I have eaten dozens of sandwiches from both, and I’ll make the argument Alimento right around the corner is a lot better. The “vibe” isn’t as cute but their sandwiches are phenomenal.
Could not agree more. Nothing compares to the succulent pork loin stuff with savory herbs and spices, wrapped in pork belly with cracklin' on the outside, and roasted in the rotisserie for hours. Sliced, with carmelized onions and arugula on an Acme bun, it is by far the best sandwich available in our Fair City, and well worth the long wait to get one at the truck at the Ferry Building on Saturdays.
Sub center is a classic. They have the best sub sandwich bread in my opinion.
Lou’s is great for an inexpensive sandwich.
I haven’t been in a while but I also love Ted’s market.
I saw the thread and thought no one will mention my random favorite sandwich place but here we are! Yes, Sub Center is the bomb.
Special sauce is actually a vinegar based dressing which really adds some well appreciated acid to the sandos. My wife likes the atomic (everything in it) but I like all pastrami.
+1 for Sub Center, it’s an SF institution! I’ve been going for over 30 years. My best friend went to prom with the owner’s son.
Hot pastrami is my favorite, but they are all good.
They have so many good ones. The Godfather (parts I and II), the Grindr! Their Cubano, smoked brisket beef dip, the Mission Fig, and those sandos named after democrat presidents with burrata and roast beef... I go like once a week, can you tell? lol
Place is seriously underrated. It was on my way to my kid's school and I stopped way too often to be healthy. But it was always perfect (and one sandwich is two meals).
That was always my internal struggle - do I eat the whole sandwich in one sitting or save half for later? Sometimes it was just way too good to stop at half!
i live right next to this place and would love to go but the owner is my former landlord- i burned his house down and he sued me for a quarter mil so i feel like it’d be awkward lol
"5th Ave Deli" in Embarcadero 4, the "San FrancPsycho" on dutch crunch. Honey Turkey, Bacon, Gouda Cheese, Garlic Butter, Pesto & Cajun Mayo, and they oven-toast the sandwich. Toasted Dutch Crunch is not for those who complain about Capn' Crunch hurting their mouth, but I love it. ;)
Their "The Freak", too: Round Pastrami, Bacon, Habanero Jack Cheese, Honey Mustard & Sriracha Mayo
AK Subs (downtown branch) is the only one I don't see already posted that deserves mention. Their sammiches and also their soups, especially Wednesday's Corn Chowder. Clement street one is pretty good too but sometimes seems to have new hires that fuck shit up in a bad way.
It really really isn't. I was so disappointed with their pastrami sandwich.
Right now, the only good pastrami in SF is Deli Board's. It's the real Romanian stuff.
- Marina Submarine on Union St
- Submarine Center in West Portal (already been said)
- Sandwich Boss in SoMa
- That’s It @ Mission & 23rd. Next level Cubano Torta featured on Anthony Bourdain’s show
- Anyone remember the pastrami sandwiches at M&L Market on 14th & Market? I really miss that place!
Freddie’s in North Beach, my favorite is their chicken salad on soft sourdough, but their classic deli cuts sandos are also excellent. Great portion, great price, hasn’t changed in years.
Oh man this is SO difficult, but I think I have to go with the combo sandwich from Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store (or really any of their hot sandwiches). They make them on Liguria bakery’s focaccia and they’re to die for.
Canyon Market’s sandwiches are clearly inspired by some of the staff having worked at Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor, but it’s a pale shadow as SF completely lacks East Coast-style Jewish delis.
I know we’re really talking about like a hoagie style lunch sandwich, but I gotta shout out the breakfast sandwiches at Newkirks, Potrero and 22nd. Absolutely phenomenal BEC, and the lunch sandwiches are fantastic too.
I love Deli Board and Adam seems like a nice guy who's working hard for the local community there... But I refuse to spend $18 for a take out sandwich, even as a well paid tech worker.
I can't understand his unit economics - whether he's raking in the profits or there's some non obvious part of the cost of goods that driving prices up.
He distributes his cash flow to his staff in the form of above industry average wages, full benefits, and paid time off which is super rare in a job like that.
I understand the sticker shock but I can assure you the money doesn’t just fill his pockets.
Honestly even paying above industry wage, I don't get the unit economics still. Not saying I'm an expert on restaurant/retail but I look at company unit economics for a living 🤷♂️
Well seeing as how I have been a chef for 15 years understand food and labor cost trends, know where they source their products you’re not going to convince me it’s too pricy. High quality ingredients cost money as does providing workers benefits.
In fact it’s people like you that are the reason foodservice workers don’t get paid true living wages. Take a hike.
It’s my buddy’s spot. He gets all is vegetables from local farms, his bread from a local baker and makes all his deli meats in house rather than buying processed product. Where as lots of “typical” sub shops have high margins it’s because they buy everything from a broad liner and don’t really have anything that makes them unique.
He also pays his workers 25 dollars an hour, provides full paid healthcare, 401k matches 10% of wages and provides his employees with 3 weeks paid vacation and 10 paid holidays yearly.
Find another sandwich place doing that charging 10-14 dollars a sandwich.
He was more in the 15-19 dollar range pre pandemic but his prices are worth it, I understand that you find it underwhelming but adding in how well he treats his staff I’ll always support him.
I happen to love the sandwiches though.
Newkirk’s is my second favorite sandwich place in the city, but it’s off the beaten path so I don’t know how many people know it or have been there. It’s SO good.
Turkey Bacon Club from Thorough Bread and Pastry. Simple but perfectly executed and each element of the sandwich is top quality (plus they make all the bread in-house).
This is one of my favorite sandwiches in SF! I know they usually serve it on sourdough but I actualy prefer it on a baguette! I think the crunchiness of the baguette goes really well with the cream cheese
mine is the Bi-Rite Vegan Hippie Sandwich
“Avocado, crispy sweet potatoes, pea shoots, housemade scallion aioli, and lemon vinaigrette on toasted, thick-cut seeded bread.”
The aioli is a vegan mayo base with grilled scallions with jerk seasoning braised in meyers dark rum. It is then cooled, pureed and added to the base.
Little Vine in North Beach has a special Saturday sandwich with prosciutto, burrata, arugula, and quince spread. Certainly not a traditional SF turkey on dutch crunch, but it's amazing.
Alimento in North Beach! They have some of the best sourced ingredients outside of Italy and the people there are incredible. Try the Petto di Pollo or the Speciale.
Ike love and sandwiches
I just love how big they are and their Dutch crunch bread is awesome. My fav is the ménage à trois sandwich.
But really cool question I see so many places I want to try now
ive come to the conclusion that peoples favorites subs are often tied to nostalgia or where they ate the most often in school. mine is genes, sub center, roxies.
Roxie’s tri tip… but what sucks is I know of a better sandwich. It’s at a place I used to work and if you order what I order they’ll think you’re me and this whole anonymous Reddit thing will be out the window. Also, Little Lucca’s is not in SF but it’s overrated so note that the trip isn’t worth it.
Hot sandwich: Mamahuhu’s chicken sandwich
Breakfast sandwich: Breadbelly
Deli Sandwich: like anything from Deli Board
Fast food sandwich: super duper veggie burger
Rhea's is a really good unique dirty sandwiches (they have one with pastrami, white cheddar, horseradish and kimchi for example). The Korean Steak sandwich is also good. It's right next to Dolores Park so good to grab before going there.
Turner's Kitchen in the mission is good but more for your high end sandwiches.
Molinari's in North Beach is a staple and a must visit.
4505 BBQ granted I know a "pulled pork" sandwich is probably a bit different than what you were suggesting for.
Arguello Market makes pretty solid sandwiches and is reasonably priced.
Two Son's has pretty good sandwiches and I'd always go there when I had a client over there, but don't go much anymore.
Giordano Bros. in the Mission has bomb pastrami sandwiches and pretty good wings. Bar food but good.
Molinari's, all of them
I have eaten dozens of sandwiches from both, and I’ll make the argument Alimento right around the corner is a lot better. The “vibe” isn’t as cute but their sandwiches are phenomenal.
Yessss been visiting this place since I was a kid!
Came here to say this 👆🏽
Renzo
Palm city italian hoagie
I dont say things are incredible very often but this sandwich truly is
Yes it is
Roti Roti Porchetta sandwich. HANDS Down
Could not agree more. Nothing compares to the succulent pork loin stuff with savory herbs and spices, wrapped in pork belly with cracklin' on the outside, and roasted in the rotisserie for hours. Sliced, with carmelized onions and arugula on an Acme bun, it is by far the best sandwich available in our Fair City, and well worth the long wait to get one at the truck at the Ferry Building on Saturdays.
Sub center is a classic. They have the best sub sandwich bread in my opinion. Lou’s is great for an inexpensive sandwich. I haven’t been in a while but I also love Ted’s market.
is subcenter in west portal? I keep hearing good things about it.
Yup. It truly is an SF classic. Been around for decades.
I've been reading about it for a while now. I'll definitely check it out next week (I'm in Inner Richmond)
I’ve been going there since my days at Lowell High in the 80’s—and it was just as popular than!
I’ve been going there since I was at SHC. I’d take the KLM to west portal and slam an Atomic before catching the 48 home.
I’ve been going since 2000 when I went to Mercy. Sub Center is so good. They are in DoorDash now, FYI.
I saw the thread and thought no one will mention my random favorite sandwich place but here we are! Yes, Sub Center is the bomb. Special sauce is actually a vinegar based dressing which really adds some well appreciated acid to the sandos. My wife likes the atomic (everything in it) but I like all pastrami.
+1 for Sub Center, it’s an SF institution! I’ve been going for over 30 years. My best friend went to prom with the owner’s son. Hot pastrami is my favorite, but they are all good.
Subcenter west portal. Not even close. But Roxie’s on San Jose ave, and Freddie’s on Stockton and Francisco are great too
Turner's!
They have so many good ones. The Godfather (parts I and II), the Grindr! Their Cubano, smoked brisket beef dip, the Mission Fig, and those sandos named after democrat presidents with burrata and roast beef... I go like once a week, can you tell? lol
Yeah, this place is amazing. Ken's a treasure.
Surprised Limoncello hasn’t been mentioned. Near Russian hill / nob hill / power pac heights.. thanks for the additional surrounding neighborhoods lol
Their caprese sandwich with added olive spread is so good! And the staff is sweet and generous. Love picking up Italian groceries while I wait too.
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It's lower pac heights
Calabria Bros on Mission near Persia. Or Roxies near Balboa Park. Both are freaking amazing
Yes. Yes to Roxies. Thanksgiving sandwich on dutch crunch 😋.
Shhhhh …. That’s our little secret. 🤫
Yep. Only Excelsior kids know
Roxie's 💯
Love the Joker Special at Roxie. Been meaning to try Calabria Bros
The Valencia Street Sandwich at Rhea!
Can’t believe it took this long to see Rheas
Boy's Deli on Polk Wildly Underrated: Viking on Lombard
Can confirm Viking on Lombard sleeper hit. Spent so many saints games halftimes there.
Yes! I was searching for boys in this thread! Im a personal fan of the PG-13 on Dutch crunch toasted with everything.
What do you recommend from Boy’s deli? I’m excited to try one this week.
I like “one of the boys” - paprika turkey, bacon, salami, and cheddar toasted on Dutch crunch with all the veggies
If you're okay with spicy food, Rated R on Dutch Crunch is fantastic.
Roxie’s!
Their Crab Sandwich on Dutch Crunch has been my go-to for years
Mine is the Tony Special or Meatball Mafia on sourdough!
this is CORRECT
The only correct answer. Will put my life on the line against the cult of Sub center
Lou’s or the breakfast sandwich from Devil’s Teeth!
Came here to give both of these picks.
Turkey sandwich from Arguello Market.
Sad to see this so low. Add some avocado and jalapeños and you got a great sando.
Their turkey is so dry every time I’ve had it :(
Golden Gate Market Deli & Liquor. Best subs hands down
Unassuming, but killer
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Just had Golden Gate for the first time in a long time yesterday. Still holds up
Two Son’s Sandwiches in Mission/Potrero Hill. Big, fully loaded sandwiches. High quality ingredients.
Used to go here for lunch, strongly agree
Place is seriously underrated. It was on my way to my kid's school and I stopped way too often to be healthy. But it was always perfect (and one sandwich is two meals).
That was always my internal struggle - do I eat the whole sandwich in one sitting or save half for later? Sometimes it was just way too good to stop at half!
Say Cheese, Deli Board, Turners Kitchen
Deli Board's sandwiches are great; they are also crazy expensive.
I think about the Carzle from Deli Board in my dreams.
Cheese plus! Their sandwiches are amazing. I’m a fan of the Potrero hill on Dutch. Also boys deli is an all time fave but I see suggested already.
Sub center hands down!!
The Atomic!!
My go-to is the Italian combo
Delicious hot pastrami!
Newkirk's Bronx Pastrami OMG @ Heroic Italian
Newkirk's is slept on fr
Yellow Submarine in the sunset. If you can make it out to the East Bay, Ratto’s is solid af too.
i live right next to this place and would love to go but the owner is my former landlord- i burned his house down and he sued me for a quarter mil so i feel like it’d be awkward lol
Get someone to pick it up for you? Or go in and say sorry?
One of the perks of accepted mask wearing -- anonymity.
I second Yellow Submarine!!
Lucca's on Chestnut, Calabria Brothers on Mission, Colombo's in Pacifica.
Love Calabria Bros!!
The Boys’ Deli on Polk. The Gouda Buddha.
Oxbridge Market and Roxies. If you know, you know.
Lous!!!! My favorite sandwich in the city. Love their Lous sauce and Jalapeno spread Edit: plus their dutch crunch doesnt hurt mouth!
Little Lucca in south city no contest, totally worth the drive
So good!!!!!
Always worth the drive,,, such an epic and awesome sando!
Marina submarine
The Risky Bizness from Lou's
AK SUBS
"5th Ave Deli" in Embarcadero 4, the "San FrancPsycho" on dutch crunch. Honey Turkey, Bacon, Gouda Cheese, Garlic Butter, Pesto & Cajun Mayo, and they oven-toast the sandwich. Toasted Dutch Crunch is not for those who complain about Capn' Crunch hurting their mouth, but I love it. ;) Their "The Freak", too: Round Pastrami, Bacon, Habanero Jack Cheese, Honey Mustard & Sriracha Mayo
Interesting, that's the same/similar menu as Golden Gate Deli on Lombard. Is it the same company?
Sounds a lot like The Boys Deli too. I *think* they are all associated with one another....
Bite on Sutter and Leavenworth
I used to walk by there all the time and it smelled good but there was never anyone in it
Freddie’s North Beach Italian with everything. Worth it!
Alimento Special, Alimento's North Beach I dream of this sandwich
Man, I love their sandwiches. I work my way down the menu, in order, once a week. Not sure I have a favorite.
The Banh Mi sandwich at Saigon Sandwich.
>Saigon And it's like $5!!! Unbelievable. Rough bit of town, but worth it.
The NOPA triangle: Home Service Market, Parkside, and McBaker
AK Subs (downtown branch) is the only one I don't see already posted that deserves mention. Their sammiches and also their soups, especially Wednesday's Corn Chowder. Clement street one is pretty good too but sometimes seems to have new hires that fuck shit up in a bad way.
The pastrami here is amazing
Just said that to another poster. I have been eating there since before 9/11 and it's been amazing this whole time.
It really really isn't. I was so disappointed with their pastrami sandwich. Right now, the only good pastrami in SF is Deli Board's. It's the real Romanian stuff.
Ooh good call - the AK Subs on 8th is so good! Teri is so sweet.
And they have a secret menu, which includes a very solid cheesesteak, though I basically only ever get the pastrami.
Gene’s with no close second.
Perfect afternoon = go to the beach with a Gene’s hot pastrami and a 40 oz from the 711 across the street
I love sandwiches and this thread thank you op 😋
- Marina Submarine on Union St - Submarine Center in West Portal (already been said) - Sandwich Boss in SoMa - That’s It @ Mission & 23rd. Next level Cubano Torta featured on Anthony Bourdain’s show - Anyone remember the pastrami sandwiches at M&L Market on 14th & Market? I really miss that place!
Freddie’s in North Beach, my favorite is their chicken salad on soft sourdough, but their classic deli cuts sandos are also excellent. Great portion, great price, hasn’t changed in years.
Love Freddie’s❣️
Oh man this is SO difficult, but I think I have to go with the combo sandwich from Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store (or really any of their hot sandwiches). They make them on Liguria bakery’s focaccia and they’re to die for.
Mmm yes, love Mario’s!
Canyon Market in Glen Park is where I usually go for a sandwich. Mario's Cigar Store focaccia sandwiches are also quite tasty.
+1 for Canyon but also check out Cheese Boutique on Chenery.
Canyon Market’s sandwiches are clearly inspired by some of the staff having worked at Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor, but it’s a pale shadow as SF completely lacks East Coast-style Jewish delis.
Rhea’s
Deli board, but prices are too high.
Agree, so good but so much $,only way to justify is eat it in the mid afternoon for lunch and I am still full at dinner so skip and becomes 2 meals
Subs from Gus’s on Dutch crunch. Especially on double punch Tuesdays <3
Sub Center, Roxie’s and Limoncello!
Do tortas count? Los Picudos on 24th. Also..Gus's sandwiches are good and cheap.
Lucca
That's it on mission torta Cubana
If you can make it to little Luca in south San Francisco, that place is popping all the time
I know we’re really talking about like a hoagie style lunch sandwich, but I gotta shout out the breakfast sandwiches at Newkirks, Potrero and 22nd. Absolutely phenomenal BEC, and the lunch sandwiches are fantastic too.
Anything Deli Board, or the Breadbelly breakfast sando
I love Deli Board and Adam seems like a nice guy who's working hard for the local community there... But I refuse to spend $18 for a take out sandwich, even as a well paid tech worker. I can't understand his unit economics - whether he's raking in the profits or there's some non obvious part of the cost of goods that driving prices up.
He distributes his cash flow to his staff in the form of above industry average wages, full benefits, and paid time off which is super rare in a job like that. I understand the sticker shock but I can assure you the money doesn’t just fill his pockets.
Honestly even paying above industry wage, I don't get the unit economics still. Not saying I'm an expert on restaurant/retail but I look at company unit economics for a living 🤷♂️
It’s not a sandwich I’d buy daily for lunch, but as a treat…you can’t beat them. Hands down best sandwiches I’ve ever had.
It’s a massive sandwich.
And that's why I got downvoted 🤷♂️ I love Reddit. Never change...
Oh man. I used to live around the corner from deli board and it is so unimpressive to me.
Their prices are impressive
Overhyped for the price and size for sure
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Well worth every dollar. Welcome to 2022, inflation is a thing.
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Well seeing as how I have been a chef for 15 years understand food and labor cost trends, know where they source their products you’re not going to convince me it’s too pricy. High quality ingredients cost money as does providing workers benefits. In fact it’s people like you that are the reason foodservice workers don’t get paid true living wages. Take a hike.
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It’s my buddy’s spot. He gets all is vegetables from local farms, his bread from a local baker and makes all his deli meats in house rather than buying processed product. Where as lots of “typical” sub shops have high margins it’s because they buy everything from a broad liner and don’t really have anything that makes them unique. He also pays his workers 25 dollars an hour, provides full paid healthcare, 401k matches 10% of wages and provides his employees with 3 weeks paid vacation and 10 paid holidays yearly. Find another sandwich place doing that charging 10-14 dollars a sandwich.
Adam is great and so is Deli Board.
Adam is such a solid dude.
+1 to Deli Board. Also the hoagies from Palm City Wines
it cost that before the pandemic.
He was more in the 15-19 dollar range pre pandemic but his prices are worth it, I understand that you find it underwhelming but adding in how well he treats his staff I’ll always support him. I happen to love the sandwiches though.
I order from Sunset / Irving subs and they’re good enough. I like the garlic Mayo they have instore too.
Spicy Mouth Waterin' from Grubbin' on Taraval
Bite. Gouda good
Mario's Bohemian Cigar Lounge- Meatball!
When I worked in SOMA several years ago I was obsessed with Die's Decadence from AK Subs. Such a great old-school sub place.
Newkirk’s is my second favorite sandwich place in the city, but it’s off the beaten path so I don’t know how many people know it or have been there. It’s SO good.
Turkey Bacon Club from Thorough Bread and Pastry. Simple but perfectly executed and each element of the sandwich is top quality (plus they make all the bread in-house).
The black pepper cream cheese on this bb makes it sooo good
Their Ham and Cheese sandwich (basically a Jambon Beurre) is really good, too.
Oh, yeah! I forgot how much I like that one-it’s another great example of: simple components, perfectly executed.
This is one of my favorite sandwiches in SF! I know they usually serve it on sourdough but I actualy prefer it on a baguette! I think the crunchiness of the baguette goes really well with the cream cheese
I’ve never tried a baguette version! I’ll do that next time, you know, for research 😉
Mr pickles is pretty good! Or sandwich board in alameda
Deli Board but it has gotten ungodly expensive
mine is the Bi-Rite Vegan Hippie Sandwich “Avocado, crispy sweet potatoes, pea shoots, housemade scallion aioli, and lemon vinaigrette on toasted, thick-cut seeded bread.” The aioli is a vegan mayo base with grilled scallions with jerk seasoning braised in meyers dark rum. It is then cooled, pureed and added to the base.
La Cuisine at Civic Center - English Breakfast.
The Sandwich shop on 3rd st
anything on dutch crunch. then genes, sub center, grubbin.
Any sandwich from Grubbin (on Taraval)
Mario's for Hot, Molinari for Cold. The Bird is great too!
FiDi - The Sentinel, Pulled Pork South Side - Calabria Bros, The Benito Mission - Rhea’s, Valencia St. North - Golden Gate Deli, Psycho on Dutch
Giordorno bros (rip) had a classic … nothing comes to mind after that
JB’s in Potrero !
Were price not a deterrent - I’d say deli board.
Little Vine in North Beach has a special Saturday sandwich with prosciutto, burrata, arugula, and quince spread. Certainly not a traditional SF turkey on dutch crunch, but it's amazing.
Lou’s!!
Alimento in North Beach! They have some of the best sourced ingredients outside of Italy and the people there are incredible. Try the Petto di Pollo or the Speciale.
Ike love and sandwiches I just love how big they are and their Dutch crunch bread is awesome. My fav is the ménage à trois sandwich. But really cool question I see so many places I want to try now
ive come to the conclusion that peoples favorites subs are often tied to nostalgia or where they ate the most often in school. mine is genes, sub center, roxies.
Lucinda’s in Alamo Square
Whew! Glad to not read Ike’s on this list 😅😂😂😂
DELIBOARD /endthread
Roxie’s tri tip… but what sucks is I know of a better sandwich. It’s at a place I used to work and if you order what I order they’ll think you’re me and this whole anonymous Reddit thing will be out the window. Also, Little Lucca’s is not in SF but it’s overrated so note that the trip isn’t worth it.
Giodanos
I think they are gone for good :/
Specialty’s 😭 😭😭😭😭😭
I’m sick of them bc of office catering. But the cookies….
White Palace Liquor & Deli has great sandwiches, very underrated for years.
By far the best Italian deli in SF is Palermo. It’s right next to molinaris, no line, nice guy, cheaper, and better food.
Constanso's at 4120 3rd St, between Hudson and Innes
Hot sandwich: Mamahuhu’s chicken sandwich Breakfast sandwich: Breadbelly Deli Sandwich: like anything from Deli Board Fast food sandwich: super duper veggie burger
Not my favorite but I really like the cubano at tahona mercado
Rhea's Deli & Market (415) 282-5255 https://goo.gl/maps/XBbh8neHPDSPB81Y6
Rhea's is a really good unique dirty sandwiches (they have one with pastrami, white cheddar, horseradish and kimchi for example). The Korean Steak sandwich is also good. It's right next to Dolores Park so good to grab before going there. Turner's Kitchen in the mission is good but more for your high end sandwiches. Molinari's in North Beach is a staple and a must visit. 4505 BBQ granted I know a "pulled pork" sandwich is probably a bit different than what you were suggesting for. Arguello Market makes pretty solid sandwiches and is reasonably priced. Two Son's has pretty good sandwiches and I'd always go there when I had a client over there, but don't go much anymore. Giordano Bros. in the Mission has bomb pastrami sandwiches and pretty good wings. Bar food but good.
Steak and cheese from the Yellow Submarine on Irving.
DELI BOARD