Brodard Express — Restaurant in Irvine

Finally! A taste of authentic Vietnamese food before you take flight -- just be prepared to pay a premium. (We've eaten at Brodard's other locations before, but this review will focus on its food-to-go shop at John Wayne Airport.)

The Food: Hands down, Brodard makes the best nem nuong. Period. Growing up in a Vietnamese family, I've eaten lots of nem nuong (spring roll with grilled pork sausage) all over the world, from Canada and the US to Vietnam herself. Still, Brodard's nem nuong is hard to beat. Why? It comes down to the delicious, soft sausage perfectly balanced against fresh greens and crispy egg roll skin (the latter being an uncommon ingredient in spring rolls). Plus, the dipping sauce is unique and tasty.

We also has the house vermicelli bowl, which always satisfies. It's not the best in class, but Brodard always serves it up with a solid mix of noodles, grilled pork, prawns, egg roll, and veggies. Note: There were only 2 prawns and 1 tiny egg roll, which seems to be much fewer than given at their regular sit-down restaurant in Fountain Valley.

The Service: Our cashier was friendly, fast, and competent -- which is a pleasant surprise for an Asian eatery. If you've been to enough of them, you know that customer service is lacking; it's just a part of the culture. (And I say this as someone who is Vietnamese.) But I'm glad to see Brodard management trains their employees to exceed (Asian) expectations.

The Setting: It's located in between Terminal B and C of the airport, near other restaurants and the restroom, which is a convenient location. As a cafeteria-style area, there are various tables and chairs shared with the other shops. It was relatively clean, but not much to write home about -- it's a airport after all.

The Cost: Here's where the complaint comes in. While the flagship Brodard location isn't cheap, the prices at this airport shop are significantly higher when you factor in the quantity you get. The nem nuong costs almost $9 for two rolls, basically $4.50 a single roll! (If I'm eating it as my main entree, I need to eat 3 to 4 rolls to get full.) That price is probably 25% to 40% more than the Fountain Valley location.

The Conclusion: While the prices have crazy markups when compared to their the sit-down locations, this location provides a much needed shot of authentic Vietnamese food to John Wayne Airport. If you're tired of McDonald's, Carl's Jr, and other hohum franchises, and you don't mind the exorbitant airport prices, grab a nem nuong. You...

My new favorite stop for a snack before flying out of John Wayne Airport. Brodard's prepares dozens of little spring roll containers that you can pick up and take for under $10. Service is also quick and friendly - a small line shouldn't take too long to wait through.

They have several spring roll options including a breakfast spring roll and eggplant, but the classic Grilled Pork Spring Roll's crunch factor and sweet, salty dip always hits the spot. While the baked goods and spring rolls are easily portable, there is plenty of seating to enjoy a full meal in this food court setting (by Gate 13) where Brodard's Express sits.

Their baked goods, which includes items like spinach feta pastry and croissants, is available right from the opening. If you need something heartier, Brodard Express also offers vermicelli bowls, salads, and rice dishes. You've got plenty to choose from.

For early travelers, only baked goods are available in the first hour of opening so bring a backup plan for breakfast or try out some bakery items. However, if you're looking for a meal after a long flight, this place closes shop by dinner time (6pm).

Locals know the original restaurant located in the OC well, but for those of you who don't, you are in for a treat! It almost makes flying something I look forward to...

This spot is an unexpected gem, especially compared to other dining options at John Wayne Airport, and it’s an absolute treat for anyone who loves Vietnamese cuisine. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the food was. The pork banh mi, in particular, was outstanding. Every ingredient tasted incredibly fresh and of high quality, and the flavors were perfectly balanced—just the way a great banh mi should be. It was so delicious that it left a lasting impression.

The egg rolls were another highlight. Crispy, flavorful, and clearly made with care, they complemented the meal perfectly. Honestly, the food here is easily 5-star quality, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone passing through the airport.

The only reason I’m giving this place 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the wait time. It took about 20 minutes for our sandwich to be prepared, which felt a bit long considering most travelers at an airport are usually in a rush and looking for something quick to grab and go. While the food was definitely worth the wait, a shorter prep time would make this place...