Discussion of Robin Garr's Banh Mi Hero review

[Robin Garr]

Banh Mi Hero gets the Vietnamese sandwich right
LEO's Eats with Robin Garr



It's no longer hip to claim colonialism was cool. Take it from one who spends entirely too much time in the groves of academe: In this post-colonial era, the dead white men who once strode the earth to plant a flag in distant lands in the name of president or queen are distinctly out of fashion. It isn't even politically correct to brag about those exploits anymore.

But I'll step up and proudly claim one great boon of civilization that may be even better as a result of having been taken around the world to meet and mingle and gain new ideas from exposure to other cultures.

Of course I'm talking about the sandwich. The portable lunch may have well served the Earl of Sandwich when he was peckish at the card table. But I'll submit that what was a mere convenience for the eponymous Earl might have been a lifesaver for a sea captain locked in battle.

From the taco to the southwest Asian shawarma or even the Chinese steamed bun, almost every nation has made the sandwich its own. But it would be hard to find a better portable lunch-on-bread than the Cuban sandwich or the Vietnamese banh mi.

These two sandwich classics are surprisingly similar. The Cuban, a 20th century invention, owes its style to Cuba's Spanish heritage, with a decided New World accent. Stack both ham and roast pork and crisp pickle rounds on a fluffy white Cuban bread smeared with butter or olive oil and yellow mustard, then press and toast in a panini-style grill. For a good one in Louisville, consult the folks at any of Valu Market's delis -- particularly Valu's ethnic temple in the South End -- or Havana Rumba and the city's other Cuban eateries.

"Bánh Mì," pronounced "bon me," more or less, is Vietnamese for "bread," specifically the baguette that arrived with the French colonizers and remained after Ho Chi Minh & Co. ran the Frenchies off (and the Americans, too, but let's not talk about that today). The banh mi has become so internationally trendy that it even boasts its own Facebook page (facebook.com/BanhMiSandwich).

Banh mi comes with a bewildering variety of fillings, a good selection of which are available at Banh Mi Hero, a lovable new spot in the Highlands. For simple authenticity, it's hard to beat the Saigon Hero ($8), the specialty of the house.


Read the full review on LouisvilleHotBytes,
http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/banh- ... wich-right

And in LEO Weekly:
http://leoweekly.com/dining/banh-mi-her ... wich-right

Banh Mi Hero
2245 Bardstown Road
456-2022
http://banhmihero.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/banhmihero
Rating: 87

Hmph, beat me to the punch. I'm still clearing out a backlog of sandwich reviews (the one being pushed out this afternoon will be particularly comical), but I was there for opening day and have been trying to get it written up.

I too was kind of disappointed by the bread. I know Annie has a line on bread with a good bit of snap to it, and hopefully BMH can get in on that, although the sandwiches there are singinifacntly longer than Annie's.

For what it's worth, Lee told me last week that he's sourcing his bread from the Bakery at Sullivan. I do appreciate that he's keeping it local.

[Robin Garr]

For what it's worth, Lee told me last week that he's sourcing his bread from the Bakery at Sullivan. I do appreciate that he's keeping it local.

I like the local angle, but I also wish (sorry, Marsha!) that I could find a little more love in my heart for the Bakery at Sullivan. In my best judgement, what I see there is a program training young people to be excellent bakers in large-scale commercial bakeries. To me, their breads consistently come across as good-quality mass-market breads but fall short of, pardon the expression, artisanal.

Now, all that being said, I had a great Banh Mi at a place I won't name, and upon asking the source of their excellent, crusty, Euro-style artisanal bread, I was given the straight dope: Sam's Club.

Nam Nam Cafe and Banh Mi Hero are having quite a slugfest on Urban Spoon right now. So silly and transparent. You should never be afraid of competition. By having more places to eat this type of sandwich you are helping each other out. More exposure means more business. Everybody wins. I can't wait to try Banh Mi!

I saw the same thing, Madeline. Namnam is a neighborhood favorite(Coal's also, of course) and I've wanted to try Bahn Mi Hero, but I think this little restaurant catfight makes both parties look childish and petty.

And when is Coal's going to put a seafood pizza on the permanent menu? I missed the Lobster Roll pizza special and am still bitter

[Robin Garr]

Urban Spoon

When I see Urban Spoon, Yelp, Eater, etc., I feel a little like a Main Street merchant watching a giant Walmart going up out at the edge of town.

You should never be afraid of competition. By having more places to eat this type of sandwich you are helping each other out. More exposure means more business. Everybody wins. I can't wait to try Banh Mi!

Wise words, Madeline! I'm thinking both these shops are run by passionate, young guys with a lot of competitive spirit, but there's a learning experience available here for them both.

I think January is the perfect month for a Lobster roll pizza. I will talk to Chef Mike!

Madeline---Thank you, I can't ask for better customer service than that. Since its opening, Coal's is one of our favorite places to eat, and we are extremely happy to have it in the neighborhood.

Don't get me wrong, we have plenty of on-menu favorites, but are excited to try the lobster roll pizza as we heard rave reviews from friends but missed it ourselves.

Madeline---Thank you, I can't ask for better customer service than that. Since its opening, Coal's is one of our favorite places to eat, and we are extremely happy to have it in the neighborhood.

Don't get me wrong, we have plenty of on-menu favorites, but are excited to try the lobster roll pizza as we heard rave reviews from friends but missed it ourselves.

Dan:

Just wanted to let you know we have the Lobster Roll pizza at Coals for the month of February. We also have lobster bisque.

Just wanted to let you know we have the Lobster Roll pizza at Coals for the month of February. We also have lobster bisque.

Sounds, like heaven! Can't wait!

Madeline,

I was in on Saturday afternoon - sorry I missed you. I was solo, so I could not justify ordering the Lobster Roll pizza ( though the couple next to me raved). I did however try the Lobster Bisque- and can attest that it was very good!

Deb

Madeline---Thank you, I can't ask for better customer service than that. Since its opening, Coal's is one of our favorite places to eat, and we are extremely happy to have it in the neighborhood.

Don't get me wrong, we have plenty of on-menu favorites, but are excited to try the lobster roll pizza as we heard rave reviews from friends but missed it ourselves.

Dan:

Just wanted to let you know we have the Lobster Roll pizza at Coals for the month of February. We also have lobster bisque.

Madeline, I just saw this today and wanted to thank you for the heads-up! I certainly appreciate you going out of your way to keep me in the loop.

However...my girlfriend noticed the update on Facebook the same day you posted this and immediately mobilized me.

We did our usual thing and sat and that bar, ordered carry out, and enjoyed a pre-pizza beer while we waited. We both ordered our own lobster roll pizza and were extremely satisfied.

It seems that the hallmark of all Coal's pies is a blend of well-thought-out ingredients dispensed in perfect proportion. We have never been disappointed, and this may be our favorite monthly special.

The only issue I have now is whether or not to order it again the next time we go in. I almost never order the same pie twice in a row, but should I adjust my policy to account for the limited availability?

I suppose it's a good problem to have. Also, and I think I've said it before, although different than what I'm used to, I am addicted to your chicken wings also.

Just had lunch at Banh Mi this past week with a buddy. I got the signature hero and he got the steak sandwich.
Being my first time at a Vietnamese sandwich shop I wasnt sure what to expect. I have to say I was genuinely surprised and delighted. The waitress was friendly and prompt and the sandwich was loaded down with fillings and had a great texture (crisp vegetables and good bread) and wonderful taste to it.

Will definitely be going back again!