Banh Mi Northern California

This isn’t all of the shops, but it’s a good start.  Comment to share your opinions on the best places and any that we’ve missed:

Area Directory – Sacramento Area

Area Directory – San Francisco / Oakland Area

Area Directory – San Jose Area

Share your favorite place so that if any of us are far away from home, we can satisfy our yearnings for a good sandwich in any part of the country. Difference of opinions will arise, but remember that we are all bound by one common thread- the search and appreciation of a good banh mi sandwich. So please, house rules are to post only your favorite. Lets just discuss the positives and where the recommended eateries are. Do not post any negative comments about any banh mi place, because we would rather spend our precious time eating than reading any negative, non-constructive posts. No haters, only banh mi lovers.

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34 comments
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  1. Brian September 29th, 2009 4:19 pm :

    Saigon Eats inside the Roseville Galleria has a good vietnamese sandwich but I would recommend the one of kinf pho sandwich I only ever found one of these in New York so glad they are here now.

  2. Terri February 15th, 2010 8:19 am :

    There’s also a Saigon Eats in the Downtown Plaza. GREAT sandwiches!!

    (also – Lee’s Sandwiches is closed, you can take it off the Sacramento list)

  3. Kimberly February 20th, 2010 7:30 pm :

    Saigon Sandwiches on Rose Marie in Stockton is AMAZING! Perfect sandwich, friendly owner, crazy-good prices.

  4. Lynn March 11th, 2010 2:27 pm :

    Hands down the best Vietnamese sandwich is Lee’s.

  5. Amelia October 3rd, 2010 5:23 pm :

    Kimberly is right! Saigon Sandwiches at 1412 Rose Marie Lane in Stockton, CA are absolutely wonderful!! The owner is extremely friendly and their prices are amazingly good.

  6. Jessica October 9th, 2010 1:58 pm :

    There’s a new place called MunchBoxx in San Francisco financial district area 643 Clay Street where they offer a version of the banh mi but on a big, buttery croissant. It’s soooo delicious omg! I’ve tried a number of different banh mi on the typical baguettes but for some reason, having it on a croissant just tastes THAT much better.

  7. Lyna October 21st, 2010 9:35 pm :

    Lyna:
    I’m Vietnamese and a stickler for authentic banh mi. Cam Huong in Oakland is the hands-down winner when it comes to authenticity and flavor. I even bought a condo a few blocks away just to be near to them. Now if only they would deliver …. 🙂

  8. Andrew November 8th, 2010 4:46 pm :

    Baguette Express is now Closed.

    Banh Mi Ba Le (same owners as one listed in El Cerrito)
    1909 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606

    Cam Huong Cafe (same owners as one listed on Webster St)
    702 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606

    Pho Ga Huong Que Cafe (known more for their fabulous Pho Ga)
    1228 7th Ave, Oakland, CA 94606

    Spice Kit (French Laundry & Per Se pedigree owners/chefs. Over-pickled veggies overpowered the sandwich)
    405 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

    Muffins, Muffins (softer, chewier, hoagie style roll)
    123 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105

  9. Jason December 6th, 2010 8:21 pm :

    BT Sandwich Deli
    1279 San Pablo Ave
    Pinole, CA 94564
    (510) 741-8250

    Bay area place, absolutely LOVE their food, and the woman behind the counter has the biggest smile around. They’re only open weekdays currently, entirely family run. Please go there, patronize their wonderful food.

  10. John December 27th, 2010 9:31 pm :

    munchboxx
    643 Clay Street
    San Francisco, CA 94111

    my recently discovered banh mi lunch spot!

  11. Bob March 23rd, 2011 1:23 pm :

    Quickly is a great banh mi sandwich shop in So. San Francisco. There address is 375 Grand Ave, So. San Francisco. Sandwich prices are under $3.50 for a good size sandwich. Their sandwich rolls are excellent. My favorite is the sardine banh mi. They also have many types of Vietnamese drinks and other Asian food.

  12. Mikamus April 18th, 2011 6:50 pm :

    Vy’s Coffee
    1715 Palmetto, Ste A
    Pacifica, CA 94044

    Who would have thought Pacifica would have great Banh Mi? Not me, but they do!

  13. Stephanie April 20th, 2011 1:24 pm :

    Dragon Rouge
    2304 Encinal Avenue Alameda, CA 94501-5204 – (510) 521-1800
    Super legit and tasty to-go banh mi sammies for only $4 for pork and $3 for chicken! Delicious and wholesome ingredients, great quality and oh-so convenient!

  14. Sue April 30th, 2011 7:36 am :

    Noodle Bowl on Russell near Cleveland in Santa Rosa has wonderful Banh Mi.

  15. DM May 18th, 2011 12:26 pm :

    Anything in the Peninsula area- San Mateo etc? Thx

  16. Malkaeus June 1st, 2011 7:06 pm :

    Hands down Cam Huong has the best banh mi ’nuff said

  17. Eddie July 19th, 2011 2:39 pm :

    Saigon City on 3rd Avenue in San Mateo has great sandwiches.

  18. Matt September 7th, 2011 4:06 pm :

    I really like Cam Hung in Sunnyvale. Great sandwiches and they’re always friendly. I usually pay $1 extra and go with double meat. 🙂

    Cam Hung Restaurant
    903 Reed Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
    (408) 735-8989

    http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=cam+hung,+sunnyvale&hl=en&cid=15873428170817946271

  19. John September 17th, 2011 9:19 am :

    This place has a good list of banh-mi to chose from, and each one has been excellent! (Mom made banh-mi when I grew up. I bleed banh-mi.)

    Banh Mi Locations

    John Nguyen

  20. Karler September 25th, 2011 8:13 pm :

    Try Lotus in San Luis Obispo near the railroad station.. Really delicious!

  21. Mary October 25th, 2011 4:24 pm :

    Don’s Donuts in Arcata, CA… Humboldt County

  22. Jeff October 26th, 2011 1:13 pm :

    Pho North Cali on Bruceville in South Sac has a great grilled pork sandwich which pairs very well with their great soup! Fast service and great prices.

  23. Jeff October 29th, 2011 11:44 pm :

    So I tried Lee’s in Irvine, worst banh mi I have had. That was not grilled pork, but rather somewhat cooked roadkill with fat. Not good, baguette was only thing worth eating. Pho North Cali in Elk Grove blows Lee’s away

  24. Minnie Mouth November 14th, 2011 6:46 pm :

    The new Star Ginger food truck on the UC Davis campus has OUTSTANDING Banh Mi! My favorite is Thai Chicken–spicy and succulent with extremely fresh vegetation, not to mention the best baguettes in town (reputedly from Village Bakery). Yum!

  25. AndaPanda April 22nd, 2012 5:46 pm :

    Downtown Sacramento/Golden Bear Restaurant is excellent; Guy Fieri featured it on “Diners, Drive Ins & Dives.” (I hope I got that name right!)

  26. banh mi fan September 12th, 2012 12:29 pm :

    Anyone know of good banh mi in Santa Barbara County? It’s really in CENTRAL Cali, so I don’t know whether it would post under North or South since it really isn’t either.
    Thanks!!!

  27. Nancy November 16th, 2012 12:56 am :

    O Mi Ninja- Vietnamese Street Food Truck! Specializes in banh mi 🙂

    San Jose, CA
    http://www.omininjasj.com
    twitter.com/omininjasj
    facebook.com/omininja.sj

  28. katycasafestiva March 4th, 2013 12:13 pm :

    Agree with #20 about Lotus Asia’s Best in San Luis Obispo. Bread recipe is third generation dating back to grandmother’s food stand in Vietnam.

  29. JoGo916 July 10th, 2014 11:45 pm :

    Giò Cha Duc Huong Sandwiches
    6825 Stockton Blvd #200
    Sacramento, CA 95823
    (916) 428-1188

    The ultimate superior bbq pork Banh Mi in the Sacramento region <- (IMHO)

    **Cash Only**

  30. MrP August 16th, 2014 7:30 am :

    Cam Hung (yes Hung) in Sunnyvale has one of the best! I always get the 4a (Grilled pork) Try it and you will too. It is the real deal!!

    http://m.yelp.com/redir?s=e0d8e3cf015b03ccbfb2132a8c8f8ae1481bbc13bdf8a54e0df49658bdb94f46&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cam-hung.com

  31. Stephanie August 23rd, 2014 3:42 pm :

    Que Huong Vietnamese Deli!
    San Francisco, CA
    This place has an amazing Banh Mi.

  32. Bánh Mì Boy December 23rd, 2014 9:50 pm :

    Yummee Sandwiches is the best bánh mì shop in San Jose. I’ve been eating their bánh mì for a few years, and all the other ones I’ve tried are no match for Yummee. Everyone should go there.

  33. Cindee January 11th, 2015 1:18 pm :

    I by far was very impressed with the bhan mi Sandwhich at Juno’s in downtown Sacramento. The pork was tender and the pickled came straight out of their garden.

  34. destinystar March 13th, 2018 7:27 pm :

    https://www.yelp.com/biz/thuan-phat-santa-rosa?osq=thuan+phat

    Thuan Phat Vietnamese Sandwiches
    3020 Santa Rosa Ave
    Santa Rosa, CA 95407
    707) 889-3966

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