Friday, September 22, 2006

Banh Mi in San Francisco

Our passion for banh mi is no secret. As our blog profile proclaims we look for this delicious Vietnamese sandwich everywhere we go. Aside from our favorite local shops in NYC (Saigon Banh Mi, and Hanco's), our global search has led us to sample them in Seattle and Portland as well as in Hanoi and Vientianne (Laos). Most recently on a trip to Yosemite and San Francisco, we had the opportunity to add a new favorite to our list. Hiroko's usual exhaustive research led us to the consensus choice for best banh mi among San Francisco's eating enthusiasts...Saigon Sandwich. So, of course, we had to try it.

The shop, located on Larkin street in Mission, is small and simple. When we got there, no line was formed and only one man was eating his banh mi at a, make that THE small counter, in the front window. The proprietor, sweeping the floor, without missing a broomstroke, took our order for the special banh mi, i.e. doc viet.

Without a doubt this is the best we have eaten so far. Yes, even better than the hallowed Saigon Banh Mi on Mott Street, we thought. With a generous amount of the tasty mix of pate, grilled seasoned pork, pickled carrot and daikon, cilantro, and price was $2.75! While we were savoring the sandwich, the line grew longer and longer. We seemed to got there just in time!

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