Best banh mi in the city! The bread is light and crispy and the vegetables are fresh. Their roasted duck is delicious too. The Vietnamese pork meat loaf is made fresh in-house and has a hint of sweetness and banana leaf flavor. read more

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Had some banh mi's from this shop in the argyle area. I've previously had the sandwiches before and was definitely craving them as they're usually packed with flavor and texture. Usually I get the special combination which has cold cuts and pate. The bread this time was a bit too dry and crusty for my sake as it crumbled as I bit into it. The livery pate flavor definitely came out. I really like the pickled carrots and daikin as it added a nice crunch. This time I also tried the pork meatball banh mi #6. I was expecting something different apparently because this meatball reminded me of an italian meatball sub sandwich with the marinara sauce. The flavors worked well together (I think the pickled veggies + cilantro are always a winning combination for a sandwich). Just not what I'd imagine it to be with the type of meatball. I was expecting a firmer meatball (kind of like the meatballs found in noodle soups). If only the usual sandwich shops thought of this idea! I did note that the bread for the #6 was not as dry and crumbly so perhaps it's just an oddball on my combination#1. I thought the size of the sandwiches were a good portion, I'd definitely be full if I had a whole one myself. Though the sandwiches were pretty satisfying, my previous experience was better. read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - Combo special #1 - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious! No-frills, still looks very covid-conscious inside so no seating area but definitely a great spot to grab a quick sandwich to-go. read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - #8 Original sandwich - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Bahn Mi is equal or better than the other location in Lincoln square. Very delicious. Grilled pork rocked. No place I'd rather go. I was disappointed that the Thai ice coffee was $7, and loaded with ice. Not so much for the price. Next I will ask easy on the ice, if I get it at all. read more

I read up on Nhu Lan after researching must-try Vietnamese restaurants on the famous Argyle Street in Uptown, and immediately wanted to try their Banh Mi. After a few weeks of anticipation, I got the chance to try one, and it was worth the wait! When I first arrived, a huge menu on the windows of the bakery grabbed my attention. Before walking in, I browsed it and chose what I wanted, a lemongrass chicken Banh Mi, as I had seen others recommend it. I walked in, and the space was small, with one register and a small area on the side for refrigerated desserts and other goods. There was already a group of about six people waiting or placing their order (about the max occupancy without feeling uncomfortable), and got the feeling I was in for a treat. After placing my order, I waited a quick 5 minutes for my sandwich. The sandwich was larger than I expected, never a bad thing. Once I opened it, the different smells of chicken, pickled vegetables, and cilantro hit my nose. It was quite fragrant! The baguette was soft and warm to the touch, bouncing lightly back to shape when I pressed it down. After getting taken aback a second by the appetizing aromas and feel of the bread, I took my first bite. The bread was as airy as it felt in my hand, with the snap of the peppers adding more texture. The chicken tasted zesty, sweet, and had a hint of spice. Combined with the flavors of the fresh and pickled vegetables, it made for a perfect summertime lunch! The one negative was the chicken felt a bit dry, though the delicious marinade helped cover that up. All in all, my first Banh Mi from Nhu Lan will not be my last. I cannot wait to go back and try some of their other sandwiches soon, and I may also toss in a dessert, as those looked yummy when I glanced at their refrigerated section. They made a returning customer out of me! read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I can't believe I just found out about this place after 10 years in Chicago. My best friend recommended this place to me and I was blown away. The food was so good! I ordered the bbq lunch box. It was around $10. You can choose up to 2 items. I chose half bbq pork and half roast pork over rice. The ordering process was pretty smooth. I called the order in and it was ready right on time when I got there. They also sell freshly squeezed orange juice which I really like. Definitely a solid deal and the portions are huge! I had to split it into two meals. I will definitely be back for some more bbq pork and roast pork over rice even though it's going to take me 30 minutes to get here. read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious sandwiches for a good price. Never dissatisfied. I would recommend this to anyone looking for good food in the area. read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - Lemongrass chicken banh mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Some of the best food I've had, for very reasonable prices. Go in the morning for the freshest bread and BBQ. Roast Pork: The best crispy pork belly I've had in Chicago. At other places the skin is hard and brittle like glass, but not the case here. The skin is super crispy and light, and the meat is seasoned perfectly throughout and juicy. They sell it by the pound; best thing at Nhu Lan. BBQ Pork: A bit on the sweet side as far as char siu goes. Not bad, but you can't beat the roast pork. Roast Pork Bahn Mi: Juicy, rich, crispy roast pork, and the bread is light and crusty, easy and satisfying to bite through. A lot of people just buy bread from here and I can see why. The sandwich was packed generously with meat and vegetables. The roast pork is super flavorful but not saucy, so try this if that's your thing. Ham Egg Bahn Mi: This sandwich is no joke; it's super hearty and filling. Tons of high quality ham and two (maybe three) over easy fried eggs. Hits the spot for a rich, hearty breakfast especially when your body is recovering. Lemongrass Chicken Bahn Mi: Tons of lean flavorful shredded chicken on the sandwich. The chicken is well seasoned; the flavor profile is more simple and clean, so good option if you are looking for a lighter sandwich. Curry Chicken Bahn Mi: Piled high with generous portions of meat and veggies like all the other sandwiches. The chicken is shredded like the lemongrass chicken, but has slightly more flavor with the curry. Pho with Brisket: Very generous meat portions, and excellent broth. Nice subtle spices and a clean broth packed with flavor. read more

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I discovered their bakery on west Lawrence years ago and have been a fan ever since. Nhu Lan Uptown is just as delicious. Free parking at Lawrence and Sheridan leads you into the small shop where deliciousness can be had. More of a takeout place. They offer several different versions of the famous Bahn mi sandwich with their own baked bread, very unique. The cooler on the right has so many grab and go options like Vietnamese wraps, flan and craft drinks and juices. They also offer BBQ pork, roasted chicken and duck, chopped up fresh as you order. I love places that are easily accessible, grab and go, unique and absolutely delicious. Try this place ASAP. read more

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Okay, first thing: the menu that's provided here is out of date. The prices and items available have changed, and that's true of several of the menu photos submitted as well. If I had know this, I would have pushed harder to get photos of my visit. It was a little too crowded. Anyway, I had a veggie classic bánh mì for $8.95 (most of the bánh mì are priced like that). It was really good, better than what I can get at Viet Nom Nom, but I'm not quite sure it was worth the effort of a 25-minute round-trip. Everything was fresh and flavorful, and the only ingredient that let me down were the jalapenos. They were there -- I could see and taste them -- but they had no kick at all. Too bad. I'd definitely go back because it was very good but didn't make me sit up say, "damn, that's good!" Maybe if it were closer to home or priced a little lower, I'd bump it up to a five. It was great to see that there are numerous vegetarian and vegan options, so I'll have to go back to try those. read more

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been trying to branch out and explore new restaurants near argyle when we found this place today. I love the sandwiches here!! the shop is very unassuming and offers take-out only. the sandwich prices were very reasonable ($8.95) and the portion size was great! we tried the special sandwich (#1) and roast pork (#2) and also a dessert (great with some shaved ice). overall i would highly recommend this shop and it'll probably be our go to banh mi place in the future. can't wait to try a different sandwich next time! read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - 1. Dac Biet Banh Mi Nhu Lan - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It is my first time uptown before 8 am. We arrived right at 8 am. I wanted to order some special Nhu Lan sandwiches; however, the staff told me they were waiting for the sandwich delivery. She asked if I can wait because the sandwich could get there any minute. My husband and I were chilling at the store. The sandwiches were fresh, delicious, and yummy. I love this location because it's close to the Vietnamese uptown. I will definitely come back in the future for more. read more

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Yummy banh mi's, big fan of their roast pork (sandwich). Nice and crispy skin, layers for days. I also love their fresh squeezed orange juice - so sweet and refreshing! Quick and good service. read more

Food was very good-2 sandwiches. Very quick made to order, even with one modification. This is not a sit-down restaurant, but it does have fun things to look at while waiting. read more

This was my first bahn mi sandwich. It was incredible. It was so fresh and delicious. read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - This was my first Bahn Mi sandwich and it was incredible! It was a lemongrass chicken sandwich. - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Best banh mi in the area! Staff were so sweet and the food was delicious. I am now recovering with a food baby. read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - BBQ Pork - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Best Vietnamese sandwiches in the Chicago area. They don't skimp on the meat/filling and their bread is just the right amount of crispy on the outside and not too dense on the inside. The quintessential Vietnamese baguette. I highly recommend their lemongrass chicken sandwich (banh mi), which I hear is a popular menu choice. I have also tried their che (coconut tapioca dessert), which was fantastic. I think I had the che ba ba, with taro, plantains, and cassava. The use of plantains was not what I'm used to in this dessert, but still good nonetheless. I like how they use the sealed top, like boba drinks, to hold these liquidy desserts. Their xoi (sticky rice) was just ok, a little bland and pretty dry. Meaning they may not make the sticky rice directly, but it could be shipped from another shop. Their banh cuon (rice rolls with ground meat) were also ok, as the rice rolls were thicker than I typically like. Overall, I'd come here for their sandwiches and che desserts, and go elsewhere for the other side dishes. There is parking out front in the small parking lot. It is conveniently off the Lawrence exit on Lake Shore Drive, as well as the Lawrence Red Line stop. read more

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Banh mi shop located in a strip mall - ample parking spots. We always go to the same banh mi shop in Uptown so we decided to try something new. Variety of sandwiches and slightly cheaper than the other places around the Chicago area. Lots of filling options. Sandwiches ordered were stuffed with toppings. We opted for our veggies on the side since we were traveling home. Bread is crispy and chewy. We def will be coming back. read more

Prices are up but you really can't beat their bahn mi. It's that bread. All about the bread. But really, the perfect blend of various meats and veggies with a touch of heat from the jalapeño on that crusty bread makes a mighty fine sandwich. read more

Definitely one of the best vegan sanwhich we I've had here in the city. Due to Covid, my friend and I ordered and waited ten mins for both our food to be made. The ingredients were all fresh and the bread was the perfect softness! Would definitely recommend for a tasty and authentic Vietnamese lunch. Support small Asian businesses!!! read more

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This place is a joke. I ordered on grubhub for pickup, walked in for 15 minutes, no one say a word to me, and finally someone decided to ask me why I'm here, I told them I'm here to pickup grubhub order which I already paid for. They said they don't have grubhub, I can order now and they make for me right now, and they said I need to call grubhub to get my refund. Fun experience. read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - Just avoid this place... - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My favorite place to get bahn mi in Chicago! I go for the #2 roasted pork bahn mi every time. It's so delicious and reasonably priced! The roasted pork is fatty and crisp. Contrasted nicely by the fresh veggies and jalapeno. During COVID, there's no seating indoors but there's a parking lot outside that you can eat in. read more

This is personally where my favorite banh mi is - it's the most stuffed banh mi I've had at the cheapest price. Everything else here is amazing, too: the pho (broth I could bathe in), the bao, the meat/rice plates with chicken or bbq pork. I'd eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner here if I lived closer. read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - 4. Banh Mi Thit Nuong - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hands down - the best place in Chicago for a Banh Mi Sandwich! Before I tried Nhu Lan, I always went to Ba Le for my Banh mi fix. I decided to try Nhu Lan, mainly because I was tired of Ba Le and how overrated it was. This has been one of the best choices I've ever made. When we entered, the place was small with minimal seating (but they're honestly more of a takeout place), there were side dishes, drinks, and desserts to the right, and you place your order over the counter - whether it's take out or dine in. We brought our daughter with so we found a seat and dined in. When our sandwich was ready, they brought it out to our table. It came out pretty quick. We ordered spring rolls and a Roast Pork Banh Mi Sandwich. The spring rolls tasted extremely fresh and the sauce was FIRE. As soon as I saw the Banh mi, I already knew it was going to be good. Then as soon as I took a bite, my whole world changed. The roasted pork was so crisp and fresh. The bread was baked perfectly and everything else in between went together so well. I would honestly recommend this place if you're craving a Banh mi sandwich or anything of the sort. Also, the staff was friendly and always smiling! Which definitely makes you want to come back even more. Parking: parking lot read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - Roast Pork Banh Mi Sandwich - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Bahn Mi sammiches are great, I got grilled pork. This is the second time we've got food from here, the other time was a few years ago. The one thing that happened both times: it took a really long time for them to get our order together. I don't know if we were behind a big order last time but I think we were this time. The one on Lawrence is quicker and nearer my house. read more

Literally stood in the store for 45 minutes to get some roast pork by the pound (sooo delicious) while being ignored by the otherwise very sweet Viet grandmother who's always at the counter and usually attentive, to find out that the woman in front of me was "usurping" me and the rest of the roast pork loving community by buying the entire lot. I'm elated that the business is booming mid-pandemic, but saddened that I waited in vain. Sadly also that I won't return because I found an equally great roast pork down with the street at Hon Kee at HALF THE PRICE! Buh bye Nhu Lan. Should've exclaimed earlier that I was gonna be outta luck. read more

This review is for the food - phenomenal and authentic banh mi like nothing else in the Chicago area. I've tried all the sandwiches in town and this is the only place that reminds me of what I get when I'm back in Vietnam. We ordered the #1 special and the lemongrass tofu - both were very good. The shrimp salad rolls were also very tasty and very big although premade, they didn't have too much noodle filler. This location has parking and seating and a nice cold / pre-made case for additional items to take away. In typical Midwest fashion, there's a lot of filling and you won't be left hungry. Note to those who are looking online ... the prices and note about delivery are out of date. They don't deliver from this location (the other location uses GrubHub) and the prices are $1-$2 under the current prices for sandwiches. read more

I've been meaning to try this place for a while, so I'll tell you it was worth the wait. I picked up a Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi and a package of Four Seasons Spring Rolls. The Banh Mi was loaded to the brim with chicken and was delish! The spring rolls hit the spot with the veggies and peanut sauce! I can't wait to go back! read more

It's good place to get Vietnamese French sandwiches aka Bánh mì. They also serve hot bowl of delicious pho too. There's fresh shrimp spring rolls very delicious it's fast food style and cheap eats. read more

The best crispy pork in town , still crispy even been kept in fridge for 2-3 days. The lady who work/own this place is nice but have a big attitude on customers , She always talk shit about customer in front of them in her language. Sometimes duck is old , so be careful. read more

There's something about Nhu Lan's meats that is so savoring. I really like their banh mi special. The combination of meat in that sandwich is almost perfect. The box lunch special is a good deal as well. The roast pork is amazing! I also like their vegetarian options. The lemongrass tofu spring rolls are delicious!! I sometimes stop in the morning for the breakfast that they have in the fridge. You really can't go wrong here. I used to drive to the original location but I'm glad this one is within walking distance for me. read more

Nhu Lan Uptown - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

They have Chinese roasted pork and soy sauce chicken here as well as BBQ pork. You can get a lunch plate with 2 meats and rice and sweet pickled radish/carrot for $8-$9. Incredible! I like how there's a parking lot unlike Sun Wah bbq on Broadway. I will be going here for my fix from now on. read more

I used to experiment getting Banh mi sandwiches from the various holes in the wall on Argyle street, most notably Ms. Saigon where sandwiches come with friea that have no right to be this good. That is until I finally stumbled upon Nhu Lan bakery. Their unsightly facade in the middle of a run down strip mall may deter you from entering, but make no such mistake - these guys elevate Banh Mi to another level. Baguettes are baked fresh every day at their other site on Lawrence. Crispy pork chunks hang from the ceiling and are slowly cut by the main man with a giant cleaver and fed to the hungry masses. Most notably, their traditional Banh Mi comes with exceptionally good head cheese and those who know will tell you, if a Banh Mi place does headcheese sandwich well, it does everything well. Even their vegetarian sandwich (ginger tofu) is super good. Can't recommend them enough. read more

This place is fantastic. You can pick from 20 different bahn mi sub flavors. I eat meat but I'm super impressed with the vegan options they have. The vegan bbq bahn mi is supposed to mimic a char siu pork flavor and the ginger tofu one is really delicious, filling and has a great texture. The daikon they use is nicely fermented. They also have a fridge filled with tasty puddings, flan, and premade bao buns. Pho and bbq'd meat are also things you can get here. The women who work there are always super nice and you don't normally have to wait too long for your sandwich as long as the line is not crazy. The only thing is the prices have gone up a bit since COVID, but that is to be expected. I only say this because the photos of the menu you find on this yelp page are not accurate in price. That being said, it's still the biggest bahn mi portion and tastiest sandwich I can find in the area. read more

Ordered the the bbq pork. Outstanding, be sure to get it with everything and pull off anything you don't like. You won't be pulling anything off. read more

The roasted pork, BBQ pork, chicken and duck are to die for! I can't say anything else... just go there before they run out of meat!!!

This is a place that has great Vietnamese food such as bahn mi sandwiches as well as numerous desserts and savory dishes. However, I mainly come here for their Cantonese BBQ they do. The roast duck and roast pork is on point, even better than Sun Wah, I would say. Be sure to come early so you can even have it whilst it's still warm out of the oven. read more

I ordered a few sandwiches today. The bread itself was good and smelled fragrant. My meat ball sandwich did not taste like a Vietnamese meatball whatsoever. I questioned whether it was bought from somewhere else and packed into a banh mi. The lady at the register was handling food and taking payments at the same time so my credit card was returned to me very oily. Prices were incredibly high for all the items. I can't believe I paid $9.95 pre tax for a standard banh mi! read more

It was fine, but the outstanding bahn mi I was expecting. Maybe the Uptown location isn't as good as the original. The menu is certainly scaled back. Disappointed. read more

Went to support my favorite Bah Mi place and noticed the price increase. Granted the cost may be rising and business slowed bc of the pandemic, but I also noticed it did not have nearly as much filling. I feel as if I am now getting half what I used the get for the money, so I probably won't come back as often. read more