Perfect bread, and the amazing combination of jalapenos, cilantro, and pickled radish. It's a sandwich like no other - and one of the best in Chicago. As a takeaway stand, this is superb. But you've got to be acclimated to the food; pork pate may not be your thing (it certainly isn't mine). read more

When I saw the price of the sandwiches I figured they would be tiny and I might need two. No way! For $4 I got a fresh BBQ pork sandwich with onions, cilantro, and other goodies on french bread. Fabulous! All of the flavor came through because it wasnt loaded down with sauce. They had nothing to hide! I am sold onthe sandwiches ( and fresh smoothies) but not so much on the other offereings. the spring rolls were fresh ingredients such as mint, bean sprouts, shrimp, etc. rolled cold in a translucent chewy wrapper of some sort. Not my favorite thing. we also tried the regular egg roll and the Tom Chao (I think that was the name). Egg roll ok, Tom Chao, no. There are about 19 different sandwiches to choose from and many other items in the tiny market cooler section such as dessert cups, drinks, and fresh fruit. The design is simple, clean and modern. The weird part about the place: there is a security guard... read more

I could literally eat while surgery is being performed. It takes a lot for me to lose my appetite but Ba Le almost did it. I ordered a pork sandwich (#9 I think). I prayed I wouldn't get the wrong sandwich with headcheese or pork skin. the bread - pretty good, but not as amazing as some yelpers made it out to be cilantro - a nice touch on the sandwich first chewy, fatty piece of pork - gross and pretty big second chewy, fatty piece of pork - looked like some random piece of the pig. I almost became vegetarian after taking it out of my mouth and looking at it. third chewy, fatty piece of pork - not as big as the first or as gross as the second. Can you believe I finished the sandwich (see first sentence)? Overall the sandwich was on the dry side. I will not be rushing back to Ba Le. If I do go back, the only sandwich I would order is the one with chicken. read more

The last time I personally went to the store to get banh mi prior to this most recent visit was at least 4 years ago. This place has definitely gone chic in it's decor since I last visited. BUT the fact is that it is still the one of the best sandwich shops (even compared to deli style) in Chicago . The baguette is soft, steamy and warm in the inside and a crisp crust that create a great texture and taste. You wouldn't think asians know bread but the vietnamese sure do and they can thank their french colonial overlords for that. I usually stick with the Ba Le Special and Lemongrass pork sausage since I'm a fan of pork and headcheese. It's a fair ratio of meat and veg to go with the baguette, but I think the typical american might not share that opinion with such a meat centric focus on sandwiches. I've tried the other "traditional asian" sandwich items (outside of the seafood) and they are all delicious. The 6 for 5 deal is a steal at the already low prices, but the sandwiches are better when freshly made. As for the viet foods in the display fridges, I can only speak for the nem chua, which is excellent: good brine and makes my breathe unbearable with the garlic, as the way it should be. They have other baked goods but I can't speak for those because for me this place is about the sandwiches. It is well worth a trek on the Red Line to try out at least when you're sick of potbelly, quiznos, jimmy johns, subway, panera, corner bakery, and other such chain sandwich shops. read more

I have been here many times over last 6 years and I'm disappointed about a few things. 1) The service is a little slow. 2) The cashiers aren't unfriendly but don't smile and don't seem very happy to work there. 3) The tables and floors are dirty. Bread crumbs and cilantro everywhere. 4) The meat in my sandwich was cold. 5) What justified the big price increase? I love banh mi, so I'll be trying out some others in the city. You guys can do better. read more

Very good sandwiches , and thump up for Vietnamese coffee. It's very good . Easy spot for grab something quick and delicious . Owner is very friendly . They have many variety of Veitnamese meat product and dessert . Don't forget to try Sticky rice chicken , yum! read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Forget Five Dollar Footlongs, Banh mis are the best!!!!! I crave Ba Le's Vegetarian banh mis. But the special is good too. Okay okay, every banh mi is good. I don't know how often they bake their bread since I only stop by in the morning. But I love eating the bread right after it's done baking. Still warm and delicious. Best in Chicago. BUT doesn't compare to the sandwiches you can get in the West Coast. read more

Wanting banh mi but too lazy to make the trip to the far-superior Nhu Lan, we walked in here the other day, saw that the sandwich prices have gone up YET AGAIN (now $4.95-$5.95), looked at each other, left, got in the car and headed straight for Nhu Lan. There is no comparison--the bread, veggies, and meat (and prices) are all better. Try Ba Le only if you want something to measure Nhu Lan's greatness against. read more

I've never had authentic Vietnamese food in my life. Sometimes you have to take chances. Indian food? Yummy! African food? Bland. It was actually so disappointing, it made me recoil a bit. Vietnamese food? It epitomized the fruition of my labor. Ba Le Bakery is extremely clean for an Asian joint (I'm Asian, I'm allowed to say this). Absolutely love the picture menu on their TV monitors. It's extremely convenient for us non-Viet folks and was greatly appreciated. Ironically, I then went back and forth among all the pictures and got a headache. The result? Blindly ordering the Ba Le Special (#1). I figured #1 would be the most representative sandwich on the menu. Total (w/tax): $3.86. I actually reheated it in the microwave the next day for lunch at work. Wowzers. Sooooo goooood. Such a unique taste -- too difficult to describe. The pate was a nice touch. I'm definitely a fan..... read more

I love the bbq pork and the ba le special banh mi sandwiches. Generously sized, less than $6, and delicious. Must try. The bread rolls are light and soft, but the exterior is slightly crisp. I love the pickled daikon and carrots along with the sliced jalapeno and cilantro. All this plus the protein makes for a fantastic sandwich. Don't mix up the bbq pork sandwich from the lemongrass pork sandwich. The bbq pork has lemongrass in the marinade and uses grilled pork meat while the lemongrass pork sandwich actually uses pork sausage. The lemongrass pork sausage is good, but I like the bbq pork sandwich much better. Ba Le also sells refrigerated food items like spring rolls, noodle salads, etc which I would like to try in the future. There are small tables inside to enjoy your food. I highly recommend the sandwiches for a casual lunch or light dinner! read more

Ba Le Sandwich - The Ba Le special is fantastic. - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Just the way I like my sandwiches: -Cheap -Crunchy on the Outside -Soft on the inside -Jalapeños with lots of cilantro offering a nice kick. Eat it within 10mins of receiving otherwise forfeit the crunchiness with sogginess at work 24hrs later... Blah.. read more

I have been to Ba Le thrice in the past two weeks and I predict it becoming a weekly habit. It is easy and tasty. We started out trying the pork, vegetarian, and chicken. My favorite? Chicken! Runner up is Vegetarian. When I went back, I asked for extra cilantro and carrots. Who knew carrots would be so good on a sandwich? And the bread is perfect carby delight. The vegetarian is also a solid option with tofu and avocado. *Mini-lot for parking next to building. read more

I wanted to love this place but ultimately felt the Ba Le banh-mi special was disappointing. The menu and abundance of pre-cooked snacks all look very appealing, but the actual banh mi lacked flavor. I barely tasted any pate and felt that the pickled vegetables weren't pickled enough. Maybe it was toned down to be more palatable to the average American, but that's now how I roll. read more

I think this place deserves a solid 4-star review for its crusty bread, fresh ingredients, and overall good service/atmosphere/etc. I can't give it top marks because I've definitely had better in NYC, but I see absolutely no reason for not visiting this restaurant for extremely cheap, filling sandwiches that have a lot of flavor and are beyond incredible compared to the average (or even above-average) sandwich spot in Chicago. My sole complaint is that there doesn't seem to be a full menu anywhere. This is kind of key when some sandwiches are served with mayo, which I detest. Naturally, I could be blind and thus have not seen it, and I already had looked up the selections I wanted online, but it'd be nice to have a more informative menu board behind the counter that's in plain sight. I'll definitely be back, especially since it's a good excuse for a walk on a nice Spring or Summer day...and you get a pretty nice reward at the end. read more

This place is absolutely amazing. Their French bread is always fresh, crispy, and delicious. I come here for sandwiches, usually, but I haven't gotten one in a little while, and now I'm on a LOW CARB DIET (yes, I even have to tell Yelp people about my diet) and I won't be able to get one until after January 12th. However, I've been here enough times to know that the sandwiches here are always very good. It's quite simple really: a little meat, a few fun veggies and herbs, hot peppers, and you have a Vietnamese sandwich! Brilliant. I see they're moving to a bigger space just next door. I'm so glad to see that they're doing well! You know what I say EVERY TIME I come here? Thank goodness for colonialism! Because of it, I get to eat this amazingly delicious French/Vietnamese concoction. Vive la France et vive le Viet Nam! read more

Thanks to my friend James, this is a solid place for banh mi outside of San Jose. This newly renovated cafe is a definite gem in Uptown. Both clean and modern, it provides a diverse range of menu items from 20 different types of baguette sandwiches, pastries, salads, spring rolls to specialty meats. Two seating areas with bar stools in front for a quick bite or stay longer with the small rotating tables in the back. The bread is flaky and made fresh on site. You can ask for all the toppings or choose from pickled vegetables, cilantro, or jalapeno peppers. As for the meat, its savory and delicious, but makes up about 1/3 of the sandwich. Overall, its better than Nhu Lan's banh mi's Spring rolls are a bit salty and the shrimp balls are good What I usually order: - BBQ pork - Chinese Pork - sauteed beef - lemongrass pork When do I go: - whenever I'm near the area read more

If it weren't for a coworker devouring an extremely strong scented sandwich, I wouldn't have discovered this place. After giving their chicken sandwich a try one summer, I've been hooked ever since, casually running my way through their menu and enjoying most everything I've tried. Although I no longer work in the area, and live moderately far away, I still make the trek to Ba Le at least once a month. read more

Thought I would write about the sardine sandwich at Ba Le before the rich fishy smell transferred completely to my t-shirt. The dude at Ba Le told me it was a "pretty good sandwich" , but I think he was unselling it a bit. The mix of the crusty bread, sardines in tomato sauce, pickled radish and carrots, cilantro, all marry up very nicely. If you haven't had sardines before, they are a notch stronger than tuna, but stop short of making you cross eyed. I'm not sure how they came upon this match of flavors, but it's really quite nice. That's I have to say on the matter. read more

Went for a sandwich and got #2 THIT NOUNG I think it's one of the classic sandwiches. It was good this time minus that there was a huge chunk of char in it from the grill. I said this time because I've found that they aren't consistent in taste (sometimes I've gotten a sandwich with overly marinated pork) or texture of the meat (sometimes more fatty than other times). However, when you're on Argyle I think they are a convenient stop. Just annoyed by the consistency, you don't really know what you are going to get. read more

Ba Le Sandwich - #2- unfortunately mine had a chunk of charcoal I had to pick out. - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We grabbed a bunch of snacks from here last week. We got this rice and pork tamale and a couple of desserts. The one dessert that was steamed rice with red bean and banana was tasty. The other dessert with yuca was kind of odd and dry and not sweet enough. It's still fun to try new things and we will be back! read more

So, you are tired of Subway's $5 footlong menu and boring sandwiches like their omg-i-can't-see-my roast beef-sub? Well, say hello to Ba Le. There will be no more thin slices of meat that get hidden under a bed lettuce and tomatoes! They have decent meat portions with pickled carrots and radish, onions, and cilantro. It's probably the best flavor combo. Skip the regular cold cuts (which I'm sure is pretty good) and go for their lemon grass pork sandwich. It's nicely spiced with hints of lemon grass and whole peppercorns. They also make and sell their own sausages, hams, pate, and meat rolls. Also worth checking out is their housemade pork spring rolls and other authentic Vietnamese snacks. read more

I stopped by Ba Le super hungry. There was maybe one other person in line, and I ordered the prime rib bahn mi and got a chocolate croissant. Why did it take over ten minutes to get my sandwich with no one else around? It started getting busy a bit after I placed my order, but the staff doesn't seem to have the greatest customer service training. My sandwich and croissant were a four, service was a two at best. I'd go back for the delicious food. read more

Ba Le is my heaven... My family and I have been going here for over 10 years and still go every time we make it to Chicago. It has gone through lots of changes in terms of their menu, pricing, and renovation. There are two locations: one in the Vietnamese area and one in Chinatown. I personally like the bigger one in the Vietnamese area best. All of the Banh Mi sandwiches are simply delicious and filling. You can't go wrong with the Ba Le Special. Vegetarian options are readily available. The Fried Tofu sandwich is delicious and more filling than you think it is because there are potatoes in it as well. Not only does this place boast its famous sandwiches, but it has a wonderful selection of fresh packaged food in the fridges and on the shelves. A personal favorite of mine are the fried pork slices (cha lua) wedged between dough --wrapped with banana leaves. They are right by the counter! Bubble tea is good here as well! My only complaints are the pricing. Due to it's popularity and modernization that increasingly caters to the American palette, prices have skyrocketed. There are items that were 1 or 2 dollars cheaper just a few years ago. When anything become popularly embraced by hipsters, prices are bound to go up. Ba Le is becoming more Americanized with some of its sandwich options, but in a way, it's also good because it garners more business. I just don't want it to lose its authenticity. Overall, I LOVE this place and glad it's doing well. Mmmmm read more

Oh, I'm sorry...did you say, "Buy 5, get your 6th free?" Why not?! Clearly, I went a little overboard when picking up sandwiches for my family. I only needed four, but came out with six. Ooops. Guess I can't resist a 'deal'? These sandwiches are the.best.ever. I mean, they're super cheap (less than $4, always fresh and is on the probably one of the best baguettes I've ever had. And, they're always about you customizing your sandwiches. I tell them I hate cilantro and it never makes it way onto my sandwich. Great news. The pork roll (#5) is probably my favorite. The pate and thinly sliced pork with dicon really makes the sandwich. Close seconds are sardine and bbq pork. Yes, sardine. Don't hate before you try it! Tip - Try calling in your order for pick-up on the weekends. It gets super busy, but calling in the order will save you a little bit of wait time. They're very accommodating over the phone! read more

I am a fan of the prices. For what the sandwiches cost, the taste is good and the portions are filling for a small person. You might be a bit hungry if you can eat a lot. I ordered a vegan chicken sandwich, and I was impressed by the combination of flavors. I was a little disappointed by high sodium content. My stomach did not feel too good afterwards. I also ordered the Vietnamese iced coffee. It is very bold but it's very sweet. The combination of sweet and bitter (bitterness from the coffee) is awesome. You should ask for less ice though- they stuffed my cup to the brim with ice, so I sipped like 4 times and the coffee was gone. My friends really enjoyed the sandwich meals, which come with a small pho soup and a drink. I think they cost around 8 bucks! Not bad at all! A great place for "to go" items as well like baguettes (1.50 for 3 small baguettes! and petite macarons.. They also serve interesting Vietnamese desserts that are packaged delightfully. read more

Ba le?! What gives?! I had one of your delicious sauteed chicken bahn mi but the thing is... it wasn't delicious! The chicken was incredibly dry and tasteless. And what happened with the tapioca pearls? Did you forget to boil them thoroughly? They were so hard and I could barely chew them. You made me a sad panda tonight. I don't even want to try my Che. read more

This is the only place I go to in order to get banh mi thit nuon sandwiches. I prefer my sandwich without the fermented veggies. I suggest that if you like getting those veggies, to get them on the side and put it on yourselves, or else it gets soggy. If you order six sandwiches, you only pay for 5. Great place to get French bread as well. My friend likes getting the 3 colored dessert with coconut here, not bad, actually. read more

We came to Ba Le today to compare sandwiches with my current obsession Nhu Lan on Lawrence. I was excited because I live pretty close to Ba Le, and was hoping I wouldn't have to travel the extra distance for my Vietnamese sandwich craving. My fiance and I bought a couple of sandwiches (for variety) to go. Alas, Ba Le is lacking. Don't get me wrong, they were ok, but the sandwiches are missing something that I can't put my finger on. It's like another layer of flavor that just makes the sandwich spark. I may duck back into Ba Le if I'm on the Red Line and have a hunger for one since it is so convenient; but for the most part, I will continue going to Nhu Lan to feed my Vietnamese sandwich cravings. read more

Debating whether to give 3 or 4 stars, its a good place but I have to be more discriminating in my yelp reviews. Its really inexpensive! Which is definetely a plus, and if you're getting a sandwich, you should try a pudding desert located in the fridge. Additionally, those salads they have out look really good, I could see myself stopping in for a quick lunch to bring back to my apartment. So why only 3 stars? I ordered the tofu(vegetarian) bahn mi, and I was expecting something light, but instead the tofu was really greasy. The tofu tasted almost like deep fried seitan, which may be a plus or minus but just wasn't what I was looking for. I will come back and try some of the deli meat sandwiches and see how that goes. Also, no seating. read more

Ba Le *sigh*, I'm still a fan, so try not to get all dramatic on me, but you have got to be more consistent. When I come to you all excited to partake of your delicious veggie sandwich, do NOT give me bread that woulda been considered "fresh baked" twenty minutes ago... you fallin' off the wagon, Ba, and you need to know this. I'm takin a break from us for awhile. Nhu Lan has been callin' me and I know she'll treat me right every time. Let's catch up in the summer. I'll call you. read more

Probably the best part about this neighborhood. Ba Le is super clean, friendly, and affordable. The Vietnamese coffee is sweet and thick and all the bahn mi are excellent. The standout here is the amazing baguettes that have a crust that is amazingly crisp. Don't miss it. read more

Ba Le is like the Vietnamese version of Oberweiss. Its like Oberweiss for many reasons. 1) Like Oberweiss, they have large refridgerators filled with goodies. Goodies like coconut jello and tapioca and pate and headcheese and... more things you want to buy but probably not sure what to do with but you'll buy anyway 2) Similar color schemes: black & white one with red and the other with neon green 3) ...Both usually have some sort of line but is usally a short wait. 4) Summery foods that I crave even in the winter...? Well okay so there aren't a whole lot of similarities between the two but Ba Le definitely delivers when it comes to good food and at a steal of a price at that! It was just over $6 for 2 sandwiches! That alone deserves another star (makes the switch from 4 to 5 stars) read more

'Twas a lovely warm November day, in Chicago of all places, Before heading home, I stopped in and saw a lot of hungry faces. Listening to people order had me hungry and salivating. I ordered a watermelon smoothie with tapioca and stood anxiously waiting. My eyes darted to the menu, the food, the desserts, all around, Oh damn, I have to careful not drop my drink on the ground. Next time I'm here, I'll order something good to eat, My mission this round was my sweet tapioca filled treat. Through the window, I saw the bus and out I ran, With, of course, my watermelon smoothie in hand. (Lame review, I know. It's still Monday!) read more

Ba Le is where I first discovered Banh Mi sandwiches, and I have yet to find any place that delivers a better version of this style of sandwich. It all comes down to the crusty, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside house baked French roll. Wow. Add cilantro, jalapeño, pickled veggies, and protein, and you have me. They have a nice lunch special where you can add soup for a couple extra bucks. It's a lot of food as the soup is packed with stuff. Besides their Banh Mi, they have a lot of other options. I especially like their spring rolls. They also bake amazing macaroons. I can't wait for them to open up their 'desserts and drinks' place next door. read more

They bake bread so its a bakery, but it has more the appearance of a sandwich shop and deli. My Eastern European relatives would be impressed. These people do rather creative things with pork, even churning out head cheese. Pile the meat on some great French bread and throw on some cilantro and jalepeno; bliss. read more

THE BEST AUTHENTIC VIETNAMESE SANDWICHES in Chicago! The first time I was here was when I was in high school and now that I am in my 30's and understanding how authentic and delicious this place is I won't take it for granted anymore... besides sandwiches they have Bin Bao (which is a delicious steamed bun with quail egg and a delicious ground pork or meat inside seasoned perfectly! also they have Goi Cuon which are the healthy spring rolls that you can dip in hoisin peanut sauce which is also delicious. They have every awesome vietnamese delacacy like their vietnamese coffee too and they have eggrolls which I haven't tried but smell awesome! Don't miss out on this place for authentic vietnamese sandwhiches! read more

Ba Le rhymes nicely with yummy. I have to say my first bah mi experience (shame on me) and so glad it was here. Fantastic meat and dressings on nice crusty bread delicious. I also enjoyed a blood orange soda which tasted a lot like orange fanta. read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Yum - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've had lots of Vietnamese sandwiches but never like the ones here. What made it stand out was the bread. It was easy to bite into but with a little gooey factor like french baguettes have. Had the BBQ Pork and meat was flavorful and had the perfect amount of vegetables to complement. I had no problem devouring one to myself! So yummy! As for the pastries... I tried the macarons and they were pretty basic. I couldn't remember any flavors in particular. I recommend to just stick to the sandwiches. read more

This is my go to spot for a quick lunch or dinner. You can go with BBQ or pork 'wich, and add either a shrimp or tofu spring roll. It'll set you back a hefty $8. Plus they have a deep bench of options in the cooler, which I unfortunately haven't yet tried. Plus, for me, its right off the train coming home. read more

I find the big poster of a muscled Vietnamese man showing the way to the NEW Ba Le bakery is awesome. The bakery is clean and streamlined and has modern neon stools and faux wooden tables as well as a refridgerator full of goodies for you to pick out and enjoy. Prices were reasonable and the sandwiches were amazing. I haven't such a good sandwich in such a long time. read more