This place has one of the best ban mi sandwiches in Chicago! I can't believe how big the sandwiches are. I'm pregnant and I thought I need to order something else because typically a sandwich won't fill me up. I ordered grilled pork and it came with so much meat. It's tasty with veggies. My husband ordered the fake meat made by tofu and it tasted like steak! We were very pleased with the quality and service of this place. Certainly will come back! read more

Love this place my husband and I have been getting them for years even before we met eachother lol. The prices have gone up quite a bit over the years so we do not get them as much as we used to. For anyone wondering they are back open during Covid times we got our fave lemongrass tofu the other day and my husband is literally on the way to get them again for lunch right now. I have had the chicken lemongrass bahn mi but we prefer the tofu we also love the spring rolls . You have to get there early because they sell out of tofu usually by noon ! read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - Lemongrass tofu Bahn mi and spring rolls for the win!! - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Another excellent Vietnamese sandwich shop, very much like Ba Le Bakery in Argyle St. Chinatown. The sandwiches are very comparable, at $3.25, and I don't see how anyone can claim one being significantly better than the other - they are both offer excellent values and excellent food quality. Only differences I noted were that 1) the Nhu Lan sandwiches (the grilled pork and chicken, anyway) had a little more ginger flavor in their sauces, and 2) parking is easier on Lawrence Ave. I would go to whichever is closest when I get my next Viet sandwich craving. read more

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Solid, Solid, Solid. Please dont feel this is not giving it the proper attention. I am jaded as I had my first ban mi in NYC about 4 years ago and this has skewed my view on it as that has set what I expect going forward. My NYC experience-small place on Broome street was one where the sandwich was full of meat, cilantro, etc..so I didnt feel like Nhu Lan was quite there. 1. I think the flavors are awesome 2. i dont think theres enough meat and garnish in the sandwiches 3. the bread/baguette is too big overall the sandwich flavors are great but i think needs some tweaks. If this was my first exposure to ban mi then it might be different. Still a great place and I will make sure this gets 4 stars at some point. read more

Let' just say I am the type of person who prefers to try a new place any chance that I get. In the past month, I have been here 3 times!!! I absolutely adore this place! Fresh Vietnamese sandwiches and so much variety. Their website is a bit deceiving in that they don't advertise their other offerings.... AND I mean this in a positive way. What a surprise to find spring rolls, papaya salad, sticky rice/pork wrapped in lotus leaves, fried food, a variety of tong sui (Asian dessert soups ranging from coconut, mung beans, green jelly, red beans, seaweed, where you can buy 5 get 1 free), even pre-packaged snacks and drinks aside from the 20 different sandwiches and bubble teas. Vietnamese coffee - brutally strong and rich, better than anything I could imagine. Why hasn't anyone mentioned all this!?! I swear I am going to try the entire menu cause everything I had so far has been so, so good. The prices cannot be beat, it makes you wonder why you would ever go to Subway, or dare I say a Jimmy John's! It is typically a carry out place, but the two tables in this place are usually available and have Chinese/Vietnamese TV playing in the background. read more

What a great find. Kind of nondescript from the parking lot, but luckily I always check Yelp to find hidden gems. Bread was fresh & flaky, and the fillings were all delicious and well-balanced. They have a nice selection of different banh mi sandwiches, snacks and drinks. You can dine in or do takeout. Price is very reasonable, especially when compared to inferior banh mi downtown. read more

Great place for take out. We got the roasted pork sub and batel leaf wrapped beef sub. Delicious! I love how it's already prepared with all the fillings! Take out the peppers if you don't like spicy.. because it's really spicy! We also got the white bean che which was perfectly made. Definitely a bigger selection of subs than I expected. There are a few tables to sit at, but I think it's mainly take out. We'll be back to try more! read more

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

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So I find myself in this neighborhood while visiting Chicago, and utilized my Yelp App to find myself a nice lunch. Yelp steered me to this place and claimed it to be among the best take out in this area. Upon entering this small, unassuming place I immediately saw many interesting items and a large menu with plenty of choices. I have an adventurous palate and was curious to try many things, but my time was limited and I decided to stick with a Banh Mi snadwich which seems to be what Nhu Lan are know for. I ordered the Nhu Lan #2 Roasted Pork Banh Mi. ($5.95) The sandwich was carefully built but not for long because I deconstructed it as soon as I got back to the car for a closer inspection. All of the ingredients were fresh, the pork appeared like it was just cooked and had just the right amount of fat to enhance the sandwich. The jalapeno, cucumber and other vegetables were nice and crisp as you can clearly see from my included photo. From the first bite I was hooked, great flavors from sweet and tangy to hot and spicy and layered textures from soft and chewy to crisp and crunchy. All this in one great sandwich for under $6 bucks! The staff was quiet, friendly and polite. I wish I could have tried some of the other interesting items they offer. And I'll do so next time I'm in that area. Thank you Nhu Lan Bakery. read more

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Amazing crusty bread with fresh ingredients! Can't go wrong when you pick up a bahn mi here. I personally liked the bbq pork sandwich, thought it had the best flavor. read more

Ban mi sammiches are what you come for. I get the #1 and the bbq pork ban mi. Every morning thai restaurants come here just for the bread and yes the bread is that good. Small store front ans it can get crowded in there. Seating is limited to 3 tables. Make an order wait 7 min and munch outside. TLDR: best ban mi in city. Order #1 or bbq pork. read more

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

Amazing Thai sandwiches on incredible fresh baked fluffy french bread. Lemongrass pork or chicken is on point. Get their early enough and grab the rolls in the cooler. Prepare to be amazed. A neighborhood gem. read more

Best banh mi in chicago. Fast and fresh. Ive been coming here for as long as i remember. Try their vegetarian sandwiches as well.

This was my original Bahn Mi sandwich almost 7 years ago and it still is my favorite in the game. Whether it's other purveyors in Chicago or the best culinary scene in my current home town of NYC; Nhu LAN continues to rain supreme. The key here is classic ingredients and fresh bread made on site. I look forward to putting it up against the Vietnamese food scene on my first trip to New Orleans as I hear it's a force to be reckoned with but I'm confident it will hold still. read more

Get the veggie banh mi. It somehow tastes like meat. The bread is crunchy and moist and chewy. The veggies and pickled to perfection with a hint of spice. It's filling, but just in case...get the shrimp egg rolls. The most crispy well seasoned shrimp egg rolls I've had. It can get busy around lunch time so if you are able, call your order in for pick up. There are only 3 small tables there, so take that into consideration when deciding whether to eat there or take it to go. Parking is available on Lawrence or side streets for free and there are some pay to park right in front. read more

Nhu Lan's bahn mi is slightly larger than the one at Ba Le, but its baguette is not as flavorful or taste as fresh as the one at Ba Le. Nhu Lan's baguette is harder on the outside (seriously it ripped the first few layers off the roof of my mouth), and not as soft/fluffy on the inside as the one at Ba Le. Otherwise, I think the traditional special sandwich's meat filling between the two restaurants are about the same in terms of taste. Ba Le still holds the trophy for best bahn mi in Chicago in my book. read more

Man oh man... Banh mi is my favorite kind of sandwich and Nhu Lan Bakery has the best. HANDS DOWN. My family lives near Argyle, which is near Ba Le (meh), yet they ALWAYS make an effort to drive all the way to Nhu Lan for their exceptional banh mi's. The bread is freshly baked and reminds me of the banh mi in Saigon, Vietnam. The ingredients are always fresh. The pate and jambon are amazing. I usually order the pork belly - it's phenomenal. This place never disappoints - the food is delicious each time. The people are friendly, the place is small yet cozy, the location is bustling on the street of Lawrence and the food is great. Who can argue with that? Give it a try, you won't regret it. read more

Nhu Lan Saigon Subs - OMG the pork roll banh mi. :) - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent banh mi. If I lived closer I'd probably come here everyday. I like the bread, it's different from Ba Le. The lady working the register was super nice and very friendly. :) There are a lot of other goodies around, but definitely not enough room to sit. Closed on Tuesdays =( Well I stopped by yesterday and they were closed. I lost a quarter because I paid the meter. read more

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

As a Vietnamese American, I approve of Nhu Lan sandwiches. I'll be honest, I was brought up on the deliciousness that is Lee's Sandwiches. Growing up in San Jose, there was a plethora of Vietnamese Sandwiches but my to go would be Lee's Sandwiches with that bread that would nearly cut the roof of your mouth cause the baguette was that hard. There's something seriously addicting with Lee's Sandwiches. Never the less, I was craving a Vietnamese sandwich and didn't bring a big enough lunch so this was the perfect time to try Nhu Lan. The staff, while not the most friendly, they were friendly as could be for middle aged Vietnamese people (gosh, what's that going to say about me when I'm middle aged?..). Ordering was easy enough and I was in and out within 5 minutes. The pate was good and the bread was softer than I would have liked it. But all in all, just the right amount of cilantro and plenty of meat. For the Nhu lan special, $5.50 with tax and all. While that price isn't what I'm used to, it sure is cheap compared to other Banh Mi places in Chicago. read more

Love their sandwich. Fresh ingredients and simply yet quite yummy. This is not a place for a first date but somewhere you could go once you get to know your counter part really well and enjoy the flavor they have to offer. The menu is variety and service is quick. Forget about big sandwich places but go here! read more

Such a tasty banhmi ..had the veggie lemon grass tofu one ...the tofu itself was very tasty and it was combined with cilantro, carrots and radish read more

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

Still my favorite place for Bahn Mi without having to go to Argyle. Cheaper than BaLe and tastier in my opinion. Grab and go sorta place.

I came here as recommended by my friend! i don't go to many Vietnamese places especially bakeries for that matter. Me and my cousin enjoy one sandwich worth mentioning and that was the BBQ pork! The Nhu Lan special was actually ok too with a little kick! service was quick and prices reasonable for portion.seating was limited but spacious. read more

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Delicious banh mi places with great smoothies as well. Since COVID you can't eat inside but they do such a good job with the food, it will travel well. Fresh ingredients are used and you can taste it. read more

Really good banh mi and Vietnamese iced coffee! Service is super fast. I've stopped by a couple times before going into work for iced coffee and I'm in and out within 3 minutes or less. Their pho broth is on the sweeter side and the slices of beef are not super thin, but if you're really craving pho this will do. read more

Sometimes I just don't understand myself. I have literally lived within mere blocks of Nhu Lan for the past 15 years so I don't know how or why it took me so long to finally try it. Over the years it's been recommended to me by friends, family, coworkers and Yelpers, and yet I still didn't try it. Confounding, indeed. After a hectic day at work yesterday in which I had to forfeit eating lunch, I was starving by the time I got home. I needed something to eat lickety-split, which meant it had to be close by. I also had to pick up a few items at nearby HarvesTime so it seemed ideal to stop by Nhu Lan at the same time. I strolled over there and to my surprise, there was a line. Obviously everyone but me was on to something. The lady at the counter smiled at me and asked me what I wanted to order and pointed to the menu. I chose a #3 (lemongrass chicken) and a #4 (lemongrass pork) and also a strawberry smoothie. My total for two bahn mis and smoothie was a reasonable $11.25, especially considering the size of the sandwiches. I ordered two because I figured they would be small, but one would have been more than enough. Of the two, I liked the pork better as the chicken was shredded and a little dry, but the flavor was robust and the bean sprouts, carrots and cilantro added great texture and herbaceousness ( and yes, I am fully aware that I made up that word) to the meat and everything was very balanced. Oh, and the bread is fresh and crusty. It's one damn good sandwich, and for $3.50, you can't go wrong. The smoothie, too, was delicious and refreshing and not laden with sugar. It was like drinking a frozen strawberry - exactly how it should taste. Tapioca pearls are also available, if that's your thing; it's not mine. They've added a couple of other sandwiches to the menu, including a sugarcane shrimp (how good does that sound?) and their cases include some interesting desserts and exotic beverages, all for very reasonable prices. In addition, if you buy five sandwiches, you get the sixth one free. Vegetarians and carnivores can both delight in the flavorful sandwiches at Nhu Lan. Don't be like me and wait so long to try this spot. In fact, run, don't walk. read more

At the risk of sounding trite, let me point out the obvious: The Vietnamese and French don't go down in history as being friends. That being said, the French did introduce the baguette to the Vietnamese which resulted in quite possibly the world's best sandwich: Bahn mi. A sandwich built on pain (pardon the pun), bravery and resistance. The memories of oppression aren't fond, but the sandwich manages to evoke the ultimate in taste pleasure. So, here's to bahn mi! So Nhu Lan isn't shiny and new like a certain Broadway and Argyle establishment, nor does it boast a menu as deep, but no matter: what they do make, they make well. Beyond well! I ordered the #3 Lemongrass chicken bahn mi and had every intention of taking my prize home. Unfortunately, I called an audible and devoured my sandwich in the car! The scent of beautifully-marinated chicken wafted through my car quickly and thoroughly. I couldn't suffer through 15 minutes of driving, oh no no. So instead I sacrificed dignity and scarfed down my sandwich as fast as I could without being noticed, save for one bicyclist, a cabbie and a few pedestrians. The bread: Insane! Somehow, this freshly-baked bread is crusty without inflicting pain on the roof of your mouth and at the same time is pleasingly chewy on the inside. And, you can buy 3 good-sized loaves for a buck! The lemongrass chicken also deserves its own ode. Tender, marinated with various spices and packed with flavor... I almost thought it was pork! Who knew one could make chicken this delicious? No bland poultry here. And all for $3.50! Next time I'll grab a bubble tea as well. Nhu Lan, get to know this face because you're about to see a whole lotta me. read more

Addict. Mango bubble tea with boba: $3.50 Chicken banh mi: $3.50 Pork banh mi for my associate: $3.50 Chocolate croissant (made in house!): $1.75 Total for lunch: under $13. I'm on a banh mi/buble tea bender, and I just don't wanna stop. I won't. read more

After a taste from home- as in the west coast, I feel icky like I've been worshipping the devil by accident or found it acceptable to eat out of the dumpster. Metaphorically speaking. Ugh it isn't good here people. As a last resort if you're really dying for it- maybe. Even so, I still find it unacceptable and not really tasty. It's bland and could be so much better. I'm not talking about authenticity neither. Their bubble tea also blows here. Dammit do any Asians in this city know how to make good food? Or a kick ass bubble tea atleast?? Ugh. Must I do all the Asian cooking all myself around here!! The service is great, they are so nice! But I wouldn't recommend this for banh mi sandwiches. Not even to tourists unless you want to be mean. Dead to me. read more

Went to grab a sandwich last Friday and found out they were "closed for rennovations" - come to find out this is the real reason: http://chicago.everyblock.com/food-inspections/nov14-nhu-lan-bakery-failed-inspection-5536884/ read more

COLONIZATION +1 I'm sure the French looted, pillaged, and plundered when they colonized Viet Nam, but on the bright side they taught the locals how to make incredible bread. That legacy lives on in this little gem on Lawrence which is my new go-to spot for banh mi. First off, I felt like a bit of a traitor walking into Nhu Lan since I am such a big fan of Ba Le on Broadway; I got over that in about 5 minutes. Still not over my reservations on head cheese, I went for the pork banh mi (#4) and hit the road. Sweet. Jebus. I nearly turned the car around to get another sandwich, because it was love at first bite. Warm, crusty bread, sweet, sesame-studded morsels of pork, tangy, crunchy daikon and carrots, fresh, in-your-face cilantro, and fiery jalapenos. The combination of textures and tastes is so ethereal that you'll find yourself eating slowly just so you can prolong the experience. This is right up there with the lobster roll on my rankings of the world's best sandwiches. 5 stars! read more

I feel extremely lucky to have found this absolute gem. I highly recommend the lemongrass chicken. Always extremely fresh and worth the wait if there's a line which is likely but never takes too long. read more

I ordered the shredded pork banh mi with the works today and I have to say, I've had better. The roll was very crusty but it was a lot of bread and not so much ingredients. It was very dry. I wished for some sriracha mayo or something. Too bad, I really wanted to like this place. Maybe I'll have to try some other items next time. read more

The best Banh Mi in Chicago, best Banh Mi this side of NYC. The price is quite right as well. The grilled pork, pork meatball and veggie-special sandwiches are amongst our favorites. The boba fruit-smoothies are likewise legit, not too sweet... and made of actual fruit. Definitely give both the mango and the coconut-pineapple ones a go. AND you'll find Nhu Lan in the super-diverse foodily-appealing Albany Park area to boot. Highly recommended! read more

The food here is heaven on earth. My boyfriend discovered this place while visiting me in Chicago and he immediately declared it the best banh mi he has ever had. He is Vietnamese and claims it is even better than banh mi he had in Vietnam. Every time I visit him, I try to bring sandwiches because it's all he ever talks about when we eat anything else. Every sandwich must be compared to Nhu Lan's and none can compare! As a vegetarian, I was skeptical that I could find banh mi that was as good as the ones with meat. I can't vouch for me meat-filled sandwiches, but I found love in the #9 veggie classic. I feel like any words I would use to describe this sandwich would be a disservice to how incredible it is, which is why I have avoided reviewing Nhu Lan until now. But I'll try. The bread may be what makes Nhu Lan stand out from other banh mi joints in the city (like Ba Le). It's fresh, it's crispy, it's light, it's fluffy, it's aromatic. The veggies are crunchy and plentiful. I can barely even tell I was eating vegetables the insides of this sandwich are so good. So, the sandwiches are amazing. But then, there's the bubble tea. These tapioca pearl smoothies are my absolute favorite! I'm kicking myself for never trying them until my most recent visit to Nhu Lan. The fruit is fresh and the smoothies are not overly sweet. I had the mango (my go-to favorite), but tried the red bean and coconut and was completely blown away! This is officially the most exuberant five-star review I have ever given. If you live in Chicago and have not had one of these sandwiches, you need to drop everything and go. Right now. You will not be disappointed! I would pay twice as much for these sandwiches. At this price, you can't say no! Tip: Don't count on dining here with a group of people. There are only two tables and they're usually taken! read more

They always say never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach...thankfully, Nhu Lan is right next to where I do my grocery shopping, and thankfully, their sandwiches are fantastic!!! My fiance and I have tried several of their sandwiches, and we have loved them all. Fresh baguettes, pate, (or cold cuts, if you prefer), yummy fixin's -- these sandwiches trump Subway any day, and they are half the price. The #1 is my favorite, and it's only $2.95. My fiance tried this hot pork bun thing last time we were there, which was also delicious. The service is so friendly and kind here -- very much a family-run business who care about the customers. There are a couple of tables to eat-in, which we have done, but it looks like most people are taking their sandwiches to-go here. Stop in on a Sunday afternoon, grab yourself a sandwich, then hit up Harvest Time for your weekly groceries. Then thank me for making your weekend so much lovelier. :) read more

-"We'll meet up with Andrea and get some Vietnamese sandwiches. Banh Mi." - Spencer H. -"No man. I'm here visiting, you're putting me up at your place, the least I can do is buy you lunch. These will be on me." - CJK I left my heart in San Francisco. Probably in one of these sandwiches. I fell in love as so many have before me, and like any first love, nothing will ever compare to those first sandwiches in SF. But, here I am, in the midst of a particularly nasty Chicago winter, and just four blocks away from my apartment is Nhu Lan, begging me to visit and to remember. Remember I did, but these sandwiches are worth more than just a bite of nostalgia, they are pretty good in their own right. I went with the #4, grilled pork banh mi. The baguette was fresh, the toppings tasty, especially the thick cucumber slices, and the pork was very flavorful. If I could have my che and eat it too, the meat wouldn't have been chopped into such little bits (picture taco meat), but whatever, the taste was all there, and at $2.95 you can bet I'll be back. Tomorrow. read more

This is my first 5-star rating ... I'd say I'm a pretty tough critic, so this is a whopper of a good review. I told my friend that I was moving to Lincoln Square, near California and Lawrence. She practically jumped at me when she let me in on this Vietnamese store that has really good Vietnamese sandwiches (banh mi). I had my doubts, because the only banh mi I've had was from Argyle, and to put it bluntly, it was kinda gross. So I hesitantly gave the store a try and oh my god ... GRILLED PORK SANDWICH. It was unbelievable! It was like ... tangible, sandwich-y bliss in my mouth for the next 8 minutes. DELICIOUS. They've got other things that I still need to try, but I never really do because their #4 is so amazing (and it's only $3.25!). I recommend this place to anyone that has taste buds. read more

I would have never thought to go to the outskirts of Chicago if it weren't for going to Wrigley field. Boy, am I happy that I made the trek out here and would recommend others to do just as well for some superb bahn mis. The storefront is small with only 2 tables squeezing about 6-8 customers. It's a bit tight in space, with the tables directly in front of the front counter and adjacent to the entrance. I recommend taking your orders to go and finding a roomier place to enjoy them. I ordered the #1 Nhu Lan - Dac Biet ($3.50) - Nhu Lan Special (Vietnamese Ham, Headcheese, Pate, Pork Rolls). They got this sandwich spot on! The fresh cold cuts were true to Vietnamese tradition, the julienne carrots & daikon were perfectly pickled with just the right amount of sourness, and the cucumber was 1/8-sliced rather than quarter-sliced to give it that extra refreshing crunchiness without the rawness flavor of a cucumber. But my favorite part of the sandwich were the generous portion of sprigs of cilantro and large slices of raw jalapeno. Usually the cilantro is undermined with all the other sour and salty flavors, but they actually put just enough so that it was noticeable without being overpowering. If you don't like spicy, I'd highly advise to lay off on the jalapenos, as it added some MAJOR heat that had my mouth heated for quite some time. And I love spicy food. The contrasting flavors of saltiness, sourness, and spiciness made for one of the most enjoyable bahn mi's I've ever had. And lastly, let's not forget the bread which goes neglected more often than not. The bread was perfectly airy and crispy. For those not familiar with Vietnamese bread, it's similar to a French baguette but not as dense. I also tried #4 Thit Nuong ($3.75) - Grilled Pork (Lemongrass Grilled Pork). The pieces of grilled pork were tender and tasty, with a hint of sweetness. All the other ingredients were spot on just like in the dac biet version. It made for a very delicious bahn mi that I would definitely recommend trying. All of us came to the conclusion that Nhu Lan is definitely one of those establishments that does not gain the recognition and popularity that it should. Their bahn mis are priced very cheaply, portions are very generous, and flavors are superb. For those reasons, I consider Nhu Lan a hidden treasure that any curious or die-hard bahn mi fan will learn to adore and hold close to their heart. So much so, that they will only want to tell their very close friends about. I, for one, can't wait to return and try their other sandwiches. If only Nhu Lan were in New York City.... P.S. - As an added bonus, you can get 1 free sandwich if you order 5. read more

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Delicious!! Lived up to its high rating. I got the lemongrass chicken banh mi -- super flavorful with a spicy kick (whole slices of spicy green pepper - watch out!) and really filling. Their 'classic' banh mi is composed of all the regular stuff + a house pate. The banh mi bread is clearly made fresh on site. Don't go too late in the day because by the time we went around 7pm they were already cleaning out the kitchen, so no more pho soup. read more

NEVER, NEVER have I EVER had a sandwich that tickled my fancy like the 2 banh mi I ordered today. Got the #1 for mom. She loves ham and headcheese. I got the grilled pork. I have never thought of anything served on bread as "refreshing", but the array of fresh vegetables and herbs made me feel like I was eating healthy, while the deep delicious flavor made me feel rather decadent! Mom said she'd rather I bring her sandwiches from Nhu Lan in the future than any of the other local sub places. I think she is a banh mi convert! I picked up a few other things to try on the side. Their version of "flan" was light and very tasty and the banana tapioca pudding was yum. Christopher ate all his and called it "interesting". The store is cute with it's Buddha statues and shrines and the staff is friendly and helpful. My crystal ball shows many many future trips to this delightful little bakery! read more