Banh Mi Fresh — Restaurant in Milwaukie

Life is full of bright simple pleasures, if you look for them and are ready to accept the unexpected. A long and difficult day and I cast about for something to sustain my aging body and hopefully lift my slightly beaten spirit. I know I need food, but I want something special, something will spark a little excitement.

Bahn Mi Fresh does not look all that interesting from the outside, but it is like finding a small rare pearl in a drab oyster. You pry it open and it is bright and shiny and nearly perfect. That’s what this place is like, shiny and welcoming. The staff were friendly and patient, they seemed excited by what they were doing and bubbled with charming energy. I got a beef stew Bahn mi sandwich with a pandan milk boba drink that was to die for. The small baguette felt fresh, slightly crispy crust and soft chewy inside. The filling was perfect, soft savory beef with bits of bright crunchy pickled vegetables. It’s a fun sandwich, unexpected and complete. It is a perfect bridge between cultures, something that the average American diner will recognize and accept immediately as Good Food.

I watched a varied procession of folks flowing through the doors, many of these who had pre-ordered, a complete cross section of what makes America. The shop becomes a magnetic center where people of all types find a single ground… something universal, something as simple as food that everyone can understand and enjoy. You take it to work, or fishing, or for the long drive. It is complete, there sitting in its bag, wrapped up like a little gift. It’s the perfect thing to bring to the office, to get for a friend, to renew your spirit and lighten your path.

The pandan boba milk was great too, although how to describe pandan? You just have to try it, a quintessential Asian taste, that translates easily, but cannot be...

Outside of Vietnam, and Oakland, California, this place makes the best Vietnamese Beef Stew I've had in the USA.

Starting with the fresh made Baguette they serve with it. Perfect balance of Crunchy on the outside and Soft and Airy on the inside. This is the perfect sponge to soak up the beautiful broth of the Beef Stew which has a rich, cilantro heavy broth. The Rice Cakes are also great especially the Pandan Flavored ones. And then there is the Banh Mi Beef Sandwich. Using that same wonderful Baguette and fresh veggies with a great tasting mayonnaise spread. The Beef is tender, melt in your mouth and has a sweet sugar cane flavor along with a soft saltiness that brings everything together like a nice family. Speaking of Sugar Cane, they got that too. Fresh Pressed Sugar Cane Juice that is!

This place has people coming in and out of it constantly while I ate there and I can see why. It's just great food and great food will find...

This is the best lunch you can eat on southern 82nd ave! The owner Nga is super friendly and makes great food. This is a true small family business. If you've ever had Binh Minh on SE Powell, which is also great, then you will recognize the little dumplings you used to see on the counter over there. They followed Nga to her own shop over here in Happy Valley. The beef stew is a favorite. There are some convenience store items too, chips, ramen packets, drinks, candy. There patechaud are great, and there is this honey pandan cake my kid is always begging for. The TV is always showing some fascinating looking cooking shows that I've never seen anywhere else. If you like banh mi or other vietnamese deli food and you're nearby,...