Probably the best banh mi sandwich we've ever had. We are no strangers to the banh mi- as we consider ourselves foodies who have lived in SF, LA, and other great food cities. However, we were blown away by the sandwiches we picked up here on our way to the airport. (Easy to call and order) For $11 each, the sandwiches were a perfect (and generous) ratio of bread, meat, pickles, jalapeno and sauce. Our hands down favorite was the lemon grass beef which had such good lemongrass flavor. The lemon grass chicken was also good, tasty chunks of satay-like chicken meat. The pork was fine but paled in comparison. read more

I'm sure many people in Portland, Maine enjoy this style of Vietnamese food, and I can understand why. Coming from the Bay Area in California, though, my expectations are a bit different. Vietnamese cuisine there is typically much brighter and more vibrant, with bold flavors, fresh herbs, and a noticeable balance of acidity, sweetness, and umami. This meal had all of the right components, but the flavors felt much more muted than what I'm accustomed to. My guess is that the recipes have been adapted to better suit local tastes rather than aiming for the more assertive flavor profile that's common in areas with larger Vietnamese communities. If you've never had Vietnamese food before, you'll likely enjoy it. If you're used to Vietnamese restaurants in places like San Jose or the Bay Area, you may find yourself wishing for a little more brightness and intensity. Overall, it was a pleasant meal, just not the style of Vietnamese food I was hoping for. read more

My favorite Bahn mi in town!! Do yourself a favor and snag a sandwich and some Thai iced tea. read more

Banh Appetit routinely provides one of the best and most consistent lunch options in Portland. The staff works tirelessly to provide something that feels, smells and tastes authentic! It's an office staple to go, in search of Banh Mi Sandwiches, on Fridays and honestly from the moment you walk in to the moment you wrap up your final bite -- the experience is second to NONE! read more

Love this sandwich. Bread is very fresh and flavors are outstanding. Highly recommend. Sandwich is $11 and very worth it. Staff is great and kind. No seating inside. read more

Banh Appetit - bbq pork bahn - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine

First time trying a Vietnamese sandwich. Had the lemongrass chicken banh - it was delicious! Toasty roll, well-flavored chicken, fresh veggies. Great lunch stop. read more

My go to place for lunch when I go to portland. I always pick up some banh mi when I am there so I can have some for later when I get home (or during the long ride home because i cant wait). My favorite is the roast pork but the lemongrass beef is a close second for me. read more

OMG this is the best banh mi I've ever had, but to be fair I'm not a connoisseur. However I know great flavor profiles and this sandwich really nails it! I tried the regular classic banh mi and it had the right balance of ingredients. I'll be back to try other banh mi, or the pho, or anything really! read more

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Solid Take out only Bahn Mi spot. Friendly and fast service. Tasted fresh- bread was crunchy, there was a good umami flavor of creamy sauce, and crunchiness of vegetables. Fair amount of meat. Inside is clean and has a few seats to wait for your food. No indoor seating to eat your order and there is only street parking. read more

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Low-key, family-owned, take-out only spot with fabulous food that is the BEST Vietnamese food in the state. The primary chefs are from Vietnam and are NOT messing around when it comes to flavor and portion size. I recommend the banh mi to-go or the home-made pho on a cold day. Their Vietnamese coffee is also a must-try for an afternoon pick-me-up. Friendly and explained everything to me. Decor is nothing fancy but that's not what you want in a take-out place anyways. I will be back here often...maybe even weekly...or more... read more

Ordered a banh mi with cha lua only. Really enjoyed it! There were plenty of veggies included. We also shared a green Thai iced tea, which was very refreshing. It had more of a vanilla taste than the usual orange Thai iced tea. There's not a lot of seating (just a few outdoor seats) so it's probably better as a takeout place. read more

Banh Appetit - Banh mi cha lua - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Such a quick spot for a Banh mi for lunch, I've had seen my friends eat here and wanted to give it a shot. I got the cold cut Banh mi and it was delicious. read more

Banh Appetit - Cold Cut Banh mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine

Update to my July 2022 review, from when I first discovered Banh Appetit! It's become one of my favorite locals, and I want to be sure that everyone also knows about their wonderful, wonderful pho. Now that fall has set in here in Maine, don't you want some delicious soup to warm up? Yes, you do--and if you're a fan of pho, you want to order some here. Today I had the brisket, which I think is my favorite so far (I've also had the steak and the chicken, both also terrific, and they usually have shrimp and meatballs too; you can also mix proteins if you like). Pho connoisseurs know that it's alllllll about the broth, and I can attest to the savory, delicate flavors you'll find here. This is the real deal. This is seasonal, and it isn't showing on the menu if you pull it up online--so just pop on by and see what they have that day. And one order is easily two portions, so great value on top of great flavor! read more

Food: Lemongrass chicken banh mi, BBQ pork banh mi and shrimp summer rolls. We had wanted the lemon grass beef banh mi but, unfortunately, the person in front of us got the last one. The lemongrass chicken turned out to be juicy and flavorful. The bread had a perfect bahn mi texture and the jalapenos, pickled diakon and carrots and mayo were well balanced to get a sweet, savory and spicy mix. Great portions for the price. We did take out but service was prompt and friendly. read more

Banh Appetit - On trend for us- scarfed down half our food before getting a picture of the lemongrass chicken banh mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine

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We've been here quite a few times since covid hit and it's never disappointed! It's always quick, affordable, and so unbelievably good. It's a grab and go but there are some benches inside and the women who work there are always super nice. The sandwich is on the perfect bread that's hard without cutting your mouth, the meat is perfectly cooked and it's always just juicy. Love love this place - def try it if you are anywhere close! read more

Banh Appetit - Beef bahn mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine

Excellent vegan bahn mi at this hole in the wall shop. One woman was working and she was busting her but because it was busy! Vegan bahn mi was delicious with fried tofu with a glaze, vegan mayo, jalapenos, pickled daikon and carrots. Their vegan Thai ice tea was awesome, too read more

Banh Appetit - Vegan bahn mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine

A coworker convinced me to try takeout from here recently. I had the Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi and it was an experience! Delicious food, not sure why I hadn't tried this place sooner but will certainly order from here again! read more

This place has got to be the best Bahn Mi in town. I found Bahn Appetit because my usual place had been closed for a couple of weeks as the owners went on vacation (or something), and unfortunately for the owners of my old spot - I can never go back. The beef packs so much flavor, the veggies are fresh and I could eat 10 of these every time I go!! read more

Sooo... I was on my way to get Duck Fat fries and this place caught my attention. Being a hole in the wall type of Asian place, I figured this would be some hyped up place. The staff were extremely nice, but the sandwich was very meh. I love Vietnamese food but the bread / chicken was very meh and I don't think I'd come back bc I've had better. It was also a bit of a wait, but there were lots of young ppl waiting for their food outside so it was nice chatting to them while waiting. read more

Banh Appetit - Lemongrass Chicken Bahn Mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I want to give this a perfect five because this is certainly the best bahn mi I've had since moving to Maine (so far). It's not the *best* I've had in the country, but it ranks up there. The bread is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The BBQ meat was on the slightly sweet side for my taste, but still very good flavor. I wish there was a bit more cilantro. The shop is small and though there appear to be some single barstool seats near the window, they also post a sign that discourages dining in. There were some seats/tables outdoors as well so maybe they are changing their tune as covid "goes away" (haha). It also serves as almost a convenience store, with certain essentials like some instant noodles, hoisin sauce, Sriracha, etc. 15 minute street parking. It seemed plentiful, but could be luck of the draw. I suggest calling in ahead of time. I did so, but still waited another three minutes... they make it fresh, that's why!! The staff was very friendly. Undoubtedly I will come back for another sandwich when the craving creeps up on me. read more

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There's no seating indoors but there's a few tables outside. I ordered a lemongrass chicken bahn mi for $10. They originally said it'd be 15 minutes for my order to be ready, but it ended up coming out fairly quickly. The flavors were phenomenal and the baguette was very soft. It was a delicious bahn mi and the value is fantastic. I would 10/10 recommend Bahn Appetit if you're looking for a cheap and quick meal in Portland. read more

Banh Appetit - Lemongrass chicken bahn mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine

Much better Banh mi at this visit than last. I prefer if the baguette fresher but nevertheless the Banh mi is full of flavor. A pretty good sandwich all around. This cafe now is cash only. read more

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First time trying this shop. Came for the March 2022 Portland Food Fights Sandwich challenge. They had a steak Bahn MI sandwich for us to try. I knew it was going to be good. You could smell amazing smells outside from across the street. The sandwich was awesome and filling...it is Legit! Lots of great flavor combos pickled daikon (radish) thinly sliced like an onion, carrots, jalapeño, cilantro (and not too much) and then the steak!!! Leftovers held well for dinner. I heated meat separately and it was good still. Sandwiches take 15 min - 20 min until ready so call or order ahead if in a hurry. Plenty of street parking out front during lunch time on Thursday. They also have a mini Vietnamese grocery and also have Vietnamese noodle dishes, Thai teas and lots of yummy appetizers. Closed Sundays. Check Insta or their website for any updates. I read more

Banh Appetit - Steak Bahn Mi Sandwich March 2022 Portland Food Fights - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine

Go here. Now. Bread may be too bready, but still the best banh mi i've ever had (I live in Washington DC). Ask for extra sauce so the bread soaks in it. read more

Such delicious food!! Staff was so friendly and even gave me a bun just because it was my birthday. Awesome people. Awesome food.

I'll be dreaming about that beef banh mi for years to come!! Cooked perfectly and flavor is out of this world. Friendly quick service and prices are very reasonable read more

One of my favorite spots in town. The staff is friendly, the sandwiches are awesome, and I've never had to wait longer than they advise when taking your order. Despite a few tables and chairs near the door, it's very clearly a pick-up only experience here, but they communicate that in abundance with various signage around the storefront. The rangoons (unapologetically NOT crab) are delicious, as are the dumplings. But the main feature is in the name, and the bahn mis do not disappoint. The bread is fresh and fantastic, being equal parts crusty, crunchy, and chewy. The meats are obviously crafted with love, and have a lot of delicious flavors going on alongside tender textures. The fresh carrots, daikon, cilantro, and jalapenos are heaped up on top, and it's no doubt some of them will end up on the wrapping paper, a gentle reminder of the sandwich murder which you have just committed. The BBQ pork (xa xui) and tofu (dau hu) are my two favorites, although I've also enjoyed the beef and chicken as well. I do wish they listed the prices on their website, as I'm always anxious that this place will be "found out" and double their prices for the tourists (the irony of me saying this on a 5* review is not lost on me). That being said, for what you get at Bahn Appetit, I've always found the cost to be very reasonable. This is wonderful food, prepared quickly, that that won't break the bank. I'll continue to come here as often as possible. read more

The Lemongrass beef is truly to die for! Ever since I tried this sandwich a month or so ago, I've been dreaming of coming back for another. Well, here I am. Once again beyond satisfied with this delicious sandwich, with fresh veggies and tasty beef! 10/10 read more

Banh Appetit - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I was really blown away by my sandwich here, and I say this as someone who normally gets banh mi every day at work in Boston Chinatown. Everything about my BBQ pork banh mi was just perfect. The bread (the most important part of a banh mi) was crisp and chewy without destroying the roof of my mouth. The meat was char siu, which was a pleasant surprise, and it was so tender and tasty. They also went super generous with the roast pork, whereas I'm so used to getting such a skimpy amount of meat in my banh mi. The cucumber and pickled daikon and carrots were flavorful and refreshing. They also put mayo and sweet chili sauce on my sandwich, which I loved, and which tied everything together nicely. My sandwich came warm and toasty, and it was a good portion too. All of this for $6.50, which is just an incredible value for how good this sandwich is. They were also doing a great job with COVID-19 precautions. Everything is takeout-only, and they deliver your order to a table out front for easy curbside pickup. The lady who brought my order out was wearing a mask and was super nice. I can't believe it took me so long to try this place out. I will be back every time I come to Portland! UPDATE: I've since tried the lemongrass beef banh mi, and it's even better than the BBQ pork! Definitely recommend. read more

Banh Appetit - BBQ pork banh mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine

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This is my favorite banh mi place. Ever. They stuff the sandwiches with meat! I love the surf and turf!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

The lemongrass chicken banh mi is sooooooo good!! Even with no jalapeño extra mayo and sauce is even better! But the should close more late because it used to be open till like 8:00 read more

Small spot with really really amazing Bahn Mi. The sandwhiches were flavorful and moist with fresh bread. Absolute 10/10

A nice, family run small business featuring authentic Vietnamese food. Don't let the lack of parking deter you! Service is fast so you only need a 15min parking spot. read more

Tastiest banh mi sandwiches in Portland . All 3 choices are delightfully filling and very tasty. Lemongrass chicken, beef, or cold cut. Large sandwich with the best flaky bun . Eat here every couple weeks. read more

We had the tofu banh mi with vegan mayo and it rocked! Generous portion of tofu, nicely pickled onion and carrots. They put sweet chili sauce on it which was a surprisingly delicious combo. Also tried the vegan Thai tea. What a treat. read more

The food is amazing. We have tried pretty much everything on the menu at least once and haven't been disappointed.

While you can't go wrong with anything here, the banh mi is their specialty and within that, the lemongrass beef will blow you away. I've had banh mi many times in many places and this is some of the most delicious juicy fresh banh mi you'll find. The bread is perfect and slightly chewy and everything about this is perfect. The service is quick and kind and it's the perfect lunch vibe, check it out! read more

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Classic been many times , always fast , friendly and tasty Want to try something bit different go here Keep a place like this alive read more

I only get o e thing, the cold cut banh mi and it's always great. Tastes exactly like the banh mini got growing up and we'd buy in Boston. Full of flavor, crispy bread, great pate and Mayo and fresh veggies. Due to covid they only do call in orders, which can be a pain, additionally you have to call when you arrive to get your order. It's clunky, besides that I'm a super fan. read more

Pretty good lemongrass chicken banh mi sandwiches. The size was pretty large and filling. Due to covid they do not take in person orders so you have to call ahead. They also take payment over the phone. Once the food is ready they call your name and put the food on the table. I waited about 30-40 minutes for 4 banh mi sandwiches. Tip: call ahead. read more

Banh Appetit - Lemongrass chicken - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Maine