Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches and Bakery

Located at 3808 High Point Road, Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches and Bakery specializes in banh mi sandwiches and other Vietnamese fare. Bubble teas are also available, and the establishment is open seven days a week.

Whether the result of its downmarket location (beside a High Point Road pool hall) or the public’s unfamiliarity with its primary product, Banh Mi Saigon is one of Greensboro’s best-kept secrets. And were there any risk of this review inspiring a shortage, a secret it would surely remain.

Banh mi is a Vietnamese catch-all for a variety of sandwiches served on baguettes. At Banh Mi Saigon, you can pile on everything from roast pork and ham to beef and meatloaf to vegetarian mock-meat and more. All are made to order and come layered with veggies (watch out for the hidden jalapeno) and amply spread with mayo. No matter which option you pursue, you’re in for a treat. The bread is fresh and the fillings sublimely flavorful. I ordinarily detest liver, but their pork and pate sandwich — #2 on the menu – was a weekly standby all summer long. The BBQ pork (#4) and the grilled meatloaf (whiteboard special) are quite habit-forming in their own right. Among the non-sandwich offerings, the fresh spring rolls are tasty once you bite into them (especially when dipped in the accompanying peanut sauce), but the waxy appearance of the wrap is somewhat off-putting.

Given the quality of the food, it would be easy to expect pricing that belies Banh Mi Saigon’ss location. Fortunately, however, the opposite holds true: prices here are an absolute steal. Most sandwiches and the spring rolls are a meager $3.50 each, a few sandwiches run $3.75, and even the vermicelli bowls don’t run past $8. Consider what $3.50 will buy you at a fast-food chain, and you will marvel at Banh Mi Saigon’s ability to stay in business.

Though there are a few tables and chairs, Banh Mi Saigon is best utilized for takeout. The counter staff are polite and relatively quick, but the barebones interior lacks the ambiance to make dine-in worthwhile.

If you are a world traveler, chances are you have had better banh mi than you are likely to find here. But if you are a Greensboroian on a budget looking for a quick and satisfying meal, this is as good as it gets.

8.75/10