Banh Mi Up

Great local place for the St John's neighborhood. If you live in the area or are stopping by the area then this is a great place. Their bahn mis are very good. But their rice bowls, fried chicken wings, and pho is also very good. Their outdoor patio area is very nice. Despite being right next to Lombard it is actually pretty quiet. They have a good selection on tap. They also have great non-alcoholic drinks like iced Vietnamese coffee. Great for dine in on a nice day and great for takeout.

Garlic noodles and braised tofu and a Vietnamese Ube coffee. great taste excellent flavors, didn’t see the need for the salad, would have rather had more noodles instead. Still a solid spot, you definitely won’t be disappointed. 10/10

Banh MI Up has potential, but our overall experience was just average. We came in expecting a warm, casual Vietnamese dining experience, but several aspects fell short. To start, the pho wasn’t bad in terms of flavor—the broth had a nice base—but the meat was not thinly sliced as you’d expect from a traditional pho. Instead, it came in thick, chunky pieces, which gave it more of a stew-like feel and took away from the authenticity. One of the biggest letdowns was the portion size. The servings were exceedingly small, especially considering the prices. We left feeling like we had only a light snack rather than a full meal. We also expected some standard Vietnamese appetizers like fried egg rolls, but none were available. The menu was a bit confusing to navigate, and when we asked questions, the attendant was only semi-responsive. While not unfriendly, they struggled to clearly explain the options or make any recommendations. The dining space is very small and didn’t feel kid-friendly. The tables were wobbly and unstable, which made eating with kids especially challenging. All in all, while the food had some flavor, the small portions, unclear menu, and cramped, uncomfortable environment make it unlikely we’ll be returning anytime soon.

This place has amazing food and a really cozy setup with both outdoor and indoor seating. The cocktails are on point with plenty of alcoholic, and non-alcoholic, options. Highly recommend checking it out! I had the grilled chicken Banh Mi with Vietnamese coleslaw… the ingredients are incredibly fresh and the flavors are on point. I’ll dream of this sandwich for a while. Will definitely be back!

I met up a friend here for lunch as it was a convenient spot for us. It's nice that they have both indoor and outdoor seating. The outside patio is nice. It is counter service, and once you order, you find a place to sit. I ordered the combo vermicelli bowl and also a roasted pork banh mi to share. I think I may have come here on an off day as the chicken and pork for my vermicelli bowl was a bit dry. The roasted pork was a bit dry, and the bread could be toasted a bit longer. I think having extra hot sauce would help, but they were all out and had whatever was left in the table. Again, maybe an off day, I'll have to come back again.

Love their outdoor patio! It was our first time dining here the other night and we will be back. Ordered the wings, pork belly pho, and beef pho as well as a vegan pork belly vermicelli bowl (bún) to go. Service was quick and friendly and the food came out fresh! Thanks, Banh Mi Up 🆙

They get busy fast, but that’s understandable because the food is amazing! The service was also excellent. I visited late at night, and despite the 20-minute wait due to how backed up they were, they offered me free drinks while I waited inside. The food was absolutely delicious! I tried their vegan options, and they were fantastic. If I lived nearby, I’d come here all the time, but I’ll definitely visit again whenever I get the chance!

Great spot in St John's neighborhood. Love this area. Definitely will be back. Got a few items to try out. The roasted pork belly Banh Mi sandwich. Very good, but I would have loved to have more of the mayo as it left it a little try unless you used the house sauces. The two were amazing. The veggies on the sandwich were flavorful but would have preferred the carrot sticks to be cut down in size. Too large on a sandwich of any kind. Also, I got the grilled chicken Bahn Mi Tasty as well. The taro veggie rolls was nothing special, in my opinion. Love the outdoor area and will next time sit out there when the weather is nicer.