LD Pho - Banh Mi North York — Restaurant in Toronto

Look up the phrase "hidden gem" in the dictionary, and a photo of LD is what you'll find. I genuinely can't recall an instance in recent history wherein I was so overcome with joy to have stumbled on a new-to-me spot as I am with LD Pho - Banh Mi.

I'll get to the food in a moment, but want to start with the people who operate it. They are some of the absolute warmest, friendliest, most genuine, and hard-working folks I've ever met, and who really care about their community, ensuring they're priced correctly for their surroundings, and not least for the kids across the street at school. These people are bursting with love and care and pride, not only for their food- where these qualities are absolutely bursting at the seams-, but for the people around them. Brings a tear to my eye, truly- incredible people who other business owners (and humans in general) should aspire to be like... the world would be a better place!

As for the food? Well, I had three appointments just up the street this week and ended up eating there each of those times, so that should tell you what's up. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the banh mi sandwiches I had here are among the very best I've had anywhere in my 35 years, and straight up the best I've had in Toronto- they are that good. There are no shortcuts at LD, these people work their butts off to ensure a quality and consistency of product which few other places care to, and it very evidently shows in the final product, which is truly mind and tastebud-blowing. I can't pick a favourite, even if you pressed me, because they all offer up different things at the same high level... any of the lemongrass options are just dynamite, the pork belly banh mi is absolutely out of this world, and the banh mi supreme is something truly special you won't find anywhere else. I am seriously drooling just recalling my experiences eating LD this week, wow- everything is cooked perfectly and exploding with flavour and texture. That contrast of the crunchy outer crust of the bread against the pillowy-soft interior, then with the rich mayo and sauces slathered on, and varying amazing textures of whichever protein you decide on, paired with the crunch of the toppings... There is no better sandwich or combination of flavours, truly, and for what is such tremendous value. Oh, and lest I forget to mention the pho... man, I've been to so many pho spots all around the GTA, yet struggle to think of one with a more deeply-flavoured broth than the one they make here, which I understand is a very long drawn out process. This stuff is no joke. Next time I will try their banh mi pho tai, which is an invention unique entirely to them- can't wait. Only issue is I always order too much and then am too full, haha, but can't resist their incredible food and just want to support the best I can. Will be bringing many people to eat here. I also just wanted to comment on the cleanliness of this spot- every single surface at LD is absolutely spotless, I can tell this is high priority for them and they're quick to clean any area they've just worked on. I wish more places cared as much about hygiene and cleanliness as they do.

I believe in this place so deeply and pray that they will blow up in popularity, because this spot needs to be on everyones map, truly. Too many spots in the city thrive based on phoney hype, while true hidden gems like this remain in the shadows... but not for long, I just know they're going to become THE SPOT in all the city/GTA in no time at all. When a spots food slaps like this, and the service is stellar like this, it's bound for immense success. Bless you guys for what you do and what you bring to the city. You're all-stars and have honestly inspired me.

P.S. You absolutely MUST get their Vietnamese coffee! I'm not really a big coffee-drinker, but this stuff is hard to resist- wish I had...

I had appointments in the area a couple of days in a row and happened to be in the mood for Vietnamese, so searched up spots around Jane & Finch. When I saw the high score and appetizing photos of LD, I was of course enticed and decided to stop in. I'm a big fan of anything lemongrass, so ordered a bit heavy and went with their lemongrass pork and lemongrass chicken banh mi's, as well as their rare beef pho, and oh my goodness, let me tell you: the very, very, best banh mi's I've had in Canada, ever, and the pho as well. Everything is perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned, perfectly combined and assembled, and just absolutely bursting with flavour. I don't know what they're doing different here, but what Lysa and her incredible mum are doing here is magical, as are they- both such lovely, warm, inviting, attentive individuals, doing everything they do with deep pride and a genuine smile. The pho broth here is just so incredibly packed with deep flavour, I swear I could just sip on a thermos full of it throughout the day- mouthwatering, as are the banh mi's, which currently have me salivating while writing this just thinking back to them. I went again today and while I was tempted to try new/different things off the menu, I couldn't resist the allure of the lemongrass banh mi's again, and went for the lemongrass pork and lemongrass beef today. One sandwich is more than enough to fill you up, but they're honestly so succulent and full of flavour that you want to immediately follow up with a second one. On my next visits, I'll be sure to try a couple of their other banh mi options for sure. I can't wait to bring different friends to this spot over the coming weeks and get them hooked- easily a top new favourite spot in the city for me, SO glad that I stumbled on this gem and wish them all the success... this place deserves all the hype that so many other spots wrongly get- let's build them up and get them there, these ladies are doing something special! Cannot wait to go back- I'm an instant...

In an area that has so much Bánh Mi to offer. It is easy to stick to the first good experience you have and continue to support them. My go to spot was closed on Monday and I saw this place. I went at 6pm and was met with the kindest family. My coworker and I felt incredibly welcomed. Each member of the family working there took time to greet us and offer recommendations. In the last hour of their day, they had tons of energy and enthusiasm for their food and it was just a prelude to the tasty food coming our way. I ate the S09 Bánh Mi Pho Tai, it gave me an opportunity to try their pho broth and the bread they make their Banh Mi’s with. Throughout the preparation of the food, the owner would bring out the freshly grilled meat so we can smell it before she puts it in the bread. The bread was great. Tasted very fresh even at the end of the day and was toasted just enough. All the ingredients in the sandwich tasted fresh it really tasted like a bowl of pho. I have been to quite a few pho places over the years. For a while, I felt like most places these days have pretty good broth and bad pho would stand out more than a really good pho broth. Today, I found a stand out broth. It’s not as clear as other places but the flavour was so deep. The flavour of the beef and spices were all there without a single ingredient overpowering the others. The owner said that it is cooked for 9 hours and when it is sold out, that’s it for the day. I ordered two more sandwiches to go. I called my wife after I left and already worked our weekend around visiting here again. I hope this family continued success. Next time I come I will get a coffee (the owner said she orders it direct from Vietnam). Unfortunately and understandably they are closed on Tuesday. They use Tuesdays to shop and prep food for the week. They accept cash and debit but not credit.

Please visit here (except when I go so my order...