East Side Banh Mi

"East Side Bahn Mi is our go-to spot for Vietnamese sandwiches in the area. One of the best things about the bánh mì here is the crispy homemade baguettes that rain crumbs all over the counter in the best way possible. But the fillings just might edge out the bread—there’s black-pepper-caramel-roasted pork shoulder, lemongrass chicken, and griddle-seared smoked bologna. They also dish up some mighty tasty rice and salad bowls, which might be a nice thing to eat on a “feels-like” 105-degree Nashville day. There isn’t a whole lot of seating inside, so you might have to opt for takeout with an impromptu picnic at Shelby Bottoms or in the backseat of your car." - jackie gutierrez jones 2, ann walczak, adam sloan

"Crackly, crispy bread is the foundation for Vietnamese sandwiches piled high with pickled veggies, herbs, and meats (or not meats, depending on your preference). East Side Banh Mi’s No. 1 is a classic banh mi adorned with slabs of ham hock terrine, paté, and smoked bologna, while the veggie features chile crisp tofu and roasted eggplant. For the non-sandwich curious, rice and noodle bowls are excellent options; don’t miss Gracie’s Big Salad (named after co-owner Gracie Nguyen) that’s a bright, herbaceous bowl of greens, herbs, green papaya, fried shallots, roasted peanuts, and citrus-soy vinaigrette." - Ellen Fort

"Industry vets Gracie Nguyen and Chad Newton opened their fast-casual banh mi shop in August 2020, and it’s been a favorite ever since. When lunchtime rolls around, those hankering for a solid sandwich turn to East Side Banh Mi for a casual, come-as-you-are meal. While the restaurant’s been recently renovated, you’ll still find tasty iterations of the Vietnamese staple on freshly baked baguettes with high-quality fillings for both meat lovers and vegetarians, including pork, chopped steak, Impossible meatballs, and chile crisp tofu. The noodle bowls are a hit too, especially when paired with East Side’s toasted peanut rice milk. —JGJ" - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones, Ellen Fort

"East Side Bahn Mi is our go-to spot for Vietnamese sandwiches in East Nashville. One of the best things about the bánh mì here is the crispy homemade baguettes that rain crumbs all over the counter in the best way possible. But the fillings just might edge out the bread—there’s black-pepper-caramel-roasted pork shoulder, lemongrass chicken, and griddle-seared smoked bologna. They also dish up some mighty tasty rice and salad bowls, which might be a nice thing to eat on a “feels-like” 105-degree Nashville day. There isn’t a whole lot of seating inside, so you might have to opt for takeout with an impromptu picnic at Shelby Bottoms or in the backseat of your car." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

"When lunchtime rolls around, those hankering for a solid sandwich turn to Gracie Nguyen and Chad Newton’s East Side Banh Mi for a casual, come-as-you-are meal. While the restaurant’s been recently renovated, you’ll still find tasty iterations of the Vietnamese staple on freshly baked baguettes with high-quality fillings for both meat lovers and vegetarians, including pork, chopped steak, Impossible meatballs, and chile crisp tofu. The noodle bowls are a hit too, especially when paired with East Side’s toasted peanut rice milk." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones