This is a solid banh mi spot when you're looking for a quick and affordable meal. The baguette was fresh with a nice crispy exterior while still being soft enough to bite into. I ordered the roast pork banh mi and really enjoyed it. The pork was more like pork belly, so it had that rich fattiness without feeling overly heavy. The pickled daikon and carrots helped balance everything out and added a nice crunch and acidity to the sandwich. The sandwiches are tasty overall, though I do wish there was a little more protein in them. That said, it's hard to complain too much when most of the sandwiches are under $10, which feels very reasonable these days. The sandwiches took a little longer than expected, especially since the shop was pretty empty when I visited. Other than that, it's a spot I'd keep in mind for a quick banh mi fix. read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Roasted Pork #4 - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I literally cannot stop saying WOW in this bakery. They have such a great selection and it's all foods that I absolutely love. I ended up getting the tapioca bean dessert in coconut milk. It is one of my absolute favorites. They make it not sweet here, which is perfect. I cannot say enough about this place. It is absolutely amazing. The sandwiches look delicious also. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

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Super good ban mi. Highlight was definitely the bread. So fresh and not too overwhelming for the sandwhich. Perfect ration of bread to filling in the Special Bahn mi. Pork bahn mi was also very good. Vietnamese coffee was strong in the best way. Service was good, staff were nice and food came out very quick. There is a little market type thing that takes up most of the store. Not a lot of places to sit, just a small little cafe area for seating but clean. 10/10 would recommend read more

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This is my four purchase from them in 3 days. Delicious food! Love this place so much!! read more

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It's been a decade since I've visit this sandwich shop the first time. The quality has stayed the same with more variety of snacks, lunch box, pastries, and dessert! Loved everything we tried on our little adventure and happy they're thriving so well! read more

I do like Bale sandwiches but I feel like they're never consistent with their sandwiches, which is why I'm knocking off a star. I love that the have vegetarian and vegan options. I would highly recommend the veggie avocado sandwich. My husband loves the #3 pork sandwich. Bread for bahn mi is delicious. read more

It's rare that I am able to get to this part of town since I live a bit a ways from here. When I am in the area, I usually crave a bahn mi. Ba le definitely hits the spot! I usually get a sandwich or 2 to share along with their hot appetizers and dishes and a dessert. It doesn't take long for any items ordered at the counter to be ready. The lone also moves pretty fast. We are happy with what we get and make promises to come back and try something else we haven't had yet on the next visit. read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The lemon grass pork is marinated pretty good however, the seasoning is a little bit salty so if we can adjust that, maybe less salty then it would be perfect. The pickled radish, cilantro and jalapeños are fresh. The cashier is okay. The store was crowded and wait time was 10'. read more

Ba Le Sandwich - BBQ Pork #2 - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We've been wanting to try Ba Le for some time. Did a pickup order and the online ordering system is smooth. Our food was ready quickly. The sandwiches were delicious and the bread was amazing which makes a good Banh Mi. We will be back read more

A classic in the neighborhood for good food and lots of to go options. Really quick service. They have tons of vegetarian and vegan options which was really nice to see. read more

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I ordered three Banh Mis from here. They have a small menu, sandwiches for the most part, and what they offer I would say is somewhat unique. My wife and son both ordered their Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi and I ordered their Vietnamese Pork. Both seemed to be in a sausage form instead of sliced meat. My Vietnamese pork came with sliced honey sausage, topped with peanut sauce and scallions. A damn good sandwich. The lemongrass pork came with lemongrass sausage and served with lemon fish sauce. I really enjoyed my sandwich, and it seems like the rest of my family wasn't a big fan of the sausages. I would definitely be returning. read more

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I've been here so many times and it's always a hit or miss with the service and food. We mostly order shredded chicken bahmin and today it was really good. Bread wasn't too dry and service was good. I hope to find another consistent place in the neighborhood. read more

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I love Ba Le! Their sandwiches are always so amazingly fresh and you never have to wait long for a hot meal. I live really close by and it's my favorite to pop in and grab a sandwich. I also love that their ingredients are all so fresh and the jalapeños are always really spicy and give the sandwich a nice cake. I love their smoothies as well. They're so refreshing and I find myself popping in often after a long walk at the lakefront. Highly recommend! read more

**MY EXPERIENCE:** Stepping into Ba Le Sandwiches felt like diving into a vibrant slice of Vietnamese culture right in the heart of Chicago. The moment you walk in, the irresistible aroma of freshly baked baguettes and spices hits you like a punch. It's not just any sandwich shop; it's a community staple. Every visit is an adventure, a culinary journey that never fails to wow. Picture this: layers of savory meats, crisp veggies, and zesty sauces nestled between perfectly toasted bread, all served up with a smile from the owner. The sandwiches are a steal--affordable yet bursting with bold flavors that make you crave another bite. I have become regular, always eager to explore new combinations and stories behind each creation. It's more than a meal; it's an experience that connects us to the vibrant tapestry of Chicago's multicultural scene. I will be back! RATINGS & LOGISTICS: - Atmosphere: 8/10 - Food Quality: 10/10 - Service/Flow: 8/10 - Value: 8/10 - Would Return: Yes read more

Best bánh mì sandwiches and macarons in the area! My go-to order is the classic vegetarian bánh mì with a side of veggie egg rolls, and they never disappoint. I recently tried the Thai iced coffee, and it was phenomenal. They also offer plenty of vegetarian options, which I really appreciate. Highly recommended! read more

I ordered through door dash and asked for extra jalapeño's and yet it was standard or to be honest nothing at all. Also, no pate in my sandwich. read more

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Got veggie avocado. Very good and loaded with fried tofu and veggies. Shop is set up as a market with many wonderful take home options. Staff is kids, which is fine, but missing pride. That's what makes a place. Being proud of the food you're making. Proud of the place you work at. It's missing. To the management, this is on you. You have to get the kids into it. Give it a shot. Everything will go to the next level! read more

I've tried giving them several chances but it just never works out. I'm consistently disappointed with their menu. The smoothies don't taste like they use real ingredients. The food is mediocre. read more

We visited Ba Le Sandwich for a banh mi, and it was the worst one we've had in the city so far. It was so under-filled and barely had any toppings. It had like 2 pieces of cilantro. We asked for more and even then it wasn't enough. Their noodle soup was good; we're glad we added that last minute. read more

Ba le is great sandwiches and Vietnamese ham- cha gio. My kids love to eat the Vietnamese ham. The price did increase from my last visit, it is currently about $15 per Vietnamese ham. The sandwich has different options. I usual go with the special- dac biet sandwich. Besides this they have other options, such as Vietnamese yogurt and Vietnamese mayonnaise for sale. Service was quick. Ordered at the cashier and wait on the side of the cashier for pick up. read more

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My friends favorite bun mi cafe. They also have ready to go desserts, entree, and meats on a table for purchase. My friends ordered sandwiches to take home. Everything on the table and fridge is self serve, just pay at the counter. Otherwise order sandwich and other entree at the counter. Cafe has 1 long table to sit and wait for your order, perhaps eat. But I didn't get the vibe to dine in since everything was packed to go. read more

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Moved to this area over a year ago and finally am trying it out. Upon walking in, you can order from a touch pad computer which made it easier for me to look at options and modify if needed. They also email you a receipt via email which is great. Onto the food: ordered a Chinese Char siu pork Banh mi and a beef Banh mi. Both were very good, but I preferred the Char Siu. The consistency of the bread was fresh and exactly how Banh Mi should be. I didn't like that the Vietnamese coffee I also ordered automatically came with a ton of sugar and milk. I wish it started off as a black coffee and you add as needed. It was way too sweet. Overall - a very decent spot to come grab a Banh Mi. The inside is very modern and nice. I was surprised! read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Needed some Vietnamese food while traveling and I found this place! I was craving an avocado smoothie (yes it is actually really really good) and refreshing and had some spring rolls and banh mi. There isn't really seating inside but you can sit outside. They have an outdoor patio but you can't walk back in from the door so you have to go around. Kinda annoying and something I did remember when trying to get my order. read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I got the vegetarian banh mi and it was delicious! Maybe the best one I've had. The bread was a little stale (in contrast, nhu lan uptown's was light and perfect), but I did come in the evening. I'll come earlier in the day to try it fresher. They have a great selection of meatless banh mis (more than just 1-2 products), which is nice to see. They also have a 1/2 sandwich 1/2 oyster mushroom noodle soup combo for $15. The menu is very enticing. Service was quick and friendly, and there are some cool products to browse while you wait. Nice spacious place. I'll be back to try more! read more

The restaurant has an outdoor seating area facing the street, so I have no complaints about the location. The food was good; I picked up several small items to try, and I liked most of them. I will definitely return. read more

Fresh, delicious sandwiches that make you feel like you did a good thing for your body. Staff is also very polite as well.

We stopped by for a snack and wanted to try their banh mis since they had good reviews. Whenever I see a Viet restaurant with a nem nuong banh mi, I have to get it. The nem nuong was pretty flavorless and they seemed to use a lot of red food coloring and almost tasted like it was previously frozen. However, service was quick and seating was clean. Unfortunately, I will not be back. read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Nem nuong banh mi - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

i went on 8/22/25 with my sibling who previously had a great experience at ba le. it was middling on the day of our visit. i had read reviews about ba le's renovation and wanted to check it out. it looked great. very neat and spacious. i think i spotted some outdoor seating. we ordered a bbq pork, a roast pork, a special, and a pork shrimp cake banh mi. unfortunately, we didn't receive the roast pork banh mi and accidentally got 2 specials. my bbq pork banh mi was a little salty and i found a hair in it. to end on a positive note, the person who rang me up was very nice. read more

Best banh mi I can find in the area and they are consistent. They actually will put extra pate and mayo if you ask.

Wow, it's been a little bit since we've been back. We used to go all the time with my grandparents every weekend. I remember when the sandwiches used to be super full, and were only $6.95 each just a few short years ago. Now it's like $8.95 each! Inflation really hit hard. We ordered a total of 16 sandwiches for the family and a few sticky buns. The food came out rather quickly for the amount of people that were in the shop. We felt rushed to order, and when we got to the front if we didn't know what we wanted or had questions it was almost a burden to them. When we came home the sandwiches were half stuffed, and were rock hard. But the flavors were fantastic and just as we had always remembered. It was a bit disappointing that skimped on vegetable and greens which always completed the tastes. All in all, if we're in the area we would definitely come back to try other things.... But compared the experience to what we used to enjoy this was much different. :) read more

Ba Le Sandwich - #2 - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First time trying this place and it was busy during lunch time. Had a bbq pork and a meatball. The bbq pork meat looked all chopped up, never had that way before in LA and Houston. Two strings of carrots and limited daikon. Both ends of the sandwich were only bread. Each was $9 and the quantity should be a bit more. Bread was fluffy. They also sell macaroons, danish, croissants and drinks. Plus they got a whole fridge of packaged meat and Vietnamese desserts. read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches are delicious. We ordered the grilled pork and also the special / dac biet. They have great drinks as well. We ordered Vietnamese coffee, so good. You can purchase other Vietnamese goodies. You should try a sandwich soon. read more

was not expecting this sandwich to be so addicting!! highly recommend if you're in the area! so good read more

Ba Le Sandwich - veggie with tofu sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I ordered a chicken sandwich and I got pickles hardly any meat! bread wasn't toasted! AND price was $32 for 2 sandwiches! I don't mind paying more for quality food! definitely not go there again. oh and they wanted tip !!' read more

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!). read more

Bread Texture's great. The bbq pork's kinda dry and sweet. Don't really like it. The Vietnamese sausage sandwich is pretty good Considering the cheap price, I'll give it 4 stars. Worth a try. read more

Popped in for lunch and got a very filling classic Banh Mi. I got the #1 Special, the original Saigon-style combo with pate, ham, headcheese, and pork roll topped with mayo, pickled daikon and carrot, onion, cilantro and jalapeño. The Banh Mi was excellent, the bread was nice and crunchy and all the ingredients were fresh. Jalapeños were pretty spicy, so had to take some off! I also got a side of Xoi Dau Den Vegan (Red Bean Rice Vegan) topped with coconut, peanuts, and sesame seeds. This was a nice mild/sweet treat after the sandwich (reminds me of a red bean paste ball). The rice isn't on the menu at the counter, but interspersed amongst the other goodies they have around the shop. I didn't explore this, but they have several coolers of grab and go food and several tables throughout with other foods. The Banh Mi came out really quick after ordering, only waited a minute or two. The space has some small counter seating in the back, but otherwise has mostly a market/grab and go vibe. Lots of natural light with all the floor to ceiling windows and the overall ambiance is nice. Would definitely come back to try more Banh Mi flavors! read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Xoi Dau Den Vegan (Red Bean Rice Vegan) topped with coconut, peanuts, and sesame seeds - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've never had a banh mi and honestly didn't know what to expect. Fast service and very affordable. I got the special which is the traditional sandwich. Typical white bread with mayo. A good amount of meat, with none being overpowering. I really enjoyed the crunch from the onion, daikon, and carrots as well as the kick of the jalapeños. read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Special #1 - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The service has improved immensely and I opted for the shrimp banh mi today, looks like I'll be ordering the shrimp from now on because it's simply delicious. I had to change my review back to 5 stars because the bread is fresh and the ingredients are fresh as well. read more

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Ba Le is my favorite spot to get banh mi in Chicago! I grew up eating Vietnamese food in CA, and I've learned a lot about Vietnamese food from my partner. If you're not familiar, the banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich which has an airy crispy crust (like a baguette), Vietnamese mayo, pickled carrots and daikon, jalapeno slices, and meat or tofu. I really love the pickled carrots and daikon, since they provide sweetness, crunch, and acidity to the sandwich. I usually order the #1 Special or #3 Chinese Pork. The #1 Special has a nice flavor and texture from the Vietnamese ham and pate. I get this when I'm in the mood for a cured meat sandwich. The #3 Chinese Pork has the red char siu style pork that's also found in Chinese pork buns. It's sweet, savory and juicy and goes really well with the pickled vegetables in the banh mi. They also have vegetarian and vegan options with tofu/avocado. Another thing that I love picking up is the cha chien. This is Vietnamese style ham, which is good for breakfast. I cut it up into slices, add some white sugar, and pan fry. It gets a delicious sweet, crispy crust and goes well with eggs. They also sell spring rolls to go, various drinks, and hot egg rolls/pate chaud. I haven't tried them but they look good. During Lunar New Year, they offer plenty of traditional celebratory foods, like pork or mung bean sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves. They're made fresh-- I saw them come out with huge trays of them during the day. There is plenty of street parking on adjacent streets, as well as a Vietnamese grocery store nearby. You can go next door to Bambu if you're craving chè (Vietnamese dessert). read more

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