Carnivores and Herbivores Alike Flock to Ike’s Place

By Jonathan Farrell

Ike’s Place on 16th Street has quickly become a favorite spot to grab a sandwich. In less than one year his menu has expanded from 35 selections of sandwich creations to over 113. “Our menu keeps expanding as I add anywhere from two to 10 new sandwiches a month,” said owner Ike Shehadeh.

Shehadeh opened his sandwich spot on Nov. 7, 2007, taking over what had been an ice cream place called Sweet 16th. “I like to cook as a hobby and I enjoy the challenge of making something delicious out of nothing,” said Shehadeh.

He mentioned how it is so easy to look in the fridge and think, “nothing much to eat,” but for Shehadeh there is always something new in simple ingredients. It was this culinary enjoyment in challenges that inspired Shehadeh to open a sandwich shop.

“Another main reason why I opened up Ike’s Place,” he said, was because, “I eat out a lot, and it’s often that I feel that I don’t get a great product for my money or that I have to pay a lot to get great quality but not much quantity. So, I wanted to bring great food for a relatively inexpensive cost to San Francisco,” said Shehadeh.

“It took me about a year to find this place and yes it is small, but I find the neighborhood charming and totally friendly,” he said. Apparently from the line waiting outside the door, the neighborhood finds Ike’s to its liking.

“I come here all the way from South of Market. Ike’s has the best vegan sandwiches I have ever tasted,” said customer Lucas Nealan. The Meatless Mike sandwich is one of Ike’s many specialties. Nealan does not mind the drive from SOMA and has even taken the bus on several occasions just to get what he considers an amazing meatless sandwich.

When Ike’s opened 10 months ago, Shehadeh only offered two vegan sandwiches. Now he offers over 40 vegan creations.

“When I opened, as I got acquainted with the customers, people would ask me for a vegan or vegetarian sandwich. So, I kept adding more to the menu,” said Shehadeh.
“I even make a gluten-free bread,” he added. Shehadeh has since expanded his staff to 13 and plans on extending his operating hours. He wants everyone, whether they are carnivores or herbivores, to be able to enjoy a good sandwich.

Shehadeh’s aim is to offer a better sandwich than chain competitors like Subway or Quiznos. He too likes to bake bread every day for his sandwiches, only unlike Quiznos and Subway, “I have the bread baked as it is ordered, so that way it is the freshest sandwich one can buy.”
“People might have to wait a few more minutes, but it is worth it,” said Shehadeh.

Like the line outside the door, the praise about Ike’s Place keeps growing. The social networking web site Yelp lists over 350 reviews of Ike’s and almost all are glowing five-star raves. Shehadeh credits most of his shop’s popularity to word-of-mouth in the neighborhood and through web sites such as Yelp.

Ike’s Place is located at 3506 16th St. and is open seven days a week. For more information visit: ilikeikesplace.com or call (415) 553-6888.

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