Hong Loi Deli

I didn’t know what to have for lunch and as I was driving, I remember this little location down the street and decided to stop by as I remember them having food to go.
It’s a small little place, located in the corner of a plaza. The place was tidy, but the floors were a little dirty. They have tons of drinks to choose from, from the cooler they have. They have a station where food is already made and kept warm. There’s a menu on the wall for catering needs, which ranges from chow mein, fried rice, to egg rolls and spring rolls. They also serve banh mi (sandwiches) and other types of food.
I opted for the fast food and got their combo. It came with a side of rice and a choice of two items, which came out to be $ 4.50. I had the spicy chicken and braised pork in coconut juice. The spicy chicken was very spicy and it reminds me of orange chicken, only because it looks like it. The braised pork was flavorful and the meat wasn’t chewy, it was tender. The egg that came with it was okay. You can tell it had been sitting there for a while as the white of the egg was hard.
I also had their caphe sua da (iced milk coffee). It wasn’t too strong nor was it too bitter. It had the right consistency.
Overall, $ 7.00 for lunch. Not too bad, I guess?

This Vietnamese deli is a little sketchy. I marveled at the long faded price tags for the banh mi on the wall, and the slightly under fresh look of the hot food on the hot plates under the glass hood. However! I am blessed with an iron tummy and appetite. The bahn mi was pretty delicious, filled to the brim with fresh veggies, jalapenos and cilantro. The bread was crispy yet soft. Despite the weird approach to cleaning and merchandising, I would go here again before Mr. Baguette. Their sandwiches were just all around better quality. Did I mention my chicken banh mi was $ 2. $ 2. TWO DOLLARS!!! I fished the money out of my ash tray because frigging no one in El Monte will allow you to charge or use debit. I’m cool. Quarters from my ash tray are like money I never knew I had that turn magically into a Vietnamese sandwedge.