Ba Le Bakery Stuff in Loop!

Chicago's Indoor Farmstand, on Randolph between Michigan and Wabash, just started carrying items from Ba Le Bakery on Argyle! They have a selection of sandwiches, some boxed lunch stuff, a big leaf-wrapped rice thing and spring rolls. Also Vietnamese iced coffee. I had a bbq pork sandwich ($3.25) today and it was awesome!

YAY! Thanks for the info! I will definitely try it tomorrow for lunch!

super full disclosure: I work for Dept of Cultural Affairs (in a very roundabout way, I do programs and events for the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park) but anyhow, the Downtown Farmstand (run by DCA) is trying its darndest to help people get the local thing but is also open to lots of suggestion. Each month they have had a different theme, so last month it was MIddle Eastern, since the Arab/Israeli Cookbook was at the Storefront Theater. So they sold pies from the MIddle Eastern Bakery. If you are digging the Banh Mi sandwiches from Ba Le, express your love to the staff, who really are trying to figure out how to best make that space work with the challenges of perishability. It is the closest, most microscopic version of an indoor "public" market that exists downtown. I know it is far from being perfect (my hands itch when I go in there, thinking all of which they could add) but it exists and they are trying to make it work. I am especially loving the Jane Adams Hull House products like Plums for Peace Preserve. But I also like the First Slice Dinner in a Bag. I have only bought them twice but they were great sanity savers. And a screaming deal at $18 to feed three.

bjt

I picked up a sandwich there today. I am so happy to have such a great option near the office. I raved to the cashier who said that they may make Ba Le a permanent option if it is "insanely popular." Nearly everyone in the shop seemed to have something (shrimp rolls, sandwiches, coffee) from there, so hopefully that qualifies.

I got the tofu sandwich, which is better when warm, but what isn't. It was still tasty, fresh, had great interesting flavors and filling. I am a happy office worker.

I've stopped into the farmstead before and nearly always walked out empty handed. Before these new offerings, nothing seemed packaged for lunch. Yet, the vegetables, fruits and larger meals set out farmer's market style didn't seem like the best deal. I'm excited that they're experimenting with the format and love that Ba Le is part of the experiment.

Thanks for alerting the list!

Fabulous. I'm going to be working around there this summer (also in a round about way for the Department of Cultural Affairs) so this is great news. I have to go there today around 4:30, I can pick up dinner.

The last time I was at Tank with a friend and ordered a couple of grilled pork bahn mi of the meal - my friend thought I was crazy (having already consumed a huge volume of food). I explained that they were my lunch for the next day and lamented the lack of delicious bahn mi in the loop. Well, my prayers have been answered...

I walked over at about 2pm yesterday and they were sold out of everything from Ba Le except for two packages of Com Ga. I snagged one and it was great - $6.50 for 2 legs, 2 thighs, rice + pickled veggies and hot peppers? Awesome.

I'm going to head over much earlier today and see what variety they have. Is it too much to hope that demand keeps up and Ba Le (or someone else) opens a Vietnamese carryout place in the loop?

-Dan

I am stuffing my face with a Ba Le Special Sandwich. Also bought a Chicken Rice (Com Ga) and one of the che desserts. As soon as my coworkers saw my bounty, they headed out to get some! Should have charged them $5 to tell them where it is!

BTW They are having Ba Le stuff the entire month of May!

Update: some of my coworkers just got back and told me they are out of sandwiches! Maybe they should send someone up to Argyle to get more!!

I went with a couple co-workers today. We got there just as the sandwiches arrived (around 11:45). There were about 10 people standing around waiting for the sandwiches. One of the people at the store said that they originally planned on having the sandwiches only 2 days a week, but they were so popular that they made it daily. I suspect if the demand continues, this could become a permanent fixture (fingers crossed!).

Since Ba Le gonna make a daily delivery in the Loop, would it be possible that we can phone in our prepaid customized orders and pick them up at Chicago Farmstand at Noon?

We also make a couple things at the farmstand if you are into chocolate and pierogi:
Potato and Cheese Pierogi, Mushroom Sauerkraut Pierogi
Poppyseed Streudel
Paradise Brownies
Sunflower Rye Breads
Kolaczki
I find that it is a wonderful place to get all kind of goodies from all around Chicago without having to drive all around the city. Especially if you are downtown, it is a wonderful find.

They were out of the sandwiches when I went on Thursday, but they said they'd get more Friday. Yesterday I was back downtown, and sure enough they had them. They said they'd had to get more twice in a day, that they were flying off the shelves. The barbecue pork sandwich was so good, I stopped at Ba Le on my way home to get another for dinner.

Just a reminder: The Downtown Farmstand is closed on Monday... Bummer!

I was working at the Cultural Center this past Saturday and scored a BBQ Pork Banh Mi, probably since that's not much of a peak office worker "pounce on the banh mi in the boxes" kind of a day. I consumed it quite happily (oh, the crunch of the daikon and the kick of the jalapeno and the zing of the lemongrass) while waiting for the #147 bus and decided I will never eat a Subway sandwich again, come hell or high or water. Not that I eat them that often but I now know that I don't ever have to. Especially if the Downtown Farmstand will keep these gorgeous Banh Mi in rotation.

I am inclined to think (and this is total supposition/assumption) that they might continue the relationship with Ba Le if sales are rocking and it draws downtown folks into the shop. But be vocal, tell the staff how much you love it and spread the word to co-workers.

bjt

Hell yes.
Got the BBQ Pork myself, just ate it along with a delightful tub of tabouleh from the Middle Eastern Bakery.
I love this place! What a genius the lady who is running the whole thing is. I have talked to her both times I went in there and she strikes me as really knowing how to entice the appetites of the food loving peoples working in the loop.
She said (need to get her name, sorry) that Ba Le will probably be offered once a week or so after this month (this month it is the featured item) since the responce was so positive. I agree.

The good things go quickly fo sho. The Middle Eastern Bakery Pies and Ba Le's are gone by 12:30 - 1:00.

Really, a godsend for us stuck working in the culinarily desolate loop area.

They also have tons of fresh veggies and such. Tho I would clear the space for more chicago ethnic delights. I dont think of shopping for fresh produce in the loop.

cpowers wrote:Got the BBQ Pork myself

Perhaps you were the guy standing in front of me who snagged the last one... The Ba Le Special and Tofu just weren't doing it for me, so I went with the Com Ga and a cup of the delicious (if visually unappealing) tapioca and mushed bananas floating in sweetened coconut milk.

cpowers wrote:They also have tons of fresh veggies and such. Tho I would clear the space for more chicago ethnic delights. I dont think of shopping for fresh produce in the loop.

Agreed! Don't get me wrong, I love fresh, local produce, but I don't really need a bunch of chives or bundle of green garlic on my lunch break. I suppose if I lived in the Loop it might be nice though... not really sure where people who live down here buy groceries anyway...

-Dan

I too am trying to remind myself that they do have fresh stuff available, not to pick up at lunch but more like to pick up before I jump on the train or head to the bus. I can always use some greens or mushrooms or chives. I think it's about changing habits and for me, it means a teeny pause before dashing for the bus. (Dashing for the bus seems to be the only exercise I get!) That said, I fear that if we don't help them move the fresh and perishable stuff, they will lose too much on it and they will shift from being a farmstand-ish (I know it is a loose interpretation) place to just a prepared foods storefront.

bjt

bjt wrote:That said, I fear that if we don't help them move the fresh and perishable stuff, they will lose too much on it and they will shift from being a farmstand-ish (I know it is a loose interpretation) place to just a prepared foods storefront.

Understood. That said, there's a definite need for better food options in the loop and a prepared foods storefront that had a great selection of stuff from various spots around town (as they do there now - Ba Le, Middle Eastern Bakery, Delightful Pastries, etc.) would be awesome by me. Right now I'm polishing off a Pecan Bar from Sweet Miss Giving's that I picked up at the farmstand with my morning coffee (cup 4 or so by now...). Way better than a Dunkin Donut or Corner Bakery item (no disrespect intended to those, but this Pecan Bar is awesome).

-Dan

Spoke with someone at the stand today and she said they'll be carrying Greek items next month. Though she said something about how she doesn't think it will lend itself to lunch as well as Ba Le did.

To echo what others said, as much as I like local foodstuff, all I can really use is the prepared food. The wider the variety, the more I'll shop there. I figure the free market will eventually move them in this direction.

The idea of a store that specializes in bringing prepared ethnic food from local markets to the loop is very appealing.

Just wanted to let folks know that they are NOT selling the banh mi on Saturdays now.
I sent Maple Leaf and his hungry daughters down after a workshop and he was told they don't carry them on Saturdays. When I went in about 30 minutes later the young woman said, "We don't carry them on Saturdays." So I asked how I was able to buy one last Saturday and there were a couple dozen to boot. "Well, we were selling them on Saturdays but it's too difficult to get them on so now we are not."

It was kind of Monty Python-ish but not as funny. But just so you know, they're not selling them on Saturdays. At least not this Saturday.

bjt

Just finished a "Ba Le Special Sandwich" for lunch (ham, headcheese, pate, pork roll, mayo, daikon, cilantro, jalapeno, and soy sauce). For $2.95 so much better than just about anything you can get in the Loop for lunch. Along with a $2.25 tabbouleh salad from Middle East Bakery, probably one of the tastiest (and reasonably priced) lunches I've ever brought back to my desk.

I grabbed a pork banh mi for lunch yesterday. While not as fresh as it would've been had I bought it on Broadway, the quality and price are hard to beat. I'm a huge fan of banh mi and look forward to my next long walk up to Randolph. And, no, the sandwich didn't make it even half way back to the office.

What surprised me most, is that in this store filled with gourmet items (some quite pricey), they aren't marking up these tasty sandwiches. They could've added a dollar to the cost, and it would still be reasonable compared to other Loop options. It's our good fortune that Ba Le isn't charging Loop prices for these delicious sandwiches.

Today, to Cafecito. I feel lucky to be enjoying such great, reasonable sandwich options.

Ronna

Last Saturday I had to be downtown at the Gallery 37 building on Randolph next to the market. I went in looking for a Ba Le sandwich but they were sold out. Damn! But my consternation turned to elation when I discovered the reason they were sold out was because Gallery 37 had bought them all to provide lunch for us. They're even better when they're free.

WIN.

I got a ba le special and one of those rice goo and quail egg in banana leaf thingies... This sucks becuase I'm trying to do the low-carb/no-grain thing... but once very couple weeks won't kill me.

Now if only there was a pho place in the loop...

barooo wrote:Now if only there was a pho place in the loop...

There is ... (beef noodle soup) but a far cry from Argyle's standard!!!

Quang Noodle
804 N State St, Chicago 60610
(At W Chicago Ave)
Phone: (312) 951-9030

Nghe wrote:

barooo wrote:Now if only there was a pho place in the loop...

There is ... (beef noodle soup) but a far cry from Argyle's standard!!!

Quang Noodle
804 N State St, Chicago 60610
(At W Chicago Ave)
Phone: (312) 951-9030

That's an odd definition of "the loop"... I meant 5-10 minutes walking from my office, which is on Randolph.

There really isn't much down here that's decent. I tend to do company cafeteria salad bar, with the occaisonal chipotle bol or trip to the market creations buffet. Need to start bringing lunch, but no fridges and only about 3 microwaves for a 28 story building.

The loop is generally considered to be south of the river.

I was at Gallery 37 today and stopped at the Market expecting to get a chicken-feta pie from Artopolis (June has featured Artopolis offerings) when what to my wondering eyes did appear but Ba Le sangwiches. A note by the register said that due to popular demand they would be carrying Ba Le products every Thursday. My lucky day.

trpt2345 wrote:I was at Gallery 37 today and stopped at the Market expecting to get a chicken-feta pie from Artopolis (June has featured Artopolis offerings) when what to my wondering eyes did appear but Ba Le sangwiches. A note by the register said that due to popular demand they would be carrying Ba Le products every Thursday. My lucky day.

Thanks to the parting clouds, I was able to walk over to Randolph Street for a pork banh mi. Sadly, not as much jalapeno as last time! But, still good and a bargain at $3.25.

They said they may switch Vietnamese to Tuesdays. Suggested that anyone wanting a banh mi call first.

Also, up next in July . . . Indian food.

Ronna

Farmstand just Tweeted the schedule change:

"Ba Le items are now at the Farmstand @ 66 E. Randolph on Tues (THAT’S TODAY) instead of Thurs. Mark the change in your calendars!"

Ronna

I just found that out today. Last week it was Thursdays, now Tuesdays for the time being. Another idiosyncrasy, I picked out a pork bahn mi, they said it was a mislabeled tofu sandwich, there was some kind on screw up on the labels today. But I did wind up with an oh-so-delicious pork sandwich and a shrimp spring roll order. Such a reasonable and delicious lunch option in the heart of downtown. By the way, if anyone is in the area go across the street to the Wrigley Pavilion in Millenium Park Randolph and Michigan, with the fountain and the columns in a semi circle at noon to hear my kiddies play music from 12 to 1 every day until August 16, weather permitting. Tomorrow is a heat emergency so we'll be inside, but after that we should be out there.