Ba Le French Sandwich Shop

Cash only spot!!!! I usually don’t write reviews but this place deserves it. Very good banh mi place, will not disappoint. There was a little old man running the place. He was very nice. The prices are very good compared to other banh mi places. I got three banh mi, Xi Ma(11), Dac Biet (1)and grilled pork (8). I forgot to take a pic of the Xi Ma since it was so good (favorite) Very big portions and gave a lot of spread (without asking) ! Overall worth

The best banh mi in San Diego, in my opinion. They made the cold cut in house, and it was very tasty. The bread is crispy outside and fluff inside. The pate and mayonnaise are very well made and it enhanced the overall taste so well. Highly recommend this location.

The positive - decent sandwich. The negatives- My biggest concern is the gentleman making my sandwich is also handling cash with gloves BUT not taking them off. So basically your sandwich is made with the same hands that touched all the cash that's come in for the day. I ate food in many foreign countries so this is a risk I'm willing to take but it's still grosses me out. Parking just typical SD, small spots and not many. Temp in the shop is HOT. Junk all over front of store (lawn equipment, boxes, light fixtures). If that's how you keep the front of the store where customers see it, I'm nervous to see what the back looks like where you keep the food. Hopefully the food is well refrigerated. Overall good sandwich but you do risk the chance of food poisoning due to the manner in which it's handled and the temperature possibly. Nice. Old gentleman runs the place and he's doing great, but it would be helpful if someone would step in and help him with some technology and cleanliness. Also cash only, which makes me wary that obviously they're not reporting all of their income to IRS so they pay less taxes and I can pay more. I wouldn't go back.

GREAT MOM AND POP SHOP Great banh mi! I got the #1 Special Sandwich with extra meat and it was so good!!!! All the staff are super friendly. They have a deal where when you buy 5 sandwiches the 6th is $1, something like $36 dollars for 5 or 6 sandwiches. You can call or stop by early and pick the sandwiches up later when they are done. Will definitely be coming again soon. Go support your Vietnamese banh mi shops!

I just tried the roast pork baguette at this place, and it’s absolutely delicious! The flavor is very authentic, just like traditional Vietnamese bánh mì. The bread is toasted fresh on the spot, filling the air with a wonderful aroma. The roast pork is crispy and flavorful — truly a must-try for anyone who loves genuine Vietnamese bánh mì!

Delicious authentic banh mi! Cash only spot. Will be our new go to spot.

I had the dac biet. Which I think is the #1 combo sandwich. It was one of the better banh mis I’ve had in California. Will definitely go back. Sandi’s n are about 9 bucks but they easily fill you up or can share one

Easily misjudged place in San Diego, a hole in the wall that kind of place that serves a killer bahn mi. Definitely worth a try! Cheap but very tasty traditional bahn Mi!

Parking here can be a mess as the neighboring business patrons and workers double park behind each other and block the flow of traffic. There aren't many spots to park in either. I'm not sure if Ba Le only has one parking spot because it's not clear from the sign. There is one chair and a table inside. So this isn't a place to dine in. It's mainly to go only. The interior isn't pretty either. And it doesn't stand out from the street. It's in a small row of businesses in an unassuming building. However this place has decent food. I'm addicted to the sausage sandwich and it's not expensive. It's a little spicy and tastes great. I have had other food there, but the sausage sandwich is my go to choice. The cashier or owner is a nice guy too.

Bale will always have a special place in my heart . I'm not sure if today was just an off day, but my sandwich didn't take me back to my childhood like it normally does and it legit does not looking nothing like my previous review . As an honest foodie, i have to share my updated photo because my last photo is being featured by the business and I don't want to mislead anyone . With that being said, customer service is still wonderful, but inflation is sooo real .

Still one of the best hole in wall banh mi shop going strong for over 20 years. Prices have increased significantly but still one of the cheapest spots around but quality you can taste. They don't skimp on their patê. The owner who always remembers me is so nice and humble and has been the main one working the counter and making sandwiches and manning everything else. There used to be a lady helper but I'm not sure if she's still there. It's crazy he hasn't aged a bit throughout the years. Still have their buy 5 get 1 discounted special although prices have gone up. I remember when they used to be ~$3 each and b5g1 free. I ordered 4 specials and 2 bbq sandwiches for $43 even. As of today their special is b5g1 for $2.75 depending on which sandwiches you order for total. The special is now up to $8.25. Don't forget cash only! Support this small business owned and ran 1 man shop!

One of the best banh mi shop in city heights! The outside and inside may not look like much but the sandwhiches are loaded and flavorful! Cash only establishment. My friend and I both ordered the number one banh mi dac biet for $8.25 each! There was only an elderly man whom took down our order while another person was in the back was making the sandwhiches!

I always go here for my banh mi cravings. The owner is super nice. Pay that extra $1 for that extra meat!

Delicious, fresh baguettes, and copious meats and toppings await you at Bale Sandwich Shop on University east of Euclid in Mid City. This is definitely a competitor for those not wanting to drive all the way to K's sandwiches in Kearny Mesa. The ambience and sandwiches are different, but no less fresh. I'm really liking the price point of $6.50 for the.Banh Mi Special #1 sandwich. CASH ONLY. Service was immediate, and the owner was quite friendly. I felt like I was deep in Garden Grove, or Westminster, around where I grew up...and that's a huge compliment! Next order will be the barbecue pork banh mi. Only reason I didn't give Bale a fifth star was because I felt a little bit more effort could've been put into doing up the front of the shop. More selection on drinks and chips would have been nice as well. Definitely did not distract from the deliciousness of the food or the fresh, crispy baguette. I will be coming back here.

Super small and quiet sandwich shop. There are a couple of parking spot out front and a menu above the counter, which lists the same offerings in both Vietnamese and English. Everyone in my group got the #1 special sandwich, which was pretty solid. We went in on a Saturday around lunch time and it took a few minutes to prepare despite being the only customers there, but it was pretty fast considering I am pretty sure there was only one employee there! Would go back to support if I am in the area and craving banh mi (-: REMEMBER - CASH ONLY!

I've tried dac biet sandwiches from many places in this area and I must say this is the best one ive had. It is cash only and there's not much to look at inside but the food is top tier.

I wish I took a pic of his specials but from I remember it was like 6 sandwiches for $45. I bought 3 yesterday and it only cost me $22.75. Although it went up in price over the years, this is still by far the best and best quality banh mi. Still crazy affordable and the tastiest all and all. And the guy that works there is just the sweetest man ever. He greets you with so much love, the biggest smile and is so happy to make his specialties for you. The store looks run down but this whole in the wall shop doesn't ever miss.

I don't know what's going on. This was a highly recommended Banh mi shop by Vietnamese friends. I came here today and ordered 6 sandwiches, the cold ones have stale hard dry bread. The warm ones were delicious and fresh tasting. I really want to love this place because I want to support small Asian businesses, I don't know why there was such a big change in the quality of the bread from one sandwich to the next. The filling was delicious and overflowing in all the sandwiches. Microwaves were involved in the making of the sandwiches. Buy 5 and get 6 free if you buy only two kinds. Extra cost if it's a special sandwich. Cash only.

It was honestly all by chance that I found bale and so ever grateful I did! I ordered the special banh mi and it was soooo good! The baguette was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They were also very generous with the filling with plenty of meat and paired perfectly with the fresh herbs and pickled vegetables. The pate spread was also very flavorful which elevated and added on to the Banh Mi. The store was a little hole in the wall so parking is very limited, and like I said before it was completely by chance I found this place and was even lucky enough to get parking. Inside the store I wouldn't say it was the most beautiful or presentable and could definitely use some sorting and cleaning up, but the man that was helping me out was super kind and friendly and I did get my order within a few minutes. Would definitely go back again if I'm ever in the area! Oh and CASH ONLY!!

A true hole in the wall. Interesting setting. Place is somewhat disheveled. The man who takes the order also helps with making the sandwich and is a super friendly gentleman. Price is reasonable. Had the "special" sandwich. Meat serving & portion were reasonable. Definitely, limited seating to eat at location, best is take-out. If you are able to see past the mess, you can still have a great Vietnamese sandwich.

Love this special sandwich here. Have been going to this hidden gem restaurant for over 20 years. Never disappointed. The server is nice. The space is small but we always order to take out. We usually get the sandwiches for party or gifting.

This place is hands down the BEST banh mi place I have ever had. Everything is fresh and so flavorful. The owner fills the sandwiches up to the brim. It is so worth the price for a sandwich. We keep coming back every week because it is just THAT good. I highly recommend coming and supporting this small business.

This place is hidden. First time trying Bale was great. Cheap prices in the economy. First impression I was not impress but the cashier or the owner was very nice and gentle. The inside is not pretty and it's not a dime in area. But SHOOT that banh mi hit the spot back in Vietnam. Usually not so pretty places is the best places. Taking a look in the kitchen is really clean! Really wish people come here often! Would love to support this place.

Hole in the wall but omg sooooooo delicious! The sandwich was sooo full of meat! Pate was a bit extra but so worth it! Under 10 bucks. The counter guy was so nice. Must go back! Parking was horrible but again worth it!!!

Even though I've moved in city heights for over 10 years, today was my first time getting banh mi from Bale! I got 7 of the special banh mi (banh mi dac biet) which gives you extra meat. The sandwich was pretty stuffed and it was also really good! The cost is $7 but if you buy 5 you get the 6th for $1.75. Such a good deal! The inside is kinda of unappealing though but don't let that stop you from trying out their banh mis!

Delicious. We have a big family and got the special deal to buy 5 sandwiches and get the 6th sandwich for $2. It came out the be about $36, so $6/sandwich. Not bad. I usually get the grilled pork. It's amazing.

No where in SD has a better Bahn mi than this, this sandwhich is Fire. Service can be fast if you call it in first ! Place is not in the best shape but damn the sandwhiches are BOMB !

Everyone who grew up in this neighborhood knows that Bale is the spot to go as they have the best banh mi in town! Parking is horrendous, I honestly park at 7 eleven which is basically next door or find street parking and I just walk over to avoid parking in their limited lot. During the summer it can get hot inside as there's no air conditioning or fan. Since the food is made to order, it can take some time so it's always better to call ahead and place your order for pick up. Make sure you bring cash!! They do not accept card, if you need to just go to 7 eleven next door and do cash back. Their BBQ sandwich never fails. They also have really good banh baos, the breading is soft and sweet, not dry at all. Prices are very affordable. Food is delicious. Parking sucks.

***CASH ONLY I haven't been here in 3 decades ever since we moved away from city heights at the height of the crime years in the 90s. This place survived all that and it's still the same as I remembered. Even the shitty parking lot. Bale is in between two stores and they share 6 spaces. People even double park behind you. I recommend you be on alert so that you can ask politely for them to move their car. It's limited to 20 mins parking and best if you call in your order. Bale has two different deals where you can buy 5 and get the sixth one at $1.75. You can only mix and match two kinds. We ordered 3 special sandwich (cold cut) and 3 bbq. Also got the rice with half bbq chicken and egg. I don't know if price went up but we paid a total of $41.75. The special sandwich came with many layers of three types of cold cut hams, pate, butter/Mayo mix, ad pickled carrots/daikon,cucumber and jalapeños. It's the fattest heaviest sandwich in all of San Diego even OC! However, I would say, our favorite is the bbq sandwich. The meat is flat not like the skewer kind. It's flavorful and not chewy. The French bread was also toasted which made a difference. The cold cut sandwich was cold and the bread was not toasted but I toasted it when I got home and it tasted so much better. The bbq chicken rice and egg dish was a lot of food. You get a lot of rice and the bbq chicken was delicious. The sauce that comes with this is what makes or break this dish and for sure it elevated the flavors. Don't know why I avoided this place all these years. So glad I came back to my stomping ground to support a local mom and pop shop and enjoying the food at the same time. Will be back for more sandwiches!

their sandwiches are soooo good. they family that owns this shop is so nice, and their menu is so simple. I would recommend this place for delicious Bahn Mi's!

The banh mi's are so YUMMY. I'd say one of the BEST banh mi's I've ever tried and I've had a lot of banh mi's in my lifetime. I still need to try the other menu items like the spring rolls, but I bet they'll be just as good!

This is one of my go to Bahn Mi spots! Love this place! Quick eats and delicious. I've been here countless times.

This place doesn't look like much. As I pulled up I couldn't even tell they were open. It's on University and if you know, then you know it might be in a sketchy area. The interior is pretty basic, white walls, a couple glass cases filled with supplies. A single table up against the front of the restaurant with a chair. A few hand written signs. Honestly, it looked kind of run down. All that aside, I only really care about the food. In this case, a grilled pork Banh Mi. The sandwich was actually really good. The bread was nice and crusty with a soft interior. They give thick slices of grilled pork and a perfect amount of carrots, daikon and jalapeños. The mayo was a bit much, but it didn't ruin the overall balance too much. Overall, a great Banh Mi. The location and shop is a bit meh. But, I'll still come back for the Banh Mi. There is another Bale on Mira Mesa. I'll have to them a try too.

G.O.A.T Sums it Up. Not Really Another Place Can Stan A Chance Against It. Been Making Sandwiches The Same For 10/15+ Years. Still Excellent. OG Defines Him.

Hands down my favorite banh mi shop in San Diego! Been going ever since I was a kid. Definitely a hole-in-the-wall, small shop with limited tables so I recommend ordering and taking it to go and eat somewhere. CASH ONLY. My personal fav: banh mi pate cha

***CASH ONLY*** Really if I had to nitpick, the only issue with this place is that they can't take card. On a service and quality of food vs price side, I don't think any sandwich place can beat this place! And I don't just mean Banh Mi places, I mean I love cubanos and would pick this place over them 9/10 times! I've also ventured and tried other products on the menu and they're all really good too! If you're REALLY hungry and want something bigger and more filling, the rice and the rice vermicelli (bun) are both great choices! The spring rolls (Goi Cuon) are also really good, but just know that he makes them BIG so they're like 3 small burritos than the normal sized spring rolls! Please do say hi to Mr. John, the owner, he's always very nice and courteous! If you are on the fence about this place, I highly recommend giving it a try! Sadly I feel like this place should get more business because of how great everything tastes and costs, but unfortunately the location has relatively poor parking which is shared with 2 other shops.

I got the Bahn Mi Special. Bread was soft, and wasn't very toasted. Pickled carrots/radish were good and to standard. Overall a decent sandwich. There is no seating room and service wasn't as fast as most bahn mi sandwich places. The area is relatively questionable so I'd recommend grabbing a sandwich to go. For my visit, It looked like they were still moving in the location as had some boxes around the room. There was no air conditioning so it was quite warm inside, given it was a hot day. I may have stepped outside a fee times to grab some air

Epitome of "hole in the wall" but don't let the looks deceive you, it's amazing. Def one of my fav banh mi spots. My fam and I usually opt for the BBQ Pork and Ba Le sandwiches. The meat is tender and the veggies are fresh af. Even my Vietnamese GF approves and her standards are pretty high lol. Cash only so remember to hit the ATM prior! Everything on the menu is well priced and you can even get a deal on 6 sandwiches. Tip: If you got a panini press, press the sandwich for a minute to resurrect the crispiness of the bread, you won't be disappointed.

Banh mi here as authentic as it gets with all classic variations of Vietnamese banh mi. Well worth the trek out to pick up a few and fill the craving. The older man is very kind and this simple hole in the wall is a gem. Bring cash and an appetite. A must for any authentic taste food enthusiasts!

While most may ignore this place for its run down look...I always seeks good food from good people...and I never judge a book by its cover when it comes to dining. Bale is a step above most banh mi's in San Diego. I've only tried the bbq pork, but it was absolutely amazing. Good bread, fresh veggies, tons of meat, and an overall super satisfying meal for a fair price. Order ahead bc parking is limited but a quick pickup is much easier. Definitely recommend checking them out and supporting this mom and pop establishment.

My most favorite sandwich shop! When I used to go, it was buy 5 get 1 free! Not sure if it's that way still but I'm thinking it is. My favorite banh mi is the chicken. I love the chicken meat they used and infused with that awesome mayo butter! Mmm! Another sandwich that is good is the thit nuong! That bbq pork is delicious!!!! They make their own pate and the mayo butter is to die for. Same owner for over 30 years. It's a very small hole on the wall next to a Somalian Cafe but for me this is a gem!

I order #02 and #08. Both delicious. I highly recommend. Súper Nice guy. BBQ Pork Banh Mi

Reminder: CASH ONLY Four stars because the sandwiches are just that good. They have a special where you buy five sandwiches and you get one free. I highly recommend taking advantage of that. I bought six sandwiches hoping my husband and I could finish them. Not a problem at all. The sandwiches are so good and they reheat well. The place is hard to fine and lacks any kind of presentation. It's really just a place to stand at the counter and order your sandwiches. There is no place to sit and the place could use a fresh coat of paint and some tidying. Enough about the ambience. I ordered the barbecue pork sandwich based on everyone's recommendations and also the #2 dac biet which is the combo. The #1 is the same just more meat. Both sandwiches were amazing. And I gobbled one up in my car within the first five minutes of driving away from that place. The bread is nice and crusty on the outside but not too dense or heavy. The dressing on the sandwich is light and flavorful and adds to the moisture of the sandwich. The fresh veggies in the jalapeño are traditional in a Bahn mi sandwich. And they last the test of time reheating them over the next couple of days. Hot tip: bits hard to find. There is a convenience store next door. I parked in their lot and walked over. That lot is a pay to park lot so make sure you do whatever you have to do to not get towed. Sandwiches are made fresh to order so be prepared to wait. No fountain drinks here. Just can drinks. Now, please go get some of these sandwiches...if you read this far, it's because you like Bahn mi. So go and support this guy...we don't want him to go out of business!

Went to try for the first time and I don't think I would come back. My first impression when I walked in, it was very disorganized; front counters to the floor just looked very messy and dirty. Who knows what could be back there in the kitchen. The banh mi was warm, but not crunchy as it should be. Cold cut meat and ham are okay. The pate doesn't have much flavor. Overall, the banh mi was 5/10. But the cleanliness and organize was a NO to me 0/10.

Words can not describe how amazing and delicious Bale's banh mi sandwiches are! I've been coming here since i was at-least 4 years old and they still have the same owner now as they did back then which I absolutely love. The man who owns this place is always so nice and inviting. The sandwiches here are soooo freaking bomb! Best banh mi sandwich ever and I've had ALOT of banh mi's in my life time. The portions are very generous too as they always jam pack their banh mi's with so much meat and veggies, which is great and always consistent. I highly recommend coming here and ordering the BBQ Pork banh mi. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!

I've eaten at the Bale French sanwhich in Mira Mesa which is good, I was in the area and seen this gem on yelp and figured to give it a try figured might be same owner. Well don't let the storefront or location sway you, the sandwhich I went with "bbq pork" was amazing and had the right kick with jalapeño. My coworker was even impressed who is a big Ban Minh guy ! Definitely will be going back whenever I'm working in the area!

Best hole in the wall find I've ever had. Had the BBQ pork sandwich, and for 9$ it was loaded with meat. Fresh + delicious. Recommend to anyone in the area

I finally tried this place after many recommendations by San Diego locals. I now understand why this place is regarded as the best Vietnamese sandwich shop in San Diego. The quality of the food and perfect ratio of bread-to meat-to vegetables will have you regretting not trying it sooner. Don't let the exterior and interior views of the shop deter you. Bring cash and pull into one of the few parking spots. Get the food to-go and enjoy the food from my new favorite sandwich place.

I was afraid to eat food at this restaurant. Only visited based on the reviews here. I ordered a sandwich to try at an empty counter. You would never guess it was a food shop because the counters were bare. Bread was stale and on the smaller side with very little veggies.

I aim to support small local businesses whenever I can. This sandwich shop fits the bill perfectly. It is nondescript and quite frankly I would've never found it if it wasn't for Yelp. I'm so glad I did tho as this family makes some of the most delicious Vietnamese sandwiches I've ever tasted. Fresh bread, fresh vegetables that crunch when you bite into them and perfectly seasoned protein. My fav is the grilled pork with extra jalapeños. The mix of everything in your mouth is a flavor explosion! I've been to quite a few banh mi shops in my lifetime and so far Bale Sandwich shop has kept my attention and patronage.

**CASH ONLY** Definitely a hole in the wall, but it's so good! I loveddd the bread and the butter/mayo mix (I asked for extra). The veggies were also perfectly marinated. I got the banh mi thit noung and my husband got the banh mi dac biet. We both actually liked the thit noung better but both were very good! They were open early (8 am) and we were able to get them for breakfast. The gentleman working there was so very nice and stuffed the heck out of the sandwiches. I will definitely be back!!

been coming since i was a kid, the viet og holds it down with the #1.. just watch out for the horrible drivers that does uber and your good to go

Used to come for their banh mi and other small snacks and appetizers after my appointments. I got the chance to eat it again and nothing has changed after all these years! Their baguette they use for banh mi is soft and the thit nuong or Grilled BBQ Pork is delicious. The Spring Rolls are my favorite too and are perfectly sized. They sell all your typical Viet party foods and offer a list of party trays too. It's inexpensive, filling, and hits the spot always.

This place is so gross. The bbq pork tasted rotten and smelled like fish. Vegetables are slim. The vegetarian had some fake meal on there and almost no veges. There is moldy food in the cold display. Stay away from this plate.

Pinnacle of delicious hole-in-wall cash business. Don't hesitate, go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

small mom and pop place. delicious and generously portioned. #5 had huge amounts of bbq pork!

I've been coming to this again sandwich shop since I was a child, my mom use to buy it for me when I was young, I'm now 31 and buying it for my family. The sandwiches here are delicious, not to mention they are never greedy with their meat. I usually get the 'special' and it has always satisfy me. I would eat half and save the other half for later. The owner is kind, he always ask how you are doing, and thanks you once you leave, highly recommend this spot for your Banh mi craving. It will not disappoint. Don't judge a book by its cover, its really empty in there, but the sandwiches are delicious!