One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Recession Obsession: Banh Mi, Vietnam’s Sandwich
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.
Sponsored message
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!
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
