Banh Mi Hero

Just as the Brit occupation influenced Indian cuisine, the French gave birth to this Vietnamese wuzzle. Long overdue… my review of my first Banh Mi experience.
I visited while the joint was relatively new, in July 2013. At that time, I had neither seen Anthony Bourdain or lived in the most diverse city in the US, i.e. (shockingly) Houston. I assure you that HTX diversity trickles down into cuisine in a way Republicans thought would work with our economy, but clearly failed us in the 21^st century. In any case, I was impressed by the portion and the flavor; however, the taste could have been better. Now, I know that the taste of my sandwich could have been sooo much better. But, in Louisville, this is a far superior choice to a sandwich at Subway or similar shops which would have been my alternative while visiting without dinner plans. Although the staff proved extra friendly and chatted me up, other atmospherics were lacking and their southern charm became a wash. Eat here. You likely won’t be disappointed until you’ve had a better. Obviously.

Yeah, legit. So good. Get the Saigon Hero which is «The classic Bánh Mì. Starts with slices of Vietnamese pork sausage, which are steamed in a banana leaf. Coupled with sliced braised pork belly, homemade pâté spread, our house aioli, and a dash of molasses-​infused soy sauce. Fresh cilantro and cucumbers balance out the savory flavors. Finally topped with crisp white onions, pickled carrots and daikon.». Also get the steak rice cup and pot stickers if they have them (they were a special the day I was there.).Heck, just order anything, you cant go wrong.

Let me start this review by saying I’ve never been a big fan of Thai food. But Brother, this is not your typical Thai restaurant. Thai hero Sandwiches… Just the though of it boggles my mind. What’s even more mystifying is they’re good, really good.
I was skeptical when my Wife drove me to this small eatery. I saw the word Thai food and I thought my fate was sealed. But once again, my Wife is smarter than I. This place was outstanding. The food was top notch.
We split a few appetizers which were both delicious. And for my entrée I ordered Lee’s Sandwich. Lee’s sandwich is a huge helping of eggs, pâté, pork, topped with a mouth watering Chili sauce. The Sandwich was huge, delicious and left me craving more.
Here’s the bottom line: I should never doubt my Wife when it comes to dining. Not only did I enjoy Banh Mi Hero, I would eat here twice a day if I could. Yes folks… It was that good.

This place is LEGIT! I highly recommend you get the siracha chicken, it is absolutely amazing. I first tried it from the food truck and ask for it when I go into the location on Bardstown. The rice bowls are a nice add on too, the rice is perfectly sticky. Surprised this place hasn’t gotten more press because it deserves it.

Good but mixed experience. We very much enjoyed their Sweet Lemongrass Pork Rice Cup — the pork had a hint of coffee to it, not sure why or how, but that is what it reminded me of. The rice itself was also multidimensional, flavors comparable to grains and bread. Very happy, small portion (but probably what an actual serving size should be).
The Saigon Hero banh mi may have been interesting by mine was dominated by their sauce, molasses-​infused soy sauce according to the website, I tasted mostly curry. And that was overpowering everything else. So compliments for trying something different, but I would ask them to go lightly on the sauce or have it on the side to season to your liking.
Also get plenty napkins, criss crossing the sauce on top made for great looks (the banh mis were beautifully assembled already), but makes for tricky eating without getting the sauce all over your face (may want to keep that in mind if this is a first date, then again what is cuter than wiping off sauce of your significant other’s cheek? And beard and nose — my wife rolls her eyes).
The bread was toasted nicely and bland, so a great canvas for other flavors, but I would love it if they experimented with different bakers, real baguettes have flavor and chew.
Try the coconut soda/​pop if you like it sweet.
Very friendly staff.

Amazing food! I had the steak tacos, AND the pork MI, everything tasted fresh and had the perfect about of sauce, the tacos and the sandwich were LOADED with meat. I will be back.

Though I live mere blocks from Banh Mi Hero, it has sadly taken me this long to finally try it out.
I dropped by on a Friday night with a group of friends on the way to Great Flood and we all ordered our meals to go. My husband and I split the Saigon Hero and the pork/​pineapple tacos. I completely forgot to ask for both with no cilantro, so picking that off of both the sandwich and tacos was kind of a pain (but obviously my fault for forgetting to mention it). Despite the heaping helpings of cilantro, both meals were really good. Everyone in my group really enjoyed theirs (some got rice cups, others sandwiches, tacos).
The vegetarian of the group asked for the veggie sandwich but with no mushrooms. They were unable to make that for her as the mushrooms were already in the mixture, so there wasn’t much for her in the way of food. Just something to keep in mind if you’re a veggie that doesn’t like mushrooms.
I want to give this 5 stars, but I’ll have to reserve it for a trip back where I remember to ask for no cilantro on my sandwich. I think it would be delicious!

My experience at Banh Mi Hero was like an okay blind date: it wasn’t a disaster, but I’m not in a hurry to do it again.
Banh Mi Hero is a small place, with seating for around 20. It is attractive, and very clean. The server was informative and friendly.
I ordered the Saigon Banh Mi, billed on the menu as «the classic Banh Mi.» This sandwich includes slices of Vietnamese pork sausage, braised pork belly, homemade pâté spread, house aioli, and molasses-​infused soy sauce. The sandwich also includes cilantro, cucumbers, crisp white onions, pickled carrots and daikon. I also asked for jalapeños (a common addition to Banh Mi.)
The sandwich arrived pretty quickly, and the presentation was absolutely gorgeous. The portion was very generous. My Banh Mi was good, but not great. To my taste, the molasses made it overly sweet. In addition, the house aioli had a strong curry flavor. I love the flavor of curry, but it overwhelmed the other flavors of the sandwich. A great Banh Mi is a symphony of flavors, perfectly balanced, and I wish I could have savored the more subtle flavors of the meats and vegetables. Also, the fresh jalapeños were sliced into rounds, which causes them to be eaten in big bites. It is more traditional to julienne the jalapeños so they add flavor and subtle heat without being life-​threatening.
At $ 8, my sandwich was a very good value.

This place is a great spot. I appreciate the casual vibe, simple décor, and concise menu. The bahn mi sandwiches were good and perfect for having leftovers. I give it a 2 star rating because I’ve had better sandwiches. As for bahn mi, I appreciate Four Sisters just a bit more. Lastly, the bathroom really is what drove down the score. It was dirty, unclean, and hard to find (dark room in the back). I went back to my seat thinking about how clean the kitchen and tables were if they didnt pay attention to the bathroom. Personal preference, really. The waitress was friendly and engaging; we appreciated that.
Sanitation score: 95.

«Wow»
That was my thought when I first bit into the Hanoi Hero.
The sandwiches handcrafted at Banh Mi Hero is astoundingly delicious. Even the tacos were orgasmic to say the least.
I must recommend trying one of the specials written on the board. Today, I had the Jambon Banh Mi. It consisted of over-​easy egg on top of the hearty sandwich.
Seriously, Banh Mi Hero. Please put the Jambon on the regular so that all can relish the taste.
The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive. Prices are very reasonable. Food is awesome. I can’t ask for more.
All I wish from the owner is to ease up on the crack layered in the sandwiches.
I am ADDICTED!
In the past week, I have been by 2 or 3 times. Without a doubt, this place will be a regular joint for me. Every time I order a sandwich, all I think is «GET IN MY BELLY!»
Hopefully it won’t put too big of a dent in my wallet.
Never mind actually, It’s worth every penny…
Tip: Keep an eye out for their upcoming food truck. Heck… they may even make an appearance on Waterfront Wednesdays! I suspect there will be line. Get there early if possible!

I was so looking forward to getting two meals out of my Saigon Hero banh mi sandwich from Bahn Mi Hero. It was SO BIG, that there was no way that I was going to eat it all for lunch.
But right as I was about to go to the fridge to retrieve my much-​anticipated half, I look over to see my better half going to town on it. And even when I tried to stop him, it was clear I wasn’t getting my sandwich back.
It was that good.
I finally got the chance to try out Banh Mi Hero today, and I’m sad it’s taken this long. That sandwich rocked my world.
The slices of pork in the sandwich were so big and flavorful. And it was stuffed with veggies almost to the point of overflowing.
The young man behind the counter told me that they were out of the sauce they normally put on these sandwiches. Even without it, it was delicious, though I am holding out on the fifth star for when I go back and try it with this sauce, which I hope is very soon.
I also got the shrimp rice cup. A sign in the store advertised shrimp as a new menu option. And while the shrimp were definitely flavorful and spicy, I wasn’t completely wowed by the rice cup.
But no matter, the sandwich is the star of this performance. And it outshines all of its back-​up singers.

Whoa! So glad I finally got around to trying this place out. First off everyone else is spot on with how large the sandwiches are! Definitely plenty for lunch or dinner, and the prices are very reasonable as well. I went for lunch and it wasn’t busy so I was able to get my food quickly and hassle free (great for those on lunch time rush).
The menu has plenty of options with chicken, beef, pork, or vegetarian dishes. I opted for the lemongrass chicken, and it was excellent. They also have a sriracha marinated chicken which isn’t on the menu, but was recommend for my next visit by both the server and the cook. The sandwich was excellent and the staff was friendly. I got my food quickly and for a great price. All-​in-​all an excellent lunch and I can’t wait to go back for more.

Don’t know where to park. Not sure if the parking is provided or not. We are the only customer tonight.
I ordered a rice cup. Don’t know what it is until I got it. Better than I thought! The taste is just right. Delicious!
Shrimp banh, the combination of shrimps, lettuce, and cilantro is fabulous. Love to try it again.

I had the «Good Morning Vietnam.» Man, these sammiches are HUMONGOUS! I ended up eating my (delicious) food with a fork and knife, finishing all the insides of the sandwich and one half of the bun. So much food!
And everything on the menu sounded tasty. I will *need* to go back and try more foods!
Service was pleasant. When I walked in, they changed the radio from some crazy rap to some funky, jazzy rock stuff. While both are cool, no need to change from the rap for me :-P I was enjoying that too!

First, understand I am a vegetarian, so maybe the other sandwich’s are better??? I got the Veggie sandwich and the tofu rice bowl… The Rice bowl was, well blah! Rice was over cooked and the tofu had NO FLAVOR! The sandwich was better than the rice bowl but, not by much. I am sure the meat sandwich’s are better but if you are a veggie looking for a good sandwich, I would look elsewhere.
On a side note… The Staff was very nice and friendly!!! Oh, and we got it to-​go…

Sammich ordered to go, walked in at lunch time on a sunny Saturday and I walked out ten minutes later with food in hand.
I ordered the curried vegetarian sandwich which comes with onions (they were amazing), tofu (big generous strips), mushrooms and the signature pickled cabbage and carrot relish (YES). I did not realize it would come with creamy mayo which I suppose must be the signature sauce. Being vegan I should have known better and asked more questions but my hunger got the best of me.
As others have said, the sandwiches are monstrous. All those ingredients are stuffed into a soft white bread loaf. I specifically asked if the sandwich would be very oily and he replied that they don’t use much oil in the shop at all, don’t even have a deep frier which is good by me!
Looks like they offer some kind of drip coffee which I’d love to try next time and leave the creamy sauce off the sandwich or one of their rice bowls.
Good value, clean store, quick service, tasty product.

Woah… have these sandwiches grown twice the size of what they were when Banh Mi Hero first opened?! They are freaking huuuuge. I’m a take half home for later kind of gal so this works for me. Plus, the banh mi makes for a delicious after drinks snacks, I must add…
The vegetarian sandwich is where it’s at. The curried tofu is absolutely delicious and the spices in the tofu really stand out. I’ve had a few of the other sandwiches and the flavors in the veggie one are just so much more impactful than the mixed meats and pâté on the others.
You know what else Banhi Mi Hero is perfect for? Grabbing an anxiety free lunch in the highlands cause not only is it a really laid back, yet efficiently run place but it’s also got… A plethora of parking in the lot behind the building! Definitely a commodity.

Awesome place. Went shortly after they opened and hope they pull everything together and stay around for a long time.
Knowing it was still fresh enough to have that new car smell, I expected a few glitches my first visit, but their weren’t any. They asked me if I have had Banh Mi before, then helped me decide on a sandwich. I ordered, they said it would be 5 – 10 minutes, which was totally acceptable since it wasn’t subway and they actually cook stuff that goes on it.
I got my order (a Saigon Hero) to go and dimwittedly (real word?) managed to stand in the way until I thought to myself «I should sit down». Then I chatted with the staff and they suggested I come back and try their tacos, which I definitely will, along with their Steak Mi.
Anyway…I made my quick drive home, ate my still warm sandwich and smiled the whole time thinking «I should have gotten two!».

Well made heroes with unique flavors and sauces. The baguettes are huge and filled with goodness. We tried the Hanoi and the CLC — preferring the later as the Hanoi — while tasty, had a cold-​processed meat on it. I liked it, my wife didn’t care for it, but we both agreed the CLC was the better of the two. The rice bowl with chicken was yummy — with the pickled veggies making the dish. We called ahead and food was waiting for us 15 minutes later. I’ll keep trying the various sandwiches until I find a number one. Staff happy to see me and eager to please.

Did you ever know that you’re my banh mi hero,
and everything I would like to eat?
I can Unilocal after just one visit
’cause you are the bread between my teeth.
Yes, I’ve just visited Banh Mi Hero: home of sandwiches so tasty that I channel the Divine Miss M.
For those unfamiliar with banh mi, it’s the culinary result of French occupation of Vietnam (imperialism may not be good, but the food sure is). So what you have is a crusty baguette, delicious meats, fresh jalapeño, crisp cucumber, carrot, and daikon (or jicama, in some places). Pâté is common, as is mayo (again, thank you France). These are the basics.
Banh Mi Hero is a shiny new addition to Bardstown Road. There are a dozen or so tables and plenty of seating at the counter. The atmosphere is more sandwich shop than Vietnamese restaurant. Tonight was a busy night for them but the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. In addition to soft drinks, they offer some specialty beverages including Vietnamese coffee and canned Asian juices.
As for the food, they got it right. Going in, I was a bit nervous about the bread. We haven’t had a lot of banh mi in Louisville, but what we have tried hasn’t matched our expectations as far as bread goes. We ordered the Saigon Hero and the Pork Mi. When the sandwiches were served to us, I still wasn’t sold on the bread. But it was really good and chewy. Their secret? It’s actually Cuban (there’s another communist country that knows how to make a good sandwich). After passing that test, I probably would have been happy with whatever they shoved into the loaves, but they don’t slack off on the fillings either. The meat portions are pretty generous and all of the veggies were nice and crunchy. Jalapenos don’t come standard, but they are available by request. However, our sandwiches had a bit of kick to them anyway, so they may not be necessary.
Both sandwiches were great, but Matt and I agreed the Pork Mi was a little better. It featured grilled pork that was very nicely seasoned. The pâté, which was on both sandwiches, was also really good. They obviously know their way around the kitchen, which isn’t terribly surprising because the proprietor is the son of the owner of Annie’s Café.
They also serve rice cups and tacos, but somehow I doubt I’ll ever venture past sandwiches. Eventually they plan to offer Vietnamese beer, salted limeade, and specials on Saturdays. We will be back.