It's amazing that this place has been around for so long and weathered the great gentrification of Chinatown! I remember when it used to be across the street (in a building before the giant condo tower) and the subs were $3... ahhh the nostalgia alone makes me happy. I know the Kingsway Bahn Mi shop puts more into their sandwiches, but somehow the specific taste that Ba Le on Main Street has is what I crave. Major props for the family who has consistently ran this place, I am reviewing because who knows how long until they're also but a memory? Thank you for being a Chinatown staple for so long, far and few now.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sub
Christian e
Super cute mom and pop sandwich shop. Sandwiches are great, service is fast, owners are adorable. What's not to like?
Travis Mason
Skip it. Owners gave up years ago. Was good but not anymore.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
B C
Quick and inexpensive.
Anna L.
The food is more like 3/5, it's an average cold cut banh mi, pre-made, and could use a bit more filling! It's an unassuming place, not really meant for dine in.But it is a consistent spot for a quick lunch. $6.5 for a sub is pretty good. Plus you don't have to wait in line since the usual subs are pre-made.What makes it a 4/5 star for me is that they have nem chua! The fermented pork sausage. Again it is not a great nem chua, but just that they have it is a bonus. For me it's a mom & pop shop that has food I feel nostalgic about.
David Nunez
Great vegetarian banh mi!Vegetarian options: Tofu Banh Mi
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sub
David N.
Great place for a vegetarian lunch. The couple running the restaurant has a very basic restaurant but the food itself is high quality in ingredients and tastes!
Gordon Lee
Closed again during business hours. This place is inconsistent with their hours. Often they close early and sometimes they are not open at all DURING BUSINESS HOURS. Im so sick these lazy businesses that open only when they are not hungover.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Aditya Titus
Little mom and pop shop run by a really kind older couple.The Banh Mis were great and the bread was fantastic with the perfect crunchiness. Would definitely revisit
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Pork Sandwich
Rayen Feng
I’ve been coming to this small shop for years. I stop by every time I’m in the area because their sandwiches are just so good and affordable. Highly recommend anyone in the area to give this place a try!
Not the best banh mi I've had but it is definitely quick and convenient if you're on the go. Small menu that offers sandwiches and Vietnamese coffee and other drink selection in the refrigerator. Service was fast, inside has two small tables so it's not ideal for sit-in dining. It did it's job but the sandwich was lacking in filling. The bread to meat ratio was off but the coffee carried my experience. Overall, nice mom and pop shop.
Recommended dishes: BBQ Pork Sandwich
Donny Huynh
I am a long time customer for over 15 years and they have never let me down, I live on the island and I usually order 25-40 sandwiches at a time and they are very organized with the next day orders. The buns are soft which tastes like they’re freshly made every day or atleast every other day. They can also separate your pickled vegetables and peppers if you travel from long distances like me.
Racquelle B.
Not the best banh mi I've had but it is definitely quick and convenient if you're on the go. Small menu that offers sandwiches and Vietnamese coffee and other drink selection in the refrigerator. Service was fast, inside has two small tables so it's not ideal for sit-in dining. It did it's job but the sandwich was lacking in filling. The bread to meat ratio was off but the coffee carried my experience. Overall, nice mom and pop shop
Mei Fu L.
A small unassuming shop near chinatown run by a husband and wife. There is no seating available inside. They have a super simple menu with 9 different sandwich options. Number 1 combo was what my group ordered and they had them ready to go super quick. They also took card which was convenient. I loved the quality of the bread and how perfectly toasted it was. I thought that the filling was a bit lacking, with only a thin layer of meat and veggies. However, overall a simple and convenient banh mi!
Kenneth W.
Heard so much about this place through the years and finally made it to the Chinatown location. The store is nice although a bit old given its long history. The staffing is adequate but they seemed a bit tired. We ordered two banh mi, one pork and one chicken. Both are fine and not different in any way. The meat is a bit bland and relied on the sauces to give it taste. Parking has to be on the side street at Main is a bit busy. Overall, it was fine.
It's amazing that this place has been around for so long and weathered the great gentrification of Chinatown! I remember when it used to be across the street (in a building before the giant condo tower) and the subs were $3... ahhh the nostalgia alone makes me happy. I know the Kingsway Bahn Mi shop puts more into their sandwiches, but somehow the specific taste that Ba Le on Main Street has is what I crave. Major props for the family who has consistently ran this place, I am reviewing because who knows how long until they're also but a memory? Thank you for being a Chinatown staple for so long, far and few now.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sub
Super cute mom and pop sandwich shop. Sandwiches are great, service is fast, owners are adorable. What's not to like?
Skip it. Owners gave up years ago. Was good but not anymore.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Quick and inexpensive.
The food is more like 3/5, it's an average cold cut banh mi, pre-made, and could use a bit more filling! It's an unassuming place, not really meant for dine in.But it is a consistent spot for a quick lunch. $6.5 for a sub is pretty good. Plus you don't have to wait in line since the usual subs are pre-made.What makes it a 4/5 star for me is that they have nem chua! The fermented pork sausage. Again it is not a great nem chua, but just that they have it is a bonus. For me it's a mom & pop shop that has food I feel nostalgic about.
Great vegetarian banh mi!Vegetarian options: Tofu Banh Mi
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sub
Great place for a vegetarian lunch. The couple running the restaurant has a very basic restaurant but the food itself is high quality in ingredients and tastes!
Closed again during business hours. This place is inconsistent with their hours. Often they close early and sometimes they are not open at all DURING BUSINESS HOURS. Im so sick these lazy businesses that open only when they are not hungover.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Little mom and pop shop run by a really kind older couple.The Banh Mis were great and the bread was fantastic with the perfect crunchiness. Would definitely revisit
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Pork Sandwich
I’ve been coming to this small shop for years. I stop by every time I’m in the area because their sandwiches are just so good and affordable. Highly recommend anyone in the area to give this place a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Not the best banh mi I've had but it is definitely quick and convenient if you're on the go. Small menu that offers sandwiches and Vietnamese coffee and other drink selection in the refrigerator. Service was fast, inside has two small tables so it's not ideal for sit-in dining. It did it's job but the sandwich was lacking in filling. The bread to meat ratio was off but the coffee carried my experience. Overall, nice mom and pop shop.
Recommended dishes: BBQ Pork Sandwich
I am a long time customer for over 15 years and they have never let me down, I live on the island and I usually order 25-40 sandwiches at a time and they are very organized with the next day orders. The buns are soft which tastes like they’re freshly made every day or atleast every other day. They can also separate your pickled vegetables and peppers if you travel from long distances like me.
Not the best banh mi I've had but it is definitely quick and convenient if you're on the go. Small menu that offers sandwiches and Vietnamese coffee and other drink selection in the refrigerator. Service was fast, inside has two small tables so it's not ideal for sit-in dining. It did it's job but the sandwich was lacking in filling. The bread to meat ratio was off but the coffee carried my experience. Overall, nice mom and pop shop
A small unassuming shop near chinatown run by a husband and wife. There is no seating available inside. They have a super simple menu with 9 different sandwich options. Number 1 combo was what my group ordered and they had them ready to go super quick. They also took card which was convenient. I loved the quality of the bread and how perfectly toasted it was. I thought that the filling was a bit lacking, with only a thin layer of meat and veggies. However, overall a simple and convenient banh mi!
Heard so much about this place through the years and finally made it to the Chinatown location. The store is nice although a bit old given its long history. The staffing is adequate but they seemed a bit tired. We ordered two banh mi, one pork and one chicken. Both are fine and not different in any way. The meat is a bit bland and relied on the sauces to give it taste. Parking has to be on the side street at Main is a bit busy. Overall, it was fine.