1st Bahn Mi

[Nehna]

Intrigued by all the posts about the wonders of Bahn Mi, I'm planning to try one today for lunch for the first time.

I work in Soho and it seems like there are a number of options (some with new locations too), within walking distance.

What's my best bet?

[dave]

Bahn mi so #1 on Broome is pretty good and will not have quite the crazy wait that the Bahn Mi place (which people say is better) farther south on Mott st will...

[Nehna]

Thanks - do you have the address on Broome (or cross street)? Citysearch shows that place being on Mott.

How long a wait should I expect at 2pm in the afternoon? Bad?

[big o]

Banh Mi So 1 is at the corner of Broome and Mott. The entrance is at the southeast corner, on Broome.

Perhaps you would consider getting a banh mi from there, and then, another day, a banh mi from Saigon (which is now at 138 Mott, by Grand) and compare the two. That always makes for some spirited Chowhound argumentation.

[dave]

I don't know about 2 in the afternoon--I live in the area, so I only get the sandwiches in the evenings and on the weekend. I'd hazard to say no more than a 10min wait at 2pm though.

[a&w]

Have to admit, I was a little underwhelmed by my first visit to Banh Mi So 1 this weekend. Got the spicy grilled pork, which was too sweet and not nearly spicy enough (no jalapenos). Still, hard to argue with the price:quantity ratio.

On a related note, do any places besides Nicky's use an actual porkchop, as opposed to the chopped char siu?

[EV Andrew]

Strange, mine was a bit too sweet as well this weekend. As far as peppers, you have to ask and they are Thai Bird Chilies here, not Jalapeno's.

[queue]

go to the saigon banh mi bakery on mott street. it's just below grand on the east side of the street. it is so much better than the place on broome (unless you are a vegetarian). i have been there at 2 p.m. and the line was not bad at that time. the later the better, to avoid the lunch rush.

[queue]

go to the saigon banh mi bakery on mott street. it's just below grand on the east side of the street. it is so much better than the place on broome (unless you are a vegetarian). i have been there at 2 p.m. and the line was not bad at that time. the later the better, to avoid the lunch rush.

[csw]

not too late..last time they ran out by 5 pm

[mrnyc]

ooh i envy you! its quite the tasty sandwich style.

agree with the others about where you should go for the first time, the place on broome&mott. there are about 12 versions to choose from, take your pick! might as well start with the first one on the list, the house special and work your way down. you can ask for spicy if you want it (i dont find spicy very spicy here at all so no worries about too much heat). get some viet coffee or sugar cane to drink. while you wait i bet you pick up a few other items as you look around, i always do! ps -- the wait will be short around two o'clock.

[Nehna]

Thanks for all the advice!

We went to the one on Broome by Mott and got the #1. Delicious! Glad I finally trek'd over. Looking forward to trying the other sandwiches and the other Bahn Mi spots.

I agree, by the way, the spicy version is still fairly mild.

[fudluvr]

Whenever I go here, I have to *convince* them that yes this, fair-skinned girl, does want it REALLY spicy. Then I get lots those teeny super-duper hot peppers AND the Sriracha sauce. YUMM. But the first time I said spicy, it wasn't really.