Cali Baguette Express

Vietnamese restaurant · San Diego

Cali Baguette Express

Vietnamese restaurant · San Diego

2

9225 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126

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Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by Helen I. Hwang
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null
Cali Baguette Express by null

Highlights

Freshly baked baguettes & flavorful banh mi sandwiches  

Featured in Eater
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9225 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126 Get directions

calibaguette.com

$1–10 · Menu

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9225 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126 Get directions

+1 858 695 8888
calibaguette.com
CaliBaguetteMiraMesa

$1–10 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 10, 2025

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@eater

Best Vietnamese Restaurants in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"With locations in Mira Mesa as well as City Heights, the banh mi here are made with baguettes baked fresh throughout the day. Try the Cali Special with the traditional cold cuts of pork, Vietnamese meatloaf, and ham or the tender lemongrass beef with a sweet tang." - Helen I. Hwang

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-vietnamese-restaurants-food-pho-banh-mi-san-diego
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@eater

The Best Restaurants in Mira Mesa | Eater San Diego

"At this traditional Vietnamese sandwich joint, the baguettes are made daily so customers can taste the freshness with every satisfying crunch. Scrumptious options range from Vietnamese cold-cut ham to barbecue pork; each stuffed with cucumbers, cilantro, sliced jalapenos, and pickled vegetables." - Helen I. Hwang

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-asian-mira-mesa-san-diego
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Yendry Arreaga

Google
I walked in cause I was hungry for some good bread and I wasn't disappointed. No frills here--absolutely none. They have all kinds of bahn mi options. Vegetarians welcome here! Looks like they have some daily breads that looked awesome but they only had pork filled buns that day. They have canned sodas, bottled water, and a bunch of random Vietnamese offerings. I went for the lemongrass beef Banh mi and added egg for $2. The beef was the only warm component of the sandwich, the egg was pretty much cold and scrambled but still fresh. All the veggies were on point, crunchy carrot and cucumber and super fresh cilantro. The bread was the superstar but I could see how it would feel a bit skimpy on the fillings if I didn't add egg. There was a man picking up two huge baguettes and I may do that in the future. The guy who took my order could not be bothered. Highly recommend!

David Lee

Google
Nice Vietnamese place that offers of banh mi and other Vietnamese ready made options like cha lua, sticky rice, spring rolls etc. I ordered a banh mi and it was tasty. My only gripe was that the sandwich weighed less than like a double cheeseburger from McDonald's. Very skimpy on the meat and veggies and mostly bread. Nice staff and friendly service though

Harrison Brown

Google
Really like this place! It's not over the top or fancy but has good Vietnamese hole in the wall eatery vibes. Solid food, pretty good prices, can't go wrong. Not too busy either.

Michael Jameson

Google
This was my first time having Cali Baguette Express. The baguette was phenomenal; it’s baked fresh every day. The sandwich filling was similarly fantastic. I highly recommend, and I will be returning.

Javeria

Google
I have been coming to Cali baguette since I was in college 5 years ago. The family that runs this restaurant are the kindest most accommodating people. You can really tell they care about their customers and quality service. I get the same thing everytime and it never disappoints. Tofu bahn mi, they take special caution to prep my vegetarian order without cross contamination and I really appreciate that. This is a wonderful establishment.

Vincent Lam

Google
We ordered a lemongrass pork sandwich and rice noodle combo with egg rolls. The baguette was baked well stuffed with fresh meat and vegetables, but the jalapeños tasted so spicy. The noodle combo tasted amazing with decent noodle, flavorful meat, and sweet juicy. Egg rolls were crispy. Anyway, their lemongrass pork was phenomenal.

Tania L

Google
We came for a late lunch on a weekday and there was a line. Baguettes are soft inside and crispy outside. Not much filling but can’t complain because prices are cheaper compared to some other places. Outdoor searing available.

LULU LIVE Art

Google
Update review: I tried their vermicelli, it was sooooooooo delicious! The egg rolls are crunchy outside and soft & flavorful inside. The bbq pork is delicious as well. I a hundred percent recommend it. My husband had a big beef lemongrass baguette sandwich. It was so big but he finished it. Precious review: Best Banh Mi I’ve ever had in San Diego!!!! Our friends recommended us their foods and told us their Banh Mi is pretty good. Yes! They are! I tried a Lemongrass Beef Banh Mi. It’s huge, with a very reasonable price. The taste is amazing. One thing I love is their baguette bread is not too hard since I always broke my mouth when I have baguette breads. The combination of beef and lemongrass is very yummy. I also bought a bag of taro chips, I love it. I highly recommend this place!
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Daniel H.

Yelp
Cali Baguet Express was a fantastic spot! From the moment we arrived, the place felt warm and inviting. The food brought back nostalgic memories of home, and the staff couldn't have been friendlier. We started with the crispy pig ears, which were an absolute delight, perfectly crunchy and flavorful. The highlight of our meal was the banh mi. It was incredibly fresh, with soft, airy bread that complemented the savory fillings perfectly. The flavors were spot on, and every bite was a testament to the quality and care put into the food. One of the best parts of our visit was how fast everything was prepared. Despite the bustling atmosphere, our food arrived quickly, making the experience even more enjoyable. Overall, Cali Baguet Express exceeded our expectations with its tasty, home-style dishes and friendly service. It's a perfect spot for anyone looking to enjoy a quick, flavorful meal in a lively and inviting setting.
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Mercedes A.

Yelp
Me and my boyfriend have been coming here for over a year now. This place is so good! And it doesnt compare to anyone elses who makes Banh mì. We always get the BBQ chicken! 10/10 perfect each time! I tried their Vietnamese coffee but it was wayy to strong and not sweet for my taste. But if you like it super strong I would recommend it! Vietnamese coffee 5/10 BBQ chicken 10/10
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Karen W.

Yelp
I just love the banh mi sandwiches at Cali Baguette Express. The aroma of freshly baked bread greets you as you walk in. The sandwiches are the best. I love the bbq pork, lemon grass, lemon grass beef and chicken are my favorites. Add a cup of cold Vietnamese coffee and you've got the perfect meal. If you are looking for Bún (vermicelli noodles) try any of their selections. Again I like the bbq pork and egg rolls bowl the best. Kim is so helpful and polite and always answers my questions about the menu.
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Dimchee P.

Yelp
Hiyaah! Ordered the number 1 combo bahn mi and the bread was STALE. The bread is part of the main anatomy of a bahn mi. It has to be good! A bahn mi with stale bread is like adding chilli jam to fried rice! Nobody but Jamie Oliver would approve. Is he the one giving this place 5 stars??
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Michael G.

Yelp
I was driving around in Mira Mesa and saw " Cali Baguette Express " I got down and check what they offer. I looked at their menu and decided to order the grilled pork Bahn Mi, grilled pork chops plate and thai tea with boba. Everything were tasted good , pork chop was very tasty . The restaurant was nice and the service was fast. Plenty of Parking Spaces around .
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Andrew C.

Yelp
Hidden in Mira Mesa is Cali Baguette Express, which serves Banh Mi's and other Vietnamese treats at an affordable price. The food here is made lighting quick--my banh mi sandwich was ready within 2 minutes and it was delicious!

Laura C.

Yelp
Vegetarians- ask for a tofu bahn mi. It is not listed on the menu but is incredible!
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Mei T.

Yelp
This is my new favorite place for Vietnamese sandwiches! Two weekends ago I had a family picnic at the beach. My sister-in-law suggested we get banh mi, and that's when I found out that this place existed. We got 15 Cali Special banh mi sandwiches and 4 loves of freshly baked baguettes. The bread quality was really great! The banh mi was really good and had a nice meat to bread ratio. The gal behind the counter helping us was very friendly. We called in our order and it was ready in 20 minutes. We walked in, paid, and walked out. Inside the shop there were tables to sit and eat, and there's a nice outdoor covered patio with tables as well. They have a nice selection of other food aside from banh mi. I will definitely be back to try more stuff from their menu. There were also packaged goodies like spring rolls, which I absolutely love! They also have pastries, egg rolls, crispy pork belly, and a nice selection of cold and hot desserts.
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Daniel S.

Yelp
Meatball banh mi: I was not familiar with your game, but I will be back. Sweet staff, quick service, decent-sized sandwich for a filling lunch. Meatball was so tender and
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Hungry D.

Yelp
This place is AWESOME! Went there for lunch today and the service was excellent! I ordered the #1 Banh Mi and it was absolutely DELICIOUS! The bread is freshly baked every day and they don't use day old bread. The bread has that perfect crunch when you bite into it and tastes amazing! I highly recommend going to this place!
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Han L.

Yelp
Considering the price, it was good! I wouldn't order the eggrolls again, it was not that good. But, I would go to french bale instead!
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Tommy C.

Yelp
Cali Baguette (C++ ): Maybe I caught it on a bad day at a bad time, but for this battle, Paris Sandwich wins. Based on recos from quite a few of you, I very much looked forward to try out Cali Baguette and expected great things. After picking up my daughter, I rushed to Cali Baguette 15 minutes before they closed for Thanksgiving. So I admit, timing wise, it's probably as bad as it can get. And, I didn't eat it in the restaurant - about 20 minutes travel time to get home - so not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, but the difference was significant enough to still call Paris Sandwiches the winner. That said, I'm impressed with the Cali Baguette's menu - so many banh mi options, and also rice & vermicelli dishes with grilled ribs and pork chops! So I will definitely be back, but for today, we tried a BBQ pork banh mi, a chicken banh mi, and cafe sua da. Cafe sua da (C+ ): This was a disappointment, especially after having the very yummy drip one from Pho Hoa just a few days ago. The coffee was strong enough but I think they used milk powders, maybe Nescafe creamer like boba places, instead of just condensed milk. This ruined it for me and the one served at Paris Sandwiches is definitely superior. Chicken banh mi (C+ ): Overall, an "okay" banh mi. Bread quality didn't match Paris Sandwiches, definitely lower hydration and also less crunch on the outside. The chicken didn't taste as fresh as it should, and they're simply not as generous with ingredients as Paris Sandwiches. BBQ Pork banh mi (B- ): The flavor of the BBQ pork was pleasantly savory & sweet, but I expected some maillard reaction char on the meat based on the photos I saw, and unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Points deducted for being comparatively stingy on the ingredients and like the chicken banh mi, bread quality not as high. For now, I can't say I recommend them for banh mi's since Paris Sandwiches is so close by, but I'll definitely be back to try other stuff, and maybe even the banh mi's at a more reasonable hour when not everyone is trying to close shop. -------------------------------- Food Grading Scale: A+: Life changing. You remember these bites for the rest of your life. Occurs very infrequently and when it does, you'll know it. You don't even know how to further improve it with a magic wand. A: Wow! Excellent. You felt happy biting into it. You're considering whether it's life changing, but know it misses the mark. A-: Very very good. Whatever it is, it's one of the best, but you can think of further improvements. B+: Very good. Very enjoyable, not to the point of "impressive," but worth revisiting. B: Good. A solid example of whatever it is, offering enjoyment, but not enough for making an effort to get. B-: Not bad. If in a pinch to eat something, this offers some enjoyment and is a reasonable option. C+: Mediocre plus. Pretty average, but with one or two positive characteristics you can identify. C: Mediocre. "Meh". Very average. Not bad enough to make you angry, but nothing good about it at all. C-: Bad. You recognize it for what it is, but a very bad rendition. Your foodie self is a little pissed, and feeling like a dummy you ordered it. D: Awful. Whoever cooked it should be ashamed of themself. Somehow, you still managed to swallow a bite. F: WTF is this? Inedible. One chew, you had to spit it out. Fire the chef.

Katie M.

Yelp
Stopped here on a whim because I love bahn mi. This one did not disappoint!! I got the tofu bahn mi and it was amazing!!! Great price and delicous food. What more could you want? The service was equally great. Super kind person at the register, very very quick to get the food out. I was in and out in five minutes. Ambiance is chill and nice. Good amount of seating! Highly recommend!
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Aneesa M.

Yelp
They bake their own baguettes here! I was craving an egg banh mi and this place hit the spot :) Would definitely come back.
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Rebecca T.

Yelp
Ohhhh their food was so good! My hubby and I always ordered banh mi takeout here, sometimes extra for next day's lunch! We also loved their Pâte chaud, so good with the crispy flaky pastry and the savory meat filling inside. Don't forget to grab a few of those desserts too, how can anyone resist lol. The service was very prompt and friendly too. The lady answered my questions about the different items since I'm not Vietnamese and not familiar with certain items that piqued my interest. I'm a curious foodie, can't help it. Make sure you stop by here to grab a bite now or to save it for later!
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Kellie C.

Yelp
Great place to get a quick bite! Prices are pretty decent for the portions! I love how this place gives you tons of other food options instead of just banh mi. There's quite a lot of yummy foods readily made in the warmers! I got the number 1 special and the pandan waffle with coconut cream. The bread was amazingly crispy, but it is a little thin for a baguette. The meats were also super yummy and not too salty. The person who helped me was super nice as well :) It is a To-Go style so you order first and you can sit anywhere. Super casual place to sit down to eat your meal in the store too.
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Allyson D.

Yelp
Came here for the Bahn mi. As a vegetarian, I was between ordering the tofu or veggie loaf. I opted for the veggie loaf and brought it with my on my "picnic" in Mission Bay. It lasted 2 hours before being eaten and I enjoyed it. Fine ratio between bread and fillings. The veggie loaf is like the veggie ham found at Asian grocery stores. #IYKYK If you're a boba coneissuer, ask if their smoothies contain fresh fruit. I should've asked, and I most likely would've changed my mind immediately. It did not taste like a real smoothie using fresh strawberries and banana. Smoothies should be made with frozen or fresh fruit, no? Unfortunately, the boba was subpar too. This is not a spot for your boba craving. The ladies taking my order and giving me my order were nice and smiling.
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Kannica C.

Yelp
First off, the banh mi is priced very fairly. I'm so tired of these banh mi places in San Diego pricing their banh mi at $13+. It feels criminal! I typically get 2 pork ham banh mi with pork pate, and my total is ~$18. This place is also family owned, and not only is their banh mi amazing, so are their baked goods. I love this place. It's practically the only banh mi I will get, even if the drive is far from me. The lady at the front cashier is always super sweet and friendly. The place has indoor seating and a patio that has plenty of seating options as well. The decor and setup is a little outdated, but the experience isn't the point-- it's all about the food! I recommend this place to everyone I know that enjoys banh mi, and will continue to do so!
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Alice G.

Yelp
Fast service and friendly people. I always feel welcomed every time I stop by. Favorites to order: -Vietnamese Iced Coffee (4/5): this gets the job done and is not as sweet as other places but not the best Vietnamese iced coffee that I have tried -Vietnamese ham (5/5): sandwich comes with mayo, pate, meat and veggies: pickled radish and carrots, cilantro, cucumber, and jalapeños. -Spring rolls (4/5): very customizable to what filling to add and the peanut sauce is so tasty. -Coconut jello (5/5): there is one that comes in a fresh coconut and one that comes in a plastic container. The jelly is in layers and tastes like coconut water.

Erica C.

Yelp
I have it almost every Tuesday night and it is so amazing! I recommend number 9 it's an egg one! It's so delicious
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Kristen W.

Yelp
We ordered the Banh Mi Dac Biet (#1 - Cali Special) and the Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong (vermicelli noodles with egg rolls and grilled pork). Sadly, both were very underwhelming. Having lived in the Bay Area for a bit, I'm used to banh mi's in San Jose being stacked and flavorful. Banh Mi Dac Biet (2/5): Couldn't really taste the pate or mayo. The pickled veggies weren't pickled. The bread was not toasted and didn't have any crunch to it and just tasted saturated in butter. Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong (1.5/5): the meat, the egg rolls and the fish sauce were SO salty. The meat itself didn't have much flavor. The egg rolls were burnt and soggy, which meant they were old and have been sitting out. When you bite into an egg roll you want a nice crunch, these didn't and tasted stale. The staff working at the cash register was very nice. There's a good amount of seating inside and outside. I rounded up on the stars because of the staff and service. But we'll keep looking for our banh mi spot.
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Greg F.

Yelp
Best Bahn Mi I've found in San Diego. Make their own French bread to perfection and the quality of all their food is exceptional.
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helen r.

Yelp
I went in super quick just to get a taro milk tea. The staff was friendly when taking my order, and by the time I sat down to get situated they had my drink ready! Very nice looking inside too, very cute and just has a calming feel. The drink was delicious too!
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KC C.

Yelp
Ok, so I had a high hope for this place and I finally got to try their #1 Dac Viet (California special?). It wasn't bad but it wasn't superb either Perhaps because I had a high hope? Or they could improve a bit? For me, I felt like their daikon/carrot mixture was just meh. I don't think they even put daikon at all which I felt like it didn't help their Banh mi define the way it should've. I enjoyed visiting this little establishment, the gentleman behind the counter was super nice and helpful. I just don't know if I'm convinced enough to come back here...
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Johnny N.

Yelp
I was told by a few people to visit this place as it was their go-to spot in Mira Mesa. It's in a quiet shopping center near the 15 adjacent to the other plazas with Hmart, Daiso, and Lucky. The inside was quiet as well, and seemed to be a family joint, with the familiar scene of snacks and desserts sitting near the register and boxes of drinks sitting around the shop, so I knew it was legit. I got the banh mi dac biet, which came out in around 5 minutes. The bread was a little soft, and was skinnier than most other places. I still found the meat to veggies ratio to be perfect and the taste of everything was perfect. I'm definitely coming here again for my banh mi fix!
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Mary M.

Yelp
***Only Reviewing goi cuon aka summer roll aka spring roll aka fresh roll. *** Disappointed. Cabbage instead Lettuce. Ham instead of boiled pork. Whole peanuts instead of crushed. Peanut sauce was thin, and it was only filled up halfway. Roll wasn't tight and had tears in it. Everything kept falling outside, so I couldn't dip had to spoon in sauce. I get some of these changes may be cost savings, but come on... the effort to roll is the same. Most of the food is good there and the service is great. Be kind if you walk into a place and it's busy, know what you want to order and then go to the counter. You won't feel rushed.
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John C.

Yelp
Great tasting banh mi sandwich with soft bread that doesn't scrape the roof of my mouth and not that thick. Ample portion of meat and veggies. Great tasting dessert and welcoming customer service. For sure will be back.
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Jean-Charles N.

Yelp
My to go banh Mi spot in Mira Mesa The prices didn't go up since last year but still good size sandwich and great service

Gennie M.

Yelp
This is our favorite Vietnamese place for lunch or takeout. Their beef soup has the right amount of heat and very satisfying. The family love their banh mi sandwiches. I usually get the bun (vermicelli noodle bowl) or roasted pork belly rice plate.
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Brenda L.

Yelp
The actual Baguette of the Banh Mi was REALLY TASTY. I did enjoy it. The meat was underwhelming inside the Banh Mi's. I had the #2, and I didn't expect them to be on the flatter side. The meat was exactly what I was looking for taste wise. THE 1 LB OF PORK BELLY. THAT IS WHAT YOU NEED TO ORDER FROM HER FOR SURE. For $20 of 1 lbs of roasted pork, SO SO worth it. It had the perfect skin crunch. The meat was soft and melt in the mouth. The sauce that is served with it was just the right amount of soy sauce and chili. It really was to die for and I would come to SD again JUST for this. The guy and girl in that were taking the orders were super chill and friendly and definitely made every single person who came in feel like family or a friend. The store made me feel like home in a sense because I had grown up going to these type of food places and getting those random snacks, drinks and desserts all at one place. The ambiance was family and friendly.
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Julie X.

Yelp
Dang. I hate to be one to give this place a bad review but maybe I came on a bad day. My husband ordered the beef banh mi and he gave it a 2/5 - he says the beef seemed shredded. I ordered the combo porridge - 5/10 - the chicken was dry, there was 2 pieces of imitation crab and LOTS of asian ham/meatloaf. Needed more salt and lacked flavor :( The eggrolls were good but the ones in rice paper tasted sour. Got a bag of pork ears & got an old batch - it smelled like old oil :( My son ordered the chicken rice plate & the chicken was suuuuuper dry. Our Thai tea w/ boba tasted good but the boba was hard in the middle. $52 down the drain and we're still hungry
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Chanelle L.

Yelp
I was sooo excited to try this place out after passing by it a couple of times in Mira Mesa. Upon arrival, I was greeted promptly. I took a bit of time to decide what to order for myself and my boyfriend but the girl behind the counter was patient and answered all of my questions. I ended up going with 1 lemon grass beef banh mi, 1 spam and egg banh mi, sesame balls, and a thai tea. My order came out promptly, but these items were okay. I also noticed the woman forgot to give me my sesame balls after handing me my order, so I had to ask for them. The sesame balls were not fresh, but the taste of the mung bean filling gave a hint of coconut. I do like the variety of their menu they provide from banh mi, vermicelli noodles, rice dishes, coffee, tea, and more. The ambience of this is a grab and go type of place. Not so much of a sit down and dine place with a party, maybe just a casual lunch by yourself.
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Saleen D.

Yelp
My girlfriend ordered the Bahn Mi flatbread at Cutwater which sparked the question, "Who has the best Bahn Mi?!" She insisted her place, Cali Baguette Express, was the best. So we went on over. They have a variety of Bahn Mi sandwiches such as BBQ Pork, Tuna, Lemongrass Beef, & more. They also serve order Vietnamese goods such as Spring Rolls, a of variety desserts, & their famous baguette. BBQ Pork Bahn Mi: Yup, their Bahn Mi is way good! The bread was crunchy with a fluffy inside, generous portion of tasty BBQ Pork, & for a decent price.
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Shong H.

Yelp
Finally was able to stop by for a banh mi. Ordered the lemongrass beef banh mi and it did not disappoint. The bread was not too hard and had a nice crust. The amount of meat was satisfying. The one thing that I would've liked more was the flavor. It didn't stand out to me. Other than that, sandwich was good. Definitely worth a visit. Aside from sandwiches, they have the usual Vietnamese food and snacks to go (eggrolls, taro chips, desserts). Service was good and food came out pretty quick even though there was a line.
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Noriko C.

Yelp
Probably an establishment worthy of 5 stars but I haven't seen a perfect eatery in every aspect yet. Let's go with 4.5 for Cali Baguette. Everyone always has room for improvement. Service is like no other. Every-time I have gone here I have been helped by a young lady. She is super nice and a good up seller...sold me on eating an egg to my meal (note: egg is extra) We got 2 bbq pork sandwiches, 2 meat pies, grilled pork meal with an egg and a large Thai iced tea (no boba). Cost about $43. The baguette bread that they use for their Sami is outstanding. Super, super soft! Parking can be a pain on some days, so be prepared. Especially prime lunch and dinner time. We went around 5pm on a Thursday and parking was very limited. Quick service...I will be back again!
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Cana S.

Yelp
Cali Baguette Express has been my go-to spot for Vietnamese sandwiches for years, and I finally decided it's time to share the thoughts. Today, we swung by for our usual order - the lemongrass sandwich and Asian sausage delight, both with an extra egg - along with a couple of their Vietnamese coffees. The lemongrass-infused meat was incredibly tasty, and the freshness of the flaky baguette added that perfect crunch. The addition of the egg takes it to another level of deliciousness. It's my fail-safe choice that never disappoints. To complement our Sunday adventure boat ride, we grabbed a couple of Vietnamese coffees. The coffee was spot on - strong, rich, and served perfectly over regular ice. It was the ideal companion for our little oceanic picnic. Cali Baguette Express continues to impress me every time. The consistent quality and mouthwatering flavors make it a standout choice for Vietnamese sandwiches. If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend stopping by.
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Jennifer M.

Yelp
My favorite banh mi spot on San Diego! I've tried several different places and I always come back here. I get the bbq pork banh mi and flour eggrolls. The banh mi is always fresh. Great quality meat, lots of pickled veggies, and crispy bread that's soft inside (not too crispy that scratches your mouth like others). Eggrolls are crispy and delicious. Their customer service is always amazing. We are usually helped by a woman at the register and she's always so kind and welcoming. Their staff is friendly and definitely makes us want to keep coming back. Highly recommend trying them out!
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Lisa W.

Yelp
I hate this place. Thought we would give them a try again. We ordered fresh made to order spring rolls and it took too long because they weren't making it and making the sandwiches people ordered even though we ordered first. Spring rolls don't take long to make. We waited almost 25 minutes and my husband got frustrated and asked the lady (again) how long it's going to take when she already told us "a couple minutes" 15 minutes ago. He told her that he's just going to leave and dispute the amount, then she went to the back and grabbed it or made it or whatever.
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Yueming Q.

Yelp
Update review: I tried their vermicelli, it was sooooooooo delicious! The egg rolls are crunchy outside and soft & flavorful inside. The bbq pork is delicious as well. I a hundred percent recommend it. My husband had a big beef lemongrass baguette sandwich. It was so big but he finished it.

john R.

Yelp
Shrimp baguette was ok, nothing special. The bread to everything else ratio was off significantly. There was a point when I had almost an inch and half of bread and no filling. Also, the bread was too hard and cut the inside of my mouth. And the shrimp appeared boiled and then seasoned with Cajun spice, not a fan of this cooking technique. Spring rolls were less than mediocre especially with that peanut sauce. That peanut sauce was not good at all.
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Samantha D.

Yelp
I stopped by Cali Baguette Express to grab some banh mis for breakfast around 10:30am. My boyfriend got a regular BBQ Pork Banh Mi and since I'm on a fitness challenge and I need all the protein I can get for #thegains, I got the Lemongrass Beef Banh Mi with extra meat and extra pickled veggies. Total for these two sandwiches came out to be ~$20 which is on the pricier side considering my boyfriend didn't order extra of anything. They def didn't skimp on the meat though, I had more than double the amount of meat compared to my boyfriend's sandwich. Flavor wise both were good, but I think I preferred his more. The Lemongrass Beef was a bit oily and it soaked into the bread. We actually didn't notice the other offerings they had behind the cash register until after we ordered the banh mis so I placed another order for 2 sesame balls (was hoping they were filled with red bean paste but it was actually filled with mung bean paste and coconut shavings, and were pretty dry), a green pandann waffle (which I was hoping would be warm but it wasn't, and it was a lot more dense than the ones I'm used to in San Jose), and a tray of Nem (fermented/cured pork). I forgot to take photos of these but I definitely feel the Nem was worth it! They were thick cut, had a lot of flavor, and were also moist and not dry. Total for the second order of snacks was a little less than $20 after tip. I'd definitely come back for the Nem, but I still enjoy the sandwich taste of Bale better. Overall I would have rated this experience 3 stars, but I added an extra star for the amount of meat they gave me when I ordered extra. Nem experience 5 stars, Banh Mi experience 4 stars, Sesame Balls and Green Pandan Waffles 2 stars
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Ellre W.

Yelp
Haven't been here in years! This used to be my go-to for a bahn mi but for some reason my family started ordering from a different place. Today I was craving a bahn mi and decided to go back to my original spot - Cali Baguette. I tried the #18 (spam), sans mayo, and added a fried egg. The bread and portion size is way better than other options in the Mira Mesa area. The bread is soft yet crunchy, and you can easily share it with someone or save the other half for another meal. Heard wonderful things about the lemongrass beef and the grilled pork, maybe next time I'll deter from my typical spam or tofu because I'll definitely return when I'm in the mood for a bahn mi again.
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Nancy H.

Yelp
Food: - Cali Special and BBQ pork bahn mi are my go-to orders every time I come here. The prices go up every year, but they are still a great deal compared to other restaurants. You can ask for extra pickled veggies, and they will include for no charge. 5/5 stars - Combination fried rice: I am going to ding points for putting carrots in the fried rice (sorry for all the carrot lovers, but I hate when restaurants do this). I can tell from the photos that some people got a lot of goodies in their rice, but ours was mostly rice. 3/5 stars - BBQ short ribs plate was so-so. Flavor of the meat was good, but the meat wasn't all that tender. 2.5/5 stars Dine-in: There is outdoor dining and indoor seating. It is never over-crowded on the weekends Pick-up: I have called in large sandwich orders before. I just line up, and when it gets to my turn, I tell them I am here for pickup. I don't think there is a special pickup line Parking: Tons of free parking in the lot
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Junior C.

Yelp
California special number 1 with extra Mayo and extra patE with no chilis Best banh mi (better than any place I've had in the South Bay Area and SF area) 100/100 Sugarcane drink 90/100 P nice . Had some citrus added to it for some reason not a big fan of that. Pandan 70/100 Not too sweet and good texture.

Irene F.

Yelp
Good sandwiches, main meals and boba. They also have snacks and pork belly to go. The service is fast and very friendly. They can use some cleaning after each customer after customers leave the tables and also clean the floors where some customers leave a mess. I just wonder how these customers live at home. They have outdoor seating as well as indoor but limited space.
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JiaJia T.

Yelp
There's no shortage of good banh mi places in San Diego; however, we always find ourselves here after a soccer practice. It has one of later closing times. The bbq pork, chicken, grilled beef and fried egg banh mi are our usual orders. The bread is crusty and soft and meats flavorful. I recently tried their fried rice and it was had an abundance of ingredients and didn't disappoint. We also never leave here without one of their pandan honeycomb cake. The service is really friendly and we always leave here with more than satisfied!
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Lili J.

Yelp
I've been coming here for years, and it is truly my favorite place for banh mi, their bread is my favorite! The staff is very friendly and always so nice. After going my way through the menu some more, my two current favorites are: the crispy pork belly banh mi, and the Chinese sausage (I add a fried egg). They are so good, you have to try them out!
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Robert H.

Yelp
Favorite place when I return home to visit. Fast service, fresh ingredients every time, the bread is baked daily. Thai tea is always consistent.
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Kelly P.

Yelp
- Quick and super friendly service, plenty of parking, and decent amount of seating. - I got a large iced Vietnamese coffee and a #6 (banh mi grilled pork) - Banh mi was a bit skinny but it was decently stuffed and it was enough to satisfy my craving. The coffee was more in the bitter and watery side. I prefer my Vietnamese coffee to be more sweeter and milky so I would not order it again. - The place is pretty popular and it can get busy so wait time is not ideal for people in a rush. Kind of a hole in the wall kind of place. Food is great, grab and go vibes. - 4/5
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Ryan S.

Yelp
Still our go-to place for Banh mi. Bread is supper fresh (made on-site), great selection of ingredients and price is decent. One of the only places that has meatball sandwich (delicious my wife says). I love the bbq pork sandwich. They stuff the sandwich and don't skimp on ingredients. Lady at the front counter is super nice. They didn't have any egg rolls in the display so she offered to cook some more for us. She is super efficient and manages everything so well. Food comes out quickly. Call in your order if you do not want to wait. They actually prefer call in orders. Don't forget to order iced coffee. So good!