Fox E.
Yelp
If you are the lock, I have the KEY
If you're Anthony Kaedis, I am FLEA
And unlike freedom, this isn't FREE
So get Banh MI from a place called LEE
If you are Edam, I'll be BRIE
If you're the princess, I'm the PEA
If you want sausage, I'll bring the D
But if you want Banh MI then go to LEE
I ran here so fast, I blew out my KNEE
It hurt so bad, like an EMERGENCY
But I said no, don't call the EMT
Cause I need Banh MI, let's go to LEE
If you're a kitten, I'll kill your FLEA
If you have 2 lovers, wanna make it THREE?
If the bathroom's empty, I need to PEE
And if you're tum's empTY get Banh MI from LEE
WHAT!
Ignore the scandalous low ratings. They're as clueless as a kid who doesn't know who Miss Scarlett is.
What to get: Banh Mi, but esp. the Viet Iced Coffee mmmmm.
What not to get: Brainwashed by the American gove.... oh too late.
I don't Lee's my car... I own it. But when it comes to Banh Mi... I Lee's all the f***ing time.
It feels weird to say this because it is such a common chain all over the country, but they literally have some of the best Vietnamese sandwiches and possibly the very best Vietnamese Iced Coffee that we've ever had anywhere. I'm not really into the Fresh Rolls, not always so Fresh, oh the irony. And they have Viet Sausage in them, if that's your thing. Wanna see my thing?
(Pulls down pants)
Not into chains but Lee's is so amazing (and underrated), way better than most alternatives. My aversion to chains is not just political - they are usually crap. When one is this good, I have to give kudos. Plus it's cute that they put one of their biggest and landmark stores in Houston. In fact it's the largest Lee's in terms of floor space, and was their 100th location.
It was not the first location of Lee's Sandwiches that we went to, we've been to the one in Oklahoma City a few times and loved it. But this is now my favorite. It's a large and spectacular sandwich shop with absolutely wonderful Vietnamese Iced Coffee that is second to none, and some good spring rolls that are very different to the others we've had. Don't get me started a big long sexy Banh Mi sandwich. Every bite is delicious. If you're going to do a chain this is how to do a chain.
Honestly the quality is so good - much like 85 Degrees Bakery - that it never really feels like you are in a chain. They use top-notch stuff and everything tastes homemade. Because honestly everything is. They have everything right and it's not like me to endorse a chain but I fully and totally endorse this one.
Other top choices are nearby Nguyen Ngo who make the best Banh Mi on buttery fresh homemade croissants, and then Tapioca Place/Smootea - different style but wonderful - and the best in town, in my opinion, the Banh Mi at Les Givrals in Midtown.
So after visiting Lee's about 117 times in the last few years, I can say that they have some of the best sandwiches around and are very consistent with their sandwiches. Even more consistent are their phenomenal Vietnamese iced coffees, as their milk is the creamiest most delicious Vietnamese coffee I've probably ever had. However, while they do make the very best Vietnamese Coffee, they also make one of the stingiest portions. I feel like three sips and it's gone, sort of like your boyfriend only needs three strokes and he's gone.
The most recent time we even had to order a second one and ask for it with less ice. I swear it came in a cup that was smaller and yet had even more ice. Whatever - at least they didn't charge me for the privilege. I'd love to downgrade for such stinginess, especially since it's a chain, but the products are soooo good, that I can't.
Speaking of not charging - you're supposed to be charged if you use your credit card for under $5 which I accidentally did this most recent time, and he said don't worry I didn't charge you for the credit card because you already spent more than $5 on your previous transaction. I thought this was really nice and, so I definitely have to say good job to that young man who was also checking out my girlfriend a lot (but who doesn't).
And now for the closing rap:
If you're on Kayak, I'm on TRAVELOCITY
If you're Siouxsie, I'm a BANSHEE
If you're Boba, I'm the TEA
If you're the Titanic, I'm your DEBRIS
If you like Sade, call me MARQUIS
If you're running for election, I'm an ABSENTEE
If you're in Somalia, I'm in DJIBOUTI
If you're Pamela, I'm TOMMY LEE
If I'm a Spice Girl, you're a WANNABE
If I'm a sports better, you're a BRIBED REFEREE
If you're Macauley in My Girl, I'm a BEE
So float like a butterfly and get BANH MI
Are you from Nashville cuz you're the only TEN I SEE
If I'm Dallas, you can do me like DEBBIE
But if I'm in Houston, I go to LEE!
If you're Charlie Brown, I'm SNOOPY
If I'm JWoww, you're SNOOKI
If I'm your husband, you're my TROPHY
Wanna see a Wonka, I'll show you my WILLY
And if you want a big long cylindrical hard thing...
Well, yes, that too
But also, come for BANH MI
And get it from LEE
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!