I used to go to Ba Le quite a bit several years ago, but now it's a bit of a trek. I went before a show at the Aragon this weekend, and it's changed a bit--the bread is different now. The loaves are larger and the crust is lighter--not as hard and crunchy as it once was. I like their tofu sandwich since I don't eat meat, and was happy to see that they have another veggie choice now. It's a little fusion of American and Vietnamese, with Swiss cheese, avocado, tomato, and lettuce, plus their tofu mixture and the usual pickles. Also,, the jalapenos are pickled instead of fresh. My husband liked it. I think I still like the original veggie one since you can really taste the tofu mixture. The best tofu sandwich I ever had was at a small place whose former location is now part of Tank noodle. Since I can't get that anymore, Ba Le is the new winner. Wish I could eat there every day! read more

So, after trying several banh mi restaurants, I still haven't quite found what I'm looking for. I think I've been tainted by other banh mi places in Houston, that I just don't think I've found anything in Chicago that's up-to-par with what used to. I'm going to try and give as much as an unbiased review as I can about Ba Le, but no promises. The new location for Ba Le is clean, modern, and bit of a factory line feeling. I'm guessing this set up works really well for them when they get busy and want to get sandwiches out the door as fast as possible. There are several people behind the glass making sandwiches. There are a few tables where you can sit and enjoy your sandwich. The drinks and side dishes are on display behind a wall of refrigeration, which makes it easy to see everything and pick out what you want. If this is type of banh mi is what you're used to, then thumbs up and I recommend them. If you're expecting more, then let me know if you find one in Chicago, but I've searched high and low with little success. read more

This place is amazing. The sandwiches, every single one of them, are incredibly delicious. The bread is perfectly soft, yet crisp. The freshness of the ingredients is unparalleled. If you've never ordered from them, try one of the barbecued sandwiches. We always order a few extra, because Uptown isn't convenient for us, and they taste pretty amazing even after having been in the freezer. Don't miss Ba Le! read more

The pork and shrimp cake baguette is so good it gets five stars just for that. I've also never had a spring roll I didn't like. Also they have great consumable liquids. The new location is fabulous and the website is charming. I am filled with love for this place and the people that run it. I have converted my entire unit to loving this food, too. Eat there. read more

I ate here prior to the pre launch and wasn't really impressed. The bun mi bread wasn't fresh. After it's launch I gave it another try but still wasn't impressed. However, the food was better the second time around. They have nice workers and new decor is pretty trendy. read more

As a Seattle-ite, I just want to say that this place is AMAZING. I would be more than willing to move to Chicago just to frequent this heaven on a daily basis. One downside is that this place can be quite slow with making their bubble tea. I wanted to grab bubble tea for my long flight from Chicago to Seattle, only to find out that I would have to wait 30 minutes for the drink. Super bummed. But Ba read more

Ive only had the tofu one with lemongrass and other delectable seasonings. Wish it was closer cuz Id be up in there all the time! They have lots of different options, including bubble tea, which I likey. Next time Im going to try something different maybe the standard with the pork and pate, which sounds weird, but is probably amazing. read more

Sandwiches for less than $4 is a must ! It's a mix of Vietnamese and French so the flavor is astounding. Also there is a deal where if you buy 5 sandwiches, you get one FREE sandwich. SO BRING FRIENDS :) ++ They also sell some savory dessert . I still have yet to try some of that ! read more

As I was coming home from Yoga, I listened to my stomach to get off the bus to grab a bite to eat before reaching home. I've always wanted to go to this place especially since they moved to another located 1-2 doors down. After going in, the decor is quite nice. Love the windows as it brings in a lot of light. I decided to order two sandwiches (one sauteed chicken and the other tuna (but not your normal tuna salad sandwich with tons of mayo). This tuna was actual pieces of tuna sauteed and put on a bun. Overall, very good. There are so many other things I would love to try. With it being so close, I will definitely go back! read more

I'm a fan of the banh mi sandwiches, and also the variety of cool drinks and stuff. And this place has enough reviews to vouch for that. So i'm gonna touch on another subject. One star off- one BIG STAR OFF actually (it's more like 1.5 stars off but you can't do half stars...) because DON'T GET THE MACARONS HERE. If you are a big macaron lover you'll likely be disappointed. The texture of their macarons are pretty good, i'll give them that. And they make them colorful and also look pretty. Shell is nicely developed and once you bite into it, it's chewy. HOWEVER that's the end of it. All of their macarons, regardless of the flavor, all taste the same. And the same sweetness of the macarons is very generic, confectioner's sugary, and overall not that great. If I had no taste buds and just like macarons for their delicious chewiness then I'd get the Bale macarons. But Macarons are supposed to be little bursts of flavor that melt into your tongue and develop as you chew. If that's what you're expecting then try another bakery, because you won't find that here. read more

I'm giving them another star... They always give me extras on my sandwiches, such as the pickled daikon (ask and you shall receive). And service in general has become friendlier. read more

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I stopped in for some Banh Bao and a Jackfruit smoothie. *pulls up a chair* Let's talk about this smoothie for a little while. You see, jackfruit is pretty rare in the States. We don't get that a lot here. So I found this out when walking by the Ba Le downtown. I popped in, and randomly ordered the smoothie with jackfruit to satisfy my thirst and curiosity. After the first sip, it was added to the list of things I'll recommend to people if they go for SE Asian food. Like most fruits, you can't really describe it in terms of other ones you've had. Imagine trying to tell someone the taste of an apple if they have only eaten citrus before. So try it. Anyway, the Banh bao are nice. Different from more Chinese ones as they have a quail egg in, and Ba Le only has pork-stuffed ones, from what I saw. They're a bit bigger than the ones you get at Wow Bao as well. Two is a meal; three is gluttony. So if in Uptown, and in search of a refreshing drink, quick sandwich, or something to steam at home, stop in, and give them some business. read more

Such an awesome little shop & they have extended their hours. Oh, and now they accept credit cards. They never did before. I'm a big fan of the lemongrass sausage sandwich and their little pre-cupped sweet black-eyed peas & rice mix. read more

OH yeah baby. 5 stars earned without a doubt. Ba Le is a a more delicious, tasteful Jimmy Johns for cheaper. The cilantro, the peppers, the sauce, whatever else they put in it- everything just works together so well that you always end up craving more. ALERT! I just went today and they've added more sandwiches to their line up. Here's a reason to wake up for another day. read more

My first introduction to banh mi was in New York's Flushing neighborhood, which has set some high banh mi standards. that being said, my Ba Le Special sandwich was good, but not extraordinary. In fact, I've had a better banh mi in the suburbs. I think what it came down to was the bread and the veggies. The bread was lighter in other places, making it a bit easier for me to chew. Their pickled veggies were tangier, and there were more types of herbs. But I mean come on, that's like comparing a Benz to a BMW... Ba Le's sandwich was good and cheap! Their spring rolls and sauce accompaniment were delicious, and you get 3 plump rolls for $4 (which I consider a decent deal). The mango bubble tea was meh and it had these weird mango fibers (???) blended in it. I will definitely come back and try other items on the menu! read more

I'm really sad I had to give a 2 star review. I was really excited to try this place after reading/hearing so many positive reviews. I even coerced my friends to go with me. I got the vegetable avocado sandwich and it was alright. I thought it was particularly dry and the tofu was a bit bland, for my taste. Thank goodness it had cilantro (my favorite!) and avocados in it, which made half the sandwich very delicious. The left side would be so good, and then I'd have to put sirarcha sauce on the right side :[. Hopefully it's just my unrefined palette or the sandwich in particular. My friend got the meatball one and said it was delicious, but my other friend got the chicken one and wasn't a fan. Meh is how I feel. I wouldn't come back independently or coerce others to come, but I wouldn't avoid the place. Make sense? read more

Having lived in heavily-vietnamese populated cities (OC california and houston, tx), I must confess, I am pick about my banh mi. When I first moved to Chicago, I thought Ba Le was the only banh mi place so I didn't know any better and gave them my business. But far and away, Nhu Lan has the BEST banh mi in town, I can't believe I ate here again today. Big mistake. My visit: 1) The new shop: cleaner than the previous so I guess this is an upgrade, but you have to walk to the middle of the store to get in line to order, then you have to walk to the back of the store to pick up your order. Not a very good flow. 2) Banh Mi: I generally like to get the combination meat sandwich. I took 3 bites and put it down. The bread was decent, nice crunch and light. But the meat was not flavorful and where is the pate flavor!?!? that is the essence of your classic banh mi!!! so upsetting. none of the meats gave the bread any flavor. boo. 3) Sweet sticky rice dessert: they had a few trays lying on the counter so i thought i'd pick one up b/c i love this dessert. BAD IDEA! they were 5 days old, stale and crunchy tasting -- a classic asian business move, advertise the old stuff so ppl will buy it and they won't lose out on money and throw it out. have tried their cold desserts and friend products in the past and these do okay. but with the disappointments above, i will probably never frequent ba le again. esp because the best in the city is Nhu Lan. Sure its cheap but banh mi is always cheap, don't be fooled. read more

Wife introduced me to this place and I am hooked! I want to try everything on the menu. The banh bao is a delicious meat pocket that reminds me of an oversized dim sum. The BBQ pork sandwich is so scrumptious , it will make you want to order another for the road. read more

I was never a huge fan of bahn mi, but ba le has got me hooked. So many varieties. It's great. I think the high mark goes to their fresh bread. It's perfection. Soft warm crispy. Outside of the sandwiches, there is a whole wall dedicated to Vietnamese small plates, snacks and drinks. A one stop shop, that is presented in a modern unintimidated fashion. I've tried a few of the sandwiches, but my favorite at present is the bbq pork pate piece. Yum. For a hip place, with a large non Vietnamese following, the food is surprisingly authentic. On the downside, parking blows. The small lot next door will accommodate max 4 cars, and that is a stretch as it is poorly arranged. I'd imagine this was the best they would do with the limited space. Backing out the lot is the only option, and this leads you blindly into a busy intersection. Street parking is slim to none, especially during peak hours. As of late the service has become much slower. My last to visits I waited about 10 minutes for a sandwich, and there were few patrons waiting. I'm sure this is partly because of the freshness of the sandwiches, but it can be a bit frustrating. I've ordered ahead a few times to alleviate this. thumbs up for me on the food, if you're willing to deal with the other inconveniences. read more

As some of you know, I LOVE me some good bahn mi and well, this place is amazing. I had the Chinese pork sandwich and it was perfect, not too much cilantro, perfectly hot jalapenos and killer bread. I could mow down on this shit all day long. Great prices as no bahn mi should EVER cost over $4. Side note: Their fruity pebbles green tea is AMAZING mixed with UV Cake flavored Vodka. read more

Banh mi is yum yum yum yum! My favorite is the cold pork. Baguette is crispy and warm, pork is flavorful, with a nice spread of pate, topped with a generous selection of veggies (my favorite being the marinated shredded carrots!). Pretty cheap, although cities with a larger Vietnamese population offer equally delicious banh mi at half this price. I tried one of their puddings (they have a huge selection in their fridge), which was sadly disappointing. Colorful, but flavorless. In comparison to the unimpressive decor of most of the restaurants and stores in Uptown, Ba Le stands out with its clean and colorful interior which helps in making it pretty busy! read more

Well, we were among quite a few people who, for whatever reason, braved the atrocious organic (and not in terms of that word's positive connotation) smells in various parts of this business this evening in order to purchase appetizing things. What we encountered in the foyer, and then in the bathroom, were two different versions of what H.P. Lovecraft might refer to as "An Odour Out of Space". Nothing happened to us a result. My lychee smoothie was delicious. When I come back home later this summer for a longer stay, maybe I'll drop by to see if they've cleaned up their overflowing trash cans so I can raise up my rating. read more

This is the second time and I love their sandwiches. It's one of my wife's favorite places to get sandwiches. I would definitely recommend them to my friends and family. Plus their customer service is very good. read more

Ba Le Sandwich - It's so hot we had to get some smoothies - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great flavor in the bbq pork sandwich but short on the serving size. Perhaps you can opt for extra meat. The shrimp spring rolls were tasty. I'll need to go back. read more

I'm new to the neighborhood and read all the raves about this place so I thought I would check it out one night after work when I was walking by and feeling to unmotivated to cook. The place was small and pretty full with customers. A good sign in my book. I ordered the #9 BBQ Pork (since then I have ordered chicken and the special). It came out in about 5 minutes, wrapped and ready to take home. I devoured it in the comfort of my own home and man it hit the spot. Crusty french bread stuffed with pork, onions, spices and jalapenos for 3.99? A-OK in my book. The jalapenos even cleared up my sinuses a bit which is always appreciated in cold and flu season. Bottom line--I walk by it every day coming home from work, fast service and about 15 sandwiches to choose from among other tasty treats AND cheap. I'm a devoted customer now. read more

I tried Ba Le, Bon Bon, and Nhu Lan before writing reviews for any of them so I could make a fair comparison. The verdict? Best bread: Ba Le Best insides (dac biet meats are the freshest, amount of carrot/white radish/cilantro/jalapeno is the most balanced): Nhu Lan Cutest shop and best non-traditional insides: Bon Bon Ba Le's bread is hands down the best out of all 3 shops. I think Bon Bon actually gets their bread from Nhu Lan instead of making it themselves....they should really get it from Ba Le instead. The bread has a perfect crust on the outside, and the inside is chewy and fragrant. The insides on the #1 sandwich weren't as perfect as the bread - their meats could use some seasoning, and they really should put more cilantro, jalapeno, and carrot/white radish mix. Overall, a pretty satisfying sandwich thanks to the AMAZING bread. read more

I love Ba Le. I've tasted about half of their sandwich menu and have yet to be disappointed. The sandwiches are super CHEAP and incredibly FILLING! The smoothies are also yummy as are their interesting sides. I usually always get something I've never had before to try with my Bahn Mi. I'm so happy I found Ba Le. read more

Ba Le is hard to review, because it's one of those places that depending on what you get, can be either five stars or one star. What I love: both vegetarian sandwiches are very good (four stars each, let's say). One is more traditional, with tofu and noodles in a standard banh mi. The other adds swiss cheese and avocado, which is surprisingly tasty. My only negative is that I found them a little dry, I think mostly because of the noodles, which added a nice texture but didn't contribute enough moisture. More sauce would be really appreciated. My husband has tried several of the pork sandwiches. The first time he tried the roast pork, he thought it was amazing. Unfortunately, the second time he had it has pretty much turned him off of Ba Le forever. There was a vein of fat or something resembling a rubber band running through the pork. It was hard to remove, and was so unpleasant that he'd rather just avoid them all together. Pretty disappointing. One thing that is really amazing is the price. One sandwich is plenty for a meal (I think), and only costs about $3.50. Seriously. $3.50. Incredible. read more

The sandwiches are cheap, but they hardly have meat. If you're a meat eater, these do not seem filling. I was still hungry after eating a sandwich for lunch...I think we were disappointed it because the pictures on the outside of the restaurant show a sandwich with a ton of meat fillings! When in reality, we got less than 1/2 of what was in the picture. The place is very pretty, clean, and friendly. The prices are also awesome, and for that, I give it 2 stars, but the food is 1 star. I would not go back here for a filling meal! In reality, I give this place 1.5 stars...more than 1 because of all their effort, but less than two because they disappoint. read more

it's 3.5 stars not quiet a 4 for me. Been back here several times. Good for a quick bite to eat if you are in a hurry and have cravings for a Vietnamese Sandwich! I keep going back to the vegetarian sandwich with the tofu. I request it with no mayo but extra cilantro and extra pickled radish. I definitely have to have some of the hot sauce for a little kick. My boyfriend had the bbq pork. He loves it! Two appetizer items that we've ordered were a bit disappointing... I think they've pre-made many of their appetizer items and they just reheat them as ordered. The vegetarian egg roll was super DRY and it tasted old. I've had their pre-made spring rolls from the fridge and the rice paper was so hard and it just didn't taste right. As much as I love me some good spring rolls, I would skip them when I'm here. If you are looking for the whole Vietnamese dining experience, then this place isn't for you. But definitely a go-to place for quick Banh Mi sandwiches! Just stick with the sandwiches only! They are tasty! read more

I never knew the joy of a bahn mi. I feel so lucky to have stepped out of my sammich comfort zone to give Ba Le a try a few months ago. Now I'm hooked. Addicted. Not only are the prices extremely reasonable (average $3.50) for the size of the 'wich... but the size of the taste as well. I'm a carnivore so I devour the various meat-filled sammiches, my favorites being #7, 8, 9, & 15 and the limited time only #22 (sauteed shrimp -- mmmm!). The fresh baked bread (perfectly crusty on the outside, soft on the inside) cradles the generous layers of meat and add ons. The bread doesn't get overly soggy from the juice, and the veggies stay nice and crisp. Great portions of equal meat and veggies -- spread out evenly over the bread so you don't get those last couple bites of bread ends with nothing else to show for it. P.S. get the sammich loaded, the flavors are outstanding. Even if you don't like one or two of the offered toppings (like me, I don't like onions, but I make an exception here because they all work). These flavor combos are well-thought out masterpieces and made fresh right there. I've only had sweet, smiling help when I head in. Easy wait. The place is clean (even the bathroom -- thank you for this kindness). And this place draws one of everyone, which I love about neighborhood shops. Subway? Quiznos? Fuhgetaboutit. I'm done. Looking forward to trying a bubble tea the next time I stop in. The weather definitely calls for one! read more

Okay, I get it. Ba Le is certainly not as cheap and tasty as on the west coast, but I'll take what I can get out here in midwest Chicago. And, Ba Le is pretty good! I usually get and love their chicke banh mi- really good bread, lots of each ingredient, the perfect blend. I also LOVE their watermelon smoothies, with the lychee a close second. I'm a frequent drinker of their iced coffee as well. It's a brightly lit and open space, but I have noticed the cleanliness falter on a few days. The staff are pretty nice. One thing that annoys me is that they often don't let you know when the food is ready, so it can just sit on the counter. That's happened to me several times. I passed their *soon to be opened* new location in Chinatown and can't wait to check out their other goodies! read more

For those who don't know, Banh Mi are vietnamese sandwiches. They are a great introduction into vietnamese food, because of the french influence. It's essentially a sandwich on a french roll, consisting of a blend of meat and pickled vegetables. I like the chinese pork, and the bbq pork sandwiches. They also make a great iced tea. You'll also see the french influence in the line of pastries they carry, including macaroons. They lose 1 star because they never seem to wipe down the tables in the eating areas. So if it looks dirty, take your food to go. read more

GIANT MEH! I really wanted to like this place. Really truly I did. Whether it is "just me" or they were having a bad day, I'll let you decide. Let it be known I have tried Nhu Lan and other Banh Mi sandwich places and am not new to the concept. I went on recommendation from several sources and tried the Roast Pork sandwich. So here's the bad news....I'm not kidding when I say I had to spit out the first bite. The pork tasted....weird. Like it had gone bad. So, I decided to give it another shot and ordered the Veggie Avocado (figuring meat might not be the way to go). It was mediocre at best. The flavor just wasn't really there like I'm used to with a great banh mi. Sad face! Also, a tip for you if you do order the veggie...they do not put fresh jalapenos on that sandwich. You have to ask for them or else they'll give you canned ones. Basically, if I can tell you any piece of advice, it's to go to Del Seoul in Lincoln Park immediately and order their banh mi. Perhaps this little piece of heaven is what makes me think Ba Le is flavorless. Sorry but there is no comparison! read more

It was great. I love it each and every time I visit (which tends to be weekly). Sometimes the cashier is as dense as a brick but the food has never disappointed me. The bread is crispy and wonderful. The other ingredients fresh and tasty too I like the size of the portions. Not to much and not to skimpy. read more

Veg/vegan options are huge. I've eaten ban mi all across the continent and this is my favorite shop, by far. Bonus star for being open early. This may be the best hangover food on the north side. read more

Recently moving to Chicago I knew I had to pay Ba Le a visit. It's been almost 8 years since the last time I had their affordable and tasty sandwiches. $7.95 for a sandwich and small pho combo? Yes please! If you just grab a sandwich it's only $5 plus or minus. Definitely my go to for a banh mi! read more

Ba Le Sandwich - Meatball and pork banh mi with small chicken and beef pho combo for $7.95 each. - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Awesome, cheap, and fresh. I usually get the chicken (not the most adventurous, but very very good). Sandwiches are usually around $3-4, and one makes a fantastic lunch. Throw in a crispy egg roll (the Vietnamese kind) for $1, and you're doing even better. They have lots of pre-packaged little side dishes, salads, and such, but the sandwiches are fresh-made to order. French bread is sold really cheaply by the bag- I think it's about 3 loaves for $2. You can get larger ones, or bags of 6 also. You MUST try this place if you're in Little Vietnam! Not to be missed. read more

Ba Le is amazing! It's a little up the road for me so we have been renting an i-go car just to get the bah mi. It's worth the drive. We've found street parking easy both times and the place has been packed with a good mix of locals. Not claustrophobic. Now I have to admit that I only get one sandwich there, the BBQ pork. But it is such perfection that while the foodie in me wants to explore, my memory resists. My boyfriend has had the lemongrass pork which was also great. You couldn't make a cheaper, more delicious sandwich. At $3-4 bucks and generous portions, this sandwich is a steal. The bread is amazing, fresh baked baguettes with the perfect balance of flaky and soft. The seasoning on the BBQ pork is spicy and deep with out overwhelming the texture of the meat. And the vegetables (pickled carrots, radish and cilantro--standard Bah Mi fare) are that fresh punch and crunch that make every bite heaven. They also have some hot and cold snacks up front and we have tried a bunch and they have always been delicious. I haven't had the Boba or any of the smoothies yet, but they have a great variety and they look and smell amazing. I have been to other such places in the city that hit the same price point, but none really compare to what Be Le has going on. Check this place out, you will not be disappointed. read more

The best Vietnamese sandwich shop in chicago. The bread is wonderful. I go for breakfast when I wanna cheat on my diet. Nhu Lan is good, but this is great. read more