Banh Mi is one of my favorite sandwiches. Done right, the French-influenced baguette shatters when you bite into it and explodes with sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. The protein could vary widely from beef to pate to sardine. It includes a mixture of pickled daikon, carrots, and cilantro. My last stop on my SGV tour was Banh Mi My Tho in Alhambra.
While there are many banh mi restaurants in the SGV, those in the know flock to Banh Mi My Tho. Over the years, the word has spread due to mentions in many “best of” lists such as “best cheap eats” and “best sandwiches” such as Los Angeles Magazine’s “17 Great L.A. Sandwiches”.
Banh Mi My Tho is located on a strip mall on Valley Blvd in Alhambra. It looks like a liquor store from the parking lot, especially with California lotto information on its front window. Fortunately, there is no shortage of slots in their parking lot.
I just ate breakfast at nearby JJ Cafe, and so I purchased two sandwiches from Banh Mi My Tho to enjoy later. What appears to be a sleepy place quickly got busy after I arrived. Everyone respected social distancing and patiently waited for their order to be prepared. About 15 minutes later, my order was ready.
The baguettes were extremely crisp and shattered as I bit into it. The inside was delicate and incredibly soft. Both the Grilled Pork and the Grilled Pork BBQ were terrific. The marinade on both was full of flavor, but what elevated the sandwiches was the crunchy pickled carrots and daikon radish mixture. The aroma of the bread when you bite into it combined with the myriad of flavors is not something I can put into words.
Other popular sandwiches are the diet biet, a Vietnamese cold cut sandwich, a Vietnamese meatball sandwich, and a shredded chicken sandwich with a caramel fish sauce spread. I’m also a big fan of broken rice and bun, so I can’t wait for my return!
Banh Mi My Tho, 304 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803; 626.289.4160; banhmimytho.com