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.
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.
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 !
You’re right they are pretty tasty. It’s more of a personal nostalgia thing, I should’ve clarified: My roommate in college used to buy these canned sardines in tomato sauce (they were really inexpensive) and we’d share these sometimes. When I first had the sardine banh mi at a few shops in Little Saigon, it tasted exactly like that brand we had back then, as if they those sandwich shops bought the same brand and just cracked open the can and put it on the sandwich.
Still makes me smile remembering those times; just found it funny. But they are tasty.
@Ns1 That’s one banh mi, I’ve never tried buying. My Mom’s is so good…thinly sliced white onions sautéed in butter, and then open the cans of sardines in tomato sauce…perhaps add more tomato sauce and a TON of black pepper. So simple and so good…I have an extra helping when she makes it.
At Saigon Bakery? The usual default (if we just order as is) has never been Scrambled Eggs; usually ranging from barely runny Sunny Side Up, to more cooked-through.
I just ask one of the people taking the order for “softer / less cooked” and it works for me.
One time I was meeting some friends at a beach bonfire, and everyone was bringing their dinner, and all I had was a couple cans of sardines (one spicy and one tomato) and half a baguette, so I brought them. I was kind of hesitant about opening the cans, because I thought people wouldn’t like the smell.
I ended up having to pass them around; people’s ears perked up when I popped the first can. Apparently, if your parents were Italian, Colombian or Japanese, you really, really like sardines. Who knew?
OC Poultry and Rotisserie Market
2117 E. Ball Rd.
Anaheim, CA 92806
Tel: (714) 780-0225
Love going here to pick up Bahn Mi before heading to The Bruery, where no food but excellent craft beer is served. This time, we were meeting my little sister, a vegetarian. I checked their menu, and besides veggie sandwiches, they also offered a lemongrass tofu bahn mi.
We also got their ready made spring rolls with shrimp and pork. They made-to-order vegetarian spring rolls for my little sis. They only disappointing part was we bought these pork pastries (maybe called pork chaud) and they didn’t end up in the to-go order! The super nice woman, owner, I think, at the register said they were very good! Next time!
My ham, pate, #4, with egg and extra veggies. Delicious!