Native midwesterner here to tell you she's right: tavern cut Chicago pizza is Chicago's best kept secret: loaded with toppings on a thin cracker-style crust.
I gotta admit that I've never had a fulfilling banh mi, probly because I was already fully veggie by the first time I had one. What I probly missed is the flavors & textures of the various meats, because veggie banh mi is just too bland for me. Sure I could add the sauces (and I have done) but what they do is turn the sandwich into a sauce sandwich with some veggies added. So that's my quandary – how to enjoy that really good crunchy/soft sandwich roll without enough additional flavor added?
I've only had banh mi a couple of times and fairly recently, and it wasn't like any sandwich I'd had before -- huge amounts of cilantro (which my partner cannot stand!) and interesting spices -- so it is fascinating to read about the background of it and cultural issues around it. I'm loving this series of deep dives into all these sandwiches!
I first discovered Bánh Mì over 25 years ago when I lived in Mountain View, CA. I discovered a Vietnamese sandwich takeout shop in southern San Jose. At that time the regular Bánh Mì was only $1.00! Not only were these about the best-tasting sandwiches ever, they were also the best sandwich bargain I have discovered in my life.
Now that I live east of D.C. the nearest Bánh Mì is on the other side of D.C. which is a pain to get to. I keep hoping that someone will open a Vietnamese restaurant in my area.
Notable Sandwiches #7: Bánh Mì
Native midwesterner here to tell you she's right: tavern cut Chicago pizza is Chicago's best kept secret: loaded with toppings on a thin cracker-style crust.
Ooh, this has me thinking about my favorite Singaporean sandwich - Roti John. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roti_john
Another fantastic piece
I gotta admit that I've never had a fulfilling banh mi, probly because I was already fully veggie by the first time I had one. What I probly missed is the flavors & textures of the various meats, because veggie banh mi is just too bland for me. Sure I could add the sauces (and I have done) but what they do is turn the sandwich into a sauce sandwich with some veggies added. So that's my quandary – how to enjoy that really good crunchy/soft sandwich roll without enough additional flavor added?
I've only had banh mi a couple of times and fairly recently, and it wasn't like any sandwich I'd had before -- huge amounts of cilantro (which my partner cannot stand!) and interesting spices -- so it is fascinating to read about the background of it and cultural issues around it. I'm loving this series of deep dives into all these sandwiches!
Learned a lot about banh mi and the colonial history. Great interview!
One of the only things I miss about my former job was the bánh mi shop next door which was run by the friendliest people ever.
I first discovered Bánh Mì over 25 years ago when I lived in Mountain View, CA. I discovered a Vietnamese sandwich takeout shop in southern San Jose. At that time the regular Bánh Mì was only $1.00! Not only were these about the best-tasting sandwiches ever, they were also the best sandwich bargain I have discovered in my life.
Now that I live east of D.C. the nearest Bánh Mì is on the other side of D.C. which is a pain to get to. I keep hoping that someone will open a Vietnamese restaurant in my area.