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I love this little hole in the wall Bahn mi shop. Its location in a strip mall right near my work so I make my way over every now and then for lunch. It's a tiny shop with a handful of tables inside but not a lot of seating. The service is great and food comes out quickly. They always get my orders right when I ask for no jalapeños or cilantro on the side. I typically get the grilled pork Bahn mi which is delicious with the pickled veggies and crispy on the outside but soft on the inside baguette. The jalapeños can get pretty spicy so just be cautious of that. The pork is always tender and delicious. This time I tried out the grilled pork spring roll. The spring roll was nothing really special but it comes with a nutty creamy peanut sauce that has only a very slight spice. My worker always gets the tofu spring rolls and I've shared with her a few times. The tofu is delicious and seasoned with a great firm but not spongey texture. I think the tofu spring roll is my favorite type after trying the pork and chicken. The shop also has various teas and Vietnamese coffee. I love that this shop is easy, quick, and pretty cheap and that will keep me coming back.
Definitely recommend the BBQ pork, crispy outer shell but soft and fresh inside. Pork was delicious and tender. Service is quick and price is great. Highly recommend this spot.
I originally pulled into this parking lot debating between Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or grabbing a poke bowl at Poke One N Half, but then I spotted Banh Mi Express and decided to try something different. Little hole-in-the-wall spots like this are either a gamble... or absolute gold. This one was GOLD. I walked in completely sight unseen--no Yelp check beforehand--and ordered the #6 grilled chicken banh mi along with a Vietnamese coffee. After paying (around $16 with tip), I had my coffee immediately and my sandwich in under five minutes. The bread was still warm, so I ate it right there in my truck--and wow. Everything tasted incredibly fresh. The grilled chicken was packed with flavor, the veggies were crisp and bright, the sauce was perfectly balanced (not heavy at all), and the baguette... absolute perfection. Super fluffy on the inside with that light, crunchy exterior that makes a banh mi great. And if you follow my Yelp reviews, you know I take my coffee seriously--especially iced coffee and cold brew. The Vietnamese coffee here was fantastic. Strong (in the best way), not watered down by cream, and perfectly portioned. Just really well done. Banh Mi Express is officially going into my regular lunch rotation when I'm at the office. Fast, fresh, affordable, and delicious--with friendly service to top it off. Easy five-star spot. Thanks for the great food and service!
Banh Mi continues to offer excellent sandwiches. Price have gone up so I added updated menu pictures.
Bánh Mi Express in Kearny Mesa serves up some authentic Bánh Mi sandwiches with freshly made bread that is perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The meats are super flavorful and the vegetables give the perfect freshness the sandwich needs. Follow @allthingsfoodinsandiego for more must try San Diego restaurants, date night ideas, food experiences, kid friendly spots, with a sprinkling of home-cooking!
WORK LUNCH STOP (3.75) - FOOD: good - PRICE: fair - SERVICE: quick (all orders to go) - AMBIANCE: small plaza restaurant This is a work lunch kind of place. Since this is very close to my office it's more of a convenience than a crave. :: ORDER :: #6 GRILLED BEEF BAHN MI ($7.99) - since this is not my go to place I had lower expectations only to take a bite and was pleasantly surprised of my first bite. The layers of stuffed banh mi checked off. The grilled meat tasted more like left over lightly marinated kbbq meat (and in in with that because it wasn't bad). I thought to myself, okay I can now just come here if I need a sandwich instead of driving to K Sandwiches although K sandwiches is the preferred RECOMMEND SODA - served in a can. Not much selection. The basics. I'd def come back to try their springs and some of their custom beverages. Until the next review...
The pate is sooooo smooth and creamy, it's the soul of Banh Mi. This reminding me the original taste from Vietnam that I couldn't find at any where else in the U.S. Highly recommended the #1 special, their cold cuts are the best.
Absolutely a sandwich worth every bite. Their classic cold cut special stuffed with all the meats and generous pate spread balanced with the crunch of pickled carrot, daikon and cucumbers and the heat of jalapeños all wrapped with precision on a crunchy light chewy baguette was on point.
This bánh mì shop is located in a big plaza with plenty of parking. It opens early which is perfect for breakfast time. The service is always good here and food comes out fast. The shop is clean and has a few tables for dine in, I think most people do takeaways though. The bánh mì itself is delicious and filled to the brim with meat. The baguette is always crispy and fresh! I initially thought the price is kinda high but you get what you pay for. Highly recommend!
Banh mi is my favorite sandwich, and probably one of my all time favorite foods. I crave it morning, noon, and night. Even as an 80 year old with no teeth I'd blend one up and drink it with a straw. Anyways, I was excited to see good reviews for Banh Mi Express, as it is closer to me than Mira Mesa, where my favorite banh mi in SD can be found. I dropped by Banh Mi Express on a weekend and it was empty, though they were working on takeout orders. The shop is small with seating and a TV playing food videos. Service is friendly and I got my food quickly. I ordered the dac biet with extra veggies, and the fried spring rolls. When I got home, I was surprised to realize there were two sandwiches in my bag, along with the bag of 4 spring rolls and it's accompanying veggies and fish sauce dip. I'm unsure if they threw in an extra sandwich or gave me two since the bread was small, but regardless it was an exciting find! The spring rolls were crispy and very flavorful, no notes. Deliciously messy to eat in a lettuce wrap with pickled veggies and sticky-sweet fish sauce dripping down your hand. The banh mis were also delicious. I had one day-of and one the next day. The large amount of mayonaise made the bread get soggy in places overnight, but overall still held up quite well. I think that the bread is still not as good as the bread from my favorite banh mi place, Paris Sandwiches. It didn't taste quite as fresh, and was more domed and less flat, which is just more difficult to eat, and made each bite feel a bit breadier than I would have liked. The fillings slid around more than I would have liked, despite the death grip I had on the rear of my sandwich. On to the fillings, this sandwich was STUFFED. When you ask for extra veggie, they give you MEGA extra veggie. Tons of cilantro and pickled veg. There was a generous amount of cold cuts and thick globs of pate. Stupendous. I will say that next time I think I will ask for a touch less mayonnaise, as that was a bit excessive for me. Overall, very solid little sandwich shop that I can see myself frequenting when I want a banh mi but don't feel like risking my life on the wide, endlessly merging highway towards Mira Mesa. I would love to try the other banh mi fillings, Viet coffee, as well as their noodle dishes.
Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the fresh, crunchy bread, generous portions, and authentic flavors. The friendly, fast service and strong Vietnamese coffee also stand out.
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Highly recommend trying Banh Mi express. This is a review for their Banh Mi's: Great tasting banh mi's with good quality bread and lots of meat and veggies. Might be one of the best in SD. Certainly hard to beat. Service is usually pretty quick and if you're worried about a line at lunchtime you can call ahead. It's primarily a takeaway so the restaurant is pretty small but there are tables and chairs if you're looking to have your meal there. Overall ambiance is barebones but acceptable. read more
4 months ago
Decent banh mi spot run by a local family. Got a grilled pork - comparatively to Ks sandwiches, they have more filling, but I think the flavor profile is better at Ks, whereas this place has better bread and more meat. Pork was a little underseasoned but that's just personal preference. read more
1 month ago
I love this little hole in the wall Bahn mi shop. Its location in a strip mall right near my work so I make my way over every now and then for lunch. It's a tiny shop with a handful of tables inside but not a lot of seating. The service is great and food comes out quickly. They always get my orders right when I ask for no jalapeños or cilantro on the side. I typically get the grilled pork Bahn mi which is delicious with the pickled veggies and crispy on the outside but soft on the inside baguette. The jalapeños can get pretty spicy so just be cautious of that. The pork is always tender and delicious. This time I tried out the grilled pork spring roll. The spring roll was nothing really special but it comes with a nutty creamy peanut sauce that has only a very slight spice. My worker always gets the tofu spring rolls and I've shared with her a few times. The tofu is delicious and seasoned with a great firm but not spongey texture. I think the tofu spring roll is my favorite type after trying the pork and chicken. The shop also has various teas and Vietnamese coffee. I love that this shop is easy, quick, and pretty cheap and that will keep me coming back. read more
10 days ago
10 months ago
I originally pulled into this parking lot debating between Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or grabbing a poke bowl at Poke One N Half, but then I spotted Banh Mi Express and decided to try something different. Little hole-in-the-wall spots like this are either a gamble... or absolute gold. This one was GOLD. I walked in completely sight unseen--no Yelp check beforehand--and ordered the #6 grilled chicken banh mi along with a Vietnamese coffee. After paying (around $16 with tip), I had my coffee immediately and my sandwich in under five minutes. The bread was still warm, so I ate it right there in my truck--and wow. Everything tasted incredibly fresh. The grilled chicken was packed with flavor, the veggies were crisp and bright, the sauce was perfectly balanced (not heavy at all), and the baguette... absolute perfection. Super fluffy on the inside with that light, crunchy exterior that makes a banh mi great. And if you follow my Yelp reviews, you know I take my coffee seriously--especially iced coffee and cold brew. The Vietnamese coffee here was fantastic. Strong (in the best way), not watered down by cream, and perfectly portioned. Just really well done. Banh Mi Express is officially going into my regular lunch rotation when I'm at the office. Fast, fresh, affordable, and delicious--with friendly service to top it off. Easy five-star spot. Thanks for the great food and service! read more
1 year ago
Bánh Mi Express in Kearny Mesa serves up some authentic Bánh Mi sandwiches with freshly made bread that is perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The meats are super flavorful and the vegetables give the perfect freshness the sandwich needs. Follow @allthingsfoodinsandiego for more must try San Diego restaurants, date night ideas, food experiences, kid friendly spots, with a sprinkling of home-cooking! read more
2 months ago
WORK LUNCH STOP (3.75) - FOOD: good - PRICE: fair - SERVICE: quick (all orders to go) - AMBIANCE: small plaza restaurant This is a work lunch kind of place. Since this is very close to my office it's more of a convenience than a crave. :: ORDER :: #6 GRILLED BEEF BAHN MI ($7.99) - since this is not my go to place I had lower expectations only to take a bite and was pleasantly surprised of my first bite. The layers of stuffed banh mi checked off. The grilled meat tasted more like left over lightly marinated kbbq meat (and in in with that because it wasn't bad). I thought to myself, okay I can now just come here if I need a sandwich instead of driving to K Sandwiches although K sandwiches is the preferred RECOMMEND SODA - served in a can. Not much selection. The basics. I'd def come back to try their springs and some of their custom beverages. Until the next review... read more
8 months ago
The pate is sooooo smooth and creamy, it's the soul of Banh Mi. This reminding me the original taste from Vietnam that I couldn't find at any where else in the U.S. Highly recommended the #1 special, their cold cuts are the best. read more
16 days ago
Absolutely a sandwich worth every bite. Their classic cold cut special stuffed with all the meats and generous pate spread balanced with the crunch of pickled carrot, daikon and cucumbers and the heat of jalapeños all wrapped with precision on a crunchy light chewy baguette was on point. read more
This bánh mì shop is located in a big plaza with plenty of parking. It opens early which is perfect for breakfast time. The service is always good here and food comes out fast. The shop is clean and has a few tables for dine in, I think most people do takeaways though. The bánh mì itself is delicious and filled to the brim with meat. The baguette is always crispy and fresh! I initially thought the price is kinda high but you get what you pay for. Highly recommend! read more
8 months ago
Banh mi is my favorite sandwich, and probably one of my all time favorite foods. I crave it morning, noon, and night. Even as an 80 year old with no teeth I'd blend one up and drink it with a straw. Anyways, I was excited to see good reviews for Banh Mi Express, as it is closer to me than Mira Mesa, where my favorite banh mi in SD can be found. I dropped by Banh Mi Express on a weekend and it was empty, though they were working on takeout orders. The shop is small with seating and a TV playing food videos. Service is friendly and I got my food quickly. I ordered the dac biet with extra veggies, and the fried spring rolls. When I got home, I was surprised to realize there were two sandwiches in my bag, along with the bag of 4 spring rolls and it's accompanying veggies and fish sauce dip. I'm unsure if they threw in an extra sandwich or gave me two since the bread was small, but regardless it was an exciting find! The spring rolls were crispy and very flavorful, no notes. Deliciously messy to eat in a lettuce wrap with pickled veggies and sticky-sweet fish sauce dripping down your hand. The banh mis were also delicious. I had one day-of and one the next day. The large amount of mayonaise made the bread get soggy in places overnight, but overall still held up quite well. I think that the bread is still not as good as the bread from my favorite banh mi place, Paris Sandwiches. It didn't taste quite as fresh, and was more domed and less flat, which is just more difficult to eat, and made each bite feel a bit breadier than I would have liked. The fillings slid around more than I would have liked, despite the death grip I had on the rear of my sandwich. On to the fillings, this sandwich was STUFFED. When you ask for extra veggie, they give you MEGA extra veggie. Tons of cilantro and pickled veg. There was a generous amount of cold cuts and thick globs of pate. Stupendous. I will say that next time I think I will ask for a touch less mayonnaise, as that was a bit excessive for me. Overall, very solid little sandwich shop that I can see myself frequenting when I want a banh mi but don't feel like risking my life on the wide, endlessly merging highway towards Mira Mesa. I would love to try the other banh mi fillings, Viet coffee, as well as their noodle dishes. read more
I stopped by to get Vietnamese Iced Coffee because I was running on very little sleep. I experienced great customer service - a friendly greeting and a smile when I walked in. I ordered my coffee and she handed it to me like a minute later - super fast! It tastes great, it's strong coffee, and I will 100% be back...probably within the next week :) read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
This is a solid to go banh mi place that my husband and I love. The sandwiches are all under $10 and the portion is pretty generous as well. They also sell rice noodle bowls, spring rolls, coffee, iced tea, and smoothies. My personal favorite is the avocado smoothie! The place is small but very clean. Every time I come here; the service is fast and no problems at all. Bahn Mi Express is located in a small shopping plaza and it opens very early, which is so convenient for night shift works like me. Overall, i definitely recommend this place! read more
4 months ago
Update your hours if you're going to close the location for a month. Ridiculous for someone to waste their break to come here and it's full on a ghost town. Everywhere online says open. It's not hard to update hours on Google, Yelp, etc. read more
4 months ago
4 months ago
10 months ago
Great food and nice staff always friendly! Perfect spot for a quick lunch if you're on the go! I give it 5 stars!!! read more
This banh mi sandwich shop in Kearny Mesa has changed names multiple times. I don't know if the ownership remains the same as when the original business first debuted several years ago. The suite was fairly small and hasn't experienced any major upgrades with a few tables available for on-site dining. The parking lot at the Ruffin Village can be congested at peak meal times as there are plenty of dining options in this plaza. My visit occurred during the final hour of operation, however I don't think any item was sold out or unavailable. The menu screens displayed eleven varieties of banh mi, egg rolls, five combination specials, five kinds of spring rolls, and beverages (coffee, iced teas, smoothies). I do believe the variety of choices has been slimmed down from its predecessor (e.g. chè and desserts were no longer offered). All of the sandwiches were priced at either $6.99 or $7.59. Back in the day, that would be considered expensive, however it's about the norm in 2024. I chose the #1 Banh Mi Special which was a Dac Biet and the Shrimp Spring Rolls. The sandwich ingredients were cold cut ham, pork, chicken liver pate, mayonnaise, pickled daikon, carrots, cucumber, jalapeno, and cilantro. The bread was crusty on the exterior and soft in the inside. The size was pretty good with a solid amount of meat and pate. Two pieces came with the spring roll order along with a traditional peanut dipping sauce. The rolls were standard in portion size. Overall, I gave a 3.5 star rating for my takeout meal at Banh Mi Express. read more
Super inexpensive and a perfect quick lunch pick up! The staff was really nice. The tofu banh mi itself was pretty good. I wish it tasted a bit more refreshing. It went a bit heavy on the black pepper and I would've love to taste maybe some mushroom pate or some dynamic flavor added to the sandwich. Overall, still very good! read more
2 years ago
I wanted something light, so I came here for a banh mi. It was on a Tuesday afternoon and there was no one inside. It was quiet with some relaxing musing playing. One of the workers sweeping, but went to the back to wash his hands and help me right away. I ordered the #7 Grilled Beef Banh Mi and it was fire. The bread was fresh, hot and crunchy. The beef was flavorful and the veggies tasted fresh. read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
8 months ago
Banh Mi Express. FIRE. Small fast food style dining room and quick, very friendly service. Now the food. I got the #5 Grilled Beef Banh Mi with extra vegetables on a fresh & crispy baguette roll. The beef was marinated and tender, and the veggies were juicy. The sliced jalapeños were served on the side of the sandwich, which I liked because I opted not to include them this time. The sandwich was fire. Very delicious...and $7.99. This is refreshing in a world of unending $12 sandwiches these days. The egg rolls came in a pack o' four and were freshly prepared to order. Very tasty and pretty large. An ok value at $6. I may not order them again but they hit the spot today. I will be coming back. read more
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Can the tea drink sweetness levels be adjusted?
Hello, and yes we can adjust them.
