If you follow my Twitter or are my Facebook friend, you’ve already heard me mumbling half-incoherently to myself about being on a banh mi bender. Well, the first place I went to was Paris Sandwich, as I’d long ago noted that it was a friend’s favorite place (she’s since told me that Baoguette is now her favorite place, but that’s for the next banh mi bender). Lizz and I had talked about meeting up for lunchtime banh mi, as Chinatown is sort of directly in between our offices, so off we went.
I like to try the classic of anything, wherever I go, so I immediately latched onto the Paris special baguette. Lizz said she had a fondness for grilled pork, and generously offered to split both sandwiches with me so that we could both try more variety. Sold!
Nom nom nom. Unfortunately, the weird thing was that neither of the sandwiches were cut in half. Lizz and I both were a little confused, because our experiences in the past were that most places cut them in half… but she gamely tore both sandwiches in half while I went to Wah Mei to get some pork chop over rice. Thanks again, Lizz 🙂
I couldn’t wait to dig in, so while I was waiting for the train to go back to the office, I whipped out the Paris special, took a quick pic, and devoured it. Mmm, earthy pate, a bit of creaminess from the butter, crunchy pickled veggies, and the bread – the bread is perfect. Crisp on the outside, soft and yielding, holding the insides perfectly… just. YUM.
The grilled pork – well, the bread was the same delicious bread. I wasn’t as fond of the meat – it was a little too sweet for me, and discussing with Lizz later, she felt the same way. Not my favorite style of sandwich there.
Here’s a little secret: after having eaten so many banh mi at the Banh Mi Cart, I am pretty certain that the two places are related. It was really busy so I didn’t bother trying to ask someone, but the green tea waffles available at Paris were also available at the cart for a short while, and when I saw someone order them – they looked exactly the same as what I’d gotten at the cart once! The menus were suspiciously similar as well, but then, it’s banh mi, you figure everyone has somewhat similar offerings… but what sealed it in my mind was the bread. The bread is absolutely the same (which I confirmed by going to other banh mi places and noting the bread being completely different): the perfect baguette, crisp exterior, soft interior, resists sogging… it’s the exact same bread. That’s my strong suspicion.
Paris wins extra points as one of the few places I went that had tables inside, and a pretty clean interior that had lots of goodies to look at, drool over, and really want. I mean, we walked in, and while we were waiting for our sandwiches, I was so close to picking up some Vietnamese salads, summer rolls, drinks, all sorts of brightly colored containers that just screamed “take me home with you, I will make you happy!”
Yvo says: Within the “cheap” banh mi set ($4 and under; the lowest I’ve seen in NYC is $3.25), these are on the “expensive” side at $4 a piece. However, with excellent bread, fairly quick service, an actual eating area, and loads of other goodies to look at and/or eat while you’re there, Paris definitely ranks high on the list for banh mi. I think it’s also an excellent place for beginners to start, as it’s an actual eatery (you’ll understand this comment with forthcoming posts), and fairly bright and clean within the place.
recommended
Part 1 of 4, Banh Mi Bender Week
Thien-Kim aka Kim says
I wish the banh mi places near me aren't a 45 minute drive (without traffic). I've never had any place cut them in half for me though. It never occured to me. You are making me crave some.
Sometimes I'll make a poor man's version, normally without the pate. (My mom made all kinds but never made/bought the pate. Too much work maybe?)
YUM!
gw says
there are three places that i like better. i think i've tried nearly all of the banh mi places in chinatown/nolita. the jewelry store one, another on broome, and another one below canal on centre street area. i found most of them on cheapassfood.
gw
Yvo Sin says
Kim – I've never made pate, but my understanding is that if you have a food processor, it isn't that hard! 🙂 If you wanted to give it a go, anyway.
Greg – I should have written into the post (editing now) – this is part 1 of 4; Banh Mi Bender went through 4 different places. Will be posting final thoughts on Friday!
Anonymous says
Perhaps they have the same supplier for bread and other things? I have no idea what this sandwich is, except it looks amazing [nothing like that here] – but since other similar type restaurants order from the same company, maybe b/m sandwich places do too? Just a thought.
Now I am going to eat my crappy turkey sandwich [and curse at you.] 😀
Yvo Sin says
Anonymous – Paris bakes their own bread 🙂 Where are you from?
Gar says
you should also try their dessert, especially the pumpkin custard wedge. A little expensive, but they use the actual pumpkin.
Anonymous says
the best banh mi places are in sunset park brooklyn =)
Mo Diva says
paris is my go to place for banh mi