Submarine Center

This is one of my favorite sub sandwich places in San Francisco. The secret sauce and crispy bread are just two of the reasons their subs are hard to beat. Thankfully I don’t live too far, but they are definitely worth the gas money if you have to drive a distance. They have hot subs, cold, pizza subs and soup. A small selection of chips as well as cold drinks in bottles and on tap. Friendly staff and full tables are what you see when you wait in line in the small place. There is usually a line but somehow I missed the lunch rush today. You can call your order in ahead of your arrival if you want to avoid potential lines or a long wait. My average wait is 7 min and most of that time is my sandwich in the oven reaching maximum crispness.
They have toppings such as: hot pastrami, kosher corned beef, turkey, and ham. They also have fresh tomatoes, whole dill pickles, sliced to order with your sub, lettuce, jalapeño’s, cucumbers and avocado. They have been around for years and are a favorite among the locals. Try it and it will become your favorite sandwich spots too.

Really really really good subs. The dressing is what really makes it great.
Here’s a tip: Call in your order. Lines are usually long and first/​second/​third timers get confused and hold up the line (order on the left and go to pay when they call you — aka don’t hover)

I went a a great time since there was no one in when I got there.
They have very few vegetarian options, which was kind of disappointing, but it was a good price and a good size, so I wasn’t unhappy. Flavor wise I can get better at deli world, and as another guest posted, the bread was pretty bland. I should have asked for a pickle in it. Why do sandwich places no longer put pickles? When did that innocent vegetable because so expensive?
But a good spot to get something relatively cheap in West Portal. Worth the visit

Do you believe in love at first bite? If you do then continue reading, if not then please skip this because I don’t want to disappoint your non-​fairytale life…
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You still with me? GREAT! Lets begin
I actually tried this place out years ago when a friend of mine took me here and told me that he had been coming here since he could walk because he and his family just couldn’t get enough of the plce. And so, being the good friend that I was I gave it a try. Surely enough he was right, just by walking into the place you are hit by a wall of toast (not really, just the smell) which made my appetite go into a frenzy mode making me drool uncontrollably. I proceeded by walking towards the counter and asked the Professional Sandwich maker «How long until I can get my hands on the best sandwich and when can you take my money?», he replied back with «have a seat, I got you covered» It was then that I knew I was in the right place. I ended up with the Hot Pastrami, which was surely the best. Bread is toasted to perfection that makes every bite a crunch. When biting in, you taste the combination of pastrami, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mustard, and their secret sauce. Not only was the combination of ingredients perfect but the right amount per ingredients as well. And to make matters even better, the «super» size is under $ 10!
Overall, this is what all sandwich shops wish to become, a legacy. The only downside to this place is the parking. Like every place in SF, parking is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Does love at first bite exist? YES!
I ordered one of their gourmet sandwiches, the avocado pastrami and swiss. When they made it, it seemed like a pretty simple sandwich to me. But after a bite, OMG… I could not believe I missed out on this place this whole time!!! The bread had such a delicate crunch, the avocado gave a creamy texture, the pastrami (looking like bacon!) was not too salty and still delicious, soft crunches and flavor from the veggies, and «a little bit extra» of added flavor from their secret sauce… made it not so simple anymore. It was like the sandwich from Heaven… no kidding.
I love these sandwiches… not heavy on the meat at all but very balanced with their textures (esp that amazing bread!) and flavor and condiments. Perfect 10 of a sandwich right here, even without the Dutch Crunch!
Definitely try this place if you haven’t or you will BE MISSING OUT.

How do I describe my perfect sandwich?
Toasty-​but not too toasted, warm in the inside, just the right amount of veggie essentials such as lettuce, tomato, onions. Along what I think is the most important– the perfect amount of layered meat with delicious sauce to end it all but still not too saucy to make the sandwich soggy.
What place has this perfect sandwich? WELL, that would be the Submarine Center sir/​madam!
Opened for more than a decade, the Submarine Center is a locally known hole-​in-​the-​wall filled with amazing sandwiches. My go-​to sandwich here is the Hot Pastrami. Bread is toasted to a light brown shell that makes a crunch noise every time you bite into it. While biting in, you taste the juiciness of the pastrami mixed in with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. The secret sauce makes it all more mouth-​watering. Doesn’t it make you want your own? And a size ‘Super’ for under $ 10? YES… mmm.
Even a delicious place has its downsides. Like every place located in SF, parking is crazy hard and stressful to find. Also, due to the shop size, sometimes there are long lines that can form to the outside of the shop. Not to mention, its right next to West Portal station where its a hot spot for people to go to during lunch rush hours.
Never mind the downsides though because it’s all about that sandwich! Come get your delicious sandwich here if you’re ever around the area! I definitely recommend it!

Hands down my favorite sandwich spot in the city. Been coming here for decades. 1^st thing I fell in love with was turkey/​avo
But now I’m all about the atomic.

damn. Good sandwich. Avocado!!!

The best subs I have yet to try in San Francisco. I order from here consistently and they never let me down. They definitely don’t cheap out on the meat quantity and quality on their subs, which is what keeps me coming back.

Hands down the best simple sandwiches in the city. I’ve been coming here for 13 years now since I was a teen. They don’t use fancy ingredients like Ike’s but I still prefer this place to Ike’s.
I walked in on a Saturday close to 1pm — peak lunch time. I had to place an order for 11 sandwiches for all my friends that were helping me move into my new place. Any other place would make you wait 30 minutes at least or would probably turn you away. I walked out of there with 11 sandwiches within 20 minutes. Tell me who else will crank out 11 mouthwatering sandwiches in record time?! They’ve got their sandwich making down to a science. It’s really fun to watch them.
My friends ate their sandwiches in silence because… it was too good to talk. One guy said he could taste every single layer, every ingredient’s flavor.
Yes, some people might think it’s a hole in the wall, but that’s what adds some of that local, good ‘ol West Portal neighborhood sandwich shop feel.

I’ve been hearing about this place for ages and I finally got to snag a sub here.
It’s definitely delicious. The bread is what really brings together the sandwich.
But…it’s dirty. It bothers me a lot. Everything in the food area where they make the subs looks dirty. When he went over to get the pastrami… omg…it was so dirty around the container thing. Blechhh.
Maybe if I don’t think about it and postmate it then I can eat it no problem. But if I go in, I don’t think I can do it.

If this shop becomes so popular it will make more sense that install the lamp for hadicapped access.
I went to this place but couldn’t get it due to the no access.
I wonder that how this place possibly get away with without installing the lamp.

Second time here.
To avoid the line beginning outside, I called in and ordered my food. They said it would be a 20 minute wait!!! After a few minutes, I went inside anyways and to my surprise the food was ready at the register. I will be back!

This has been on my «to try» lost for a long time… And that time finally came.
We actually tried this place out for our dinner option one night. We were battling jet lag and wanted to just get out of the house for a quick bite to get us back on our normal routine. No wait for us on a Friday night. Awesome. The décor felt really home towny with all the Niners and Giants memorabilia… Awesome. Gazing up at the giant menu we chose G4 — pastrami avocado and Swiss — and the Cheesesteak. Both in the large size. Staff were great and let us take our time since it was our first time there. Food made. Paid. We sat down.
For the size and price it was ooookayyyy. $ 10 is steep for a sandwich but hopefully it tasted as good as the price suggests. Upon first bite I noticed the bread was toasted. I don’t like my sandwiches toasted but this was actually a pleasant surprise. I liked it! The bread wasn’t thick so the toasting was bad. We didn’t have a choice on bread though. It was still soft and easy to chew and sink your teeth into. Toasting made the pastrami a little more saltier too but that’s okay. They did forget the avocado though so we had to have them add it in. The meats, cheese, bread… All good. I even said I’d come by for lunch if I’m in the area for work.
It’s good but not spectacular. I’ve had better but i’ll give credit where it’s due. It’s a good sandwich but didn’t knock my socks off.

Some of the best sandwiches in San Francisco! Some must tries are Hot pastrami, Atomic Sub, Cheese Steak! They always make them fresh and toasted. Yum! Special sauce makes the sandwiches moist and tasty. Be prepared to wait in a long line at lunchtime. Last time the line went out the door! 4 stars because the large pastrami sandwich now costs over $ 10! Wow!
Tip: call in your order ahead of time

This little gem I found in high school turned out to be hands down my favorite sub place. It’s convenient, quick, and cheap!
My usual is the hot pastrami sub, which is basically what it sounds like. First of all, their bread is toasted to perfection, forming a light brown shell around the sub with the nicest crunch every time you take a bite. And if that’s not enough for you, the inside takes you to a whole nother world! Tender, juicy pastrami stacked inside with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, all topped with their secret sauce.
I go to college in socal and this place is a MUST whenever I come back to visit home.

In high school there was a neighborhood deli around the corner where I used to go get my lunch sandwich from. Delicious. Cheap. Fast.
Never thought I’d find another neighborhood place like the days of yore until I stumbled upon here whilst waiting for the K at West Portal. All the memories of my high school deli place resurfaced.
This wasn’t just pure nostalgia. Dare I say, this place surpassed my former stomping grounds. I get all the ingredients I love on toasted bread served with a smile. Feels like a homecoming any time I get a chance to eat here. Five stars.

One of my favorite sandy shops in the city. Even better that it’s fairly close to where I live. Bread is toasted to perfection paired with all the goodies in between. I usually order the Atomic, or Turkey with avocado — get ready to nap after eating.
This place can and will get busy, so phone in order like I do.

Fresh, crispy, tender pastrami, mouth watering deli sandwiches!!!
I love how fresh the ingredients are, and how when he takes out the hot pastrami it’s dripping sauces all over and it looks really juicy. Hold on, LOOOKS juicy? IT WAS SUPER JUICY. The bread was really crispy so it gave the sandwich a nice crunch. Writing this review makes me regret not getting another sandwich togo, haha.
Overall, this place is fantastic. I love how friendly the guys are and the menu description for the hot pastrami says it all, and it says «Delicious»

I love watching the guys behind the counter work their magic during the lunch hour rushes! They are incredibly talented at their crafts and definitely got their systems down.
Hands down, still one of the best places to get your hot pastrami sandwiches. The Atomic sub with corn beef, pastrami, and turkey is delicious as well!
Prices are cheap, less than $ 9 for the regular sized Atomic with everything.