I have studied in culinary schools in Vietnam and eaten my way all over the country, especially Saigon. And I have to rty just about every Vietnamese restaurant I come across. (I hate Saigonese. Overpriced, small servings, and mediocre food.)
I have been to the Banh Mi Shop twice, once the week they opened, and again a few days ago. I have had three types of their banh mi, the original, sliced pork, and short rib, but nothing else. So far I have not been impressed. The bread is 2/3 the size of most banh mi rolls. They scoop out the inside of the bread. No need for this. The bread is soft and fresh. They grate their daikon/carrot salad too fine and it is soft and mushy, instead of crisp. they have a decent meat ratio, but about 1/3-1/2 the amount of vegetables (cucumber, cilantro, and the carrot/daikon) needed, so it has no veggie taste, all meat. Balance is the key to a great banh mi. You can see what I mean in foodygrandma’s photo.
Also they don’t have Char Siu / Thịt xá xíu or pate on their banh mi. The typical banh mi, the Bac Diet, which means special, has cold pate, mayo, maggi sauce, sriracha, cucumber, jalapeno or thai peppers, hot char sui, sliced pork roll, sliced tendon, cilantro, daikon/carrot salad, on a hot on the outside, very crispy, soft fluffy inside, long roll. It’s a combination of flavors, textures, and hot/cold.
I think their prices are too high for what you get. About 1/3 higher prices than in NYC, and 1/3 smaller serving. So basically double what I expect to pay.
I have seen their pho, and again feel unimpressed about pricing and serving size. And it just looked dismal, and the person eating it didn’t look happy.
I will report more after I have given them more time and eaten more than just a handful of banh mi.
