The Vietnamese banh mi spot is a Tenderloin institution. The French rolls are ridiculously soft, and the ones filled with sardines soaked in a spicy, rich tomato sauce should be on the shortlist of every self-respecting sandwich enthusiast. Especially since each sub costs $4, which is less than two hours of parking on Chestnut St. Maybe we should have led with that?

Even if you've just paid off ten months of MUNI citations and learning to live more frugally, you can still enjoy one of the best sandwiches in the city. The subs at this family-run Richmond cafe cost around $10, and are made with everything from hot pastrami brisket to meatballs covered in house-made marinara. But we like the turkey cranberry - a hoagie that comes with a generous swath of their house-made garlic aioli. It’s $9.40, and deserves its own holiday. All 3 locations are open.

When you don’t have enough in your fridge to pull together a respectable meal, just call Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen instead. They have a pretty extensive menu, with everything from sambussas and chicken tibs to our favorite, the veggie combo. The tender beets, garlicky lentils, collard greens, and stewed cabbage, potatoes, and carrots are soft and colorful, and have a lovely aromatic smell we want to bottle up and spritz all around our apartment. And the rolls of injera soak everything up perfectly.

The roast turkey sandwich from Arguello Market is the most beloved sandwich in SF. That’s because the Richmond grocery store and deli keeps it simple: just lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, red onion, and tender turkey from the spit behind the glass case. Getting the sandwich on dutch crunch roll is non-negotiable. It’ll run you $11.99, and is practically two servings—but grab some chips or pasta salad for a more well-rounded meal.

Three Star Restaurant in the Outer Sunset makes our favorite bao in the city - both the barbecue pork bun, and the sweet, creamy egg custard bun are fantastic - and 90 cents each. And even if you’re this close to starting a shrinky dink shop on Etsy as a new source of income, stock your fridge with a few bags of them ($2.70 for three buns) to warm up later. And heads-up, this place is cash-only.

You spent an ungodly amount of money to have your Nintendo Switch expedited so you can play Animal Crossing, but you’re craving pasta and don’t want to max out your credit line (again). Order from The Italian Homemade Company, our go-to spot for meaty bolognese. They’re selling it - and all of their pasta dishes - for around $13. You can also get fresh pasta and tubs of sauces to make at home ($10.50 for 16 ounces). They’re open at all of their locations for pick-up and delivery.

Yamo is a tiny, cash-only Chinese-influenced Burmese spot in the Mission (and one of the best in the city). They’re known for their excellent noodle dishes, like cold chili spinach noodles served with hot tofu or house noodles that are wok-tossed with fried garlic and meat. And at $6.50 per entree, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal in SF.

This casual Japanese restaurant has everything from udon to potato croquette sandwiches - but you’re here for the curries. For $11, you’ll get a massive plate of white rice paired with a protein of your choice, like chicken katsu, onion-ginger pork, or fried oysters. You’ll also get an Olympic pool-sized container of their gravy-like curry sauce - exactly the kind of soul-saving food you want while mulling over deep quarantine questions: “Did I really need to order a hotel-quality bathrobe?"

One fantastic breakfast sandwich that unfailingly gets us out of bed an hour earlier than usual is the BEC from Newkirk’s. The sandwich is simplicity at its finest, made with perfect Applewood-smoked bacon, American cheese, and an over-medium egg, all layered between a squishy poppy seed roll. Plus, it’ll only set you back $8.95. Be sure to grab a side of their bright orange housemade habanero hot sauce.

Huge portions for the price and fantastic quesabirria tacos are two draws of this family-run spot with the sky blue walls in the Richmond. Another is the friendly service that always makes us feel better than when we came in. Order a massive spread of Guanajuato-style enchiladas, quesabirria tacos, and tortas that are so big they could function as a doorstop, and you can’t go wrong.