Bánh Mì Ba Lẹ — Restaurant in El Cerrito

If you're not Vietnamese read this review, because if you are Vietnamese in any way you already know this place is great... Friendly and fast folks working in this small store filled with Vietnamese / Asian snacks, drinks and the main focus is on tasty sandwiches! You know it's good food and a great deal because it's usually busy but the line moves very quickly. My favorite sandwich is the "bacon", which is like a warm char siu /red around the edge of the meat, thick Sliced pork with the fat on it. I've also had their "BBQ char siu pork"(red finely shredded pork) sandwich and their "BBQ chicken sandwich" , which is finely shredded chicken mixed with mild chicken like spices (dark yellow color). Those were both tasty but might not be what you think of as BBQ pork or BBQ chicken because they are so finely shredded. You can ask for the sandwich roll not to be toasted, which if you're eating it in your car I recommend because the crumbs will go everywhere if it's toasted. Toasted or not it's still a good and full sandwich with plenty of vegetables with the big bonus of having the sandwiches sliced green peppers not being too hot/spicy, unlike most Vietnamese sandwich stores. I haven't tried the other sandwiches but the #2 seems very popular and as soon as I try others, I will list them here.

A quick note about one of the other pre-made ready to go foods available besides the sandwiches, it's their delicious raw young papaya (sliced thin strips) salad, because it is fresh and traditionally made, a very small percentage of humans might be a little bit allergic to the small quantity of natural latex like ingredients that can naturally occur in it. If you feel a tingling in your throat or breathing is affected stop eating it, even though it tastes So delicious. Lastly, I recommend everyone try a sandwich here. There are other food choices in this peppermint tree plaza strip mall but I think this is the best value for your dollar and it tastes...

I came here when it was first opened and the sandwiches have been delicious and continues to be currently. The only difference now is that the prices are a lot higher but that is to be expected. The selection of sandwiches is good enough and basic and that's a great thing because you don't want to be overwhelmed with so many choices that it gets hard to decide what to get and it compromises the quality of the food and ingredients. It's best to just stick with a small amount of food and specialize in it and that is what this place does. I forgot to mention that they offer other vietnamese food to like Pho and some ready to go rice and noodles dishes. They have a cooler case that has some interesting desserts and drinks. The unique assortment of snacks by the entrance piques my interest every time I go there. One thing I wish I could buy from them is the little french breads they use to make the sandwiches and the pickled vegetables. Overall great spot for a quick delicious meal or snack. Highly recommend them. I think they have a second place in the Oakland chinatown area too unless I'm mistaken...

I love this restaurant It is a family owned, husband and wife. Please cash only. I only found out about it a few years ago but I think they've been there forever. He Makes all the sandwiches to order so they're fresh and good incredible prices. He also has desserts and puddings in the refrigerator and if I'm lucky when I go there he has Is great egg rolls and Delicious chickenNot hot but package to go in the front display case in front of the counter. Some lot of times I'll get A sandwich And get chicken and egg rolls or something for dinner. It only takes cash so be totally aware of that when you go I know he Health different But I haven't tried everything that he has there I had the mango Pudding and that was good . A very hard working couple that makes good food. He only takes cash...