Looking for a snack in Union Square

[Dave MP]

Hi all,

I am leaving work (near Van Ness and Market) at 5:15 tonight and have a class in Union Square at 6. I would like to get a good snack that is a) fast, b) delicious, c) cheap, d) not too big.

For example, last week my snack was a slice of pizza from the fancy grocery store in the new mall. It was OK, but I think I can do better than this. But something about that size is good, ideally under five dollars, and something I can eat quickly. The idea here is that I am tiding myself over, since I'll be having real dinner later. Any great chow-worthy suggestions? (more specific the better). Could be in the mall or anywhere close by enough....thanks a lot!

Dave MP

P.S. Even if your post is too late for tonight, it'll help me for next week

[Lori SF]

Um nothing is cheap in SF but the only thing I can think of is
Saigon Sandwiches
60 Larkin St
good Vietnamese sandwiches, the chicken or pork cannot lose and very inexpensive.

[Dave MP]

I didn't end up getting a snack today at all (I ate a sandwich which I had brought and forgotten about) but I'll check out Saigon Sandwiches soon. I haven't had any banh mi since moving to San Francisco, and I didn't realize till I saw the address how close it is to my work! Thanks! I'll report back.

By cheap I mean both inexpensive and small....so suggestions I'm looking for are: "a takeout order of dumplings from place x or a "piece of pizza from place y" or a "samosa from place z" In San Francisco there are tons of places that have good snacks for under 5 dollars. Unfortunately there are also lots of places that have bad snacks.

[Dave MP]

Sadly, Saigon Sandwiches is not at 60 Larkin St, but rather at 560 Larkin St. WHich means it's not very close to my work. Oh well. I'll still try it sometimes soon,

Dave MP

[marinrain]

try Macy's celler (basement) in Union Square -- a variety of options -- shouldn't be too crowded on Friday and with new mall

[susancinsf]

hi Dave:

I've not found anything I really like in the Macy's cellar. However, was at Westfield Centre today (I assume that is what you mean by the 'mall), so we wandered through the food court to see if we could answer your question. Bottom line: unless you want something sweet, most of the options are full meals, not snacks.

In the sweet category, there is the Beard Papa in the Westfield Food court, and a cookie place, and a gelato place (has anyone tried it).

Savory options i saw: Mr Hono (Japanese) had a bowl of endame for about $2.00, and some gyoza. Sorry, no idea if they are any good or no. The most promising snacks were at the Middle Eastern place (Aroura, or something similar?), which had some nice wraps, very good looking tabouleh , hummus...and I think I saw deviled eggs, though either I was hallucinating or they were gone when I walked back trough ...

[Dave MP]

Sorry it took so long for me to respond, but yes, I did mean the Westfield center. Thanks for scoping things out...it does seem like most things are on the larger/meal side.

Deviled eggs would be a great snack, I'll definitely see if they exist next time I'm there. I will be looking for a snack on Friday, so we'll see what I get....dinner will be extra late that night though, so I might opt for something bigger, maybe banh mi. We'll see what happens

Dave MP

[Robert Lauriston]

Gyro King. That early they should still have lahmacon and pies.

http://sanfrancisco.menupages.com/res...

Have you checked out Munch Haven, 1422 Market around 10th? I don't know anything about it, just saw the sign and love the name.

[Scrapironchef]

Hilarious review in that link, SF gyros are nothing like the ones he had in Krakow and Berlin - hence they were not good.

[Dave MP]

Thanks for the Gyro King suggestion, I'll check that out....I hope it's good enough to save me a trip to Poland.

I'll also check on Munch Haven, I walk by there all the time but haven't noticed it. I'll look again soon. Thanks again,

Dave MP

[Robert Lauriston]

Gyro King's very good, lots of posts on it here.

[katya]

Citizen Cupcake on the 3rd floor of Virgin. You can get a nice cupcake for under $3.

I'm of course in love with Wolfgang Puck Express Cafe in Macy's Cellar. You can get pizza (I recommend spicy chicken), salad, and a drink there (more like a meal than a snack) for $7.

Aloo (potato) naan with yogurt dipping sauce or samosas at Chaat Cafe on 3rd & Folsom. Each is $3.50.

I've always wanted to try the tiny hot nut store on Geary between Stockton and Grant. However, they never seem to be open. In fact I think they close at 4.

[sgwood415]

The Cafe Riulli in the sqaure has good bites. It's basically a glorifed kiosk on the eastern end of the square.

[foodiegrl]

This is my work 'hood, and the choices are slim WRT sub-$5 lunches & snacks, but there are some good ones out there:

- Vietnamese Sandwiches at Latte Express, 5th & Market, just beyond the sporting goods store. BBQ Pork or chicken for $3.95

- Cafe Madeleine across from the Macy's men's store, next door to CompUsa. Their express sandwich is only $3.25, and consists of a small baguette with quality ingredients; recent choices include Ham & brie, Roast beef w/ horseradish, or pork loin with rosemary. The single-size pre-made salads are pretty tasty & satisfying, too. ~$3.95 for a small, I think.

- Organic Coffee company on 4th & Mission (across from the Metreon Parking garage), has terrific baked goods (made by City College culinary students), organic, fair-trade coffees, sandwiches, salads and a very friendly staff. Their prices are lower than the tourist traps closer to the square.

Macy's basement is generally really bad, with overpriced choices. Lunch-type items hover in the $8-10 range.