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A Pair of Lee's Sandwiches in Alhambra
The Official Recession has been upon us for thirteen official months. It’s still not a reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we’ve got plenty of cheap options! We last ate our way up and down the Red Line for a few bucks plus Metro fare. Today we'll head East... again.
The French colonization of Indochina had its pros and cons. Today we'll look at the cheapest, tastiest pro: Banh Mi, Vietnam's Sandwich. For less than $3 you can munch on a terrific sandwich that's a little bit Europe and a little bit Asia. You guessed it. Banh mi is LAist's latest Recession Obsession.
Found in different corners of Los Angeles, banh mi is nowhere at home as it is in the San Gabriel Valley. Lee's Sandwiches always does the trick. This Northern California chain has a cluster of eateries in the SGV, as well as Orange County. These sandwiches are all priced to move, and are sizable, on 10" baguettes.
Expect to find a nice, light dressing, and pleasing greens on your banh mi. Cilantro, jalapenos, carrots, cucumber, daikon. Pate is common too, though it's more a palate-pleasing lubricant than primary sustenance. A variety of pork and chicken Vietnamese coldcuts serve as popular ways to occupy your banh mi, as well.
Don't fret vegetarians. Lee's has a seriously heaping banh mi awaiting you. It features tofu, vermicelli and yams. Mmm.
- Another Option: Monterrey Park’s Mr. Baguette. The formal sandwichmaker is another LAist favorite.
Thirsty? Lee's Coffee (cafe sua da,) is Vietnamese French press coffee with condensed milk. This guilty pleasure is of exemplary caloric density. It's not a WeightWatchers Obsession. Not even close.
This is a Recession Obsession where I won't yell at you for ordering another round. Despite your credit card debt, and suffering stock portfolio, you can order seconds. Prepare to loosen the belt. If you order thirds, your issues are beyond finance.
Lee's has a drive through, but save the gas guzzling you'll do while idling and go inside. Be careful of your money. It's a Recession out there. Sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going under.
- Recession Obsession Post-Banh mi Option:The $15 Massage. They're in the same neighborhood.
Photos by Caleb Bacon for LAist
Where do you get your banh mi? What do you like on it? Comment below!
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Banh Mi sandwhiches rule...anyone who knows where they are at outside of SGV please post.
The only one I know (out here in the IE) is Super Sandwhich in Montclair, on Central, south of the 10, east side of street on a corner.
The sandwhich was OK, B in the window (so you know it's really "Asian"), and they bake their own baugettes.
There's a good banh mi/pho shop in Pomona that I've been to many times. Pho Hoa Pasteur (its called Pho VT Pasteur on outside signage, mysteriously), 1087 E Holt Ave, Pomona, CA 91767 (909) 620-9091. They have noodles and other stuff as well but the bahn mi is really tasty and cheap. I always get the bbq beef or pork but my husband swears by the original pork and pate.
Thanks Janvier - I will try it pho realz. (BTW I think the name of a pho place in Corona is called Pho Real).
theres a new place called Munch on Sawtelle in the westside that serves sandwiches. havnt tried them so cant vouch for it.
best ones are in the SGV & Santa Ana. Lee's sandwiches are just ok. i still hate them for causing the price rise of these things. for the longest time they were a dollar or less until Lee's came around jacking prices up.
i just found out that Munch closed down.
Oh how I wish there was a *real* banh mi place in Westwood!
In Chinatown there's a truck during the day that has the best shredded chicken banh mi , other Vietnamese sweets and take-out lunch goodies. The truck is usually at the corner of Alpine and Spring St. I usually try to stop by here after eating at Au Pagolac Cholon, a Vietnamese restaurant down the street. Unfortunately the truck packs up around 6pm.
whoa!
Dammit! I thought I was going to be the first one to suggest the truck in Chinatown. Anyhow, definitely worth a visit. I knew I was going to miss eating their banh mi so I hit up that truck almost everyday for two weeks before I moved to Nigeria. Sometimes I still crave them.
I've never tried one, but it sounds good. Does anyone know if there's a good place to grab one on the westside?
The vegan Banh Mi at Vinh Loi Tofu in Reseda is the bomb!
I still haven't been there, Foodeater! ahh!
Oh you gotta... go for the Banh Mi, but stay for the curry noodles :)
You've convinced me, Caleb.
*golfclap*
Viet NOM NOM NOM. Also, Pho = great for hangovers
Pound for pound, banh mi is the best when it comes to deliciousness and price.
NO DOUBT
Bacon- stop making me hungry all the time. I'd go back just for the avocado smoothie. Sandwich on the side.
My friends and I get these every time we go snowboarding. Most of the Lee's sandwiches are open really early, so these make great breakfast or lunch snacks.
We used to go to the one in Garden Grove since my friend was there, but now we stop by the one near Monterey Park (close to where the 10 and 710 meet).
You can't go wrong with the 1 or 11 on the menu.
Photo caption:
Caleb takes down 20"
Photo caption:
Caleb takes down 20"
Do any of these places have that special bright green cake?
I used to live in Paris, and there was a little banh mi shop across from my apartment. I went there all the time since the sandwiches were 2 euros - they had this green cake that was fragrant and gelatinous, filled with little bubbles, and had a sweet brown crust. It was so good I didn't even want to know what was in it.
Now I'm wondering if it exists elsewhere, does this ring a bell for anyone?