Bale French Sandwich Mira Mesa

Bale French Sandwich is a tiny shop tucked away in Mira Mesa Square serving quick Vietnamese dishes like banh mi, fried rice, egg rolls, and boba. We enjoyed the charbroiled pork and lemongrass chicken banh mi - a great value at $6.25 each. The bread had a great crust: thin, very crisp, and flaky. The pickled carrot and daikon added nice texture and brightness, while the raw jalapeños brought the right amount of heat. The egg rolls were also a hit, with a peppery flavor and a crisp outer shell. Note that this is a grab-and-go spot with a strictly business vibe. The service is efficient, so have your order ready. There is only one small table for snacking and two benches for waiting. They also offer extensive party tray options if you order in advance. There is plenty of free parking, though the lot gets competitive on weekends due to the nearby Aldi and Lucky Seafood Market.

Mid at best. So sad this place has fallen so far. Bread quality is down, amount of meat you get is disappointing. Inflation is understandable, but dropping quality at the same time is not. I've given this place sooo many more chances over the last few years but the decline is consistent and continues to show that it's no longer the standard. Not worth the money. Staff is nice. Store is clean. But I'm here for the food. And that's not hitting it and likely never will again based on the trajectory in the past few years.

One of the best sandwiches I've ever had in my life. This place knows exactly what a sandwich is supposed to be. It's filled with all the veggies you expect and you pick the protein you desire. I'll tell you this much... anything you order is going to taste good. We had thai tea and mango drink as well as egg roll and sesame balls with bean curd. So good!!! It was so good i couldnt finish it... but i ate the rest later in the day.. JUST AS GOOD..

Very impressive Banh Mi sandwich here at Bale French Sandwiches! Their price is unbeatable, all the Banh mi are under $6.5, and their size aren’t too small. It’s like a 6 inch sandwich, perfect for one person. The sandwich has a lot of stuff inside, it’s filled with veggies and meat. I ordered a BBQ pork and a beef Banh mi, both are awesome. I highly recommend this place, plus their service is so friendly!

This is a small hole in the wall gem. The sandwiches are around six bucks ! When was the last time you got a made to order flavorful sandwich with all the fixings for that price ? The super pleasant stuff was fantastic . We tried their spring rolls and other steamed rice cakes . I heart this joint and can’t wait to come back for the catering

Another San Diego Bahn Mi gem. I mean the bread IS incredible! Light, crispy and tender. Good fresh fillings, would like some more pate but solid joint for a good fix. Highly recommend for the lovers out there. Coffee is aight.

I love their sandwiches. It brought me back to Hanoi during the 90s. Cured pork sandwich is my favorite. Their sesame balls are excellent too.

Terrible sandwiches with little meat portion. Lacks so much flavor and the bread is not good. Hard pass

I was looking for some strong coffee and this popped up. Not even going to lie, I didn't think the coffee would be good, but I saw some reviews and decided to give it a chance. I ordered their Vietnamese coffee and was pretty disappointed that the cup wasn't full... but GIRLLLL let me tell you. You DON'T want it full because that stuff is STRONG. I went home and added more ice because your girl was wiredddd. The man was nice and sweet. I left then I drove back in five minutes because the food looked amazing. So far I've only tried their sesame balls, but I'm going to try their banh it tran, banh bot loc, banh cuon, and banh bo nuong tonight. I'll report back after giving them a try, but so far they look BOMB. Also, parking is great. No worries on that.

Pretty decent banh mi overall. Small but cheap at 6.25, very affordable bite sized sandwich. BBQ Pork Spread was a little different from usual but maybe I'm just uncultured. I wish protein servings were a little more but in this economy? I understand. Small, cozy interior and very fast service. Definitely come here if your usual Sunday lunch spot is packed.

You can order party trays of popular Vietnamese appetizers here such as Banh Bao, Spring Rolls, Fried Rolls & more. They have a variety of Bahn Mis & I always get BBQ Pork. They also have Sardines, Eggs, Chicken & more. BBQ Pork: The baguette was crispy on the outside & soft in the inside, perfect! However, the BBQ Pork tasted a bit sweet? & I like it to be more on the savory side. & it was more chewy than I liked too.

Tried this place out for the first time and their banh mi was really solid! Got the BBQ Pork Banh Mi and everything tasted fresh. The sandwich is a little bit on the smaller side, buts it's priced at $6.25 so it's not a bad deal. It might just not make you full. Their service was really kind & efficient. It's a pick-up/to go place so nowhere to sit down, but you can call ahead and pick up! I really like the fresh bread on the banh mi!

I ordered some catering and sandwiches from Bale for a work lunch last week and it was a hit. I ordered a mix of sandwiches cut in half, a tray of shrimp fresh spring rolls, a tray of pork spring rolls, a tray of chicken egg rolls and some sesame balls for dessert. It was affordable, fresh and ready on time. You get dipping sauce for the spring rolls, but have to pay $5 for sauce for the egg rolls which doesn't really make sense but not a huge extra expense.

Upon walking in, the place is pretty small and they have a few drink, dessert, and side options. There's a little waiting bench but no area to sit and enjoy your banh mi. It's cute and clean. As for the banh mi itself, the bread is crispy yet fluffy, I really enjoyed it. I will say, they kind of skimp on the filling for the sandwich. I want my banh mi to have a generous amount of carrot and daikon, and mine just didn't have enough. I also asked for extra jalapeños and there were only 3 little slices in there. The prices are really fair so I can't complain about that! 3 sandwiches cost us just a little over $20. Overall, I liked Bale French-- didn't love.

I wish I had a picture of the banh mi I got here, because it was one of the best I've ever had. Bale French Sandwiches is a small shop in the corner of a shopping center in Mira Mesa. It doesn't have tables or seating, but the line out the door will tell you everything you need to know about the food that they serve. This little shop has killer sandwiches, banh mi, and even a variety of delicious fruit smoothies. It's easy to pop in, order your food, and head out, and the workers there will all help you out with smiles on their faces and a demeanor that really makes this spot feel like you're getting the most authentic, "home-made" food. Flavors in everything are delicious too, which really drives that feeling home. While I do wish there was room to sit, savor, and enjoy, Bale French Sandwiches still establishes itself as a perfect place for a delicious grab and go meal.

Very impressive Banh Mi sandwich here at Bale French Sandwiches! Their price is unbeatable, all the Banh mi are under $6.5, and their size aren't too small. It's like a 6 inch sandwich, perfect for one person. The sandwich has a lot of stuff inside, it's filled with veggies and meat. I ordered a BBQ pork and a beef Banh mi, both are awesome. I highly recommend this place, plus their service is so friendly!

Got an avocado smoothie here. Tasted it and I knew right away that this drink is just blended avocado powder. I put it in the fridge and it did not change color the next day. Real avocado will turn brown in the fridge by the next day. One week later and the drink is now a darker green yellow color but certainly not dark brown or black like how real avocados will turn after a week in the fridge. The taste of the drink is the same as the first day so that is another sign this drink is just blended powder. I am real skeptical what they put in their other drinks but I ain't wasting money to try. Edit to respond to comment: yep, I have blended the ingredients you stated for years and it always oxidizes. The drinks at all other legitimate shops selling fresh avocado smoothies oxidizes and turns brown the next day. Fresh/frozen blended avocado will always turn brown the next day. I just left your avocado drink out in room temperature overnight and it still did not change colors lol.

It's a counter serve spot. Quick in and out. Bbq pork is excellent banh mi. Great bread to filling ratio. Tofu veggie had very little tofu though. Sour sop Boba was perfect. Not sweet

We were craving for Banh Mi! We tried it few months ago and we decided to come back again since we were in the area. They have many selection of sandwiches, soda drinks, iced blended drinks, and few specialized snack items. They also do party trays. I would highly recommend the combo value that comes with egg roll and drink ($8.50/$7.50). This small place has no dining seating inside or outside. There is a bench/chairs while you wait for your order. The service was great and fast. We ordered Dac Biet and BBQ Chicken. The sandwiches were crunchy, and the filling were delicious. I really can't complain about my overall experience. We will definitely come again! If you like Bahn Mi, this is a must try!!! Come support this little Vietnamese shop!

Still love this place, recommend to everyone. The grab and go items didn't list prices, the egg rolls were okay. The sandwiches were yummy as usual. The employees were super nice, very friendly. I wish it was closer but I'll def make the drive to get a sandwich. There is also a market in the plaza but their sandwiches don't look as appetizing as this place. This is a place to order and go, no seating, small area inside. A must try!

Best banh mi I've had in San Diego but I'll skip the banh bao, fried rice, and nem nuong cuon rolls next time - not my favorite. The number #1 sandwich has the perfect ratios and they don't skimp on fillings or toppings. Big fan of the egg rolls, banh gio and pate chaud.

Best banh mi sandwhich I've had in San Diego so far! The bread was crispy and the filling was so so good. I've had filling where the meats and spreads were too sweet. Everything was perfect in this banh mi. The cashier was also fast and friendly. There's no dine in option either so you can eat the banh mi outside! There's also a lot of drink options and sweets. If you're in the area, highly recommend! No pictures because I devoured everything.

Amazing banh mi bbq pork with egg Crunchy enough flavor, bbq pork thit nuong tasty with lemongrass

This is the best banh mi place in all of SD!! HANDS. DOWN. I cannot go to any other place!! (Only when its closed). The quality, portions, taste and prices are unbeatable. and get the egg rolls!!! The special combo #1 is my all time fav

You know, I've been going here for going on three years, craving it ever since my first visit, and I realized I haven't reviewed them! Reminiscent of Vietnam, this little deli serves up banh mi to order, and is one of the very very few I've found in SD offering a good char siu (xa xiu) banh mi, which was always my favorite growing up. Packed just enough (not like some in Vietnam) but not stingy like some US-based ones (oh you should know who I mean), Bale hits this perfect balance and has that authentic flavor. Service is always quick at the counter - but come early if you want any of their other hot foods (like banh it, banh beo, etc).

Yummy Vietnamese sandwich! I got the number five which is the barbecue pork. The barbecue pork was tender, and the pickled vegetables had a nice crisp and pickled perfectly. This hidden gem is tucked into a shopping center in Mira Mesa. They have a variety of sandwiches and yummy Vietnamese snacks to choose from. Since it is in the shopping center, there is plenty of parking. Customer Service is also on point I usually call in my order before I go.

Highly recommended, fish bánh mì is very good & cheaper than Ngon Ngon To Go. The only 2 places that make crunchy bánh mì is Bale French Sandwiches & Ngon Ngon To Go & they are very cheap & delicious.

The first time I went to this place was 10 years ago when I lived in San Diego. I loved the sandwiches and the smoothies were also very good. My mom and I had visited the other day and I can assure you that it tastes exactly the same. We both got the BBQ Pork which is one of their most popular Banh Mi sandwiches. There's no place to dine in, so it's definitely a to-go kind of business. Jackie was very patient with us since we took a while trying to figure out what we wanted. It didn't take too long for us to get our food/smoothies. I would definitely recommend coming here.

Bale is located in a very quiet strip mall in Mira Mesa where the old Big Lots was. This meant there was plenty of parking! The inside of the shop was simple and nostalgic-just the typical menu board and small snacks and condiments for sale, whether it be shrimp crackers or homemade Chili Oil. I had the Bánh mì đặc biệt, like I usually do when I try new places, and found that it didn't disappoint at all. The bread was really crunchy, as if it was just toasted and the filling ratio was just about right. I think they could've gone above and beyond by making their own mayonnaise like other places do, because the generic mayo in this sandwich was a little out of place. Over all great sandwich for the price, though! The service was excellent, where I could tell this was a family owned joint. I'll definitely be back, especially to see if that chili oil compares to Lao Gan Ma

I always go here for a banh mi and whatever is on their counter but I think I always forget to take photos of their food because I'm always ready to dig in. There's plenty of parking, lots on the menu and reasonable prices. I always get the bbq pork banh mi and some spring rolls from the counter. I've never ordered their drinks, so can't comment on that. The owners are very friendly and the space is very clean. The bread is crunchy in the outside and nice and soft in the inside. There's enough veggies in the banh mi, as well as the meat. It's basically an excellent balance of everything in one bite. The spring rolls are standard and the dipping sauce is pretty good. Wish the shrimp was bigger but I get it. I also got some of the banh bot loc chay - I think that's what my friend called it. It has a nice chew to it and there's enough filling for each bite. And of course, they added a lot of nuoc cham on the side to dip. Need to go back again for to try the other banh mi and appetizers that they have. It's all so delicious.

A great place to quickly grab and go banh mi. We made a stop here to get sandwiches for our hike. We chose the BBQ pork banh mi. Ordering was easy and the wait time was minimal. When we ate the sandwiches, it was still nice and a bit crispy. The pork had a great flavor and there was a good amount of veggies inside. We might have preferred a bit more sauce in the sandwich though but overall, it was a very good choice for eating later.

I would give 4.5 if I could. This place isn't going for fancy or over the top new age everything must be an insta moment. This place is a CLASSIC! It's simple, to the point and feels like a family business. There's sandwiches, bobas, side snacks and desserts. Some of the sides didn't have an explanation and for someone who isn't from that culture I had no clue what they were, which was disappointing and my anxiety is too much to ask. The counter lady was so kind though I am sure she would have been happy to help me. She had a very bright and sunny disposition which is so refreshing in todays day and age. I was craving a bahn mi and was hesitant to go here based off of the pics I saw on yelp. I thought all the pictures showed minimal serving size of sandwich filling, I'm glad the other place I was going to go was slammed though because these sandwiches were so worth it! I got the classic BBQ pork sandwich #5 and matcha green tea. I couldn't have satisfied these craving any better! The sandwich was typical, everyday flavors, which to me that is perfect! Nothing weird, nothing fancy and that is great! I love having a place that is so accurate, sometimes these places that pop up try to do too much or put their own spin on something that can totally create a more limited patron demographic. This place man it's exactly what you want !

When I went there, the auntie was very nice and friendly. I ordered the number 1 special and the coffee boba. She made sure everything was done quickly and correctly. The bread was fresh and crispy. I love this place and highly recommend it

The best place for ban mi and customer service I highly recommend this Gem hole in the wall

Not sure if this place changed hands, but my most recent go-to sandwich tasted really different than it had for the past 10 years I've been coming here. I usually get the #5 BBQ Pork sandwich. The meat was flavorless and the mayo tasted like miracle whip. There used to be lemongrass marinated on the meat but it was absent this time. The positive was the bread is still the same along with the do chua. The service was good so I think I may come back some time down the road to give them another shot.

Highly recommended Banh mi place, always get the #9. This is my go to spot. Their eggrolls are super yummy too!

This is one of those spots that if I'm nearby then it will satisfy the craving but otherwise I wouldn't make the drive if not necessary. I was on the search for Nem Nuong (Grilled Pork) Spring Rolls. I did a quick yelp search and Bale came up. I guess I haven't noticed that they had the Pork Spring Rolls. On another visit I did a search for Banh Bao (Pork Bun) and Bale also came up. So my latest visits were more geared wanting to try their Spring Rolls and Banh Bao. First what they're known for: Banh Mi. Their Sandwiches. One thing I miss is these big size bread. I do like the thin long ones but I grew up mainly eating these sizes. Short and fat baguettes. I generally order the BBQ Pork, it's my favorite. There's really not much meat in the sandwich but still good. When I finally got a chance to tried the Banh Bao and Nem Nuong rolls I realized it was different from what I'm used to. The flavors were off for my preference. The orange sauce that comes with the spring rolls didn't stand out for me so another time I ordered with peanut sauce and that was a bit off too. I guess I'm not used to their sauce here. Overall great stop for a quick bite.

Bread doesn't taste the freshest in my opinion. They do have some good alternative options though!

I ordered special combination banh mi and jackfruit smoothie. Service was excellent and quick. Sandwich and smoothie delicious. Highly recommend this place.

My favorite banh mi spot. Its rare I go and it isn't busy. Their bbq pork is my favorite. the flavors are delicious: the veggies are pickled just right and the pork is tender and not stringy and the bread is perfectly crisp on the outside and soft once you bite through the exterior. Their coconut banana smoothie is utter perfection and I always get it with boba that is always properly made and soft. We usually stop on our way back down the 15.

So many great and local bánh mì options in Mira Mesa and this is definitely one of them! I got the BBQ pork bánh mì with egg and it was really good. I loved the BBQ pork flavor and egg is always a great add-on, makes it even more filling. The bread was really fresh, had a perfect crunch/chewy ratio. Easy parking, also has a lot of side dishes and it looks like they do catering too!

A friend of mine brought me here one day when we were craving Vietnamese sandwiches. We pulled up and I was a bit apprehensive as the area looks a bit sketch. Walked in and the friendly owner was happy to help us pick our sandwiches. We both went with the BBQ pork and I elected for extra jalapeños. I've been a fan of Banh Mi for a long time now and have tried countless shops to include Lee's. I was pleasantly surprised when I took my first bite to discover the flavor explosion in my mouth. The soft tasty bread roll embraces the extremely flavorful pork along with all the fresh veggies. I was shocked when we paid as the sammy was only $6.75! Needless to say I've been back many, many times and stay loyal to the little sandwich shop that serves it up right! Go get one!

Banh mi combo for less than $10!?!? (Comes with a can of soda or bottled water and 2 egg rolls) What a deal! It was dealishus! ;-) Sesame balls were addicting!!! My only complaint was my #1 and #5 sandwich bread seemed old, too crusty and fell apart. May need to try again.

TL;DR (+) Thit nuong is really good (+) Gives lots of carrots and radishes Possibly the best banh mi I've had in San Diego?! I got the thit nuong and was thoroughly surprised by how good it was! There was a LOT of carrots and radishes and the flavor of the pork was really good! There was a lot of flavor but it wasn't overly salty either. The bread was soft yet crunchy and was delicious! This will definitely become my go-to banh mi place!

Amazing sandwiches! I had the BBQ pork and it was delicious. The bread is perfectly crispy. Such a perfect quick and easy stop for great quality food!

The bahn mi here is yummy! I like how the bread is more on the flaky side so everything mushes together really easily. Also ordered the bahn bot loc, which are these chewy tapioca shrimp dumplings that are dipped in fish sauce. It reminded me of the dim sum kind of shrimp dumplings but way chewier n also less shrimp. I still enjoyed it but my bf thought it was too chewy!

I have been going to this sandwich shop since I was child. Whenever I am craving a bahn mi, this is my go to place. Actually, when I was pregnant, I craved their sandwiches. The people are so friendly and the food is so delicious.

They specialize in Bahn Mi sandwiches and boba drinks, but the real gem here is the food you can cater. Family run, dedicated, hardworking, and honest. Businesses like these deserve recognition for what they do. And they do it very well. Not all gems should remain hidden. Come and see for yourself. You will be greeted with a smile and become a loyal customer. Never a doubt to come back to try more new things and for the great food and service they provide.

The tofu veggie banh mi is ridiculously delicious!! The bread is toasted to a crispy perfection. The tofu is shredded and veggies are fresh and vibrant. You will not find another tofu bahn mi like theirs anywhere. Get you one.

This is my spot to go for Spring Rolls with shrimp. Always made fresh and well packed to take home or to a picnic. The young lady who works there during the day is so friendly and it's great to support a local family owned business. They have a great selection of boba teas and smoothies and a nice variety of Banh mi sandwiches. You can also order party platters of select items, just place your orders a few days in advance since everything is made fresh to order.

Best banh mi spot I've come across in San Diego (and I've tried more than a handful)! I'm going to toot my own horn and say that my expectations of banh mi are quite high as I used to live in San Jose where Vietnamese food and banh mi are abundant. Not only was the price good, the bread is soft, but crispy, the xiu mai and thit nuong are both tasty, the pickled vegetables are crunchy and refreshing. I'd like a tad more cilantro, but this is a personal preference. The gal working was super personable and nice as well.

Glad I found a Bale nearby. I decided to get the pork vermicelli. It did not disappoint. Pros: -lots of free parking in a lot -reasonably priced items -they sell sandwiches, drinks, shrimp rolls and more -Most of their smoothies are made with real fruit -friendly staff -quick and casual Cons: -n/a Other: -no tables are available. This is more of a grab and go establishment

This spot is a hidden gem, in terms of a quick bite. The food they serve is very on point! The bahn mi sandwhiches are amazing, the baguettes were really fresh. The service is good, we came at around 11am and our sandwhiches came warm and ready. The ambiance however, there were no tables so dining in is not an option. Would come back again for a quick snack.

Great sandwiches! I always want more mint. Thank you for making flavorful food. I forgot to ask for no Mayo and will next time but still enjoyed it!

I like this spot. Their bhan mi, the rolls. Bomb for the price. I actually enjoy the strawberry banana smoothie too.

Banh cuon for the win! Ordered these on a time crunch and am so happy they were able to accommodate!

I really wanted to like this place based on the reviews and how much I love Vietnamese food. The pickled veggie had an overpowering vinegar taste. The combo sandwich had 2 thin slices of meat (image). The "grilled pork roll" seemed to be cut and microwaved, there's no sear or grill marks.

I don't know when it happened but there are new owners, and I'm sorry to say, it's definitely not the same anymore. First they charge if you use a credit card, not a big deal but kind of annoying. Second, the sandwiches had barely any meat, the pickled vegetables were over pickled and tasted very bitter. The quality of the meat was not as good and the flavor was different. I'm so sad because this has been my favorite banh mi place for close to 10 years and now it's not great. I'll have to find another place :/