Banh Mi & Che Cali

Gone are the days of buy one banh mi, get two free. But this place has a buy 2, get 1 free. Prices are reasonable, but the banh mi here are delicious! The French bread they use is the perfect combination of soft and toasted. I got the BBQ pork, and it was amazing. The meat was seasoned well. Plenty of pickled veggies. The right amount of butter/mayo (or whatever it is they use). I'm definitely coming back here the next time I'm in town. They also have meat pies and egg rolls. The egg rolls were superb...I wish they had more when I was ordering...only got to buy a dozen. They were however hard at working making fresh ones...didn't have time to wait around for the new batch. Meat pies had a nice flaky and buttery crust, with the perfect amount of ground meat inside. The place is a hole in the wall. Looks like an old Allertos or something. I don't care what the place looks like, as long as they keep making the food great, I'll be back!

1. Ambiance and EnvironmentThis location had a lot of tables in close proximity so it was a little bit hard to walk between each table, and it does feel very intimate. The dining area was very clean despite being busy. There are about 2 outdoor tables available if you prefer a less crowded dining experience. 2. Food and DrinksI got a combination cold cut banh mi, as well as pork and chicken pate chaud. They had a deal running for the pate chaud that made them cheaper when bought in bulk, which was nice. It seemed like a temporary deal, however, so it might not be there the next time you visit. The food was delicious and you could tell the bread for the banh mi wasn't old at all. Really great food. 3. ServiceKind staff members. Service was very quick compared to the other locations. I definitely see myself returning here more often. 4. PricingThe price of the food was extremely reasonable and affordable. The price combined with the quality of the food makes this a really ideal lunch spot - or even dinner spot for their pho.5. RestroomThe restroom was decently clean. Maintenance was evidently needed with the sink pipes, but the trash can was overflowing just a bit with paper towels. 6. ParkingPlenty of parking given how the location is at a plaza. You most likely also won't have to walk far from your parking since the restaurant is right at the edge of the plaza, somewhat far away from the center of the parking lot where majority of people park for the other establishments within the plaza.

There are definitely other Banh Mi places around but if you need a quick stop, these branches get the job done for me. I got a Banh Mi Cha Lua (Meat Loaf Baguette) and it was good. The only problem was the bread was a bit stale so I'm not sure if it was just left out for a while or that's how they make their baguettes. The amount of meat compared to veggies was great though and not too much pate (I'm not a huge huge fan). There's always a deal at these places for their banh mi's so if you're willing to try, it wouldn't hurt!

Although prices have gone up a bit and there's not as much meat as some other places, it's convenient for me to stop by here in the morning because it's right by the 405 freeway. While the meat is not plentiful, there's lots of pickled carrots and daikon to flavor the sandwich. If you buy two french bread sized sandwiches, you get one free, which means $12 for 3 sandwiches. In the morning there are some options to get 3 small sesame balls for $1 and fried rolls (cha gio). There were some fresh spring roll meals that were pre-packaged and ready to go, but I stick with the sandwiches.

So I remember reading a comment about service where the lady up front was rude and yells but, I honestly think that's how she is because I was watching how she was talking to others and it was the same way. I don't know. Aside from that the other front of house employees were really nice, attentive and helped out accordingly so I'll balance that out. The food was surprisingly great for the price. The pho was rich, the broth flavorful and the meat excellent with a great balance of thickness and moisture. Shrimp was pretty good as well. They make it crunchy but it has a good amount of batter making the shrimp look bigger than what it is. Ambiance wise, it was a friendly environment (aside from the lady upfront) you have a choice to sit inside or outside and it could get a little hot due to the kitchen being so near. Overall I this pho place surpassed my expectations because when I first came here and saw the prices, I was a little biased that it was going to go be good. Please give it a try!

Yes they are impolite and the environment is chaotic BUT it's an OC staple for a reason. Egg rolls are amazing! And good deal on the Bahn Mis. I get sad when lady tells me to hurry up and says other mean things but it's all part of the EXPERIENCE. I Get the egg rolls and bbq pork (or the shredding chicken) bahn mi. Egg rolls in particular are great when you can douse them in that oily stuff they have at the table. It's just one of those places you can always count on.

Their beef sandwiches are a must-try. The beef is tender and well-seasoned, and the sandwiches are always served with fresh, quality ingredients. Whether you're looking for a quick bite to eat or something more filling, it's the perfect balance of flavors that makes for a satisfying meal every time. Definitely worth a visit if you're a fan of a good beef sandwich!

Mom wanted to grab something for lunch again, and we recently had cheeseburgers, gyros, and tacos. I thought a healthier option would be some Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio: Vietnamese salad of rice noodles, lettuce, cucumbers, bean sprouts, shredded daikon & carrots, topped with grilled shrimp, pork, egg roll, chopped green onions, crushed peanuts and nuoc cham (a Vietnamese sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, water and chili peppers). I gave them 5 stars because the food was not only fresh & tasty, but the service was quick and portions were very generous as you can see in the photos. Yes Virginia, somewhere under the big pile of toppings is some rice noodles and lettuce!

The parking is so so. The food is above average. The service is fast. Always have good deal on sandwich, desserts and porridge and the rest of the pastry and stuff. the line moving quick to pay. The ambience is typical like a fast food.

Stopped by for takeout and ordered the special combination pho (large for $10), #4 baguette sandwich ($6) and egg rolls ($0.80 each). For $20, this was a really great take out option. The pho was packed well and very hot and flavorful. And I love the $10 price tag on this. The baguette sandwich was thoroughly enjoyed by my son (after picking off the cilantro and jalapeños). The egg rolls are crispy and delicious and substantial. I would easily come back here for take-out or even a quick dine-in option. Very conveniently located off the 5 and Talbert/Brookhurst.