I Banh Mi

I miss I Banh Mi so much! I went here weekly to get a delicious sando and it never failed.
Also, those guava cookies. mmm …
I hope it reopens in time for when I come to visit.

Best Bahn Mi in downtown Portland.
But one question: WTF happened to this place? I’ve been jonesin’ for some bahn mi, and they were supposed to be closed Christmas week, and it’s now Jan 3, and they have yet to reopen, with a sign on their door saying «Temporarily Closed»
What gives? Anyone know what’s up?

Classic Vietnamese Banh Mi deli meets cute French bakery!
This place is awesome for a quick grab and go lunch. Prices are very affordable, selection of different sandwiches is overwhelming and even the boa is delicious.
I had a BBQ Pork Banh Mi, probably the best I’ve had in downtown Portland, with all factors included (price, service etc.). It’s a small detail but you really get a sense of a true Vietnamese sandwich with the way they wrap the Banh Mi, with a rubber band and in a small paper bag… just like they do in Vietnam :).
Definitely my new «go-​to» lunch spot!

I’ve only ever had one thing here, and that’s the breakfast bao, but I’ll give four stars for that. It’s right next door to a McDonald’s, and, in a way, the breakfast bao is basically an Asian-​fusion Egg McMuffin. I mean, you get egg, a slice of (American?) cheese, and your choice of meat (bacon, sausage, bacon/​sausage, and — hat-​tip to Hawaii — Spam). But it comes wrapped in this ever-​so-​slightly sweet white puff of a wrap that’s the same delightful-​if-​completely-​unlike-​actual-​bread material you find wrapped around your dim-​sum pork buns. Which might sound like I’m mocking, but, again, four stars. It’s a treat.
Their banh mi look great, but I’ve never made my way back here for lunch, so you’re probably going to completely disregard my opinion on that. That’s okay. Their sweets are what you’d expect to find in a Vietnamese/​French bakery, and I’ve only sampled a few (in order to make it to the credit-​card limit), but the macaroons were only okay.
Still, cute little lunch place. Light years more interesting than the McDonald’s next door (not that that’s hard). Did I mention the breakfast bao?

Very cheap and very good! I had the grilled lemongrass pork sandwich and a steamed BBQ pork bao. The sandwich was excellent! Lemongrass flavor was very subtle and it had just the right amount of spice. Even the bread was good. The bao was awesome! Very tender pork and the bun was nice and sweet.

Thank you for being here I Banh Mi. You are not only affordable, but you provide no fuss service and delicious food. Lunchtime is awesome when you go here!

I don’t work in this neighborhood anymore. I had some errands to run downtown and I managed to add this into the list of things to do. You got to eat right? Oh man, any excuse is all I can say. And still does not disappoint majorly! The bread still the most perfect, most fresh and they don’t skimp on the filling they put inside either. I always get the vegetarian delight and it always tastes delightful. I don’t even like writing this review because I am, yet again, craving one! What errands can I do downtown now?

Super cheap lunch. Period. Sandwiches are decent, not spectacular. But they also have a bakery and they’re patties are the bomb. I work across the street so this is an easy call and a nice departure from the Subway and Big Town Hero that are the other close options. Yum!

Lunch for under $ 4? IN! And here’s the kicker– the banh mi here is better than all of the nearby banh mi food carts I have tried AND less expensive.
These guys do not skimp. Your sandwich will be full of all the banh mi goodness you love. Vegetarians & Vegans– there is both a tofu and soy protein option! Personally, I prefer the tofu– a little less salty than the soy protein.
There is also an assortment of pastries (which I have not tried) and baos (They’re pretty dang good!) and drinks (coconut water, score!) It’s sort of my go-​to lunch spot, especially when I have little time and little money.
The restaurant is very casual, minimal seating, which makes it a wonderful grab-​and-​go sort of place. If you do want to eat in, there are a couple of small tables and some counter seating.
It’s not the best banh mi there ever was, but its still pretty dang good.

Great little shop with SUPER cheap eats!

Avoid the adjacent McDonalds and Subway for lunch or breakfast and look into my go to place for inexpensive (M-​Sa) lunch in the downtown area. i Banh Mi is partially owned by the An Xuyen Bakery folks in SE Portland. The product is similar but a bit more expensive due to the downtown location. HOWEVER, the price is still a bargain — any banh mi is $ 3.95 and you can make adjustments since they are made fresh (ie. no jalapeño, no mayo). The rice bowls are also quite tasty and the rice seems to be of decent quality — they’ll set you back $ 4.95.
The place also serves Asian-​style /​French influenced baked goods, which I’m not as impressed by, but will occasionally consume. They now offer «breakfast bao» with the same ingredients as McMuffins or Subway breakfasts at a lower price.
Spring rolls and banh mi here are ²⁄₃ the price of nearby Steamers. Usually consistent and good, although my bread today was a bit over toasted (almost, but not quite «burnt.»).
Service is usually friendly, and one of the cashiers is especially personable and helpful.

This tiny shop is tucked between McDonald’s and Subway, located at SW 6^th & Main in downtown Portland. Customers usually order something to go. Can sit about 10 people if you prefer to stay and eat the goody here. This place is good with reasonable prices, although I’ve had better and cheaper Vietnamese sandwiches elsewhere. Fast and friendly service.
Variety of Vietnamese sandwiches for $ 3.95
Bento style entrees over rice (choice of chicken or pork) for $ 4.99
Steamed hum baos and baked goodies are also available.

I love this place!
1. Great spicy sandwiches, the chicken is delicious
2. Awesome breakfast baos!
3. Fantastic pastries
4. Delicious Vietnamese iced coffee
5. Really well priced
6. Fast and helpful service
What else could you want?

Finding a banh mi in downtown is tough. This place is quick, clean and affordable. They offer bakery goods, salad rolls and bento boxes in addition to 14 different banh mi sandwiches. I haven’t had a bad sandwich yet (I’ve tried 5 of the 14) but also haven’t had an amazing one. The bread makes the sandwich for me and their bread is fresh but average. By 82^nd ave standards this place is middle of the pack. For those of us that have had one too many dry ass turkey sandwiches… this place is heaven sent!!!
It’d not 82^nd avenue but for downtown it’s great.

This is a very unassuming place on 6^th ave between Macdonalds and Subway. But… HOLY MOLY These were the best Bahn Mi sandwiches ever… ever. We had the barbecue pork which was very tasty but a tad dry. The Chicken lemon grass was just too good to describe. The rolls they use are very good, slightly chewy on the outside and really soft on the inside. We will be back… very good.

My friend and I were looking for a place for a late breakfast/​early lunch and this place caught our eye with their unorthodox breakfast sandwiches. Imagine an egg mcmuffin on Asian steam buns! Intrigued, we decided to check it out and we got one of their breakfast sandwiches, a traditional Vietnamese pork meatball steamed bun, and two Saigon Original banh mi sandwiches. They had a pretty good-​looking assortment of pastries as well but we decided to skip those. I also got a hot Vietnamese coffee, which was not quite what I was used to but not bad. Hey, it was no Little Saigon but it was decent. The store was small but clean and we ate our breakfast items there. The cashier was friendly and efficient and the food was quick and cheap – probably very popular with the college students nearby.

I felt so proud of myself for discovering a Vietnamese sammy spot in downtown Portland! Mental notes I made: meatball sandwich — yum, lemongrass beef — avoid, crème puff or fruit tart for dessert — yes, and also «don’t be too mad about the rude blonde chick that didn’t cut my sandwich in half as requested and then lied that she did». Two sandwiches make the right portion for lunch if not pairing chips or side items. Located next to McDonald’s and may be easy to miss if not careful.

Three stars for service and one for the coffee! I need to make it a point to come here again! I rode the Bolt Bus down to PDX for a day and bought iced Vietnamese coffee from here twice in one day. If you take the Bolt Bus down there, it’s just off to the right on 6^th! Walk past Starsucks… it’s just past that parking garage!
I can’t wait to come back to try more of their goods.
Café Sua da is delicious! Also, I dropped my coffee while running to the bus and they graciously made me a new one. :)

Holy carp this place has great quick food! BBQ pork sandwich on incredibly fresh roll: VERY flavorful, zesty and delicious, plus a fruit tart, under $ 6.
The fruit tart has thick layer of chocolate on it, btw, but I’m emphasizing the fruit part because, you know, fruit = healthy.
Even with a bit of a line I was in and out quick.

Delicous!!! Great addition for the downtown lunch fare. If you are tired of Subway, this is a great spot. I have been there 2x now. The Pâté and the Pulled Pork sandwiches are what I have had so far. The bread is soft, flaky with a crunchy crust. The pâté was creamy and the pulled pork was moist and tasty. The pickled veggies were tangy, they chopped a little thicker than I am used to but not too chunky.
In addition to the sandwiches, I tried the butter cookie (dipped in chocolate of course). Not quite like my great grandmother’s but then again, no one’s is made with the love she’d put in it. But they were soft and buttery and the chocolate was not to bitter or too sweet.
The only reason they didn’t get 5 stars is because the shredded pork doesn’t have pork skin. I spoke with the manager and he stated that they didn’t think it would go over well in the downtown area, which makes me a little sad.
Despite that, I will be going back regularly!