Saigon Sandwich Shop, San Francisco

The Gallic influence on Vietnamese cooking dates back to its French colonial days, which explains why an Asian sandwich is served in a baguette. Usually filled with Five-spice Chicken or roast pork, there is an American twist to be found in the meatball sandwich that is like nothing so much as a jumped-up hoagie. The fillings are spicy and the chili garnish, which you can ask the efficient counter staff to leave out, can make the sandwiches positively incendiary, though that does not seem to deter the locals who crowd this shop all day. Only cash accepted.