Banh Mi Shop

FUUUH, THIS PLACE CLOSED BEFORE I COULD FINISH REVIEWING IT…
buuuut I def saw it coming.
In general, Alameda’s food tastes more «high end» than other surrounding areas and I was in the mood for a good sandwich.
Let’s just say I’m sticking to my $ 3 banh mis from the ghetto from now on.

I got off the 51A at the corner of Park and Santa Clara about 7:00 PM yesterday evening when I noticed the Banh Mi Shop windows were covered up with huge plastic sheets. I could not see anything inside of the business. I don’t know how long they have been closed. There was nobody inside. I can only speculate they are no longer in business.

We’ve been there twice, about 6 weeks ago & 2 days ago. Gelato machine still out of service. No food in sight, only some waters & sodas in cooler. Sandwiches as others have mentioned don’t look like those on photo. They were out of chicken Bahn mi. $ 5.50 plus tax for smallish bland sandwich. I have feeling sandwiches are made elsewhere & just heated up here. I’d love to see them make it but doubt it will happen. We were there at 6 pm & were only diners plus one guy who ordered a drink. For really really good Vietnamese sandwiches, rolls, soups, salads, etc., check out Phở & Baguette in shopping center at corner of Central & Webster.

I came in here on a saturday afternoon in between mealtimes, so the place was really quiet. ordered the tofu banh mi, and it was pretty standard and tasty. the people who worked there were nice, and I’d definitely go back there sometime.
They also sponsor a local table tennis club, the Alameda table tennis center, and I’m definitely on board with restaurants that support table tennis.

This was the worst sandwich that I have ever eaten. The meat was not chewable. There was one woman there who was not able to understand how bad it was, so I wasn’t going to get an exchange for gelato. the food at fudgealato was great, this is a big disappointment

Today I came back with my sister to give hem another chance, the true are I still have one more groupon lol … I actually like it, the guy helped us out are kind and friendly, the sandwich I ordered are beef its oh my god goooddddddd lol, my sister like it as well … And yes i will sure come back …

If you like microwaved meat and chicken that smells fishy and overdressed food, this is is the place for you. There was nobody here on a Friday at 5:30pm and now I know why. Strong smell of cleaning chemicals and while they were fast and friendly, the chicken Bahn Mi and tofu Bahn Mi sandwiches were sub-​par to say the least… So many better options in Alameda

This is a peculiar Vietnamese sandwich shop. It sells Banh Mi that comes out to be $ 6 with tax, which is extremely pricy for such food item. For that price, I expected the quality to be supreme. But it is not. At a typical Vietnamese deli in Oakland or the South Bay, Banh Mi should be between $ 3 to $ 4 each. The chicken Banh Mi I got was quite dry and lack the full complement of herbs and condiments that typically come with Banh Mi. What I got was definitely not worth $ 6.
Secondly, the shop barely contain other food items or snacks. A typical Vietnamese deli contains hundreds of items for the guests, such as Xoi, Che‘, Cha Gio‘, Com, Xua Dau Nanh, Vietnamese coffee, etc. A deli can’t simply stay in business selling Banh Mi alone.
I’m not sure what Banh Mi Shop is trying to be. It’s not a high end American deli that sells $ 10 sandwiches. Those places sell quality food and people are willing to pay for it. This shop is not a blue collar Vietnamese coffee shop/​eatery either. If you’ve visited Cam Huong or Ba Le in Oakland then you know what I’m talking about. I would love for this shop to thrive so that I can get quality Banh Mi without having to drive all the way to Oakland. But from the way they operate and price their food, I have a feeling Banh Mi Shop won’t stay in business for long.

I’ve been here twice now. The first time I got a perfectly good chicken bahn mi so I decided to come back the other day. This time I got a chicken-​jerky bahn mi. The chicken was so dry that I barely got myself to finish most of the sandwich, and even then only because I was starving.
The worst part is when I came up to the tall guy who works there, after I finished eating, and told him politely about the dry chicken, he just sort of smiled at me and smirked, hardly acknowledging what I said.
Alright I think I figured out what’s going on. Business is so slow (this place seems to be empty even during lunch rush) that they just keep hearing the same batch of chicken all day, until it turns into jerky. That’s sort of understandable, but the problem is it’s a self-​fulfilling prophecy: having few customers leads to dry chicken, and dry chicken leads to even fewer customers.
I doubt these guys know how to run a successful business. They clearly don’t have a winning attitude.

Order-​at-​counter service was pretty straightforward and they brought our food to the table once ready. It’s a pretty decent atmosphere, nothing special, but clean and has nice high ceilings which makes it feel spacious. The grilled chicken banh mi was loaded with chicken, so much that I couldn’t eat it all, and the meatball banh mi was quite tasty. They have some non-​traditional banh mi menu options, which is great; a kind of modern banh mi shop! With gelato (maybe I’ll try next time)!

This place is pretty good, it is a little different than most vietnamese sandwiches i’ve tried, but different doesn’t mean bad.
the bread is crisp but soft and not dry like some places, it is very easy to eat. the portion size is large but the price is goes up accordingly which is fine if you are hungry enough to finish a sandiwch of this size.
the service is minimal like most bahn mi shops, but they are friendly and pleasant without getting the vibe that they are trying too hard. they were quick and happy to get any small extras like sauces that were not out that i asked for.
I would give this place 5 stars but they do not have fried egg rolls. I really like fried egg rolls and most bahn mi places have them. still, i would return.

Sandwhich was good but price is what kills me if it was under $ 3 like China town then I’d be here everyday. But taste is good, restaurant is dead no music makes it feel really dead, they need to make this place more lively no energy nothing.

This is a really nice Banh Mi sandwich. Very good bread. Not stingy with the veggies. VERY bummed there was no jalapeños on it, though. I had to search my office for hot sauce — how do you make a Banh Mi without Jalapeño ?? sacraligious! I saw another reviewer didn’t want pâté on hers. Well, I don’t expect pâté, but I love it when its there and mine did not have any, so I will try to ask for both jalapenos and pâté next time. Other than that the quality was excellent and the sandwich delicious. There is a good variety of stuff they can put in it, including eggs, hot links, tofu, etc, along with the tradition chicken, pork, combo and meatball. The meatball is delish. I will be back.

Loved the baguette they use, so yummy and soft, not hard and rough on the top of your mouth roof as other banh mi sandwich shops. BUT I got grilled pork and they put way too little meat and for that 3 stars

This is the most expensive Banh Mi Sandwich I’ve ever had. But after I got my sandwich. And I saw it. Man. It’s loaded and awesome. Combination Vietnamese Ham sandwich. The best Banh Mi I’ve had in the Bay Area. There was only one person making the sandwiches so there was a wait. But hey, hopefully business picks up and you get some more help. Good luck — always wanted an authentic Viet Sandwich shop in Alameda.

Banh Mi Shop is in Café’s Fulgelato’s spot, keeping the gelato in it’s offerings.
menu is prepped spring rolls and other snacks, banh mi sammies (5.50−6.50)
eats: grilled chicken banh mi.(5.5)
–just average at best, microwaved chicken, nuked bun, nuked sammie
–mayo spread and msg aftertaste.
–small amount of fresh veggies, very hot jalepeno.
–grilled chicken a little chewy, interesting taste.
–banh mi long, narrow, mostly baguette, not much filling
not a good value.
crumbs:
–many tables available for sitdown.
–not as many offerings as other banh mi operators.

I wish that I could insert an emoji here. If I could, it would be the one with the less than amused pursed lips. I’m hoping that I can update this review later with more stars.
Believe me, Vietnamese sandwiches are life. When I saw this place in alameda as a new openings in the area, I quite literally almost screamed. I wasn’t a big fan of the former fudgelatto but my sister was. This place is a lot less colorful than its counterpart and a lot cleaner than most banh mi shops. I’m totally not saying that’s a bad thing but most places have a lot more food to offer than this places’ banh mi, spring rolls, and gelato. Like, that is literally all they have. I’m all for picking a few things you’re good at and sticking with them, but they have A TON of free space. I wish they’d take notes from cam hoang.
JUST GET TO THE FOOD. Yes, I know! If I’m paying $ 5.50 for a sandwich it better be good, right? It is decent. The baguette IS a tiny bit longer than most but thinner and not as puffy and crispy. I got a grilled chicken banh mi and the meat was good, tasted like good grilled chicken. I was surprised to taste tomatoes and pâté in it. I do not like pâté, nor did I ask or assume they would include it. Isn’t there usually a sandwich with just that in it? Not amused. Best part of my meal was the iced Vietnamese coffee, though it wasn’t much but it was strong and not too sweet, so I was happy. I wanted to buy some spring rolls, but it was also pretty pricey, looked okay, though.
Everyone was really nice. I went when there were not more than one person eating inside and one eating outside. Probably just missed the lunch rush. I’m hoping they update their décor (a bit awkward for a banh mi shop) and add some more eats! I’ll have to order accordingly next time but all in all, not bad. One thing that irks me is when businesses post generic stock pictures of the food they serve. I want to know what it looks like, not what is it supposed to look like or what it looks like when people hold it. No, show me what you serve and I will come and try it. Otherwise, it will scare people away. Not just this business, but any business.
P. S. Unilocal,emojis would help, can we add those?

Time: 1:33pm/68°F sunny
Purpose: Tony the former owner of Café Fudgelato was giving up the business for good but still be around to help out new tenants. So I ask him what’s in place now? Told me a Vietnamese couple took over and that I should meet them too! Came here on Friday 2^nd day of opening found parking right outside. Almost got a ticket luckily clerk as me is that your car?
Ambiance: Inside 12 tables seating with some bench cushion against windows. Outside 4 table seated some with umbrella. Basically everything kept untouched from previous business. Freshly painted avacado/​guacamole color with white trimmings. Counter part pink salmon coloring. Same freezer kept the gelato as before. Three flatscreen menu boards with soda fountain and self serve cucumber water. Place really feels bare bone and cold, not very inviting. There’s no TV, music or anything for entertainment. So quiet that every know and then I had to crack a ahem to let them know I’m still here.
Staff: Same guy from last business Hispanic about late 20’s with an shorter Vietnamese lady who didn’t spoke a single word. She looks like she’s having problem with English. The guy did all the talking and lady made food.
Cleanliness: Grade B-​, this is where it hinders me. Place felt ok but that feeling of them hiding something from customer irks me. The guy was playing with his hair and then show me the roll they use for the sandwiches. I politely ask for another roll from the lady with latex gloves on.
Eats/​Drinks: Chicken sando $ 6 after tax from $ 5.50. Let me tell you this its not as good as the advertise flatscreen shows. Kinda like buying frozen food but when you follow directions at home it comes out way different. This sando and maybe all of them can not compete with Coung Going in Oakland. Very average with prices that of Marin county. Bread is nothing special and the filling just like the same as any other mediocre shop that’s not too popular.
Products/​Services: Vietnamese sandwiches, chips, sodas/​juices, spring rolls, gelato, gummy candies, coffee Vietnamese style, vegetarian.
Punch Lines: Easy street parking, busy intersection, AC transit #51, plenty of seatings, patio seating, gelato, tuna and pastrami sando available, over priced, sando very average, they warm it in microwave, bread from grocery store, airy not stuffy, not a busy shop, workers stands around looking at each other, residential/​business section.
Tradeoffs: Overpriced shop for those who can’t make it themselves to Oakland Chinatown. It may be a bargain to them as $ 2.25 for bus ride subtract that from $ 5.50 they’re looking at a $ 2.75 sandwich. That’s if you do make that ride or having difficulties.
Final Thoughts: Everything from the moment I walk it didn’t felt right. Then as I look at their offerings the guy kept telling to buy the shrimp rolls. I didn’t go with that as I know the rice sheets are somewhat hard and not sticky anymore. Not sure how this place gonna make it with that kind of pricing. Here’s what I think they saw Saigon Sandwich in SF and figure if people are paging why can’t we? Let me tell you right off the bat. Different city with different crowd. Most likely tech workers that can spend that much vs middle class people living in the modest part of town. Not typical as there’s no dessert cups, wrapped sausages, banana leaf sticky rice, peanut/​coconut candies, and my favorite the durian bar?

Let me start off by saying that you have to be comfortable with spending a total of $ 5.50−6 per sandwich. In the Vietnamese community, that’s expensive for banh mi especially when you can get the $ 3 one at Cam Huong in Oakland. With that said, this is Alameda and no shop is going to survive charging minimum price. Now for $ 6, you are getting a baguette that is slighter longer than the norm, the filling is generous and fresh. The price is still lower than a normal American style sandwich. On taste alone, I give it high ratings. There’s no where else on the island where I am going to get a fresh and authentic banh mi. I tried the combo without the cha and it was worth it. They also offer spring rolls which I didn’t try this time around.

Finally a good banh mi shop close to me! Before I would have to drive to Oakland to get a decent Vietnamese sandwich, but now it’s only a block away from my work, and they taste so much better! Located at the corner of Park and Santa Clara, very convenient location, close to everything.
They have a good variety of banh mi on their menu (combo, grilled pork, grilled chicken, etc). They also have spring rolls and gelato (and some other stuff too, but those are the ones I’ve tried). I love their banh mi, it’s way better than the ones in Oakland. Their bread is bigger and tastier, and they give you more meat! Their spring rolls. oh so good! Vegetables and shrimps are fresh and their rolls are not chewy like other places, just perfect. There’s also a lot of gelato flavors, I think 24 or so. My favorite is the crème brûlée and lychee. I’m craving it just writing this review. Gotta go get some after this!
Overall, a nice little deli, good food, and very nice and helpful employees. Oh, and theres tables and booths you can sit at inside, and in front on a nice sunny day.