Thuan Phat Vietnamese Sandwiches — Restaurant in San Rafael

Highly, highly recommend this place (of all the banh mi places in SF and Marin). This place is a gem in the North Bay. I've been to both locations, but live closer to the San Rafael deli. As a Vietnamese who grew up eating banh mi (not "bahn" - please stop misspelling this word!, although I understand "bahn" has been spelled like this to make it phonetically easier to pronounce), I vouch for this place. It is wholeheartedly the best banh mi place in the Bay area. Growing up, I lived in a close-knit Vietnamese-American community, and my mother and another lady in our village sold banh mi, so I have a discerning taste for banh mi. This place is totally legit and super authentic. The french bread is just the right texture (light and flaky, but not dense inside). The actual bread in a Vietnamese banh mi is not the same as a french baguette that is more often dense and chewy (and thanks to French colonizers, they left the Vietnamese with french bread and amazing architecture). I know many places in the Bay area that serve more dense baguettes for banh mi, which isn't authentic. The filling is perfect and the right amount with no special brown sauce or gravy. Vietnamese banh mi filling is not sweet, but has a slight tang and citrusy flavor from the pickled carrots and daikon.

This is the perfect example of Vietnamese banh mi. I don't normally write reviews, but I want to spread the word that this place serves very good banh mi. Another added value is the price of a banh mi that is 30% less than the price of other places that are now charging $10-13 per baguette. The owners are super sweet, too. If you happen to find yourself in the North Bay and craving a banh mi, or want to find an authentic example, this...

Went here due to the 5 star rating and wow, it earns every single one. The bread here is the best bahn mi bread I've ever had on a sandwich, the pork is juicy and the cost is insanely economical. For 2 sandwiches and a Vietnamese iced coffee my total was 20 even (cash highly suggested to keep cost low!). The veggies were fresh and the portion was perfect. I would absolutely say this may very well be one of the best bahn Mis in the Bay area. I live in SF and grew up in the East Bay and bahn Mis are one of my faves so I'm constantly looking. The only thing wrong with this place is how far it is from my house. I will only come here any time I cross the bridge. Yes, it is that good of a deal; Bite for bite, this is not only a cheap eat, but absolutely delicious. Brought this with me to corte Madera and someone stopped and asked where I got the sandos, and I had to tell them I got them from a city over haha! They look, smell, feel and taste incredible. Oh and the coffee is solid too! Loved every part of this meal to the...

Delicious, hearty sandwiches! Delicious, strong coffee! But what made me happiest, you walk in and feel welcome. The owner is kind and friendly, and the interior feels like being in a little hole-in-the wall in Hanoi.

It smelled a little funky outside but stepping in I realized that this man is making his own ingredients and they taste amazing! Definitely a place to return to...