BowlMI [ Where East Meets Fresh] — Restaurant in West Chester Township

First time visiting and it lived up to my expectations… well, kinda. I ordered a grilled pork patties bahn mi while the second person in my party ordered a smoked salmon croissant. Both were excellent! The third person in my party got a house salad but complained about the lack of protein in the salad besides one cut up hard-boiled egg.

Now, about the staff. The star of the staff was a shorter Asian woman with glasses and blonde in her hair. She was helpful, patient, and hardworking. When we were here, there were about 5 other workers. While the star worker was taking orders and making drinks, the others seemed to work at a turtles pace. There wasn’t enough space for all workers to make drinks, so 1 or 2 workers stood there, twiddling their thumbs.

After order, I went back up to get a (tasty!) flan. As I was standing in line, the hardworking worker apologized and stepped away to make drinks. This was understandable and I was patient about it. As I was waiting at the left check-out counter, a woman came into the restaurant in a rush. She picked up some baked items and came up to the counter. Instead of waiting behind me, she went to the right check-out counter and was waited by an Asian male with glasses and red in his hair. He was one of the workers who was standing there. He did look at me but didn’t seem to want to wait on me. Instead, he jumped right to help the woman with the baked goods. Now, I’m a pretty easy-going person, but this left a sour-taste in my mouth.

Overall: food is excellent but the wait-staff is iffy. The one worker really carried the rest of the staff, who didn’t seem as friendly. I hope this girl is making more than the rest of the staff.

OH, and, there is a fishy smell in the air. I think it’s their cleaning products but the smell dissipates when the nose...

This food is awesome!

Just prepare for verrrryy apathetic service from the young blonde girl at the register. It’s totally okay that you do not want to work, it’s just less okay if everyone in the building can tell…

We came in and asked for Corn Dogs, and they had run out. No biggie at all, we wonder a DELICIOUS Bánh Mì and a Pate Chad with milk teas and it’s awesome!

I did ask what their Softroll is and was told “Like… regular bread?” Cool cool! Then I asked what is the difference between their matcha milk tea and their dalgona matcha milk tea in flavor and was told (shown?) shrug

All good, we sit and eat our food, and then a man comes in and asks for a corn dog, hears they are out and leaves. Another couple comes in a few moments later and when told, no they don’t have the corn dogs they make a fuss. They are then told “Okay, we can just go ahead and make them” …..

What. So because she didn’t want to do her job people left the restaurant they drove to for this food. The restaurant (who’s only fault here is that they employ people who clearly don’t want to be employed by them???) loses a sale. And customers are being lied to.

I guess long story short, if you’re told no, complain until you’re told yes? Seems like a crazy business practice but whatever works I suppose. The food is...

--- 2023/07/02 --- Stopped by tonight while on our way home from Cleveland to pickup dinner. Their Bhan MI sandwiches are sublime! The staff is so friendly... really just with they were closer to the west-side.

--- ORIGINAL REVIEW --- Wow... just WOW!!! This is a true gem here in the Queen City. By far the best banhmi sandwich I've had in years... maybe one of the best sandwiches in town!

My wife and I both got Banhmi sandwiches. I went with the special combination (B1) and she had the shredded chicken (B4). She got the small Caesar salad (B14) and I got the French Onion Soup (B15). For drinks we went with the black and green Honey Flavored teas plus an unsweetened Assam Black Tea.

Again... WOW! The baguettes were fresh and amazing. The meats, pickled veggies and fresh herbs were all just right.

Now the hard part... not buying one of everything in their pastry cases. We weren't strong enough and departed with two freshly baked baguettes and an assortment of pastries (Caramelo, Avalanche Chocolate, Blueberry Danish, Cherry Danish and two Chocolate Croissants).

West Chester is a little far for us, but we'll be back soon as I'm sure I'll be dreaming about...