Partner News: Chuck's Takeaway

Guests on a private Mission 18th Street Tour are in for a special treat these days. We've recently added Chuck’s Takeaway to our list of favorite spots to bring our clients.

Veteran San Francisco restaurateur Charles Phan opened this casual sandwich spot in February and he has quickly developed customer and critical kudos for his take on the Vietnamese bánh mì.

Charles and Chuck’s chef Dong Choi have rolled out a small but mighty sandwich menu, with nods to cuisines around the globe. The signature taste may be the meaty C.P. No. 3 (påté maison, pork cha, chicken liver påté, shallot mayo and jalapeño) bánh mì. There’s also the simply sumptuous Chuck’s Egg Salad, with mustardy mayo, celery and chives on milk bread. Chuck’s loaves are made in-house.

Sandwiches, including vegetarian versions, come with seasonal pickles on the side. They’re finished with a handful of fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint and rau ram (coriander)—and crunchy cucumbers.

Charles spent decades working to perfect his baked in-house Vietnamese baguettes. They don’t disappoint with their crackly golden crust and airy interior. He continues to source sustainably: Think wild-caught seafood, pasture-raised poultry and organic produce from local farmers.

The award-winning Slanted Door chef returns to his Mission roots with Chuck’s. His widely-acclaimed original restaurant has called the Ferry Building home since 2004 (under renovation, it is slated to reopen in early 2023). But Slanted Door got its start on Valencia Street back in 1995, just two blocks from his restaurant group’s commissary kitchen, which houses his new sandwich joint.

He’s a beloved local lad. Charles’s family, refugees from Vietnam, settled in San Francisco. He attended Mission High School. His brother still runs a nearby sewing business which began in the 1980s.

Charles is a culinary innovator who introduced Americans to modern Vietnamese cuisine, with its complex layers, ingredients and flavors. We are delighted to give guests the opportunity to taste his latest offerings and learn more about his cuisine, culture and back story.