The Review
Ike Shehadeh opened his Castro shop in 2007 with a menu of sandwiches named after pop culture references, dirty jokes, and neighborhood figures, all built on his own proprietary sauce called 'Dirty Sauce' — a creamy, garlic-forward Dutch crunch spread that anchors the whole operation.
The bread is Dutch crunch: a San Francisco thing, a roll with a crackled rice flour topping that shatters when you bite it and gives way to a pillowy interior. It is the correct bread for this style of sandwich and Ike's uses it correctly. The fillings are piled high — hot meats, melted cheese, pickled vegetables, the Dirty Sauce, secondary sauces on request.
The Menage à Trois (turkey, avocado, and bacon) is the entry-level recommendation, but the actual play is to let the menu bewilderment subside and find a sandwich named after something you love. The naming conceit works. The sandwiches work. The line is always long and always worth it.
What to Order
Ask what's popular that day — the staff recommendations are reliable. The Menage à Trois if you want a safe first visit. The Jaymee Mak (chicken, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes) if you want to be surprised.
Tips
Order online to skip the line. Vegan options are better here than at most sandwich shops. The Castro location has the most history but any location makes the same sandwich.
Our Rating
★★★★☆
Price Range
$$