Bahn Mi Express opens in Loop

Bahn Mi Express Sandwiches opened a week ago in the (depressing) basement food court at 105 W. Madison (just west of Clark and Madison). I've been twice, had the classic and grilled beef banh mi and spring rolls. They also have other standard Vietnamese dishes including pho, papaya salad, rice plates, and vermicelli.

What I've eaten was perfectly acceptable, but nothing fantastic. Still, I desperately want this place to succeed since there are so few decent lunch choices in this immediate area. So give them a visit if you are nearby

fantastic! 2 blocks from work - if I had known earlier I'd have gone for lunch today.

Half a block from my office! I will have to check them out - just saw the sign the other day.

Have you tried the pho, and if so how was it?

I had the grilled beef with vermicelli for lunch today and was underwhelmed. The portion was somewhat small for $8.25 (after tax) and the taste was just meh. I too want this place to succeed, but think I'll stick with spring rolls and bahn mi from now on. The vermicelli just didn't do it for me.

I did take a free sample of one of their bahn mi (pork, I think) and it was pretty tasty. So, clearly, that's the way to go at this place.

I've got a cold, so decided I needed some chicken pho to go. They included sides of jalapeno slices and the sriracha and hoisin sauces, but no basil or mint leaves. I don't know if this is normal or the person packing it screwed up - there were some chiffonade of basil in the broth already. But no matter, the broth was exactly correct and just what I needed.

To recap the other dishes I've had there. The spring rolls and bahn mi are the strengths, especially the hot bahn mi. I've been happy with both the grilled pork and grilled beef. They were giving away sample of Bao buns,which were also good. The salads are a miss, small portion and watery sauces. I still haven't tried the rice plates, potstickers or vermicelli. Or any of the drinks. If they make it to next summer, it'll be nice to have a place to get a lychee smoothie.

I had the chicken pho and grilled pork sammy. The sammy was very good! the pho was ok. I had to go back to the counter and ask for hot sauce, hoisen, and greens. They did not give me any greens. Not sure if they just did not have enough pre-packaged, ran out, or communication issue.
Since I love soup, I will back for more of both. The spring rolls not so much.
I am going again this Friday to buy a friend lunch (he had the Detroit Tigers versus the Sox's record, Damn you ozzie).

Had the pork chop with egg rice plate. Competently prepared and a good deal at $7.95. Also continuing to work my way through the banh mi menu: curry chicken is good and the meatball was excellent. Again, the hot sandwiches are the strength here. IMO, they lack only a bit of spice, I'm going to start asking for extra jalapenos. The rest of the menu is average. But as most of the menu is basically comfort food for me, I can live with average.

I had the meatball bahn mi last week and I very much enjoyed it (especially the bread). Nice to have another bahn mi option between Saigon Sisters and now this place.

I just had the Calssic and got no Jalepeno - I knew I should have checked it after the comments here

I tend to consider lunch loop restaurants differently than other restaurants. If it's relatively cheap, unique from most other area choices and not a mammoth chain, then the joint is 80 percent towards being a winner. I like the bahn mi here, even though I'm not going to confuse them with Nhu Lan. For the loop it's a really welcome sandwich. The pho has been less than stellar, and I don't think I'm going to try it again - unless I hear other reviews. Besides, slurping brothy noodles does mean things to the dry cleaning bill. The other rice / noodles have been fine. And don't forget to ask for the jalepenos - they do, indeed, leave them off most of the time.