I love this place. I’m part Vietnamese and grew up eating a lot of Vietnamese foods. This place is much than just a Bahn Mi spot. They have so many traditional snacks, desserts and meals here.I got a Bahn Mi, it was good, a little bit dry not the best Bahn Mi I’ve had in chicago but still yummy. And it wasn’t the bread that’s “dry” the bread is naturally crunchy on the outside and flaky and soft on the inside, that was achieved. I think I felt the fillings could have been balanced a bit better is all.I got a few viet desserts and some pickled mustard greens that I grew up with. I also got a “fried pork roll” which if you’ve never had it I highly recommend it, warm or cold. Just cut a slice off and eat it or eat it with rice or rice noodles. All were flavors that reminded me of home and I am so happy I found this spot. I will certainly be back.Service was fast and friendly. My friend even left her phone on the counter and they stopped her to give it back.If you’ve been looking for Viet desserts, meats, pickled items etc. I’d say this is your spot to stop by. Bahn Mi needs improvement though. I’ve had some better spots elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kathy Giang
I don't normally stop by for banh mi, I usually stop by for other Vietnamese to go dishes! Great place for authentic banh day and cha! Along with great pandan soy milk!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Sue Huynh
Special banh mi + xoi
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan, BBQ Pork
R. KRAMER
For a refreshingly new taste experience.try the “Chao-Tom” version of a classic Vietnamese Sandwich.“Pork Shrimpcake #11 @$8.95+ extra daikon @.20¢+ extra Jalapeño’s @ NCfrom the 1st bite through the perfectly crispy crust of this perfectly-baked-baguettetothe satisfyingly scrumptousness ofthe Slightly-sweet Shrimp-Cakecombined with a sharp-acidic biteof Daikon Radish/ Carrot “pickle”-this sandwich setsa high-bar for other competitorsin the Vietnamese Sandwich space.“Number 11 please”,is your “Secret”to Happiness-at Ba Le.????(number 11 is the Shrimp Paste Patties)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mini Baguette
Andrew M.
I used to go here a lot when I was younger cuz my uncle's office that I worked at used to be close by. They've since renovated it. There's a lot in the takeaway fridges! I ordered a BBQ pork bahn mi. It came out quickly but it was pretty scarce. My first two bites were really just bread. Also none of the seating has back support, which stinks for people like me who has chronic back pain. I'd rate it as a 4 but the seating knocks it down for me to a three.
Russell J.
The best band me sandwich in Chicago as far as I'm concerned. The only reason I don't give it five stars is because it has cleanliness issues. You definitely don't wanna know what's going on in the kitchen. And if you've taken a look in their bathroom, you definitely know that you don't want to think about what is getting cleaned, if anything. Some of the stuff in the fridge I think is dubious when it comes to food safety standards. But the sandwiches are so good you want to eat 10 of them just for the flavor, especially the barbecue pork.
Minh P.
Good banh mi!! They do the Vietnamese baguette perfectly: very airy and fluffy interior with a shatteringly crisp, thin crust. I hear they bake bread in-house and supply it to lots of other shops on Argyle. For good reason, I think! I will also note that their in-house cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage) is great - they sell it at grocery stores in Argyle as well, and I always make sure my fridge is stocked with some. I get the dac biet from here and I am always pleased. Of course I will always be partial to my hometown banh mi shop as my favorite, but Ba Le is about as good as I could hope for. The $9 pricepoint doesn't hurt either! Only thing I would change is to add more do chua (pickled veg) and cucumber. I have to remember to ask for extra. The shop is clean and modern, with takeaway food items in the front and limited seating in the back. Highly recommend checking out what they have on the tables and in the fridge, as I have yet to be disappointed. Caveat: keep an eye out for the food coming out of the window! I wasn't paying close enough attention, and ended up waiting a long time for my food that was ready all along. I will surely be back, and will do my best to try a different sandwich but no promises. (My friends who get different varieties all had positive things to say, I'll mention!).
Tran C
We got a few banh mi dac biet with the veg on the side to put it together ourselves later and holy heck, terrible. Super thin layer of pate, literally 4 thin slices of meat? not even roast pork. Why was it special? Im confused. A bag of the pickle carrot and daikon (enough for maybe 2? We got 4, wasn't enough to divide) and I want to say 3 pieces of coriander sprigs? No cucumbers, no jalapenos? No mayo? I didn't look until after I got home, but honestly I was so disappointed. What is the hype cause as a viet person I did not enjoy this sandwich. Sadly it's a no
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Paul Guerino
Our go to for delicious banh
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lily Karmis
This place is my MUSE! It’s a hidden(?) Chicago gem and a must try banh mi sandwich spot. I’m a vegetarian, and struggle to find places that really makes tofu right- this is the best tofu I’ve ever had- I’ve never had it crunchier and drier. Something all my vegan/vegetarian friends can agree on is how well this place makes their tofu! My go to order is the veggie avocado and it’s delicious! I go here maybe once a week
Always get the grilled pork bang mi and I love the grilled pork noodle
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Chandaly S.
Ba Le is one of my favorite bahn mi places to get whenever I'm in the city! The BBQ pork is my favorite and you can order with veggies on the side for ease of traveling and your sandwich won't become soggy! Their ice coffee is amazing too if you like strong Viet coffee!
Christina Huynh
I always come here to get banh gio.
Tiffany Pham
This place has a lot of snacks foods to grab and a lot of choices for Banh
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: BBQ Pork, Special Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Salad Rolls
I love this place. I’m part Vietnamese and grew up eating a lot of Vietnamese foods. This place is much than just a Bahn Mi spot. They have so many traditional snacks, desserts and meals here.I got a Bahn Mi, it was good, a little bit dry not the best Bahn Mi I’ve had in chicago but still yummy. And it wasn’t the bread that’s “dry” the bread is naturally crunchy on the outside and flaky and soft on the inside, that was achieved. I think I felt the fillings could have been balanced a bit better is all.I got a few viet desserts and some pickled mustard greens that I grew up with. I also got a “fried pork roll” which if you’ve never had it I highly recommend it, warm or cold. Just cut a slice off and eat it or eat it with rice or rice noodles. All were flavors that reminded me of home and I am so happy I found this spot. I will certainly be back.Service was fast and friendly. My friend even left her phone on the counter and they stopped her to give it back.If you’ve been looking for Viet desserts, meats, pickled items etc. I’d say this is your spot to stop by. Bahn Mi needs improvement though. I’ve had some better spots elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don't normally stop by for banh mi, I usually stop by for other Vietnamese to go dishes! Great place for authentic banh day and cha! Along with great pandan soy milk!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Special banh mi + xoi
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan, BBQ Pork
For a refreshingly new taste experience.try the “Chao-Tom” version of a classic Vietnamese Sandwich.“Pork Shrimpcake #11 @$8.95+ extra daikon @.20¢+ extra Jalapeño’s @ NCfrom the 1st bite through the perfectly crispy crust of this perfectly-baked-baguettetothe satisfyingly scrumptousness ofthe Slightly-sweet Shrimp-Cakecombined with a sharp-acidic biteof Daikon Radish/ Carrot “pickle”-this sandwich setsa high-bar for other competitorsin the Vietnamese Sandwich space.“Number 11 please”,is your “Secret”to Happiness-at Ba Le.????(number 11 is the Shrimp Paste Patties)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mini Baguette
I used to go here a lot when I was younger cuz my uncle's office that I worked at used to be close by. They've since renovated it. There's a lot in the takeaway fridges! I ordered a BBQ pork bahn mi. It came out quickly but it was pretty scarce. My first two bites were really just bread. Also none of the seating has back support, which stinks for people like me who has chronic back pain. I'd rate it as a 4 but the seating knocks it down for me to a three.
The best band me sandwich in Chicago as far as I'm concerned. The only reason I don't give it five stars is because it has cleanliness issues. You definitely don't wanna know what's going on in the kitchen. And if you've taken a look in their bathroom, you definitely know that you don't want to think about what is getting cleaned, if anything. Some of the stuff in the fridge I think is dubious when it comes to food safety standards. But the sandwiches are so good you want to eat 10 of them just for the flavor, especially the barbecue pork.
Good banh mi!! They do the Vietnamese baguette perfectly: very airy and fluffy interior with a shatteringly crisp, thin crust. I hear they bake bread in-house and supply it to lots of other shops on Argyle. For good reason, I think! I will also note that their in-house cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage) is great - they sell it at grocery stores in Argyle as well, and I always make sure my fridge is stocked with some. I get the dac biet from here and I am always pleased. Of course I will always be partial to my hometown banh mi shop as my favorite, but Ba Le is about as good as I could hope for. The $9 pricepoint doesn't hurt either! Only thing I would change is to add more do chua (pickled veg) and cucumber. I have to remember to ask for extra. The shop is clean and modern, with takeaway food items in the front and limited seating in the back. Highly recommend checking out what they have on the tables and in the fridge, as I have yet to be disappointed. Caveat: keep an eye out for the food coming out of the window! I wasn't paying close enough attention, and ended up waiting a long time for my food that was ready all along. I will surely be back, and will do my best to try a different sandwich but no promises. (My friends who get different varieties all had positive things to say, I'll mention!).
We got a few banh mi dac biet with the veg on the side to put it together ourselves later and holy heck, terrible. Super thin layer of pate, literally 4 thin slices of meat? not even roast pork. Why was it special? Im confused. A bag of the pickle carrot and daikon (enough for maybe 2? We got 4, wasn't enough to divide) and I want to say 3 pieces of coriander sprigs? No cucumbers, no jalapenos? No mayo? I didn't look until after I got home, but honestly I was so disappointed. What is the hype cause as a viet person I did not enjoy this sandwich. Sadly it's a no
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Our go to for delicious banh
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is my MUSE! It’s a hidden(?) Chicago gem and a must try banh mi sandwich spot. I’m a vegetarian, and struggle to find places that really makes tofu right- this is the best tofu I’ve ever had- I’ve never had it crunchier and drier. Something all my vegan/vegetarian friends can agree on is how well this place makes their tofu! My go to order is the veggie avocado and it’s delicious! I go here maybe once a week
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veggie, Avocado, Vegetarian
Restaurantji Recommends
Love the vegan options!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always get the grilled pork bang mi and I love the grilled pork noodle
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Ba Le is one of my favorite bahn mi places to get whenever I'm in the city! The BBQ pork is my favorite and you can order with veggies on the side for ease of traveling and your sandwich won't become soggy! Their ice coffee is amazing too if you like strong Viet coffee!
I always come here to get banh gio.
This place has a lot of snacks foods to grab and a lot of choices for Banh
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: BBQ Pork, Special Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Salad Rolls