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 comment 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 comments. No haters, only banh mi lovers.
Visit the comments for places that have been shared already.
Comment to share your opinions on the best places and any that we’ve missed:
Area Directory – Denver
Kitt Bo on Ba Le Sandwiches in Denver
Kitt Bo has a write up on Ba Le Sandwiches in Denver. Read her review on her blog here at: The Kittalog.
Denver Banh Mi Summary
Hey, you beat me to it! (Sorry, I got all busy this week.) I’ll summarize here:
I’ve only been to two banh mi places in Denver, and I don’t know if there are more. There’s Vinh Xuong bakery in the Far East Shopping Center on Federal just south of Alameda, which serves just one kind of banh mi: pate and cold cuts on a very crusty roll. I believe the sandwiches are $2.25 if they haven’t gone up.
Ba Le Sandwich is also on Federal, just north of Mississippi on the east side of the street. They’re part of a chain, and have a bigger variety of sandwiches, with softer rolls, at $2.50.
I like the bakery, which has more of a mom and pop feel to it, and really delicious pastries, plus tapioca desserts. And it’s fun to be “in the know” about the sandwiches; there’s nothing inside or out that indicates you can get banh mi there. (Unless it’s in Vietnamese.)
On the other hand, Ba Le has a couple of tables if you want to sit down, and is much brighter, cleaner and more fast-foody-looking, if you’re more comfortable with that. And they sell iced coffee.
I go to both; it really just depends which one is easier to get to that day (I hate trying to make left turns on Federal). Give them a try and post what you think here!
If you know of other banh mi places in Denver, please post them, too. I’d love to check them out.
Sputnik
There is a bar/restaurant on Broadway called Sputnik that has banh mi. Pretty expensive at $7, but I go there before a show at the hi-dive. Their fries are good too, with sweet potato or regular fries.
Banh Mi in Denver, Colorado (not including suburbs):- Bakers Palace
- Ba Le Bakery
- Gio Cha Cali
- Vinh Xuong Bakery
550 S Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219
(303) 936-2279
1044 S Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219
(303) 922-2129
1008 S Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219
(303) 922-9439
375 S Federal Blvd # 112
Denver, CO 80219
(303) 922-4968
Oreint Market in Boise ID near the corner of Orchard St. and Emerald st. have started making Banh Mi in store. A few weeks ago they started baking the bread in shop. THe sandwiches are generouse and $3 each. They are heavy on the peppers but worht the pain. They are not very heavily filled but they are great. Get a fresh one and not one out of the case. The bread looses it’s delightful texture under refrigeration and turns in to a roof of the mouth shredder.
I’ve tried the Aboba cafe deli banh mi today. For $2.50 you can get their 1 to 10 different 8″ combination sandwich that has pate in it and it was excellent. Love their tasty boba tea!!! their server are hotties and very friendly. Recommended to anyone to try there too. Located in Lakewood 5810 W. Alameda Ave. and Harlan, next to Viet Hoa supermarket. 720-272-1221
I’ve had the sandwich at Sputnik and really wasn’t impressed, not to mention it’s highly overpriced. Does anyone know of any other Banh Mi spots that have a tofu sandwich? I cry myself to sleep every night because I miss Nicky’s in NY. Best Banh Mi by miles!
Near Salt Lake City there are several good Banh Mi sources: All are on or near Redwood Road in West Valley City.
Sieu Thi, Hong Phat Oriental Market Meat & Seafood
3086 Redwood Road.
Six kinds of made to order sandwiches available. No Vegetarian options. $3.00 Real rustic place with smells and sights in tact. Food prep area is clean and food safety practices are visibly observed, as they are in all the following Banh joints.
Tay Do Supermarket. 3800 South Redwood Road.
Six kinds of made to order sandwiches available, $2.50. One prepared version often available $2.00. No Vegetarian options. Clean up to date place with large market and other fun food. Try the coconut waffles.
Cafee Thao Mi. 1773 West 4160 South
An actual cafe with a full menu and “trendy” interior. Ten kinds of sandwich made to order, $2.50. No vegetarian options.
Vietnam Grill in Missoula has a few Banh Mi to choose from. Very tasty.
Boise:
Vietnamese Baguette Deli is amazing. Two locations one at 8th and Main the other in the Fred Meyer stripmall at Franklin and Orchard. Also serve pho (but not as good at the Idaho Street restuarant PHO). Sandwiches are perfection though!
In Salt Lake City there is a restaurant called OH MAI on about 3300 South State St. They have over 15 Banh Mi options and they are delicious. All for $3.88
Salt Lake City – Vietnamese Bistro off 1300 East near the Univ. of Utah makes an excellent grilled pork banh mi.
Oh Mai also has a location on Highland Drive:
6093 S Highland Dr
Holladay, UT 84121
(801) 277-9888
http://www.ohmaisandwich.com
The Brisket Pho Sandwich is amazing!
Baguette Deli Vietnamese Sandwich is Awesome–hands down, the BEST sandwich shop in Boise. There are 2 locations–on W Franklin (near Orchard) in the Fred Meyer Shopping Center and one down town on N 8th St.
I like the bbq pork Bahn Mi Sandwich the best and sometimes I order the shrimp one. I love the tasty daikon/carrot pickle shreds, cilantro and jalapeno. I talked them into selling me a small container the daikon/carrot pickle–yum!
I cannot leave without ordering an avocado or green tea smoothie–fabulous! The egg rolls are all meat ones and are good! The rice paper spring rolls are also a hit. Don’f forget to try the Beignets. I have purchased a bunch of sandwiches and treated my office–easy to do since the yummy sandwiches are so reasonably priced.
Don’t ask too many questions or be too fussy about your sandwich. I have seen people ask in detail about the ingredients such as such as gluten/organic or whatever-the heck…just to be picky. I will admit it is a challenge with the staff because of the varying levels of English. Step away from the ‘Starbucks’ ordering mentality–give them the number of the sandwich you want and wait for the best sandwich.
POM in Broomfield 3.50 I also make my own and use any french bread from the grocery store if you want to learn how to make it you can watch me at dhmongdudecancook on youtube
Tokyo city in west valley 2880 south 5600 west, they have about 10 kind of banh mi. The best banh mi is lemongrass beef ball , also the grill pork banh mi.
Pacific Ocean Market, in the shopping center at 2200 W Alameda Ave. The lady at the deli counter does the best work in town. Just have to get there early, or the bread is all gone. More fillings than Vinh Xuong (although their mayo is better), higher quality and bigger than Ba Le for the same price.
Harman’s eat & drink in cherry creek has a BOMB banh mi on their lunch menu.
MANNA From HEAVEN Gourmet Food Truck – Yes a food truck! These people make the BEST non-traditional Banh Mi. They even advertise that they don’t do traditional. All their dishes are Vietnamese Inspired, made by a true Vietnamese chef.
Their Banh Mi is SOOOOOO GOOOOD, who cares about traditional. And I’m Vietnamese! What make them so freaking great is their house special mayo-sriracha spread, lathered in a non-traditional baguette that has just the right amount of crunch without tearing the roof of your mouth apart so you can actually taste and feel all the flavors and textures of this sandwich. This Banh Mi is LOADED with your choice of freshly grilled, mouthwatering steak, pork, chicken, or veggie option of the day (all grilled to order) with an abundance of pickled daikon-carrots, cucumber or celery, and cilantro. It’s $6.50 and well worth what you pay for – fresh quality “upper crust” ingredients. Just like any thing, there’s cheap fast food and there’s gourmet, you get what you pay for.
I have been visiting their truck for nearly 3 years and still looking forward to seeing them once a month at the 1st Friday Art Walk on Santa Fe. But beware, their lines can get quite long. Again, they even post that they are NOT Fast Food. But anyone in line can tell you it’s worth the wait. You can find them all over Denver by looking at their event calendar at http://www.MannaFoodTruck.com
BTW: This is a great idea to have this Battle of the Banh Mi site to help us Banh Mi fanatics to find local recommendations when we’re traveling… Good Job!