Saigon Deli

WORST service.
I visited recently. It was the first time to visit here because it’s near my home. It was 3 p.m. There was no customers. As soon as I ordered, the hostess was disappeared and chatted with their cooks in the kitchen. I did not need any services so it was okay.
I ordered two foods. When I paid, the hostess asked me whether I have cash. I was embarrassed.

This place is pretty easy to miss– it’s actually in between my classes and my work, but it took me nearly a year to even find it. Tucked away in a corner on Brooklyn, Saigon Deli doesn’t look like much. And it doesn’t need to be. The food speaks for itself.
First thing you’ll want to note is that they’re fast. Almost frighteningly fast. It’s a perfect place for when you’re stuck in the area all day and forget to bring your lunch (as I shamefully do, all the time). Another time, I was here when a guy placed a huge, confusing order right before I did, and my food still came out really quickly.
I’d recommend the pork banh mi with fried egg– for less than five dollars, you get to experience a wonderful melding of flavors. It’s the best banh mi I’ve tried in Seattle so far. The fried egg is .75 extra, but very important. Trust me. The phở is also very good, and hits the spot on a rainy day.
The restaurant itself is a little dingy and nothing to write home about. But service is prompt, the food is no-​nonsense and delicious. What more can you ask for when you’re in the U District?

You can add a fried egg to your banh mi! Love it! I wonder if they’ll let me add two next time. You can choose between pork, chicken, or tofu. The tofu one is a great option if you want a lighter or non-​meat option but still want heartiness in your sammie. I also love their spring rolls– wrapped with rice paper with your choice of shrimp, meat, or tofu. I thought the meat option was a little dry, but the shrimp and tofu ones are great. They come with peanut dipping sauce and hot sauce on the side.
Cards accepted for over $ 8 in transaction. Keep in mind that the prices listed on the wall in their faded pictures are not accurate to what they are actually charging– prices have gone up since those pictures have been posted. Service is fairly quick. I totally recommend takeout for a quick and yummy meal.

Saigon Deli was a staple of my college years. The number of banh mi purchased here is downright embarrassing. Regardless, I would vouch that they have my favorite pork banh mi in the city.
The price for a banh mi has gone from $ 2.75 to $ 3.75 in the last 5 years, but it’s still one of the most affordable meals in the U District. The French baguette is always freshly toasted and is loaded with the pickled carrot and radish, jalapeños, mayo, and a heaping portion of that perfectly marinated pork. Do yourself a favor and add a fried egg for $ 0.75 — you won’t be disappointed.
The small dining space makes for a very quaint setting and the service here is always extremely friendly
If banh mi aren’t your thing they have a full menu of Vietnamese cuisine from phở to rice dishes and vermicelli bowls.
Don’t skip on the yogurt as it’s ridiculously refreshing and a unique finish to your meal. Note that they no longer serve the yogurt for banh mi orders, only entrees.
Skip the Ave and head to Brooklyn for some awesome sandwiches on a very college friendly budget.

Best place to get banh mi in the U-​District! It’s so cheap, fresh, and delicious. The way they toast your baguette leaves a crispy outside, warm and soft inside. The meat is juicy and it’s loaded with pickled carrots and daikon. Get your sandwich with an egg! I think it’s only $ 0.75 more.
For under $ 5 you can get a full-​on lunch. SO GOOD!

Saigon Deli is great!
Went here with my boyfriend and we both got phở for hangover cure. I like it here because I feel like they actually have a solid veggie tofu phở option compared to other places. Phở Than Brothers on the ave doesn’t really have a very tasty veggie option and Thanh Vi is good but has an interesting soup base taste that I’m not always in the mood for.
Saigon Deli feels very homely and the food is satisfying and the onions in the broth are good. It’s quiet and clean and definitely a place to go for just a place to sit and eat. The lady is very friendly.
Also their sandwiches are perfect and the hot & sour soup with catfish is very tasty too.

Good. Quick. Cheap. The bbq pork sandwich is fantastic. They are open on Saturday.

I usually get my banh mi’s from Thanh Vi but this place is equally as good if not a tiny bit better. It was also my first time getting it with an egg on it and ¹⁰⁄₁₀ would recommend!

Still my favorite banh mi place. The ladies are so nice and friendly. It’s cheap, simple, and gives you the option to add an egg– which is a must.
Compared to the Saigon Deli in Jackson… I prefer the ladies in Brooklyn. The people in ID are rude, the lines are heinous, and the flavor is so bland.

This place is ultra fast for lunches. They have some kind of system down but not every time but sometimes it has been on the table in under 5 minutes steaming.
Go here. They are nice and very on point.

Personally, I think the one in the ID is stronger. The fried egg is an interesting touch, but overall the sandwich here just had a slightly less «zip» to it. But, if you want a cheap quick lunch in the U-​District, still not bad!

Sub-​5 $ big af bbq pork bahn mi with fried egg is
v a l u e
Card limit $ 8 is not (50cent charge for under $ 8)

A great bánh mì with crusty bread and a lovely flavor. Get the combo with won ton soup, and your mouth and tummy will both be happy for the rest of the day.

I can honestly say that Saigon Deli kept my wallet and I full and satisfied all the way through college. I was an extremely picky eater growing up, but in college decided to expand my food horizons. Saigon Deli was the first Banh Mi I ever had. And what a revelation it was. I was instantly hooked. In fact I can remember standing outside their doors, waiting for them to open, thinking class doesn’t start for like 15 minutes… I can make it… It’s so worth it… Then I saw the wonderful women who work here walking up with large clear bags filled with freshly baked baguettes and I knew I was mere minutes from amazing grilled pork and love stuffed deliciousness. Now that I am working in the area again it has become extremely hard not to stop here every afternoon for a snack!
Now the sandwiches are as delicious, filling, and fresh as they have ever been! But they used to be $ 3 after tax with a free yogurt! The yogurt has gone by the wayside but the sandwiches are still less than $ 4. I always order more than 1 or add a fried egg so I can’t remember the exact cost.
The restaurant itself is extremely bare bones, but it is clean. The ladies who work here are friendly and they seem to recognize me, but that could just be my hungry delusions. I love this place.

Most banh mi joints north of the ID are overpriced, but Saigon Deli makes a mean sandwich for $ 3.50. I got the grilled pork banh mi, which was about 10 inches long. The bread was warm and soft. I hate banh mi with cold or tough bread. They put in just enough mayo to keep things interesting, and the grilled pork is sweet and substantial. I’d put this place just behind Yeh-Yeh’s in Bellevue for banh mi.

Saigon deli is by far my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in U district. They have more than just phở and everything I have had here is delicious. I recommend trying the banh mi with pork and eggs. Also the spring rolls are delicious. The owners are always friendly and the prices are great.

I went three years of college without trying Saigon Deli, and that was a mistake. It’s in a slightly less visible location, but it’s very close to UW campus and the rest of the restaurants on the Ave.
They are probably most well known for their Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), which are filling, delicious, and extremely cheap. But I personally love their bun, which is vermicelli noodles with lemongrass sauce, fish sauce, and a topping of your choice (this ranges from spring rolls to chicken or pork). The sauce is so flavorful, they have a healthy helping of vegetables in it, and the portions are ginormous. My favorite bun is the one with tofu and spring rolls. It is really a perfect lunch.
The lady who works there during lunchtime is very pleasant and friendly, as well. With delicious, inexpensive food and great service, Saigon Deli is the perfect lunch spot.

Cheap and delicious Bahn Mi.
What I liked:
So cheap. For the price you get a hefty and flavorful Bahn Mi. I always add an egg for less than a dollar extra. The fresh rolls are pretty good too.
What could be better:
The bread is pretty crusty. Phở is not on par with other places.
The in-​between:
Better for take-​out or lunch if you’re in the area. While it’s clean, it’s not really a place for atmosphere. Even though they accept card they strongly urge you to pay cash.
Bottom line:
You can’t get anything better for the price. You might not be able to get anything for the price!

I am updating my review and upping the rating to 5 stars. I am addicted to the #12– grilled pork with egg roll and vegetables on rice. The light dressing/​sauce at the bottom of the bowl is delicious and I can’t eat it often enough. Such a filling and relatively healthy meal for cheap! The lady working in the shop is so sweet and does a great job of making sure everyone is satisfied.

I moved to Seattle at the end of August and was informed by my landlord that the refrigerator was on its last legs. Naturally, I made this an excuse to spend my first two weeks here in power-​foodie mode.
OMG, yes. I’d tried Banh Mi Unwrapped and Thanh Vi and this place definitely takes the gold medal. I got #12 on the Bún menu and loved it. The soup reminded me of a sort of Japanese curry in terms of spice and richness, the noodles were cooked to just the right firmess and all the fillers were amazing. The place is admittedly nothing special to look at but you’re there for the taste, not the view. I’m most definitely coming back. Credit cards are accepted but since you’re basically dining in mom’s kitchen, cash is far preferred here so hit the ATM before you step inside.