Here’s the thing: I’m a vegetarian. So am I really the best person to praise a banh mi sandwich shop when so often the best part of a banh mi sandwich is the meat? YES, because East Side Banh Mi, which opened in August 2020, is just as good for us herbivores as it is omnivores, thanks to the tofu, eggplant and Impossible meat-free meatballs on the menu. Seriously! The bread is baked in house, and all sandwiches are topped with fried shallot mayo (or sub vegan), pickled veggies, cilantro, cucumber, jalapeños and Maggi seasoning — so meat or no meat, it’s packed with so much flavor you have to pause after each bite to fully appreciate every delicious detail. Not ready to make the full-time leap into a plant-based world? Owners Gracie Nguyen and Chad Newton work with local vendors — Bear Creek Farm for beef and pork and Gifford’s for smoked bologna — to ensure that their carnivorous offerings are of the highest quality. But seriously, give the chili crisp tofu a chance.
Best Banh Mi
East Side Banh Mi
East Side Banh Mi
