Quincy’s

Sad this place CLOSED. I think that it probably was one of the oldest sandwich shops in the city.
The review below was left in draft form for a very long time, so now I get to complete it.
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One of my favorite lunch spots in that side of Market street. Coming to this shop was like revisiting the past. The old-​school attitudes, the simple décor, 1920s era dark wood paneling and vintage tiled floor, was all part of the charm.
I rarely visit now that I work elsewhere. But many years ago I used to come here for lunch quite often, when I was in a summer internship job for an office on South Van Ness Ave.
A no nonsense type of place, which could be misinterpreted as rude by some. They give away free fruit with every order until they run out, so please don’t whine if u don’t get one. It’s not «included» it’s a «complimentary gift».
Love that there are no processed meats here, they cook/​roast their own turkey, pastrami, corned beef, meatloaf, etc.
There are NO specific hours posted for this place, other than it’s only open weekdays during «lunch time», which means roughly about noon until 1 or 2pm. They might open or close a little early or late. I wish I could work random hours like that.

I think Quincy’s is closed for good. There is a for lease sign on the building and the chicken place next door is also closed.
So much for gentrification… move out the Mom & Pop’s and put in a Starbuck’s

Quincy’s looks pretty closed. All the tables are gone and the fridges are vacated. Maybe they’re renovating? I just called their number and it’s just a busy signal.
Thanks, Quincy’s, for those great sandwiches!

So I am giving the old man and his mate an «A-​OK» — the reasons;
1.) sandwhiches are good but not great — they just so happen to be good finds in the immediate area.
2.) their attitude is way the hell off! they both act so rude it puts you off. The lady especially — not even a grin — no mouth muscles to smile?
Today, I went over there and the old man didnt even give me his signature fruit! I walked away fruitless! I say give ‘em your biz only if you are in the area and are desparate for okay tasting sandwhiches. Let them suffer for that attitude.

Ahhh, Quincy’s…I’ve been hearing about this place for the past 8 months since we moved into the B of A building across the street. Since I once again FAILED to go grocery shopping and needed to grab something quick to eat, I thought to check out what people at work have raving about.
I ordered the Warm Cornbeef Sandwich w/​Swiss on Sourdough ($ 5.95). It was very good and hearty; it rivals the sandwiches at Tommy’s Joynt. The sandwich was exploding w/​meat. You could easily take half of the meat to make another sandwich. The cornbeef was sliced thin, well-​seasoned, and tender. The bread and condiments (lettuce, tomatoes, etc are all very fresh) As a side note, the sandwich should be eaten immediately b/​c the meat’s juices will seep through the bread and make it soggy.
I like how the give you a banana or apple with the sandwich which makes a good breakfast the next day or for a snack later.
Ok, people who complain about the service, really NEED TO GET OVER IT! Yes, the asian woman that makes the sandwiches is grumpy, but at least she’s consistently grumpy to everyone. This is a hole-​in-​the wall establishment where you go to get a good sandwich, so you shouldn’t expect anything more than that.

An award of some sort is posted on the wall recognizing them for being in business for 25 years. And I think it was from 2000.
That this place is still open after all these years and the unpredictable hours tempted this Unilocaler to see what all the fuss is about. And I’m not quite sure. The banana bonus at the end was a nice touch, but hardly made up for average sandwich, twenty cent charge for wheat bread (huh?) and indifferent service.

I give it a 4 star for longevity and the woodwork. Actually, its the hot pastrami with melted cheese. The fruit just placate the fact that I ate 500 calories.

I love how this place opens for a few hours, and that’s it. The owner is a grumpy guy, but once you get to know him — he is really funny and nice! The staff is the same way. It took me about two years to get a smile.
The hot pastrami is really good.

This place has been around for like EVER and there is still a line out the door, why Subway or Quiznos has not moved in I will never know.
So the folks behind the counter making the sandwiches are NOT the most friendly folk you have ever met — the customer is never right here. Yet, there is a line out the door.
But they do make a decent sandwich if you find yourself in the civic center hungry.

No one can tell you the hours of this place. They’re open when they feel like. They’re closed whenever??? I don’t know.
In the 1+ year i’ve been working in this area, i’ve attempted to come here a few times. Each time, they weren’t open yet and it was a little after 12 noon. *shrugs*
I FINALLY WENT ONE AFTERNOON AND THEY WERE OPEN.
You know what, i’m not going to complain. I’m not going to be mean. I’m not going to make a snippy remark. They have a Mr. T doll on their counter, you can’t mess with Mr. T. and I PITY THE FOOL who tries. ahahha.
they really do pile on the meat. it’s honestly okay. it’s so so. but the thing i appreciate the most is how run down this joint is. the chairs are mismatched, it’s poorly dim inside, only bright by the windows. very very bare. BUT! on rainy days, it’s so cozy just sitting inside.
the absolute best part is how they give you either an apple or banana with your sandwich.
let’s get healthy y’all.

This place is great. When I used to work in the area we would grab a turkey avocado or hot pastrami (their signature meat). There was always a line (a good sign) and it never disappointed. They’re very generous with the meat/​toppings and also throw in a piece a fruit. Minus one star because it is a hole in the wall that could use a serious facelift.
I wish there were a place like Quincy’s in potrero hill. Even Klein’s didn’t compare.: (

Admittedly Quincy’s hot pastrami is one of the best deals i’ve had around the city. The long line, the run-​down appearance of the place, and the stoic owner has never stopped me from going here for lunch.
However, today I bought a roast beef sandwich from here but had to come back to ask for a replacement because the meat was still pink and raw. Not only did the owner refuse, he gave me attitude and accused me of having taken a bite out of it.
Believe me, i wouldn’t want to risk gagging on raw meat if I had known!

When I worked in this area 10 years ago, this was THE place to go for sandwiches. The line always went out onto the sidewalk, but you knew the sandwiches were worth waiting for. There were usually 3 or 4 women making sandwiches and Quincy was working the cash register and giving a piece of fresh fruit with each purchase. It is has been about 3 years since I have been there for lunch. I went again today and the line was out the door as before. As I neared closer inside, I could see there was only one person making sandwiches. No wonder there was a wait. When it was finally my turn, I ordered a turkey and pastrami. Unfortunately, Quincy was busy doing something else and I had to cool my heels until he could take my money.
I had no office to take my lunch, so I had to eat there. The sandwich was delicious and there was the usual piece of fruit, but no pre-​mentioned pickle. The inside of the place was a mess. It looked more like a recycling center that an eating establishment. There were empty cardboard boxes, bags, and plastic crates stacked to the ceiling. All of the hanging plants were dead. All of the chairs were mismatched and the windows hadn’t been washed in years. Everything else looked like it was falling apart including Quincy himself.
Two stars for the sandwiches and fruit, but I will never go back.

I think the food here smells much better than it actually tastes. For $ 5.25 I got a hot pastrami sandwich on 7 grain bread, swiss cheese, lettuce, and tomato with light mayo. You get a fairly generous amount of pastrami so the sandwich is pretty big. I was able to get full eating only half of it. I also got a GIANT banana with my meal.
The place looks very old and run down so it’s best to bring your food back to the office. They do have tables if you need to eat there. Try to beat the lunch crowd so you’re not waiting in a long line for your sandwich.
It would be nice if they had all their bread options posted so that you don’t have to ask. I also wish they had more cheese options — they currently have only swiss, jack, and american to choose from.
This place is ok considering it’s just across the street from where I work. BUT with the prices being comparable to Ted’s, I’d much rather walk the extra few blocks there. Plus the employees at Ted’s are friendlier. Don’t expect the people working at Quincy’s to give you a smile.

Another joint that’s pretty decent and convenient from where I work.
You better be ready and know what to order b/​c the staff here have no patience for newbies and treat everybody like they’ve been here 100 times. The service is definately nothing to praise here so lucky for me I only come here for the sandwiches. Is it clean? No comment.
I’ve only had the pastrami sandwich on wheat with cheddar and it’s delicious. Granted, the meat is a bit fatty, but who cares? Pastrami wasn’t meant to be healthy. It comes nice and hot, full of flavor and goodness. I have a special connection with pastrami so that’s all I order when I come here. You get to choose the type of bread, meat, cheese, and condiments. You also get a free banana with your sandwich.
There are a few tables so you can dine in if you wish. FYI, it gets busy between the normal lunch hours of 12 – 1 pm on weekdays.

It’s sandwiches, you really can’t go wrong. And Quincy’s doesn’t do it wrong. Convenience during the lunch rush gets it +2 points from me. The food is decent, so that’s an automatic +1. They give me fruit and a whole pickle, I never complain on that.
The place itself does look run-​down like Cynthia says, but I overlook that because I don’t eat at the restaurant. The prices are good, the chow is good, so overall they get a 4