if I’m ever in Chinatown! I get my fix and I’m satisfied.

Used to be good, now it’s all downhill after reopening at this new location.
Sandwich baguette stale and dry. Very little portion of meat. Five-​spiced chicken leathery and portion skimpy. They even skimp out on the pickled carrot. It’s a few biteful of meat shrouded by dry dough.
Never again. Way better and more fulfilling sandwiches in the Tenderloin. Saigon Sandwich and Balo Vietnamese Eatery really put Little Paris in shame.

When I’m out with the fam bam, we make sure to eat at the cheapest place possible.
Two reasons:
1. Too many mouths to feed.
2. I PAY to feed those mouths.
We usually end up choosing Vietnamese or Chinese hole in the wall type restaurants. The greasier and dirtier, the better. But I’m happy to report that Little Paris is actually CLEAN. (Clean for Chinatown standards!)
Service is minimal. We had to ask them for cutlery, water refills, etc. which is forgivable since entrees are so cheap, between $ 5 — $ 8 each. The phở ga is amazingly flavorful, their BBQ pork rice plate is substantial and the hu tieu bo kho is a winner. Cha gio and goi cuon were also nicely done. I’d skip the Thai iced tea and viet coffee boba drinks next time since they’re super sweet.
The family is happy. I’m happy. My wallet is HAPPY. Cam o’n ban Little Paris!

I am a fan of Little Paris. Staff here is nice, friendly, and helpful. My favorite thing to get here is the vermicelli plates. For $ 3.50, you get a slab of meat, a plate of vermicelli, and an egg roll. Egg roll is often very chewy because it’s been sitting out (we all know it’s best when it’s straight out of the fryer). It’s a quick and cheap fix so I can’t complain.
Sandwiches have gotten smaller. The other day I had a pork sandwich and I found raw pork… Not cool… I’ll stick to my vermicelli plates from now on…

I grew up eating at Little Paris’s old location a couple of blocks away. Until last year, the Vietnamese deli closed because of the construction of the new Central Subway, which will hopefully be complete in 2019.
After a year break, the same grumpy old man owner and his wife have brought the Vietnamese deli back and moved the business in the heart of busy Stockton Street.
For decades and still now, I usually come here for the VN sandwiches, pre-​packaged entrees, and Iced Coffee. But this is the first time I ever had the menu items.
For lunch, I ordered the VN-​style Large Beef Noodle soup. For $ 7.50, I get the usual sliced beef, 2 half meatballs and vermicelli noodles in a customary broth. Don’t come here when you are hungry. Because this soup is classified as a large size, the size of the bowl is indeed a much smaller size. Look at my paw measuring the bowl:

I am happy that retro-​businesses like Little Paris is back. But you might want to skip the menu items and just stick to sandwiches and pre-​packaged items.