Summer

"This Vietnamese counter-service restaurant serves our favorite banh mi in Elmhurst. Their classic version is like the exemplary coworker on your team who always packs lunch and leads group presentations. It’s near textbook perfection. Each bite of crumbled, caramelized pork perfectly balances the buttery chả lụa, cold cucumbers, vinegary carrots and daikon, and tassels of cilantro. If you’re taking your banh mi to the couch, beware that it’s impossible to eat without leaving a trail of flaky breadcrumbs. photo credit: Noah Devereaux" - Hannah Albertine

"Here’s a rule of thumb: if you’re hiding from the law, don’t stop for a banh mi at Summer, since it’s impossible to eat without leaving a trail of flaky breadcrumbs. Assuming you’re not on the run, we’d suggest sticking with the classic banh mi at this counter-service Vietnamese restaurant. Like the exemplary coworker on your team who always packs lunch and leads group presentations, it’s near textbook perfection, and our favorite banh mi in the area. Each bite of crumbled, caramelized pork perfectly balances the buttery chả lụa, cold cucumbers, vinegary carrots and daikon, and tassels of cilantro." - will hartman, bryan kim, hannah albertine, neha talreja, willa moore

"The menu at this Elmhurst spot ranges from Taiwanese popcorn chicken to ramen with Lan Zhou-style noodles, and while we’d never discourage you from getting a bánh mì with spam and egg, you certainly won’t be disappointed if you keep it simple. The classic bánh mì here is the best you’ll find in Elmhurst. It’s made with a baguette that would start flaking in a strong breeze, as well as crumbled, caramelized pork that perfectly balances the buttery chả lụan and vinegary carrots." - sonal shah, willa moore, carlo mantuano, carina finn koeppicus, will hartman

"You can tell Summer’s classic bánh mì is near textbook perfection because it’s impossible to eat without leaving a trail of flaky breadcrumbs. Beyond the quality of the roll, each bite of crumbled, caramelized pork perfectly balances the buttery chả lụa, cold cucumbers, vinegary carrots and daikon, and tassels of cilantro. This is our favorite bánh mì in Elmhurst." - hannah albertine, matt tervooren, neha talreja, kenny yang

"This banh mi and bubble tea parlor in an obscure corner of Elmhurst south of Queens Boulevard sells some of the best Vietnamese sandwiches, with a signature version featuring pork, bacon, and a fried egg. Another attraction is a customizable soup (called “spicy hot noodle soup,” even though it’s not particularly spicy) something like bun bo Hue that allows one to choose two ingredients to be added from a varied list that includes fish balls, clams, duck feet, pig skin, fatty beef, and squid." - Robert Sietsema, Bao Ong