Sandwiches are delicious, with soft, fresh bread. I always buy from this place because their sandwiches are meaty, unlike many competitors that skimp on protein. The veggies are served on the side, which I actually prefer since it keeps the bread from getting soggy. Pro tip: pop the sandwich in the microwave for about 20 seconds to warm the bread slightly, it takes it to another level. I usually take advantage of their 5-get-1-free deal. Their chả giò are also excellent, crispy, flavorful, and conveniently offered with the same 5-get-1-free deal. Service is quick and efficient. Prices have gone up a bit, but unfortunately that seems to be the case everywhere these days, not just here. Overall, still a go-to spot for quality sandwiches. read more

They have variety of vietnamese bánh mì related food in their store that you can buy separately if you want to make your own bánh mì at home. Their bánh mì is good, but didn't really like their paté, a little drier than my liking. Their bánh mì got spoiled only 1 day after I bought it, compared to Bánh Mì DC, I like paté there better. read more

Great Vietnamese ice coffee for $6. They also provide authentic food and grocery items

My fav go to place for banhmi sandwiches. Also they have my pink jello dessert/drink that's been hard to find these days. Grilled pork! The egg rolls are nice and crispy too. But wish it came with a sauce. read more

Ba Le is a spot i've been going to for years now and since I was a kid so I've seen the store go through all their changes from when they used to serve fresh hot meals for dine in to now. My review is solely for the banh mi itself. Their banh mi has improved from how I remember. I ordered the banh mi dac biet combination to eat for the day and meatball to enjoy the next day. Sandwiches are loaded. I asked for veggies on the side and they gave me plenty. When assembled, the sandwich looks fantastic. Bread was still crisp when I brought it home (issue with some other banh mi spots). As for my sandwich saved for the next day, the extra oven toast made the sandwich taste even better. I know many will choose popular competitors but I want to put it out there that their sandwiches have improved here and you might like it trying it again. read more

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Took another chance to order their banh mi and it is now FILLED with stuffing. Loves it!!! read more

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Going to update my review to 4 stars for this Viet deli. This place is packed in the early to late morning hours, everyone knows to come here for the bread and sandwiches. The workers are really nice and friendly....the banh xeo now comes made to order, which made it taste even better...will try their coffee next time! read more

Unfortunately most of my photos did not save properly, but I still have a photo of the Che! I first tried Ba Le in Boston around 2019 and it was my all time favorite banh mi spot. The flavor has always been consistent and fresh. In this location the banh mi is just as good. This location also had the pork buns which were VERY good. I highly reccomend them. I bought one, and after eating it, I bought 2 more super flakey and flavorful. Summer rolls were really tasty as well and love the snack and dessert options available like the shrimp rice cake. I highly reccomend this place read more

Ba Le Friends Bakery - Che - Bakeries Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

My new favorite go-to spot for authentic and delicious banh mi! The bread is perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside...just as it should be. The ingredients were fresh and the combination of pickled veggies, flavorful meats, and house-made pâté was tasty and delicious! There are many prepared items ready for grab-and-go if you are in a rush. The place is very clean and the service was fast and friendly. Parking was readily available as it is shared with the surrounding businesses within the center. We will be back! Enjoy! read more

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I used to visit this place frequently as a teenager and young adult for their affordable, filling banh mi sandwiches. They were reasonably priced, often with a promo like "buy 5, get 1 free," and one sandwich was more than enough to fill me up. Wanting to relive that nostalgic feeling, I recently stopped by again. As I was ordering, I noticed the prices had gone up, which I figured was understandable given the rise in food prices and inflation. However, I was expecting the same quality and size that I remembered. For the six sandwiches, including the free one, the total came to $56.02. Unfortunately, when I got home, I was really disappointed. First, the vegetables (pickled cabbage, jalapeños, cilantro, and cucumbers) were included inside the sandwiches, whereas in the past, they were placed in a separate plastic bag to avoid sogginess and preserve the freshness of the sandwich. Including the toppings inside made the sandwich soggy, and on top of that, the size of the sandwiches was drastically smaller. They were incredibly thin--literally the width of two fingers (and no, I don't have fat fingers). The only reason I'm not giving this review one star is that the sandwiches still tasted decent. But it's really unfortunate that they've shrunk the sandwiches so much while charging premium prices. I'm highly disappointed and won't be coming back. read more

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The Banh cuon- I am in heaven. I wish this was closer to my house! I wish there was a place to eat inside

I always skip this place in favor of DC Sandwich, and only went in today because there was a bunch of road blockage on Graham Road, and I couldn't be bothered to wait. I feel like giving three stars is even a bit generous. If you've had good bahn mi, you can't ever go back to substandard bahn mi. It seemed lazy. All meat to one side, not very tasty, and seemed totally incorrect, bread was all soft, kind of underdressed. Mom told me to give it a try, but I should have trusted my own gut. I'm sure I must have been here before, otherwise I wouldn't be so adamant about not going in. Better options out there. read more

This small Vietnamese establishment offers freshly made banh mi sandwiches, baked goods like pork puffs, homemade Vietnamese hams, packaged snacks, beef jerkies, Vietnamese cookies, bubble teas, and an assortment of other snacks and beverages. read more

Ba Le Friends Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

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Bought 5 specials this morning at 9:30am. Asked for separate veggie. Got home and again - another disappointment- cilantro is filthy - un-washed /rotten. Same thing with jalapeños. So bad - came all the way from Manassas. Last time the meat is very old. This time veggie is dirty/not healthy. Very bad quality. read more

Stopped by to grab some bahn mi and they were fantastic! There's no indoor seating here but there are a couple of tables and chairs outside for those that want to stay and eat. The bread here is absolutely amazing!! They only specialize in bahn Mi's however they do have some yummy desserts and prep packed food you can also buy! There's also some snacks for sale as well. I wish there was more meat inside the sandwich -- which is my only con. Service was nice and the cashier was very nice read more

We were driving by and haven't been in a few years so we decided to stop by and grab a couple of Bahn Mi. The service is still friendly but the inside is very different compared to the last time I was here. A lot less indoor seating. We ordered roast pork and bbq pork Bahn Mi. They both came out in about 5-10 minutes. Still a good amount of food. There was no skimping on the meat and vegetables, good flavor, and the bread was nice and crispy. We also grabbed some pork summer rolls from the warmer which were huge too. A little disappointed that they no longer stay open late but its understandable. Not the absolute best around but still a very solid Bahn Mi option. read more

It's been more than 5 years since I last dropped by Ba Le. It used to be my favorite Vietnamese sandwich shop when I lived in Northern VA. I remember when they used to serve soups - the Bun Rieu, Pho, etc but I've heard they don't serve soups anymore. But lucky gif me, thanks to Amanda P. who was so gracious to buy some banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) for me when she visited Northern VA. I ordered 5 sandwiches and they give you one free! I ordered the banh mi Dac Biet (special) which has pate, head cheese, ham. The sandwiches come with cilantro, cucumber, pickled carrots and radish, green peppers which you can request to have on the side. The sandwiches were delicious as I remember them. read more

Ba Le Friends Bakery - Banh mi Dac Biet/ Vietnamese special sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

This is the spot to go to! Their banh mi is super good! What makes it stand out to me is their bread is just the right soft to crunch ratio. The portion is also reasonable and priced fair for what you get in comparison to other banh mi spots in the area. They also have great to go options that I really like and to go desserts that are refrigerated and fresh. Their pate au chaud is ok, maybe get it when it's fresh in the mornings, I don't recommend it late in the afternoon or evening. Also their chicken leg quarters they sell $3.50/piece or $3/10 which is a very good deal and it's not dry it's great flavor not over greasy or salty. Come try it here they also have smoothies and flavored teas come in one size only. They don't charge extra if you use a card. read more

Best bread in the world! People are lined up to buy it for holidays and parties, people stop and load up on that bread. And I'm no exception - when I'm there, I pick up some of their great treats, too. I recommend the shrimp chips that they sell. Excellent shop, excellent value! read more

This place really fell off. It was our go-to late night spot after the club. They had everything from Banh Mi to hot plates of Vietnamese deliciousness. They are no longer 24 hrs (thanks to the pandemic and Asians gangsters always fighting outside their establishment). I came in randomly after many years and ordered the Vietnamese pork chop over rice. My meat was like tires. The egg over cooked. I also ordered a smoothie that usually comes with boba and guess what? No boba. None of the original Vietnamese staff were running around at the counter. All Non-Asian staff (nothing wrong with that, but you can tell the owner doesn't seem to care anymore). Totally sad by what I experienced because Ba Le was truly the OG Vietnamese spot. I hope this location closes down and someone else re-opens this chain to its former glory. read more

Been coming here for 10+ years I feel like I've been to the bottom and back with this place. Remodeling, new ownership, staff changes, removal of soups, cutting out the 24hr and now we are here. - Banh mi still banging - try out the meatball version - Avocado bubble tea - still creamy and smooth (top 3 on nova) / try the durian one too! - They expanded the lunch menu for quick pick up items - boosted their outdoor seating and indoor again now Covid is tapered down - staff is pretty regular and Edwin is a cool guy read more

Ba Le was the only place opened around 9pm around this area. That's pretty awesome for last minute deli food. I ordered 2 bánh mì special and asked for the vegetable on the side. I trust that they put it in. Got to the airport, open the bag and they forgot the vegetables ... for $8 a bánh mì. This was a failed. read more

Ba Le Friends Bakery - Bánh mì - Bakeries Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

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Budget friendly and delicious Bhan mi. It's also a shop that sells snacks. Outdoor and indoor dining.

I've been sleeping on Ba Le because frankly I think there are better banh mi and deli shops in the Falls Church area. That being said I have to give them a little shout out for their prepared food section! We got a grilled pork vermicelli platters, a banh xeo, and a huge styrofoam package of freshly made banh cuon to feed my family and it barely made a dent in our pockets! It's not the best, but it was tasty and enjoyed by all! Will have to give them a try again soon for some banh mi :) read more

Came back again for some other packaged goodies to go... and still a huge fan! For alittle over $20, I picked up a shrimp banh xeo (Vietnamese omlette) that came with all the fixin's (basil, cilantro, lettuce) and a tray of 10 banh couns (Vietnamese rice crepes) with meat. Those who don't know, Vietnamese food is both delicious and a prettttty cheap way to get full. A bowl of pho still sits around what? $10? I was alittle worried about reheating the banh xeo, but there's nothing an air fryer can't fix. I put it in the air fryer for ~3 mins and it was hot, crispy and sizzling, as if you were sitting in the kitchen frying 'em up with your bà ngoại. Yes, I am one of those crazy air fryer ladies. Again, there's a reason why the entire dmv heads to Ba Le. read more

Got this today, very good, highly recommended. Meatball sub was perfect. Service is fast and it was super busy, lots of variety to choose from read more

Ba Le Friends Bakery - Meatball sub - Bakeries Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

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Great place for buns and grilled chicken legs. My to go place every time I want Vietnam style sandwiches. read more

Ba Le Friends Bakery - Grilled Pork Bao Buns, herbal dessert, chicken leg - Bakeries Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

Great Bahmi sandwiches, especially their combo! First time back in VA after several years and I'm glad to have gotten it again.

Great food, friendly service and clean store. Always looking forward to coming here and getting their Banh mi. Best Banh mi with top notch fresh toppings I have had from the DMV area! Highly recommended! read more

Ba Le Friends Bakery - Shaking beef Banh mi - Bakeries Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

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Don't let these old and bad reviews discourage you from checking out this place!! TIP- they dont sell soups anymore..maybe due to renovations or the owners choice, im not sure.. ANYWAY- The owner is very nice and sweet and the staff is efficiently trained and can answer all your concerns or questions (as well as being very professional and nice). OH! they also have sweet deals too- 1. Banh Mi - Buy 5 get 1 free 2. Cha Hue and Cha Chien - Buy 3 for $10 (orig $4/each- Mix and Match) 3. Cha Lua or Cha Tieu- $10 or 3 for $25 4. Chicken Thigh - $3 each - Buy 3 get 1 extra free 5. Cha Gio/Eggrolls - $1.50 each - Buy 5 get 1 free 6. Banh Bao and Pate Chaud $2.50 each or Buy 5 get 1 extra free (Mix and Match) They have a large variety of different Vietnamese food ranging from banh mi (ofcourse) - to banh cuon (stuffed rice cakes) - grab and go rice or noodle dishes - eggrolls - chicken thighs - goi cuon (spring rolls) - ...seriously the list goes on. The great thing too is they dont toast the bread if you get it with the veggies on the side (to eat later) because then the bread doesnt harden. They have lots of drink options too which is nice, and customizable as well. (If you're coming before 4pm ask Tai to make your drinks- his always taste the best and he's always more than willing to remake it for free if you dislike it)! PS- seems like they're adding gelato/ice cream and french pastries soon from the scene of renovations. It'll be a great add to their French home theme! read more

+Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches are legit. +Dessert drinks are great! We always try to get an exotic fruit shake, such as Jack Fruit or Durian. +Open 24 hours. +Next to the greatest pho shop in Northern VA, so you can always pick up a few Vietnamese subs to-go for later; hitting 2 spots for 1 visit. -Prices have significantly gone up over the years. -The cleanliness and ventilation can be better. read more

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My first time trying this restaurant, I ordered via food delivery service, so I've never been to the establishment. Got veggie banh mi and I already want another! read more

Ba Le Friends Bakery - Empty food wrapping = satisfied customer - Bakeries Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

The Ba Le is located at the end of the strip mall. The menu offers an array of banh mi sandwiches, drinks, as well as prepackaged food and snacks like banh xeo, banh cuon, and beef jerky. I was craving banh mi, so I took advantage of the buy 5 get 1 free deal. I bought the #1 (Ba Le Special) and #8 (Grilled Pork) to go. The cashier was friendly and also asked if I had any peanut allergy. I was happy he asked because I otherwise wouldn't have known they put them in the #8, as it's not listed on the menu. I also tried the Thai iced tea. My order was ready in a short amount of time. They separated the veggies for my to go order so the sandwiches wouldn't get soggy. I preferred the Ba Le Special to the Grilled Pork banh mi. And the Thai iced tea was not bad. read more

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I love Ba Le - im just missing the old Ba Le, i miss the porridge. There's been some major changes ever since they changed owners or management -. Im missing a lot of food. Ambiance is okay. Just as expected - it can be crowded specially on the weekend. But if you love Banh Mi this is one of the best. Get their baguette too.... People come and buy by the dozen. read more

Ba Le has been my go to place since I was a child for banh mi's and quick to go Vietnamese eats! To today it is still my ultimate go to place. To watch them evolve over the years and perfect their banh mi's has been a delicious journey to my palate. From the perfectly toasted baguette, to the fresh pickled carrot/reddish, to the choice of filling (combination and meatball selections for the win!! The pate with the combination order is delicious) along with a fresh bite of aromatic cilantro -- plucks my heart strings in every perfect way. Not to mention their hot dishes (fresh to made orders are only available before 5pm) are absolute quality. Don't be fooled by the "deli" vibe, because their home made bun bo hue is some of my family's favorite. Even family that moved away will always make it to a point to stop here whenever they visit. They also have hot dishes that are packaged and available (first come first serve) - from rice platters, to banh xeo, Banh cuon (my personal favorite!! If you see it, pick it up before it's gone!), along with some rice and chicken dishes too. We also love the bao's - center filled with a boiled egg, soft pork, and mushrooms -- seasoned and packed into the heart of a soft bun...need I even say more. When you cut into it, steam rises from the center - it is beyond delicious. Last but not least, the seasoned chicken legs, my fiancé always orders one to go every time. Also, the price can not be beat! Tip: don't forget to ask them for their deals (buy 5 get 1 banh mi free). Enjoy! read more

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The best banh mi in the area. Love this place! The bread, the pickled vegetables, and the portion size is great!

Great customer service. Extremely polite and nice. The Banh mi sandwich was fresh and excellent. Ambience was great. You know it is great when there were lots of Vietnamese customers. I have not been here since pre-Covid. The owner immediately recognized me and welcome me back. Please try this place again. The owner is also generous. The customer in front of my ordered 5 spring rolls. The usual deal is order 5 and get 1 free spring rolls. Because there was only 5 rolls left, it told the surprised customer that normally he would give an extra roll for free. But, because there was only five left, he gave her a delicious grilled chicken quarter (leg and thigh). The customer was ecstatic about the 5 for 1 deal, and even more surprised for the free chicken. Now, that's customer service. Also prices extremely reasonable. The Viet ice coffee was fresh and delicious. Enjoy. read more

Great Banh Mi Bahn Mi are a delicious version of a Vietnamese sub. There are lots of banh mi places in and around Falls Church but this one of the very best! Bread is crunchy crispy crust and light and airy body. A wide variety of fillings from roast pork to shrimp, beef and "organs". Our favorite is the pork with pate. Veggies are crisp and fresh. Great thing about BALE Bakery is that special requests like, for instance, no jalapenos (a standard on all their sandwiches) or add pate are honored. Also, try any of the packaged plates both hot and cold for a special treat. Don't miss the Vietnamese-style summer rolls with shrimp with the crumbled peanuts and dipping sauce. Sandwiches are BIG and unless one has a major appetite can be shared or saved for later. At $4.75 each, a real deal! Most items, are buy 5, get 1 free so plan a party! read more

Came here because I was craving banh mi but left with so many other goodies! This place is quite the gem. I usually frequent banh mi DC or Eden center to satisfy my banh mi cravings but prefer this place. Their banh mi dac biet is delicious - generous portions of mayo, pate & meats. I always ask for the veggies on the side & they're never stingy which I love! The bread is just crispy enough to give you a nice crunch but soft enough to not beat up the inside of your mouth. They offer a buy 5 get one free deal on their banh mis. I also left with some egg rolls which are just perfection. They are a close rival to my grandma's! Super crispy, nice size, good amount of filling & delicious flavor. I tried their pork bun which was also delicious. Next time I'll make sure to get a bunch - my picky little one loved it! The goi cuon (summer rolls) were pretty sad though so I wouldn't recommend those. But everything else was top notch. They have many different che in the refrigerated section which I'll be sure to try next time. These are all things I grew up eating & this little bakery does a stellar job. Service is always friendly & helpful. read more

Stopping by Ba Le Friends Bakery wasn't on my agenda the day I stopped by (7/21), but since I had lunch with family next door, I ended up stopping by for some goodies before continuing with my day. To my surprise, this place is smaller than it seems. There's one long counter with a menu displayed above and maybe 10 tables available. FOOD: Goi Cuon ($5.50/pack): It's on par with most places, although the pork was paper thin; we mainly tasted rice noodles, vegetables, and shrimp. The accompanying peanut sauce was pretty good, and the rolls were the standard size. Each pack comes with 3 pieces. Pate Chaud ($2.50/ea): Good! There were only a couple left when we stopped by (a good sign), so we ended up buying both. The pastry had the perfect flakiness, while the filling was large and had pretty good flavor. It makes for a great afternoon snack if you can't stop by during breakfast. Side note: Don't quote me on the price. They must be popular because there was hardly anything on display when I stopped by past lunch; I was going to buy banh bao, but they only had a handful left that were individually wrapped. They're located in a strip mall, so there's ample parking if you stop by past peak hours. read more

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