I was starving after grocery shopping next door. Ready to chew my arm off, I spied this banh mi spot across the parking lot on a Thursday late morning. The doors were open with vibrant photos of their menu on the windows but I already knew what I wanted, Banh Mi Cha Lua + Pâté. But as I was ordering at the counter I say they had Patêchaud pastry so I asked for one of those too. I opted to dine in because there was no way I could wait to get home. They have a spacious and clean dining area. As soon as I sat down my food was delivered on a metal tray with napkins and a cup of ice water. The banh mi was surprisingly longer than my arm and the pastry was still warm. I gobbled down the pastry first, nice flakiness and filling ratio but I with there was more seasoning. I devoured the banh mi, I wish it had a little bit more cha lua for the length of the baguette. Service was good, but I wish someone there spoke English. I had a catering question but wasn't able to communicate with them. I will definitely we back when I'm in the area to try other menu items. read more

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Vietnamese banh mi lover approved! I'm really glad I got the chance to try this banh mi spot. The pâté was a little light, but overall everything hit the spot. There's nothing overly fancy or standout here, but honestly that's refreshing considering how many mediocre sandwich shops are out there. I ordered the dac biet (cold cut), and it definitely satisfied. Looking forward to coming back to try the crispy pork next time. read more

I was in Point Loma craving a banh mi and decided to swing into Cali Banh Mi, and I'm glad I did. Parking was easy with plenty of spots and the seating matched that too. There was more space than I expected and the dining area felt clean and slightly elevated, not just a typical grab and go spot. Up front, they have all the classic banh mi sandwiches lined up on the menu. They also offer more than just banh mi, which I liked. There are rice plates, beef stew, smoothies, boba, and flavored teas, plus some quick snack options. When I got there, the woman at the front was helping other customers, so I waited a bit and looked over the menu. Once she was free, she took my order. I got the barbecue short rib rice dish, a #1 special banh mi (no cucumbers, extra cilantro), and a green tea with honey. My food came out in about 10 minutes, which is quick for three items, and I took it to go. While I was waiting, I had a really nice conversation with her. She mentioned they recently updated the menu to match their other locations, and she was just super sweet and friendly. After a long day, that kind of interaction really stands out. The green tea with honey was the only miss. It was very lacked any predominant flavors, almost no sweetness, and tasted a bit watered down. The banh mi itself was pretty big. The presentation felt a little rushed and the bread was slightly smashed, but overall it was still solid. It had a good amount of pâté, and the pickled daikon and carrots added a nice balance. I would've liked more cilantro, but that's just preference. The bread wasn't super crunchy, which I didn't mind, and it was filling. The standout was the barbecue short rib rice dish. The meat was flavorful, salty, and savory, and the juices soaked into the rice really well. The fish sauce on the side had a nice punch with a slight kick. It also came with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickled veggies, which balanced everything out. It was about $15 after tax, which felt reasonable for short ribs. Overall, the hospitality really stood out. It made the experience feel more personal. It's a bit out of the way for me, but if I'm in Point Loma again, I'd definitely come back for a quick lunch. read more

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Was talking to the owner and she told me that they changed the menu a couple months ago and went back to traditional banh mi. Du maaaaa so much flavoooorrrrrrrrr!!!! I'm glad they did that because as a Vietnamese brotha I approve! Man I'm so glad I stopped by here to try out their crispy pork belly and dac biet. Owner also gave us complimentary eggroll for the kids. Plenty of seating, and sirrachi sauce for your banh mi! I'm coming back here every time im in Point Loma! read more

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Delicious food at a reasonable price. Ambiance gives off an aesthetic cafe vibe. Service was fast and friendly. Definitely recommend this place. The Cali Bowl w/ Sautéed Tofu was a little dry so I recommend ordering several sauces to add to it like soy sauce, peanut sauce, and another sauce. Cali Bowl w/ Sautéed Tofu, Peanut Sauce: 4.5/5 Spicy Noodle Soup w/ beef: 5/5 read more

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Found this place while traveling for soccer tournament with family. Great neighborhood place with multiple choices for everyone's taste. Plates, Banh Mi, pho Great service. read more

This place has the most affordable prices around and the food is great. The new manager has made this place a gem! read more

Cali Banh Mi - Wonton noodle soup. Delicious. - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

This place is amazing !! Great prices , very sweet staff. The interior is clean and open. They have a great menu and everything was delicious. The Bahn Mi was fresh, cheap, and quick! This will be my new spot for sure. read more

Cali Banh Mi - CHARBROILED CHICKEN BREAST BANH MI - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

The banh mis here at Cali Banh Mi are great! I've visited the other locations but have to say that this is my go to location for sure. The staff is friendly, the cafe is clean, and the food has been consistently flavorful. The bread is just the right texture of crunch, without being dry. The sautéed tofu and shrimp are cooked well and pair so well with the fresh veggies and the garlic mayo! Recommend this spot if you're looking for something fresh and filling. read more

This is the only Banh Mi place we go. This is the 4th time we've been here, and it's only now I am going to give them a 5. I ordered the turkey lettuce with avocado and bits of bacon (I removed the bacon bits) Their fresh egg roll is the best especially the peanut sauce. I really like the freshly baked bread they use. The place is absolutely clean and the staff are super friendly and polite. Recommending this resto 100% read more

Cali Banh Mi - Turkey avocado lettuce cheese and bacon - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place is awesome. Great service. Great food and drinks. Very nice lady at the front! read more

Cali Banh Mi - This is the correct number. She doesn't know how to change it on yelp! - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

This is the 3rd time this week that I came here to get the Lemongrass ribeye Cali bahi sandwich #13. The service is fast, and the sandwich is just perfect! Crunchy bread. The pickled carrots are everything! And the beef has the perfect sweetness to it. I'm actually obsessed with this sandwich lol. The lady at the front is always the sweetest. read more

Cali Banh Mi - Lemongrass ribeye #13 - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

We stopped by the CVS during our latest trip to La Jolla in San Diego, California. Cali Banh Mi - Point Loma was right next to the CVS, and we decided to stop inside for a quick snack! Cali Banh Mi offers a wide range of selections such as sandwiches, bowls, coffee, and Boba. Looking over their menu selection, we had to try out their Boba! Some of their other offerings like their Banh Mi include the following Surf/Turf: Vietnamese Banh Mi Spam/Egg: Vietnamese Banh Mi Tofu Vietnamese Banh Mi Chicken Breast Viet Banh Mi Loaded Breakfast Banh Mi Acai Bowls: Nutella Acai Tropical Acai Original Acai The team member was friendly and had asked if we wanted anything else besides Boba. Their Thai Tea Boba was delicious, though! It was rich and creamy! You could taste the vanilla and the other spices, almost like a cinnamon! We took the order to-go. read more

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My tofu Banh Mi was so yummy and fresh. Great portion for the value. They also have yummy drinks to choose from + boba. My iced green tea with honey was delicious. The staff was very nice and the cafe is super cute with a lot of seating. I will definitely be coming back here. read more

I've been to a couple of the Cali Banh Mi locations around San Diego and this one is my favorite! The decor is cute and service is always quick! I only get the BBQ pork Banh Mi sandwich and todays was the biggest, fattest one yet! Fresh ingredients and perfect bread! This location also has plenty of parking and close freeway access! Stop in an get some food! Also got the Vietnamese iced milk coffee! So tasty! I WILL NOT be sleeping anytime soon! Haha read more

Cali Banh Mi - BBQ Pork Vietnamese Banh Mi - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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Delicious iced coffee and sandwiches! Friendly, kind service with comfortable spacious seating. read more

Cali Banh Mi - Iced coffee - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

Not gonna lie I was very skeptical about this place having any sort of authentic taste especially since being in this area and having Islander music playing when I walked in. I found this place last minute on Yelp while on the way to Belmont and wanting to grab something quick to take. The cashier who took our order was cool he didn't say much. We got the surf and turf fries and the dac biet sandwich. I was wondering if they used pate here n surprisingly they do! It even says it on their menu for the dac biet. I'm not sure why their paper menu says the dac biet sandwich is $9 but the one on the screen inside says $10 but I only got charged $9. The surf and turf fries were $15. I was sooo surprised when I opened both items up at the beach. I was expecting very little expectations and thinking it was Americanized. The fries looked amazing when I opened the box! It was topped with steak and shrimp and drizzled with a sort of spicy mayo aioli, picked daikon and carrots, and cilantro. Basically all the fixings inside a banh mi. I immediately took a bite while my son and husband looked at me with envy in their eyes. I opened up my sandwich which I asked to be cut in thirds and it looked so meaty and I could already see and smell it was done correctly. It was heftily packed with cold cuts and I could smell the soy sauce and pate I love it! As soon as I took a bite I was like omggg this is even better than some places in the hood in City Heights!!! Kudos!!! Will definitely always grab a bite for the beach when I'm on my way to hangout. read more

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the service was kinda bad, the food wasnt as expected. It did not taste the same compared to other locations i went to supporting this restaurant. The chicken that was served to me wasnt on the menu aswell. read more

Cali Banh Mi - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

Looks like they just got put under new ownership at this location. But very tasty nonetheless! The number 6 BBQ Pork with pate was delicious along with a mango smoothie with jelly. Staff was very friendly and gave a free baguette as part of their opening weekend special! I will be coming back here for a quick and fresh bite. read more

While we were eating at a disappointing seafood boil restaurant next door we thought we'd try some bahn mi's for or picnic lunch the next day. So while we were eating our less than satisfying seafood I used my app to order or sandwiches. They were both very good a reasonably priced. If you don't have good bread you can't make a good sandwich. They have good bread. Service is just like every other sandwich shop. Good. And you can judge for yourself if the restaurant atmosphere is what you're looking for. read more

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I got the spring rolls. Very fresh and tasty. Prices are good too. Went to the one in midway. Very close by.

10/10 experience and food. FYI, they recently updated menu and phone number. Amazing customer service. They can also custom make spring rolls. The banh mi are so delicious especially crispy pork belly! I'm looking forward to coming back. read more

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Amazing fresh food, friendly and fast service, clean restaurant, and affordable prices! I absolutely LOVE this place and can't recommend it more. We got the classic spring rolls, bbq pork spring rolls and the #1 cali banh mi. Everything was awesome read more

Cali Banh Mi - BBQ Pork Spring Roll - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

The pho is delicious, the prices are great and the place is clean. Will come back and try their banh mi next visit.

Holy crap! This place is a steal! The average cost for a foot long bahn mi is 8 dollars, mine was $7.50! They have a nice cozy area inside and be dry fast service. We also two spring rolls for a total of 5 dollars! And they are HUGE! The quality of the food is nice and they bake their bread in house. They also have boba milk tea for 4-5 dollars which I haven't tried but want to. They only have one table for two outside but that's alright, it's a tight area anyway. I recommend going here if you want a quick, cheap, but delicious Vietnamese cuisine read more

Love it!! The only draw back is there isn't one closer to me. We go all the time! The food was fresh and the bahn mi we ordered was just spicy enough. We also love their açaí bowls. Good size too. read more

I absolutely love Cali Bahn Mi! We've ordered catering from a different location multiple times and the food from this location tastes the exact same. The tofu Bahn mi sandwich is my favorite. Even if you aren't a tofu lover, you'll like this one! They cook the tofu in a way that is in no way bland. It's super flavorful and absolutely delicious. If you really can't get past that, then the bbq pork is also a favorite. I also enjoy their fresh spring rolls. I had mine made without bean sprouts as they aren't my favorite. The location is nice and clean. It's easy to park. It's right next to the Cravory. read more

Cali Banh Mi - Inside - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

Visited this place with my daughter and her boyfriend and we had a really great experience. The place was clean. The service was good.. The food was delicious.. definitely give it a try. read more

This place is a GEM. It's tucked away, easy to miss, but the food is fantastic - quality ingredients, generous portions, surprisingly low prices, and healthy. Best banh mi sandwich I've had in SD. Thank you guys, I am definitely a new regular. read more

No....just no. I don't know what happened the day we went because what we had did not match all the other reviews that claim the food to be "amazing". This was hands down the worst Banh mi and spring rolls I believe I've had. The bun wasn't toasted, the chicken was under seasoned and dry, the pickled veg didn't have that nice burst of flavor - they were like watered down pickled veg. Didn't notice any or much mayo or sauce which made it super dry, lacking flavor and under seasoned. The spring rolls aka summer rolls aka salad rolls....literally just vermicelli, lettuce and steamed shrimp. SO bland. Add some herbs for flavor - Thai Basil or mint or Vietnamese coriander...or all. Bean sprouts or julienne carrots or cucumber would be nice for texture. Sure, some would say "the dipping sauce adds the flavor". This was the worst dipping sauce. You can see in the picture how dark it is - it tasted basically of soy sauce and it was so overpoweringly salty. Just awful. The strawberry fields salad. I don't know what I was thinking. Barely any toppings in comparison to the spring mix lettuces. And the sauce was a sugary jelly like substance that I would say with certainty was not freshly made in house. I chose to not pour the dressing over the salad. The coconut smoothie had an artificial coconut flavor taste. Not a fan of artificial flavoring. Coconut milk and coconut cream or coconut milk and young coconut meat blended would be much more delicious. My husband paid extra to add boba and it was such a small amount of boba, that was also disappointing. Lastly, the takeout sealed packaging for every single order seems incredibly wasteful (as seen in my photos). It would be nice if they asked each customer if they were dining in or taking out and plate the dishes accordingly because the amount of styrofoam, plastic wrap and plastic containers that are being used to dine in only to be immediately thrown away (there was no recycling bin) seems incredibly excessive and wasteful. I really hope the food improves. But I don't think we'd be giving this place a second try. read more

Cali Banh Mi - Grilled chicken Banh mi, steamed shrimp spring rolls, strawberry fields salad - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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Hopefully the other food is good but the Banh mi sandwiches were missing sauce so were dry and the spring rolls were just alright. Too pricey to not taste great. read more

My first time here definitely won't be my last! I ordered the ribeye lemon grass Bahn mi Sandwich and an iced chai latte. The sandwich had sooo much flavor I love all the fresh vegetables they put in it and they weren't skimpy on the meat. The bread was super soft loved it! The guy who took my order was also super nice and attentive. read more

Cali Banh Mi - Ribeye lemon grass bahn mi sandwich, and chai latte - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

This place is absolutely AMAZING, I was looking for something quick and healthy and the Cali Bowl did not disappoint. Not to mention potions are HUGE. They are decently priced as well! Thai tea boba was delicious. Location is great in the middle of a shopping center so plenty of parking. Establishment was clean, customer service is outstanding. They also have a military discount a great bonus. If you haven't come here idk what you're waiting for. The cilantro lime dressing is exceptional!!!! I will definitely be back here and you should too! read more

Cali Banh Mi - Thai Tea Boba - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

Love this Bahn Mi spot, especially because they have never wavered in quality or gone too high in prices which is why I still go there all of the time. We always get a lemongrass beef sandwich and a tofu sandwich with an order of the tofu spring rolls. Also, the people who work here are always sweet, helpful and very welcoming. Love this spot - great food and highly recommend! read more

Cali Banh Mi - Tofu bahn mi - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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Ideal spot to get some quick food. Not very busy during lunch time. Indoor and outdoor dining is up to you. I got the Thai tea and pork and shrimp spring rolls. The Thai tea was basic so nothing special about it. Still good for $5 for a large. The spring rolls were great. They always come in two (the menu doesn't make that clear). I took a star away because the key to good spring rolls is the peanut dipping sauce. The sauce had no flavor and was watered down. It needs a bit more corn starch to make it more thicker. Other than that. Good place to eat. read more

Cali Banh Mi - Steamed Shrimp Spring Roll with Peanut Sauce - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

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The place is nice and inviting loads of seating. Greeted upon entry Nice selection of to go items I ordered an açaí bowl. I ordered a large because most places ummm My order came quickly and wow The size was absolutely worth it The amount of toppings were proportioned just right I definitely recommend this place read more

I ordered a honeydew boba tea. A small was $9, and it was like drinking straight heavy cream. Horrible. So disappointing. read more

Cali Banh Mi - Honeydew boba Milk Tea - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California

Continue to love this place a few years later. Still our go to for Bahn Mi, although the fries are killer too. They're always so good to us accommodating our young daughter's dietary restrictions. It has quickly become one of her favorite spots. Today we came in and Guillermo was super awesome and creative in helping my little one pick out the perfect option for her. read more

Someone in my local FB page posted that this plan was really good. The place is clean & nice. But the 3 of us weren't impressed @ all with the food. I had high hopes but it's a hard pass on returning. read more

I ordered the shrimp and pork spring rolls. The peanut sauce had such a weird taste. I had to ask for fish sauce as an alternative dipping sauce. Sadly the fish sauce was much worse. I'm a sauce person. If you can't get the flavors right, I wont be coming back. Scared to try their bowls or banh mi if their sauces are so terrible. Ruined it for me. I was craving spring rolls and this place was a huge miss for me. read more

Cali Banh Mi - Basic ingredients only. Wish they added mint leaves. The most disappointing thing were the peanut sauce and fish sauce. - Sandwiches Near Me - San Diego, California