Banh Mi & Che Cali Bakery
Categories: Bakeries, Vietnamese, Sandwiches [Edit]
8948 Bolsa AveWestminster, CA 92683 (714) 897-3927
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
34 Reviews for Banh Mi & Che Cali Bakery
I don't come into BMCCB expecting anything..I'm there for one reason and that is for their che.
I've had sandwiches here and they are on the same level as Lee's which speaks low volume.
You need to make yourself be known in this place or you'll get lost in the dust along with the other people.
I walk straight up to the counter and not let people cut me off..order my usual 10 che..pay for it and I'm out of there.
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Wow, great recommendations yelpers! =)
I have nothing to add but 5 stars. I'd read other's comments bc I'd just be redundant.
I LOVE this place! There are soo many stuff to try & eat..cheap eats that is. You won't break your bank account here. Their sandwiches are GREAT BuY 2 GeT 1 FrEE! =) Yummy too! Better than Lee's Sandwiches! And their little food to go dishes are awesome too@ =) Don't forget the desserts & the breads & the cakes & the sugar cane drink! =)
Love it! Fast and delicious.
All I got to say is....F@cK Lee's Sandwiches -- this place is awesome.
C'mon. Buy 2 get 1 free? The meats are great (and they load up your sandwich with it) and the bread is delicious. You're really getting a bargain here for quality food. Please don't let Lee's rip you off.
4 stars for me..I had to knock off a star for the fly I saw buzzing around the che!
I have no patience what so ever. Literally, none. Of all people, if I am willing to wait in a tiny, crowded store to pay for my food, then you know it has to be worth it.
The pate chaud is flakey. The baguettes have just the right amount of chewiness. And the che is sweetened just right.
I'm not sure on the prices of everything, but I swear everything is like $0.01. Okay, maybe not that cheap, but I doubt most of the items are more than $1.00.
Only 4 stars cause I don't appreciate being stepped on by other customers, which happens almost every time I come here. But what can you do, this is Westminster of all places and I still love my peoples ;)
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Everytime I go here I'm always amazed at how little I've spent for so much good, fresh food. Their french baguettes are the best, they have a wonderful selection of vietnamese desserts (che) and on top of that they sell pate chaud (a delicous pastry filled with minced meat filling, fresh egg rolls, sweet cakes of all sorts, chips, exotic Asian drinks and the list goes on and on.
Sometimes I just come here for the bread and have a simple meal of delicous fresh baked french bread with butter and pate. mmmMMM good!
Buy 2 get 1 free. What a bargain at $2.25 a banh mi (sandwich)! The #1 (combo) is pretty good but I especially like their BBQ pork sandwich. The spring rolls are just OK. Be prepared for large crowds and chaos when you come here.
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I've been going to this place (lovingly termed "the jungle" by one of my friends) for my Vietnamese sandwiches for the past 10 years. In fact, one of my fondest memories is of me coming here with my Chinese in-laws and trying to impress them by ordering for them in my broken Vietnamese (I am Vietnamese but was born in California so my Vietnamese is about as good as my Spanish). After I had proudly displayed my Vietnamese-speaking skills, the lady behind the counter looked at me quizzically and replied in broken English, "You speak englix- too hard understan your vit-na-mee."
So now I am finally saying good-bye to the jungle...
No more being pushed aside by innocent-looking, but very aggressive old Vietnamese ladies waving their money in the air, vying for the cashier's attention...
No more ordering sandwiches which are mostly bread with just a little bit of meat...
No more getting the wrong order because the lady behind the counter couldn't understand my Vietnamese....
These sandwiches used to be $1.50, but were raised in price to $1.75 sometime last year. For an extra 50 cents, I'd rather head down the street to Top Baguette and order their sandwiches which taste better anyways (Granted, though, the sandwiches here are buy 2 get 1 free, which is not the case at Top Baguette).
The only reason I'm giving them 2 stars instead of one is because I still love their che.
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The cheap and delicious food is to die for, but the crowd and the empolyees are not very pleasant. I am not one to just scream my order out from the back of the line, but people do do this. The employees look and act like they would rather have a papercut in the eyes and lemon juice poured in, but I guess I get over it since the food is good and inexpensive....
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I like Vietnamese french bread better than regular french bread because it is extremely soft. This place does a good job and they only charge $0.75 for a 2 foot long baguette.
HORRIBLE SERVICE.
good food.
good price.
:)
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OK. So after a little confusion, I actually DID eat a bahn mi from this joint. When you write a review, it helps if you know the EXACT address! I can't imagine how hard it is trying to find a review for a specific pho restaurant in Garden Grove w/ out knowing the exact address.
I strolled up as they were closing and cleaning up, so the women working seemed a little preoccupied. I caught a glimpse of their desert trays as they were tucking them away and they all looked very interesting. No idea what any of them were, but I'd try them all. I'm a brave little cracker!
I bought 2 BBQ pork bahn mi and got one free for under $5. Very good deal. Like I said, they were closing up, so maybe I received an older loaf. One of the sandwiches was kinda dry, but the others were excellent, even better the next day. Seems like they put on a bit more meat than other places. The meat was a bit fatty, but still really good! I'd totally come back here, and they give Saigon Bakery (my current favorite bahn mi) a run for their money.
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So good...so cheap. I can't see where one can go wrong here.
They have a buy 2 get 1 free special for both the sandwiches and the che, top it off with the fact that their sandwiches are already dirt cheap, and you have a lot of very good food for very little money spent. Every sandwich they have on the menu is great. I like the banh mi dac biet (whole mess of cold meats) and the bbq pork and the meatballs. You can also request the pickles/peppers to be bagged separately if you don't like them.
The bread is freshly baked from their own oven. The baguettes leaves a bit to be desired, but they're not an authentic French bakery, so what did you expect?
They also sell the pate spread and the butter individually ($2 for a 8 ounce tub), and I get those pretty often to eat with plain bread (which they also sell 4 for $1). Yum.
The spring rolls are delicious (love the dipping sauce so much). The pate chaud aren't as good as they used to be (but then, you can't get good pate chaud anywhere these days D:) The pastries are greasy and tasty. The che is delicious; can't go wrong with any of their selection. I especially like the banana one and the plain white doughballs with yellow beans inside, and the one with palm nuts and the green one with the red stuff....lol. You really can't go wrong with any of their desserts.
The organization of the place can be hectic and confusing though, if you're not a Vietnamese speaker, and even if you are. It's usually very crowded here, and it's hard to pick out your order sometimes. Be prepared to wait a good while for your order during busy hours.
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First of all if you're looking for banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) I'm not the best person to ask because I don't particular like the Vietnamese style bread (not chewy but rather, more crusty). However, what makes a sandwich is more than just bread. There is the filling to take into consideration. I prefer all the Vietnamese style fillings like BBQ pork or grilled beef etc. If you like pate, this adds a depth to the sandwich.
However, my ONLY reason for coming here is for their desserts. HOLY SHIT, they have quite a selection and if you're unfamiliar, you'll be standing there for quite a while deciding which one you should sample on that particular visit.
Our favs include the black eyed peas with sticky rice, the corn with sticky rice and anything with taro in it. It's so damn reasonable! I think both sandwiches AND desserts are buy 2 get one free (I might be wrong).
UPDATED 03-26-2008: Came here this time and besides getting the che, we also got freshly squeezed sugar cane juice. It was 2 bucks a pop but so worth it. You won't be able to find this outside of Asian areas.
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Everyone loves this place, and it seems to be the consensus pick for "great cheapo banh mi for people who have outgrown Lee's Sandwiches and want the real stuff".
The banh mi are all great, and the multi-sandwich specials are INSANELY cheap. All the basics (BBQ pork, chicken, meatballs) are done very well, with just the right amount of homemade mayo, cilantro, jalapeno, carrots and onions.
My favorite, however, is the sardine sandwich, which has some real kick to it, isn't held back by any mayo-on-fish nonsense, and goes straight for some fishy, fiery deliciousness in a crunchy bun. I could eat all 3 in the buy 2 get 1 free deal, no problem.
Another thing often overlooked by those looking for banh mi or the gloopy che dessert is that this place is a BAKERY, and the baked goods are awesome. A dollar for a bag of the best madeleines I've had other than homemade, spongy and sweet and destined for Proust territory. A dollar for three sesame-covered balls of dough wrapped around some sweet white paste I can't get enough of. And of course the $1 baguettes are just as good as they are in the sandwiches.
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A chaotic & crowded bakery in a small hole in the wall at one of many generic strip malls in "Little" Saigon. 4 stars for $1.75 banh mi, which I unfortunately did not have room for in my stomach. I'm not sure I could have navigated that "line" anyway. It was worse than a bar queue at last call. I did try the buttery goodness in the fresh 75 cent baguettes though.
We need more of these in NorCal!
I love all their different Vietnamese sweets that they serve there and their rolls keep my family and I coming back. It's fragrant buttery scent always convince to eat more than one. I'm not a big fan of their banh mi sandwiches though. I always thought that they were lacking enough pate for my taste. It's a good place for a bargain hunter, because they have the 4 for the price of 3 special all the time.
The extra star is for the affordableness. I got 4 meals for $6. I can't complain. The Banh Mi is decent. I wouldn't say it's the best. It's buy 2 get 1 for $2/each. This location is also open 24 hours. Reliable and there for late night cravings.
Let's just say that it's good enough that my Lebanese friend from Africa goes and visits "grandma" often. He's learned some Vietnamese because she doesn't understand what he wants.
This is a take out place, not a restaurant. Best baguette in town. Excellent Vietnamese sandwiches. Good Vietnamese desserts. Inexpensive.
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Had I not been looking for this place, I would have easily drove by the plaza and missed it. But I'm glad I found it.
After getting tired of eating Lee's Sandwiches--the one at the University Center whose baguettes are so hard they'll slash the roof of your mouth *ouch*, Westminster was the place to go. To avoid the noon crowd, I went at the earlier time of 10:30 to ensure I'd get my banh mi. At the price of $1.75 and buy 2 get 1 free, who could go wrong with that. The Chicken and Pork were my choices and they were both filled with an abundance of meat and the veggies. Their bread seemed very fresh and didn't taste rock-hard either!
As for the desserts--che, I didn't know what I was ordering. I saw what the lady in front of me was ordering for her little daughter and followed. Everything seems to have coconut milk in it or to go with it, but it adds a nice flavor. The desserts aren't too sweet but have a pleasing taste to the palate. So it turns out, I got some green "worm" looking chewy things (accompanied with light coconut milk), some chewy tapioca balls (each half the size of my fist) with mung bean filling inside *yum*, and a sticky rice that also has coconut milk with it--reminds me of rice pudding. I greatly enjoyed them all and it didn't cost much either. Perfect for a college student's budget.
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buy 2 get 1 free... not a bad deal
Good food... Good Vietnamese Iced Coffee...
Watch out for the little Vietnamese women when you're trying to pay....they're aggressive!
Tried out their sandwiches after reading all the great reviews. But was very disappointed. We've gotten the BBQ Beef, BBQ Pork and a Combination Sandwich. The BBQ Beef was drowned with BBQ sauce, which made the bread mushy, then the beef itself, tasted like processed meat. The BBQ pork was very fatty and the Combo Sandwich had again two kinds of processed meats in it. The bread were dry and hard.
The place was chaotic, no one would stand in line for their orders. People just pushed their way through the crowd, and yelled out in Vietnamese with their money in hand....so, if you're a non-Vietnamese speaking person, try to avoid the peak lunch hours, otherwise you'll have a difficult time getting your food...just like I did.
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Excellent bread and desserts, very good sandwiches. A word to those who are not familiar with Vietnamese sandwiches:
Chicken is always going to be dark meat.
Combo sanwiches include processed meat
BBQ pork is made from less lean cuts
The above is true in all real Vietnamese sandwich places. This is no different. Change your expectations, and appreciate the exemplary baked goods and very good sandwiches.
Street food and sandwiches. That's all you've gotta know about this place. There's TONS of it. Probably one of the best quick stops in Little Saigon --- for quality grubbing. I really can't stand LEE's Sandwiches --- they're the Mickey D's of VietNamese food. SO... for the real deal --- get the "banh mi thit nguoi dac biet." Better yet --- make sure you put in an order for "banh cuon nhan thit." There... figure it out, by trying it out!
All i can say is...forget about Lee's Sandwiches! just come here for the bread alone. They have some of the best french bread loafs around! you can smell the fresh baked breads from a block away. it's mesmerizing.
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Great spot to grab sandwiches and Vietnamese desserts. It's super cheap and always freakin crowded! It's a winner!
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Love love this place!! Everytime I go to the O.C. I have to stop here. Lee's sandwiches are alright but the bread is so hard it cuts the roof of your mouth. This place is better because it's "mom and pop outfit." Also much cheaper. Major lines always. Home of the "buy two baguettes get one free." They also have smiliar deals on all the pastries and desert you can get there. The barbeque pork sandwich is my favorite. Ask them to hold the jalepeno/ chinese peppers on your sandwich if you don't like it that spicy.
My favorite che is the sweet corn. What is che? The desserts are sort of like porridges with various flavors and ingredients. They can include trpoical fruits, mung bean, gelatin and coconut cream. You have to try the meat filled pastries as well and sweet buns ( bao). They are to die for. Also don't overlook the desserts in the refrigerator case. They have ( umm can't remember the name right now uugh) something that's flan like or try the coffee flavored gelatin desert with green stripes. The che is great but no one has mentioned their cream puffs, simple but good. They almost taste just like the ones I make at home from a french recipe I have. You can order small or big sized puffs. It's also nice to wash everything down with single serving soy drink made from a company who uses the traditonal Asian method of pressing water from the soy beans to make juice. (Unlike the undigestable soy drinks Americans make, where they grind up soybeans into powder and toss in some water.
It can be hard getting a sandwich when there are so many customers pushing, especially when you don't speak Vietnamese, but it's worth it. A number pulling system would be nice but that would take all the character out of the place. It's fun to wonder if you'll ever see the food you asked for. It can looks a somewhat interesting from the outside. It's part of the dirtty strip mall next to the Vietnamese market. You may see a harmless old Vietnam vet begging outside asking for money or food.
Remember it's all to go, no place to eat on the spot. Perhaps you could head to the Mile Square Park or to the beach and have a picnic. Or, take a couple sandwiches home and put them in the oven for a bit, to get em toasty again. Pretty much everything I've tried is great in this place. I could go on and on. I'm crying as I write this because it's even farther from me now that I moved to the valley. Bring Cash. Isn't that a given?
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Sometimes, the best place for food doesn't have wine lists and mid-meal silverware changes; instead, they make you feel like you are in an entirely different land by its sights, sounds, and smells. Banh Mi & Che Cali, while a mouthful for those unfamiliar with Vietnamese cuisine, is a straightforward name for a straightforward joint that sells Vietnamese sandwiches (banh mi) and desserts (che).
We went on a hot, hot day when the line was out the door; we knew it was a good sign when everyone in said line was Vietnamese. Along the long wall, about 20 vats hold different kinds of desserts; you just point and they will pack it for you in a half-pint plastic tub. Everything is cheap so be adventurous--even if blackeyed peas or corn in tapioca goo seems weird for dessert, try it out and see if you like. (I love them!) We had a plastic bag filled til bursting with little tubs of dessert and it was only $8. There is also a carelessly piled mountain of little custard-filled creampuffs which are $3 per dozen.
On the back wall, there are big posters for banh mi indicating the various permutations of meats as filling. They were "buy 2 get one free" meaning you get three sandwiches for $2.50--for less than the price of a gallon of gas, you can buy lunch for you and two friends!! Unfortunately, I was too full to try the banh mi, but judging from the way the sandwich counter was mobbed, I can only guess that they are doing something right.
While I am not particularly religious, I must declare that Banh Mi & Che Cali is *the* place where anyone can perform a miracle akin to the story of loaves and fishes--for a few bucks, you can easily treat yourself and a group of friends to a feast of Vietnamese sandwiches and sweets. In this economy, it's quite miraculous when you don't have to hesitate before saying, "Don't worry, this is on me!"
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Was around Little Saigon, and needed to find something quick and low fat such as a Vietnamese Sandwich. I just happened to turn into the right place, when I had no idea what I was going into. The sign on the menu said buy 2 get 1 free. Well, what the heck, I usually eat two Vietnamese sandwiches anyway with no guilt about calories. Oh, man, their bread was soft and yummy with no starchy after taste. The fillings were not exciting but the soft, fresh baguette was the softest for me. There was no raunchy, stenchy pate to deal with, either.
my friends are deadlocked on which shop is better - banh mi che cali or top baguette. no matter the argument, we couldn't sway the vote. - it's like you say potayto and i say potahto.
i'm a top baguette fan b/c they have the crusty bread. top baguette also makes fried egg banh mi which BMCC doesn't.
BMCC however is where i'd go for soft bread banh mi. in fact, if i had the time and had to bring sandwiches to a party, i'd go to both shops to make everyone happy.
BMCC does everything right 1) they're cheap 2) authentic 3)generous 4) all the great side drinks 5) and they make homemade mayo that adds a unique touch.
now if they can do something about the litter in the parking lot....
I think the bread at Banh Mi Cho Cu is better than Che Cali's, probably the best I've had overall, but I still think Che Cali has my favorite banh mi because they are cheaper and more filling and just plain good.
This is the best location in the chain (imho).
Ah yes, of course they have a good selection of che. However, for che I've been going to that Hien Khanh place down Bolsa, I think off Bushard.
I've only been in orange county for about two years now and don't get out much to the westminster/fountain valley area. Originally from San Francisco and accustomed to the "traditional" vietnamese sandwiches found there, I was a bit disappointed when I first went to Lee's. After making some friends down here I ran into what's called Banh Mi Cali. This, to me, is as close as it gets to what I had in SF. Definitely check it out if you're lookin for some authenticity.
Btw - it's cheap as hell too :P
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so i was craving for che and i was on my little adventure to go get pho and so i stopped by the plaza on the corner of bolsa and magnolia i had to choose between banh mi che cali or van's bakery which is one of my moms personal favorites so i chose cali just because there was a longer line meaning better quality right? so i wander in and the line in there is soooo confusing i was apparently standing at the other end of the line haha. so finally a lady was like the lines over here so then i wait and she is literally buying all the differnet types of che i swear. then i proceed on to ask her how much they are she was like their buy 2 get one free and one is like only a dollar . so i of course buy two get my one free. so i chose the che chuoi one of my daddies favorites and is now my favorite just because the bananas have a tang to it (: the other one i bought had khoia mon because i basically love taros mmmm yum and the other one was the one with yams and potatoes i guess and jelly in it i dont kno the name of it but i like coconut milk so yea ive only tried the khoia mon one and dissapointingly it wasnt as good as i anticipated it to be. so better luck next time i guess . i did also buy the banh cuon with cha lua and the nem nuong spring rolls that i have yet to stilll try so yes. wonderfull che adventure. i honestly liked the lee's che better we'll see about the other ones
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