Nhu Lan Bakery & Sandwiches

Cute, little Vietnamese restaurant. No seats but food was meant to be taken out to eat anyway. My family ordered three banh mi! Wished there was more filling inside the sandwich, and I should’ve specified to cut it in half (not done automatically). Lots of vegetarian and vegan options!! Took some pictures of the restaurant to showcase the charm of the thoughtful decoration!

Adorable and intimate Vietnamese deli/market. I picked up a lemongrass chicken sandwich on my way to the beach and it was the highlight of my outing. The veggies were crisp and fresh, the chicken moist and flavorful, and the bread very soft. Best of all, only $9 for a sandwich! They also have fresh fruit smoothies, Vietnamese coffee, and other small bites and appetizers in fridges off to the side. This would be the perfect place to pick up some food and refreshing drinks before heading to the beach.

The banh mi was so fresh and delicious! We also tried the heo quay and ended up buying 2lb to bring more home. Phenomenal crispy skin roasted pork. Fat melted off, tender meat, amazingly crispy skin. My mouth is watering as I write this review.

I come here often for Vietnamese iced coffee and Thai iced tea - they make the best of both of these that I’ve had in the city. The curry chicken banh mi is very good. The lemongrass chicken though was very dry and could use something to make the bites go down easier, but that’s my one and only complaint about anything from here

I got the special for $8. Very classic and typical Banh Mi, which is exactly what you come here for. They have a good variety and the price is very reasonable given the quality. Can't really ask for better. The employees are also local and they speak Vietnamese which is a plus in my book. The atmosphere gets a ding however because it's very small and there is no dining option, meaning you have to take it to go. Luckily the beach is close by so a Banh Mi beach picnic is always an option!

such a small and cute hidden vietnamese place! got the vegan lemongrsss banh mi and let me tell you it was so good and fresh! perfect for the beach! they have a few vegan options and all <$15

Needed a quick bite for lunch and boy… that’s what you called a bahn mi. BBQ pork was deliciously sweet and the bread had a perfect crunch to it. What I really enjoyed were the fresh toppings that really brought the other flavors together. Mouth watering, quick and simple. Will be returning!

Loved the ginger tofu banh mi. When I got it, I was convinced I’d been given the wrong order and that it was pork. It was only after reading about similar experiences in reviews that I accepted it was tofu prepared in a way I wasn’t used to. And it was SO good! Also got spring rolls which were delish

We made the trip up north just to stop at Nhu Lan, and if you're wondering if it was worth it, we didn't manage to get a single picture of the food before wolfing it down in the parking lot right outside. We got 3 Banh Mi: the Nhu Lan Special, the Roasted Pork, and the Betal Leaf Wrapped Beef. I can say without question that the Roasted Pork was one of the best Banh Mi I've ever had in my life. The bread was light with some crisp, and the pork was as juicy and flavorful as any mere mortal could ask for. I won't go into a lot of detail here, because honestly I ate far too quickly to break down each individual aspect, but I can tell you that this place is a must-visit. Will be returning.

I recently had the opportunity to try this delicious establishment with my gf and I fell in love instantly. Since I don't eat pork I normally don't get a chance to try Bahn mi's. But here they have chicken options so I was in luck. I have tried both the curry chicken and the lemon grass chicken and they are so delicious. The sandwhiches are so crunchy, and the veggies are always fresh and crisp which compliments the warm chicken very well. If you never been, I suggest given them a try asap!

The sweetest ladies work there! This is a hidden gem, a little away from the Main Street. I usually go to the other one on the Main Street but decided to check this shop out and I'm glad I did! Price is good and they give you a lot of stuff in the sub!! They take credit card here as well. There is more pate in the sub than the other place :)

One of the best banh mis in the city (I've had alot). Ingredients are always fresh and they are not stingy with the filings. Price is also very reasonable and their Vietnamese coffee makes my heart feel like it's about to explode in the best way possible.

I only come here for the number 9 veggie classic. This sandwich is insanely delicious from their homemade mayo, to the toasted rice powder, thinly fried tofu strips, crisp cucumbers, pickled daikon/carrots and the bread. You have to try the number 9!!!

This was the first time i went here for their banh mi. I got their combination and grill pork banh mi. The combination does have sufficient topping with plenty of pate. The grills pork is adequate amount of grill pork. It is located in an area with decent parkings in the parking lot. The sandwiches came out quickly.

How could you serve a Bahn Mi with no mayonnaise or butter??? I went back to see if they'd give me a small portion of mayo for the sandwich since they "forgot" to put some and the staff there said that that condiment doesn't go in their sandwiches. They said I could buy their mayo for $3.75. It was a container way bigger than what I needed for my lunch. If I was going home, I would've gotten the big container. By the way, bahn-mi's are my favorite sandwich and everywhere I've gone it's been served with either mayo or butter. Maybe they're just rationing these ingredients. I don't know.

Bahn mi was so fresh and good! Lots of vegan options and friendly service. Will definitely go back

No frills banh mi counter! Grilled pork was filled to the brim with crispy skin, chunks of fresh juicy meat, pickled veggies, and jalapeños. Service was quick and efficient!! Cheap and delicious, what more can you ask for?

My Yelp history says I went to the Lincoln Square Nhu Lan a million years ago and apparently didn't love it. I don't know about any of that, but this Uptown Nhu Lan is my #1 choice for beach picnic sandwiches. Do not sleep on the roast pork. It contains an amount of that layered, crunchy-skinned, fatty-innarded pork that makes me feel like I can't possibly have paid them enough money for it. They also offer other items that are hard to find elsewhere, like an entire plate of stewed pigs' organs, and a rotating selection of desserts. I reserve the final star because a couple of times they haven't been open during their posted hours and I think they are too heavy handed with the mayo, but overall I'm thrilled they are my neighbors.

This place is so so good every time. I had to get two banh mis this time because I knew I don't come to the area often. I got the roasted pork, which is a crispy pork, and lemongrass chicken. It is seasoned sooo well and the pickled radish slaw and cilantro compliments it so well! So good.

Got some roasted pork to go. It didn't take very long to get it. Sorry no pics, but trust it was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

More convenient location than Lawrence usually and parking is a bonus for pickups. No more "Buy 5 get 1 free" but I understand first priority is keeping prices low for customers on the first sandwich. Where else can you get this quality on a $6.50 #8 original. Prices vary here depending on how fancy you want it. The competition starts at $9 and goes up from there.

A carry-out-only spot for really really solid bánh mì The baguette was crispy with not too much or too little of any ingredient (there is such a thing as too little cilantro or too much meat in a bánh mì). I got the #1 special and my kids got the grilled pork. Maaaybe I could use a touch less mayonnaise and a touch more Maggi seasoning, but I'm nitpicking. And this might sound like a weird detail, but I appreciate that they drain their pickled daikon and carrots (context: I've had three bánh mì from other places around Chicago that were soggy with pickle brine and I'm like do I really have to go to Uptown/Argyle Street to find a shop that knows not to do this? (So far, the answer is yes .) They also have refrigerated cases of Vietnamese desserts, and some Vietnamese snacks: -The Pork patty sticky rice / Xôi chả lạp xưởng is really good - We thought the BBQ pork bun/Bánh bao xá xíu was just ok (a little too sweet) but will come back to try the Viet-style bao They also have roast meats, which I'll have to come back to try: Chinese-style roast pork and xá xíu (aka char siu aka BBQ pork), roast duck. Note: they have no seating; this is a carry-out spot only. We couldn't wait and ate in the car. So did the customer who went in after us.

Excellent banh mi and sides. I love their vegan options and their spring rolls are so good. Always great service at pick up though not a place you can really sit down to eat.

great banh mi, large sandwiches around $9 each, all the components were fresh and delicious. they also offer some pre-made food and dessert.

Great banh mi and bbq place. I had the heo quay banh mi. Also got some xoi and vit quay. All delicious. Would recommend.

I've been itching to try this Banh Mi spot since moving to Uptown and finally got to try it. I've heard great things, and my visit here solidified those comments. The little lady working behind the counter was sooo nice and sweet. We ordered two Nhu Lan specials and didn't have to wait more than 4-5 minutes to receive our sandwiches. Took them home and absolutely devoured them. We both felt that they were extremely good; great French bread texture and all the ingredients were fresh. Our only minor negative review was that the jalapeños used weren't that spicy. We would have loved some more heat. Will absolutely be back!

Our favorite sandwiches in chicago!! The bread is so light and fresh. I recommend adding mayo to the tofu banh mis if you are not vegan. It is delicious. Service is very quick, especially if ordering for pickup on the phone. Ginger tofu with light mayo is a favorite.

I love roasted pork sandwich. The lady at the cashier is always sweet and you can always call ahead to order for quick pickup.

This is literally a hole in the wall type joint. Everything is take out as there is no where to sit. That being said, this is probably the cheapest place in Chicago for roast meats. Unlike Sun Wah which is also in the area, the staff are native and it translates into good authentic food. They have a largest array of Vietnamese sandwiches with so many different fillings offered. Each one is made fresh from scratch. If you're looking for reasonable, authentic food, you have to give this place a try.

I walked in with one person in line ahead of me, giving me time to look at the menu, which consisted of Banh Mi sandwiches. The place is filled with bright reds, yellows, and fresh air from all the plants hanging around. I almost wanted to ask if I could purchase one of the plants they look so happy and healthy! It was my first time there so I wanted to trust and try their signature meal, which is the number one the Nhu Lan Special. After ordering, not even five minutes later, my sandwich was ready to roll. There are two different types of meats featured in this sandwich that are about four times the thickness of a typical deli cut. If you are a crunchy person, this has crunchy fresh cucumber and daikon on top of the crunchy loaf of bread. The sandwich is filled with bright flavors of cilantro and raw jalapenos, flavorful meat and pâté, mayo, and a baguette to honor the flavors within. The overall the flavor profile is sweet and my stomach is happy.

Fast service with affordable prices for Asian street food. It's pretty authentic for this being such a quick counter service place. Nhu Lan is pretty much like ordering food on a street in Vietnam. Maybe not exactly, but the foods tastes like it sure came from it. There's also bubble teas and shakes on the menu along with a banh mi or whatever kind of sandwich. Came in to pick up carryout. It's seriously the only option. This place would be too small to have dine in anyway, so whatever. It's about $8 for a bubble tea or any other drink. The best looking one was the Black Bean Coconut Che Dau Den, and this tasted as good as it looked. It turned out it actually tasted like it was chocolatey. This was also made with coconut milk and tapioca. As for the banh mi, there were quite a few vegan choices. It's about $10 for a sandwich. The best sounding one was the Vegan Ginger Tofu. It was a pretty good size and it had a little spice to it. The tofu was interesting with it being more of a cheesesteak texture. Good flavor. This was actually pretty filling for just this one thing. Good place to pick up some affordable yet healthy Asian fast. It's carryout only. There's plenty of pretty authentic choices for vegans and vegetarians.

This place might not be on Broadway and Argyle, but tucked away off of Sheridan. The great thing about it is that there's a parking lot which is incredibly useful when you go into order and wait. I always get the special which is the cold cuts. There is a great bread to filling ratio, and the bread is nice and warm and crispy one of my favorite places to get banh mi.

Delicious Vietnamese Banh mi sandwiches. French bread roll and whatever you pick comes with a pickled carrot & daikon slaw and jalapeño on top. My favorite is the Lemongrass Tofu sandwich #10. I have tried others, but this one beats them all. My husband often gets the Lemongrass Chicken, so you know they're doing something right with that Lemongrass. They-do have some desserts, Spring Rolls, meat buns, and other prepared foods available in a refrigerated case. I've tried a red bean dessert which was tasty, as well as, the fresh & yummy spring rolls. Definitely recommended!

I am a Nhu Lan (Fan). Happen to drive by and decided to try and glad I did. The shop seems to be only taking carryout which was fine with me. I ordered 3 sandwiches which love the cost of $8.88 each - Very reasonable compared to other sandwiches nearby. I can say that the sandwiches are the best in the area and they have their own shared parking lot.

Food: The banh mi were delicious and had so many toppings to add flavor, I got the grilled pork which was tender. The Thai tea was super fresh and creamy Service: The service was quick and attentive Ambiance: It's a small Vietnamese shop, family owned Location accommodation: Free parking lot in front

This is a small, no-frills takeout spot with convenient parking in the front. I stopped by early around 9 AM to grab some sandwiches before making a 5 hour drive home. I ordered the fresh spring rolls, the combination special, and the lemongrass pork and shrimp banh mi. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and authentic, with the banh mi being a standout. They give you a spicy and not spicy peanut sauce for the spring rolls that were both delicious. The prices were very reasonable, making it an excellent value. If you're looking for authentic banh mi, I highly recommend this place

I love Nhu Lan! Their sandwiches are made to order so it might take some time, but their ingredients are so fresh and delicious every time. I also love their lunch boxes with their bbq meats! My faves are the char sui and roasted pork! I'm drooling just thinking about it! The unfortunate thing is they have increased their prices by a lot! But I will still frequent them because it's worth it!

The vegan bbq ROCKS -- but here's the thing. It's a little dry because they don't have vegan mayo, which isn't surprising for an authentic mom and pop place like this, but the secret is to take it home and put your own vegan mayo on it and then it's out of this world. Giving it 5 stars anyway because it's my favorite sandwich in Chicago right now.

Delicious banh mi and spring rolls! I ordered the banh mi ga (lemongrass chicken), and it was juicy and so flavorful. Tasted even better than the banh mi ga I had in my childhood in Little Saigon, California. The chicken is shredded and steeped in lemongrass goodness! I also had the four seasons combo spring rolls. I was impressed by how big these are! They're much longer than the typical spring roll. There are 3 kinds, shrimp, what I think is tofu ginger, and what I think is lemongrass beef. It comes with 2 (!!!) containers of peanut butter hoisin sauce, which I was excited about because I LOVE sauce, and it turned out to be more than enough. It has some spice in it too. All in all delicious! Service was friendly! Can't wait to come back to satisfy my banh mi cravings.

Bahn Mi is equal or better than the other location in Lincoln square. Very delicious. Grilled pork rocked. No place I'd rather go. I was disappointed that the Thai ice coffee was $7, and loaded with ice. Not so much for the price. Next I will ask easy on the ice, if I get it at all.

Best banh mi in the city! The bread is light and crispy and the vegetables are fresh. Their roasted duck is delicious too. The Vietnamese pork meat loaf is made fresh in-house and has a hint of sweetness and banana leaf flavor.

Delicious! No-frills, still looks very covid-conscious inside so no seating area but definitely a great spot to grab a quick sandwich to-go.

Had some banh mi's from this shop in the argyle area. I've previously had the sandwiches before and was definitely craving them as they're usually packed with flavor and texture. Usually I get the special combination which has cold cuts and pate. The bread this time was a bit too dry and crusty for my sake as it crumbled as I bit into it. The livery pate flavor definitely came out. I really like the pickled carrots and daikin as it added a nice crunch. This time I also tried the pork meatball banh mi #6. I was expecting something different apparently because this meatball reminded me of an italian meatball sub sandwich with the marinara sauce. The flavors worked well together (I think the pickled veggies + cilantro are always a winning combination for a sandwich). Just not what I'd imagine it to be with the type of meatball. I was expecting a firmer meatball (kind of like the meatballs found in noodle soups). If only the usual sandwich shops thought of this idea! I did note that the bread for the #6 was not as dry and crumbly so perhaps it's just an oddball on my combination#1. I thought the size of the sandwiches were a good portion, I'd definitely be full if I had a whole one myself. Though the sandwiches were pretty satisfying, my previous experience was better.

I read up on Nhu Lan after researching must-try Vietnamese restaurants on the famous Argyle Street in Uptown, and immediately wanted to try their Banh Mi. After a few weeks of anticipation, I got the chance to try one, and it was worth the wait! When I first arrived, a huge menu on the windows of the bakery grabbed my attention. Before walking in, I browsed it and chose what I wanted, a lemongrass chicken Banh Mi, as I had seen others recommend it. I walked in, and the space was small, with one register and a small area on the side for refrigerated desserts and other goods. There was already a group of about six people waiting or placing their order (about the max occupancy without feeling uncomfortable), and got the feeling I was in for a treat. After placing my order, I waited a quick 5 minutes for my sandwich. The sandwich was larger than I expected, never a bad thing. Once I opened it, the different smells of chicken, pickled vegetables, and cilantro hit my nose. It was quite fragrant! The baguette was soft and warm to the touch, bouncing lightly back to shape when I pressed it down. After getting taken aback a second by the appetizing aromas and feel of the bread, I took my first bite. The bread was as airy as it felt in my hand, with the snap of the peppers adding more texture. The chicken tasted zesty, sweet, and had a hint of spice. Combined with the flavors of the fresh and pickled vegetables, it made for a perfect summertime lunch! The one negative was the chicken felt a bit dry, though the delicious marinade helped cover that up. All in all, my first Banh Mi from Nhu Lan will not be my last. I cannot wait to go back and try some of their other sandwiches soon, and I may also toss in a dessert, as those looked yummy when I glanced at their refrigerated section. They made a returning customer out of me!

I can't believe I just found out about this place after 10 years in Chicago. My best friend recommended this place to me and I was blown away. The food was so good! I ordered the bbq lunch box. It was around $10. You can choose up to 2 items. I chose half bbq pork and half roast pork over rice. The ordering process was pretty smooth. I called the order in and it was ready right on time when I got there. They also sell freshly squeezed orange juice which I really like. Definitely a solid deal and the portions are huge! I had to split it into two meals. I will definitely be back for some more bbq pork and roast pork over rice even though it's going to take me 30 minutes to get here.

Delicious sandwiches for a good price. Never dissatisfied. I would recommend this to anyone looking for good food in the area.

I discovered their bakery on west Lawrence years ago and have been a fan ever since. Nhu Lan Uptown is just as delicious. Free parking at Lawrence and Sheridan leads you into the small shop where deliciousness can be had. More of a takeout place. They offer several different versions of the famous Bahn mi sandwich with their own baked bread, very unique. The cooler on the right has so many grab and go options like Vietnamese wraps, flan and craft drinks and juices. They also offer BBQ pork, roasted chicken and duck, chopped up fresh as you order. I love places that are easily accessible, grab and go, unique and absolutely delicious. Try this place ASAP.

Some of the best food I've had, for very reasonable prices. Go in the morning for the freshest bread and BBQ. Roast Pork: The best crispy pork belly I've had in Chicago. At other places the skin is hard and brittle like glass, but not the case here. The skin is super crispy and light, and the meat is seasoned perfectly throughout and juicy. They sell it by the pound; best thing at Nhu Lan. BBQ Pork: A bit on the sweet side as far as char siu goes. Not bad, but you can't beat the roast pork. Roast Pork Bahn Mi: Juicy, rich, crispy roast pork, and the bread is light and crusty, easy and satisfying to bite through. A lot of people just buy bread from here and I can see why. The sandwich was packed generously with meat and vegetables. The roast pork is super flavorful but not saucy, so try this if that's your thing. Ham Egg Bahn Mi: This sandwich is no joke; it's super hearty and filling. Tons of high quality ham and two (maybe three) over easy fried eggs. Hits the spot for a rich, hearty breakfast especially when your body is recovering. Lemongrass Chicken Bahn Mi: Tons of lean flavorful shredded chicken on the sandwich. The chicken is well seasoned; the flavor profile is more simple and clean, so good option if you are looking for a lighter sandwich. Curry Chicken Bahn Mi: Piled high with generous portions of meat and veggies like all the other sandwiches. The chicken is shredded like the lemongrass chicken, but has slightly more flavor with the curry. Pho with Brisket: Very generous meat portions, and excellent broth. Nice subtle spices and a clean broth packed with flavor.

Okay, first thing: the menu that's provided here is out of date. The prices and items available have changed, and that's true of several of the menu photos submitted as well. If I had know this, I would have pushed harder to get photos of my visit. It was a little too crowded. Anyway, I had a veggie classic bánh mì for $8.95 (most of the bánh mì are priced like that). It was really good, better than what I can get at Viet Nom Nom, but I'm not quite sure it was worth the effort of a 25-minute round-trip. Everything was fresh and flavorful, and the only ingredient that let me down were the jalapenos. They were there -- I could see and taste them -- but they had no kick at all. Too bad. I'd definitely go back because it was very good but didn't make me sit up say, "damn, that's good!" Maybe if it were closer to home or priced a little lower, I'd bump it up to a five. It was great to see that there are numerous vegetarian and vegan options, so I'll have to go back to try those.

been trying to branch out and explore new restaurants near argyle when we found this place today. I love the sandwiches here!! the shop is very unassuming and offers take-out only. the sandwich prices were very reasonable ($8.95) and the portion size was great! we tried the special sandwich (#1) and roast pork (#2) and also a dessert (great with some shaved ice). overall i would highly recommend this shop and it'll probably be our go to banh mi place in the future. can't wait to try a different sandwich next time!

It is my first time uptown before 8 am. We arrived right at 8 am. I wanted to order some special Nhu Lan sandwiches; however, the staff told me they were waiting for the sandwich delivery. She asked if I can wait because the sandwich could get there any minute. My husband and I were chilling at the store. The sandwiches were fresh, delicious, and yummy. I love this location because it's close to the Vietnamese uptown. I will definitely come back in the future for more.

Food was very good-2 sandwiches. Very quick made to order, even with one modification. This is not a sit-down restaurant, but it does have fun things to look at while waiting.

Yummy banh mi's, big fan of their roast pork (sandwich). Nice and crispy skin, layers for days. I also love their fresh squeezed orange juice - so sweet and refreshing! Quick and good service.

Best banh mi in the area! Staff were so sweet and the food was delicious. I am now recovering with a food baby.

This was my first bahn mi sandwich. It was incredible. It was so fresh and delicious.

Prices are up but you really can't beat their bahn mi. It's that bread. All about the bread. But really, the perfect blend of various meats and veggies with a touch of heat from the jalapeño on that crusty bread makes a mighty fine sandwich.

Best Vietnamese sandwiches in the Chicago area. They don't skimp on the meat/filling and their bread is just the right amount of crispy on the outside and not too dense on the inside. The quintessential Vietnamese baguette. I highly recommend their lemongrass chicken sandwich (banh mi), which I hear is a popular menu choice. I have also tried their che (coconut tapioca dessert), which was fantastic. I think I had the che ba ba, with taro, plantains, and cassava. The use of plantains was not what I'm used to in this dessert, but still good nonetheless. I like how they use the sealed top, like boba drinks, to hold these liquidy desserts. Their xoi (sticky rice) was just ok, a little bland and pretty dry. Meaning they may not make the sticky rice directly, but it could be shipped from another shop. Their banh cuon (rice rolls with ground meat) were also ok, as the rice rolls were thicker than I typically like. Overall, I'd come here for their sandwiches and che desserts, and go elsewhere for the other side dishes. There is parking out front in the small parking lot. It is conveniently off the Lawrence exit on Lake Shore Drive, as well as the Lawrence Red Line stop.