We come here all the time for bánh mì, especially the lemongrass beef. Years ago I brought some to work, and everyone loved it. Even the pickiest guy in the office couldn't stop talking about how good it was! One day I stopped by for dinner and wanted my usual spring rolls, but they were sold out. The staff here is always so nice, and they offered to make some fresh for me. That's when I noticed what I thought was a Surf & Turf Spring Roll on the menu and decided to try it. OMG... it was SO good! Easily one of the best spring rolls I've ever had. They made it with their amazing lemongrass beef, and the combination was perfect. I came back this morning to pick up bánh mì for my coworkers as a lunch treat and asked about the Surf & Turf Spring Roll again. Turns out I had originally seen it listed under the vermicelli bowl section, not the spring rolls. Thankfully, they were happy to make it for me again. Honestly, they should add a Surf & Turf Bánh Mì and a Surf & Turf Spring Roll to the regular menu. They would absolutely become my go-to order every time! Great food, friendly staff, and consistently excellent service. read more

This was my go-to for banh mi sandwiches when I used to live in the area. The shop has seating for outdoor or indoor, depending on your mood. It was so nice to come back and order my usual BBQ pork. Still as amazing as ever! The shop is conveniently located off of Mira Mesa boulevard and close to Hillery drive for quick access to the I-15 express lanes. I recognized Kim from years ago so it was nice to see her friendly face again. She was always so kind when I would place my orders. She is great! This place makes me feel at home and I will return every chance I get. read more

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After hip hop dance class, I was hungry so I swung by here as the dance studio and this place are so close to one another, sweet! Same guy who helped me last time was working again tonight and was again super kind to me. He asked if I wanted a drink with my banh mi, I had to pass. I love Vietnamese coffee but at 7:30pm, I cant have any caffeine or else I'll be bouncing into outer space with all the energy. I will get this next time when I come in earlier! I ordered the #1 Cali special and it was literally ready in 2 minutes! And for $8, I don't know where else you would get a bargain like this and the banh mi is delicious! I need to try other items next time I come thru as so much on offer here! Solid spot and please come support local and not some big chain nonsense! read more

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This place has some great banh mi sandwiches and everything is made fresh to order. It's a great menu. They also have Vietnamese dishes such as bbq rice plates, spring rolls and noodle bowls. Everything here is reasonably priced and the food is consistently good. The service is very friendly and helpful. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor patio seating. I loved the special packed selection items to grab n go. It's fast easy and delicious. read more

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Best banh mi! Fresh, fast, cheap. Family own, mom and pop shop. Service is always consistent and food never disappoints. Best in Mira Mesa. read more

Cali Baguette Express - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Love this place, the bread is amazing too. My friend and I came here a lot, him more than me and turned me onto it. Love the Bahn Mi steak with lemongrass. We had ordered a ton of stuff, and sandwiches to go too for friends, a few drinks. He paid but the girl that is always there literally brought him back and said he didn't pay for a drink and wanted to charge him again. He was so offended we have not been back. So , I won't come back either because it was just so inappropriate. He was charged and when you just spent over 100$, even if you missed, it and know we come here all the time, let it go. He is Japanese and their culture holds respect very high. We found another Bahn Mi place we love now. read more

This place has been here for many years and they seem to have expanded their menu. They're known for their banh mi , but they sell many types of Vietnamese snacks and now offer curry and noodles soups. I really like their banh mi because they make their own bread and it's so fresh. I usually get the bbq pork banh mi but today I splurged to get their roasted pork belly banh mi. Almost $4 more but it was very good. Chunks of roasted pork belly, with the crunchy chewy pork skin added to the sandwich just took it to another level. I enjoyed it very much. They have both inside and patio seating. Outside seating is sometimes a bit dirty but this is a no frills type of place. LOL. The lady is always so nice . They get busy during peak lunch hours but it's pretty fast. This is my go to place for banh mi in Mira Mesa. read more

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I've been to Cali Baguette Express many times and usually order the #1, #6, and #11 (Cali Special, grilled pork, and meatball). Everything is delicious and well-balanced--not too salty--so it never feels heavy or overwhelming. The shop is spacious, but it can be a bit messy and not very well organized. There's no air conditioning, so it can get quite warm inside. The staff are friendly, polite, and always cheerful. Parking is convenient and accessible for both younger people and seniors. I don't live nearby, but I always make a point to stop by whenever I'm in the area. read more

Cali Baguette Express - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been coming here since high school and it tastes the exact same!! Lemongrass beef banh mi is 5 stars so happy I get to come here after many many years thank you so much read more

Cali Baguette Express - Lemongrass Beef Banh Mi - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

We ordered 9 for the family. 4 ham, 4 bbq pork, and 1 special. It was ready in 20 minutes. I'm not a fan of baguettes and prefer French bread. Mainly because baguette tends to get hard. If you eat it immediately, this is not the case. We sat outside and ate immediately while the bread was still soft and crunchy. You'll find tables inside and outside. More of a community seating since it's all picnic style table. Service was wonderful because half of us wanted veggies inside the sandwich, the other half wanted it separated, among other requests. Cali Baguette did a good job on listening to all the requests and it's written on the receipt. read more

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We came to Cali Baguette express for an early Monday lunch. It was crowded but nice to see the business had a steady stream of customers. The employee at the register was extremely kind and very helpful. She had a great demeanor and kept apologizing for being busy, which she really didn't need to do. I ordered the bbq pork banh mi and it came out within a reasonable amount of time. The bread was soft, fresh with a crispy outside. The bbq pork was delicious. I would have liked to have more pickled veggies but it was $1 more and I was curious what their normal portions were so I skipped it this time. The jalapeño was spicy which was a nice surprise. I would definitely come here again. Prices were reasonable. My friend got the egg banh mi with extra pickled vegetables and the portion was generous and very heavy. She enjoyed all of it including her boba milk tea so it must have been yummy too! read more

Cali Baguette Express - 1/2 of the BBQ pork banh mi - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Arrived here around 10am on a Sunday, and there's a good amount of people ordering. I ordered the BBQ Pork and others ordered the Spam and #1 bahn mi. The quantity is passable for the price. It's a good pick-me-up bahn mi. The bread was okay, aka it's not as thicc and crunchy compared to other shops, BUT the bread and stuffing ratio was perfect. It's like eating a burrito. The bread was thin, warm with a bit of a bite. The BBQ pork was not as smoky and charred but still good. We also got the shrimp spring rolls. I like the peanut sauce. I would enjoy the spring rolls more if it had more shrimp though. The size is great and veggies but not enough protein/shrimp. I'd come back again for this quick pick-me-up. read more

Cali Baguette Express - #6 BBQ Pork - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

This spot is not really good at all. To be fair, my family and I ended up here because our first two choice restaurants for banh mi were closed. Firstly, the lady taking our order asked if we wanted jalapeños in our banh mi. We said no but they both had them anyway. Sandwiches are not stuffed - the serving is really sparse. They overcharge for water bottles and don't have water cups available. The lady was also a bit rude to us. My sister wanted to place a separate order for drinks after we ordered food, hence we stayed at the counter. Rather than ask if we could be helped further, we were told to move out of the way so they could help the next party. It is already not very spacious in there. The best part was maybe only the vietnamese coffee but it comes with a lot of ice too. read more

My review is still the same as my original post.. i still have the exact problems as I did then. I really just wanted to upload pics. read more

Cali Baguette Express - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I was in the mood for a good bahn Mi sandwich. Trying this place for the first time. So far I'm really liking my sandwich and my coffee is good! Lots of customers which is a good sign. There's plenty of seating. Doesn't look like there's a restroom here. It appears like a lot of take out orders. I do recommend coming here. You can also get fresh baguettes to go. read more

Cali Baguette Express - Lemongrass beef sandwich - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I didn't even know this little place existed but I'm glad I found it just down the street from me. This cute little shop is on the corner of a strip mall in Mira Mesa with a good amount of parking. Inside there are all different foods displayed from hot foods to desserts to packaged snacks. I went on a Saturday afternoon and the lady working the front was the sweetest lady ever! She was so patient with all the customers and answered all questions brought up. I tried out the spring rolls, egg rolls, and some of my husband's bbq pork Bahn mi. The food came out really fast. The spring rolls were made to order and tasted fresh and delicious. It came with a peanut sauce that had a little kick to it and was topped with chopped peanuts. The Bahn mi was also delicious and the bread was crispy on the outside but nice and soft and not too chewy. The jalapeño was spicy!! The egg roll was a bit doughy for me and not as crispy and warm as I would've liked. The price is unbeatable for the food and I know I will definitely be back to try some other options including the Vietnamese coffee! Yum! read more

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Absolutely loved this place! I was in the mood a bahn mi and saw Cali on yelp. A small, deli-like hole in the wall with a few inside and outside seats. I ordered the bbq pork bahn mi and a pork egg roll. Not even exaggerating, the sandwich came out in like two minutes, but was so fresh and delicious, with a little kick to it from the sliced jalapenos. Plenty of parking and friendly service- looking forward to trying other options on their menu! read more

I picked up lunch to-go from here and got shrimp spring rolls and a BBQ pork banh mi. They had lots of snacks and desserts that were tempting. The staff were very friendly and it didn't take too long for our food to be ready. I really enjoyed my sandwich and the spring rolls came with a great peanut sauce! read more

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Cute little shop that reminds me of the stores in Hawaii. Lots of options for sandwiches and other hot items to choose from. The bread is house made and tastes so! Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The pickled veggies were a nice touch and I wanted more of it! Service was quick, fast, and friendly! Store kept organized and clean. read more

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Needed a quick bite before grocery shopping and wanted to give this banh mi spot a try bc my go-to is about 20 mins down south. So far, this is my second favorite banh mi spot in SD (bf says this is his number one tho). My bf and I ordered the dac biet banh mi, thit heo quay banh mi, vietnamese coffee and nem chua. I asked for extra veggies in mine and didn't get a surcharge, amazing! Banh mi itself was really soft, if you're into that then you will love their banh mis but I personally like mine to have a crispy outer edge. Vietnamese coffee was alright. Nem chua was good but it surprisingly was sweeter than a lot of other ones I've tried. All in all, quick and nice service and the price was reasonable for what you get. Definitely gonna be my new go-to since it's so close to me. read more

Cali Baguette is a local favorite for takeout or sit down bites and fresh baguettes. Conveniently at a corner of Mira Mesa Blvd, they have customers at all times of the day. Their bahn mis come with vegetables, protein, and jalapenos, and their bread is light and soft but crunchy on the ends. Pate or extra meat is an additional charge. I'd recommend for a quick and reliable pick up order if you're in a pinch. They also offer a variety of Vietnamese classics like broken rice, vermicelli bowls, and crispy pork belly or egg rolls. Their coffee isn't as strong as other nearby Vietnamese coffees, more sweet, but they do offer dairy alternatives for boba tea. Pricing has increased over the years, but they have convenient parking, friendly staff, and are consistent with their food and quick to prepare orders read more

#ThankYouThursday ... Thank you for another year of great banh mi, pate chaud, fresh baguettes, etc. ... and very friendly service. read more

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Let me start by saying, the bread here is AMAZING! freshly made every day. I got sandwiches #13 + #1, plantain chips, and a sesame ball. Everything I ordered was delicious. Their lemongrass beef is so flavorful, and their bread is made for pure perfection. Surprisingly not busy for a friday night, with mostly togo orders. Workers here are very kind, and service is efficient & fast. This store has it all, always a pleasant experience at Cali Baguette Express! read more

Cali Baguette Express - lemongrass beef bahn mi - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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This is a solid banh mi place. The sandwiches are made to order and come out fairly quick. Prices are what you expect. I used to love the banh mi's here. However, it seems like they started cutting back on how much meat they give you. You can notice it by asking for veggies on the side, which is how I always order my banh mi's. Previously for the cold cut banh mi, you would get 3 or more slides of cold cut, now it's just 2 slices. Still their fresh baked baguette is good. At the end of the day, it's still a good tasting sandwich served quick. There's plenty of parking. The place is fairly large and has lots of places to sit inside and out.The girl taking your order can be very short and blunt. Some can people take it as rudeness. If you know what you're ordering and don't have a million questions, you won't have a problem. read more

I'm in between a 4 and a 5 so I'd consider this 4.5 stars. I was craving a bahn mi and didn't feel like spending $15 on a sandwich (bahn mi sandwiches are known for being in the $6-7 price point.. at least to my knowledge but even a lot of places I found have prices around $10-11 I suppose because of inflation. Anyways, Cali Baguette was close by and so I stopped in and got the #1 cali bahn mi and 1/2 pandan cake... while the bahn mi somewhat did its job (flavor was ok, it was a long but skinny sandwich.. 3 stars for that) but the pandan cake was super delicious and the service was friendly as well as the establishment was really cute and clean. read more

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I always order a #1 at any Vietnamese sandwich place which is usually their special and has all their deli meats & pâté. Their #1 did not disappoint. The only thing keeping this place from being a 5 star establishment is that their bread was a little doughy, if that makes sense? Usually you expect the bread to be more crisp and flaky... but other than that, this sandwich is pretty solid! read more

Cali Baguette Express - #1 dac biet - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Solid Banh Mi spot in Mira Mesa. Bread is fresh as can be, toppings as well!! The Banh Mi's are delicious, they have drinks and other food items as well. Parking can be tight in this strip mall. read more

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I was looking for vietnamese coffee spots that opened early so I could get my caffeine fix and this shop popped up. I came by at 7am and the lady at the counter was very friendly. They have tables and seating both inside and outside. I ordered a vietnamese iced coffee and lemongrass beef spring rolls. I liked that they accept credit cards I was in and out of the store within 10 mins - 10/10 for fast friendly service The viet coffee was not too sweet and still had the hint of bitterness, which is what I was hoping for - 10/10 The spring roll was fresh and made to order but ingredients/filling was on the sparing and dry end - 8/10 read more

The chicken sandwich with egg was amazing! It came on soft and fluffy bread and had other veggie toppings like carrots, radish, cilantro, and jalapeño. I also tried an egg roll and mango smoothie. I'd skip the smoothie next time because it was way too sweet but the egg roll was delicious and a perfect addition to the meal! Definitely recommend for a quick and affordable meal. read more

Friendly and fast service Very authentic viet food I ordered a shrimp vermicelli plate with peanut sauce very light and fresh . The Vietnamese coffee was great and definitely hit the spot read more

Cali Baguette Express - Vermicelli shrimp plate - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

The banh mi's are always great here because they have the freshest baguettes! I watched the delivery guy roll in a whole cart of prepared dough that morning. You can just buy baguettes by itself at only $2 a piece! They were still hot when i received them. The inside of the baguette is so soft and fluffy. They also sell deli meat by the pound ($10 per half pound) in case you want to make a banh-mi chacuterie board. Fast and friendly service! read more

Cali Baguette Express - Fresh baguettes $2 a piece - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Poor customer service. Gives you info about the sandwich but forgets to put it in the sandwich. You give them a call about what happened but the dude in the front that answers the phone does not even care about what happened and literally just tells you to talk to the owner without even apologizing. Sad service read more

I strolled into Cali Baguette with the appetite of a man who has traveled the world, seen things, and is not afraid of bold flavors. What happened next can only be described as culinary excellence of the highest order. Their bánh mì is a towering achievement--crispy baguette, savory fillings, and a balance so perfect it should be studied by scientists and attractive people alike. Every bite said, "You chose wisely, sir." And then--by the beard of Zeus--the rice paper egg rolls. Light, fresh, and packed with flavor, they arrived on the scene like a well-timed jazz flute solo: unexpected, smooth, and deeply satisfying. Dunked in sauce, they deliver a flavor profile that commands respect and possibly a slow clap from nearby tables. The staff? Polite. Efficient. Trustworthy. The atmosphere? Inviting. The experience? Nothing short of legendary. In conclusion, Cali Baguette is kind of a big deal. If you have taste buds and a sense of decency, you owe it to yourself to eat here. Stay hungry, San Diego. read more

Lunch time and I was in the mood for some Bhan Mi and lo and behold I am here. The selection was awesome and my eyes could figure out what to get but as they same stick with what you know. I got me a regular Bhan Mi and a shrimp for my wife. All was just as expected and I think I am coming. Back with the family and try something else read more

Between the two cali baguette, this is my favorite. Maybe, I'm biased because this is the store that introduced me to the world of Vietnamese sandwiches but I always find their sandwiches to be fresh and hit the spot on a sunny nice day. On the plus side, they are only 10 minutes away from Sorrento Valley and Miramar Lake. Whether you're getting off work or finishing up a bike ride, Cali Baguette is the place to go for something yummy and healthy. Their sandwiches are packed with pickled veggies and fresh meat. I know some say they are on the lighter side but I think they are perfect. Not too much and not too little, just right. Other than sandwiches, they sell baguettes by the dollar and other Vietnamese snacks like Bahn Bot Loc and homemade prawn crackers. I personally get the pork sandwich. I also recommend finishing the sandwich day of as the bread does get stale/hard the next day. read more

I stopped by at dinner time yesterday and the service here was quick and to the point. It's a very casual spot for food. There was a quick wait in line to order, and while I waited I noticed that they had lots of fresh pastries, spring rolls, and sticky rice. They have a large number of options if you are visiting to order sandwiches. What's even nicer is that every sandwich was about $10 or less. What I ordered: The BBQ pork banh mi- the pork was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and very tender. Another plus was that the baguette was very fresh with a nice, crunchy crust. The pate chaud: It was my first time trying this pastry and it was very delicious. The pastry tasted similar to a croissant and the filling was ground pork. read more

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I recently stopped by Cali Baguette Express and had a mixed experience. The outdoor seating area is really charming with its wooden tables and the pleasant California air, creating a nice spot to enjoy a quick meal. The fresh bread they use in their Bahn Mi is really good--definitely the highlight of their offerings and I saw multiple people walk away having purchased loaves of baguettes in their hands. However, we specifically requested our sandwich without cilantro, but it still came with cilantro, so we had to ask for a remake (my husband has an extreme sensitivity to it so we're not able to just pick it off). When the second sandwich arrived, it had no cilantro but was missing the jalapeños we wanted, requiring another request for some on the side. It felt a bit frustrating to have to make multiple adjustments just to get our order right, and I felt bad for asking so many times. To add to the inconvenience, there were no napkins in our to-go bag, and we had to ask for some separately. The whole experience felt kind of chaotic. In comparison, I've found the Banh Mi at Ngon Ngon To Go to be more consistent and way more delicious, and it's not too far from this location. The Cali Baguette Express Bahn Mi lacked a little flavor in my opinion too. It just didn't hit in the way I wanted it to. While Cali Baguette Express offers a quick-serve vibe and some great elements like the fresh bread and a cute outdoor area, I'm a bit hesitant to return. read more

Cali Baguette Express - Bahn mi no cilantro - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Sandwiches at Cali Baguette are delish! The baguettes are always fresh! You wont find fresher baguettes anywhere else! thank you ! read more

The banh mi sandwiches are stuffed with all the good stuff crispy baguette, crunchy veggies, and savory meats making every bite feel like a celebration. The Vietnamese iced coffee? It's like rocket fuel for your day, but way more delicious. Fast, fresh, and seriously satisfying, this place will have you wondering why you've been eating boring sandwiches all your life. Bonus: No judgment if you get one to go... and then one more for the road. read more

Cali Baguette Express - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

This little deli express has the best banh mi SD!!! I usually make a pit stop here to grab some to go for my flight home. read more

Cali Baguette Express - BBQ pork banh mi - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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