- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
B10 Vietnamese Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Vietnamese Restaurants Sandwiches Restaurants Delis Vietnamese, Sandwiches, Delis [Edit]
9308-A Bellaire BlvdHouston, TX 77036
Neighborhoods: Sharpstown, Chinatown
(713) 988-7275
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 9 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
Christine N. said: "This is the newer Tan Tan's because the original one that I went to is in Bellaire. But since I work on this side of town I was more than excited to see this one open. It isn't open as late but I would say it's almost better because it…" read more »
94 reviews for B10 Vietnamese Cafe
Review Highlights
-
"I also highly recommend the bun with BBQ pork + eggroll." In 17 reviews -
"I LOVED the bo luc lac (shaking beef) with the tomato rice." In 2 reviews -
"...are fresh, and the French bread they use is crisp on the..." In 6 reviews
Loading...
94 reviews in English
-
Review from Mike B.
Houston, TX
It appears that Givral Hoang Vietnamese Cafe has changed it's name to b10 Vietnamese Cafe. I started seeing some information regarding this on their twitter and Facebook accounts. http://www.facebook.co...
Sounds like a smart move to me! I would imagine that a lot of people confuse all of the "Givrals" around town as one business. I'm glad to see b10 further distinguish themselves as a brand because their food is much better than the other Givrals. I asked their manager about this change during my last visit and she confirmed that it's simply a name change and nothing else.
Kudos to you b10~! Keep up the good work!1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/24/2010
The best Banh Mi in town just got better!
Givral Hoang has been a long withstanding establishment… Read more »
-
-
Review from Justin L.
4/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Man, I really can't give it a Three and a Four is a bit generous. But with a price of $2.77 for a pretty good banh-mi, I give you a Four, a low four at that.
I ordered two types, the pork and something else. BTW, I ordered one with the egg and pork, and though the pork was flavored well and having an egg throws in a nice texture, I wasn't overly impressed. I should state that just before, I ate some Vietnamese soup (not pho but something with liver and cold noodles w/ a little bit of broth on the side).
Anyway, the pork was seared pretty nicely but the bread was just below (good) par of Vietnamese bread. The cucumber and jalapenos was average?
I mean, the sandwich is pretty good, a high three star that I just rounded up to Four...with some reluctance. Still good but not Yelp-four-star good, yet. -
Review from Kellie Y.
3/30/2012
I've never had a banh mi that made me say "bang me" until now....
The boyfriend and I wanted something small to eat since it was almost 9 but didn't feel like Subway so we stopped by here. 10 minutes before closing we got there and there were soooo many choices to choose from but the cashier recommended the bbq pork vietnamese sandwich. We got the bbq pork vietnamese sandwich and added an egg inside and got it togo. Once we got home, I took a bite and the bread was still very crispy. I'm pretty sure if we had eaten it when we got it, it would've been even more delicious. The meat was marinated very tasty and the egg just made me have a foodgasm over and over with each bite. I think my sandwich was only $2.77 + $1 for egg + tax. So very worth it! Also, they accept credit cards. I must go back!!!
I only wish they opened a little later. They close at 9 so get there before! :)Listed in: Chinatown Chow Downs
-
Review from Elizabeth T.
Houston, TX
12/21/2011
The bo luc lac sandwich (shaken beef) is FREAKING good! They give you a side of lemon with salt and pepper to dip the sandwich in.
I was so excited about the bo luc lac sandwich that I ordered about 4 other different types of sandwiches on the same visit and took them home. Unfortunately, those were all disappointing. I use the xiu mai (meatball) sandwich and their "special" cold cut sandwiches as bars to measure all banh mi shops. Neither of them were very exciting. I also tried the dried chicken sandwich on urging of the lady at the counter, which was also disappointing. I gave the bulgogi sandwich a shot, which wasn't as good as it sounded. The bulgogi was a little sweet, which was nice, but there was so little meat and very little kim chi that the baguette itself overpowered the subtle flavors of what was inside.
The shopping center is pretty run down on the outside, but the restaurant itself on the inside is really nice!
I'll be back for those bo luc lac sandwiches!!!! Avoid the other stuff. -
Review from Emily C.
Houston, TX
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cool place, the sandwiches aren't bad, but the pho was very mediocre. I don't know what it is with the Vietnamese restaurants in Houston...it is like they don't know how to make some decent Pho broth. And they never have those sauce plates out either.
-
Review from Michael Y.
Houston, TX
5/10/2012
Visited for the first time this week and the pho and the sandwich was great. The service was friendly and it was clean... I will definitely be back!
-
Review from Joan S.
Houston, TX
4/12/2012
BEST banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) in town!!! Givral may have changed their name to B10, this is only to distinguish them from the other Givrals in Houston, but this place is still under the same owners and management team, and same great menu! If you've never tried a banh mi, order item# B10, it's their infamous bbg pork sandwhich. Guarantee you'll be hooked once you've had B10!
-
Review from Liz F.
Houston, TX
5/3/2012
People... go here and get the BBQ pork sandwich! You'll leave with an awesome sandwich for just under $3. I'm sure if all the subway sandwich lovers try ban mi, they'll convert over instantly. ++++!
-
Review from Kim P.
10/30/2011
I may be biased, because I've been coming here since I was a little girl when the restaurant was just the side store. Now there is ample seating, a great atmosphere, and...they take credit card! Before, I'd always have to worry about bringing enough cash.
Their banh mi is the only one I would prefer, highly due to their meat - not dry like other restaurants. Definitely make use of their 'buy 5, get 1 free' deal, especially when coworkers request that you bring back some to San Antonio =) Also, don't forget to pick up a package of fried banana chips - delicious!
Note: there is a difference between BBQ beef and BBQ pork - always go for the pork! But my favorite is the banh mi thit (ham). -
Review from Michael L.
Houston, TX
11/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is the best place to get a Banh Mi period. The BBQ (thit nuong) ones are my favorite. The pork is not dried out like most other places and the veggies are fresh.
You have to eat them there right as they are served. The place has expanded and you can sit comfortably so there's no reason to not eat it while it's fresh and hot! There's not much more to say about such a simple yet delicious sandwich. Try it- trust me it's THAT good. -
Review from April C.
11/29/2011 4 Check-ins Here
We've been coming to this location for over 20 years. I recommend the BBQ Pork Banh Mi. I didn't like the chicken with pate at all.
I LOVED the bo luc lac (shaking beef) with the tomato rice.
The salted fish fried rice was good - but I like mine a tad saltier.
I'm looking forward to coming back because I didn't know their food outside of the Banh Mi was this good!
Service was VERY friendly and the place is clean. -
Review from Shannon S.
Houston, TX
2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Very nice folks at the counter, delish banh mi. I had the pork and shaking beef, both were great but I liked the pork best. The bread was perfect french bread. The sandwich as a whole was a bit dry, though, so I kind of wished there had been some kind of mayo or dipping sauce. Overall, a good experience and I will be back!
-
Review from Samantha N.
Lewisville, TX
2/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
B10 is always our last stop before leaving Houston to head back to Dallas. We always order the banh mi thit nuong (#b10) to go to take back home. This last time, we got 24 sandwiches (but 5 get 1 free), all veggies on the side. The sandwiches made their way to 4 different homes upon our return. Refrigerated, then heated in the oven days later and dressed with veggies, these sandwiches are great, easy meals or snacks. I havent tried any of the other food, so this review is strictly for these sandwiches.
I will tell ya that this place accepts credit cards, something rare of the little shops on Bellaire. We used to eat here once upon a time, way before the remodel and expansion, when they were still called Givral... Afterwards, we ventured to Don Cafe (In front of b10). Don Cafe serves the same sandwiches (because the owners used to work at Givral), but they only accept cash. I have sat at the table too many times while my husband visited the ATM to withdraw payment because we kept forgetting this little tid-bit. Now that we have returned to b10, Don Cafe will be a place from the past. -
Review from Caroline T.
Sugar Land, TX
3/6/2012
My favorite banh mi is xui mai and for lent grab the tofu banh mi and thank me later! that is all. The food speaks for itself. The congee is the bomb. Okay enough writing and reading just go there and thank me later!
-
Review from Luigi C.
Finally decided to try to this place after reading such great reviews and boy am I glad that I got to dine here! The store has plenty of seating, very clean, organized, and has quick service. Most importantly, the food is tasty and the staff is genuinely friendly.
A huge plus about this Givral has to be the different combination options they have to offer which truly makes it easier for their customers and all for a very affordable price.
As for the banh mi, it's pretty good here, but not the best. The French bread are the thinner ones which I prefer. The veggies are the usual -- pickled perfectly and pairs well with the meat and bread.
Banh Mi - 4/5
Service - 5/5
Cleanliness - 4/5
Seating - 5/5
Menu - 4/5
Obviously, I'm a fan of the food and the store in general, it's very customer friendly and even has large screen TV's for entertainment. Oh and I almost forgot to mention, they ACCEPT credit cards! That's rare to find on Bellaire. Like I said, this place is very customer oriented. -
Review from Camille P.
Houston, TX
8/30/2011 3 photos
This place used to be the bomb before they expanded. I always order the combination and the BBQ beef sandwich. The vietnamese mayo used to ooze out of the sammy, making it so moist and fun and to eat.
Since the expansion, I finally went on a Sunday afternoon and I was starvin' like Marvin.
My hub and I ordered a combination sammy, the rice with grilled pork, egg cake and fried egg entree and a savory vietnamese crispy crepe - banh xeo.
Everything was tasty...however, the combination sandwich was so little! There was hardly any meat and bread was so skinny! I wasn't sure if there was any mayo, but after a bit of digging, there was mayo, but not enough. It did not satisfy my craving for a banh mi.
The vietnamese crepe filled with shrimp, fatty pork, bean sprouts and sauteed onions was really good. It was a good portion because I was able to finish it. However....the "good" portion did not match the price. I have had bigger portions of this crepe and the price was $2 cheaper than Givrals. I felt a tad ripped off because I have had better crepes at a larger size and cheaper price.
My hun got the rice dish and it was really good. I think they make the best egg cake in town. Yet again, the portions are small and the prices are high.
Although I enjoyed my meal here, I felt guilty for not sticking to my all time favorite banh mi shop (which is located a few feet away).
I am glad I tried them out because I don't ever want to dis a place before trying them out. But now that I have been here, I will stick to Don's. -
Review from Pani D.
Los Angeles, CA
2/21/2012
It was not good.
-
Review from George L.
1/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
To be or not to banh mi. That is the question. I always have the dilemma of pho v. banh mi, and refuse to stuff myself by ordering both. In comes Givral's with a very smart meal deal which includes a very small bowl of pho + sandwich + drink for less than $10. I prefer the sandwiches of the nearby Don's, but for some reason, they can't or won't cut you a deal by including a small small pho with your sandwich. Believe me, I've tried multiple times. The sandwiches here aren't as tasty as Don's but still a nice change-of-pace when you're craving both.
-
Review from Katie W.
Sugar Land, TX
8/13/2011
***Just a disclaimer, this review was started sometime in DECEMBER of last year. It just gathered dust until I finally decided to finish and post it now. Soooo, the references to a "cold day" were relevant at the time... :P
Ugly on the outside, pretty on the inside, and BEAUTIFUL in your tummy! :D
I ordered the V6 - Beef soup with French bread, which I hafta say, was fly like a G6. (OH NO SHE DIDN'T. Yes, I went there... and I kinda regret it.) Anyway, it was just the thing to hit the spot on a cold day (well, we're in Houston, so cold-ish. WHATEVS.) The bread was perfectly crispy on the outside and oh-so-soft on the inside. The soup was essentially like your typical beef stew, but without the heaviness, which in my book is always good.
"But you didn't order a Banh Mi?! WHYYYyyyy." Yeah, I hear you. Not to worry. My friend who went with me ordered one. I told her I was only gonna have a bite... but ended up taking half. (Yes, I am a fat kid. No, I'm not sorry.) The Banh Mi was AWESOME. The meat is chock-full of flavor and it blends really well with the buttery sauce stuff that they slather on the bread. The only warning I have in regards to the Banh Mi is that if you can't stand spicy, TAKE THE PEPPERS OUT. I usually CAN stand hot stuff, but I must've eaten one of the seeds or something because I almost DIED. They don't kid around with that stuff, so be careful.
My only complaint would be that you have to eat whatever you order fast-ish. Everything seems to go from "AWESOME" to "good" when it cools down.
I hadn't been here in, literally, 10 years, so when I showed up expecting it to be in the tiny, little shop with with the ugly green awning that I remembered, I was decidedly confused when I saw signs pointing next door to a prettier, trendier thing. Talk about a Joan Rivers style facelift (except, for the better). Pretty impressive interior design for a place in Chinatown, where the rule of thumb is usually the uglier/dirtier to interior, the better the food. Not the case here. :) And they also get bonus points for the fact that I heard "Take on Me" while I was there. -
Review from Andrew G.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
6/30/2011
Wow! Banh Mi perfection on lovely french bread. But since there are 40 other reviews here of this delectable sandwich I am going to mention some other delicious treats at this place:
- Pho - pretty good for a place where "Pho" is not in the name... and since I like to make my own at home, they will sell me just a container of the Pho broth for $2.50 which is a good deal. So when I get home I can add my own noodles, beef and herbs as you gotta eat Pho right away or else the noodles turn to mush.
- Spring rolls - awesome. Maybe the best pork spring rolls I've ever had. Big and soft anc chewy and fresh... and I think $2.75 for two fo them is a bargain.
- Sticky rice.... yumm. a fabulous concoction that you get at the counter pre-packaged. I've found that you can nuke it a little but don't ever try to reheat in a pan as it will lose its lovely sticky texture. -
Review from Michelle M.
Houston, TX
1/16/2012
This place has a solid Vietnamese sandwich at solid (read: cheap) prices. I had the B11 (grilled chicken) but have heard rave reviews about their B10 (see Mike B's review.) As you walk inside, it also houses a separate tea/coffee/drink register, which I think is a cool and smart idea. Great place for sandwiches, rice plates, pho, and drinks.
-
Review from Anastasia B.
Westchase, Houston, TX
12/27/2011
I have ordered almost everything off the menu, and I must say... I have yet to go wrong... From the banh mi (I always ask for extra butter!), to the decent pho (for a non-pho place), to the hu tieu xao... Everything was tasty and better than expected for a little banh mi place!
-
Review from Suzanne T.
Coppell, TX
2/25/2012
YUMMY food with a very good menu selection.
-
Review from Tommy T.
Houston, TX
8/18/2011
Deviated from my usual Viet sandwich shop (across the parking lot....rhymes with "Juan's") to try the Viet combination sandwich at Givral.
Givral's viet sandwich is alright - wasn't as filling even though its more expensive.
Short story: Stick with "Juan's" across the parking lot cuz its the best. -
Review from Christopher N.
Houston, TX
9/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dang, kind of impressed.
It's fast, well priced, tasty enough, and employs a cute girl behind the counter.
The "C7" combo is a great buy consisting of a small bowl of pho, a full sized sandwich (banh mi), and a fountain drink (self serve instead of from a can like most Viet places) for $7.45.
Givral is essentially an americanized Vietnamese restaurant run fast food style. Will return. -
Review from Dieu H.
Mt Vernon, NY
9/4/2011
I'm a visitor from New York City and was recommended to get banh mi from this spot by my local cuzn' Han Le; big shout out to you cuzzo. Ight, let me direct. The banh mi combo was kinda dry, could've been just my experience because it was short on pate and cheap on mayonnaise. The grilled pork banh mi was not bad, but suffered from the same dryness and the combo bahn mi. Lastly, I also had the crawfish banh mi, this was really good and did not taste dry at all. BTW, I did eat all 3 banh mi and in the order listed. I'm a glut when it comes to viet food. It will have to take a truly ill prepared dish to make me not complete any viet item. With the local viet population being greater than what I'm used to in NYC I was expecting a helluva lot better quality.
However, in this place's defense, the person taking the order exhibited outstanding customer service. I believe the quality of the bahn mi may have been altered to adjust to the taste buds of non-viets, which although is disappointing to me may actually be good for someone else.
If I ever come back to Houston TX, I don't see a reason to not return to this place. The banh mi is cheap enough for me to use/bring my own mayonnaise if need be. -
Review from Khanh T.
Gulfgate/Pine Valley, Houston, TX
2/5/2012
First off, I came to this place because Yelp's gave it a good rating so I tried. I ordered the Chinese BBQ Pork sandwiches and it was awesome! I had Pho on the side and it was very average, wasn't the best Pho that I had. Beside that, I loved that they had sweet tea which made me a happy customer :) but overall, I still prefer Don's sandwiches which is next door.
-
Review from Peter K.
I was told to go to the Hong Kong City Mall for a banh mi from Alpha Bakery, I never made it that far and found Givral instead. I came here 3 times during my visit to Houston if that's saying anything.
I also managed to introduce my not so adventorous coworker to the world of Vietnamese food, she seemed to enjoy her banh mi (I think).
Each visit I ordered the bbq pork banh mi with a bbq pork spring roll. It might seem silly to order the same thing, but I can't get this kind of food back home, so I load up when I get the chance.
On one visit I also ordered their iced coffee. I've had Vietnamese coffee hundreds of times, but the stuff here was like rocket fuel....super strong. I didn't get much sleep that evening.
Prices here are super cheap, you can get a combo with tax & tip for under $8 bucks. -
Review from Michelle J.
Houston, TX
For my 100th Yelp review, I thought I'd put in a good word for my favorite Banh Mi restaurant in Houston!
They are located in the same shopping center as Don's...but are so much better! So just drive past Don's and behind it you'll find Givral Hoang.
The prices here are comparable to the competition, BUT they accept credit cards which is definitely convenient. They also offer free wifi.
Why is Givral Hoang my favorite? -- They offer the perfect combination of amount of meat and veggies in their sandwiches. All ingredients are fresh, and the French bread they use is crisp on the outside but soft on the inside! I've tried the grilled pork sandwich and the special; both are amazing! For an extra treat, try adding a fried egg on top! In addition to their sandwiches, they've expanded their menu to include other popular Vietnamese dishes (pho, rice dishes, tapioca desserts).
With their buy 5 sandwiches, get the 6th free deal going on...I may have to drop by tomorrow and stock up on my lunches for the week, and you should too! -
Review from K D.
Houston, TX
I have wanted to try this place forever. My son usually want's to hit up Don's. This time I didn't have any cash, so Givral it was.
Why did I wait so long. Sorry Don, but this place has you beat as far as the Banh Mi is concerned.
I ordered a crawfish & catfish Bahn Mi. Son had the chargrilled chicken with no jalapeños. Sandwiches came out nice and hot.
First off, I could bite into the bread. Wasn't hard or stale. Crawfish could of used a bit more seasoning. I lived in the NOLA and North La for a bit. Know what crawfish should taste like. Catfish Bahn Mi was just right.
Son must of liked his because it was gone before I finished off my second one.
Don't let the large menu intimidate you. The ladies taking your orders will be more then happy to help you out. Just be courteous and let the folks behind you go first.
I'm taking $20 with me next time. See how much that will get me.
Oh yeah....they accept credit cards & free WIFI *self high five* -
Review from Kaylin B.
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love banh mi sandwiches and I usually stick to my usual favorite Combo #1 or special combination. I went against what I normally get and ordered the popular Charbroiled bbq pork sandwich. It was good. Imagine a crisp 6 inch loaf of french bread with lots of butter, fresh carrots & cucumber slices, and charbroiled bbq pork. The charbroiled bbq pork was thinly slice and nicely flavored.
This cafe offers free wi-fi, free tea, and plenty of tables to sit at. It also has a lot of options including noodle soup, desserts, sandwiches, etc. I need to try the special combination banh mi first before I compare it to other banh mi places. -
Review from Steven R.
Updated - 6/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
It just gets better. Still the best Banh Mi in Houston, and now they have expanded. Expanded the menu (fried crawfish Banh Mi and more!) and their space. The old space next door has been made into more seating and a front entry.
They also have a new special. It is the #7 special. I was talking with them about how happy I was that they had both excellent Banh Mi and Pho, but that it was too hard to choose which one to get. Well, the next time I came in one of the owners told me that they had a new special. The #7, which includes one Banh Mi and a smaller bowl of Pho. She said they made it for me! How awesome is that??1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/14/2011
This place is responsible for my Banh Mi lust. They were my first. And I have not found a better… Read more »
-
-
Review from Lanimir C.
Houston, TX
10/4/2011
Place is still kinda run down-ish even though they recently renovated and expanded. The restaurant also has a weird not-food smell going on. Not sure what it is.
Nevertheless, great sammiches. Kimchi and Grilled Beef Banh Mi; enough said! -
Review from elizabeth b.
Houston, TX
10/2/2011
Had the c7 (Combo meal including small bowl of pho, full size bahn mi, and a fountain drink.)
Good sandwich! I could almost say I like it better than Don's.. but Don's hands down makes their bahn mi a tad bit better.
Their pho was also great, but I wouldn't say it's the best I've tried. Pho 21 and Pho saigon are better candidates in my opinion for pho. Sandwich wise, their up there.
Overall, it was very good food and I will be returning. -
Review from M G.
Austin, TX
1/1/2012
Cafe Don was closed on NYE. So, we came here. Barbeque pork bahn mi, soup and Vietnamese cream coffee, served hot. Yum. Wish we had more time in Houston to explore other Vietnamese restaurants there.
-
Review from Lonny Y.
7/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
FINALLY came here!
It's really hard to tear myself away from Don's banh mi, but I was wanting something a bit more. So, we decided to give Givral a chance.
I'm glad we did. I got Bun thit nuong and David got the Rock n Roll Beef.
Mine was good, it's hard to mess this up - I suppose with the meat and fish sauce you could. But, the pork was tender and flavorful and fish sauce was decent. The egg rolls it came with were also nice and crispy.
David got his beef with the tomato rice, pretty good - the beef was too.
We also got a plantain egg roll thing. Not sure what it's called, but they heated it up for us. Nice end to our meal.
Definitely a good alternative to Don's when I'm craving something other than banh mi! -
Review from Ellen C.
2/6/2011
I had an overwhelming hankering for tofu banh mi, which I mostly blame Yelp for - yeah you guys and gals always raving about them when I never had much interests in them before!
I stopped by Givral Hoang right around noon and geeze does this place get crowded! I've been going to Chinatown since I was a wee little bit and maybe it's always been this way and I've been oblivious, but kind of amazing to see all kinds of people crowded in a modest little restaurant in the former Diho shopping center (R.I.P. Diho, I miss you!). I noticed mostly younger professional-esque types on their lunch breaks - many of them in close congregations. I'm assuming the inexpensive prices and more-than-decent portions have drawn in the affections of people near (and possibly far?).
I ordered my food to go, from the nearly harried cashier (she kept her cool, but I could see a bit of exasperation in her eyes). I had to be a pain in the butt and order tofu spring rolls - which apparently they don't have pre-made so that held up my order way longer than it should have. But I was in good company with half a dozen or so people lingering by the pick-up window at any given moment.
Upon receipt and thoughtful tasting of the sandwich and spring rolls - they weren't too bad at all. Rather delicious, actually. But truth be told, the bread tasted a little less than fresh and the fillings were more meager than I was used to. Still a satisfying meal and everything was as I ordered (no mayo).
I'll probably stop by here again if ever I get another mysterious hankering for banh mi, but I think I do prefer the Midtown Les Givrals way more.Listed in: Houston - Vegan and Vegetarian
-
Review from Patty C.
They get bumped down a star. I can't ignore my disappointment with about a quarter of the times I have been here. I caution getting the pho. The one that was served to me had bright yellow fat trim on the steak, meaning it was meat from an older cow past its ideal slaughter age.
Regarding the banh mi, one time I asked for extra carrots, and I noticed they nearly halved the portion of meat that is usually included. Ugh. How about just charging me a few extra cents instead of skimping on the meat? The last time I got the BBQ pork banh mi to go, the pork was burned around the edges, and you could definitely taste it. I would have asked for a refund, but I was already halfway across town. Don't get me wrong, they still have some of my favorite banh mi, but without consistency, I've been left with one too many bad experiences.
Also, the place looks clean at first, but on closer inspection, it could use a good wash-down. The soup spoon holder at the table I was sitting at had bits of trash and food on the bottom. Yuck.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/21/2011
I've tried several varieties of their banh mi, and I have tried their noodle soup and pho.… Read more »
-
-
Review from Diana D.
12/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
this is my mom's go-to banh mi spot since forever. however, i didn't know they updated and renovated this place into a huge, lounge type cafe. it looks so weird!! i'm so accustomed to dirty, stanky, hole in the wall givral!
ever since Jusgo supermarket opened up, diho square has been totally crowded again, which is a good thing because this plaza was slowly dying as all the new shopping strips on bellaire have cropped up. diho holds a special place in my heart bc i remember going here every weekend as a little kid a million years ago.
anyway, back to the banh mi. i came on a non-busy sunday afternoon for 1 banh mi only: banh mix xa siu (pork meat ball). i went up the cash register and ordered but it took over 10 min to make 1 freakin banh mi. there were literally like 3 other customers in the building and no one else had ordered ahead of me. seriously, they are slow and or lazy back there. for $3, i guess i can't expect much.
anyway, my banh mi was just aight. i'm a banh mi snob. maybe i ordered the wrong thing since they are known for their banh mi thit nuong (grilled pork), but weirdly, givral wants to change their name to B11 or something like that bc they don't wanna confuse customers with the downtown givral. don't mess with a good name, givral. unless you're getting sued, just keep the name givral. -
Review from Chris C.
7/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
No longer a hole in the wall! They've expanded into a bigger hole in the wall next door!
Actually, that place had been deserted for quite some time, as it used to be the place for Big Ten Cafeteria way back when. I'm surprised at how they transformed it. But I guess I miss the orange benches of the old store.
The combos aren't really worth it. Stick straight to ordering two banh mi's for the same price.
They now have tapioca, but whatever. Just get the Vietnamese coffee instead.
