New Banh Mi Shop: Banh Mi Zon on E. 6th / Ave. A

[cimui]

According to the fellow who was working there (the owner?), this place opened just last week. It has some kinks to work out, but I think it looks promising.

We tried:

- the "classic sandwich" with pate and Vietnamese ham (banh mi pate cha lua)
- the "sardine sandwich" (banh mi ca moi)
- summer rolls (goi cuon)

Bread was good: relatively light, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, maybe a higher proportion of wheat to rice flour than my favorite banh mi baguettes, but fragrant and fresh. I was only able to take a small bite because of the wheat intolerance, but I really wanted to eat the entire thing. Fillings were generous, including a generous schmear of pate, though I personally like a higher vegetable to meat ratio. The vegetables were crisp and fresh, but the carrot and daikon had not been pickled long enough. (You could barely taste the vinegar.) There was no heat in the sandwiches at all, which I found odd. I suspect part of the problem was that we waited for our order outside, on the bench, with our dog and they weren't able to ask us whether we wanted hot peppers on the sandwich. On the classic sandwich, there was also a meat sung like substance, which added some nice texture. I think might've been bi (thinly shredded pork skin / pork).

The summer rolls were decent -- standard -- with soft rice wrapper, average quality shrimp, good, fresh herbs and a peanut sauce that was smoother and stickier than versions I'm used to.

Also on the menu were vegetarian banh mi with tofu and mushrooms ($5.50), banh mi with meat balls, grilled chicken, grilled pork patties and beef stew ($5.50 to $7); com dia (rice plates) with grilled, chopped chicken or grilled pork patties ($7); other rice paper rolls filled with vegetables or grilled pork and veggies ($4.50); various salads, including green papaya, mango and/or lotus stem ($6); and a few simple desserts and beverages.

It's a tiny place, everything is made to order, including the summer rolls, and it wafts out the most delicious smell of grilling meat, which I intend to try next time. Right now, the flavors are slightly dumbed down for gringo / non-Vietnamese tastes, but the basic ingredients seem to be solid. Maybe if enough of us ask for the real thing, they'll give it to us!