Gregory B.
Yelp
Went to this place in Hillsborough Village when picking up my daughter from Belmont. Small store that feels more like a fast food joint, at least until you turn around and see the small bar at the side (interesting concept).
Let me take a second to explain my review. For me, personally, I would give 3 stars. Why? Because I feel they have overly Americanized the banh mi sandwich. Not in the flavors, as they are there, but with the over abundance of meat. That leads to the 4 stars. I don't think a lot of people getting a $10 - $13 sandwich are saying, "but I wanted a skinny, lower meat sandwich". As the flavors are great, and on point, and the place is very clean, I will go with 4 for the average Yelp crowd (if you want a more standard bahn mi, go to the ethnic area on west Charlotte Pike).
Food: Already mentioned the flavors are there, but a bit too much meat. I would love to see a smaller, more traditional, bahn mi, but I can see that would change their menu rather dramatically (limited, simple, but targeted). I had the BBQ to stay within what I would normally find in a Vietnamese restaurant and thought it was very tasty. Boba is fairly standard, although not as many choices as a standard boba house.
Store: Very clean. A bit strange in layout, as it feels like the way a Southeast Asian Subway would look if you added a small bar. No bar business when I was in there and I am not sure that is their best crowd. They share and entrance with a nail place, so you have a nice picture window to watch people getting their nails done. Ah, perhaps that is why the bar is there - SO can have a drink while watching you get your nails done. LOL
Ordering experience: Fairly standard sandwich shop type of feel, except you don't see the bain where you can individually pick ingredients (why would you, you picky people?). You order, they call your name, you pick up.
Location: In general, you will want to street park, which is dicey in that area. There is a parking lot behind the store, with a strange back entrance to the store (I parked there to make things easier - through the door and turn right (sign on wall)).
I don't get into Hillsborough Village that much but would consider another trip when I am in the area (depending on my mood that day, of course). I think of this more as a quick bite or to go type of establishment. YMMV