looking for Bahn Mi

I am looking for a good bahn mi. I did a search here on the forum and see this question was brought a long while ago. From that thread all I saw suggested was Cafe Thuy Van on national turnpike,and a place on Strawberry lane called Pho Bahn Mi. I goggled both and couldnt come up with anything for the place on Strawberry lane,or a menu for the other place. I thought I read somewhere about Anne Cafe having them but it wasnt listed on their online menu. I have not seen them on the menu at Vietnam Kitchen either. So, is my best and only option Cafe Thuy Van?

Vietnam Kitchen has them for lunch but you have to ask. They have a charbroiled pork one that is awesome and a more adventureous combo one that has pate, pork and head cheese that is a must try. They are garnished with fresh jalopeno's cilantro cucumber and bean sprouts and each have a accompanied sauce. Pickled limeade goes great with these!

[Robin Garr]

a place on Strawberry lane called Pho Bahn Mi. I goggled both and couldnt come up with anything for the place on Strawberry lane

It's very tiny and very Vietnamese, John, but their banh mi are good, and as authentic as can be. (Caveat: I reviewed it a couple of years ago and have not been back. But don't rule it out.)

Ok, thanks for the input. As I am already a fan of VK, I'm inclined to go try this place on Strawberry. I know Ill be getting a bahn mi,but are there any other suggestions while Im there. Let me add one condition to this,Ill be getting it to go. My friend with whom Ill be sharing lunch with, has a fear of pate and is reluctant to try the bahn mi,even though I know they dont all come with it. We both are fans of Pho,but I never thought about it as a to go dish. I would guess they will just put the basil,bean sprout,etc in a separate container? Pho to go?

OH yeah, for those who have tried both,VK or the place on Strawberry...who has the better bahn mi?

[Robin Garr]

John, we went to Pho Banh Mi several times before reviewing it, and can't recall anything there that I didn't like. Again, though, it's been a couple years. I doubt it's changed much: Tiny, family-run place, not much English, but very cordial about taking orders by pointing to the menu.

Oddly, Mary and I took my sister to Lac Viet in Orlando on the way to the airport for our flight home last week, and my sister took a bunch of pho home in a doggie bag. They just gave her a big white cup with a tight lid for the pho, and a box for the fixin's.

Basa offers bahn mi for lunch. I'm not sure about the dinner menu.

I work less than a 1/2 mile from the place on Strawberry Ln, and as a result it fits into my lunch schedule quite nicely. They are friendly there and make a pretty mean bahn mi for a very cheap price. You can get out of there for under $5 for lunch without even trying. Robin is correct about the language barrier but the main guy there (I assume the owner) is very understanding.

Just wanted to say thanks for recommendation on the place on Strawberry. I picked up a couple of Bahn mi the other day and was very happy. One thing that really stood out was the bread. Im not sure if they make it there,but it tasted as though it just came out of the oven. I know that can be somewhat cliche thing to say about bread but these rolls really did. I went with two kinds so my friend and I could share them. The Xa Xiu (sp?) was filled with shredded carrot, cucumber and that pink colored grilled pork. Im happy to report that they put on the mayo type dressing with a very light hand. I have had other Bahn Mi that were just too wet for my liking. The other sandwich was the Xiu Mai(I think sp?) a light meatball version. These meatballs seemed to be made out of a shrimp,pork combination with some ginger going on in the background. I didnt enjoy this one as much,but that was partly due to me forgetting to remove the jalapeno from the vegetable mix. I chomped down on a particularly large piece of pepper,and not being a hot pepper guy,it blew me away. I have a habit of getting the hiccups when I eat something too hot,luckily they went away quickly. Every table was filled when I went in,including a table of eight that placed their orders right before I put my "to go" order in. Even with all those people I was in and out in less than fifteen minutes with two Saigon subs and a couple of Cha Gio rolls for under ten bucks. From what I could see the Pho ,served in giant bowls with a huge plate of condiments,looked really good. The service,one guy, who I guess is the owner was very nice and efficient. The dining area is small but very clean. This place typifies what I enjoy most about Louisville restaurants,a surprise around every corner. I will be back,after all it was Phoking delicious.

I am looking for a good bahn mi.

John,

<eh-hem>...So that's what they are calling it these days.

I have a habit of getting the hiccups when I eat something too hot,luckily they went away quickly.

So, I'm not the only one! I particularly sensitive to Jalapenos for some odd reason. It really gets old, eh?

Bahn Mi were awesome especially the pork. Thanks for bringing something new to try John.

Coco's (which is under a new name now, apparently, but I've blanked on what it is) apparently has bánh mì, or so the counter attendant claimed when I stopped by their booth at WorldFest -- I'm not sure how long they've had them, though, or how they compare pricewise or qualitywise with their neighbors.

For my part, my favorite is the bánh mì bì, which is made with shredded pork and pork skin liberally dusted with roasted rice powder, but it's something of an acquired taste texturally.