I've been going here since I was a kid and I still love it. Definitely get the sate sub and beware it is a bit spicy if you're sensitive to heat. read more

Absolutely the best subs ever. My buddy and I are regulars, and always have extra peppers, not enough is the rule. We'll make it to Vegas to enjoy the owners company I trust soon, they are meticulous in their prep and cleanliness No chance of going anywhere else, even though the lineup can be long, it's well worth it. Cheers, Don & Rob read more

Nice owner who chatted with me about Vietnam as I waited. The sandwich is nicely toasted and ingredients are fresh. I got the sate beef and chicken as well as a combination pork. However i asked for everything (minus hot peppers), and later found out after I left that he didn't give me pate which is my favorite part of a banh mi. My combination pork also didn't have much meat. read more

Go early to beat the rush! The bread is soft and crunchy, fresh ingredients and tastes delicious. They only take cash payments. I got the assorted sub and was extremely satisfied with it. I will be back to try other flavours read more

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It was a bit of waiting. Considering price and taste it was good. If you don't want process meat then get the chicken one. I got streak one and mix combo? Both them were process meat. Vegetables was very fresh. I loved the pepper. read more

When you don't know what to eat. Follow the crowd. That's exactly how I stumbled upon this place and so happy that I did. It was my last meal in Calgary on the way to the airport when my family and I came across this place. The shop is super tiny with no tables so this is definitely a take out spot. Everyone seems to be ordering the beef or chicken so my family got one of each and a combo. And man when I saw the sandwiches they were huge. Worth the 7 Canadian dollars. They have all the normal banh mi fixings but something that was different for me was the chili they use. It's those spicy Thai chilis making it super spicy but so good. If any of my friends are headed to the area I would recommend this place. read more

When it comes to Vietnamese Subs, this is the place to get it. Not only is it quick, it also tastes "awesome"! They also have some other options to go along with their subs but if you haven't been here, try their satay chicken sub...or just regular chicken or beef subs...they have great flavour and the fresh vegetables give it some extra flavour. If you're in a hurry, Thi Thi is a good alternative to the typical burger because you can be in and out just as fast as going to any other fast food joint. read more

As someone who was in town for a conference, I spent a lot of time spending way too much money on overpriced places in downtown Calgary, so it was a great relief to find what seemed like a relative hole-in-the-wall with good food at a reasonable price. There isn't a whole lot to write, but I'll try to break it down below. Food: Mostly banh mi, but there's some other stuff too (e.g., eggrolls). Menus in both English and Thai. But really you should be here for the sandwiches. The flavours are bomb, although as is typical of Thai food, if you are not into spicy food, you will probably not like it. These sandwiches are the best when you get everything on them, and the more that you pick and choose, the more that should be hinting to you that you should have gone to Subway. Price: Great price for a foot-long or so sandwich. Even better than Subway, with better quality ingredients and more of them. Location: It's a bit far west and not really in the main downtown area. The place is really small inside, so it's definitely a take-out place. If you pick a random day and don't come at peak noon hours, you can probably grab a seat. Pay attention to their hours too (typical of Calgary but unusual to a lot of other people). read more

First and best sub place in Calgary. Spicy! Still excellent after more than twenty years. Mom (Hoa) is a sweetheart.

This is the Vietnamese Sub that reset my entire understanding of what a Vietnamese Sub should be. That's right - I was humbled by a sandwich. You'll find the same ingredients here as you would at any other Viet Sub place in town, so what sets it apart? The answer - everything. Every single ingredient is just noticeably better. The baguette is more fresh. The cilantro is more fragrant. The veggies are more crisp, and the peppers have more pop. Have a good look at the store front photo before you go. This place is so unassuming from the outside, even if you've been here before, you might still drive past it. If you arrive around lunch time, you'll probably spot the line up of people out the front door before you even realize it's the restaurant. The inside of the shop is very clean and all newly renovated since the flood. There is enough room to order, and that's about it. If you want a drink from the fridge you will probably have to ask someone to move out of your way. It's heartwarming to see a business that was devastated by the flood waters only earlier this year come back stronger than ever. Here's to you, Banh Minh Thi Thi Vietnamese Subs! While I'm sure the flood is still fresh in your mind, the only thing fresh in my mind are your subs! read more

Finally managed to make it to Thi Thi and try their famed subs. If you are confused by the two seemingly different menus side by side, it's ok I was too. I tried Googling the Vietnamese menu but it's actually just the exact same - except in Vietnamese. They only have one vegetarian option which is basically just the toppings that all the other subs get. I got all the toppings (except mayo, which they will put on by default so if you're vegan or you don't like mayo be sure to tell them you don't want it). Everything blended really well together. I was surprised by how much I liked the little chili she cut up into the sandwich. It totally made my mouth kind of numb but somehow didn't induce crying?? Magical! Even the onions tasted good and I usually hate raw onions. The only reason I'm not giving them 5/5 is honestly just the lacklustre vegetarian option. To non-vegetarians, this probably doesn't matter. Thai Tai on 17th - my favorite Vietnamese sub place still I think - has a tofu option that I prefer to the plain veggie one Thi Thi has to offer. Maybe if I'm lucky they'll consider adding some sort of tofu option in the future. I do think the quality of their subs is great and the most authentic tasting I've had in Calgary. read more

I don't think there is anything I can say that hasn't already been said, but sometimes you just want to give a place props for doing something so well. Seriously, if you fall into any one of the below categories you must run (not walk) to Thi Thi subs: 1) you like vietnamese subs 2) you like any sort of sub 3) you work/live near chinatown 4) you like any sort of sub So if you can't get my drift, you should go to Thi Thi subs. There really is something for everyone (within the sub sandwich variety) with even a vegetarian option. If for some reason you don't like subs, then this place might not be for you, but I think the tastiness and friendliness of this place will convince you otherwise. You get quite a bit of food for your money (about $7.50) and yes, if you arrive after 11:15 am you will wait AT LEAST 15 minutes. There isn't a ton of street parking near by because of the Harry Hayes building, but you can easily make it work. The shop is run by two guys who are making the subs, taking orders, and running the till, so be patient. They clearly have a following because they knew numerous of the other patrons by name. I agree that the sandwiches get soggy fairly quickly, so just let the guys knows that it is to-go and they will happily wrap up the items separately to prevent that. All in all, a great local business that has learned to do one thing and one thing perfectly. I'm very excited to go back. read more

**UPDATE** I had a beef sate sub here (May 2017) after not visiting for a long time. Bad news, I think the mgmnt has changed their sub recipe. First of all, there was way too much bun - like way more bun than filling. Also, the beef sate was cut so thin, that it was actually very dry and tasteless. As mentioned by others, there's too much mayo, and then the squirt of soy sauce at the end was not very appetizing. I doubt I'll be back. I wrote the review below in 2008: I decided this year that I would eat more banh mi (Vietnamese Subs ) -afterall, they're healthy...Think cilantro, carrots, cucumbers... If you're a fan of Vietnamese Subs, or you just want to try one because you've heard people rave about them, then you need to try one from Thi Thi's (pronounced tee tee) Vietnamese Subs in Chinatown. Thi Thi Vietnamese Subs are made with beef satay, chicken satay or vegetarian. The flavourfull beef satay is served in a baguette. Packed into the baguette with the meat are marinated carrots, thin sliced onions, cukes, cheese, mayo, cilantro and jalapeno peppers. (Oops, just drooled on my keyboard...!) Located across from the Harry Hays Bldg, Thi Thi Vietnamese Sub is easy to find. If all else fails just look for the lineup out the door! (It has a small storefront, so don't miss it!) read more

Geez I can't believe I haven't reviewed Thi Thi yet! Any hole-in-the-wall that's lined up down the block and only serves one food item is a dead-giveaway for amazing food. Efficient family-run establishment with some of the best banh mi in Calgary. So go stand in the sunshine near the river with your bestie while you salivate awaiting your fresh, tasty sub! read more

When I look back, waaaaay back to when I first moved to this city, I had no idea what Vietnamese sub was. Why would a small town Alberta girl know such a thing? One day, one of my coworkers asked me if I wanted to go for a Vietnamese sub. "A what?" I asked with a puzzled look on my face. He did his best to describe it to me, but in the end he decided the best description was for me to sink my teeth into one. He was a Mexican guy and used to eating out of great little hole-in-the-wall restaurants. Thi Thi was where he took me for my very first Vietnamese sub. I remember thinking how delicious that sub was. It was also a bit of a drive from our NE office, so needless to say, I didn't make it back for some time. Fast forward a few years to present day Calgary. I hadn't forgotten about Vietnamese subs, but Thi Thi was a distant memory. That is, until Nyssa R's review popped up back in January. "OMG! Thi Thi!" It was like finding that pair of favourite jeans you haven't worn in years in the back of your closet. Instant bookmark! It was a while longer before I made it back. But I was in the neighbourhood just after the noon hour today and decided I should stop in. I ordered a sate chicken sub with everything on it. Was that a hot pepper they slide into my sandwich? You bet it was. Saucy and delicious, that sub was even better than I remembered. Thi Thi, today you completed me... or rather, my lunch. read more

This is arguably (not by many) the best Vietnamese sub joint in Calgary. The meat tastes the best, the sub condiments are the freshest, the French baguette tastes great. The owner, his wife and son are really efficient in this tiny spot. They work well together and are always friendly when you chat them up. They take cash only which is not a problem. Just remember to hit the ATM before going. If there's a line-up it's worth the wait. If there's no line-up then consider yourself lucky. They're all good but I always get the satay beef and I'm never disappointed. Call ahead for large group orders. read more

I'm a huge fan of Vietnamese Subs, and without a doubt, the subs at Thi Thi are the best in Calgary. A block away from the Bow River, and in the heart of Chinatown, Thi Thi is consistently delicious and the service is always great. I'm pretty sure it's run by a husband-wife team, and it's neat to watch them work together in such a teeny tiny shop. They've got it down to a science. Thi Thi is strictly take out, but there is a park and a lot of benches nearby where you can enjoy your sub. Try to avoid going during lunch time if you can; it's a pretty popular spot during the work week. My tip would be to order ahead of time by phone to skip the line. My favourite sub is the veggie with everything (even the hot peppers). read more

These are the best authentic subs around, this little hole in the wall is worth the long line ups, trust me you need to try this lunch time fav, and then take a stroll by the bow river! read more

This is the OG Vietnamese Sub place in Calgary. Take-out only. The best combo of French baguette, carrots, cucumber, cilantro, onions, sauce, and your choices of meats. The tiniest little spot across from Harry Hayes Building you can find it by the long lineup out the door. The line moves quickly and the proprietors are always cheerful and quick. Great price for value. Don't miss this place. read more

Best Vietnamese sub I've had in Calgary. This is a tiny store with just an order counter and a few square feet of waiting space. If you are coming at lunch time, try to arrive before noon to beat the rush. Warning for those with more sensitive palates: they are generous with the hot peppers, so maybe forgo this addition if you aren't prepared. read more

Almost literally a hole in the wall, these guys do the best Banh Mi in the city, I figure. The ingredients are fresh, the true sandwich artists don't spare the toppings. A couple of things to note: 1) you will wait at lunch time. There are no tables. A counter, a pop cooler, and some sammich makin' sorcerers are all you will see. If it is winter, you will wait outside in the cold. Prepare yourself accordingly. 2) cash only. That's it. Have the peppered beef for a bit of spicy goodness. The spice, after all, must flow. read more

this is my new go-to lunch place in calgary. $6.25 lands you a very good sandwich. the options are beef satay, chicken satay, rib satay. the sub is a solid 9-10 inches long (that's about 25cm for you canadians out there) i agree with some of the other reviews that mentioned how perfectly the sandwich was toasted. it's something you take for granted until it's done incorrectly. these guys had their system down, and it works great. they've been in the Let's Go (backpacker oriented) travel guide books off and on for the past 7 years. they're definitely a bit hard to spot unless yo know exactly where your looking. check out the photo i added which will give you an idea of the sign to look for. note that they are tucked away in a corner. read more

Thi Thi Vietnamese Subs - Vietnamese Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

After the long wait inline, I was a little underwhelmed by my sub. The bread was nice and soft but oil soaked before I made it through the sub. If you eat spicy food only occassionally, this tastes great but for someone that eats spicy everyday, nothing about the flavors stood out for me read more

Thi Thi Vietnamese Subs - The Thi Thi lineup. Right now I count 35 people in line and it's not noon yet. - Vietnamese Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

One of my favorite Vietnamese sub shops. I love their pepper beef. The prices are quite reasonable considering their prime location and quality. They are generous with their vegetable topping and I love that their chilis are marinated. If you go during weekday lunch, but prepared to wait at least 30 mins. They are very efficient but it is very busy during those times. I have been going there for over 15 years and very amazed that they have never gotten my order wrong given that I go mostly during busy times and my order is always customized. read more

I went to Thi Thi on Monday while I was in Calgary on a business trip. After seeing all these awesome reviews, I thought I must try their subs. I am a huge fan of Vietnamese subs. I arrived at 2 pm, with only 5 people in line. I ordered an assorted (cold cut) and a chicken sate based on the suggestions here. I took them across the street and sat by the river to enjoy. The reason I gave this a 3-star is because the subs were just ok. The Vietnamese subs I really like use a very crusty bread, which Thi Thi has as well. But I don't like how doughy the inside of the bread is at Thi Thi. It's just too thick and takes away the flavors of the stuff inside the sandwich. If they can make their bread less doughy, it would get an extra star for me. Also, the carrots aren't pickled enough. There was little flavor to be detected in the carrots. That's too bad. Lastly, I think there was too much mayo/butter slathered on inside the sandwich. I took a few bites of each sandwich, thinking I'll save the rest for later, and I felt sick in the afternoon with how heavy the mayo/butter is. read more

When I was a small child, my father used to come here to pick up hearty sandwiches for an excellent price, should he or my mother be too busy to whip up dinner at home. During these years, I refused to eat any takeout or food which I deemed came from an 'unknown' source, as I was terribly susceptible to stomach illness. Now, years later, I decided to try what I had missed during my childhood. I have never tried a Vietnamese sub; being vegetarian, I had always assumed that this sort of food would not have anything free of meat. Thi Thi has one vegetarian choice of sandwich; Veggie. Once you order, the fantastic team behind to counter begins to work right away; a big white bun is buttered and spread with mayonnaise and sent through the toaster to the front, where the chef receives it and proceeds to fill it with all your selected toppings. I noticed there was an amazing precision to how everything was portioned; liberal amounts of grated carrot, fresh cilantro, cold slices of cucumber, just the right amount of special sauce, and a single hot pepper, clipped into tiny pieces before your eyes. This was absolutely delicious! The balance of proportions and freshness of the ingredients really made for an amazing lunch. Thi Thi's Chinatown setting is an interesting one. The location is a bit 'hole in the wall', in that I definitely would not have given it a second look had I not heard of its amazing reputation. You cannot eat your sandwich within the store, and there is no outdoor seating provided; Thi Thi is strictly take-out. At lunch the line-ups outside the shop can be quite long, but the team is efficient and the sandwiches are absolute bliss, so standing in the cold is well worth the wait! read more

The lunchtime lineup - literally insane. But you plod on anyway. Needless to say, because it's close to Prince's Island, you can just plop down somewhere along the river and enjoy the sub while breezes fluff your hair and you die a little inside because of the soft baguette/veggie/other delicacies melting in your mouth. I've tried their cold cut, sate beef, chicken and pork - and I can't really choose. The sate beef is a little on the spicier side while the pork is sweeter, I think. All super good though! Convenience, price point and taste merit 5 stars easy. Watching how efficient the owners are at assembling the subs is really interesting, too, and also when obvious regulars just stroll right up and order like 20 subs. Props to them for handling that, with I dare say as much passion as pizzazz?? read more

Thi Thi in Chinatown is the best for Vietnamese subs. Lines are definitely long but worth the wait. Thi Thi on 8 Avenue is so-so for me. I found my sub to be a bit dry. Maybe not enough sauce? They have brown bread in this location. Anyone know if there's brown bread in the Chinatown location? read more

Just got the satay chicken and the size of the sub is nice as well as the ingredients are fresh. I asked for all toppings except the hot peppers but he didn't put any pate which is the best part to me. The sub was still good but I'm left feeling a bit unsatisfied. read more

Going to get Vietnamese Subs in Calgary may not seem like the most productive use of your vacation time, especially when you are from Toronto, a city which is famous for all kinds of cuisines including Vietnamese, but you haven't been to Thi Thi Vietnamese Subs yet. Thi Thi Vietnamese Subs serves easily the best sub I have ever tried. We arrived at this place around 3pm Saturday afternoon, and there still was a lineup outside Thi Thi Vietnamese Subs. Luckily, the wait time was not long, and we were able to get our sandwich in about 15 mins. This store is super small, and you can barely find it because it's located in the corner of a plaza, and there were cars parking in front of it. We ordered the Super Chicken and Beef Sub, and it was fantastic. Compared with other Vietnamese sandwiches I have tried before, Thi Thi put a lot of stuff inside their sandwich, even cheese, if you want. The customer service is good, friendly and family-style. I also overheard a customer talking to the owner, trying to convince him to open on Sunday. I guess people must love this place. I will definitely go back, if I ever go to Calgary again. read more

Tried this place with the bf bc it was highly recommended. I was weary bc they don't have a website or IG I could find. But they did not disappoint! The owner and son are super friendly and gave great advice on Banff. They are reasonably priced sandwiches. They do land more on the spicy side, but you can ask for no peppers. We went back twice. Got the Super Combo sate the first time, then pepper beef and sate chicken the second. Wish I could've grabbed some for the flight home. They traveled pretty well (we got them in the am for lunch after hiking, still delicious. Just tell them it's for later and they plastic wrap it for you). Only downside is CASH ONLY. Worth it though. read more

Thi Thi Vietnamese Subs - Combo - Vietnamese Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

The beat Vietnamese sub I've ever had!! A bit hard to find the place but totally worth the work read more

Best subs in the city for 25 years now and counting. Friendly people that make a point of remembering all of their customers

IMHO definitely the best Vietnamese Subs in town. My favourite is the sate chicken sub. The bread is perfectly toasted. This place is consistent time after time. The flavours with the pickled vegetables is a perfect balance. It is hugely popular, especially during the lunch hour. The long line-up all the way down the sidewalk is a good indication of that. The husband-wife team are not the most efficient... but the quality of the product speaks for itself and is worth the wait. Even in the middle of winter when it's -5 outside, you will still see a lineup down the sidewalk. I now sometimes go to their sister-location on 8th Ave around 6St SW if I don't have enough time to wait. Their sister-location is pretty close to the "real" thing although I'm still convinced that the bread is toasted more to perfection at the original location in Chinatown. The sister-location on 8th is run a lot more efficiently by a younger team. They run it more like a subway shop and even if their is a line-up out the door, it moves fairly quickly. At the Chinatown location, I've waited as long as 45mins to an hour for a sub during the peak times. read more

This is my only favorite place for Vietnamese (Fusion) sub. Very tasty!!! My one and all time favorite is Sate Rib Sub that I wish they have it in California as well. Whenever I have a chance to visit Calgary, I would eat it at least once. My husband had tried it also and have fallen in love with it as well. The original store was in downtown Calgary, however they have open other locations, one would be at 130Ave SE shopping area. Both location taste just as good. It's a must try for Vietnamese Banh Mi! read more

There isn't seating here, but who cares, the food is excellent! I got to try three different flavors, the Sate Beef, the Assorted, and the Chicken. The Vietnamese subs here are awesome. They taste fresh from Vietnam and are probably the closest thing to being authentic Vietnamese Banh Mi I've tried outside of an actual banh mi stall on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City . read more

Very delicious Vietnamese subs! Line up wasn't bad for me on a Saturday at around 2pm, which seems to be people's main concern. I got the Sate sub, lots of vegetables and really good beef with an oily sauce that made my lips tingle in a good way. The bread was probably the main reason it was so good, really high quality and didn't cut up my gums like the crispier buns at other places. Overall much more filling than other subs I have had! The employees are very happy and talkative. Only downside is the price which is more than most Vietnamese places I have been to (6.75) but it is worth it! Next time I come I am getting the peppered beef! read more

Thi Thi Vietnamese Subs - Hardly a line up at all. Looks like they just renovated inside. - Vietnamese Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

My usual spot closes to go on vacation so I tried this place, where people says " the best Vietnamese sub in town". I have to say I am very disappointed with the beef satay. The beef is bland, no flavor and stringy. I will stick to my favorite spot " banh mi soc trang"for a better price too. read more

I signed up for yelp to make sure that my favorite places get my time and effort. Here's why you should check it out: This is HANDS DOWN the best handheld food in Calgary, maybe the World. I've yet to be to Vietnam and maybe they've got some good subs, but the best submakers they have are obviously right here on 1st Street SE and Vietnam probably wants them back. If you think there's a better sub in Alberta and are willing to buy me one, i'll gladly work an exchange with you. The bread is fresh, every day. I've heard that when the bread runs out, they close. Each sub is made with pride and with love. Two very rare ingredients indeed. I've waited a long time, in the very cold, and it's worth it, every single time. I've given other subs a chance, but unless someone convinces me that there's even a race for second place, why would I go anywhere else? Support small business! This is a family run operation, and it's perfect. Other reviews do a fine job of describing the place, and I adore all of the things that make this very small business so very big on my list of things worth doing in Calgary. read more

My girlfriend and I were craving for Banh Mi and were searching all over town for the best subs when Thi Thi came to mind. Their shop is tucked away in a little corner of China town, and there's usually a short line up when you arrive. As we were in line, we could hear the store owner making connections with their costumers as they were very busy at work preparing their food. My Gf ordered a super beef and chicken and I got the satay chicken. My first bite was just so orgasmic, I was just blown away. The sub had the perfect amount of spice and flavour that all of the fresh ingredients complemented each other very well. This is definitely the top Viet sub spot in Calgary! Hands down read more