Hi @Sgee,
Oh not at all. Thanks for the great rec! 
I think their regular Banh Mi Bread for the #1 Special was definitely enjoyable and I think one of the best Dac Biets we had on this journey so thanks.
Yah, next time you go to Saigon Bakery, enjoy their Egg Banh Mi on the spot, and ask them to make it less well-done if you like it more runny (or standard also works).
Update 2:
With a recommendation for tasty Banh Mi on the Westside of all places, it was time to journey once again.
Banh Mi Venice
Fresh Spring Rolls with Shrimp:
It sounded delicious enough with Rice Noodles, Lettuce, Mint, and a Hoisin Almond Butter Dipping Sauce. They were freshly made-to-order (which is great). The outer rice paper wrapping wasn’t overly thick. The Shrimp (only 1.5 Shrimp per roll (it’s 3 “halves” of Shrimp) tasted a little muddy / dirty (as if they weren’t cleaned properly). The Almond Butter Dipping Sauce was really overly sweet and gloppy. 
Go Fish Banh Mi (Ling Cod Braised with Tumeric, Dill/Yogurt, Spring Onion, Garlic, Bean Sprouts, Lemon Juice):
The first bite yielded a surprisingly super crunchy texture. Banh Mi Venice doesn’t make their own bread (they get it from a local baker), so I was expecting a soggy / soft / dismal Banh Mi Baguette, like the stuff we’ve experienced in too many shops that don’t make their own Bread, but thankfully it wasn’t like that at all.
The Ling Cod was delicious, with a good Tumeric infusion, but only a subtle Dill herbal note (I like Dill, so I was hoping for more ;)). But it was cooked spot on. Since there is no similar fish offering in traditional Banh Mi around the SGV and Little Saigon (not counting the Canned Sardines LOL), the only comparisons are with other “Gourmet Banh Mi” offerings from the non-traditional restaurants.
While it was lacking in Pickled Veggies (disappointing), the Ling Cod marinade, flavors and the crunchiness of the bread made it easily the best Fish Banh Mi we’ve tried in L.A. It’s better than Little Sister, better than Viet Noodle Bar, better than Chaumont’s version.
Huge thanks to @MaladyNelson @CiaoBob @ipsedixit for the rec. 
Wake Mi Banh Mi (2 Organic Eggs, Fried, Housemade Chili Mayo, Topped with Veggies & Herbs):
The Wake Mi was the one I was really looking forward to. First off, it must be said, the 2 Organic Eggs were perfectly cooked and the yolks were soft and runny. The Cilantro was fresh. And it was tasty.
But it lacked the extra “it factor” to make it as crave-worthy and delicious as our favorite from Saigon Bakery.
Thinking about it some more, first off, it was the Bread. The Bread while super crunchy was too dry and crunchy. It lacked flavor (this is very subtle, it’s far better than all of the Gourmet Banh Mi breads we’ve tried actually, except Gjusta).
This was also the type of bread that after eating 1 Banh Mi started to cut your mouth. It’s the type @paranoidgarliclover @theoffalo were trying to avoid (and that we avoid also). Much better than soft / limp / stale Banh Mi Bread, but it’s too dry / crunchy / crusty / sharp.
The Pickled Veggies in this Banh Mi (it was missing in the Go Fish), weren’t very flavorful (they really didn’t taste pickled). And the Eggs were underseasoned.
Note, this is only in comparison to what I consider my favorite Banh Mi in L.A. It’s a very good Banh Mi on its own.
Overall, the prices range from $8.50 - $13 + Tax/Tip for Banh Mi Venice’s sandwiches. Definitely more expensive than the traditional places, but it’s a nicer area, more convenient for many, etc.
Banh Mi Venice
307 Lincoln Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
Tel: (310) 429-1959
Saigon Bakery & Sandwiches (Revisit)
So, to make sure and better compare our feelings yesterday, we drove out to the San Gabriel Valley this morning to do a back-to-back taste test.
Banh Mi Trung (Egg Banh Mi):
Taking the first bite, the difference is immediately clear: The fresh-baked Bread (in-house) at Saigon Bakery is more flavorful. It has a crunch, but it’s not too crunchy. There’s a pillowy, slight chew on the inside which also makes it more pleasurable to eat. The hue is beautiful.
And then we get into the inside: The Eggs (I asked for mine to be less cooked / softer) were well-seasoned and the yolks were liquid oozing goodness! 
But then the Pickled Veggies had so much more flavor than Banh Mi Venice. You look at their back kitchen and the staff look like they’ve been (specializing) and doing the same thing for decades.
The Pickled Veggies have more acidity, more sweetness, more flavor. And it was just the right amount of Jalapenos (at Banh Mi Venice, it was overwhelming).
If we don’t feel like driving, Banh Mi Venice can scratch that itch, and they put out surprisingly solid Banh Mi. Their Go Fish is the best tasting “gourmet” Fish Filet-style Banh Mi around.
But whatever magic Saigon Bakery cast upon these sandwiches, it works. At $3.75, they are not only cheaper (by a lot), they just taste like the most amazing Banh Mi I’ve ever had. And it was worth the drive all the way to the SGV for these, LOL.
(Cash Only)
Saigon Bakery & Sandwiches (2nd branch)
718 E. Valley Blvd.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
Tel: (626) 288-6475
Saigon Bakery & Sandwiches (Original)
8118 E. Garvey Ave., Suite I
Rosemead, CA 91770
Tel: (626) 288-2132
I’m glad that you enjoyed the Go Fish Me, @Chowseeker1999. Apparently, it’s a riff on a Vietnamese dish called cha ca la Vong: Cha Ca La Vong - The New York Times
I haven’t been very interested in checking out Pok Pok, but your photo of their cha ca la Vong is making me reconsider. It looks divine!
@Chowseeker1999 You are a badass eater and reporter! I’ve been wanting banh mi all week, and now just might have to adjust my schedule today to roll down to Little Saigon for some egg banh mi.
Thanks for your recommendation @MaladyNelson! It was quite good! Really glad to have found this place.
That’s so interesting that you commented on that, since I thought to myself, “The baguette at Banh Mi Venice looks a bit light to me…” 
I think I still might go for the fish one. If the bread is too dry, I suppose that’s better than it being soggy and gross. Somehow missed the black sesame soy milk from your earlier review of another place! Gotta try that!
Lovely review as always.
Too bad about the egg banh mi, but for some reason I think that most sandwiches at that place will be a letdown after the lingcod, which to me is uber killer stuff.
Thanks to this thread I just came back from Saigon’s on Valley, and I gotta say I think this is my new favorite baguette!
Definitely hit that up. The egg banh mi is amazing.
I recommend eating it right there in the parking lot though if possible.
@A5KOBE Didn’t have enough time today. Thinking of doing it for breakfast tomorrow. I will eat it in the parking lot. Will likely pick up some non-egg ones to take home for lunch, too…or should I go somewhere else?
At Saigon Bakery, if we can eat it right then and there? The egg Banh Mi. Definitely.
If we want to take it home for later? Yay them, they will pack up the veggies separately. We’ll get the roast beasts (aka pork and chicken.) Then assemble at lunch.
If you get three banh mi, you get a free baguette to take home. They freeze wonderfully but are also fab just nibbled on as a snack : )
The non egg ones are decent, I have had the BBQ pork and thought it was good but not outstanding. A bit too sweet for my taste. Haven’t had any of their other offerings. The egg is just awesome, something about the combo of their bread with jalapeño and egg that just is awesome.
I do like the SPAM, egg and pork banh mi at Tam Thanh. I believe it is called dac biet. Not too far and a nice alternative.
Hi @attran99, @Happybaker,
The 2nd Branch (on Valley) has tables inside, so you can eat it right there. The other location has a tiny window “bar” with a few seats I think, but less seating. There’s like 2 tables outside also.
I wanna try their Banh Mi Xiu Mai next time (Meatballs), but not sure how it tastes.
@Chowseeker1999 what a fun report to read! I want to try some of those, but feel so parochial, I honestly have no idea where places like Rosemead, Gardena or Alhambra are. But I can find Pasadena, Encino and Santa Barbara without an app. 
i’m not quite sure why you’re lol-ing canned sardines. they’re a wonderful thing.
OMG! The Saigon egg banh mi is one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had! The runny yolk with the pickled vegetables and jalapeño was so good! I should have ordered two. Thanks @Chowseeker1999 !
