Working in SOMA still has its challenges as far as good cheap places to eat are concerned. For the past couple years, without a doubt, the go-to restaurant in SOMA for lunch has been Tin. A delicious and inexpensive Vietnamese spot that delivers the goodness to your table every time, at Tin all of the ingredients are fresh and tasty. I may have to hand over what little street cred I have after I say that Tin is better than Tu Lan. Yep I just said it, TIN IS BETTER THAN TU LAN. I’m cool with being wrong, if wrong tastes this right. What Tin lacks in hipster charm, it more than makes up with the scrumptious food blazing out of their kitchen. One tip is to show up about 10 minutes before noon or well after 1:00 because the secret has been out a while about how good the food is. Get yourself to Tin, you’ll be glad you did. Below is what we ordered:

Cha Gio / crispy-fried rolls with pork, shrimp, jicama, taro, woodear mushrooms, glass noodles – 6
Grilled Lemongrass Pork Sandwich, with side mixed greens salad or soup of the day $7.50
Pho Bo / rare beef & brisket with rice noodles in beef broth $7.50
Grilled 5-Spice Chicken with rice $8.00
Wonton Noodles / shrimp & pork wontons, xa-xiu pork, egg
noodles $7.50

Vietnamese-style coffee with condensed milk $3.00