Ba Le Sandwiches — Restaurant in Lake View Township

I’ve been to Ba Le in Uptown a few times, and I’d say it’s a place with some highs and lows depending on what you’re looking for. The biggest draw here for many people is the banh mi, but honestly, that was the most disappointing part of my visits. The flavor just isn’t there compared to other Vietnamese bakeries in Chicago. The bread is decent, but the fillings lack the freshness and punch you’d expect. For a spot that’s so well-known for its sandwiches, I was really underwhelmed.

On the other hand, the snacks and ready-made foods they keep out on display are much better. Things like spring rolls, pastries, and various small bites actually hit the mark. They’re tasty, convenient, and fun to grab if you want something quick to eat without committing to a full meal. In some ways, I think these little side items showcase the strengths of Ba Le more than the banh mi itself.

The biggest drawback for me is definitely the pricing. For what you get, it’s just too expensive. There are other bakeries and restaurants in the city that not only serve better-quality banh mi, but do so at a lower price point. When you factor in the competition, Ba Le feels overpriced and not worth making a regular stop.

The store itself is clean and has a nice variety of items, so I can see why it appeals to people who want convenience. But if you’re coming here specifically for a banh mi, I’d suggest trying one of the many other spots in Chicago where the sandwiches are fresher, tastier, and more affordable.

Overall, Ba Le has some good snacks, but the banh mi and pricing leave a lot...

Back when Ba Le was just a hole in the wall, it was great. My family and I frequented this place every time we were in Vietnamese town. Now that they've grown and are "trendy," the quality has declined. My last visit here a few weeks ago, I had gotten some sandwiches to take back home with me (as I've done countless number of times since I have a two hour drive), so I requested that the veggies be put on the side. I got my order and noticed that there wasn't a bag of veggies in there, so I let one of the employees know. He took my bag of sandwiches, and when he gave it back to me, I found an open bag veggies in there like they just threw it in there and didn't even bother to tie it. I'm glad I checked, or else that would've spilled all over my sandwiches. Smdh. I get home and discover not only did they put the veggies on all 4 of my sandwiches, making them completely soggy, they also gave me the WRONG sandwiches. I emailed them and, of course, crickets. On top of this bad experience, when I asked the guy at the counter questions regarding a menu item, prior to my order, he didn't know so he asked the guy next to him, who also didn't know so they both just shrugged. It seems like whomever owns this place now just hires anyone, which I believe is the original owner's daughter now. There were a bunch of kids working, all unorganized and disinterested in providing any kind of customer service. This place is a joke, and I will definitely never come back here again. What once was a quality and delicious sandwich shop, is now all about greed and stuffing...

Ba Le is the second banh mi spot I've tried out in Uptown. I did not leave disappointed!

Ba Le has been around since the 80s and they've made a lot of updates to make the space more inviting. This sandwich shop doubles as a convenience store limited to Vietnamese snacks, desserts, and meats.

I was able to try the Special and the Saigon Sausage. Both were incredibly well seasoned and put together. If the bread is not right, the whole experience is bad. Luckily Ba Le had the rolls that are flaky on the outside and soft on the inside. The balance between meats, seasoning, and toppings is perfect. The acidity from the pickled daikon and carrot is a beautiful contrast to the fatty meats. The cilantro and jalapeño add freshness and a perfect amount of spice.

Ordering was easy enough and the folks at the counter were sure to ask the right questions. "Do you want everything on that?", etc. I should've used the numbers on the menu to order my sandwich, an oversight on my part. I ordered the Vietnamese Sausage Sandwich and was given the Saigon Sausage Sandwich. This was delicious so I can't really complain.. but I was really looking forward to that sandwich.

Overall I eas very impressed with the timing, quality and execution of Ba Le and I will definitely...