Catina is one of my go-to's when I'm craving a banh mi. They have 11 different variations but the banh mi thit nguoi (cold cut combination) is the classic. The banh mi's are priced at $6, which makes it a great option for a quick bite. They're served with a toasted French baguette, cilantro, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, jalapeño, and Vietnamese mayo (made with raw egg yolks). All the ingredients combined make the sandwich pretty light and refreshing. The banh mi's have definitely gotten smaller and less filled over time but they're still worth the price.
They also have boba tea and other Vietnamese snacks and desserts. I like to grab a Thai tea boba and banh bo nuong (honeycomb cake) or banh bo (steamed rice cakes) while I'm there. It's a take out spot so there's no seating but they get you in and out relatively quickly. I usually bring cash as well. read more