Ba Le

[DevoBevo]

Whatever happen to that Vietnamese sandwich shop on Lamar right next to Jack in the Box? They had some cheap and great sandwiches.

[porkmuffin]

i mourn the loss of Ba Le. it is closed now. anyone know of other places with Vietnamese sandwiches?

[Carter B.]

My favorite is just south on Lamar at Tam's Deli & Cafe--favorites include grilled pork and egg & shrimp. Lilly's in the new Chinatown center also has sandwhiches but I haven't been yet and the reviews here on chowhound have been mixed.

[Homero]

I second that. Tam has IMHO the best Bahn Mi in town. Its actually cheaper to get the sandwiches to go, which is kinda weird. I never understood it, but I think it is worth the extra price to eat the sandwich there while the bread is still crusty and hot from the toaster oven. Maybe I am just waxing poetic here, but to me that makes the Bahn Mi at Tam that much more worth it.

Pho Van also serves Bahn Mi, and it is good, although I prefer Tam hands down. Partly its because of how they cut the vegetables that they put in. Tam's seems more uniformly spread throughout the sandwich. And once again, Tam's crusty hot bread out of the toaster oven beats Pho Van.

I miss Ba Le as well, mostly because I was used to paying $2 for Bahn Mi instead of almost double.

[diva360]

Does Tam have tofu Bahn Mi? I have a vegetarian friend who is going to freak when she finds out that Ba Le is closed.

[chucklesmcfarland]

From what I recall, yes, but it was not as good as Ba Le, very bland.

[Carter B.]

I don't find Tam's vegetarian sandwhich bland at all. I can't compare to Ba Le's veggie sandwhich but I find Tam's version very well balanced.

[bloody hammer]

Tam's Deli is top notch. I love that little place. The grilled pork sandwich and the #25 (vermicelli bowl) are my favorites. Also, the grilled pork spring rolls and the fried shrimp & yam appetizer are delicious.