looking for banh mi Orange County

[dimsumgirl]

Looking for some banh mi to take into my class with me this week. Coming from NorCal where I love to eat banh mi. Where can I find some banh mi near Irvine? Have a rental car and a refrigerator in my hotel room so I can pick it up the day before my classes. Willing to drive-- just need a place to go get it!

[dimsumgirl]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I didn't realize that my registration for my class included a lunch meal at the hotel where they held the class. Now I'm disappointed that I didn't get to try the banh mi but I will keep your suggestions for a future visit. Thanks.

[scottca075]

Where will you be in Irvine? There are some passable places in Irvine & Costa Mesa, but the best are going to in Garden Grove and Westminster..... it is worth a 35 minute drive or longer is the question.

[dimsumgirl]

Staying at a hotel very close to the John Wayne Airport-- my class is at Von Karmen just south of the 405. Class starts at 8:30 AM so I need to pick up food and be in class early. Cash only is not a problem.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. Looks like my best bet will be to pick up the day before and keep it in the hotel room fridge for day of class.

[Porthos]

The Bahn Mi Che Cali on Brookhurst is open 24-7.

They also have great iced coffee (talk about caffeine/sugar jolt), meat filled pastries, these pyramid shaped things filled with pork, shrimp, quail egg, and rice flour steamed in banana leaf...all very very good.

http://m.yelp.com/biz/bánh-mì-chè-cal...

[dimsumgirl]

Thank you Porthos! Yummy-- fresh banh mi! YAY! Do you have a favorite filling? Pork? Chicken? Other?

[Porthos]

For the traditional everything cold cut Bahn mi I like #2.

I also like the BBQ beef patty one.

Their pork is good but the beef is better.

The chicken is shredded and a bit salty for my taste.

It's buy 2 get 1 free anyways so you can get pork, beef, and a bonus one all for $5.

FYI the pyramid things heat up very nicely in the microwave. Often times they are still warm and I am forced to consume one on the spot.

[BrewNChow]

Banh Mi CC makes a cheap but altogether average Banh mi. If you're trying to bring banh mi for a whole class, go for it. You can get 3 sandwiches for the price of 2, which is 3 for 5 bucks. Can't get cheaper than that.

If you're looking for a better sandwich, Top Baguette across the street absolutely destroys BM&CC. I mean no comparison.

[dimsumgirl]

Hi BNC
Thanks for the heads up. No I'm not bringing for the whole class. Just that my class lasts all day so I want to bring banh mi for my lunch since I won't get a chance to get out for lunch with class from 8 to 5.

[I got nothin]

Any of the Banh Mi & Che Cali locations, the easiest one to get to from Irvine would be the one in Fountain Valley on the corner of Brookhurst and Talbert just south of the 405. 3 banh mi for $5 if you want it on a roll; I think its now either $2.25 or $2.50 a sandwich if you get it on a baguette (which you should). Since you won't be eating it that day, make sure to ask for everything on the side so the bread doesn't get too soggy.
Banh Mi Cho Cu - corner of Magnolia & Hazard in Westminster
Ba Le - on Bolsa Ave in between Moran and Magnolia in Westminster
Lynda Sandwiches makes a pretty good one, and you can also get some beignets too - on Beach Blvd just north of the 405, after McFadden in Westminster

[Porthos]

+1 Bahn Mi Che Cali. Far superior to Lee's.

I like the BBQ beef (beef patty). Of course you can get it topped with a fried egg for overkill.

[New Trial]

I agree that BMCC is much better than Lee's but, if her classes are at UCI and not too early, Lee's is so close (in the shopping center across Campus Drive from the University) that she could get her sandwiches fresh the same day from Lee's (which, for OP's information, is cash only and opens at 8:00 am).

[miteymike]

dudette...

little saigon, you'll get more than banh mi there.

[Feed_me]

From reading the op's post I'm assuming she's from up north and not all that familiar with the area. I think she needs suggestions for good quality places that would be convenient for her to purchase her sandwiches. I'm not familiar with the banh mi ins and outs and will leave it to some knowledgeable 'hounds.