Stop number two on a SGV Bahn Mi food crawl consisting of seven different restaurants. Ba Le came highly recommended on various social media platforms. I arrived right before closing. The staff was very friendly. I ordered the Number 2, Special or Dac Biet. The sandwich was hefty and packed full. Baked in house baguette was crisp without cutting up the roof of your mouth. They use a very large amount of that buttery mayo spread which for me slightly overpowered the sandwich but was nevertheless delicious. Another great local SGV spot favored by locals! read more

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - Number 2 Special - Vietnamese Near Me - Alhambra, California

4++ low frills spot that primarily sells banh mi sandwiches. Friendly and quick service. I was coming through and wanted some coffee and a sandwich to go. I ended up ordering the special with the veggies on the side. I had to fly that day and when I got off the plane I was hungry. It was really looking forward to that sandwich! Lol. Delicious ingredients and plenty of veggies. The parking is a little cramped, even though there's usually plenty of parking in this area. read more

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I can't believe I've lived in SGV practically my entire life and somehow missed this place. I was even more surprised to learn they've been around since 1984. It looks like they've modernized over the years with updated menus and a website, but the quality still feels old-school in the best way. The chicken BBQ really hit. The bread was soft and fluffy, which I appreciated because it didn't tear up the roof of my mouth like some other banh mi spots. The ratio of pâté and mayo was just right, and the balance of veggies made everything feel fresh. It's almost rare now to get cucumbers, and this was actually the first time I've gotten onions too -- both worked really well. The whole sandwich just came together nicely. I also tried the bò lá lốt and the flavors really stood out. I especially liked the crunch from the peanuts. Definitely excited to come back and try more of the menu. I also ordered the durian smoothie ($6.50). I was pretty excited for it, but it ended up being a little lacking in flavor. Service was very SGV -- straight to the point, no extra smiles, but quick and efficient, which honestly was all I needed. They're cash only, which is a bit of a love-hate thing. I rarely carry cash, but at the same time, paying in cash in SGV feels kind of nostalgic now. Overall, this is the type of spot I'd easily come back to. Great sandwiches, quick service, and a solid local feel. read more

I was nearby and popped in. No bahn mi for me. I grabbed a $4 sticky rice filled with pork, shitake mushroom and egg yolk. It was pretty good. You pick it up from the self serve table in from of the cashier. I didn't get the friendly service that some reviewers have mentioned. I did get the sticky rice heated up. It needed to be unwrapped and heated for longer. It was just lukewarm. I ate it in the car with chili sauce they had. It's a bargain snack pick up. I enjoyed it. . It had quite a lot of filling. Pretty tasty. Not too dry. read more

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - Sticky rice $4. - Vietnamese Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Ba Le is a classic staple that has been around for decades. It's affordable, delicious, and quick if that's what you're looking for. You can order in person, or call ahead to save time. The service here is pretty friendly. The place itself is small as the food is all to go only. I usually get either the Banh Cuon, Banh Out, or the Chicken Banh Mi. read more

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Was in the mood for a banh mi and found this place on Yelp. It's a small place in a strip center on Atlantic & Valley. Very unassuming. Got an egg roll (as an appetizer) for $1.50. It was good. Got the pork banh for about $7. A great deal. It was filling and tasty. Would go back if in the area and the urge hits me. read more

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I've been coming here for about 8 years now, and it's still one of my favorite spots to get bánh mì. The service is super fast, which makes it perfect for a quick grab-and-go meal. My go-to is the chicken bánh mì, it's always flavorful and hits the spot every time. Just a heads up, they're cash only, so make sure to come prepared. Definitely a go-to if you're craving something quick, affordable, and consistently good! read more

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Ba Le can not and should not be missed for an outstanding Banh Mi at a great price served by the sweetest staff! I stopped by not knowing what the menu items were since the menu inside the restaurant has the Vietnamese names. SO I asked which was just the "pork belly" sandwich and the girls informed me of the #12, so the #12 is what I ordered! And for only $7?? I was afraid the sandwich would be tiny but wow this thing is bigger than most sandwiches you'll find at the likes of subway or other gross chain spots. The bread was so light but crispy and crunchy. The pickled veggies were so crunchy and flavored nicely while the fresh veggies were so, well, fresh! The pickled jalapenos weren't too spicy either. There was plenty of thinly sliced but flavorful and tender pork with a good spread of mayo and the pate. It all fit perfectly together and it was such a delicious sandwich read more

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Got to love their spring rolls. They were all made fresh and ready to eat. Service was great and fast. Place is well organized and maintained read more

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Good no frills Banh Me Shop that I found very tasty. Small location with no indoor seating, but friendly and faster service. Note: Cash only (luckily I had some cash when I went). read more

This was one of my favorite sandwich shops when I was living in the area. It has been quite a few years since my last visit. I decided to order a couple of banh mi for lunch, a #2 Special and a #5 Egg. I noted a change in the baguette. The bread is now much thicker in size and smaller in length. It was still crispy on the outside and nicely textured chewy on the inside. There was also plenty of filling now. The meats and pork pate in the #2 Special were fresh tasting along with the pickled radish, jalapeños, and shredded green onions. The #5 Egg had several extra large fried eggs and plenty of the accompanying pickled and fresh vegetables. In the past I was able to finish two sandwiches and called it a meal. Now the banh mi is substantially larger and a challenge to finish just one. I ended up saving one for the next day. Overall, the sandwiches tasted like I remembered. Service is fast and efficient. The shop is set up for takeout only and is cash only as well. Other prepared food items are also available on the counter. A definite return visit if I am in the area again. read more

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - #5 Egg Banh Mi. - Vietnamese Near Me - Alhambra, California

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7/25/25 Ordered for pick up and as usual, they're quick to prepare our order. This is a cash only no frills place. You pay when you pick up. The pricing is average for the size you get. They have buy 5 get 1 free deal. This used to be our go-too spot for Banh Mi's to take hiking since it would still be good the next day. I would typically get the chicken or shredded pork. The bbq pork is good too but a little on the sweeter side. Also just a note about the shredded pork, it's actually pork skin (I believe) rather than the traditional American pulled pork one would think of. I still like it though. However, I feel like the quality has gone down lately. The bread was quite hard and the meat wasn't as generous. We haven't been going lately so maybe it's the same but I never realized it till I tried better Banh Mi places. Pandan honeycomb cake was pretty dry. Wish they would include cilantro in the veggies too. Plaza parking available and it's usually not too full when we go. I'm giving this four stars considering the good banhmis we got in the past. read more

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Came here in the morning and ordered a #2 and #10 sandwiches. Our sandwiches were ready in less than 10 minutes. Both sandwiches were fresh and had lots of meat. Bread was crispy and delicious. Good portion for the price. Free parking in parking lot. Good service. Highly recommend! read more

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Fresh, cheap, and delicious. Staff is friendly and efficient. One bahn mi sandwich can feed two.

I usually order Vietnamese sandwiches (Banh Mi) at Ba Le because they are known for one of the best banh mi places in the San Gabriel Valley, but I tried their other food this time. I ordered the grilled pork with egg rolls vermicelli (#16, $10), and the Banh Cuon (Steamed rice rolls) $8. The prices were very good. The grilled pork with egg rolls and Vermicelli was not bad, and the portion was pretty big. However, the quality of the banh cuon was disappointing. The rice roll's skin was thick and not smooth. I will not order banh cuon again, and stick with their banh mi instead. read more

Ba Le is a SGV institution. They are definitely a contender to the colossal Banh Mi Che Cali since they feature an array of Vietnamese foods for such a great value but they are cash only. All the items we tried tasted amazing. Standouts would be the vermicelli plates and the egg rolls. Special mention item would be the egg rolls as it features taro and the amount of crisp is absolutely insane. read more

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I've been coming to this sandwich shop for years. Great option for quick and cheap eats. Each sandwich is made fresh to order and the portions are pretty generous. I got BBQ pork during my latest visit and it was exactly what I needed. Service is also quick and it took no more than a few minutes to wait for my order. The mix spring rolls is an automatic add on every time I go because, why not? They're good. Interior is small and this is mostly a grab and go type of shop. Parking so far has been management but when it gets busy, parking could be a challenge since there's numerous shops around that uses the same lot. read more

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Cash only establishment! Prices aren't bad at all here and they do have variety of Banh mi, Banh cuon, coffees, and smoothies! 3.5 stars overall. My favorite was their Vietnamese coffee (4/5) as it tasted more strong in their coffee flavor and less sweet on the condensed milk. They give a lot of coffee amount compared to ice like most Vietnamese coffees are all ice. I also tried their Banh Mi (3/5) which had a nice airy baguette and they have pate on their Dac Biet. Their Banh mi was unique and came with onions. However, I did feel like the meats lacked flavor than other Banh Mis. Banh Cuon (3/5): Their pork filling inside also lacked flavor even when combined with the fresh veggies and fish sauce. Good portions though. Durian Smoothie (2/5): I always love getting durian smoothies when I see it on the menu since it's rare. However, this durian smoothie didn't taste much like durian and more milk and ice. Disappointed it didn't have the strong durian taste. I would recommend making the cup smaller so if they add little durian it can be more potent with less milk/ice in a smaller portion if it's expensive to make. read more

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Friday Sammy Tour #3 *Cash Only Authentic, hand-made Vietnamese food, snacks, and drinks. Some items must be ordered from the menu. Other items like spring rolls and pre-packaged meals are also available. In addition to the food and drinks, small market finds are available on the shelves to the right. Fast turn around. Fresh bread. Well seasoned meat. I recommend the #8 Banh Mi (BBQ Pork). read more

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amaaaazing banh mi bread. i would've preferred more pickled veggies but i really appreciated the fresh green onions and veggies in general. but the biggest takeaway... da bread !!! read more

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - dac biet & bbq pork - Vietnamese Near Me - Alhambra, California

Bah bah bah bah bahn mi !! So a coworker mine the other day called me and asked me if I'd like a bahn mi for lunch who's gonna say no to that right? At first, I asked him where he was getting it from because the last place we went to in Monterey Park (i wont mention any names )left my mouth so beat up and cut from the hard ass bread it felt like I got abused in the back alley. He told me it was a place we hadn't tried before and I was looking forward to giving it a shot . I got the barbecue pork sandwich with double meat and let me tell you this thing was stuffed with well marinated meat that was super delicious. The other thing I noticed was it had peanuts on it which I liked it gave it a little sweet and savory touch. . I asked him if they had any pork buns which they did. It was like a puff pastry with a pork dumpling inside and let me tell you that thing did not disappoint. Either quick note I forgot to take a picture of that because I was too hungry and I ate it , my bad .. I would definitely come back here again as the bread was perfect and the sandwiches really good give it a shot. It's worth the price and by the way it's not expensive at all. read more

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - Double meat, barbecue pork sandwich !! - Vietnamese Near Me - Alhambra, California

I came later in the afternoon and by that time they were out of the bbq pork so I ordered the chicken and bbq beef, some egg rolls and a milk tea boba. The food came out fresh and quick. Hubby had the bbq beef and said he'd prefer pork or the chicken. I enjoyed the egg rolls and the chicken banh mi. I'll come back for the bbq pork as that's what I was looking forward to. read more

My family has been coming to this quaint establishment since I was a kid. They got reasonable prices (my banh mi was 8 bucks) and efficient Asian style service. During lunch they sell pre made vermicelli noodles with a combination of meats and egg rolls and rice dishes with similar toppings. The food here is solid and I always try to stop by once in a while! Tip: make sure to bring cash as they are cash only! read more

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - #2 dac biet - Vietnamese Near Me - Alhambra, California

CASH ONLY. Shared parking in a plaza next to a busy Starbucks, parking is a little tight sometimes but totally worth it! One of my favorite banh mi places, they have thinly sliced onions in their sandwiches. If you're an onion lover and love banh mi, come here! You can really taste five spice seasoning throughout the cold cut banh mi as well. Avocado smoothie is perfect for those that don't like their drinks too sweet. My colleague loves regular sugar boba drinks and thinks avocado smoothie isn't sweet enough. Banh Beo- wasn't good, very soft no chew or bounce to the batter. I wouldn't grab again. Banh Bot Loc Tran (tapioca dumpling)- with dried shrimp was great, just right amount of chew. read more

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This has been my go-to Banh Mi spot. My favorite is the BBQ Pork Banh Mi. So delicious! This review is based on me picking this up on multiple occasions. The first time I tried it, I was just beyond elated at having found something so amazing. The BBQ pork was extremely flavorful and succulent, cooked perfectly! The bread was also so fresh and fluffy with a bit of a crust that was just right. After going back and ordering this same item multiple times, I knocked down my rating to 4 stars, because there were some clumps of chewy fat and cartilage. But, still flavorful and delicious. The pickled radish, carrots, cilantro, etc. are a perfect accompaniment. I love it. Located in a shopping center on the corner of Atlantic & Valley. Parking is plentiful. Service is good. Every time I've been there, service has been quick and it hasn't been crowded. Prices are good--- great value. Highly recommended! read more

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They close early on Tuesdays. Great sandwiches. Try the sugarcane drink, you'll love it. read more

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - Business hours. They close early on tuesdays - Vietnamese Near Me - Alhambra, California

Stopped by to order the chicken rice and banh mi sandwich. Towards the latter half of the day, the business runs out of all their popular items (ex spring rolls) and meats, as I had to continuously request other items to order. One thing to note is that this business is cash only! However, the bread quality is much better than other chain banh mi restaurants. read more

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - Menu - Vietnamese Near Me - Alhambra, California

Sadly looks like this place has gone down hill. Sandwiches are about 2/3 the size they used to be and they seem to have things on the menu that don't exist anymore. Specifically the BBQ beef and pork. But they don't tell you if you order those sandwiches you'll get a meatball sandwich instead. Not cool to do that to your customers at least mark it off your menu don't give them something totally different without a heads up. Happened twice to us we thought we made a mistake but it was clear the 2nd time that they don't have that menu item any longer and are not communicating it. Ordered the shredded pork as one last chance but it was stringy and almost seemed like fake meat. We're done. read more

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - Shredded pork :/ - Vietnamese Near Me - Alhambra, California

A great stop for whenever you're in the area. Came here after a camping trip with friends and originally wanted to split one banh mi with my husband so I told him to go grab the BBQ pork. And it was a decent sized banh mi compared to Lee's, so I was excited. Guys, it was so good we went to get another banh mi but this time we tried the employees favorite--I believe it was a lemongrass sausage version. Every bite I took, I felt like I was taking a bite of pho. As absurd as it sounds, the lady mentioned that it's probably the lemongrass that makes it taste like it. Anyways, I prefer the BBQ pork and I really can't wait to try the special next time. We also got an iced Vietnamese coffee. I think this is where I gave it one less star hoping that it would be sweet but as soon as I took a sip, I realized it was on the bitter side for me. Not my cup of tea...or coffee I suppose but the food is delicious with the perfect crunch in the baguette and you get a good portion of the BBQ pork in your banh mi. For the price, it was definitely worth it and the lady behind the counter was so sweet. Definitely has a ton of ample parking and easily to get in and out of. I think it was also around 3:30PM when we got there and it was pretty busy I thought so it tells you that it's a good spot for the locals. Absolutely love hidden gems / mom and pop shops like these. Until next time, Lina. read more

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This place was great. Really good size sando for the price - I feel like some of the banh mi in the area are a little small. The ube/coconut rice pudding is amazing. The BBQ pork is the most popular meat, but the traditional Vietnamese cold cuts or the lemongrass sausage are great too. They have other options like bún, spring rolls, meatballs - all the good stuff. The people here are very friendly and always get your order out fast. read more

I ordered togo on 1/4/25. Every time I want a decent Banh Mi sandwich, I come here. I usually get it before a hike or an all day event. The sandwiches have been consistent for years. This time I ordered the #3, chicken Banh Mi and it was delicious! Service is quick, but don't expect the cashiers to be polite. When I entered, they just looked tired and probably wasn't having a good day. You should always order in advance for quicker service! Also, they still have the deal where you buy 5 Banh Mis and get the 6th one free! Cash only. read more

Cơm Cháy that's all I have to say. Only came here for this one thing and one thing only. I made this at home once and it's a labor of love to make the rice crispy and crunchy. A gallon ziplock bag will set you back about $20 but if you ever made it at home you will know the effort. So "time is money"... so save your time and spend a little money supporting a local business and get an awesome snack that will appeal to your taste buds. Savoury and slightly spicy it's a great gift item for a unique treat. Fast counter service! read more

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - Cơm Cháy - Vietnamese Near Me - Alhambra, California

Decided on Ba Le Banh Mi's as my contribution to this years office Goodsmas. Despite the higher price point and higher price point for bulk sandwiches (buy 5 get 1 free), I trusted in the community's reviews of this spot. Per recommendations, I ordered 14 sandwiches (2 of which came free per the deal) all for about $100 with tip. 6 chicken, 6 special, and 4 pork. Kindly, the pickled veggies came in separate bags as i had purchased them the day before our work holiday event. Despite serving the sandwiches next day, the bread remained feathery and chewy all while maintaining the fresh taste of the meat. Of note: CASH ONLY read more

Who would have thought of this hole in the wall gem for Vietnamese sandwiches, coffee and food? I can't believe I never noticed this place when I visited this plaza when going to Starbucks. It's seriously hidden in the corner. I happened to be in the area and was craving a banh mi. I simply ordered it to go and it was ready in minutes. Do note that it's CASH only. Must try their special sandwich and their rice dishes. Ended up grabbing their egg rolls and they were flavorful and crunchy. I would definitely come back again. read more

Been going here for decades but today is my last time. I thought I ordered 6 banh mi over the phone but made the mistake and got 4 and 2 combo platters. This was all over the phone as pickup. Hard to understand and don't recommend this unless you speak Vietnamese. When I arrived to pickup and pay (all cash establishment) and realized this I apologized and told her I wanted 6 banh mi and no combo platter. Cashier yelled at me for quite some time. Even her female coworkers came over to settle the situation. It was like she put all her anger in life into this order. I apologized but told her she shouldn't be yelling at me. As things were closing they just wanted me out so their 1 rubber band/2 rubber band on the sandwich coding system was lost to me. Absolutely bizarre customer experience with them. Lost a life long customer today. read more

One of the best banh mi spots in SGV. Their banh mi is crunchy enough that it has a nice crispy texture, but not sharp where your mouth feels like you bit into glass shards. Thats probably the best way I can explain their banh mi. I usually get their dac biet, and it satisfies my banh mi cravings. I like that they give plenty of pickled vegetables and you can ask to put it together or separate. I wish this place opened earlier in the day but it hasn't failed me when I needed to be somewhere immediately after lol. They are cash only so make sure to bring cash. I will be going back whenever I need a banh mi for a long day ahead! read more

Ah Alhambra, a city with more banh mi shops per block than say, McDonald's (complimentary). I am definitely not complaining. And I will never complain about Ba le. Of the shops along Valley alone, this spot is my favorite hands down. They boast a pretty typical menu of banh mi sandwiches with customizable proteins and other items on hand like rice plates, egg rolls, desserts, chips, and sodas. They also have freshly baked baguettes. What sets Ba le apart is quality. Pay an extra dollar ish (in cash, be sure to always pay in cash) and you'll be sinking your teeth into a proper banh mi, with a nice chewy baguette and well dressed accoutrements like daikon, coriander leaves, jalapeño, and deliciously cooked protein of your choice (I always get grilled pork). I can speak to the quality of at least 5 sandwiches on the menu, but I implore you all to join me in trying out the rest of it. read more

Ba Le Sandwich Shop - Usual lunch pick up for me any given weekday - Vietnamese Near Me - Alhambra, California

This is a cash only place!! They open at 715 every morning. The only day they close early is on Tuesdays. Parking is a shared lot with a laundromat and the market. There is a Chase bank in the same Plaza so you can withdraw money from there if needed. Their banh mi sandwiches are fast to make and everything is freshly prepared. Something about their mayo and the fresh bread makes this place better than other banh mi places. If you order a dish that requires time to make, they will make it for you. Be warned, if there is one already made under the heating lamp (ready to eat), they will give that to you first before making a new one. They added Lemon Iced Tea to their menu and it's not too sweet. I like the sweet ones from other cafes, so in those terms, I've have better. It's a small little shop and the noise level is average. The staff looks a little on the grumpy side and there wasn't much of a friendly customer service. I'd still come back. read more

Great prices, good pick up to go food Sandwiches, egg rolls, drinks, etc Bread has good texture read more

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Come here often for the very soft Banh Mi bread. It's so fluffy. Ladies behind the counter is very nice. I love there Banh Mi so much. The place is a little aged but clean. read more