In an alternate universe...HBO's "The Wire" takes place in Boerum Hill. It's the early part of the new millennium. Drugs and drug dealers are a big problem for the NYPD in Brooklyn, and Avon Barksdale's ruthless crew runs the Gowanus Houses, using the apartment buildings to stash their product, cash reserves and even as a sales location. The Barksdale crew are cautious and well disciplined. Avon Barksdale's right hand man, Stringer Bell, is a calculating and cunning businessman with a wary eye. He knows the NYPD's policies and tactics well. Eschewing cell phones, they rely on pagers and public phones because along with anonymity, they offer protection from the paper trail that phone bills provide to police. After months of visual surveillance, buy & bust operations, and data collection, the NYPD finally get the break they've been looking for in their case against the Barksdale crew...a Circuit Court Judge authorizes a wire tap of one of the pay phones outside the Gowanus Houses. The following is a transcript of a telephone conversation between Barksdale enforcer Wee Bey and low-level runner, Bodie... Wee Bey: "Ay, yo, young buck!" Bodie:"Sup, sup." Wee Bey:"Yo, String n em finna git they grub on and dey want you to go getem summa dem Bonnn Mee joints." Bodie:"A'ight, coo. Where I get dem joints at?" Wee Bey:"Dey sell them shits ovah on Burrrgin screet, cross from da subway at Smiff screet." Bodie:"Word, what dey want?" Wee Bey:"Git 5 classics, and make 'em spicy as hell, son. Axe for extra hot sawce." Bodie:"Yo...I ain't tryna be rude or nuffin, but them shits is greasy as a muhfukka ovah that joint, man. I mean, the bread be all soaked with oil and shit and they be puttin the salad all up in the bread so high so you can't hardly take a bite less you got like a big ass Oscar the Grouch mouth or some shit. AND, dey coss fitty cent more than anywhere else, too! Lemme git them joints from my spot ovah on Atlantic Ave." Wee Bey:"For real, dough? I ain't never had dem shits before but you know how String be tryin to be all natural and healthy n shit, so I know he ain't gonna dig on no greasy ass sammiches." Bodie:"Damn scraight. I'm fittin' ta bounce ovah to Nicky's right now and get them joints fuh dem." Wee Bey:"That's the move, son. I'll hit you back when you get up in here." Bodie:"A'ight. Bet." Bodie was right. The sandwiches at that place on Bergen at Smith St. are indeed greasy as hell, son. Because of his ingenuity, Stringer Bell soon promoted Bodie to street-level manager for the Barksdale crew and his bankroll exploded. You ought to do as Bodie did, and when in Boerum Hill, bounce on over to Nicky's for your Banh-Mi fix. read more

Went for lunch today after reading about it on Chowhound. I got the Grilled Pork chop banh mi. The star off comes from the fact that it's $5.50 for banh mi. These suckers were $2.50 back in San Diego. If it was $5.50 in Manhattan, then maybe I'll give it a pass, but in Brooklyn, really?? $4 would've been a good price, but disregarding that, lets move onto the sandwich. Grilled pork was done perfectly, couldn't have asked for anything more, except maybe a little more meat, but the portion was just right. A tiny irk that I had was that all the meat was piled inside the sandwich, while the pickled condiments were outside the sandwich. Maybe they should mix it up a little bit, cause I had really lopsided bites, ones full of condiments, and others full of pork. I got a few perfect bites, which were sublime, but a majority of my bites were kind of awkward. Topped it off with an ice coffee which was strong as expected, but really good. Comparing everything back to the west coast, not too shabby. Will be back, no doubt since it's so close to school. read more

If I need a quick and delicious meal, Hanco's is my go to. I couldn't care less that the space is small and not necessarily aesthetically pleasing. It gets the job done and thats all i need. I typically get the grilled chicken rice vermicelli and always get the peanut butter sauce instead of the one they typically provide--always amazing! The shredded chicken sandwich, a sure staple in my family, is also incredible. Be careful though because the medium hot is a little hotter than you might expect! It is delicious, no doubt about it, but fair warning. I've heard their bubble tea is good, but i'm not a huge BT fan to begin with. Also, get their spring rolls. It's a rice film wrapped around lettuce, shrimp, and rice noodles. You dip that in the peanut sauce and you are all good! The best Vietnamese sandwhich joint in the city...hands down! read more

It was a very warm Saturday afternoon, when I came across this establishment. I was a little hungry and walked in not expecting much. Well, the place has air conditioning! At first I wanted to order to-go, but it was so pleasant inside that I ordered to stay instead. They have a rack of magazines that you can leaf through while eating or waiting for your order. I had the classic sandwich, a smorgasbord of pork meats topped with crunchy shredded veggies all enveloped in a soft toasted baguette. I also had the iced honey green tea, which was not too sweet, but thirst quenching. The place was clean, peaceful, rather large. At the end of your meal, you just don't want to leave. This address does not do deliveries, only pick ups. read more

If you're looking for a light yet flavorful meal, Hanco's rice vermicelli salads are an absolute must-try. These bowls are a perfect balance of freshness and texture, featuring crisp lettuce, crunchy cucumber, fragrant mint leaves, and tangy pickled vegetables. The addition of roasted peanuts and crispy fried red onion brings a delightful crunch that keeps every bite interesting. What truly ties the dish together is their house-made Vietnamese vinaigrette dressing--bright, slightly tangy, and packed with umami. Whether you're craving something refreshing on a hot day or just want a satisfying, guilt-free meal, this salad delivers in every way! read more

I have eaten here often. I go because it is close and convenient. Full marks for that and being inexpensive and quick. Great place for an easy lunch. I take off points for its inconsistent food prep. I have sampled most of the menu, and when i go back and try the dishes I liked, they are always different. Some may say thats what happens in a real restaurant...not so. I'm not looking for fast food consistency. Everything from the taste to the portion size has changed from meal to meal. If the food was out-of-this-world amazing, I wouldn't care so much. But like I said, it's just a quick convenient place for lunch. read more

Weird that I like Hancos better in the new location. I don't know, the last few times I went before they moved I was underwhelmed -- the bread was soft and weird, and the ingredients seemed just blah. But the other day I was walking down Smith and decided to wander into the new location (it is a nice and relaxing design) to satisfy my bahn mi craving and was very pleased. The bread had just the right amount of crustiness, and the ingredients burst with flavor. Well done Hancos. My wife says the pho is great too, but I haven't tried it yet. read more

just finished probably my 100th tofu sandwich from Hanco's (not in a row, just in the past year and a half). this one was particularly spicy, the kind you will regret in the morning. i really love this place. like most people, i always get the same thing everytime i go. the price is great, i never have to wait too long and it's just a delicious meal. i wish they opened earlier, i'd have shrimp rolls with bubble tea for breakfast. i asked one of the guys where they get their delicious bread from. he refused to tell me. i loved it. read more

What they said. Better than Nicky's. They've gotten better on their wait times I have noticed, in the last few months, but just to be on the safe side I do call ahead and have still gotten stuck waiting even when there are seemingly no orders ahead of me. But I can deal with it, a craving is a craving and it is not like I'm that skilled at creating banh mi on my own otherwise I wouldn't be walking over 2 blocks every 3 days or so. I suggest the classic, spicy. My friend raves about the tofu, but I have to take her word for it. :) read more

I used to eat my lunch or dinner here very often because I just love my their Pho and Bubble Tea so much! I can never get enough. The flavor of their Pho is so simple yet so tasty! A lot people come here to take out they also have decent amount of tables for people to seat and enjoy their meals. The staff are all very nice too. Now I live so far away from this place and I always miss their Pho and bubble tea :P read more

I used to just come here for coffee or bubble tea, which was good. But I recently tried one of their spicy sandwiches. I can't handle spicy, so it was a slightly painful experience. But you know what? It tasted good. I don't know how they do it. I'll have it again, only with a whole bottle of water or milk to cool down. No pain, no gain, and that spicy pork sandwich with peppers is a perfect example. read more

I order from Hanco's AT LEAST once a week. I've had the classic bahn mi, the vermicelli salad, the pho, the regular garden salad with shredded chicken. All of it's delicious. Always consistent. The bahn mi is the best I've had in the area. I crave the pho and/or the vermicelli salad at least once a week. Delivery is quick. Highly recommended. read more

I think I can list the five best days of my life like this: 1. the day my first daughter was born 2. the day my second daughter was born 3. the day I got married 4. the day I opened my own business 5. the day I discovered that I was in Hanco's delivery zone read more

Giving this place 3 stars because food is decent and delivery is on time. The con side is I ordered beef pho and added $3 soup and didn't see no extra soup. Plus delivery man was so rude and loud he almost blow my ear when he called me read more

OMFG...this is the most incredible and amazing sandwich i've ever had and cheap too. Boy if you never had one you are missing out. Believe it was the classic sandwich medium spicy i got. I will try the other ones next week. read more

Although I recently discovered that the staff and owners are Chinese, not Vietnamese, I still love these sandwiches. 6 Bucks for delicious meats, veggies and condiments on a crispy, fresh rice/wheat baguette. Cant beat that. read more

Was just nearly run down by one of their delivery guys speeding down the sidewalk on an illegal e-bike! Guys, have some respect and keep it on the street. Or you'll be answering to city officials directly. read more

I used to have to go out to Manhattan for this type of food, but no more! I love everything on their menu. It's affordable and so tasty. I love the fact that there are two locations too. read more

Bubble tea is really good here . The pho, really delicious and you get a lot. So much flavor. It's cheap and good . From the outside it looks dull but this place kicks a good flavor!!! read more