"In the heart of Mesa’s growing Asian district, Mekong Sandwiches keeps the menu simple: just bánh mì, and a lot of them. Each sandwich costs $7.40 and comes on house-baked bread, crackly on the outside, airy on the inside, loaded with fillings like grilled marinated pork, beef, sardines, or a cold cut combo. The #1 house special brings steamed pork, head cheese, ham, and pork belly, and it’s hard to go wrong from there. Standard toppings include pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, jalapeño, onion, cilantro, mayonnaise, pâté, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. It’s one of the most affordable bánh mì shops in metro Phoenix, and arguably one of the best. Smoothies and milk teas go for $4 and are worth adding to the order." - McConnell Quinn