I stopped by Nhu Lan Saigon Subs with my mom for lunch. It's a small, family-owned spot with a simple, no-frills setup. The place is self-service, and there are only about four seating spots inside, so it feels more like a quick in-and-out lunch place than a sit-down restaurant. The food was reasonably priced and decent for the value. My favorite part of the visit was the Vietnamese coffee--it was strong, smooth, and really enjoyable. A good neighborhood option if you're looking for affordable Vietnamese food and don't mind a casual, limited-seating setup. read more

Unfortunately, we stopped by during the hours Yelp said they were supposed to be open, but the place was closed. Not sure if the hours are outdated or if something came up, but it was definitely frustrating making the trip for nothing. Hopefully they update their business hours online to avoid this happening to others. read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - Closed even though Yelp said it's was open. - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came by for lunch one day. Got the pork sandwich which I loved. The pork was crispy, succulent. The bread was flaky+ airy. Jalapenos add a nice slice level to it. The presence of carrots+ cilantro, cucumber make you feel this is little healthy. read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's been sometime since I've been to Nhu Lan. It was the perfect time to take my daughters here for their first time in the shop. We ordered pork egg rolls and the following bahn mi (Nhu lan special, cha ca and sugarcane shrimp-pork). We also go the shrimp steamed rice roll from the refrigerated case. All the food was fresh and tasty. The bread was just the right amount of crispy and chewy. The ingredients did not overpower each other and had the perfect harmony in each bahn mi. My daughters liked what they ordered and within a few bites were already talking about what they will order next time. Our order was quick and service was pleasant. There is limited space to sit at the window and eat. We came early so this was not an issue. read more

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Some of the best banh mi you will find in the Chicago area. The original banh mi is a must. Their bread is on point. Great place for some take away to enjoy at the park on a nice day. read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sandwiches are only $9 and they taste fresh. I have tried their classic and tofu versions. There's free parking also.

I could eat this sandwich everyday! I've been here numerous times but I actually got it two days in a row while staying nearby at my sister's. Chicken is full of flavor with plenty of fresh veggies to bring it all together. Bread is so beautifully baked and fresh and the service is always fast and friendly. Plus the price is great! read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi 3. LEMONGRASS CHICKEN - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cheap and delish Try the deserts Some of the best fast Vietnamese foods outside Argyle read more

first bánh mì i've had in chicago and it was comparable to the houston ones - generous portions and great flavor. takeout only but service is relatively quick. highly recommend grabbing a grilled pork bánh mì (or any of them, really) before a beach day - u can get one and head straight to montrose. didn't get a chance to get the vịt quay or heo quay but both looked delicious - will definitely have to come back and get them. overall a pretty authentic viet place in chi and hidden gem in argyle! read more

I came here for a late lunch on a Sunday and there was no wait. I ordered a sandwich and ate it at the counter. There is not much of a dining area, so I would not come here with a large group unless you're taking your sandwiches to go. I got the special sandwich and it was delicious. The bread is excellent. I definitely need to come back and try their other offerings. The lady at the counter was very nice. read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - The 1. NHU-LAN SPECIAL - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great banh mi baguettes. I love this place. Probably the best bread. The lady is really nice and I wish I lived closer. I can eat the bread by itself, that's how good it is. I've tried their mayo, it's a good and buttery mixture. Their roast duck and bbq pork is also good. I think it's $7.99/lb. Not bad. Their cha' is also good. You have an option with peppercorn and no peppercorn. I like no pepper better. I cant really say anything bad about this place. The only thing I would ask for is more Vietnamese offerings. I drive to their competitor (I think it's the same owner) to buy other snacks. read more

Nhu lan is my go to for banh mi. Their bread needs a bit of work but my god the fillings are what drives me to come back and back again. I always get the Nhu lan special and the fillings are always a hit for me. Service is a little slow but you'll get what you need eventually. I tried to order online one time to see if I can bypass the wait but they didn't get a chance to catch it since it was a new thing they started to do. Egg rolls always a hit for my daughter. read more

Nhu Lan is my favorite banh mi place in Chicago! They have a lot of vegan and vegetarian options. The Ginger tofu is my favorite. The service is always so friendly and fast. read more

Fresh and delicious banh mi sandwiches on shatteringly fresh bread in minutes. Order these for fast dinners on the go, picnics and when you're just too lazy to cook. So good! There is a small counter so you can eat there, but we've always taken them to go. Yum! read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - The original, torn open lol - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Fast plus affordable place for Asian street food. It's pretty authentic for it being such a quick place. Nhu Lan is just like getting food on a street in Vietnam. Maybe not exactly, but the foods tastes like it came from it. There's also bubble teas and shakes to go along with a banh mi or whatever kind of sandwich. Came in to get carryout. It's the only option. The place would be too small for dine in anyway, so whatever. It's about $8 for a drink. The best looking one was the Black Bean Coconut Che Dau Den, and it tasted as good as it looked. It actually tasted kind of chocolatey. This was also made with coconut milk and tapioca. As for the banh mi, there were a few vegan choices. It's about $10 for a sandwich. The best sounding one was the Vegan Ginger Tofu. It had a little spice to it. The tofu was more of a cheesesteak texture. Good flavor. This was actually pretty filling for this one thing. Good place to get Asian fast. It's carryout only. There's lots of choices for vegans and vegetarians. read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - Black Bean Coconut Che Dau Den And The Vegan Ginger Tofu - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really friendly and attentive service, freshly made & flavorful food. My go-to for buhn mi. read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Banh Mi sandwiches here are simply amazing! They're a steal as they are a great size and at a great price. The bread they bake in-house is freshly baked and the ingredients are always top-notch. It's more of a take-out spot. It's really just a counter with some fridges filled with soda or other typical Vietnamese food but they do have four seats if you prefer to dine in. The service is mostly counter service, but the staff is always friendly. read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - 17. BBQ PORK 9. Ly Chee Smoothie 24 oz. - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I think this is the best banh mi I have ever had. The Nhu Lan special. Just really, really good. It was a pick up and I am sure when I want a banh mi again I'll be picking up another. read more

The freshest bread ever makes for a delicious sandwich. I've tried a couple of different bang mi places around the city and this is my favorite read more

Love their banh mis plus it's such a good deal. They don't do the buy 5 get one free deal anymore since they've lowered their prices. It's a small spot with limited seating. The staff are all very nice but I'd suggest ordering in advance because I came on a Saturday afternoon and it took nearly 45 min for my banh mi and coffee. Looked like they did a massive catering order beforehand so that could've explained the delay. read more

Sorry I didn't complete the review & accidentally posted it on 11/06/21 - I've kind of had me a hankerin for a Bahn mi sandwich. Today coming back from Evanston I looked up Nhu Lan Saigon Subs rated 4 1/2 stars on Yelp @ 2612 W Lawerence Ave. Nhu Lan is a tiny little Vietnamese store that serves a variety of bahn mi sandwiches along w/a variety of spring rolls. I ordered a pork roast bahn mi sandwich w/freshly cooked pieces of roasted pork, carrots, cucumbers, green peppers & cilantro. The pork was freshly cooked & warm (very good) FYI - they are a carry out place w/one small area on a counter where 1 or maybe 2 people could squeeze in. I liked enough that I intend to go back & try some of the other Bahn mi sandwiches & spring rolls read more

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Ever since I had found out that Nhu Lan Bakery was voted as the best in the city for Banh Mi, I have been wanting to check them out. But for some reason or other, I wasn't able to find time for it until just recently when I decided to do a small food crawl on Lawrence Ave., and stopped in here to try their Banh Mi. Nhu Lan is a small mom & pop shop that offers a great variety of Banh Mi (20 to county), Pho, Bao buns, Spring Rolls, Smoothies and more. Their layout is kind of like a small food-mart meets bodega meets a mom & pop take-out restaurant. They are known for their Banh Mi. They have a got a great variety of those (20 kinds, if I remember correctly). I tried their BBQ Pork and Pate Cha Banh Mi(s). I liked both of them. The BBQ Pork one was my favorite. I liked flavor of the meat and the fresh veggies that accented the sandwich a lot. And, the king of the sandwich was definitely their house baked baguette. It was soft and crunchy. It was a perfect sandwich. The only negative I had to say about the sandwich was that they did not put enough meat in the sandwich. They also have huge bao buns, spring rolls, salads, pho and smoothies & other assorted fresh beverages. I had their Chinese BBQ Pork bao and Shrimp & Veggie Spring Rolls. The bao was decent but the Spring Rolls were absolutely divine. Fresh, flavorful and quite filling. Arguably, the best Springs Rolls I ever had. The peanut dipping sauce they came with was awesome in taste. I would highly recommend checking out their Spring Rolls. Also, try their variety of cool fruit beverages. I had a couple of different kind of drinks that I had not seen before. One of them was Mung Beans Coconut (dau xanh dua). I can't remember the name of the other one. They both were unique, refreshing and tasty. There was one thing I didn't like about this place and that was them running out of certain meats by or before 3 PM which led to some Banh Mi not being available. The owner said that usually, you should call your order ahead of time to ensure the availability of certain Banh Mi because popular items run out fast. Point noted for next time. Overall, I had a nice experience here and I definitely recommend checking out this shop. It's a local institution and among Chicago's best food shops. read more

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Came here earlier today for the first time and got a steamed pork bun ($4.25), the Nhu Lan special banh mi (#1 on the menu) (~$9), and a flan (~$5). I've never come across a Vietnamese place selling flan before, but when life gives me flan, I hand over the five dollars. The banh mi was 5/5 really great. Flavors were good, ratio of veg to meat was good, the bread was really tasty, and the jalapeno added a nice kick. I would definitely order this again, and it was exactly what I was hoping for. Sadly I had to share, but next time I would definitely get one just for me. The bun was unfortunately not as good. Although it was huge and looked promising, the filling was really dry. There was a small quail egg inside that was extremely rubbery and overcooked. The doughy exterior was also too sweet. The flavors were fine, but nothing spectacular. The flan was perfectly normal flan, of a perfectly normal size. Not really much to remark on. Maybe would get again, though seems a little silly to buy flan when there are tempting che concoctions available, too. read more

I grew up on this place in high school when I used to work at a summer camp nearby. It was the spot to buy lunch! It remains my favorite place to get banh mi in the city. I'm always a fan of the bread even if the crumbs fall everywhere lol! The special is usually my go-to but got roasted pork this time. Still delicious. Although the space is small and nothing fancy, they do have about 4 stools with a countertop to eat on. I think most people do carry-out anyway, but I dined in with my mom as a treat to us after grieving the loss of a family dog. The place made me reminiscent as it had been awhile since I'd eaten here, and my mom also loves these sandwiches. I'd say it made our lunch together extra special. The prices have grown since back then but not unexpected with today's time. Still authentic as ever. The cashier was sweet and patient with my mom who needed some time to decide on her order. Ultimately Nhu Lan is well worth it :) read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - Shrimp spring rolls, roasted pork banh mi (#2) and Vietnamese iced coffee - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you are looking for quick, authentic Vietnamese food, this would most definitely satisfy your needs. The banh mi's I tried were well put together and the meat and vegetable ratio is fantastic. I am a fan of their spring roll combo and liked the spring roll sauce it was a sweet/savory mix and there wasn't too much peanuts in it. read more

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Honestly this may be one of my favorite traditional Bahn Mi. It was so fresh and flavorful. You could taste each and every ingredient so perfectly. The pork was nice and tender with some nice and juicy fatty pieces and the jalapeños were so fresh and had a great spice to them that I enjoyed. I usually find that fresh jalapeños aren't that spicy but this one had a good kick to it that elevated the flavor journey of the sandwich. I will most def be coming back! read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - 2. Roasted Pork Banh Mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The leaf wrapped pork roll (cha lua) is really good, liked both the spicy and the non-spicy version. The pork buns is buy 5 get 1 free, it is huge!! I loved the bbq pork flavor (it is the one marked with red ink on the top). The regular pork flavor is also great, they also tops the stuffing with a quail egg on top. The fried pork patty they sell at the cash registry is also very good, not too salty, kids friendly. They also make fresh shrimp spring rolls and tofu rolls on the spot, very fresh and the peanut dipping sauce that comes with is amazing. The homemade pickled veggie is very tasty and refreshing, though a bit on the salty side. For dessert, it is also buy 5 get one free. I really love the coconut and bean one, the coconut milk is very rich, and there are tapioca, jelly, and seaweed in it for texture. Though I'm not a big fan of putting seaweed in dessert, but seems pretty common in Vietnamese dessert. read more

The gold standard for chicago banh mi. There are many good banh mi places in the city, and nhu lan is certainly in the top 10%. The veggie classic and lemongrass tofu are flavorful alternatives to their meat dishes if you ever feel like taking a break from their delicious freshly made bbq pork. The spring rolls were once too good of a deal to be true, with 3 forearm-sized rolls for only $8, but are now a still reasonable 2 rolls for $8. Lastly, the drinks are all amazing, boasting real and creatively curated traditional ingredients concocted into a refreshingly sweet dessert ready-made and purchasable instantly. Having 2 locations - one more inland of argyle - is a godsend, saving any prospective restaurant goer a trip through traffic. read more

As a viet gal myself, I knew this place would be good when I walked in. Pro tip: Any viet place that has prayer books and shrines is automatically going to be top tier! Learned that as a kid, as my grandma would always buy us the best egg rolls + donate prayer books herself. Anyways! This place is a hidden gem. You go in, order, and take it out since there is nowhere to sit. That's ok - you'll want to stuff your face in private anyways because the food is THAT good!!! The egg rolls are massive!! And if you buy six you get one free! I recommend the original banh mi with the cold cuts and head cheese! So so good. I also got a pork bao- tastes so homemade, just like my mom would make. Everything tastes great as leftovers too. Staff is kind, hardworking, and friendly. Visit this place if you're on the search for an authentic Vietnamese experience. read more

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A few months ago, I was introduced to Nhu Lan at a party. A mutual friend brought in a couple of subs for our small brunch potluck. After trying one, I was compelled to ask my friend, "Where did you get this amazing sandwich from?" He then told me it's actually a Vietnamese sub called a Banh Mi. It was from there that my love and addiction for Banh Mi had spawned. I have since visited Nhu Lan 3 times and the #2 roast pork is amazing. Make sure to order it with the pate. The textures and flavor profile from this particular sandwich are robust and cohesive. The magic starts with their freshly made in house sub rolls which are given a healthy slather of pate. Generous heaps of slow roasted pork meat are then piled with a mix of cilantro, cucumber, pickled radishes, carrots, spices, and sliced jalapeno for good measure. In summary, it's heaven on a roll. My only suggestion is to come early in the day and pre-order sandwiches if you can. I've learned items on the menu run out quickly. On my last visit, I arrived later in the afternoon and I found myself having to order second picks because all of my first choices were sold out. Don't let that happen to you. The space is small and limited to seat 8-10 at best. It's really more of a grab and go establishment. Metered parking in the neighborhood is a bit of a challenge (as this section of street is business heavy) so if possible, try to come during off peak times. read more

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This is a cute shop specializing in banh mis and a few other Vietnamese items! I came here specifically for the veggie banh mi options which I am grateful they have. It'll cost ya a bit over $10 after tax and I am afraid that's a bit steep for me given the portion. The bread is hot and fresh which was appreated. I didn't think there was enough filling though, at least in my sandwich. The pickled veggies had a very faint vinegar taste so it wasn't as strong as I had hoped for. It didn't contrast much with the fresh cucumber. The vegan ginger 'tofu' was good but it seems to be more of a seitan or something. I hate to give a lower rating but the price + being hungry 2 hours later just didn't sell it for me. I will be trying other banh Mis in the area. read more

Nhu Lan makes some of the best bahn mi ever. Not exaggerating. But if you want a good selection, make sure to come early (before 12pm). Sometimes I'll come at 10am and there are people in line. I've tried the lemongrass chicken, bbq pork, curry chicken, and pork meatball bahn mis so far. They're all good, but the curry and lemongrass chicken were my favorites. The bread is baked in house so it's awesome, and the veggies are crispy and fresh. The pork and veggie egg rolls are a great snack if you can snag some. They come piping hot! read more

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Did you know that Nhu Lan makes the bread for a lot of places that make banh mi sandwiches in the Chicago area? Now you do! This location is a small spot where you can get your very own banh mi fix or even sit down for a bowl of pho. Space is limited to three tables, so this is more of a to go place. I came here for the banh mi, but I became a fan of their pho. I didn't even take a picture. I just plain lost myself in that bowl. They also serve different desserts and fruit drinks too, and they're made with fresh fruit. I saw them even go out for a banana run because they ran out while I was there! read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - #1 banh mi sandwich - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

All I can say is that I've been here 4 times since my first bite !!!! I am a vegan and had intended to try all of the Vegan options but after my first visit I haven't been able to stray from the Vegan BBQ Tofu. Even my meat eating hubby leaves the choice of which to order up to me. Next time I visit I will add a pic read more

Sandwiches are always tasty. Tofu can sell out by late afternoon, so have a backup plan.

There's actually a movie about this place. It's called "NhuLan Rouge." One of the best songs from this movie, goes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxLaO8Xzjsk Nhu Lan is a many splendored sandwich shop Nhu Lan lifts us up where we belong All you need is Nhu Lan! All you need is Nhu Lan (A girl has got to eat Banh Mi) All you need is Nhu Lan (Or she'll end up on the streets of Chicago) All you need is Nhu Lan Nhu Lan is just a few dollars I was made for Banh Mi baby, you were made for Banh Mi (The only way of loving me baby, is to buy me Banh Mi) Just one bite, give me just one bite (There's no way, it's my first meal all day) In the name of love, one bite in the name of love ()You crazy fool, I won't give in to you) Don't leave me this way I can't survive without your Banh Mi, oh baby Don't leave me this way You'd think that people would have had enough of sandwich love songs I look around me and I see, it isn't so, oh no Some people want to fill the world with sandwich love songs Well what's wrong with that? I'd like to know 'Cause here I go again! Nhu Lan lifts us up where we belong Where eagles fly, on a mountain high Nhu Lan makes us act like we are fools Throw our lives away, for one happy day They're like Vietnamese heroes! I eat one a day You, you will get fat (No I won't!) And I, I'll drink Viet Iced Coffee all the time We're sandwich lovers! (We might get fat) We're sandwich lovers, and that's a fact Though nothing, will keep this sandwich together We could eat two... Or just one a day... Vietnamese Heroes, let's eat one together Healthier than Gyros, let's eat them forever Vietnamese Heroes..... Just because.... I will always love Nhu........ What a lovely little sandwich shop in Chicago. It's a little old and it's a little messy and sort of a clusterf**k in here because there's so much stuff piled up in a small space - however this all adds to the homey feel and th authenticity of the joint. And my, how they do make excellent traditional Banh Mi sandwiches which I love, and my furry son loves as well - and they have pretty good Vietnamese iced coffee too. I enjoyed both of them. It's somewhere between a 4 star and a 5 star, so it's not the best I've ever had - nor is it even close to being the best in Chicago which boasts one of the best Vietnamese sandwiches imaginable over at Little Saigon. However considering how extremely cheap and cheerful and how much better it is than anything within a couple of miles of here, I have no qualms about giving it the five star rating that it deserves. Now it's time for me to go on to a Nhu review, because it's been quite a Lan time since I started writing this one, and I didn't even leave for the gym Viet. read more

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Amazing selection of vegan/vegetarian banh mi - lemongrass tofu has incredible flavor! A few fridges with grab-and-go items like summer rolls, steamed buns, desserts. My new go-to banh mi spot read more

I have been passing this place for years. FINALLY decided to stop in. I am so glad I did. We got the House Special and the Lemongrass Tofu Bahn Mis. Both were so fresh and delightful. As other reviewers said, you can taste every ingredient on the sandwich and the bread was soft with a crunchy exterior as if it was just made. We also got the Shrimp Crepes which were equally as fresh and vibrant as everything else we had. The staff are welcoming and nice, and the interior is colorful and vibrant. This will now become a staple for our home. read more

Friendly staff and great food! They have a plethora of options, from smoothies to spring rolls, to pho and bahn mi sandwiches. I'm very pleased with the amount of vegetarian-friendly options they have, too! read more

Read from Yelp reviews that this is one of the better bahn mi sandwich places but def not worth the hype. Perhaps I'm a little biased as I've only tried a few bahn mi sandwich places. I can tell this place is authentic based on the people that work, menu, & the patrons. I had #4 grilled pork sandwich. I typically get grilled beef sandwich from a location-that-shall-not-be-named, but they didn't have any at this restaurant. Walking in, there're only a few seats available to dine. Most patrons got their sandwiches to go, which is what I did also. My #4 sandwich was pretty pricy for what I've gotten. It was definitely worth a try, but I'll stick to a place that I love. read more