--- F O O D & D R I N K S --- I picked up a steamed pork…read morebun at the register to hold myself down while waiting, and it ended up being such a good start to the meal. I was expecting it to be super salty, heavy, and drenched in sauce, but it was actually really balanced and refreshing. The pork was flavorful without being overpowering, and I could distinctly taste the water chestnuts and veggies mixed in, which gave it a nice texture and freshness. It felt comforting without making me feel weighed down. The cold cut combo bahn mi here is seriously bomb. I also really liked the bread ratio--the baguette was the perfect size and didn't overpower the fillings. Some places think bigger bread is better, but it ends up taking away from the inside and makes the sandwich hard to bite into. Here, everything felt balanced, so you actually get the perfect mix of bread, meats, pickled veggies, and sauce in every bite. The cured meats were flavorful without being hella salty too, which made the whole sandwich even better. Def need to come back to try some of their desserts near the middle of the line's counter and in that fridge near the register! _______________________________________________________ --- S E R V I C E --- Service was great too. They handled the rush really well, and the staff still stayed warm and attentive even with how busy it was. When I got to the register, there were other customers trying to ask for extra help after getting their orders--and anyone who grew up around asian "aunties" and "uncles" knows how eager they can get. Instead of brushing me aside to quickly help them first, the cashier politely gestured that they'd assist them after finishing with me. It was a small moment, but I appreciated how respectful and composed they were while juggling everything. _______________________________________________________ --- A M B I A N C E -- To-go vibes for sure! It's a small shop big enough for the line (before it can go out the door), cold drinks and desserts in the fridges, small snacks and plates on your way to the register, and the pick-up window on the outside. Makes sense to just pick up your food and enjoy it in your car or at home because of how busy it can get. Heads up--they definitely have evenings where they clean-up and lock the door minutes for closing. Do make time to come before then to secure food!

Buy 4 get 1 Free deal always keeps this place busy and the bread is freshly made…read more We always go and get at least 2 combo & 2 grilled pork and we do a toss up of who get the free one

Grabbed some sandwiches before a barracuda game and they were perfectly filling. Nice bread, great…read moreveggies, very flavorful. A small shop, but perfect for grabbing food to go. Service was quick.

We were greeted by a friendly cashier upon walking in. We stopped by here to buy some crossiants…read moreand mini baguettes. We bought Strawberry , Cream Cheese, Raspberry, Butter Crossiant, and Mini Crossiants. The Strawberry and Raspberry Crossiants had seeds in them. The Butter Crossiant was flaky and buttery. The Mini Crossiants had hard ends, which were overbaked. The Mini Baguettes were fresh and they were $1.00 each. There was nothing special about the crossiants. We definitely had better.

This place definitely doesn't skimp on the portion size. A large here is cut into 2 sandwiches and…read more1 half is usually most places' regular sized sandwich. Overall it's a pretty decent sandwich, not the biggest fan of the baguette that they use but in a crunch, it works out.

We initially wanted to go to a different spot for bánh mì, but it had run out, so we ended up at…read morethis place since it was nearby. Looking back, I should have trusted my gut. From the moment we walked in, it was clear this place is struggling. The fridge by the entrance looked unkempt, the kitchen felt more like a cramped kitchenette than a professional setup, and the dining area was completely chaotic. The tables and chairs piled up everywhere with absolutely no place to sit. The food only confirmed my suspicions. Their pork tasted like plain pork. You know you're at a good bánh mì spot when the grilled pork carries the smoky, caramelized flavor of barbecue chicken, but here, there was none of that. The bread was technically good, crispy on the outside and soft inside, but even that couldn't save the experience. I came with my sister, who had never tried bánh mì before, and it was a terrible first impression for her. Between the run-down environment, the underwhelming food, and the sense that the place might be on its last legs, it was not worth our time or appetite. I will definitely not be returning

So many delicious banh mis! I visited on a Thursday afternoon, and the store had occasional…read morevisitors, but it wasn't busy at all. The shop is quite small, so it is definitely a grab-and-go place. Their only menu item is a banh mi with various fillings. Each banh mi was $7.50, a very fair price. I ordered several fillings, including grilled pork, combination, and pork belly. They have a buy 3 get 1 free deal. Keep in mind: this place only accepts cash. The cashier was so kind, and my order arrived quickly. I was impressed with the size of each banh mi. A single banh mi was so filling. The baguette was filled with daikon, cucumber, jalapeno, cilantro and meat. The grilled pork was my absolute favorite: the meat was cooked to perfection. This is the perfect speedy lunch. I can't wait to visit again!

They say Thien Huong is Duc Huong's rival and I would have to agree! (please don't hate!)…read more This place deserves more praise. It doesnt have the best front store or inside store appeal but its definitely authentic. These ladies start making their food early in the morning. I came at 715 one morning and the glass windows were already foggy (mainly because it was freezing inside and they were cooking up a storm inside). The older ladies were in the back, seated in a low seat, shredding carrots and radish into big bowls. It doesn't get more authentic than these guys. As for the sandwich, it was about $1-$3 cheaper than Duc Huong and their sandwiches do not cut the roof of your mouth! Doc Huong sandwiches are too tough for me and I prefer the softer, fresh french bread. Duc Huongs meat is also a bit too charred for me while Thien Huong's meat is a bit more juicier and tender. If I was in the area, I'd come back 100%.

So yummy! I got the mango matcha and it was so good, I'll definitely be coming back :) The place is…read morealso really pretty and feels super comforting, perfect for studying or just relaxing!

I've been to rose tea lounge near fremont before and I really enjoyed their drinks. I decided to go…read morehere since I saw they have a RANG pop up. It's my first time at this location and there's plenty of parking right outside. The store is so spacious. There were people studying and playing card games. Perfect place to sit and yapp where it's not overwhelming. It was a vibe in there and it's super clean as well. We easily ordered on the kiosk. There were so many great options to choose from. I ordered the double matcha and my friend got the hojicha. The drinks came out in 5 minutes. The double matcha was so good. Just the right creaminess and sweetness (I got regular sugar). Definitely coming back :)

CA Bakehouse still is popular. There were regulars lining-up at 1pm to order products by the door…read more Customers still weren't allowed inside the bakery area. One queue was for online orders (recommended by the bakehouse) and the other was manned by an attendant with a tablet and a printed menu. Parking wasn't a hassle this time as there were plenty of spots. Add the fact that we were now familiar with Vietnam Town. We got our usuals with choux (Kaya and Ube), Pandan-Coconut Milk Bread and Banh Bo (honeycomb cake). The mention worthy Guava filled Mochi Cake was so good! A yummy tip that elevates this baked good was when I toasted it (4 minutes) in an airfryer. The crunchy surface with the chewy mochi texture plus the sweet guava stuffing was the perfect ratio I was looking for in a dessert pastry. Can't wait to go back and have more of the guava filled goodness!

Finally got to try this place! A pro tip is to order online and come for pick up. It was a little…read morebusy when we arrived but we didn't have to wait too long. We ordered the bánh bò (honeycomb cake), guava filled mochi cake, and espresso cookie. I absolutely loved the bánh bò. It was soft, bouncy, and flavorful, as it should be. I would definitely get this again. The guava filled mochi cake was okay. I sort of wish the guava filling was spread around the more. I would not recommend the espresso cookie. It was an odd combination of flavors. It wasn't burnt but tasted like it/bitter and heavy on the butter. I would come back for the bánh bò for sure though!

If you want the best next day Banh mi this is the place. OMG, I put my #1 in the fridge and just…read moremicrowaved for 20 second. The bread is so soft with a bit of texture. I cut it at home and check out the cross section photo. So much meat! I only wish they put a little more pickled veggies for a better ratio but I'm just being nitpicky. I actually like it better next day. I got my sandwich within 2-3 minutes upon ordering. It wasn't busy around 5p on a weekday. I mentioned earlier how I love the seating area. I got mine Togo this time along with Vietnamese pork chops from their table of ready to eat meals. For about $10, I was able to get just pork chops only since I have rice and egg at home. I pan fried the meat a little longer at home for a more charred flavor.

We were in the SJ area and wanted to grab a banh mi as a snack and the popular banh mi spot had…read moresuch a long line that we decided to try Huong Lan Sandwiches instead. It's a no frills sandwich shop, but it has so much more than sandwiches. We ordered a #1 Ham, Pate, Headcheese Sandwich (Bnh M Tht Ngui). Crispy bread, good quality meat, veggies, sliced jalapeño peppers to give it a kick, and a creamy spread to balance it. And this sandwich was only $6.86. Great deal!! And they have a few tables on the side if you want to dine in. Besides sandwiches, they have pre-done appetizers, meals, desserts, in containers all ready for purchasing. The only drawback to this experience was a panhandler asking for food inside the establishment! The workers did not do anything as she went from one person to another asking for food. Our friend, who was with us actually bought her a $12 meal that she picked out. We thought she was done begging others, but to our surprise, she was hounding others outside after she had just gotten the meal. This shouldn't be done inside a place of business. Just a warning to others that she's around.

West Coast Sourdough is an almost weekly stop for my husband and I after our grocery run. We tried…read morethis place once after being unsatisfied with the sandwich options in the surrounding grocery store delis, and this exceeded our expectations. The shop is a standard deli with a few tables inside. The service is fast and friendly, and the ingredients are fresh. The best part about these sandwiches, though, is that their sourdough has a crunchy exterior. The sourdough I've experienced at other sandwich locations tends to have a softer outside, which leads me to typically offering Dutch crunch instead. At West Coast Sourdough, though, their sourdough is just as crunchy as a Dutch crunch elsewhere, giving me both the texture and flavor profile I desire. If I'm looking for a basic deli sandwich on a quality sourdough roll, it's always safe to assume I'll be going here.

Located in the plaza at the corner of Taylor and Coleman, it's a bit tucked away. We usually order…read moretakeout, but have made time to dine in on occasion. Whether you're ordering to-go or eating in, the food is always piping hot and consistently flavorful, never disappoints! Our go-to order is the clam chowder with a sourdough bread bowl, which is hands down the best. I recommend getting the bread bowl on the side so you can enjoy the bread and chowder together. The clam chowder is my favorite, perfectly creamy with generous chunks of clams and potatoes. The bread bowl is the highlight, fluffy and crispy at the same time. Yum!

Have been meaning to try their sandwiches for the longest time and decided to make a trip here on…read moreMother's Day for a quick bite. I believe that they have multiple locations in San Jose but this was on our way to Valley Fair. There was already a line forming when we arrived at noon. We waited about 20 minutes before our order was ready. We ordered 2 large sandwiches - cold cut combo and grilled pork. The bread was light and crispy. We liked that they removed a lot of the breading inside. The meats and condiments also did not disappoint. The quality of the sandwiches were by far the best I've never had. Can't believe it took me so long to stop by but glad I finally did. I wished that they had a location closer to where I live, but this won't stop me from driving here if I ever want a sandwich!!

Food: A Duc Huong…read morehas definitely been my go to spot for viet sando fix. Can't go wrong with the cold cut banh mi. If you never had it, the best way to describe it is having a viet charcuterie board stuffed in a baguette. The only downside is the wait after you make your order. Lifehack you can call ahead or you tough it out with the rest of us. Cash and Cards are accepted -John

Been living in the SJ area all my life and kicking myself for not coming here sooner. Got the…read moreItaliano on Dutch crunch and it was soooo good!!! Wanted to pick up sandwiches for a Rose Garden picnic and this was the closest spot. Grab and mark up an order sheet and leave it at the deli counter! A wide selection of different salads, lasagna, and even corn dogs are in the glass case too. If you want paninis, there's another deli/cafe section in the store! I split 1 with my bf. Portion wise, I was good with half (+ chips and my drink), but my bf said he could've ordered a whole for himself My new go-to for sandwiches!!! This is up there with Little Luca

They have a deli side and a panini sandwich on opposite sides of the restaurant. Heard they are…read moreknown for their sandwich's from a co worker. The deli side has most of the hams and offers cold sandwiches. I prefer toasted sandwiches and went to the side with the panini. Took about 10 minutes for them to make and heat it up. I got the tri tip and mozzarella panini pressed. Toasty bread with slightly melted cheese. Tri tip was soft and the flavors from sun-dried tomatoes was good. Solid place to grab a sandwich for a quick and go or you can eat outside the market with seats and tables.