Since my discovery of Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches several years ago, I have rarely gone a week without craving one of those crusty beauties. Fortunately for me, every other local shopping center seems to have a Banh Mi & Pho joint these days. This one is located at the Arboretum in south Charlotte. There are two other locations, I think. So far, I haven't met a Banh Mi that I didn't like; however, there is one that I like best - Lula Banh Mi & Pho. My favorite two sandwiches - thinly sliced ribeye and pulled pork - are Americanized versions of their classics. I haven't seen these these anywhere else. The Pho (pronounced fuh) is also wildly popular. Service is friendly and attentive. The place is clean and attractive. Definitely a Gotta Try in my book! read more

I already loved the smaller Pineville location, so I was excited to try this newer, larger brick-and-mortar location out toward the Matthews side of town. And honestly, this place is beautiful. The restaurant has a huge dining room, lots of natural light, an open-concept kitchen, and plenty of seating, which makes it feel much more like a destination restaurant versus just a quick grab-and-go spot. Parking is easy too, which immediately lowers my stress level. Big parking lot, easy in and out, no drama. Normally, I'm a total creature of habit here. I usually order one of their incredible bánh mì sandwiches because that in-house baked baguette absolutely steals the show. Crispy outside, soft inside, and the perfect ratio of bread to filling. And of course, I almost always pair it with one of their dangerously strong Vietnamese iced coffees because they are rocket fuel in the best possible way. But this last visit, I actually veered away from my regular order and tried the beef short ribs over rice, and wow -- it absolutely did not disappoint. The short ribs were tender, flavorful, rich, and incredibly satisfying. When the plate first came out, I honestly thought the portion looked a little small, but clearly my eyes were bigger than my stomach because by the end of the meal, it was actually the perfect amount of food. Filling without making me feel miserable afterward, which honestly is a rare gift. I still stand by their garlic noodles, summer rolls with peanut sauce, and smoothies too. The pineapple and passion fruit smoothies are especially fantastic. What I really appreciate about Lula's is that it feels approachable. Whether you already know Vietnamese food well or you're just starting to explore it, it's a welcoming place to branch out and try something new. The staff is friendly, service is fast, portions are thoughtful and generous, and the value is excellent. Honestly, if I lived closer to this side of town, I'd probably eat here constantly. Charlotte, get curious about food. There's a whole world waiting for you out there, so get out there and eat your way through it. read more

Lula Banh Mi and Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

I took one sip of the beef pho and shook my head. It was incredible. The service was ok and my wife also loved her dish, which was the Vermicelli with grilled pork. read more

Hands down the best banh mi in town! The roasted chicken banh mi is my favorite. The chicken is always so moist, tender, and packed with flavor. If you're vegetarian, the tofu banh mi is just as amazing. It's perfectly seasoned and absolutely delicious. I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves a great banh mi. You won't be disappointed! read more

Got takeout and it was a smooth process. I got the spring roll which was good. As well as the pork Banh mi. There was a pickled jalapeno in my Banh mi which was weird. But everything else was good. The service was good. Ambiance they have pretty good amount of seating. I would come again to try their other items. They share parking so there's plenty of spots. read more

Lula Banh Mi and Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I recently tried this location after having a great experience at the smaller Pineville location. I ordered the same dish, the Bo Kho, but unfortunately, it wasn't as tender or flavorful as what I received in Pineville. While the food was still decent, the quality didn't quite match my previous experience. For now, I'll be sticking with the Pineville location. read more

Was in the area and remember that Lula was in the area. Decided to try their Banh Mi Bo Kho. Man was it the right choice. The flavor was an explosion. One of the best Bo Kho i had in Charlotte. The bread was airy and crispy. It was a perfect compliment to the rich and fork tender beef. One of the best things i had at Lula along with the nem spring roll. If you craving Banh Mi Bo Kho make the drive and come to Lula to satisfy that craving. You won't be disappointed! read more

Lula Banh Mi and Pho - Banh Mi Beef Stew (Bo Kho) - Vietnamese Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Came here on a weekday afternoon for lunch. This was our first time here and we enjoyed everything we got! I love that they have lunch specials during the week. I ordered the beef pho which came with 3 choices for a side (egg roll, spring roll or summer roll. I chose the summer roll). My husband ordered the grilled pork banh mi lunch special with a side of pho broth. We also ordered a lychee boba with crystal jelly. We ordered at the counter and was given a number to place on our table. There were plenty of seating to choose from. Our drink was brought out to us first and came out super fast. Our food came out in about 10 minutes. Everything was absolutely delicious! I love vietnamese food and I will definitely be coming back. My pho was the perfect size for lunch and my summer roll was tasty with the peanut dipping sauce. read more

Lula Banh Mi and Pho - Beef Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Cool little place. Not fancy. Straight to the point. Great 13 dollar lunch specials. Got an ice coffee, was amazing. Cool little place for a quick bite to eat read more

Lula Banh Mi and Pho - Bbh pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This is a fantastic spot for anyone craving a comforting bowl of pho or bun bo hue. The menu also features banh mi and boba, making it a versatile choice for a variety of cravings. The restaurant is clean, with a cozy and relaxed atmosphere that invites you to take your time and enjoy your meal--no rush or chaos here. The ordering process is simple and efficient: place your order at the counter, choose your table, and let the friendly staff bring your food to you. I really appreciate this setup--it's convenient and allows for a laid-back dining experience. We started our meal with the chicken wings and sugarcane shrimp, both of which were absolutely delicious. For mains, we tried the beef and chicken pho as well as the bun bo hue. Each dish arrived hot, full of flavor, and perfectly balanced--nothing too overpowering. Overall, the food and service were excellent, and we'll definitely be back for more. If you're looking for authentic Vietnamese comfort food in a relaxed setting, this place is a must try! read more

See all

Pricey for average. Chicken wings are decent. 8.5/10 Spring rolls average but very soft and fell apart easily. 6/10 Bun Bo hue is below par. Just not there. 5/10 Pho is average and I felt it was overpriced for the quality and size. 7/10 Com dac biet (rice platter) wasn't made with broken rice. Didn't have all the ingredients either. 6/10 They do not sale alcohol. But what was most shocking was having ketchup on the table . That is automatically point deduction! Hilarious! Hardly out this way in town. Wouldn't go back for it and would only go there if I was in the area and there was nothing else available. Wanted to like it... read more

Lula Banh Mi and Pho - Ketchup - Vietnamese Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Intimate, quiet and clean lil spot. Staff was very friendly and food was delicious. Had egg rolls but ate before I could take a picture read more

Lula Banh Mi and Pho - Chicken Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I feel conflicting writing this review. Let me give you some background. I've been a fan of Vietnamese food for 25 years. Back when you could barely find it in NYC and the best Vietnamese joint I knew was in Jersey City. Things are different today. Vietnamese food is a lot more popular. Yet it's still hard to find a good bowl of Bo Kho (if you can find it at all). Everyone wants either Pho or a Vietnamese sandwich (love both btw). Well, Lula Banh Mi and Pho had my beloved Viet Beef Stew on their menu so I had to make the trek. It's a fairly new place -- clean and I love the fact that you can watch the chefs in the back get busy. The aromas are great too. I ordered takeout (the beef stew with rice on the side and an order of summer rolls). Took the grub home and the beef stew was pretty darn good. Went great with the rice. But the summer rolls...the summer rolls had what I believe was spam or some other form of meat in it. I've never really had a summer roll like that and I was not a fan at all. Sucked since I was looking forward to having one. This dropped Lula Banh Mi down one star for me and kind of put a damper on what was otherwise a very good experience. read more

I think Lula Banh Mi and Pho recently opened the Arboretum Shopping Center. Compared to the original Lula Banh Mi and Bakery, this one offers noodle soups, which is really nice! I had heard a lot of good things about Lula in terms of their banh mi, but I never tried it until recently and I am glad that I did. The restaurant itself is a decent size and there are several tables and chairs for people with different group sizes to come and dine-in. The service was good and quick, I did not think that my food took too long to come out. I ordered the Lychee Fruit Tea at regular ice levels and 75% sugar levels. I am glad that I lessened the sugar level because I thought that my drink tasted pretty good. I could taste the tea and the lychee flavor and it worked well together. I also got the Crispy Pork Belly Banh Mi. Usually, I go for cold cuts but I was intrigued by this combination. I really liked the taste of the pork belly (which was very crispy) with the sandwich itself. I also liked the pickled daikon and carrots, which I feel help carry a banh mi. My only complaint is that I wish there was more aioli in the banh mi that I got as it felt a bit dry, especially with the crispy pork belly itself being the main star of the sandwich. I split the Egg Rolls and Chicken Wings with my friends which were both yummy! The Egg Rolls were perfectly hot and crispy and the house fish sauce paired well with it. The Chicken Wings were really juicy and crispy, which I liked dipping into the sweet chili sauce. I would come here next time to try another banh mi, perhaps a cold cut, to really test which restaurant has the best banh mi, haha, and to try their noodle soups. But I think everyone should definitely check this new spot out! There is a lot of good food on the menu. read more

See all

So good! The Bahn Mi Grilles Pork and Roasted Chicken was just perfect! Lots of pickled veggies and perfect bread ! Another. Wonderful thing is the Chicken Wings ! Hot and. fried just perfect -- havent tries the Pho yet but i will !! Go its tremendous ! read more

See all

3.5 Stars Stopped in here today once I saw the open banner flapping in the wind. Was greeted warmly by the staff, placed my order and got a wait time of about 10 minutes. The place inside is very clean, good vibe and I love the feature wall with the artwork. I ordered the chicken wings appetizer, the spring rolls and a classic cold cut banh mi. The order came out in a timely fashion and the staff brought my order and I headed to the car but didn't drive off before trying the spring rolls, which were quite nice with the sauce. Only wish there was bit more mint in them but that's a personal preference. I tried to get a bite of the banh mi while parked outside but got a lap full of veggies when I went to pull the sandwich out because I assumed the sandwich was wrapped in the bag. It wasn't and since it was just in a bag, I had no paper to open to let the food bits fall on, so I headed home. Shared the wings, sandwich and last spring roll with my two kids and hubby and the verdict was banh mi good but bread just a tad dry and not so fresh and just a bit too heavy on the pickled veggies and the jalapeño was pickled and not fresh. I prefer fresh. But it was 3.5 out of 5 stars. The chicken wings were saved by the sweet chili sauce, the chicken itself could have used more seasoning, and at $9.00 for 6 wings, I wouldn't get them again. If you want wings I'd head to the Korean BBQ place a few doors down. I think it's a great addition to the area and I will return for the pho and try some more menu items and then update my review. Give it a try. That is all! read more

See all

Great place for pho. Different pho sizes. The vermicelli bowl was a tad bit small for the price. This location has the pho while pineville location does not. Would come back again. read more

First time here & I will definitely be back again! I ordered the vermicelli with pork & spring rolls. The portions were huge and it was the most flavorful pork i've had with vermicelli ever! I am a spring rolls connoisseur and these are 2nd on my list, that's saying a lot. Friendly service, cute and clean area. read more

Lula Banh Mi and Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

First time trying out this location ( arboretum ) Order the Meat Pho and Chicken Pho . The broth was delicious and the portions were great . I order the smaller bowl and was fulfilling. I feel that the chicken was a bit hard not tender but this was my first time ever trying the chicken in the pho so I do not know if it's supposed to be hard , the meat pho was perfect, the place is very clean and customer service was great , we also order spring rolls and it was perfect , I do plan to go back and try other items . read more

See all

I love it come a lot 20$ tip left here every visit I love the spring roll very good be careful when you get French fries if you one as soon as they come you will burn you mouth and your fingers so let them sit for a little read more

See all

This place is an absolute JOKE. I happened to notice it while out running errands and decided to try the food and give them a chance to earn me as a new regular customer. I asked for a SMALL chicken pho TO GO... but they refused and told me I can only take out a LARGE size. When I continued to press for a REASON why I can't take out a small pho, they showed me that they only have ONE container size. LARGE. Therefore I can only purchase a large to go. I'll leave it at that for you to decide whether an establishment like this deserves your business. read more

We had lunch in the same plaza and saw this new place and ordered a couple of banh mi to go via their online app. Banh mi was OK. The baguette was too thick, and the flavor of the banh mi was OK. Not much meat but a lot of condiments. $8 for a sandwich. read more

Lula Banh Mi and Pho - Cold Cut Classic (ngui) - Vietnamese Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Great soup! Spicy but even better with a spoonful of the table chili oil. Noodles are so fun - thick but with a hole in the center - very springy and tasty. Egg roll appetizer with sweet chili dipping sauce was also good. read more

Lula Banh Mi and Pho - BBH Noodle Soup - Vietnamese Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Really cute new spot. Super fast and friendly service! Best Bánh mi in Charlotte in my opinion and best pho I've found so far. The beef pho is fantastic. I love their first location in pineville, wish they had bakery items at this one like they do at the first location. Thai coffee Frappuccino is also really good. Highly highly recommend! read more

Let me just start out by saying I absolutely love the Pineville location. So, when I saw this location open which is a tad closer to my house I was ecstatic. Unfortunately, my bahn mi was not what I'm used to from what I get at the Pineville location. It was dry, bread seemed stale and the grilled pork didn't look like it was grilled at all. So, I'll just stick to the Pineville location for the bahn mi. read more

I'm not familiar with Vietnamese food but gave it a try- and I'm glad I did. I ordered takeout chicken pho and some spring rolls. The pho was delicious - interesting spices and flavors. It came in three containers, with clear instructions on how to prepare at home. It was a generous portion, enough for dinner and a midnight snack. The spring rolls were a miss for me. Too much greens, especially cilantro. And shrimp sliced so thin you could read through them. The staff was attentive and cheerful. I'll definitely be back! read more

Very cute new Vietnamese place at the Arboretum. I brought my daughters in to try it out (and have their first boba tea!) and the staff was super friendly and great. They have high chairs and it's very kid-friendly. The food was great. The grilled pork Banh Mi is on very crispy bread, perfect amount of crunch and well cooked. I ordered with a side portion of fries - which was very generous portions and maybe would just do one side for two people. We also tried the summer rolls with sausage, wings, and chicken and rice. The wings were well cooked and have sauce on the side, which is great to have the option for little ones. Summer rolls was very fresh and also had a good crunch to it. Chicken and rice were well cooked. With that said, the Banh Mi was the star of the show - would 100% recommend and can't wait to come back and try the pho. read more

The grilled pork banh mi was awesome! I think one of the best banh mi I'be had in Charlotte

Fantastic! I had the steak banh mi and it might be the best sandwich I have ever had. The bread is absolutely the best in Charlotte

Amazing food and service! Everything was clean and neat! Will come many times!!! We love this restaurant!!!!

We had Bánh mi and pho, both were great. Staff was very friendly. Prices seem very reasonable.