Thanh Huong Restaurant — Restaurant in San Jose

I don't like the inconvenience of cash-only establishments. I rarely ever have cash. But if they're accepting cash-only payments to keep their prices low, I'm A-okay with that.

This Vietnamese deli does have quite a bit of space and a few tables, but it does show its age. The menus clearly haven't been updated in a long time. They've crossed out the old prices with black Sharpie. I'm loving all their cost cutting practices. If I do say so myself, the hard plastic seats, sticky tabletops, and low health score, are indicative of traits we tend to associate with a more authentic establishment, are they not?

They offer hot food combo items, banh mi , pre-made delicacies, sweets, tea-based beverages, and last, but not least... $0.50 cent baguettes! They stick the baguettes in a bin, so they may not look like much, but they are thick and pillowy, with a crunchy crust. It's very convenient when you want some bread at home, but can't finish a two-foot long baguette. Well... who am I kidding? Of course, I can finish a two-foot baguette, but that's besides the point.

I've only ever had the banh mi, which are around a friendly price of $5 (outdated menus say $3.50), and they do them pretty well. These are about the size of a forearm, and made with flavorful meats, crisp pickled carrots, daikon, topped with lots of cilantro and jalapenos, and most importantly, they are very generous with the pate. Some of my sandwiches had pate oozing out.

My favorites of the bunch are: Banh mi Pate Xa Xiu - BBQ Pork w/ Pate, Banh mi Thit Cha - Ham & Steamed Pork w/ Pate, Banh mi Thit Nuong - Grilled Pork.

Thanh Huong's selection is plentiful and varied, so naturally I find all the food piled around the countertops quite overwhelming. But I am curious to try something different and would love recommendations for something other than...

I'm usually not negative but....I came to this place because of the reviews and primarily prices. Their hours of operation are excellent which is another reason I came. I don't like breakfast foods and this place is open early and late.Online prices in Google reflect 8.99 for soup and 4 bucks for a ban mi. Also the link for the menu has the same prices. In the store, all prices are marked out with a black marker. I ordered #1 pork leg. The picture on the TV menu inside look amazing for this item. There are about 1/3 of the toppings on it and they were 4 shrimp, 2 blood cubes, 2 pieces of pork loin, cilantro, lemon, bean sprouts. Like receiving the WISH version of the meal. The picture is a pork leg with bone, loin and covered completely in other toppings, the sandwich is decent size, on the larger end. The soup was decent. The issue I had was that when I ordered, they charged me $15 for the soup and $8 for the sandwich. That's nearly double. I don't know if it because I am only half asian and only speak English, but I hope not. That's a completely different issue. Or its that prices just went wayyyyy up and theybhavent updated anything. So I'm paying full restaurant prices for street food service and product, except the food average. They do offer a variety of food and it all seems like it would be good, but don't think I'll be back.

I had really good PHO down the street at a full service place for 13.95, which is pretty standard.

Cash only not an issue for me because I don't want the government to take it from working people. So...

In and out. Quick and easy. And decent selection of good amount of typical Vietnamese food dishes, appetizers, drinks, desserts, and snacks. Popular quick bites are: banh cay (spicy cassava fritter sticks), egg rolls, banh cam (sweet mung bean sesame balls), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), and ready-made wrapper meals such grilled shrimp/grilled pork with vermicelli noodle, roasted chicken with rice, shrimp spring rolls, vegetarian spring rolls.

But if you are not in a hurry and have 5 to 10 minutes to spare, Thanh Huong offers a pretty good selection of delicious Vietnamese baguette sandwiches (banh mi) which I must say, tastes better than sandwiches from other Vietnamese fast-food restaurants. Actually, I visit TH a lot for their sandwiches and quick appetizers...yum yum yum. They also offer hot 2-item combo to-go meal for $9 and 3-item to-go meal for $11. Because each to-go meal variety went up by $2, I knock off 1 star for this TH location review. PS: for buy 2 Vietnamese sandwiches, get the 3rd sandwich free, go to Banh Mi Baguette (formerly Saigon Bakery) in the Asian Plaza on Tully Rd and McLaughlin Ave in San Jose:)....