Bánh Mì Ba Lẹ & Bakery — Restaurant in Boston

Just picked up Tonight's dinner and it was delicious! When I walked up to the door there was a sign stating that no more than 10 people were allowed in the shop at a time. A quicklook through thedoor and it was easy to see that there were at least 14 patrons lined up. With signs requesting 6 ft of social distance, the message was not being heeded well. I waited outside until a few parties exited.

Immediately upon entering your eyes land table that runs the entire length of the shop. It is covered by an amazing array of jewel-colored treats and sweets. From bean cake to durian cake and platters of multi-colored foods - crispy, salty, scrumptious! A chiller full of ready made beverages, packaged meats and puddings allow you to shop while waiting in the takeout line. Bread and pastries are the first on the prepared food line. Next are small prepared foods, like fresh rolls, Bánh cuốn (flat rice noodles wrapped around scant meaty filling), chả lụa (Vietnamese pork sausage), and steamed cabbage. Finally you reach "the show" - the banh mi sandwich moment! Be prepared to choose your filling first _ tofu, bbq beef, or supreme special (cold cuts galore). The bread was sublime! The toppings and sauces perfectly balanced one another. Fast, reasonable,...

I was deeply disappointed by my experience at Ba Lẹ in Dorchester (1052 Dorchester Avenue) on September 1, 2025. When I arrived, I was the only customer at the smoothie counter and waited for over 15 minutes without being acknowledged or asked what I wanted to order.

During this time, another customer arrived after me and was served ahead of me, and then staff began serving yet another customer—still without asking me my order or offering any assistance. It felt as though I was invisible to the staff.

When I spoke to the manager about what had happened, there was no acknowledgment, apology, or explanation—it seemed like I was never seen or that my presence didn’t matter.

As a person of color, I can’t help but feel that the treatment I received was discriminatory. Whether intentional or not, being overlooked like that is hurtful and unacceptable. Ba Lẹ has a longstanding reputation in the community for authenticity, quality, and a strong connection with its customers—particularly recognizing the diversity of its patrons  . Given that reputation, this incident is even more disheartening.

I hope Ba Lẹ’s leadership will reflect on this and ensure that all customers—regardless of race or background—are treated with respect, timely service, and...

9/25: have gone with friends a few times since. Today I ordered through uber eats and while of course on the app it’s like 40 total for three items while the receipt says 32. But anyway.

The combo cold cut banh mi is good, as usual. Haven’t tried the rice yet but I’m sure it’s fine. The combo rice plate was not bad, but it’s likely no one gets it because the beef banh mi is better and cheaper. I didn’t see any reviews on it in the search so I took one for the team. It’s $14 thru the Eats app and probably $12 in store, but it’s a lot of mostly rice. Very filling. The beef seems to be the with same seasoning as in the banh mi. The egg is just salt and pepper seasoned I think, and the pork patty has a little more spices along with vermicelli noodles of some sort. The salad comes with a fish sauce based chili vinaigrette. No picture of the pork combo banh mi since others already got it covered.

2024: Pretty decent sandwich for 7.50 or so. They take cards! Meant to take a pic but traffic was so bad I just ate in the car. Street parking only. Wish prices were post for snack items bc I wasn’t...