I can't believe after all my years shopping in Argyle for Asian groceries, I never stepped into this spot. The sandwiches are amazing and super cheap! Under $10 for a fresh bahn mi? Sold! Although I am quite new to bahn mi and not quite the expert, I can tell you my thoughts: The bread was fresh and crunchy and the vegetables were delicious. All Fresh! Definitely order the Vietnamese Ice Coffee: If you have never had it, be aware: It is very sweet. I could recommend a sandwich but believe me, all of them are amazing. The place is vegetarian friendly too! They also have other vietnamese sweets, and fried goodies like eggrolls-also delicious! So if you really are looking for a great sandwich- I highly recommend this place! read more

One of many Vietnamese restaurants in the area. It's a place you can sit down or take to go. It has a variety of options - make sure you have them prepare it fresh :) We ordered two bahi mi sandwiches and spicy chicken salad rolls. YUMM! Cheers and happy eating. read more

I love, love, love having Ba Le in my hood. The banh-mi are the best in the city (sorry Saigon Sisters) and the food is cheap, cheap , cheap. Service is typically fast and the workers are always smiling and friendly. The refrigerated items are great for take-aways (tomorrow's lunch, evening snack, ...) but don't live up to their fresh counterparts at many neighboring restaurants. However for the convenience they can't be beat. For those not familiar with this type of cuisine, I recommend getting something you don't know on every visit. The cost is low enough that at worst you are out a few bucks but occasionally you will discover an amazing flavor combination you didn't know existed. read more

Debate settled. #1 here vs #1 at Nhu Lan. Bread better at Ba Le. Everything else, Nhu Lan. Ba Le's fillings were skimpy and I couldn't detect any mayo. I'll only come here for convenience from now on. Even though Ba Le's other offerings are seemingly plentiful, I don't think they're as good as Nhu Lan's either. Sorry, you are number 2. read more

This place is okay. The macaroons are really yummy but expensive. Ba Le has gone downhill drastically since it opened. It used to be packed and there was more variety of foods. read more

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I'm one of those people that come here and leaves with a bag full of sandwiches. I've yet to carry 2 bags home, but I've been tempted. I don't eat pork, so I only get the chicken or the vegetarian kinds, but I've heard and smellled that the meatball and the chinese pork are also very very good. Besides being an awesome sandwich, their prices are offf the hoook. Not a single sandwich over $4. My only wish is that they could please name everything in their coolers so I can figure out what it is. read more

Just signed a lease on a new apartment 'round here and stepped into Ba Le on a whim when exploring the neighborhood. Once I move in, I think I'll be burning a hole in my stomach with pickle and jalepeno juices very shortly. I ordered a BBQ pork banh mi and shared some spring rolls and macaroons. Tasty, impeccably fresh spring rolls. Oh my GOD the sandwich was yummy-- such good bread and crunchy pickles and savory meat. Granted, the jalepenos basically torched my mouth (usually I'm not a complete wimp about spice, but for some reason I was practically weeping by the end of the sandwich), but despite the immense physical pain, I've been fantasizing about my next trip for the better part of a week. The macaroons were great too. They're perfectly bite-sized and melt in your mouth. Ba Le's ambience really emphasizes the meeting of East and West that characterizes Vietnamese food. Its Eiffel Tower logo and case of jewel-like French pastries co-mingle with refrigerated tubs of pickled daikon and bubble tea. So delicious and so cheap and so close. read more

To the people that complain that Ba Le is not California style Bahn Mi...you are idiotic. Different places have different specialties. Look San Gabriel Valley is like a tiny piece of Asia in the US. The Asian food in San Gabriel Valley is incredible and nothing in Chicago will really compare. Try and find Chicago deep dish pizza in SGV. It's a ridiculous comparison. Ba Le is located in Chicago, not SGV. It is fast, cheap and tasty. read more

After wandering through Viet Hoa Market and Tai Nam plaza for groceries, I felt a certain weirdness as I walked into the pristine, modern space of Ba Le. I'm not sure if neighborhood locals come here, but the clientele was certainly more western-oriented (ha!) than at other shops and restaurants in the area. Basically, it seemed marketed towards a certain type of tourist unfamiliar with the neighborhood who might be scared to try the less corporate-looking places. Not that there's anything wrong with making some compromises to entice people to try new and different cuisines. And not that authenticity and cleanliness are mutually exclusive, but there is a certain sense of safety in the clean, light-filled space of Ba Le. The barbecued pork sandwich was good, if a bit dry. I could have used a little more carrots and cilantro as well. But I'm no bahn mi aficionado, so maybe it was just as it should have been. I would go back to try the Vietnamese coffee and the che, a sweet bean pudding that they make in house. Overall, a perfectly fine place for freshly-made, interesting sandwiches, especially for the price. I'm curious about Nhu Lan, which I'll definitely try before returning here. read more

There are things i recommend from this place such as: - cafe sa đá - Vietnamese milk coffee - banh Mi - the Vietnamese sandwich - fried meat ball - cha lua chien - desserts - chè trôi nc Things I wouldnt recommend: - color sticky rice - bánh dày - the sticky white cake with the fried meat ball in between - chè chui The place is always clean which makes me feel comfortable walking in and coming back. read more

If you are looking for cheap eats that are more flavorful than any Subways or Quizno's, you've found the place.

This is so close to Nu LAN as far as a very good sandwich it's at the top also. The sandwiches are so good. Parking is impossible so call in and have your buddy go in and get it while you double park. If you must go in parking is a challenge period. Good stuff. read more

$4 banh mi. Good selection, tried their lemongrass pork. Delicious. Place was bright and clean-looking, which makes it the only place on Argyle that fits this description. I was looking for a mom-and-pop joint but there only seemed to be actual sit-down restaurants around, and no one was really advertising banh mi.. and honestly the area is pretty ghetto so I just really wanted to get a banh mi somewhere and leave. Has lots of viet desserts/drinks, smoothies, and some baked goodies too :) Takes credit! read more

It seems that the price of the sandwiches has increased to $4.50 a piece :/ Their Vietnamese desserts are $2.50 each for a small cup. However, I'm glad that the taste hasn't changed BUT I have noticed that they do not give as much meat as Nhu Lan Bakery (my new favorite place for banh mi). Sadly, I can't even recommend the macaroons-every flavor tastes the same. read more

I have been here twice and I get the veggie avocado - no cheese and no mayo. It is VERY good and very inexpensive. The veggie avocado has olives, jalapeños, cilantro, tomatoes, lettuce etc. It's bursting with flavor and while it sounds like it might be flavor overload, it works. It more than works. I leave full, happy and eager to return. read more

This is a regular Chicago stop for the hubby and I when we visit Chicago. The banh mi sandwiches are served on perfectly crunchy french bread and the selections are all very tasty. They use plenty of fresh cilantro on their sandwiches. Yum! Be forewarned! Banh mi sandwiches typically contain jalapenos. This makes me a very happy camper, but if you don't like them, be sure to ask them to hold the jalapenos. If you've never checked out the various gelatin desserts in the fridge, you should! This is not your grandma's Jell-O! This visit, I had a gelatin dessert with coconut and coffee. Mmmm! There are also great drink options including smoothies with or without yoghurt as well as Thai coffee. There is counter service only. If the ordering process is unclear, tough luck, because they don't explain it. So I'll explain. Place your order at the counter and step around to the left of the counter where you'll pick up your food. Check your receipt for a number. They'll call this number when your food is ready, usually in just a few short minutes. There's limited seating here, so be prepared to go to the park across the street if need be to enjoy your food. Also, there appear to be two Ba Le properties on the street. The 5016 address posted on Yelp will lead you to a padlocked storefront. I think this may be where they do their baking, but I'm not sure. Just one building down is 5014, the actual address of Ba Le. read more

Having made the list for top sandwiches around the US, I had to make the trek up to come check out what the rave was about with Ba Le Bakery. As my first Banh Mi experience, I was not disappointed... Upon entering, the whole backwall contains their menu with plenty of sandwiches to pick from. Sandwiches ranged from the basics that were typical American fare to more Vietnamese standards that would be slightly more adventurous for the uninformed to try. As an adventurous uninformed, I dived in. My roommate and I made it with 4 minutes left to spare before closing, and ordered up the following: Pork bun sandwich - Soft tender cuts of pork, slightly sweet, and some smooth sauce in the middle with a toss in of vegetables. This was an excellent sandwich, and like most of their sandwiches, it was under $4!!! Banh Mi special - Veggies, jamon, and then some stuff I definitely did not recognize... head cheese? Something in here had a ligament like crunch, which my roommate attributed to the headcheese... interesting, different, however I think I'll be trying some other sandwiches before coming back to this one. Thai Iced Tea - 50% ice, standard tea, and half/half. This was a fairly average thai iced tea, but the cost was equal, if not more than the sandwich I ordered! I would not recommend getting their thai iced tea, the value wasn't there. Verdict: This will be a keeper... the simple sandwiches were filling, tasty, and nearly all under $4! Definitely make a trip and get some. read more

Well I finally made it to Ba Le a few times, and I am kicking myself for waiting so long! This place is great, and I'm excited to eat my way through the menu! I had the bbq pork sandwich which was bursting with flavor. I've also sampled several of the bubble teas--I think they're the best in the city! The tapioca are fresh, as is all of the fruit they use--YUM! read more

WHAT!? I was introduced to banh mi and other Vietnamese food on the west coast, where the most delicious and fresh banh mi is 2 for $5. The whole charm was the ridiculously low prices for such amazing food and mom and pop holes in the wall. Well apparently that's not how it works in Chicago, and mediocre banh mi is $4. It didn't taste very authentic at all, and everything was strangely sterile and modernized. I got the veggie banh mi, and instead of the usual veggie pork they had fried tofu which was so tough it was almost impossible to eat. I had to take it out. My boyfriend liked his original and my friend liked her avocado-whatever it was... but I was truly disappointed. -1 star because it smelled SO bad in there. I don't know if they were having an issue with plumbing that day, but it definitely smelled like a sewer overflow or something. read more

So I was watching Anthony Bourdain noshing on street food in Vietnam, and of course I develop a humongous craving for Vietnamese food, preferably soup or banh mi. So, the husband promises he will get some Vietnamese food with me, and on Sunday he keeps his word. We head out to Argyle with the intention of going to Tank, with which the husband is familiar (he has issues with change and trying new things). However - Tank is packed, hubby is hungry and not in the mood to wait, and it's 90 degrees out which does not put me in the mood for a big bowl of soup. So I casually mention, "How about that little place across the street? I hear they have really good Vietnamese sandwiches..." And off to Ba Le we went. We had never been to the old location but the new location is cute and modern with a good amount of seating. It was dinner time so there was a line but we got our order in within 30 seconds of walking in. The line was pretty unorganized since people were walking here and there trying to check out all the goodies and I'm guessing we might have cut in front of a couple of people but whatever. Five minutes later we had some fabulous looking sandwiches in front of us. I got the BBQ pork and the husband got roast beef. The hubby was surprised at how fresh the sandwiches tasted. I couldn't get over the bread - it was amaaaaazing. The BBQ pork (not the Chinese kind, but the kind marinated with lemongrass) was delicious, and the freshness of the pickled veggies and cilantro makes it the perfect sandwich for the summer. I still need to try the bubble tea and maybe some of their baked goods and other ready-made treats, so I will definitely be back. read more

I crave their sandwiches! Its my favorite place to get a sandwich. They could put subway out of business! If you have not been to Ba Le yet you must go! I have had most of the sandwiches. The hardest part is choosing which one to get! Amoung my favorites; Chicken Banh Mi Pate: tender shredded chicken, mayonnaise, carrot, radish, spicy jalapeño, onion, and cilantro drizzled in soy sauce. Vegetarian Banh Mi Bi Chay: tofu, potato, mayonnaise, carrot, radish, jalapeño, onion and cilantro with soy sauce. Shrimp Cake Banh Mi Tom sliced shrimp cake, mayonnaise, carrot, radish, jalapeño, onion and cilantro This one is a unique flavor so if you do not like lemongrass do not get it if you do, its so good! Lemongrass Sausage Banh Mi Doi Xa: sliced lemongrass pork sausage, mayonnaise, carrot, radish, jalapeño, onion and cilantro. Service is always fast and friendly when I am there as well. read more

Al tho I have a bad rating on this place, I have to mention that I was attracted to the neat and fresh looking display of packed foods, desserts, and drinks, in the refrigerator section and I look forward to visiting again and pick out several items to try, but I don't think I'd order anything behind the counter. I go to a different place for Vietnamese sandwiches that seems to be more generous with the fresh vegetables fillings and more flavorful compared to Ba Le. My eating partner and I ordered 3 things at Ba Le: 1) Avocado smoothies, the girl explained she ran out of avocado so she placed strawberries and pineapple slices on the top to make up for it which actually made it visually appealing. I sat back down to wait for rest of our order after a while longer... 2) Ordered the higher priced vegetarian sandwich with the added avocado (hardly avocado it). Then I recalled how they ran out of avocados for our smoothies. I should have stuck to ordering the plain veggie sandwich and not paid extra for avocado if they were going to skimp the avocado on the sandwich. I didn't see much of the other familiar vegetables that I'm used to having on these sandwiches. I wonder if they had an off day. No cilantro, no carrots, and altho we requested no jalapenio in one sandwich they neglected to put it in both. My first bite into the sandwich, I did taste the strange after taste as I just read how Natalie S. described on her review. There was a weird looking fried thing in it and I couldn't imagine what it was. It turned out to be fried tofu and that explained where the after taste was from. I don't know if it was fried in cheap or recycled or over-used cooking oil. 3) We also had the pork rolls (or so we thought). It said #5 Pork Roll on the photo menu above the counter. The photo was deceiving, it looked like appetizers similar to spring rolls. They were literally pork cold cuts. The sandwich wasn't a Pork Roll it was a Pork "Flat". It was priced much lower than the other sandwiches at $2.50, after the bite into this sandwich I understood why it was priced so low. I wasn't pleased with the tastes at this place, altho I thought the smoothie was good and reasonably priced. They had fancy tiny gourmet looking chocolate desserts displayed along side the counter but the were too over priced in my opinion$4-5 for a tiny piece. If I were you, I'd stop in to try out the appealing selections in the fridge instead. I didn't check the prices, I just hope they aren't as ridiculously priced as the chocolates were :0 read more

this does seem to be a rather similar refrain from me, but here we go: why haven't I been here sooner? These are some quality bahn mi sandwiches at the prices one would expect for bahn mi. I needed some sandwiches to have for the bears game. I also really knew that I needed to finally go to Ba Le as well. So, I walked on in and remedied the situation. I got a meatball and a bbq pork sandwich. Both were extremely good, but I did prefer the bbq pork sandwich. I may have been more in the mood for it, but it was really damn good. I also got some spring rolls that I ended up eating later. The rolls are big. Like, really damn big. The shrimp spring roll was really good with the honey sausage being the better choice. I'm glad I listened to the girl there that rec'd it to me. It ended up being a lot of food and was barely $20. It definitely lasted me a while, and it was damn good the entire time. Be back soon, yea, you'd better believe it read more

Sandwiches are amazing! My personal favorite is dac biet, #1. They've improved a lot over the years and now the variety of food is greater. Lots of sweets and desserts, including macaroons and eggrolls. There is also Vietnamese iced coffee and sugar cane juice to quench your thirst! read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Fresh sugar cane juice - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very lazy staff with poor service. As I was waining for an idle employee to help me, a woman came in and said she had been waiting an hour for her food. read more

Remembering that we're in Chicago...Ba Le is excellent for a quick cheap lunch or to bring back to the office for the whole crew. It combines French style bread with Vietnamese style fillings to make a good selection of very fresh tasting sandwiches. You can also get fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, egg rolls and an assortment of deli items. They have a good drink selection, including bubble teas ready for the picking out of the coolers. There is very little seating, and not a whole lot of ambiance for the eat in diner, but it is very cheap, pretty fast (sandwiches are still to order), very fresh and full of flavor. There are similar shops I think are better, but not in Chicago. So if you find yourself looking for a cheap, quick or takeout deli style meal around Argyle & Broadway...give these guys a try. read more

Good stuff! i love their little small vietnamese goodies they offer along with the sandwiches. please note, they dont take credit cards for now. get the chinese bbq pork sandwich. i think that is the best one. the little round rice cakes are yummy. limited seating. street meter parking. very friendly though. read more

I decided to give it a try after seeing it on Check Please From outside it looks like a fairly trendy lunch place. As soon as we entered, however, it definitely reminds you of its ethnic background. Everyone was very nice and helped us by suggesting recommendations. The food was amazing. I think the fresh bread definitely made the sandwich. I'll be honest that when I saw it on TV, I questioned if I would have the palate for pickled onions and vegetables in a sandwich, but it really comes together very well. The prices are super reasonable (who can beat $3.50-5 for a sandwich). Will definitely come back. I highly recommend this to anyone. read more

This is an interesting neighborhood joint. I love the modern fast food inside but it has very well made food and drinks and pastries. It's cheap and delicious, a rare combination. If this was at home in LA near me, I would eat here every week. I had the veggie bahn mi and the bread was crunchy yet fresh, the flavor was perfect and the tofu was fried just enough to not be soggy. So cheap for a big sandwich that fills you up. Free water to refill my bottle at no charge too! I bought a few macaroons on my way out and they weren't the best I had but the flavoring in them (apple, berry and lavendar) was distinct and fresh. read more

This place is a jewel of Argyle. I went in on a whim to grab a quick bite with a friend and the subs were so good. I had the number 1 which is one of their most popular. It had salami and other various meets which crunchy veggies and some excellent spice. The Bread was hot and fluffy with a crisp crust. Absolutely wonderful! It was actually so good that I went for a second (the sandwiches were so cheap, less than $4!) which was the number 10, with the Chinese pork sandwich, also so good! The inside is very bright and modern--minimalistic, reminiscent of Joy Yi's. Love this place. read more

I've tried their sandwiches in the past and they're OK... nothing extraordinary and def not as good Nhu Lan. When they're busy, it can take a while to make too so I don't risk waiting on a sandwich when I only have a 30 minute lunch... Eh- pass. Spicy Veggie Avocado Spring Rolls though...... THAT's where it's at! Sure they tend to fall apart because they're overstuffed and not rolled well... Sure, it's refrigerated so I don't know how "fresh" they actually are or when they were made... but for $5, being filling, tasty and relatively healthy? YES please! It's the only thing I've gotten on my last 3 lunch visits here. Avocado, tofu, veggies, sriracha- what more could you need? Tip: Grab-n-go. Your clothes WILL smell like fried food and oil after leaving this place. They need better ventilation in the kitchen or something. read more

Super cheap, super tasty, super friendly. What more do you need, really? I'm a huge fan of their pork egg rolls ($1.50 each), their BBQ pork bahn mi (a bank-breaking $4.75 or so), and day-old croissants for 1/2-price. And don't forget about the bakery section if your sweet tooth is acting up! As others have mentioned, the macarons are a must-try. read more

Tasty Banh Mi at a pretty good price. I always stop by here on my way out of my visits to Argyle to pick up a quick meal. Service is pretty quick, and the ingredients they use seem fresh. There are lots of goodies you can grab along the way, ranging from sweet to salty and savory. Haven't been here too much, so I'll be sure to try a few more things when I come back! read more

I love it, the banh mi dac biet is the best (the special). I forget what meats are in it, but I think it might be a little bit of everything. I could realistically eat 4 or 5 of these no problem. The crusty bread, perfect amount of meat, cilantro, jalapenos and the pickled carrots/radish makes for a great sandwich. I got their mango smoothie and was surprised to have pieces of cantaloupe inside. I'm not a big fan of the tapioca balls so I'll know next time to order without tapioca balls. oh, btw you order 4 sandwiches you get 1 free. so good. read more

I have to disagree with all the Ba Le Haters on the board. I've never received anything but perfect and friendly service from Ba Le and they always make sure to give me my 6 sandwiches for the price of 5 discount. My first banh mi experience was at a little hole in the wall in NYC's Chinatown and this is Chicago's closest equivalent. Thank GOD it's here. I also don't understand the crazy sandwich elitism on this board: these sandwiches taste different from the ones you used to get in cali--cry me a river, really. They taste good, they make me happy, stop getting off on nostalgia. read more

Came here for lunch yesterday since I was in the neighborhood. Haven't been here in years and it appears they are renovating are planning to move to a new space next door relatively soon. Ordered a banh mi sandwhich (#12 - Vegetarian), which is highlighted by the fried tofu and jalapenos. I absolutely love this sandwhich because the jalapenos are sliced long and thin, which exposes the spiciness of the pepper in the ribbing and seeds. The sandwhich is always deliciously spicy, but also offset by the crusty bread surrounding the ingredients. There's more to it then the tofu and peppers, including cilantro, onion? and other vietnamese toppings. There is nothing quite like it in Chicago. I also ordered a pork egg roll (#21) which was tasty but slightly over-fried. My fiancee ordered a pork dumpling which they heated in the microwave. It was stuffed with quail egg and chinese sausage as well. I thought the few bites I had were quite tasty as well. The only downside to this place is that there is limited seating, yet we we managed to grab a few chairs along the counter. The counter had crumbs and dried food stuck to it. We wiped the crumbs away and sat down to eat. The next time I'm in the area, I'll be sure to save room for Ba Le read more

Totally a fan. Why? I am so not a huge bread eater, but who would have known you'd end up at an Asian restaurant to find the best baguette in the city? It was light and crunchy on the outside and soft/chewy on the inside, without the typical "OMG I love baguettes but my mouth looks like a torn mess afterwards" experience of eating crusty bread. I had the veggie tofu sandwich because I wasn't feeling like eating anything heavy, and it was PERFECT. Great flavor, a touch of fresh avocado, and perfectly spiced. I also have to echo the other comments on prices.. the sandwich was under $4. I'd give the place 5 stars if the flow of the restaurant actually made sense (it doesn't) or if they had more adequate seating/better quality tables/chairs outside, but these are all really nitpicky things to harp on. I can't wait to try one of the steamed pork rolls that dominate the refrigerators and countertops. Yum. read more

With the owner's decision to move and expand the restaurant, they really took a step toward revitalizing the Argyle area and making it more attractive to a new generation of the Asian-American community. The new Ba Le also is inviting people unaccustomed to Vietnamese food to come to the neighborhood and experience something new and great. The food is fresh, great, and there are so many things to chose from. Aside from the array of Banh Mi (sandwiches) and bubble tea (smoothie) options, they have loads of pre-packaged treats and dishes that they prepare onsite. The interior and outdoor seating areas are fun and inviting. On top of it all, the prices are relatively low. The staff are friendly, and they have great vegetarian options. It can get pretty hectic in there, especially on weekends around lunchtime. But after your first visit you'll get the hang of it! Enjoy! read more

They often mess up my sandwich order. I can say "often" because it is, yes, fast and cheap(-er than going to say, any of the Thai places around that corner of Broadway and Argyle) for lunch. My vegan co-worker has several times gotten mayo on her sandwich, and in ordering the vegetarian, I have gotten the "Special" complete with mystery meat. Sometimes when I ask for extra cilantro, I can count the leaves on one hand. I've never actually had a "real" bahn mi sandwich, but these are adequate as far as just sandwiches go. When they get the order right. read more

I've been to this place several times and they literally have the greatest sandwiches on the North Side I've ever had. Hands down. In fact, it has become my new lunch spot. Plus, they are incredibly cheap, healthy, and, oh yeah...delicious. I wish I had 8 stomachs so I could eat 7 times as much...okay that's a little crazy... but this place is seriously amazing. I've only been inside the new place so I can't say how it was before but it is super clean, super affordable, and they have a wide range of food. Carnivores, vegetarians, and those with insatiable sweet spots will find something and, trust me, they'll enjoy it. I highly recommend the veggie subs (which come with wonderfully fresh cilantro and jalapenos), the cream boisonberry cake, and the fresh fruit boba / bubble teas - which are also fresh and wonderful. :9 read more