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    Cali Sandwich & Pho

    4.2 (712 reviews)
    InexpensiveSandwiches, Vietnamese, Soup
    Closed 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Cali Sandwich & Pho Photos

    Business Info

    CALI SANDWICH & PHO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Reviews With Photos

    I hope they don't ban me for this suggestive photo of Banh Mi
    Fox E.

    Hey I just met you And Viet in Houston is crazy! So here's an option Cali maybe? Extremely busy sandwich place which isn't just excellent by Midtown standards, it would be one of the best in Alief too, on Bellaire Blvd, anywhere. In San Jose. In Ho Chi Minh. Or as my friends call it "the big Ho." Probably the best Banh Mi in Midtown, possibly the best in Greater Houston, divine and stuffed full of goodness, authentic and fresh made. Did you know the owners here are the former owners of the legendary Les Givral's nearby (which no longer exists). If it were in Miami it would be located on Cali Ocho. But it's not, it's here in Houston, because we're lucky. Just don't ask me for Cuban food recs in HTX, because there are some things Miami really does better. We love the people that run it and we love their sandwiches even more. All the food served here is utterly delicious. However, they have a hidden gem that keeps me coming back here almost daily. If I came for it daily, I might be dead already, but maybe I am. How do I know I'm not though. Okay this just got very philosophical. I'm sorry. But it's the coffee. Sorry, the Cafe Sua Da. Viet Iced Coffee. Amazing! I know my coffees, and this one is strong, authentic, cheap, incredible, unusually large portion, fresh made every time you order it. Easily the best and best value coffee in the city. Anyone who likes Cafe Sua Da absolutely must try it here. You may never try it anywhere else. As in it might kill you. But if it doesn't, you will keep coming back for more until it does. It's in Midtown, so be careful, masses of homeless and a little crime. Not so much Jack The Ripper crime, but definitely petty crimes that Cali Ripa would report on. I mean Kelly. Lots of beautiful people come here on their lunch break. I guess the Pho keeps everyone looking young and glamorous. The owner is a sweetheart and I consider her a friend. Andrew and his brother are great guys and it's always good to see them, they both have fantastic customer service. And there's a little woman making sandwiches and my coffees that is such a sweet, lovely person, and one of my fave employees of all time, anywhere. I always have lovely chats with her. If you haven't been to Cali, go to Colombia, or even Los Angeles, and see what you think. But if you haven't been to Cali Sandwich, you're missing out. The best sandwiches and especially coffee in town. Cheap, delicious, authentic, and right next to downtown. It's like the very best of Alief without having to even look at an inch of the asphalt of 59. And it's near Montrose, so when you pop in for sandwiches and coffee, feel free to Cali Me By Your Name. Now let's allow LL Cool J to take it away: I'm going back to Cali, Cali, Cali I'm going back to Cali, hell yes, I think so I'm going back to Cali, Cali, Cali I'm going back to Cali, I sure hope so I'm going back to Cali, the crowds are surprising I went there at lunchtime and they were sizing Barbie up Her skirt, small; heels, tall She said, she liked, the Fresh Rolls She showed me a Banh Mi, gave me Viet Coffee And pulled out the Chili Garlic Now I thought that was fast, but the girl next to us got it faster She's looking for a real good sandwich I said, "Close your eyes, I got a surprise, " And she loved it, then ran out on the bill Note: I don't run out on bills (Or Monicas, or Hilarys)

    Tofu Bahn Mi
    Chris F.

    Wasn't super impressed my sandwich. It wasn't bad by any means but both texture and taste wise the sandwich fell flat as an experience. Also while I was there I noticed water from a vent over the table right next to me. And while I feel like I have a pretty strong stomach for lacking atmosphere or slight dinginess, this place definitely pushes what I consider acceptable.

    Bbq Pork Banh Mi
    Ellen K.

    In a city where a mediocre sandwich can run you $18, Cali is out here feeding you well for a fraction of that. The BBQ pork is savory and layered generously alongside pickled carrots, jalapeños, and cilantro. For the beef pho, the beef was tender and the noodles were silky. Service is speedy and efficient, and vibes give true mom and pop business. Perfect for a lunch break, a quick dinner, or honestly just any time~

    Pho Tai
    Kiran A.

    This place has quickly become a favorite! So sad I hadn't found it sooner. Parking here is tough, there's a small adjoining lot, but the strip mall it's in has a lounge so spots go quick. There's a lot behind it but it's reserved for another pho spot and they tow- so street parking is something you have to prepare for. Typically if a place has bad parking, in Houston, the land of plenty, I usually don't go! There's just too many restaurants to put up with that kind of nuisance. But here? It's worth the small annoyance because their food IS SO good. It's spacious inside, and you'll get seated immediately. The servers have real mom and pop vibes and won't hesitate to suggest foods in case you're confused. I went with a friend who is vegetarian, and they had plenty of veggie options for him to choose from. I had the Pho Tai, and he got the Mi Xao Chay, stir fried tofu & vegetables with Egg Noodles. We also ordered a tofu bahn mi. Fun fact- I've seen stir fried veggies and noodles at many restaurants but not a lot of places make them with mi ( egg noodles) and this is my fave type of noodle. This was both of our fave dish, and the reason I keep going back. The broth of the pho was delicious, didn't have that canned taste, tasted fresh, and the Banh Mi was also great.

    Cali combination
    Kasey Y.

    f you're looking for a good banh mi in Houston, this is the spot. I got the Cali Combination and it did not disappoint. The ingredients were super fresh, the bread was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the flavors were on point. Prices are very reasonable, making this a great go-to spot for a quick lunch. The food comes out fast, and the service is friendly and efficient. Whether you want to grab and go or sit down and eat, Cali Sandwiches has you covered. Definitely recommend!

    Bánh Ướt Thịt Nướng (rice steam sheets with grilled pork)
    Chris W.

    The only good thing to come out of the pandemic-era closure of Les Givral's was switching my banh mi allegiance over to Cali instead - but having had the chance to try more and more of the menu over the last few years, I can definitely say Cali is so much more than a simple banh mi joint. Even with the lengthy menu, they manage to execute each dish at a high level and an excellent price point, whether it's the crispy, filling-packed banh mi, the rich, savory noodle soups, or the fiery, wok-fried hot dishes. My banh mi of choice layers juicy meatballs, vinegary pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and jalapeno for perfect texture and balance in every bite; my go-to soup is the seafood-forward bún riêu, packed with various umami-laden bites and fresh herbs. Pair your sizable meal with a luscious, caffeine-maxed cà phê sữa đá or a creamy fruit smoothie (my favorites are the papaya and avocado!) Service is efficient and water/napkin refills are always proactive; when you're done, just head up to the counter to pay your bill. While it's a great place to call in to-go orders, it's also fun to dine-in to experience an incomparable cross-section of Houstonian patrons enjoying some great food together. Hope to catch you there next time!

    CAli combination to the left and bbq pork to the right
    Canny F.

    Finally what I'm looking for here!! The fried spring rolls I've been craving for is called egg rolls! It was perfect. Crispy and stuffed with goodness. We also ordered the BBQ pork banh mi and Cali combination banh mi. The texture of the bread was perfect. I loved the bread to filling ratio. See photos. The Pho was also great (partner had it and I didn't). Very satisfying meal.

    Pho Dac Biet
    Alex W.

    Pretty good pho dac biet (combo); I feel that it was seasoned to be eaten without additional condiments (sriracha and hoisin), which made adding those condiments a little over the top.

    Nuoc Cham
    Jando S.

    In terms of Midtown dining, it's hard to discount Cali Sandwich & Pho, one of the city's most frequented spots for affordable (#1) food and a solid lunch option. A family run business, they're pushing two decades in operation, and is worth a shot for anyone who enjoys a decent banh mi. It might not look like much from the outside, but the seating here is spacious enough to where waiting for a seat is rare. Minus their busy lunch hours and weekend diners, there are plenty of options for groups of all sizes. The natural lighting is a nice touch and the bustle of the family working to get food out is very admirable. For yours truly, it's banh mi, coffee, and close to nothing else. The bread is soft and they're quite good about lathering the insides with extra paté, is always a wonderful thing. Their dac biet version is a good portion of various meats from cha lua to head cheese. Their trung (egg) op is one of their better combos with lots of paté and I appreciate the runny egg. The coffee is an excellent size and I love the fact it's just sweet enough to savor but bitter enough to give me life. I tend to buy their ca phe sua das in tandem with banh mi, which makes for an ideal takeout order. The good news is that a majority of the foods are under $10. The bad news is that I haven't found much I've enjoyed outside of the sandiwches. The broth was just too bland for my tastes and I thought the goi cuon summer rolls were also a bit disappointing. I think the com rice dishes are solid and I still haven't had their bun rieu. Food snafus aside, I think the service can be a bit rough around the edges at times. The young guys running the place don't always give off the friendliest vibe and ordering in Vietnamese is usually met with English. Shout out to the Viet aunties working hard in the back to make this all work. The parking is a dedicated parking lot, but fills up quick since it's shared with other businesses in the same lot. When the service gets a bit backed up, sometimes the wait for food while dining in can be a bit much. Takeout or bust, and in addition to the banh mi, I love their mini station of sauces and condiments that they also sell like an Asian supermarket. They do accept credit card, but cash is always the way to go. ___________ (#1) In the loop anyway.

    39
    Jessica S.

    My favorite pho place in Houston! I've tried many places and this one tops for pricing and flavor of soup broth and variety. The bun bo hue (spicy beef) had ample lemongrass flavor albeit less spicy than I'm used to. The pho broth was fragrant and a classic staple. Banh Mi's were 5.50$ and great bang for buck. Will definitely be back! Service was fast and ambiance casual.

    Cali Combination Banh Mi
    Michelle Y.

    Ordered the Cali Combination Banh Mi. As someone who's used to Austin prices, I was SHOOK when I saw that the banh mi here was only $6! So affordable. And so good. Unlike at some other restaurants, the bread here is soft enough where every bite isn't scraping the roof of my mouth. I can't wait to come back and try their pho next time!

    Eggrolls order of 6

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    20 hours ago

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    2 months ago

    Been going here 25 years and I'll keep going for the bbq pork bang mi with home made mayo

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    11 months ago

    Some really delicious Vietnamese food in Houston. Great spring rolls and excellent Bahn Mi. Great friendly service.

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    7 months ago

    Food was so good very flavorful. Great spot for a quick lunch. Had to go on my lunch break. The staff were kind and quick.

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    8 months ago

    Delicious and affordable so delicious! Bahn mi with egg was heavenly!!!!!!!!!!!!! Iced coffee very delicious and strong!!

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    3 years ago

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    9 months ago

    Amazing food midtown best you need to try it or pick up the food it's fresh and delish

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    1 year ago

    I've been by before about four years ago sandwiches are good. I haven't been back lately.

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    Page 1 of 18

    Cali Sandwich & Pho Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cali Sandwich & Pho

    Is this business closed for good?

    No, I don’t think so. I was just there last week for lunch.

    Is this placedog friendly? Or is there outdoorseating?

    No outdoor seating. No dogs inside.

    Can I call ahead to place a large order? Is there a min-max?

    Yes you can call ahead to place a large order. No min or max that I know of.

    Do any delivery services pick up from Cali?

    Favor, grubhub and Postmates

    Why did they close? Do they have a new location!

    They are renovating what used to be Crave Sushi across the street. Should be open in a month.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Local Foods

    Local Foods

    4.5
    (458 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Came here for brunch on a Sunday. I am a huge fan of Farm…read more44 beef got the steak and eggs! Potatoes and fried hard eggs plus sautéed spinach was delicious. Spoke with Bobby about the char being a little much he accommodated me with a steak cooked on flat top rather then open flame. Absolutely fantastic!!! I will be back service was amazing line moved fast. This place is busy on the weekends! Strawberry lemonade was delicious!! Amazing ambiance and super customer service. Once again Bobby was such a kind soul and made sure everything came out perfectly!!! Thank you local foods

    This is a top favorite of mine,I've been a regular for over a year and they never disappoint I…read morebring my friends and family and they've all loved it, I love that they use local and fresh ingredients and you can tell in the quality of the flavor and the richness. The drinks are also good coffee and the bar section is solid. I used to finish my running (walking trail right in front) and stop by for a coffee or full breakfast. The patio area is my favorite if Houston's weather is blessing us I'm always sitting outside I usually get the CRUNCHY" CHICKEN sandwich with either side of Pozole or the chips so crispy and made in the moment. I've had other items the burger the salad the salmon they've always been fees and flavorful, I cannot recommend one thing because everything tastes great! Best place for a cute date or get together with friends family this place has it all! Check out their seasonal items they're always changing and they absolutely worth trying ****** GREEN POZOLE!!' I was surprised on how good it was sorry for doubting it's now my too favorite pozole in Houston ****** (approved by a Mexican ajuaaa )

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    My fave, crunchy chicken with potato chips & kale salad
    My fave, crunchy chicken with potato chips & kale salad
    Avocado and egg toast with a side of potato salad

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    Avocado and egg toast with a side of potato salad
    Moon Rabbit

    Moon Rabbit

    4.3
    (395 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    Came in to eat on a Saturday night around 8PM. They take walk ins, but we made reservations and I…read moream so glad we did. Upon arriving, every table was taken except our table w a reserved sign on it. The restaurant was bustling, but I could still hear my husband over the music and noise. The menu is huge!!! I didn't know where to start. But our server, Vanessa, helped us make a few choices. We started off w bánh xèo tostadas, bánh béo, & carpaccio. Then we had calamari and their steak special. I asked for a side of papaya slaw for some veggies. My favorite dish of the night was the carpaccio. So many flavors perfectly melded together. Loved the crunch of the fried onions and peanuts. 10/10 dish, in my opinion. Authentic banh xèo usually has an airier, crisp crepe, but theirs was more crunchy - great for their tostada take. Very flavorful. Each piece had one shrimp, but plenty of pork belly bites. The nuoc mam drizzled on it was tasty. Fried calamari - this is a big dish for, I believe, $'19. I prefer the dipping sauce on the side so that the batter doesn't get soggy. This did happen here, but it didn't stop us from finishing every last bite. The green sauce was good, not the usual dipping sauce for fried calamari. Steak special - they have another steak dish on their menu, but this one was pepper crusted w smashed potatoes. The potatoes were super crispy and flavorful and the steak was perfectly cooked - a beautiful pink medium rare. The portion was huge and justified the $39 price point. The staple steak dish came with a papaya slaw and I had to have it. It was bright and limey - I can see why they serve it with their steak. Bánh beo - my least favorite of the night. A bit thicker than I like. Still good, but there were a lot of other great dishes that I could easily pass on this one. Try their hibiscus artichoke tea.

    In the mood for elevated Asian/Vietnamese in the Heights with cool, modern vibes? Check out Moon…read moreRabbit. Made a reservation for 4 via Resy. Easy peasy. We got there 15 minutes before to make sure we could find parking. They have a small lot but all the spaces were taken despite being before 6 pm on a weekday. And a few spots had noticeable broken glass so be careful. We fortunately found street parking close by; double checked the signs because I ain't getting towed for nothing. Then I double checked inside with staff to make sure where I parked was ok. On to the food: we got several happy hour appetizer items: soy garlic wings, Brussels sprouts, bao bun, roasted oysters. All was good but not amazing. I then ordered the pho tai chinh for myself - I was quite impressed with the portions and the price! Wifey got the lemongrass pork banh mi - good but not amazing. Overall I would say the food taste and portions were good, but note this is elevated Asian cuisine, so it'll run you $20-$30 minimum. Now the service - definitely super friendly staff. It was our first time there so maybe they brought out the extra friendliness. Even the chef came out and greeted us to make sure we liked the food. Waitress was very kind and checked on our table a LOT. Almost too much. Overall a good experience, yummy food, not a fan of the parking (a common problem in the Heights), and expensive for Asian food but that's expected. Enjoy!

    Photos
    Main room
    Main room
    Shrimp salad
    Shrimp salad
    Banh xeo tostada

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    Banh xeo tostada
    Local Foods

    Local Foods

    4.5
    (1.9k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Wow! Just... wow…read more Loved this place from the moment I walked in! Ambiance was super fun and welcoming. The tubs of ice filled with cold drinks all around as you approach the counter was casual and fun. And the staff was welcoming and friendly. The menu had so much variety, without being overwhelming. Anything from a good pazole, to a brisket Rueben, to an American Italian sandwich! I got the báhn mì sandwich, which was bursting with flavor! The pork was seasoned well and had good flavor from the marinade. The cilantro, pickled onions, jalapeno, all were so fresh and vibrant! And I was able to get homemade chips and fresh strawberries as my side - such a refreshing bite the strawberries after a rich, porky, spicy bite from the sandwich. Can't say enough good! Loved this place and would go back in a heartbeat!

    A big part of the decades long success at Local Foods has been their commitment to consistency…read more Their casual setting with excellent service is one thing, but quality executed food that is simple and seasonal will always go a long way. Before their recent expansions to Austin, it all began here in Rice Village exactly 15 years ago. The vibes are contemporary and casual, with the kind of space that fits for just about any scenario. Whether it's a solo meal, a lunch date, or a group led affair, the experience is almost always an excellent one. Start by ordering at the counter and find a seat where the food will brought directly to the table. So much of their variety caters to all sorts of dietary restrictions from vegan to gluten free to nut free. Their spicy crispy brussels sprouts ($10) are a nice starter, as is the squash "onion" rings ($12). The local power bowl ($16) is a classic and I've always enjoyed the brown rice and quinoa combo. Their chicken "posolé" is solid, and I love the large hominy bits along with the clear but green tint of a broth. The chicken shawarma bowl ($20) is an interesting mix that includes pickled beets and strawberries, along with their market cheddar burger ($17) and fabulous twice cooked fries. The carrot cupcake is strangely addicting, and I think their gluten free brownie is a bit of a sleeper. Some of their items didn't jive with me previously, such as an underwhelming cashew queso ($9), a semi-laughable Vietnamese steak bowl ($22), and their semi-gringo version of a banh mi ($15). It's not that these items are bad per se, but they definitely don't live up to the same standard that I feel their other dishes do best. Where they hit the biggest home run is their customer service. Everyone working behind the counter does their best to deliver and they almost always do by staying on top of refills, cleanups, and customer greets. I've always enjoyed my experiences here and look forward to every visit.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Garden Sammie Sandwich ($12) - brussel sprouts, smashed avocado, hummus, pickled onion, lettuce, tomatoes, curried cauliflower, ciabatta
    Garden Sammie Sandwich ($12) - brussel sprouts, smashed avocado, hummus, pickled onion, lettuce, tomatoes, curried cauliflower, ciabatta
    Banh Mi ($14) - charred red field ranch pork, aioli, pickled onion, jalapeno, cilantro, sambal, cucumber-carrot slaw, French baguette

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    Banh Mi ($14) - charred red field ranch pork, aioli, pickled onion, jalapeno, cilantro, sambal, cucumber-carrot slaw, French baguette

    Cali Sandwich & Pho - sandwiches - Updated June 2026

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